Page 68 of Someone to Tempt
“Oh, I get it.” His gray-green eyes narrow. “You only care about the election and me not messing that up for you.”
“I care about the people I represent and what it’s going to mean if the foundation is based someplace else. I know how this goes, Jake. Philanthropic organizations tend to fund locally.”
Damn it.How did we go from awesome and mind-blowing sex to a full-on political debate?
“That’s not necessarily true, and I can guarantee that if my father takes over, he’s going to have an agenda that won’t make either of us happy. His idea of philanthropy is getting his name on as many hospital wings and university buildings as possible.”
I nod like I understand what he’s saying, and I do get it at an intellectual level, but my heart isn’t exactly keeping up with the program. “You have to do what’s best for you,” I tell him.
“I want to do what’s best for the people our foundation serves.”
“That includes the residents of Skylark and the employees who are based here.”
“Are we really doing this right now?” he asks, his thick brows drawing together.
I tell myself to stay in the moment.
“You’re right.” I squeeze his hand. “I’m grateful for this time with you, Jake.”
I must be a better actor than I realize because he relaxes again like we’ve just overcome some huge hurdle. Maybe we have. At least now I know what he’s thinking. And despite his words and my hope to the contrary, it doesn’t involve sticking with me.
26
IRIS
Jodi stalksinto my office on Monday morning, glaring like someone poured curdled oat milk in her morning latte, and I wonder what I’ve screwed up now.
“Can I offer you homemade granola?” I hold up the mason jar Nick handed me on the way out the door this morning. “My brother’s in town and on a major cooking jag. Breakfast foods might be his specialty.”
I’m not complaining. Compulsive cooking is a vast improvement over some of Nick’s former habits.
She grabs the mason jar and unscrews the lid. “I actually want to talk about your brother. He’s a liability.” She pops a handful into her mouth. “But wow,” she murmurs around the bite. “He makes kick-ass granola for a junkie.”
Her words hit me square in the chest, and I don’t hide my shock.Nick is flawed, but he’s mine. “My brother isn’t a junkie or a liability. Yes, he’s had substance abuse issues, but he’s clean, and I love him so?—”
“Cy Bradshaw just donated ten thousand to my cousin’s campaign.” She scoops out another bite as I gasp.
“Why is the owner of the local grocery getting involved? No one spends that kind of money on an election in Skylark.”
She takes a seat in front of my desk. “One of the college girls who ended up in the hospital after that drag racing accident was his granddaughter.”
“No,” I say, my heart plummeting to my feet. I thought I was free from having that part of the past come back to haunt me. “He can’t do that.”
“He’s already done it.”
“The accident wasn’t Nick’s fault.”
“Excuse me?” Jodi blinks and sets the granola container back on my desk.
“The drag race was Jake’s idea, and he was driving. They made Nick take the fall.”
Jodi’s mouth drops open, and she stares at me for what feels like an eternity. “Who told you that?”
“It’s the truth,” I insist.
“Who told you?” she demands through gritted teeth.
“My mom,” I admit. “Nick wouldn’t say anything because that was part of the deal with Lane Byrne to ensure they weren’t criminally charged.”
