Page 59 of Taking Chances

“You knew,” she tells him.

He doesn’t respond to the accusation, saying, “Come on,” instead.

We all walk inside our amazing new space. It’s airy and cozy, all warm tones and open spaces, and even though I just saw it a couple of hours ago, I’m still looking around like a kid in Disneyland when I hear Natalie shriek, “Matt!”

Snapping out of my haze, I rush to see what’s going on. Natalie is entering an office with her name and the words “CEO” under it.

The office screams Natalie, with bright colors and giant flowers. It’s obvious Matt knew about Kiara’s retirement and helped make the office just as she would like it.

An imaginary fist seizes my heart before a huge palm lands on the small of my back.

“That’s cool,” Lennox notices.

“Yup.” It’s hard for me to talk with the lump in my throat.

“You OK?”

“I’m happy for them.”

24

LENNOX

Anne’s body is almost shivering with sobs. Sobs of happiness for her best friends. Happiness for things she wants and she’s nowhere near to having.

My arm wraps around her shoulders on its own accord. It’s probably better in case her father walks by, but I can’t claim that’s the only reason.

Her soul is so fucking pure, you get a need to care for it. The fear she was emanating when she noticed her father made unease settle in my stomach. I never want to see her scared again.

After the boss started her speech, Anne finally relaxed. I could see joy radiating from her. The pride she feels for her friend, along with the bliss currently on her face, that’s what fits her.

That’s what she should be feeling.

Natalie and Matt finish their celebration and Anne rushes to congratulate her friend. She’s smiling ear to ear while animatedly telling Natalie she’s going to be the best boss.

It’s weird. Where I’m from, the success of others is not the cause of celebration, but rather endless gossip and envy. Evenduring hockey days, people would congratulate you while always keeping an eye on their own prize and place in the team.

But these people… it seems like they actually love each other. In an unconditional way. A way that is unknown to me.

A throat clears near me.

“So, you’re still here?” Jack Bailey states with a tone full of disdain.

“What do you mean? The celebration just started.”

“You know what I meant.” I do. “But you also have to be aware this is temporary. She’s having a temporary fit because she was hurt by her silly romantic notions. But it will go away. And she will be back on track, I’m sure of it.”

“Sorry, I think you misunderstood something. She wasn’t hurt by her romantic notions. She was hurt,yourdaughterwas hurt, by the dick that you’re continuing to support.”

He bares his teeth at me before pulling his lips into a snakelike smile.

How could a man like that raise a woman as sweet and kind as Anne? How did her heart survive under his freezing stare?

“We can agree to disagree,” he says.

I don’t think so, but I won’t be making a scene on Anne’s important day. “You have to know she deserves better.”

“And you thinkyou’reit?”

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