Page 31 of Pretending with the Mountain Man
"So you're just going to let her push you away because she's scared?"
My head snaps up. "What did Sage tell you?"
"Enough." He leans back in his chair. "Look, I get it. She's young, starting a new job, worried about her reputation. But running from the first sign of trouble isn't how relationships survive."
"She called me her sugar daddy, Jake." The words still burn. "Made it clear she thinks this is about me taking advantage of her."
Jake winces. "Ouch. But people say stupid shit when they're scared. You know that better than most."
I stand, pacing the small office. "It's more than that. She denied we were together. Told her colleagues I was just a misunderstanding. Like what's between us is something to be ashamed of."
"And that hurt your pride."
"It's not about pride." But even as I say it, I know he's partly right. "It's about respect. Either what we have means something, or it doesn't."
Jake watches me pace. "So your solution is to walk away? The Malik Harris I know doesn't give up that easily."
"I'm giving her what she asked for. Space." I stop at the window, looking out at the mountain view. "Ball's in her court now."
"And if she doesn't reach out?"
The question is uncomfortably close to the fear I've been trying to ignore. What if she decides the complications aren't worth it? What if she's relieved I'm keeping my distance?
"Then that's my answer," I say finally. "I won't force something she doesn't want."
Jake sighs, changing tactics. "What about the PI? She's still potentially facing accusations of theft."
"We handle that regardless." On this point, I'm firm. "Whatever happens between us, I won't leave her to deal with that alone."
"Good." Jake stands, collecting the folder. "Then maybe start by telling her that. Security meeting in ten minutes."
After he leaves, I sink back into my chair, exhaustion weighing me down. Three nights of lying awake, replaying her words, remembering the look on her face when she called me her "sugar daddy boyfriend." The hurt was quickly masked by anger, but it's the hurt that haunts me.
Because somewhere beneath the anger, I wonder if she's right. Am I too old for her? Is the power imbalance too great? Have I been fooling myself, thinking this could work?
My phone has been silent since that night. No texts from Melody, though I know from Sage she's doing well at school. Pride keeps me from texting first. If she wants space, she'll get it. If she wants more, she knows where to find me.
The security meeting passes in a blur of protocols and schedules. Afterward, Noah Kane catches me in the hallway.
"Harris, got a minute?"
I follow him to his office, noting the tension in his shoulders. Noah isn't one for small talk, so I wait while he closes the door and takes a seat behind his desk.
"We've got a situation," he says finally. "The PI who's been asking about Melody Washington? He's not just investigating the ring."
My body goes rigid. "Explain."
"One of our sources in Toronto says Jason Mills is planning a visit to Crimson Hollow. Supposedly to recover his grandmother's ring, but the timing seems suspicious."
"When?" The single word comes out like a growl.
"This weekend, according to our source." Noah slides a photo across the desk. "That's him. Law firm profile picture."
I study the image. Jason Mills looks exactly like what he is, wealthy, entitled, polished to a high shine. The kind of man who thinks he owns whatever he touches.
"Does Melody know?"
"Not yet." Noah leans forward. "Look, I know something's going on between you two. The whole town knows after your scene at The Velvet Antler. But whatever your personal situation, we need to handle this professionally."
