Page 86 of Somebody to Save
“If it’s any consolation, I’d rather not spend another day without you. Every day I see you is better than…well, better than every day I don’t.”
A sweet smile slipped across her lips, and she pressed up on her toes to wrap her hands around my neck. “It is kind of nice knowing that you’ll miss me as much as I’ll miss you.”
My hands fell to her waist, and I lifted her into my arms, not ready to say goodbye just yet. She let out a startled gasp but quickly settled into my hold and tightened her arms around my shoulders and her legs around my waist.
“It really is nice,” I said, kissing her softly. “To have something so good it makes the time apart feel impossible.”
Like we hadn’t just agreed that we had other things to do, we deepened the kiss, and she groaned as she ground against me.
But reality found its way back when my phone started vibrating in my pocket and didn’t stop. Addison must have felt it, too, because she laughed and pulled back, glancing down between us.
“You should probably get that,” she said, kissing me one last time and unhooking her legs from around me. Reluctantly, I helped her slide down and tried to ignore the way her body brushed against my erection.
I pulled my phone from my pocket and saw a missed call from Natalie and another from my brother, along with a few texts. Most of them had to do with Bill and our upcoming confrontation, and I tried to hide my instantly sour mood.
But Addison still caught the shift.
“Is it work?” she asked, and I shoved my phone back into my pocket. Nodding, I pushed a hand through my hair and tried to force a smile. “The same stuff that was bothering you the other day?”
I peered down at her innocent, open expression and knew I had to tell her. I wasn’t going to do it over the weekend, when we were still in that happy little bubble and high off sex and undisturbed quality time together.
So, now was the time.
“Yeah, the same stuff. Umm…we had suspected for a little while now that someone might be stealing from the company, from us,” I admitted. Her eyes widened, and she took a step back, leaning on one of the barstools behind her. “So, we hired an external auditor and forensic accountant to review our books and financial records. She sent over the report on New Year’s Eve, and I saw the email that morning when I couldn’t sleep. It’s our controller. One of the first employees my father hired and one of his good friends, too.”
“Oh my god, Beckett. I’m so sorry.” She leaned forward and reached for my hand. Our fingers laced together, she tugged mecloser and grabbed my other hand, too. “And I wish you would’ve told me. That’s the way relationships go. You lean on me, I lean on you.”
“I know, I know. You just have enough going on, and I didn’t want to spoil the few days we had together. And nothing’s really happening yet. Well, except we’re telling my dad, which I’m sure will not go over well.”
“Wait, do you think he’s going to blame you?”
“I don’t think so,” I admitted. “But I can’t be completely sure. This guy, Bill, he’s stolen a lot of money. Enough that it could change the trajectory of the firm. My dad’s always been reasonable, but even at my age, I don’t look forward to letting my parents down.”
Addison stood and wrapped her arms around my midsection, resting her head against my chest. “It’s not your fault,” she said. “Without knowing any of the details, I know it’s no one’s fault except the guy who did it. And your dad raised you, so I’m sure he’s reasonable and level-headed.” She took a deep breath, and I returned her hug, enjoying the feel of her in my arms. “I wish there was something I could do.”
I hummed and rested my head on top of hers, breathing deeply and letting her comfort fill and displace the tension and anger strumming through me.
“This is more than enough, baby girl.”
My father was larger than life and very well-liked by everyone in our company. When he retired, there was such a large party that we had to rent out a separate space big enough for the number of guests that wanted to attend. He was so beloved, I’d definitely had an uphill battle when I took over.
I finally won them over, but still, I wasn’t surprised to find him in the center of a crowd of people when I walked into the office.
“There he is!” my dad exclaimed. Heads whipped in mydirection, and he sidestepped a few people to wrap me in the same big embrace he always did. “How you doin’, bud?”
“Good, good,” I said quickly. “Is Andrew already here?”
“Yeah, he’s in the conference room,” he said, hiking his thumb over his shoulder and motioning down the hallway. “Just waitin’ on you.”
With the promise to say goodbye before he left, we both headed toward the smaller of our three conference rooms. We rounded the corner, and sure enough, Andrew was already seated at the table. He leaned back in his chair with his hands steepled underneath his chin.
“Hey,” he greeted me quickly.
“Hey,” I shot back. I slid my laptop on the table and sat across from him when I realized our dad had stopped in the doorway. He glanced back and forth between Andrew and me and rolled his lips as he shut the door.
“I was worried when you both wanted to meet, but now, I’m really concerned. What’s going on?” He took the chair at the head of the table and leaned his elbows on the wood surface.
Andrew and I shared a look, then he waved at me to go ahead.
