Good question. I was...
“Tired. Guilty. Wondering if I’m selfish.”
“For what?”
“Not keeping it just the two of us, like I promised her all those months ago.”
“Don’t you think like that.”
“I know, I know. I’m just a mess.”
Mom put a hand over mine sympathe
tically. I was so glad that she was here. “I’m going to take care of both my girls. You just wait.”
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Ryker
I was blurry eyed by the time the meeting with the PR team ended, hours later. It had been a complete clusterfuck, and it wasn’t over yet. Our PR people were desperate enough about Dawson’s article that they’d brought the heads of all departments into this, and the directors. Tomorrow everyone was meeting again.
I went into my office, slumping into my chair. It was seven o’clock already. This day had just been insane. Then I remembered that I’d made plans with Heather and Avery for lunch too, so I could say goodbye to Avery before she left for Phoenix. Goddammit. How had I forgotten?
I was about to call Heather when my phone rang. Skye was calling and I picked up immediately.
“Dear brother, have you forgotten about us?” she asked.
“Sorry, I got caught up in a meeting. Heather and I were supposed to meet you at the Irish pub.”
“Yes. Half an hour ago. Anyway, Heather messaged to tell me she can’t make it.”
“Why?”
“I don’t know. Thought you’d tell me.”
“I’ll talk to her and then call you back.” I sat straighter. What was going on?
“Okay.”
When I hung up, I jumped out of my chair, about to call Heather, when I was interrupted again. Owen came into my office.
“Ryker, we should finalize the—”
“I’ll do that tomorrow. I need to call Heather. I completely forgot I made lunch plans with her.”
“I saw her in your office, with her daughter, just before I joined the meeting.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“You were already in the meeting room.”
“I could’ve just stepped out for a few minutes.”
“Look, I needed you to have your head in the game.”
“When have I not had my head in the game?” I barked.
“Lately, your focus has been split. A general piece of advice: those who make it far in this industry know where their priorities lie. You don’t have time for chasing kids in your office, and I told them as much.”