Sin (Just This Once 3)

West moves toward me but stops himself before he rounds the conference table. “Holy fuck. This is incredible.”

Trent stands, his gaze locked on the poster board. “I’m in awe. I don’t know what to say.”

I feel a rush of pride. I wish my dad were here to see this, but he’ll hear about it. Not only from Mitchell, but I’m confident West and Trent will sing my praises to him.

Mitchell clears his throat again, this time rising to his feet. He wobbles in place. “Linny?”

I look over at him. My stomach drops at the sight of the smirk on his face.

He taps his finger against his forehead. “I just remembered something.”

Whatever it is, it can’t be related to my presentation. “Mitchell, why don’t you head to your office? I’ll text Hal to get you some coffee.”

He waves his hand in the air as if he’s swatting my words away. “Didn’t you meet your husband at an Asher Foster concert in Las Vegas? That’s where you met Corbin, right?”

I stare at him in disbelief. He doesn’t know about Corbin. The only person who does is my dad.

“Wait. That’s wrong. It wasn’t an Asher Foster concert. It was definitely a rock concert though.” His words are slow and slurred.

I open my mouth to say something, but I’m at a loss.

“That was the night you eloped, right?” He rubs his bloodshot eyes. “You two hooked up after the concert and then made it official in one of those little wedding chapels on the strip.”

My gaze shoots to Jeremy, but his face is impassive. I can’t read anything in his expression.

“Mitchell,” I manage to get his name out, but can’t form another word.

“This is why our dad won’t let her go back to Vegas.” Mitchell laughs, his hand resting on his stomach. “She loses control if she drinks too much and he has to clean up her mess. You need to keep the vodka as far away from her as you can.”

I grip the side of the table for support as I watch Jeremy walk out of the room.

“She loses control if she drinks too much?” Trent looks at Mitchell. “You’re as drunk as the day is long, bud.”

Mitchell drops back into his chair.

Trent turns to me. “Don’t let him bother you. The only thing Jeremy and I care about is the presentation and you killed that. I’ll reach out tomorrow to get all the details.”

I look up and into his face.

“You surprised the hell out of us both today.” He smiles at me. “You should be proud of yourself.”

I don’t feel anything but loss. The man I’m falling in love with just walked out of this room and I don’t know if I’ll ever see him again.

Chapter 45

Linny

I stare down at the phone in my shaking hands.

I can’t text Jeremy to explain any of this. Calling him doesn’t feel right either.

This is a conversation that I need to have with him face-to-face.

I left Mitchell alone in the conference room. I didn’t have anything to say to him. He had said it all in front of West.

I drop into my office chair and scroll through the contact list in my phone until I spot his name.

Dad.