Page 42 of The Bargain
“You slept with him.” His tone is flat and hard.
Blood swooshes in my ears. “Let’s just leave it at I ran out on him. Then I get to New York City, and he’s heading the team I’m presenting to, and he clearly knows I’m not Zoey.”
“And he dumped you and your brand.”
“No. That’s the thing. He said he loved my designs, and he really was the reason this all happened for me. He believes in me and my brand. And we still had that connection. It’s strong and hard to ignore. And I was worried about that influencing him helping me. I wanted to earn my shot myself, but he swears my skill is my skill. My career is my career. Unrelated to me and him. Which seems true, considering the entire board had to vote yes for me, and—because I ran out on him again, and he followed me here.”
“He—what?”
“He’s here. I ran again. He came after me. And him being here could hurt him. It’s a conflict of interest. And all of this feels really confusing after what happened between you two.”
His lips press together, and he sips his cocoa without looking at me.
“Dad, I like him. And he said he liked you, too. He said this investor you’re talking with will screw you.”
His gaze shoots to mine. “Says the man who turned me down.”
“He only turned you down because of debt he now knows was because of Mom. He’s still interested in working with you.”
He sets his cup down again with a thud, cocoa sloshing over the sides, and he doesn’t seem to even notice. “I’m not a charity case for your new boyfriend.”
“I knew you’d think that, but do you think a man like Ethan would offer you charity, Dad?”
“He has so much money, he could throw it away and still be filthy rich, and yet he didn’t want in on my business. But he does now that he’s sleeping with my daughter.”
“He’s rich because he’s careful with his money. And he also believes character matters, and now he knows yours through me. He also realizes it had a small view. He wants to invest in you, Dad, and do so fairly. Don’t be prideful. Please consider this. He can come talk to you now, and—”
“No.No.”
“Okay. We’re here another day.”
“And then what? You’re traveling the world with him?” There’s a whip to his tone. He is not pleased.
“New York, so he can deal with a family problem, and then Paris. I’ll be staying with him in both places.”
“Just like that? You barely know him.”
“I know him enough to know I want to know more. And I know enough to know he’d help you realize all your dreams with your business. Think about it, Dad. He can meet you for lunch or dinner. Or even breakfast Friday morning, before we leave.” I reach over and squeeze his arm. “Please think about this.” I push to my feet and walk to the door, hoping he will follow, but he does not.
When I step into the Starbucks to find Ethan sitting at a corner table, the look he offers me is hopeful, but one look at my face and he’s on his feet, meeting me halfway, his hands settling onmy face. “Give him time to think. You were stubborn, too. I’m certain it runs in the family.”
I almost laugh at that, but the way my father let me leave without so much as a goodbye is gut-wrenching. It’s almost as if I had to choose between him and Ethan, and in his mind, I already made that choice. “You want to walk or ride back to your place?” Ethan asks.
“Let’s ride. My stomach—it doesn’t feel good. I don’t feel very good at all.”
He studies me, his gaze a probe that cuts. “You’re very upset.”
“Of course, I am. I think he thinks I chose you over him. There doesn’t seem to be an option that ends in I choose both of you.”
“That’s not reality. You don’t have to choose. Stay here.” With that, he steps around me and starts walking toward the door.
I whip around as I watch him head the direction of my father’s house, my heart skipping a beat.
What is he doing? No. No. No. I race forward and after him.
Chapter Thirty-One
Sofia
