Page 83 of Imogen

“I got that part too,” he comments. “It’s okay.”

“It’s not,” I breathe out. “You brought me out to this nice pub, treated me with nothing but respect, and I should have been honest with you. You are a great guy, and believe me, it wasn’t my intention to mess you around.”

“I know. But you aren’t to blame. I picked it up back at your dad’s office but took a chance anyway,” he reveals. “I take it your dad is the reason it’s complicated?”

“I have no idea. It’s all a mess. I don’t even know if I’m ready for more. I keep making the same mistakes.”

“If he knows what’s good for him, he’ll make you his.”

“I’m not a possession,” I tease.

“No, but you are a prize worth winning,” he points out.

I sigh, tilting my head. “Stop being sweet.”

His grin widens. “I’m still hoping you’ll give me a chance.”

“Trust me, if this was any other time in my life, this would be going differently,” I assure him.

My email alert dings, and my brows pinch together as I grab my phone off the table. I thought I put it on silent when I got in the car.

I don’t recognise the sender’s email, but I click on the attachment, and inhale sharply.

“Everything okay?”

I can hear my blood pumping. “I have to go. I’m sorry.”

“What? Is everything okay?” he asks, getting up too.

“I have to go,” I repeat, grabbing my bag.

“Let me take you home,” he offers as I drop some money down on the table. “Hey, this is on me.”

“I’m sorry, but I… I have to go.”

He grabs my hand, tugging me back when I go to leave. “Stop for a minute. What is going on?”

“I… I…” I glance away, unable to say the words.

“Let me go and pay the bill and we’ll leave,” he assures me, handing me back my money.

“Let me pay for some,” I whisper.

“I asked you out on a date. Let me.”

I nod and quietly follow him over to the bar. I hear a few grumbled words to the waitress before we leave. As we reach the car, I glance over the roof to Jackson.

“Thank you for tonight,” I tell him. “And I’m really sorry we’ve had to cut this short.”

“It’s okay,” he assures me.

But I know it’s not.

Nothing about this is okay.

*** *** ***

Hayden glances up from my phone before passing it to Hope. My cheeks heat at what they’re seeing. Ben has me against the wall, my legs wrapped around him. You can’t see his face, but mine is leaning back, lips parted as I grip his hair. Someone had been standing outside my bedroom window tonight and was taking photos of us. The caption reads, ‘Whore, if you don’t want this getting out, I suggest you do as I ask. I’ll be in touch.’

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