Page 103 of A Very Merry Mistake

The thoughts have run a marathon in my mind since I returned. I place my face in my hands, wishing I could fix this.

“Sis, you’re the smartest person I know. If anyone can stop this from happening and destroying Jake’s family, you can. You’ve got a little over two weeks until the auction.”

I think about her words. “Two weeks until the auction.”

Emma watches me.

“Two weeks.”

She snaps, “Are you stuck in a loop?”

I recall the contracts I’ve signed in the past. “But what if the auction never happens?” I turn to her, and her eyebrows furrow.

“I don’t understand.”

“I know exactly what I’ve got to do.” I stand up and go to my bedroom; she follows me.

“Tell me what you’re thinking,” she says.

“I think I need to go to my lawyer, ask about my money, and see what I can access.” I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror. Emma is right. I do look like a fucking wreck. That’s what happens when you feel sorry for yourself and stay glued to the couch for a week. I pull several outfits from my closet as Emma watches me from the doorway.

“Which one?” I ask, laying them on my bed.

“Pencil skirt with that blouse. Says you’re a badass bitch who’s not taking anyone’s shit.”

“Perfect. Can you call Nelson and tell him I’ll arrive within an hour?”

“I can.” She immediately pulls her phone from the crossbody she’s wearing and dials the number as I pick out a pair of heels.

After a minute, the phone call ends. “He said he’ll cancel an appointment to see you.” She studies me. “Claire,” she whispers, “Dad will be pissed if you rip this from under him after the media tour he’s done. You’ll publicly humiliate him.”

“I don’t care. He’s never given me the credit I deserve on the deals I’ve landed over the years. I’ve tried proving to him that I’m smart enough to take control of the company when he retires. I’ve bent over backward to make him happy, to put the business first, while not living my own life. I fucking learned to play golf and sail, and I hate them both! Not once has our father ever given me the impression that I’m his first choice, because I’m not. So this is checkmate. I’m happy to beat him at his own game.”

“You could lose everything.”

The part of me that discredits and pushes away my feelings 99 percent of the time rears its ugly head. I recognize I’m doing it and stop myself. “I have more than enough money to support myself for the rest of my life. If he removes me from his will,” I shrug, “I guess you’ll get it all.”

“You know I don’t want that,” she says, searching my face.

I walk over to my little sister and hug her. She wraps her arms around me and squeezes me tight. “I love you,” I tell her. “Everything will work out. This feels right.”

“Love you, too, but you smell like potato chips and body odor.” She laughs.

“I know. It is what it is. After I shower, I’ll go to Nelson’s office. I’ll keep you updated with what he says and will get his insight on how I can stop this auction from happening.”

We let go of one another, and I meet her eyes.

“What if this doesn’t work out how you hope?” she asks.

I shrug. “What if it does? Sometimes, the risk is worth the reward. Jake is worth it, Emma. I’m tired of good guys not winning. That’s changing, if I have any say in the matter.”

“You like this man, don’t you?”

I meet her eyes. “I more than like him. And I’ll do whatever I can to right my wrongs.”

“That’s the difference between you and Dad. If things were as special between you two as you say, Jake will forgive you.” She smiles.

“I’m not counting on it. I betrayed him. He’s been hurt by women before, and I added to that.”

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