Page 58 of Loving Whiskey

I shake my head as I sigh again. “Can we not keep reminding the baby of that? I don’t think he or she needs to grow up knowing that. I’m trying to do things differently than my mother, and reminding the baby that its existence was because of a narcissistic asshole seems counterproductive.”

She shrugs her lips in assent. “Hey, at least you were able to keep the business, the apartment, and the house.”

“That’s true. And I’m free of him. That’s honestly all I care about. The sale of the house will give this baby a good nest egg, so I don’t have to work as much once the baby is born. Speaking of which, I have to go.” I drop a kiss on her cheek and walk off before she can heckle me anymore.

“Bye, best friend,” she sings after me. “My offer still stands; the baby can have my last name!”

Back at the office I settle at my desk and skim down my list.

Men.All men.Different ages, different income brackets, different ethnicities. But all men interested in dating a professional woman who is looking for a partner, not a happily ever after.

That is my promise. Helping women find an equal.

Chemistry is important, and we will make sure they have it, but so is finding someone who has the same values and the same beliefs as my bachelorettes. One of the most important beliefs being that they support their future wife in her career. That she could be the breadwinner if she wants and that wouldn’t threaten their marriage. That she doesn’t have to be a mom if she doesn’t want to be.

The new company under my leadership is less about fairytales and more about choosing a life that you both want.

I am thrilled.

This is precisely what I was talking about when I said I wanted a fresh start, and finally, after months of twiddling my thumbs, crying myself to sleep, and takeaway nights with Hayden, I am moving forward.

Rachel pops into my office. “There’s someone here to see you.”

I nod. “Yes, my three o’clock.” But as I look down, I see it’s only 2:30.

Men are never early. If anything, they’re constantly walking in with a second to spare, with some excuse about an emergent matter that just couldn’t wait.Their time is always more valuable than mine.

Rachel shakes her head, and I spot Cat’s tall figure behind her. The woman is intimidating when I’m standing up, let alone when she’s taking up the entire door to my office. I sigh. “Come in, Cat. How can I help you?”

I stand up, and immediately my hand goes to my stomach, an impulse of protection, or hoping to hide the truth.

Cat’s eyes dip to my hand, and her mouth pinches together. “So, it’s true.”

I motion for her to sit as I settle back into my own chair, glare at her, and motion to the chair as I take a seat. “I don’t really see how anything to do with me is any of your concern.”

Cat nods. “I deserve that.”

I huff out a laugh. “Oh, I’m glad we finally agree on something.”

“Grace, I swear I tried to tell Cash the truth…he wouldn’t listen. I know you’re mad at me, and maybe I shouldn’t have taken you to the club that night, or I should have at least let you know he owned it, but I thought for sure once he saw you, he’d pull his head out of his ass…”

I grip the desk to keep my wits about me.I trusted her. “Listen, for some reason Jonathan has got it in his mind that you’re a good person, and he wants to marry you, so I’ll be civil,when necessary, but I doubt you and I will have to see one another often.”

To Cat’s credit, she doesn’t react. “Iknowwhat’s going on, Grace.”

I don’t know what she’s trying to insinuate, but the good news is I don’t care. “Cat, your opinion and your thoughts, and what you do or don’t know, doesn’t matter to me. There was a time that I hoped we would one day be family, but that’s no longer the case. Cash and I are done. And when I was stupid enough to believe that maybe you and I could be friends, you brought me to Cash’s club and let him destroy me again. So, I no longer care what you think of my life. It doesn’t matter to me.”

“But it matters tohim. And that’s why I’m here.”

I shake my head. “Jay doesn’t need us to get along. I’m not his family. He’s a good guy, and I appreciate his friendship, but we won’t be spending holidays together. You don’t have to play nice for my sake. I’ll be nice when we run into each other, but aside from that we don’t need to do this.”

She finally snaps. “Can you stop being such a bitch? I’m talking about Cash.He cares. It matters to him that we’re friends.”

“Cash and I haven’t spoken in weeks. I promise he doesn’t care if we’re friends.”

She squeezes her hands together. “I am really trying here, Grace, but you are making it impossible.”

“Oh, I’m sorry I’m making this hard for you. You’ve always made things so easy for me. Do you have any idea how it felt to be near Cash again and see how he looked at me? To see the hatred in his eyes. Was that your plan all along?”

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