Page 28 of All of You

“Yeah, I’m not sure that’s the way to go. And of course, once this deal in the Netherlands closes, I’ll strike to secure the Nest.”

Tilting her head to the side, she frowns. “The deal? You just said you have two months. You want us to be a secret for two months or more? And even at that, you won’t get all the money up front.”

I feel every grueling second of the two months or more that it might take for me to finally move on Dot. Buy her out or beat her at her own game and start my own international business.

Fuck, how can I ask this of Wren?

The woman of my dreams, the one who got away and is now, finally in my grasp—how can I ask her to wait?

No, not just wait, but sneak around like we’re some dirty little secret.

“I’m trying my best to shorten that timeframe. I’ve already made one piece and I’m working on the other. Maybe a month. Six weeks at the most. Even as I do that, I’m not backing off on Dot. My lawyer’s going to send her the papers and if she agrees, this could be over in a couple of weeks.”

She opens her mouth, and her pained expression prepares me for what I’m guessing will be a protest. But we’re interrupted by someone walking into the library.

Wren glances over her shoulder and I look to the door. Pop stands only feet from us, hands on his hips, glowering at me.

“Oliver, we need to talk now.”

Chapter9

Oliver

“Pop, we’re in the middle of something.” Wren turns to fully face him and gestures with her hand between her father and me. “This will have to wait.”

“Sorry, it can’t.” His broody gaze never leaves my face.

He hasn’t indicated why he has this sudden urgency to talk to me, but if I had to bet on it, I’m fairly confident I’d walk away a jackpot winner. I have a pretty good idea what’s on his mind.

I sidle up next to Wren. “Pop, we agreed to talk tomorrow.”

“Forget tomorrow. After that spectacle earlier, I’ve got questions and can’t wait for answers.”

“How’d you know he was here?” Wren crosses her arms over her chest, eyes keenly studying her father in a less than impressed way.

“Saw him come into the library from the Grill.”

She rolls her eyes and huffs. “You know, for all the years you thrust adult responsibilities on me even when I was a child, you sure are forgetting that I’m an adult. I don’t need you butting into my business or fighting my battles.”

“Wren.” He softens his tone, eyes finally seeking out his daughter. “Come here.”

He takes her hand and leads her toward the back of the library. I can still see them, but they’re too far away for me to hear them.

Pop’s hands rest on Wren’s shoulders as he faces her and looks down at her tenderly. His voice is so low, I’ve got no clue what he’s saying. Within seconds, Wren’s nodding in agreement.

Her posture softens. She dips her head and wipes at the corner of one eye. Is she crying? What the hell did he say to her?

Then she’s walking toward me, determination painted on her face. “Oliver, we’re done here.”

“What? No, we aren’t.” My spine straightens, ramrod.

Wren never did agree to keep seeing me in secret. So much feels left unsaid between us.

“I’ll talk to you later.” Her dismissive tone hits me like a missile.

I grip the counter, legs wobbling, and Pop grunts at me, hooking a finger to follow him. Wren is now behind the front desk, eyes glued to the computer like I’m not even there.

The sun slips behind a curtain of clouds as I step outside and shadow Pop on his way to the parking lot.

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