Page 88 of Inevitable

He shot the ball and sank it in the net. “If you’re burned out, step back. Don’t step down.”

“It’s more than burnout,” I said, jogging across the court to collect the ball.

“You built that company from the ground up. You’re one of the most demanding sons of bitches in the field, but also the most successful. And now… What? You’re just going to let it all go?”

I blew out a breath. “That’s just it. Ihavebeen successful. It’s not just about wanting a change. I need a new challenge.” Flipping houses with Alexis had helped, but after Sumner, nothing seemed to hold my interest.

Probably because you still haven’t admitted what success means to you.

“I thought that was the point of your little side project.” He carried the ball over to the bench and set it down before grabbing some water. “You’re not—” He tilted his head to the side. “You’re not dying, are you?”

“What?” I jerked my head back.

He grabbed a towel from his bag and wiped the back of his neck. “I don’t know. People usually want to make huge changes like this when they’ve had a near-death experience or…”

“What? Are diagnosed with cancer?”

“Yeah.”

I blew out a breath. “No. I’m not dying.” Though it felt like it most days, felt as if I were watching life pass me by. And if I wasn’t careful, I was going to bury myself in work as Ian often liked to joke.

“Okay.” He scrubbed a hand over his head. “I may tease you about having a midlife crisis, but you know if you ever need to talk, I’m here for you.”

I nodded, swallowing past the lump in my throat. “I know.”

But there was no way I could talk to him about this—ever. He could never know I’d slept with Sumner. And the fact that he was being so supportive only made me feel worse.

“Maybe I should sell and move,” I said.

“Move where?”

Far away from Sumner.But I knew it didn’t matter. She was in my blood, stamped in my soul. Even from her first day in the office, I’d known—known she was a part of me.

“You know…” Ian rubbed a hand over his chin. “I haven’t seen you this out of sorts since—”

I held up my hand. “Don’t say it.”Don’t.

“You and Rachel broke up. Have you been seeing someone?” When I didn’t say anything, he said, “You have, haven’t you, you sly old dog?” He pointed at my face with a smug grin that made me want to punch him.

Even so, my heart rate skyrocketed, my pulse racing faster than it had the entire time we’d been running around the court.

Ian leaned in, butting his shoulder to mine, a knowing grin on his face. “So, who is she?”

I shook my head, sweat dripping down my back.

“Maybe I’ll have to ask Sumner if she has any ideas. Hell.” He laughed. “She saw more of you this summer than I did.”

I choked on my water, setting it aside before wiping my chin with my shirt. “Leave it, Ian.”

“Ooh. Somebody’s touchy.” He held up his hands in mock surrender.

I rolled my eyes and lowered my voice, knowing he wouldn’t stop badgering me unless I gave him something. “No one can know, okay? We work together,” I said, scrambling for a plausible reason to get him to drop it before I blurted the truth. “And she’s younger.”

“I didn’t realize either of those was a problem. At least, you didn’t seem to mind that Sumner was dating Jack.”

I am Jack!

“She’s not the CEO.”