Page 105 of Devious Temptation
Lawson looks back at me, his storm cloud eyes full of remorse and determination. “I am so sorry, rainbow. For everything. For the films. For not coming clean when you wanted to. For waiting so long to divorce Charlotte and not parading you around like you deserve.” With every sentence, he steps closer until he’s standing right in front of me. “I’m especially sorry for making you feel like I didn’t choose you after the leak happened and for what occurred on Friday. I should have never left, not without filling you in on everything first.”
I sniff, fishing another cookie out of the package. I try to act as casually as possible, but his words intrigue me. “What do you mean?”
“Charlotte signed the divorce papers. And I left M.I.G. The reason Jules was in town was because she was helping me secure my own building.”
A familiar tingle blooms behind my sinuses. “Your own building?”
He nods, cupping my face in his warm hands. “Remember what we talked about? About focusing on low-income housing? I was thinking we could start a new business together. You can run the whole thing.”
My lip trembles, and the cookie in my hand smushes into a large lump. “You want to start a business together?”
“I want to start alifewith you, Lucy. I figured the business would be a good start.” The corners of his lips turn up in a smirk. “I was thinking we could call it The Rainbow Rooms.”
A watery laugh escapes my lips, and I wipe at the tears lining my lashes. “That is… the worst name for a building…ever.”
He laughs and tilts my face up to lean his forehead against mine. “We can call it whatever you want, Lucy. I just wanted to show you that I’m in this. And I’m sorry it took me so long to make things right. I love you.”
My hand presses against his chest. “And what about Rhys?”
Lawson pulls back. “Rhys is prepared to face whatever punishment you deem fit.”
“And you?” I ask, searching his eyes for any minuscule sign that he’ll resent me for my following words. “How do you feel about me moving forward with pressing charges?”
I’m not even one hundred percent sure it’s what I want to do, but I need to know where Lawson stands. On one hand, I don’t think Rhys knew it was me in the video. But on the other, it isn’t fair for him to get off scot-free. I looked into it. He will likely get community service and a fine—not jail time. Not unless M.I.G. catches wind and wants to go after him themselves.
The first-time offender’s penalties should be enough punishment to ensure he’ll never try to pull something like this again, no matter how upset he gets.
“Rhys has a lesson to learn. He’s an adult andunderstands that his actions have consequences. I support you, Lucy. And honestly, he supports you, too.” Lawson appears genuine, but in the back of my mind, I can’t help but wonder if it will stay that way throughout the process of me getting justice.
“And if I need time? To process all of this?” I step out of his hold.
Lawson’s arms fall to his sides, and his throat bobs as he swallows thickly. “If you need time, I’ll give you as much as you require. I’ll do whatever it takes to show you how serious I am.”
Before I can say anything else, a car door slams outside, signaling my mom’s return. We both turn to look at the front door as her string of curses becomes audible even through the walls.
She enters the house like a hurricane, and when her wide hazel eyes land on us, she points at Lawson. “You have some nerve showing upnow.”
“I agree, Bree. It shouldn’t have taken me this long to get my shit together.”
Mom eyes the package I’m holding and holds her hand out, waving her fingers. Smirking at Lawson, I hand the cookie ball over, and she breaks a chunk off before shoving it in her mouth.
“You have a lot of explaining to do,” she says through a mouthful of marshmallowy caramel goodness.
“I am fully aware that I need to prove myself to you and Will, not just Lucy.” Lawson glances down at me with warmth in his gray eyes. “I’ll tell you the same thing I told her… I’m willing to do whatever it takes to show you I love your daughter, and I will never do anything ever again to hurt her.”
Mom appraises us with narrowed eyes before turning and heading toward the kitchen. “Well, let's hear it then.”
Lawson releases the breath he’d been holding and flashes me one of his heart-stopping smiles. I reach down and lace my fingers through his, every fiber of my being thrumming with anticipation as we follow her.Together.
Ready to face whatever is left of the storm as a united pair.
Thirty-Six
A Few Weeks Later
“Got everything you need?”I ask my son as I set the last of his bags on the sidewalk of O’Hare International.
Rhys nods, slinging a black backpack over his shoulders. “Yep. Mom is picking me up at the airport, and I’m gonna spend a few days with her before I head to Sugarvale.”
