Page 86

“My heart is so broken, like me.”

“Your heart can be healed by a man who loves you so much that he’s waited outside a hospital for almost a week for you without complaint. Why are you doing this? You’re not just hurting him. You’re hurting yourself.”

“I’m trapped.” I fall back into the nook of the couch and bring my knees to my chest. Rolling my head to the side, I see a crease created from concern between her brows. “My family feels betrayed by the man I’m in love with. How do I get around this? If I choose him, I hurt them. I choose my family, which I have to, I lose him. It’s a no-win situation, so me dragging out a relationship with Nick won’t do either of us any good.”

She sits up and sets her mug on the coffee table. “It’s not an either-or situation. It’s hearing both sides at a minimum and then deciding what’s best for you.”

“You make this sound easy when it’s not. I won’t waste another minute on a man hell-bent on controlling my life. If the contract stands as is, I’ll be answering to his family.” I squeeze my eyes closed, wishing I wasn’t in this mess. “Anyway, you know better than anyone the problem Dane had with my company and how hard we fought over it.”

“That’s because he had small-dick syndrome.” Her jaw tightens as she grits her teeth. “He couldn’t bear for a woman to be more successful than him.”

“I wasn’t even making money then. It was just the thought of me becoming successful that enraged him.” I stand and start pacing, unable to sit still any longer. “Imagine the horror—a woman is more successful than a man. Sound the alarms.” I’m full of restless energy that I wish I could get out of my system, run away until I’m carefree again. But I know that’s not possible. I could run a thousand miles, but Nick’s not going to be forgotten that easily.Or at all.

Looking out the window, I say, “First snow is coming.”

“It’s already late.” She comes to lean against the window where I’ve perched myself on the sill.

I check my watch. “And so am I. I need to get back before he’s released.”

“Everyone’s off to the Hamptons then?”

“Yes. My dad will have a private nurse check on him, and his doctor is out there for the holidays.”

“I’m glad he’s doing well.”

I can’t help but smile. “Me too. My dad has made a lot of improvement over the past few days. They approved his release because they’re happy with his blood pressure and other vitals. He’s getting up a few minutes each day. His pain is being managed, so he’s been in good spirits. He’ll get to relax in the comfort and peace of the off-season at the Hamptons house.”

Moving back to the door, I wrap my purse around my shoulder and the strap of the laptop bag around my body. Taking the suitcase handle, I open the door with the other hand. I’m not rushing or running. I’m hesitant to leave, worried I’m forgetting something or maybe that things will change without me around, because I already feel a change happening inside me.

“It will be good to spend time out of the hospital with my family again. We have our monthly dinners, but those are formal events. The downtime will be good.”

“I know you’ll be working, but think about taking some time for yourself as well. I can handle anything extra that needs to be done.” She holds the door wide open, so I move into the hallway. Resting her cheek against the wood, she asks, “Will you promise me something?”

“Depends.”

That causes her to smile. “If you happen to run into him, give him five minutes. It might be eye-opening.” She doesn’t have to explain thehimshe’s talking about.

“Or heart ending.”

“At least you’ll be able to move on knowing the truth, and isn’t that closure worth the effort?”

In all the months Nick and I have known each other, we only dated a few weeks. Itsk, embarrassed to admit that to myself. How did I expect something so frivolous to last? “Or pain.”

She scoffs and then takes me by my upper arms, giving me a small shake. “Stop this. You don’t have to argue every little thing. The worst may happen or the best, or maybe the worst has already happened, and it will only get better from here. You have fifty scenarios swimming around in that pretty head. Instead of guessing how it will play out, take the lead and put it to bed.” She squishes my cheeks together. “Or go to bed with him.”

“Are those my only options?” I ask, talking through fish lips.

“Pretty much. Let me know how that all turns out.”

Wrapping me in her arms, she says, “No matter what happens, you’ll always be stuck with me.”

I release the suitcase to hug her. “Unless you actually give a guy your number.”

“Maybe if I meet the right guy.” Stepping back, she adds, “The right guy at the right time, that is.”

“Isn’t that the truth.” I tug the suitcase and start walking down the hall to the elevator. “Don’t have too much fun without me.”

“I never do. Take care, Nat, and send your dad my best wishes.”