Page 61 of Matchmaking the CEO

“Jake—”

“I mean it.”

“So do I. Just drop it, okay? Let’s change the subject.”

I didn’t like the idea of him fixing anything for me. It was important for me to do things by myself. Although, I was sure any help from Jake would make things easier.

We walked along the Freedom Trail, starting with King’s Chapel. I loved the building’s architecture—the majestic columns and the attention to detail. I congratulated myself on choosing flat shoes, as the sidewalk was very uneven. Because it was so late, most of the attractions along the Freedom Trail were closed. But that was a good thing, because it wasn’t crowded.

“I haven’t been here in some time,” he said.

"Oh, so youcanenjoy life," I teased.

He looked straight at me, tilting in. "Yes, when I'm with you."

Holy shit, way to be direct!I swallowed hard, fiddling with the straps of my purse. I racked my brain for a safe topic of conversation.

“I can’t wait to go to the Boston Public Garden sometime this summer. They have a stand that serves delicious oysters. Oh, and speaking of gardens, do you think Jeannie is likely to change her mind on the location?"

“No. Once she decides something, there is no changing her mind.” Jake seemed a bit out of sorts, like that annoyed him.

"And that upsets you for some reason," I stated.

His eyebrows shot up. "How could you tell?"

"Your demeanor instantly changed."

He nodded as we walked in the direction of the Boston Latin School.

“My half brothers will be at the party.”

"Oh, I didn't even know you had any. Did either of your parents remarry?"

He stared at me. "You really don't know the story?"

"No." I wasn’t sure why he thought I might know about his family.

"We found out—that is to say,Ifound out—that our father had a second family."

I gasped. "Oh my God. That sounds terrible."

"It was. I discovered it when I did an internship at Whitley Advertising during college. He was running it at that time. I found some checks he was mailing to a woman. When I confronted him about it, he told me a bogus story about her being an ex-employee who was disgruntled enough that she threatened to sue the company if he didn't continuously send her checks. The story sounded fishy. He was nervous when he told it.”

I couldn't look away from him. He seemed so tense, like he was reliving all of it again. “So, I did some digging, and I hated what I found."

"How old were you?" I asked.

"Twenty-one."

"Oh, wow."

Young adulthood was a terrible time to find out that one of your parents wasn’t trustworthy at all. Not that there was any good moment to find out, but still.

"I'm sorry. How did your mother take it?"

"Badly," he said. "She couldn't cope. God, she couldn't cope at all. She was simply devastated. I think, for the next few months, she only got out of the house to go to therapy. Then she found out she was sick. Passed away a few months later." His voice broke.

"So, what happened?" I asked.

---