Just One Scandal (The Kingston Family 2)
She might not want to go back to work with Linc, but she needed a place where she could concentrate and hoped Beck would let her come to his offices to work on her submission for the design contest. She also wanted to start apartment hunting. After last night, she couldn’t stay here much longer without losing her head and her heart.
Walking to the kitchen, she heard the sound of Beck’s voice, and it was obvious he was on a business call. She focused on her phone, looking at social media while she waited, giving him privacy.
Scrolling through Instagram, she came upon a picture of Owen walking into a trendy restaurant with a woman who was Chloe’s exact opposite. Stick thin where Chloe had curves, brunette to her blonde, shoulder-length hair to her longer locks, and more petite for sure. His arm was around her – PDA that he’d never indulged in with Chloe – and in a way that signaled deep feelings, and the photographer had caught them looking into each other’s eyes.
She swallowed hard. Why hadn’t she thought to block him? Frozen, she stared at the photo and forced herself to think. It wasn’t jealousy of the man himself—she’d accepted that theirs had been a comfort match—and it wasn’t shock that he was with someone. He’d been up front about why he’d been a no-show at the wedding. But she hadn’t gotten over the callous way he’d handled things, and she’d never seen such happiness on his face. Not when he’d been with her.
“Chloe?” Beck called her name from the entryway to the kitchen. “Are you okay? I was heading back to my room, and I called your name twice. You’re just standing there in shock.”
Swallowing hard, she turned her phone screen his way. “You know, it’s not that I want him back. It’s that…” She trailed off, unwilling to finish the sentence out loud.
Owen had something she feared she’d never find. Joy. Contentment. And the knowledge that the right person was in his orbit and reciprocated all those heady feelings of true love.
“It’s that what?” Beck asked in a gentle voice.
She couldn’t meet his gaze, nor would she finish her sentence. She’d told him she wanted a fun affair and she’d meant it, but she’d also denied being a woman who ultimately desired marriage.
She’d lied.
But after the incredible experience they’d shared, he’d withdrawn into himself and run away from, not toward, her. Beckett “I don’t do relationships” Daniels was not the man for her.
“Nothing important.” She snatched back her phone. “Have you heard from your parents yet?”
His expression told her he knew she was avoiding discussing her ex with him. “No. If Mom reaches the doctor when the office opens, it should be soon. She said they start answering the phone at eight thirty.”
She nodded. “I’m going to eat something, but I was hoping I could come to the office with you? Maybe you have an extra office or space where I can do some sketching?”
If he hadn’t shut down on her last night, she’d have shared her contest entry and dreams for the future. She knew he’d be proud that she had taken his suggestion and conquered her fear. Now she just wanted to give him what she’d offered and no more. A roommate with occasional benefits.
He appeared to think and then nodded slowly. “Yes. We have a place where you can set up. A small conference room that can act as an office. Will that work for you?”
She nodded. “Yes, thanks.” She needed to be away from the stifling offices where she hadn’t been able to express herself, and she no longer wanted to hide away from the world.
“What are you working on?”
She opened her mouth to answer with some kind of avoidance and excuse when his cell rang.
Shooting her an apologetic glance, he pulled his phone out of his pocket and glanced at the screen. He turned pale as he hit the accept button. “Mom?”
She didn’t hesitate. Stepping closer, she put a hand on his shoulder, silently giving him support as he listened to the news.
* * *
Beck disconnected the call with his mother and leaned back, needing the support of the wall behind him as much as he needed Chloe. Even as he didn’t want to need anyone.
She stared at him, worry in her eyes. No matter how much of an ass he’d been to her, she wasn’t walking away from him now. That showed her strength, and right now she had more than he did.
“Well?” she asked.
“Cancer.” The word tasted sour in his mouth, and he still couldn’t wrap his brain around the fact that they’d have to go through this horror again.
“Oh, Beck, I’m sorry.” She stepped forward and pulled him into her arms, offering him comfort, and he wasn’t tough enough not to take it. “What else do you know?” she asked.