CHAPTER THIRTY
GEMMA
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A delivery of fifty white roses arrives Sunday afternoon. They are the most stunning roses I’ve ever seen.
I force myself to open the card because I know it’s from Drew.
Peace. I’m sorry for the pain I’ve caused you. Know that I can’t stop thinking about you. Drew x
Sadness fills my chest as I walk to the kitchen to find a vase—four vases—to put them in.
I should toss them out, but they are so beautiful, and I’m not the kind of woman who holds a grudge.
Thankfully Zoe is in front of her tablet watching a movie, so I have space to wallow. To think. To feel.
My heart hurts thinking Anthony cheated. I’ve nearly phoned Drew a dozen times to ask questions. He clearly has information and answers, but I don’t know if I want to hear it.
I believe him.
Sure, he has reason to lie, but I feel it in my bones that it’s the truth.
As hard as it is to accept.
Never in all the time we were married did I question Anthony’s loyalty. But discovering the missing millions planted a seed of doubt that has been growing inside me since.
Something doesn’t add up.
Eventually, I will talk to Drew and ask him to share what he knows.
Right now, as odd as this sounds, I’m more upset about us.
A loving man does not cheat on his wife. He does not steal from his wife.
This coming from a man who doesn’t date and has never had a relationship. That I can see.
Yet the Drew Carrington I’ve heard about doesn’t seem consistent with the man I know. Well, aside from in bed, but I’m not talking about that. Seeing him take care of Zoe at the hospital.
His insistence that he sees me home.
That we talk.
A man who wants sex and only sex doesn’t bother himself with these messy things. I might not know that firsthand, but I see it with my sister.
Belinda has dated every frog in Manhattan. Or so it seems.
She might be dating—fucking—one of them, but when the holidays draw near, suddenly they lose interest, come down with an infectious disease, or have a cousin in Canada they have to visit.
Zero commitment.
Zero interest in knowing her, her life, or family. Only her body.
Drew has been different.
Having afternoon tea with my daughter, talking robots, making sure she didn’t hurt me when I was bruised all over—still am—are not the actions of a playboy just wanting his next orgasm.
I opened my banking app this morning and let out a little shriek.
Drew had deposited the money before picking me up on Saturday night. The money I told him to shove up his nice bottom is in there.
I never have to work again in my life.
There is no justification for the amount he sent me. Open Leaf in its prime wouldn’t have profited enough for me to receive that via only ten percent shares.
Without question, I know he did this to help me...and Zoe. Before I told him to leave.
As I’m arranging the final vase, I rub my fingers over some of the petals.
My previous thought returns. This coming from a man who doesn’t date and has never had a relationship.
I smile.
Drew has no idea what he’s doing.
I realize you’ll have boundaries around your daughter, and I respect that. I expect it. There’s no obligation, but officially we are no longer business partners. Gemma, I want to keep seeing you.
Like a couple?
No. Yes. I don’t... no. Like...Gemma, I want you to be my lover.
Wait just a minute.
I think Drew Carrington is in love with me. He just has no idea what he’s doing. I take in the stupid number of roses and smirk.
Well then, if he wants me, he better work it out.
And fast.