Page 108 of Destined To Fall

“Bullshit. Omitting is the same thing.” I shake my head, taking another step back.“Tell me the truth.”

“You know I can’t do that.”

“Vivienne.”

“No. Stop hounding me and go home, Jeremy. We’re done. This—” I wave my hand between us—”is done.” I walk off, a frustrated tear trickling down my cheek as I make my way out the glass doors to Max’s town car.

“Vivienne!”

I don’t turn back but quicken my steps until I’m jumping in the car before he can come after me.

“Drive!”

“Vivienne, what’s going on?” Max questions, but blessedly signals for us to move.

He looks perplexed, but not angry.Oh my god, did he not see Jeremy?Thank fuck for that.

“Just some guy making me uncomfortable. It’s fine. George will handle it. You look sharp.”

“This old thing? So, where are we going?” he says, seemingly content with my brush-off.

“Puerto Rico?” Max full-belly laughs, the sound so similar to Jeremy’s, I’m overwhelmed with the desire to burst into tears.“I don’t care where. You decide. Just anywhere that’s not here.”

Max’s grin falls, and he looks at me hard, some sort of understanding washing over his face before he nods.

“Your wish is my command, m’lady.”

I stumble out of Max’s town car a little drunk, a little wired, and a whole lot empty.

“Do you need a hand upstairs?”

“No, don’t be silly, I’m a pro.” I laugh at my own stupid joke, making Max shake his head, his eyes grinning.

“Yes, you are, but I can still help you up—”

“I’ll take it from here,Dad.”

Every muscle in my body freezes, my back going ramrod-straight as Jeremy steps up behind me.

“I thought you said you weren’t sleeping with my son, Vivienne. What the hell is he doing here at one in the morning?”

“No one is sleeping with your son, Maxwell. Relax. I don’t know what he’s still doing here.”

“Still?”

“Jesus, Viv. Really?”

“I didn’t mean either of those. I’m drunk.AndI’m going to bed. Alone. Allyou Thatcher men are going home. Good night.” I say as firmly and as soberly as I can.

I lean forward, whispering a thank you for tonight, and slap the passenger door closed in Max’s face before turning on my heels and marching into my apartment building. One of the Thatcher men got the hint. The other did not.

“I can’t believe you just said that. Why would you do that?”

“He thought we were sleeping together, and we’re not. Besides, I doubt he’ll think anything of it. I’m very drunk. Why are you following me? Go home.”

“I’ve seen you very drunk, and nothing crosses your lips unless you want it to.”

He’s got me there.

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