Page 98 of Tender Offer
“This is my karma,” I choke out through a low, tortured sob. “It’s what I get.”
My cries drown out Tammi calling my name until she screams it to get my attention.
“Enough of that,” she snaps. “You are a good person who made a shitty judgment call in the past. We’ve all been the villain in someone else’s story, but it’s up to us to change. You did, and you apologized. I won’t pretend this situation isn’t messy, but give yourself some grace.”
“She won’t let go,” I whisper to my phone. “I know Bellamy—I’ve been like her. She’ll latch onto him with this baby and make my life hell in the process.”
“So leave this Jerry Springer situation. You have a right to protect your heart and mental health while Preston figures things out. Staying cooped up in that penthouse with no support will make you sick. Come home.”
I write a note and reserve a car through a rideshare app. Dayo is in the hallway when I open the front door.
“I hope you don’t mind, but I followed you back to make sure you were okay.” The sad smile he offers wobbles my chin. “Allow me.” He reaches for my luggage.
“You’re not here to stop me?”
“He better not!” Tammi shouts through the phone.
“Damn, I’m not,” he chuckles, flashing perfect white teeth.
Tammi stays on the phone as I make my way down to the car. She hangs up once I confirm my ride has arrived and Dayo won’t kidnap me.
He holds the back door open but hesitates. “It’s not my business or my place to say, but Preston regrets hurting you. I hope you two can make it through this. He’s never been happier, and I assume you haven’t, either.”
I nod and offer a hug that he accepts. “Goodbye, Dayo.”
The car pulls off the curb and into the dreary day. I make it through customs and the eight-hour flight without crying.
When I reach New York, I break down at Tammi and Kojo waiting for me with dumplings and open arms.
“We got you,” Kojo says with a kiss to my cheek. The promise is similar to the one he made the first time we met. The night Preston broke my heart and never looked back.
Chapter 48
Preston
Fifteen Years Ago
Scotch burns my throat on a hard swallow. I nod to the wait staff and return the glass empty.
Like me.
My father greets a diplomat with a firm handshake and a grin he lets fall when he inches closer to me. “Take care of it here,” he mutters. “She is not to step inside.” Steel-blue eyes slide to my profile when I don’t answer. “Do you need me to handle your mistake?”
“I got it,” I snap, not sparing him a look.
With a crisp nod, he steps off to the side for a conversation with a small group in matching dinner jackets.
A procession of dresses and formal evening suits flows up the red staircase rolled out for tonight’s opera. I stand anchored atthe top. My hands are clasped in front of me as I search for the face I wanted to wake up next to for as long as life allowed.
That changed tonight.
The woman who pretends to be Heather’s steps are cautious, her soft pink dress hovering inches from the ground. Our eyes connect, and the curves of her mouth bloom into a smile.
This was our night, our chance to step out hand-in-hand in front of the world. But she ruined it with her deceit.
“Hey.” She reaches for a kiss but pauses when I don’t move. “What’s wrong?”
Tension curls my neck to crane down at the liar who expertly opened my heart and home. She’s breathtaking in the dress I paid for, along with hours of hair and makeup.
