Page 74 of Unbuttoning Her Brooding Boss

ELEVEN

In frozen silenceStephanie stared at the email.

Jack had made an offer for her blog. It was there in black and white. With no reference to the few days they’d shared together.

She phoned Tara. ‘I’ve had an email from Jack Wolfe.’

‘Is it a decent amount?’

‘Youknowabout the offer?’ Steph frowned. Why didn’t Tara sound surprised?

‘I... I think he’d be crazy not to want to take the blog over.’

‘Tara, what aren’t you telling me?’ Then she got it. ‘You’ve spoken with him again? How could youdothat?’ Panic rose within her—what secrets had her friend told him this time?

‘How could younot?’

Because he hadn’t got in touch. Until now. And now it was a sparsely worded three-sentence offer to buy her blog for a ridiculous amount of money.

‘It wasn’t right to contact him. It was only ever about business.’

‘Right. That’s why you slept with him.’

‘I didn’t want him to make an offer from pity. I didn’t want to be a charity case.’ And that was exactly what she’d become.

‘Steffi, stop undervaluing yourself. That’snotwhy he’s offering to buy the blog.’

Of course it was. He didn’t need the blog. This offer was only because of what he’d seen. Because of what he thought he knew.

‘Have you accepted it?’ Tara asked.

‘What doyouthink?’ Stephanie muttered. She’d turned him down, of course. In a sparsely worded two-sentence email.

‘I’m sorry.’ Tara sighed. ‘I didn’t realise you’d be so hurt. You want me to come round?’

‘No, I’m fine. Truly. I’m sorry for getting upset.’

‘It’s okay to get upset,’ Tara said softly. ‘I’m sorry it’s all been such a mess.’

Steph hung up the phone and wiped away yet another stupid tear. She shouldn’t be this hurt. She’d known him for only a smidgeon more than forty-eight hours. This was infatuation.Pathetic.

But it was the possibility... the promise. Thepotentialof what they’d had.

And the passion.

That could never be replicated. And a lifetime wouldn’t be long enough to exhaust it. He was seared on her heart. And she was every bit as much of a fool as her mum.

‘Stephanie?’

Oh, hell.She wiped her cheeks again and turned in her chair to face her brother.

He stood in the doorway, awkwardly leaning on his crutch.

‘I’m sorry I’ve been such a jerk.’ He cleared his throat. ‘But... uh... I guess I’m scared.’

Surprised, she stilled. ‘Of what?’

‘Everything. Even getting out through the front door. I just... feel scared of everything.’

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