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Okay?
We’ll always have the seals. And Iggy the Iguana. I won’t ever forget that dressing room, either, not to mention the plunge pool.
You’re a good guy.
I know you’ll make a nice girl real happy one day.
~ Jenny
I put the note on the table and grabbed my bag.
Then, without a backward glance, I left the Liberty—and Cole, and any chance of happiness I’d ever known—far, far behind.
JENNY
It was a truth,universally acknowledged, that an escort from the wrong side of the tracks should never fall in love with her billionaire client.
But I’d gone and done just that. I’d fallen hard for Cole Bryson.
Now I was alone. And I would be for the rest of my life.
I listened to Cole’s father’s message again.“You have until noon today to leave the Liberty. Don’t say one word to Cole. Otherwise, there’ll be hell to pay.”
I didn’t know what he meant by “hell to pay.” But I knew I wouldneverput Cole at risk. Cole’s father had discovered I was an escort. He didn’t want his billionaire son anywhere near me—he said I wasn’t good enough for the Bryson family.
He was probably right.
Cole’s father had also somehow found my auntie Theresa. He’d dug up my ugly, secret past. My aunt came back from the dead with a vengeance, texting me and demanding money. She said she’d tell Cole the truth about me. If she did that, I knew he’d never look at me the same way again.
Between his father’s threats and my auntie coming back, I knew it was best to leave. I’d packed my things, written Colea crappy note, and left his apartment. My billionaire client had never asked for this sort of trouble. All he’d wanted was a fun date for his friend’s wedding. We were never supposed to fall in love. I was doing him a favor by leaving. Cole would be better off without me.
That was three days ago. Three days of hell. The crumpled-up tissues on the bed next to me and the empty bottles of wine on the table attested to that. Heartbreak didn’t exactly feel good. But I didn’t want to think about that. I tried to focus on doing the right thing for Cole—because that was the only way to accept the pain and the only thing keeping me from running back to him.
My phone rang, causing me to jump. My heart stopped; it was Shirley, Cole’s assistant. She was like a fairy godmother to me, always buying me dresses and fussing over me. Shirley and her husband, Mike, were on a Caribbean cruise. Why was she calling—was it an emergency? Had something happened to Cole?
“Shirl?” I croaked. “Is everything okay?”
“Jenny!” Shirley wailed. “What on earth is going on? I called Mr. Bryson, and he said you’d left. He wassoupset! What can I do? What happened? I’ve never heard him like that before. He wascrying?—”
“It’s okay,” I lied. “It’s for the best. How’s your cruise?” I asked, lamely trying to change the subject.
“It’s great, but that’s not what’s important!” Shirley sounded likeshewas going to cry. “What on earth happened?”
“Cole’s a great guy.” I sighed. “But we took things too fast. And let’s face it, he’s way out of my league, Shirl. He needs to be with someone from his own world.”
“Please don’t talk like that,” she pleaded. “He has real feelings for you, I can tell. He’s never been like this with anyone, Jenny.”
“I’m sorry, but I have to go,” I said, tears starting again. “I hope you have a great time on your cruise. Thank you for everything.”
I hated hanging up on Shirley, but I hated a lot of things at the moment. Quickly, I checked her cruise reservation details. Then, I went to the ship’s online gift shop and picked out the most giant bouquet of flowers I could find. I paid for them and added a note:
Thank you for everything, Shirley.
You always made me feel welcome.
I hope you have the best time on your cruise—you deserve every happiness.
Please look out for Mr. Bryson for me.