“I’m standing up for you now.” She rushes toward me with her arms outstretched. “I’m telling you what you need to hear. Don’t reach out to them. They’ll never accept you after all this time.”
Selfishness knows no bounds in her world.
“You’re too late,” I say, loudly. “I’ve already reached out and there’s not a damn thing you or Irving can do about it.”
The mention of my father’s name sets her back a step. “We promised we’d never say his name. You know how much that hurts me.”
“It’s been years, Monica,” I hiss out her name. “Let it go. Let me go.”
Chapter 33
Bella
I stand in the lobby of the Garent Industries building and stare at the man sitting on one of the black leather benches that border the windows overlooking Fifth Avenue.
I’ve spent more than two hours waiting for Barrett to return to the office. He said he’d be back by four. When he didn’t show, I called him twice and texted him three times. There were decisions to be made regarding Empire Soaks. I took the liberty of handling a few matters myself. I left everything else for him to deal with.
He doesn’t look like he’s in any shape to do that now.
With his eyes closed, his head is leaning back against the glass. From this distance, he looks like he’s fast asleep.
Maybe he is.
The end of his tie is hanging out of one of the side pockets of his jacket. His shirt is unbuttoned enough that I can see the smooth skin of his chest as I near him. A late-day shadow of whiskers peppers his strong jawline.
I look around, wondering how long he’s been here.
Other Garent employees are heading out the double glass doors for the day, seemingly unaware that the man who signs their paychecks is parked on a bench just a few feet from where they are.
I could follow them out and forget I ever saw him, but I don’t. Instead, I take a seat next to him. Anxiety washes over me. What am I supposed to do now? Do I wake him up? Should I sit here until he rouses on his own?
I opt for the first choice. Tapping a hand on his knee, I lean in to whisper his name, but my hand is caught in his before I can get anything out of my mouth.
“Sweet Bella,” he growls with his eyes still closed. “I’d recognize that perfume anywhere.”
Bella. He’s never called me that.
I lean in closer to him because I don’t want any nosy Garent employees to catch our exchange. “Are you okay?”
He pries open one eye to glance at me. “What time is it?”
I drop my gaze to my watch. “Six thirty.”
“Shit,” he snaps. “I have work to do.”
He’s in no shape to work. It’s obvious that he had a liquid lunch today that must have lasted for hours. I won’t ask about that. It’s none of my business.
“You should go home,” I suggest. “Why don’t you head up to your penthouse and call it a day?”
That lures his eyes to mine. “Will you come with me?”
A flash of vulnerability crosses his expression. He looks tired and weary. The least I can do is help him to his apartment. I nod. “I’ll come.”
His lips inch up into a sexy smile. “You will.”
His words are simple, but there’s a promise woven into them. Maybe that’s wishful thinking on my part. I’ve imagined too many times what it would feel like to come with him inside me.
He drops my hand to push himself to his feet. He wobbles slightly to the left before he corrects his stance. “We’re wasting time. Let’s go.”