Page 177 of Forgot to Tell You Something

“Quite right, but I intend to rectify things—with both you and Tally. I’ve got a conference call in Tokyo. I’ll speak with you later.”

Mr. Auerback’s words should soothe me, but the truth is that I don’t care about the deal. Do I want to help people? Absolutely. It’s what I do, and what I’m good at. But nothing is more important than Tally and our baby.Nothing.

But I’m no fool. How many more times can I leave Tally in the dark before she turns off the light in our relationship?

I need caffeine. I’m exhausted and running on fumes, but my brain is spinning too fast to consider sleep. While I wait for my order, I verify my mother’s arrival time with the airline. She’s flying in for Christmas, and I know she’ll have some choice words for me regarding my latest screw up. The woman adores Tally.

I pull into the parking garage, my head thumping despite the caffeine jolt. There’s no easy fix for this kind of pain.

With a sigh, I push open my front door, and am immediately greeted by Hecate. I stroke her from tip to tail, smiling when she winds around my feet. Tally claims the cat doesn’t warm to people, but Hecate and I have been buddies from the start.

Too bad the cat can’t put in a good word for me.

I hear Tally’s voice, but it’s too low to make out anything but the occasional curse word. My momentary excitement is tempered by the knowledge that she’s likely packing, searching for the quickest exit out of my life.

I follow the string of obscenities to the back bedroom and push open the door, my heart in my throat.

Tally sits on the floor, cleaning a gash on her leg. Her head flies up when I open the door, but there’s no malice in her gaze. “You’re here.”

“So are you.” I kneel next to her, inspecting the wound. “What happened?”

She shrugs, offering her trademark smirk. “Let’s just say that being pregnant hasnotimproved my grace.”

I grab the gauze pad and antiseptic from her, pressing gingerly around the wound. “Does it hurt?”

“It doesn’t feel good, if that’s what you’re asking. But what can I expect when I climb a cemetery gate in a ballgown?”

I settle back on my haunches, my eyes wide. “Is that where you went? I looked everywhere for you.”

“Not everywhere. I wanted to spend some time with my folks.” She chews her lip, regarding me thoughtfully. “Our dear friend, Dr. Jessop, called me last night. He informed me of your escapades after I left. Did you really call off the whole deal?”

“I sure did.”

“Are you okay with that decision?”

I nod, my hand still tracing her leg. “I am.”

“He also mentioned how you told Charlotte where she could shove her new position, along with the ridiculously large payout promised you.”

“You missed one hell of a blowout.”

“Why did you do it, Owen?”

“For you.” I grasp her chin, moving my thumb along her lower lip. “You were right. It’s just money. Life is so much more than that, but without you, it’s meaningless.”

I open my mouth to say more, but she shakes her head. “We need to talk.”

I help her to a standing position, eager to pull her to me and beg her to forgive me one last time. “Let’s talk.”

“Correction. I need to talk.Youneed to sit down and be quiet,” Tally states, pointing to the bed, and I waste no time abiding her demands. Hey, when a five-foot-tall woman tells you to jump, you ask how high while holding back the snicker.

“Yes, ma’am.”

She paces in front of me, a scowl lining her face. “We’re in a mess and a lot of it is my fault.”

My jaw slackens in a dumbfounded gape. Talk about an unexpected statement. “It’s both of our faults.”

“I said be quiet.”

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