Page 10 of Daddy's Curvy Girl

“We should leave,” I whisper to Maddie, and I see that we’re not the only ones thinking so. “Let me just clear up the kitchen and then we’ll head out.”

Maddie gets to her feet. “I’ll help,” she assures me as she reaches for the empty glasses on the table.

Twenty minutes later and I’m in my car, Maddie beside me. Everyone left the party once Carly disappeared up the stairs. The mood had completely plummeted and I hate that my best friend is upset.

“Okay, now spill. Who did you go home with?” Maddie questions.

I inwardly groan. I knew she wouldn’t be able to hold off asking. I keep my gaze straight ahead and focus on the road. “Harlan, what about you? I went to get a drink and then you were gone. What happened?”

“Harlan?” she breathes. “As in your step-father?”

“He’s not my step dad, Mads, and you’re not answering the damn question.” Two can play the dodge game.

She releases a weird sound, a cross between a growl and a sigh. “Fine,” she whines. “It was Marshall.”

My eyes widen and lips part in surprise. “What?” I whisper.

Christ, I thought I was bad getting with Harlan. Marshall is married to our aunt, Greta. They’ve been married for three years.

She turns to look out the window. “Yeah, it’s not the first time,” she confesses. “I love him, Bea, I really do and he loves me to. It’s just really a fucked up situation.”

I reach for her hand. “Tell me about it, Mads, I understand how fucked up it is, and I hate that you’re getting hurt because the man you feel for is married. What are you going to do?”

She shrugs as she gives me the saddest smile that I’ve seen. “I’m going to have to walk away. It hurts but I won’t be the reason that Greta is heartbroken. I can’t be that person.” Tears fall from her eyes and she looks away again.

My throat swells with emotion. God, I hate that she’s hurting. But Marshall has been married for three years, I don’t know what they thought would happen. I just pray that she can come out of this okay.

“What are you going to tell Tanya?” Maddie asks a little while later. “She’s going to be pissed.”

I nod. “I know, and I have no idea what I should say or do. Walking away isn’t an option, Mads.”

“Tell me about it,” she whispers.

God, she really does love him. I don’t know what to say to her? I’m dreading my mom finding out about me and Harlan, I can’t imagine what Maddie’s going through.

“No matter what,” I say, louder and clearer than I thought I could. “We’re going to get through this.”

“Yeah, we will. We’ve got each other.”

I grin. “Always,” I promise her.

We’ve always had a close relationship and I feel as though this is going to bring us closer.

Chapter7

Harlan

Two weeks later

“Boss,” Anna-Beth says softly as she enters my office. She’s a lot less scared and I’m not sure if it’s because I’m less of a prick or if she’s got used to me shouting and barking orders at her.

I glance up from the screen and look at her. “Yes?”

“I have the paperwork from Martin,” she tells me. “He called while you were at lunch with Bea, he wanted me to inform you that the deed is now in Ms. Loren’s name. He said it was transferred over last week and that the paperwork came through on Wednesday and was sent out yesterday.”

I grin. Good. It’s taken a while but it’s finally done. That fucker Jason had my woman on the verge of losing her business. I purchased the property from the bank outright as he defaulted on the repayments. Baxter has taken the steps to do the same with Jason’s other businesses.

Jason Utrom is now broke and no longer owns any businesses. Baxter will ensure that his ass will be escorted from the buildings that he has taken control of.

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