Page 70 of Imogen

Jackson chuckles. “No, it can wait. But I’ll pop in and see you next week.”

I smile, grateful to him for being so understanding. “Thank you.”

Dad wraps his arm around my shoulders. “Sorry for wasting your time.”

“It’s no problem. I should have called first,” Jackson tells him. He holds his hand up, waving once. “Enjoy your breakfast.”

As he leaves, Dad steers me into the house. I jab him in the ribs. “That was rude. I thought he was a good guy?”

“He is. I’m just seriously hungry,” Dad replies.

And I know he’s lying.

But I leave it, focusing instead on making the rest of the day better.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Imogen

Today could go either of two ways. Hayden could either slam the door in my face, slap me round the face, or make me grovel before she forgives me. If I ever get inside the building.

Since I’m showing up unannounced, I don’t have an appointment. And the security guard takes his job seriously. The fucker won’t let me in.

So, I do what any honourable Carter would do. I call in back up. When the food delivery guy shows up, I pretend to be distracted with my phone as he grabs his Just Eat bag. He passes by me, and I wait for the security guard to stop him before making my move. I slip past them, heading for the lift. I hide behind the large plant, my finger continuously pressing the call button like it will make the lift go faster.

Then I hear it, the bloody ding. “Jesus fucking Christ. Announce my arrival why don’t you,” I grumble as I quickly step inside.

“Hey! Hey!” the stocky security guard bellows.

I press the button to the top floor, my heart racing as the doors begin to close and he descends on me. “Shit, shit, shit!”

I exhale heavily as the doors close. I hear him banging on the metal as I lean against the wall. I could have made this easier if I called Hayden and told her I was here. But I didn’t want to give her a chance to turn me away. And she might. Hayden is her father’s daughter and can be unpredictable.

“Fuck, this lift is slow,” I mutter and turn to the mirror to straighten out my hair. I did good covering up the swelling under my eyes. The lack of sleep on top of crying has not done me any favours. I could load the bags up with food.

The lift dings when it reaches the floor, and I tap my foot as I wait for it to open. I check the hallway both sides before stepping out, making my way over to the receptionist.

She glances up at my arrival. “Good morning,” she greets. “Do you have an appointment?”

I push my gaze away from her hair. It’s gorgeous. It’s honey-coloured and dead straight. I envy her. One second outside and my hair becomes frizzy.

“Hey, I don’t actually. I’m here to see Hayden Carter.”

She flinches at the name, which is weird. “Miss Carter isn’t taking visitors today.”

“She will want to see me,” I disclose. “I’m family.”

“Miss Carter is an only child.”

My eyebrows rise. “Actually, she’s a triplet, but I can see why she wouldn’t want to announce that,” I mutter. “Um, I’m her cousin. And it’s important I see her. It’s about her dad.” I tuck a strand of hair behind my ear, hoping she doesn’t detect the lie.

“Mr Carter is in a mental institution,” she announces, narrowing her gaze on me. “If you are some sort of crazy fan, I’m going to call security. He takes his job seriously.”

“I know. I have his fingerprint bruises on my arm,” I snap. “Look, I’m being serious. I’m her cousin. If you just tell her Imogen is here, she will understand.”

A burly man steps out of the office behind her. “We take our security measures seriously. Joe here will need to pat you down for weapons.”

“Weapons? Seriously?” I ask, my jaw dropping.

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