Chapter 14
CHAPTER 14
WILL
“ Y ou nailed it, Bill.” Ryan flips to the next page, nodding with an impressed smile. “Yeah, this is great.”
I lean back against the overstuffed chair facing Ryan’s desk. I have to admit, I’m pretty proud of this growth plan. Despite all the challenges lined up in Sophie’s way, I’ve managed to come up with a plan that addresses everything without sacrificing her growth goals. “I learned from the best,” I reply with a sly smile. “Also, the client hasn’t approved it yet.” Although I doubt she won’t. I worked closely with Sophie to make sure this plan suits her—and her kids.
Ryan looks up from the plan and raises his eyebrows. “Maybe. But honestly, looking at all this …” He gestures to the plan on his desk. “I don’t think I have much to teach you anymore.”
“I doubt that,” I say with a smile. A notification rings from my phone in my pocket. I take it out.
Sophie
I can’t cope right now the approval will have to come later
My abs clench involuntarily. Can’t cope? What the hell’s going on?
“Everything okay?” Ryan pipes up. “Looks like you’ve just seen a ghost.”
“It’s the client.” My heart hammers against my ribs. I have a bad feeling about this.
“Did she reject the plan?”
I shake my head and put the phone down, plastering a fake smile on my face. “No, no. Don’t worry.”
From the pointed look Ryan gives me, it’s clear he sees right through me. “I can tell you’re worried. What’s going on?”
A sigh escapes my lungs. “I don’t know …” I debate calling her.
Maybe I should.
Or is that stepping over the line?
But what if something really is wrong?
“I’m calling her.”
Ryan frowns but doesn’t argue as I dial Sophie’s number. It rings, and I can hardly breathe in between each tone.
When it reaches her voicemail, I exhale through my clenched teeth. Fuck. What is going on?
“Will?” My actual name slips from Ryan’s lips, even though we’re at the office. A concerned look is etched into his warm eyes.
“I think something’s wrong.” I stand in one fluid motion, my entire body fuelled with a charge of electricity. “I think I should go and make sure she’s fine.”
“You’re a consultant, not a dad,” Ryan calls out right before I reach for the door. I stop in my tracks. “Remember,” he adds, “she’s not your only client.”
“I know.” I spin to face him. I know he’s not going to stop me. He trusts my judgement. “It’s just a quick visit. I’ve got it under control.”
Under the surface, I’m panicking. Not knowing what’s going on with Sophie is making my mind go wild with all sorts of crazy scenarios. Her house is on fire. Julian got hurt. Matt said or did something to upset her.
A tendril of rage curls around my ribs at the thought of Matt, but I keep it in check. Ryan gives me a small nod. “Okay.” I’ve got his blessing.
I book it faster than I should, making a few risky moves with my car that I wouldn’t do otherwise, even as it starts to rain. All I can think of is Sophie. By the time I pull into her driveway, my hands are nearly stuck to the steering wheel after gripping it so tightly.
I don’t waste a second and rush to her door, knocking like a madman, hardly feeling the cold bite of the rain soaking through my hair and jacket. Time stops as I wait. An eternity passes—or maybe it’s one second. Then, footsteps echo from inside, inching closer.
The door opens, and my heart sinks straight to the bottom of my chest.