Just Pretend (Just… #1)

42. Hallie

CHAPTER 42

HALLIE

Sitting behind my father’s desk in his office, I stare at an old family photo of the four of us. I had hoped that I would somehow be able to appeal to Rupert as a father who wants the best for his son, but I think I underestimated him as a businessman. He thinks making money and closing deals are what makes a person happy, not love and family. I was stupid to think he could change his mind about anything. The only reason he was willing to give up the camp property was to get James back at the company; he was never going to let both go. My big idea clearly didn't go as planned at all. Rupert stormed out before I could even broach the idea of a compromise.

My only hope now is that once James has a chance to talk to him and Rupert has calmed down, he’ll be open to listening to what I have to say. I know we can find a way to make everyone happy, but getting Rupert on board is the only way that can happen. I just hope it doesn’t come down to choosing between James or the camp. All I’ve been focused on for months is saving the camp and making my family happy, but if that means James being miserable working for his father, I’m afraid it’s a price I’m not willing to pay.

The choice would be easier if I still thought he was only using me, but now that I know the truth, now that I’ve seen him again, kissed him and held him, I know how strong my feelings for James truly are. Being here with him again, however briefly, only confirmed that I love him, and I know there is no one else for me…but how can I be with him knowing that I’m the reason he’s stuck in a job he hates?

A noise at the doorway makes me look up and I find my father coming back into the room.

“Are they still here?” I ask hopefully.

“No,” my dad shakes his head. “They’re gone.”

Tears sting my eyes right away as I realize that James left without even saying goodbye.

“He left?” I ask in a whisper. “Why would he do that? I thought he’d want to talk…”

“Hallie,” my father says with a warning in his voice as he sits next to me. “Don’t jump to conclusions again. You don’t know what Rupert pulled.”

I nod, knowing that he’s right, but I can’t hold my tears any longer. I let them stream down my cheeks as I bury my face in my hands. I can’t believe that after all I went through—competing with Chase for the promotion, pretending to be in love with James on the retreat, actually falling in love with him, fixing things at work…everything I did to help my family and none of it amounted to anything.

“I can’t believe we are still going to lose the camp,” I whimper as my father puts his arm around me, pulling me close.

I turn and cry into his shoulder, my whole body shaking from the weight of the disappointment I’m feeling.

“You did what you could,” he says. “You went above and beyond for your family.”

“But I didn’t even get to really try,” I say. “I had more to say to Rupert. I could have convinced him?—”

“It was always going to be a long shot,” Dad tells me. “No one convinces Rupert Sinclair of anything he doesn’t want to do. I know if anyone could have done it, it would be you, but the man’s mind is made up. He’s putting money before people, once again.”

I look up to see the hurt in my father’s eyes. I can only imagine how hard it is for him to go up against Rupert again, only to lose this time.

“I’m sorry, Dad,” I say softly.

“Nothing to apologize for,” he replies. “I’ve accepted the situation for what it is. We had a good run, but now it’s over. I’m not willing to make a deal that negatively affects another man just to hold onto a piece of land. Hopefully now that James is free of his father, the two of you can work things out.”

“That’s what I was hoping,” I sigh, wiping my nose with the back of my wrist, “but now…”

“He loves you, Hal,” Dad stops me. “When a man is willing to make the sacrifice James made, willing to put your happiness above his own, that only means one thing. He loves you.”

I muster a smile, taking a deep breath to stop my tears.

“I hope you’re right,” I say. “I can’t lose him.”

My father draws me into a hug, wrapping both arms around me tightly.

“You need to stay positive,” he says into my ear. “Since when does my little girl not go after what she wants?”

I dry my eyes on my shirt sleeve as I pull away, nodding back at him.

“You’re right,” I say. “I’m not going to let this all be for nothing. I’m going to do whatever I need to do to hold onto James.”

“Do you have to leave so soon?” my mother asks, wrapping me in a tight hug. “It feels like you just got here.”

“I know, but I really need to talk to James, and I want to get to San Francisco before dark,” I tell her.

“I wish you’d buy a car instead of relying on that thing,” Dad grunts, shaking his head at the Vespa.

“Maybe I will,” I shrug, not saying what we’re all thinking—that I’ll be able to afford a car payment now that I’m not sending all of my money to my parents to pay for the camp.

“You should go,” Sadie says with a nod.

My heart is heavy as I hug my sister goodbye. Our visit was short and bittersweet, but it’s always good to see her.

“What are you going to do now?” I ask.

“This camp isn’t the only place that supports people living with autism,” Sadie shrugs. “I’ll find another way to give back and continue to make a difference.”

A smile stretches across my face, despite the ache in my heart.

“I know you will,” I tell her. “You’re amazing.”

“Nah,” she shrugs. “I’m just like everyone else.”

I pull her into another hug just as a car appears in the driveway. We all turn to see who it could be, and my heart starts to race when I recognize the black Lexus that James arrived in earlier. He came back.

I stare in disbelief, not sure what this means until the car comes to a stop and James flies out from the back door, rushing towards me. Before I can process what’s going on, he sweeps me into his arms, holding me close. I’m breathless as I wrap my arms around his neck and hug him tight, relishing in the closeness of his body.

“I couldn’t leave without talking to you,” he says without loosening his grip from around me. “I had no idea what happened, why you were so angry at me?—”

“It was all a huge mistake,” I tell him. “It wasn’t you. It was nothing you did. I’m so sorry.”

James pulls back, resting his hands against my cheeks as he looks into my eyes. He is right in front of me, his chest against my chest, his lips so close to mine.

“I’m sorry, too,” he says, his eyes staring deeply at me. “I love you, Hallie. I’d do anything for you—absolutely anything.”

“I love you, too,” I tell him. “That’s why I can’t let you do this. I can’t let you give up your own happiness for me. I can’t?—”

James stops me mid-sentence, pressing his lips to mine, making my stomach do a flip. I don’t move a muscle, not wanting the moment to ever end, locked in a kiss that makes me feel like the rest of the world has faded away. Nothing else matters in that moment but the love we share, the love we’re not going to give up for anything. The love I feel for this man is deeper and more meaningful than any I’ve ever known.

As we break apart, coming back to reality, I take a slow breath in. The world around us comes back into view—my family off to one side, Rupert and Trey on the other side. There is still unfinished business that needs to be cleared up before James and I can have our happily ever after.

Clearing my throat, I turn to Rupert, looking the man right in the eyes. I’ve heard most of my life what a cold bastard he is, but in this moment, I see something in him that makes me hopeful.

“I have an idea that I’d like to discuss with you,” I tell him. “A compromise.”

Rupert’s neutral expression twitches into a smile as he looks back at me.

“You might be surprised to hear this about me, but I’m not big on compromise,” he says.

My body deflates and the hope I had been feeling quickly dissolves. Maybe Rupert Sinclair is just as cold and unyielding as my father said he was after all. I glance nervously up at James, who pulls me to his side as he stares down his father.

“Dad—”

Rupert holds up his hand, silencing his son.

“I’m not big on compromise,” Rupert continues, “but I always reserve the right to change my mind.”

I feel my mouth drop open as Rupert walks past us, right up to my parents and my sister. He stands in front of my father and gives him a knowing nod.

“Let’s sign those damn papers,” Rupert says to him. “The land is yours, Mark. No strings attached.”

“Are you saying…?” my father begins, clearly skeptical.

“No more lease, no payment plan, and James does not have to continue working for me,” Rupert confirms. He turns around again, looking at James with both eyebrows slightly lifted. “But I would like him to come back to the family.”

“I…” James gets choked up for a moment, nodding his head. “I can do that.”

“Thank you,” I say with a sigh of relief. “Mr. Sinclair, you have no idea how much this means.”

“You can stop right there,” Rupert says sternly. “Call me Rupert.”

With a laugh, I untangle myself from James’s arms to hug his father. I can tell that he’s caught off guard by my embrace, but after a second, he hugs me back.

“Let’s head back inside,” my dad says with a grin, clapping Rupert on the shoulder.

They start to walk back up the stairs together, but when they get to the porch, Rupert stops and turns to my dad.

“I do have one condition to this deal,” he says.

I see my father’s face fall as he wonders what Rupert has up his sleeve this time. We all wait in worried silence, and I hold my breath, praying he’s not about to derail the whole deal.

“I want that table I made out of the storage garage and back in the dining hall,” Rupert demands. “James and I fixed it.”

My father lets out a loud, bellowing laugh, slapping Rupert on the back.

“It’s a deal,” he agrees right away.

The two men shake hands, pulling each other into a hug, still laughing and smiling.

“I’ve missed you, Rupe,” Dad says softly.

“Oh, don’t get all sappy on me, Mark,” Rupert replies, shaking his head. “This camp has made you soft.”

They continue walking to the entrance, their arms around each other’s backs and as they head inside, I see Rupert lean in a little closer. “I’ve missed you, too,” he says to my father. “But I have a feeling we’re going to become family someday.”

As everyone else goes inside, James stops me on the porch, taking me by the hand and pulling me to him.

“Someday soon,” he says with a grin.

My heart soars as James leans in to kiss me, his arms slipping around my body, his lips pressed tight to mine.