Page 55 of Pretend

Slowly exhaling, Morgan let Nathan know that she was going to need a month before she went to place her phone down on the bathroom counter when a new text message popped up and-

You really could have done better.

Still wondering why Eric’s father was sending her weird messages, Morgan placed her phone on the counter, deciding that for the next month, she was going to pretend that Florida and everything waiting for her down there didn’t exist. Decision made, Morgan pulled off the tee-shirt that she’d stolen from Eric last night after their bath, took a quick shower, and put on that beautiful dress and made her way downstairs, determined to take care of her other problem.

After getting distracted by the bookshelves in the den and grumbling when Eric’s theory of “five” didn’t work, she made her way into the kitchen and quietly slipped outside and after she took a quick peek at the second-floor balcony to make sure that Eric was still passed out, she made her way back inside, put her game face on, and called the man that should have known better than to piss her off.

As soon as she heard the phone click, she opened her mouth and-

“You are just too goddamn adorable for words,”Uncle Jared said with a heartfelt sigh that had her eyes narrowing as she pushed her glasses back up her nose.

“I see that you’ve been expecting my call,” Morgan said, knowing that she had him right where she wanted him.

“I was actually expecting your call sooner.”

“Then, you know why I’m calling,” Morgan said as she began to pace the large kitchen, only to find her gaze drawn to the antique kitchen table that she spent an hour inspecting yesterday and-

Damn it!

“I do,”Uncle Jared said with a heartfelt sigh.

“Good. Then, that will save time,” Morgan mumbled absently as she ran her eyes over the kitchen table, noting that the top was made of a solid piece of wood, it had four legs, one small drawer for napkins and…that was it.

“You love the house.”

“You know I do,” Morgan said, sighing heavily as she knelt down so that she could take a peek beneath the table and…nothing.

“Then, what’s the problem?”

“Baker House,” Morgan mumbled absently as she ran her eyes over each table leg, taking in the lines and circles, looking for anything that stood out, only to sigh when she didn’t find anything.

“You know, I thought you’d have a problem with that, which is why I traded that lovely house that you’re in love with for half of Baker House,”Uncle Jared drawled, making her frown.

“Half? I thought you did an even trade?”

“That’s what Eric suggested, but that wasn’t going to work for me. We’re selling Baker House next week to a buyer who’s willing to pay twice what Eric paid for it as well as pay Bradford Construction and Bradford Remodeling an obscene amount of money to turn it back into a hotel,”he announced with a satisfied sigh that left her…confused.

“Really?”

“I don’t make it a habit of fucking over my nephews,”Uncle Jared said.“We’re partners on this deal.”

“Fair enough,” Morgan said with a disappointed sigh because she’d kind of been hoping to haggle with Uncle Jared.

God, she loved a good haggle…

“I’ve actually been meaning to talk to you about something,”Uncle Jared said, sounding thoughtful.

“What’s that?” Morgan asked as her gaze shifted from the kitchen table to the built-in shelves by the pantry door and-

“When were you planning on telling my nephew that you were leaving?”came the question that left her struggling to remember how to breathe.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” Morgan managed to get out, knowing better than to admit to anything when she was dealing with a Bradford.

“And the fact that everything that you own is packed in boxes?”Uncle Jared asked, looking for an answer that she’d really rather not have to give him at the moment.

“It’s the best way to ensure a clean house?” Morgan said, nodding solemnly even as she couldn’t help but hope that he would be willing to drop this line of questioning for her sake.

“That does make sense,”Uncle Jared murmured, sounding thoughtful as she threw a panicked look at the kitchen door.

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