Page 46 of Love Lies Bleeding

“Why am I only just hearing about this?”

I spin and begin to pace, I hadn’t planned on revealing this to anyone but if he needs this to forgive me, then so be it. “When we were sophomores at Harvard. You broke your leg and were away. She was a freshman and she was…” I stop, trying to find the words for the way Cherry had bowled me over and stolen my heart. “Everything. She was funny, smart, beautiful, vivacious and she was unapologetic in who she was. I loved her from that first meeting. She was the one that got away.”

“Wow, I had no clue.”

“After it ended, I didn’t want to talk about it. I’d fucked it up so badly there was no way back and it hurt too much to dwell on so I threw myself into life.” I look up at my best friend, the man who is more brother than friend, and let him see the pain I still feel. “I get it, Hunter. You want to protect Lexi but I can promise on my life, I’ll never let you or her down again. I’ll protect her as hard as you do. You have my word.”

Hunter blows out a breath and I can see my words have made an impact. “You apologize to Lexi. If she forgives you, then so do I.”

I dip my head, knowing that’s the best I’m going to get. “Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me yet. Lexi is stubborn and she has a secret weapon in Cherry. That woman is fierce.”

My lips tip in a smile as I nod. “I’m aware.”

“So now that’s sorted, tell me about China?”

I spend the next half hour telling him the details and gossip from my trip, including a few prospects I’d heard about that might be of interest.

“What about KLM? They still sniffing around looking for an investor?”

My lip curls at the mention of the KLM. Kendrick, Lamar, and Morrison. A company I’ll gladly see sink into the pits of hell.

“Apparently they have one and a plan to build a shopping mall with a huge hotel and Casino right here in our city.”

Mac shakes his head. “Not happening. Kill it.”

“I’m already working on it.”

“Good.”

Mac walks toward the fridge, and opens it, before tilting his head at me. “You staying for dinner?”

I shake my head. “Nah, I came straight from the airport. I need a shower and about ten hours of sleep before I do anything else.”

“Okay.”

I don’t want to bring it up again as things have evened out the last hour or so, but I need to know when it’s a good time to speak to Lexi and from now on, I’m taking Mac’s lead. “When do you want me to talk to Lexi?”

“Let me speak to her. She’s at the shop but will be home soon.”

Lexi and Cherry have a design shop where they sell antique and upscaled furniture, and also offer a bespoke design service which is thriving.

The frown on his face tells me all I need to know. “You don’t want her working?”

“Honestly, if I had my way she’d be wrapped in cotton wool but she says Cherry needs help.”

“What does Cherry say?”

“That she can handle it, but Lexi needs to feel helpful and not like she’s leaving her friend to do all the work. She feels guilty.”

“What if someone else helped Cherry out? Lexi wouldn’t have to feel guilty then.”

“No, but then we’re potentially putting someone else in Dean’s crosshairs.”

“No word on him?”

Mac shook his head. “Nope. Not a word. Hopefully, he jumped off a cliff.”

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