Page 89 of Redemption

His expression softened, his teasing tone gone. “What’s going on, Sloan?”

“How did you…” I chewed on my lip. “After everything with Trinity, how did you get past that to be able to trust someone and let them in?”

He rubbed the back of his neck. “I’ll tell you what I told Brooklyn. Trusting someone is a leap of faith. There are no guarantees.”

“But how did you know you could trust Emerson? How did you know she was the one?” I wanted something more concrete. Needing something more solid after everything I’d been through.

“It was less about me and more about Emerson. She showed me time and time again that she was here for me. For Brooklyn. Whether it was tackling a paparazzo at Brooklyn’s birthday party or supporting me, Emerson is always here for us.”

“What about…” I tried to think of how to phrase my question so it wouldn’t be offensive. “Well, are you ever worried she’s with you for the wrong reasons?”

He furrowed his brow. “Sloan, what’s going on? Is this about my relationship or yours?”

“I was just curious. That’s all.”

He frowned. “Because of Edward?”

“Um…” I rolled my lips between my teeth then said, “Edward and I broke up.”

His shoulders relaxed. “Thank fuck.”

“You really did not like him, did you?”

“Since you’re no longer with him, I can finally say that he was smarmy.”

“Smarmy?” I shook my head. “What are you—eighty?”

“When you live and work in Hollywood, you get used to spotting who’s fake. And he always seemed…” He paused as if considering his word choice. “I could never quite tell if he was being genuine.”

“Why didn’t you say anything?”

“Would you have listened?”

I rolled my eyes. “Fair.”

“He was fine, but he wasn’t the man for you.”

“And who do you imagine is?” I asked, both annoyed that Nate knew me so well and genuinely curious.

He rubbed a hand over his face. “I don’t know. But off the top of my head…someone who’s adventurous. Who likes sailing. Someone who won’t be intimidated by you or your wealth. Someone loving and supportive but also strong. Confident in themselves.”

It was almost as if he was describing Jackson. But how would Nate actually feel if I told him about Jackson? Would he be supportive? I wanted to think so, but I was scared to ask.

“Wait.” Nate furrowed his brow. “So, if this isn’t about Edward, then who…” His voice trailed off, and then he lifted his chin in understanding. “I see.”

“No,” I blurted. “You don’t see anything.”

“Mm. Is Jackson the reason you ended things with Edward?”

“No.” My voice came out strangled, the word sounding more like a question.

“Oh shit.” His eyes widened. “He is, isn’t he? I totally called it.”

“I—” I swallowed hard. “What? What are you talking about?”

“I could tell there was something between the two of you in Abu Dhabi.”

“How?” I’d done my best to hide my reaction to Jackson, but I should’ve known Nate would see right through me. He always had.

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