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Jackson

Fuck me.

I pinch the bridge of my nose and then rub, hoping to alleviate some of the tension causing my headache.

“How am I liable?” I ask, holding the phone to my ear while I pace my home office.

“I can’t make the market open on a Saturday because he dropped millions on a stock that I would have never advised him to invest in.

I’m not his broker or his advisor. I haven’t been for more than a year. ”

From the other end of the line, Andrew says, “The lawsuit came as a surprise, Jackson. We haven’t had time to read through it, but Nick and I just got to the office to look in the securities files.

We’re hoping this is a case of someone getting the facts wrong, but I don’t have that answer at this time. ”

Shuffling is heard, and then Nick says, “Hey, Jackson. Do you remember the last time you spoke with Morgenstern?”

“Yeah, I was at the basketball courts with Rad and Cade a week ago. Before that, briefly on New Year’s.

He pulled me into a few meet and greets at his New Year’s Eve party.

We talked a little business, but I didn’t violate any laws or ethical standards.

I’m not his advisor.” I’m not one to panic, but this lawsuit threatens more than the company.

There are allegations about me personally.

I’ve worked too hard to build what I have to lose it to lies from an investor who got cold feet.

The sound of a book hits the desk, and then Nick says, “This filing is an inch thick. This isn’t frivolous. This is planned, and from flipping through it, unless they have a team of thirty, there’s no fucking way this was constructed in a week. This isn’t a lawsuit. It’s meant to destroy you.”

Andrew cuts back in, “Our contracts are airtight, but this suit is highly unusual. Nick’s leading the legal team to sort through this this weekend, and we’ll meet on Monday.”

“Is it of concern?” I ask, stopping and staring out the window. The living room has the better view, but no view of this city at night is bad.

He sighs, a mixture of frustration and annoyance built in, and then Andrew says, “No investor likes to lose millions but a company abruptly liquidating all its assets without notifying stakeholders is also as uncommon, and illegal. Their problems are now ours for every investor of ours that bought that stock.”

Nick jumps back into the conversation, “I’d tell you not to worry, but I haven’t had time to read the premise of the lawsuit, much less the role you played in this situation.

I talked to your attorney on the ride over to the office.

We’ll be working on it together as needed and sharing files that pertain to your case.

But Jackson, I need to be clear that Christiansen Wealth Management is my top priority. ”

“I understand, and I’d expect no less.”

“Clear your schedule for the next few weeks and try to get some sleep tonight because it’s going to be hell come Monday.”

“Thanks, guys.” I disconnect and cross my arms over my chest, still holding tight to the phone.

I didn’t build an empire, but I have enough money for myself and a future generation to live comfortably for the rest of our lives.

I was given a leg up, but I took the money and turned it into fifteen times the value.

I fucking did that, so there’s no fucking way Morgenstern is going to take it away. I won’t let him.

I have my own team of lawyers and will fight. I’ll spend every dollar before I pay him for his mistakes.

“Everything all right?”

I turn back to find Marlow just outside the doorway. I plaster on a smile. She has enough going on. She doesn’t need to hear about my problems. “Hey, I didn’t hear you come in.” I cross the room and bring her into my arms in the hallway.

“I wasn’t trying to sneak up on you or anything.” Her arms come around my neck, and her breath warms me. “I called your name, but you were?—”

“I was lost in thought.”

Her hands wrap around my head, and she tips her head even more, burying herself in me. “Right.”

Dropping my forehead to her shoulder, we stay tangled in the silence and each other for I don’t know how long. It just feels good to have her home and to be in her arms. She rubs her hands over my head. Pulling back, she asks, “What’s wrong, Jackson?”

“Nothing.” I answer too fast to be believable, so I blink and use a breath to loosen the tension I know she senses. “How’d it go with your mom?”

She steps back and leans against the wall. Searching my face, she finally shakes her head, and then says, “I can’t make you talk to me, but if you do, I’ll listen. I want to be here for you like you have been for me.”

I should be happy to have the offer. She cares and has been doing the best she can to show me.

It’s enough to just have her here. She’s enough.

“Thank you, but nothing’s wrong.” I reach forward and kiss her forehead.

Taking her hand, I lead her into the bedroom, and add, “I want to hear about your night. Are you okay?”

Sitting on the mattress, she starts taking off her shoes. I move into the closet, but hear her say, “We should get a bench for the end of the bed.”

I can’t be upset that she wants to decorate and add a piece of furniture that she sees as beneficial.

I feel quite the opposite. Anything that tightens the bond she has to my place and to me is good in my opinion.

I strip off my shirt and throw it in the hamper.

“That’s a good idea. You can pick out something you like and send me a link. I’ll order it.”

“Would you mind if I buy it?” she asks.

I’d just started on the fly of my jeans when I stop.

With a smile, my shoulders suddenly don’t feel so heavy.

I walk into the room again to see her resting back on her elbows with her knees bent and feet propped on the mattress.

Her skirt has slid down her thighs, exposing the smallest touch of white gracing her skin.

My gaze travels higher not because she’s not sexy or doesn’t awaken parts of my body by the mere sight of her.

No, it’s that she lies there like she should be a permanent part of this space.

My heart thumps heavy in my chest. I gather my thoughts back together, and reply, “You don’t have to.”

“I want to. It will be a gift.” She grins like she’s keeping something from me, something good.

“The listings for my bags all closed today. They were scooped up immediately, but I guess the sale site holds the money over a certain number of days until it clears. It’s like payday.

The ten bags have sold for just under six figures. ”

“That’s amazing money.”

“They were worth double, but I treated them like properties. I kept them lower in hopes of selling. At the higher price, I’d lose most buyers.

And most buyers at that level would buy their bags new from the store.

” She falls back on the bed, her arms going wide along with her grin. “It was a strategy.”

“It worked.” I take off my jeans and lie next to her. Turning toward her, I add, “I’m proud of you.”

She rolls onto her side with her hand tucked under her cheek.

Her eyes are glistening despite the smile that tussles to stay in place.

Reaching over, she rests her hand on my chest, and whispers, “I told my mom goodbye. For now. That it was best if we didn’t see each other again until we’re in a better place. ”

Covering her hand with mine, I say, “That must have been hard.”

“Not as hard as it should have been. I’m in too good of a place right now to keep harboring those negative feelings.” She sighs and focuses on our hands being together.

She sounds so strong, but that had to be disappointing.

She went tonight to work through their issues, and now she’s walked away completely.

She’s brave or putting on a face of indifference.

I’m not sure either will serve her well in the weeks to come.

But maybe this is a good thing. Maybe this will bring closure.

We can only hope it turns out that well.

“Long story, but she always judged—my looks, my clothes, my achievements. I was never enough. But I found I was doing that to her. Sitting across the table from her and Paolo, judging her hair and the way she looked at me. I was mentally picking her apart to feel better in her company. It wasn’t working.

” Her gaze slides up to mine again. “I don’t want to be that person anymore. I don’t want to be like her.”

Moving closer, she drapes her leg over mine.

“Thank you for making me understand what acceptance feels like for the first time.” A light laugh trickles through her and escapes.

“And I know Tealey and Cammie have always cared about me. So I’m not saying any of this to take away from their friendship.

” Snuggling as close as she can, she kisses my chest, and continues, “I want to say this, so you know the impact you’ve made on me. Thank you, Jackson.”

There’s no great production put on. We’re just two people with our own troubles, finding comfort in each other.

I catch her watching me when we’re brushing our teeth, a glimpse of a smile that looks like she has a secret when she’s winding her hair on top of her head for the night.

While I lie in bed with my worries escalating, I watch her in the cracked open door as she puts lotion on her legs.

While these mundane things may have been a routine she developed over the years, it’s new for us.

Having her here for things like this—early morning talks and getting ready for the day together—these small things bring a sense of peace, safety, and love.

This is our routine. Something we created together.

This means walls have been broken down, and her heart, once buried within a suit of armor, is opening to me.