Page 135 of Reputation (Tempt)

“Uncle Knox and Kendall are getting married in a few months, and you and Emerson haven’t even set a date.”

I tried, and failed, to hide my smirk. “I didn’t realize it bothered you so much.”

She crossed her arms over her chest with a huff. “Well, it does.”

“Okay.” I chuckled, pulling her into my side. “I’m glad you’re excited. And I planned to talk to Emerson about the wedding once everything had calmed down.”

“It’s calmed down now,” Brooklyn said. “So let’s make some plans.”

I would hardly claim that things were back to normal, but I was thrilled she was so excited about the idea of me marrying Emerson.

“Speaking of plans,” I said. “Would you like to spend the night at Sophia’s tonight?”

She perked right up. “Would I ever!”

I laughed and asked Jackson to head for Sophia’s house. Even though I felt bad about sending Brooklyn to a friend’s house so soon after dropping the news that the custody hearing was over, I just wanted her to have fun with her best friend. To do something normal. And I needed some time alone with Emerson to enact the next phase of my plan.

When Emerson got home, she dropped her keys on the counter with a sigh.

“Hey,” I said, leaning in for a kiss.

“Hey.” She smiled.

“I have something I need to tell you,” we said, almost at the same time, though in slightly different terms.

“You go first,” I said, even though I was bursting to tell her about everything. I’d been sitting on so much big news for days, and Emerson was always the first person I wanted to tell.

“I’m still figuring out what retirement looks like for me. But I’ve always wanted to give back, and I finally found an organization I’m excited to partner with—Girls RUN the World. Their mission is to empower girls and their communities by building their confidence, kindness, and decision-making skills through running. And it’s aimed at promoting both the individual and the team at any ability level.”

“That’s great.” I smiled. “I’m proud of you. And I’m sure Brooklyn would love to be involved. I’d be happy to help too.”

“That’s the thing.” She inhaled. “You sort of already did, albeit anonymously.” She slid a piece of paper across the counter to me, and I read the letter. The organization thanked Emerson for her donation of five million dollars and expressed their gratitude and excitement for her support.

I jerked my gaze to hers. “But that’s…”

“The exact amount you paid me,” she said. “I never spent it because I never felt right about accepting it in the first place. And you can keep the other five million.”

If there’d ever been any question in my mind that Emerson was with me for the money, that would’ve dispelled it. She’d given up five million dollars that she’d earned. Because she hadn’t felt right about it.

“That’s incredible,” I said, still trying to process the fact that she’d donated the five million dollars I’d given her. Not part of it; all of it. “And I have a confession.”

“What’s that?”

“Graham knows about us.”

Her eyes widened. “What? How?”

“I admitted it to him one night in a moment of weakness.”

“Why are you telling me this now?” she asked, brow furrowed.

“Because it means that I breached the contract, and I owe you ten million dollars.”

She blinked a few times then shook her head. “Nate.” She placed her hand on my arm. “You don’t owe me anything. That’s not how love works.”

I smiled, her words merely confirming what I already knew. That Emerson loved me for me. And while trust would never come easily to me, I wanted to try again. Because Emerson was unlike any other woman I’d been with, and I would never take that for granted.

And now for the next part of my plan—telling her about Trinity.

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