Page 56 of Burn It Down

If only I felt all the right things.

“Listen, Cora, I wanted to ask you something. I know you’ll be busy that night, and of course I’m always available to help should you need anything, but would you mind if I invited Dylan?”

“Does he have much interest in a charity for muscular dystrophy?” She laughs, but it’s strained.

I’ve pushed too far.

Dammit.

“Actually, never mind. It was selfish of me to ask,” I try to backtrack and put her at east.

“Well, considering your father found a way to add those three extra tables to host his clients, I think we can probably squeeze one more chair in at our table.”Fuck my life. Did she just compare me to my father?“I’ll add Dylan to the guest list. Will he be bringing a date?”

My stomach sours at the thought.

“No, I don’t think so.”

“Well, there’s still time. Maybe I can introduce him to a few of the girls while he’s there,” she suggests, trying to be helpful. “He’s a good-looking guy. I’m surprised he’s not already attached.”

“Mmhmm,” I agree noncommittally.

“Well, it’s all set. I’ve updated the guest list,” she says a moment later.

“Thanks, Cor. I appreciate it.”

“I’ve got a meeting with the caterer to confirm the menu and then I need to pick up the last of the silent auction items. Tomorrow I’m meeting with that client of your dad’s to discuss a breast cancer fundraiser for October. Maybe you and I can havedinner later this week? I have something I’d like to discuss with you.”

Something to discuss usually means asking me for a donation to her next charity project — which I’m always happy to do.

“I’d love to, but unfortunatelyyourdad just dropped by with about ninety-five hours’ worth of work for me that he wants to discuss as soon as possible.”

“Why didn’t he take it to Steve?” she questions just like I did.

“It’s real estate. I guess he knows I know that area of investing better than my father.”

“Oh, that makes sense.”

“You know, you didn’t have to add those tables just for my dad. I really hope he didn’t cause too much stress,” I offer sincerely.

“Once we finally got it figured out it wasn’t a big deal. Besides, I got lunch at The Olive Tree out of it.”

I laugh, my sarcasm thicker than honey when I answer. “Right, because fig jam croissants are worth putting up with Steve Ellington.”

“Well, it wasn’t the Ellington I would have preferred, but since your time has been so divided lately, I figured it was the next best thing.” I’ve never heard Cora be passive-aggressive before and I’m not totally sure how to react. She picks up on my stunned silence and starts talking again. “I just meant between work, the fire station, and the guys, you have a lot on your plate.” We both know Dylan’s been added to that list as well even though she doesn’t specifically call him out. “Besides,” she continues, “it was a working lunch and I think his client’s going to hire me so it was worth my time.”

“Well, at least something good came of it,” I grumble. Cora knows there’s tension between my father and I, but she doesn’t fully understand why. She doesn’t know I’m trapped. Shedoesn’t know I’m gay. And she definitely doesn’t know my father is hanging my career and my inheritance over my head in order to keep me in line, or that he’s usingherto ensure I project the image he wants.

As soon as Cora and I get off the phone, I call Dylan with the good news.

“Cora’s on board,” I say instead of a greeting. “You want to ride with me?”

“Don’t you need to ride with Cora?”

“No. She’ll have to be at the event several hours before the doors open.” It’s not a red-carpet kind of gala so there’s no need for her and I to arrive together as long as we’re seen mingling at each other’s sides throughout the night.

Without being fully aware of what I’m doing, I find myself seated behind my desk with my palm grinding into my cock.

“Can we take the Corvette?” Dylan asks, making me fully hard because he understands the beauty of that car.

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