Page 109 of The Arrangement

“Gannon and Bianca are here,” Jason says. “If you’re good, Chloe and I’ll go and let them visit.”

“Yeah. That’s fine. Thanks for being here, Jase.”

Jason nods. “I wouldn’t have been anywhere else, buddy.” He offers me his hand, squeezing my palm a little harder than usual.

My heartbeat picks up with each step we take toward the elevator. Jason doesn’t say a word in the elevator. We walk through the parking lot, the air smelling like fresh bread from the bakery across the street and stop in front of my car.

“What’s wrong?” I ask, the breeze picking up the ends of my hair and billowing them.

He runs a hand down his chin. “Dad has until Monday to take the plea deal. He’s going to refuse unless I fly to Florida and meet with him.”

“Why is he in Florida?”

“Because he was arrested in Florida. He’s facing attempted murder charges there.”

My spirits sink. “So what are you going to do?”

He blows out a frustrated breath and looks at the sky. The struggle is clear, and I hate it for him.

“What do you think I should do?” he asks.

I take his other hand and hold it in mine, too. “I think you should go to Florida and talk to your father.”

His face snaps to mine.

“Don’t do it for him,” I say. “Don’t do it because he’s holding something over your head.” I squeeze his hands. “Do it for you. Do it so when you wake up Monday morning, this can all be set behind you, and you never have to deal with it again.”

He holds his breath.

“If you go there and just get closure for yourself, that’s a win. And if he follows through on his word, that’s a double win,” I say. “But the worst solution is you go, and he doesn’t follow through, and then you go to court anyway. You won’t be any worse off.”

“I know, but I just feel like he’s winning if I go.”

I smile at him. “How is he winning? He’s rotting in prison while you’re out here, living your life, taking care of your family. You’re filling his role better than he ever did. You’re winning, Jason. You control all the shots. Don’t let your pride get in the way of what’s best. You’re smarter than that.”

“If I go, I need to go now. Towlin can set up a meeting for this evening. Then Dad can sign the plea deal in the morning.”

“So go. I’ll be here when you get back.”

I’m not sure if that’s what he needed to hear, or if he needed reassurance, but the relief on his face is undeniable.

“You are the best thing that ever happened to me,” he whispers, before planting a sweet kiss against my lips. “I love you so much, Chloe Brewer.”

Those three little words hit me hard. I gasp a quick breath athis voicesaying those three little wordsto me.

He loves me.

I know he loves me, and I know I love him, too. I love him with my whole fucking heart. I don’t know when it happened or how it happened, but at some point over the last week, it’s become clear as a bell.

But saying those words, even though I know them to be true, fills me with a fear in the deepest part of my soul. It feels like I’m slicing myself open, baring my heart to him. And even though I know he’d never hurt me, that doesn’t mean I can override the strangulation I feel at this moment.

“Chloe?” he asks, searching me. Prompting me. Begging me to return his words to him.

“Jason, listen, I’m sorry. I just … I’m struggling over here to get the words to come out.” I’m talking too fast, too panicky. But I can’t slow down. “Let’s go home. I?—”

He takes a step back, anger flashing in his eyes. “Go on home. I need to catch a flight.”

“Jason, wait.”