Page 19 of Come Here and Kiss Me

I won’t put it past them to leak it themselves. Everyone wants to be Queen B, which means cutting down everyone else any chance they give you. And I’m sure this opportunity is far too tempting.

As my rage and anger and the feeling of betrayal threaten to make me spiral, I grip the hot cup of chamomille tea with both hands and sip.

Deep breath.

I swallow thickly, barely tasting the beverage.

My most awful thought is that, hopefully, my father can fix this. As if he ever would. I can already hear him telling me I need to suffer the consequences even though I’m the one who’s been violated.On that thought, my phone pings.

Aspen:Seriously??? You’re just going to ignore me?

Brooklyn: I’m not ignoring you. Just barely holding on. I want to know who sent the video.

Aspen: I don’t know, but your dad can find out, can’t he?

I don’t answer,sick to my stomach over her response, and it’s then I glance at the time and realize it’s ten after. He’s ten minutes late, and he’s never late. I think he’s blowing me off.

Just as my emotions threaten, Aspen texts again.

Aspen:Or Ronan can.

Isit really between my father and the arrogant dick Professor Wolf? Those two men are my only hope?I hate relying on anyone. As hypocritical as it is. I wish I could just ask my father for a contact, but he’d do it himself and keep me reliant on him. He always has.

Aspen:Just so you know, I was thinking about making moves, but he never did. I was wondering why he wouldn’t flirt back, and I guess it’s a good thing it’s because of you. Even if you’re a b for not telling me about the two of you getting engaged. When did you start dating, and why didn’t you trust me with it?

I startto write “it’s not what it looks like,” then delete it. I know better than to put damning evidence into writing when my ass is on the line, but I quickly think about the text exchanges with Ronan earlier, and I suddenly run cold.

Shit.

Brooklyn: I’ll tell you about it later.

Aspen texts something, but I don’t get a chance to see what she wrote. My father’s shadow hovers above me, and I barely manage to look him in the eyes.

“Daughter,” he states slowly with spite as he pulls out the metal bistro chair, dragging its legs against the stone floor.

“Father.” I barely manage to keep myself from imitating his tone. “I was beginning to think you blew me off and weren’t coming.”

“I was debating on it.”

I swallow thickly, barely keeping his gaze, but I keep it. I’m not surprised by his response. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t think about it too.

The server approaches, and before she can even greet him, he waves her off without even looking at her. She turns on her heels, her brunette hair swaying with a brisk of wind as she does. The chill and the turn of weather are apt, given the contempt on my father’s face.I feel bad for her. She didn’t sully his name. She’s just doing her job. I glance back at him, and it’s like he can read my thoughts. Sickness stirs in my gut, and I look back at my tea.

He stares at me in silence. I’m used to it. He wears the look of betrayal so well. He’s nailed it down perfectly since my mother left him.I used to resent her for leaving, but I get it in a way.

“Well, I’m glad you came.” I attempt to be civil, but he continues to stare. “I’m in need of help.” Again, I get nothing. It’s like he doesn’t even see me, or what he sees is so very beneath him that I’m practically invisible.

“I want to know who sent the video.” I don’t bother to wait for any niceties or sympathy from him.

“Is yourfiancénot hiring a detective?” he asks, and the way he says the word fiancé makes my skin crawl.

My gaze falters. I look down at his fists on the table, and I know he knows I'm lying. His black suit only adds to his intense composure as I think about the consequences if I tell him the truth.

How pissed will Ronan be?

A war inside me rages, and all it does is make me sick. I hate all of this.

I don’t want him to lose his chance at tenure, let alone his job. He’s worked hard for it, and who am I to take that away from him. I can’t bring myself to do it. I can’t bring myself to betray him, so I deceive my father instead.Although I know it’s a futile effort.

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