The Secret (North Woods University 3)

“It’s not like that between us,” I blurted out.

“Not yet, but it will be. Clark might be blind, failing to see what is right in front of him, but the rest of us aren’t. You’re a good match for him. You bring out the good in him.”

I want to tell Vance how wrong he is, but I bite my tongue. How could I explain to him that I’m not a match for anyone? Most definitely not a match for someone like Clark, we couldn’t be farther apart from a match.

“I don’t think so…”

Grinning, he says, “We’ll see.”

And I guess we will.

Chapter Nine

Clark

Signing the last two documents with my dad’s name I sigh, thankful to finally be done with this shit. As soon as everything with Emerson happened, he called me ordering me over to the country club to sign some paperwork. Apparently they’re doing a charity event in my mother’s honor

“Thank you for coming by on short notice, Mr. Jefferson. And please let your father know we appreciate his contribution to the country club.” It takes everything in me not to roll my eyes, fuck would that make my father murderous.

“Of course, and you’re very welcome.” The words feel like sweet vomit coming out of my mouth. I need to get out of here, away from this place. Placing the pen down next to the stack of papers, I stand up and fish my phone out of my pocket. The man in front of me grabs the papers and slips from the room without another word.

Dread fills my gut as soon as I look down at my phone and see that Emerson still hasn’t returned my texts. Since that first class I’ve felt like complete shit, after her witnessing the forced kiss with Holly, and then having to leave, it feels like I’ve let her down.

This isn’t how I wanted today to go. The entire day has been a cluster fuck. Running a hand through my hair in frustration, I try and figure out how the hell I’m going to do this.

My phone dings right then, an incoming text from Vance.

Got her, on my way.

Thank fuck. I can only hope Vance isn’t his normal cheery self and acts like a nice person for once. Exiting the office, I head for the elevator. I press the elevator button three times, as if that would make the damn thing come up faster.

“Clark Jefferson?” someone calls from a distance. I turn to find a guy I’m positive I’ve never seen before standing a few feet away from me. He looks to be my dad’s age, thick brown hair, two beady eyes the color of shit. He’s wearing a suit that says look at me, I’m rich. A watch that cost more money than most people make in a year.

“Do I know you?” I ask, not bothering to hide my annoyance. I don’t know this guy, but instantly I don’t like him. There’s just something about him that rubs me the wrong way. Deep down in my gut, I know this guy is bad news.

“No, you probably don’t remember me. I’m Rick Paulson,” he introduces himself, holding out a hand, which I reluctantly take. God forbid I do something that makes my father look bad. “Your father and I used to have a law firm together when we first started out. It was a long time ago, so I don’t expect you to remember. I just moved back to town.”

“Yeah, welcome to North Woods,” I tell him just as the elevator doors finally open up. “Nice meeting you,” I lie and step into the elevator.

“I’m sure we’ll see each other more often from now on,” Rick calls, a smile that doesn’t quite reach his eyes appearing on his lips before walking away. The doors slide shut and the elevator starts to descend. Sagging against the wall, I squeeze my shuts and scrub a hand down my face. I’m stressing the fuck out, and without sex that stress is just mounting, building and building. With the elevator dings and the doors open, I step out.

I walk out of the building and spot Vance’s car pulling into the parking lot right away. Perfect timing.

As soon as I see the red hair in the passenger seat, I feel the tension in my shoulders release. I walk down the stone steps and Vance pulls up right in front of me. He barely as the car parked and I’m opening the passenger door. I extend my hand out to Emerson. Her big beautiful eyes find mine, a million emotions swimming in those blue orbs.

“Come on, let’s go home,” I say softly though the tension rippling through my body doesn’t match my tone of voice. Emerson takes my hand and I help her out of the car, my attention all on her. The wind blows and her sweet honeysuckle scent wafts into my nose.