Page 129 of Reckless Harmony

“You’re forcing me to do that,” his father snapped. “You’re the one deciding to end our relationship, Isaac, not me.”

“You’re right,” Stark said. “And it’s a decision I will never regret. I’ll transfer the money as soon as I have proof that Jasper no longer works for the company. Goodbye, Dad.”

He ended the call, a giddy excitement bubbling up inside of him. He expected to feel guilt, maybe even a little remorse at the death of his relationship with his father, but there was just that giddiness and a feeling of freedom.

There was a knock on his door before Lucas opened it and stuck his head in. “Hey, do you have a minute to… whoa, you okay?”

“Why?” Stark asked.

“You look weird,” Lucas said before grimacing. “Shit, that was rude. Sorry.”

A large grin crossed Stark’s face. “I just got my cousin fired because the son of a bitch thought he could mess with my woman.”

Lucas blinked at him. “Yeah, I’m gonna need the whole story on that.”

Stark motioned for him to come in before reaching into the bottom drawer of his desk and bringing out a bottle of whiskey and two glasses. “Only if you have a celebratory drink with me.”

Lucas closed the door. “You don’t have to ask me twice.”

It took nearly twenty minutes for Stark to tell Lucas what he’d done. He’d even given Lucas the Cliff’s Notes version of how bad his relationship with his father was and how happy he was to have him out of his life for good.

Now, sitting in the silence of his office, he thought he would have instant regret over sharing so much personal information with a coworker. To his surprise, he didn’t have any regrets. It felt good to share with Lucas.

“God, I am thrilled that fucker Jasper got what was coming to him,” Lucas said.

“You don’t think insisting my father fire him was over the top?” Stark asked.

“Oh, it was totally over the top,” Lucas said with a laugh. “Which is what makes it so great. Fuck that guy.”

“Fuck that guy,” Stark echoed, raising his glass.

Lucas raised his, and they both drank.

Despite his lack of regrets, a bit of insecurity raised its ugly head, and Stark couldn’t help but say, “Sorry to share so much personal shit.”

Lucas shook his head. “No apology necessary. I’m glad you shared. Not to sound like a cheesy Lifetime movie, but I’d like to be friends if you’re interested.”

“I’d like that,” Stark said with a grin.

“Good, because our ladies are best friends, and we’re about to spend a whole shitload of time together,” Lucas laughed. “When did you and Rayna start dating? Because Em hasn’t said a word to me about it.”

“It’s not exactly official,” Stark said. “I haven’t told Rayna how I feel yet. But I will tonight.”

Lucas leaned forward, holding out his glass. “To finding the one you love.”

Stark clinked his glass against Lucas’s. “To finding the one you love.”

Stark rang Rayna’s doorbell, smiling at her when she opened the door. “Hey there.”

“Hi!” Her look of happiness at seeing him on her porch made him feel good. “Come inside.”

He stepped into the warmth, shutting the door behind him as Rayna said, “Have you eaten? I’m making dinner. It’s chocked full of vegetables and disgustingly healthy. Want to join me?”

He laughed. “I’d love to.”

“Good, you can chop the vegetables,” she said.

Five minutes later, he stood at her kitchen counter, facing a chopping board and a truly epic pile of raw vegetables.

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