Page 53 of Lost Times

He’d told them ithadto be today. That couldn’t be a coincidence. He’d known I wouldn’t call a day off work unless it was important–something to do with Thalia or Jasmine–and he’d sabotaged it on purpose.

Red leaked into my vision, and blood pounded hard in my ears until I could hardly hear anything through it. I’d told him to stay out of this, but no, of course, he wouldn’t. He wanted me to leave my family, and what he wanted, he was willing to fight dirty to get.

Flashes of Jasmine’s disappointed face came back, the way she’d cried in her room only one door away while I couldn’t do anything.

The way she hugged me afterward despite it being at least partially my fault that she was sad to begin with.

I shouldn’t be here.

Staring around at the room, all five people now wearing matching scowls, I stood and spoke. “I’m sorry for wasting all of your time, but I can’t stay.”

John’s brow flew to his hairline and he scoffed. “You’re leaving? After we’ve finally gotten together for a meeting?”

Yes, and if it were even a year ago, I would be shocked at myself, but itwasn’ta year ago. So I nodded. “Again, my most sincere apologies.”

Before I could leave–if I took a few back streets I could probably make it to the soccer game before they started–Harry stepped in my way and raised a hand.

“Does this have to do with your girl’s game?”

I winced, knowing just how unprofessional this was, but I nodded all the same. “Yes. I promised I’d be there and told my secretary specifically not to plan anything for today. My father…” I trailed off, shaking my head. “It doesn’t matter. I’m sorry for wasting your time, but I can’t let this mechanism stand.”

To my surprise, Harry nodded, stepping aside and waving me on.

“Schedules and work can be shifted, but those sports games only happen once. Take the advice of an old man who missed most of his children’s lives; get in on as many events as you can. Time flies, and in a blink they won’t have them anymore.”

I stopped long enough to nod, appreciating the advice, then I walked out of the room and away from the meeting I’d worked years for.

As I all but ran toward the parking lot, my keys in my hand, nothing had ever felt more right. John probably would never be willing to meet again, but out of all those present, he was the least important to my plans to expand.

Harry was the most senior and held sway in all the right areas. Even if no one but him would meet with me after this, it would be enough. It would be harder, of course, not having all the backing I’d planned on, but I would make it work.

Later, after I made it to Jasmine’s soccer game.

Just as I reached the parking lo, the last person I wanted to see came storming over. Father’s face was a thundercloud as he marched up to me and sneered.

“That meeting can’t be over yet. You’re leaving early, and for what? I thought you said you were keeping the company’s best interest at heart?”

It’d been his mechanisms that’d caused this mess and before I could think better of it, my fist was wound into his shirt and we were nose to nose. His eyes widened, mouth gaping open as I hissed.

“I always have had the company’s best interest at heart, but it’s about time I take care of myself as well. I have a family now, a real one, and I nearly made the biggest mistake of my life because of you and your plotting. After today I don’t want to hear a word from you unless it’s strictly about the company or your share in it. My secretary will be informed not to listen to you for any of my scheduling from now on.”

Letting him go, I jerked open the car door and slammed it shut in his face. Not pausing to take in his thunderstruck expression, I hit the gas. They hadn’t started yet, I still had time.

Flashing back to where Jasmine’s school was when I picked her up with Thalia, I set my course and reveled in the rightness soaking through me.

Others would call me a fool for walking out of that meeting, I would have called myself one before getting to know Thalia and Jasmine, but that didn’t matter.

If I’d stayed, Jasmine would have doubted me every time I said I’d be somewhere. It would have taken months to repair that trust, and I refused to see her crying again. I would call Harry later and try to reschedule, but this was far more important.

Pulling up to the school, I jumped out and followed the signs back to the soccer field. The game was just starting, and triumph blitzed through me. Scanning the crowd, I looked for the familiar head of dark hair, nearly dropping from relief when I spotted Thalia.

She sat on the grass in front, her phone out and recording. At her side was a woman I’d never seen before, her mother most likely, who was also recording and without a doubt, she’d been the one doing the live.

I’d thank her for it later. For now…

I was halfway to them when Thalia’s mother glanced up, catching my eyes as a knowing smile curled her lips. She nudged Thalia, pointing my way, and when Thalia’s gaze locked on me, I smiled.

Her mouth went slack, surprise taking over the concentration that’d previously painted her features, and when it dawned that I was really here, her lips spread in a wide smile that all but glowed.

---