Chapter 23
HUNTER
The distance between Dorothy and me grows each day that passes, making me hollow inside.
Just as that thought floats through my brain, she exits the elevator into my building’s lobby.
I excuse myself from the neighbor I’m talking to and rush to her. “Dorothy.”
She stops and glances my way. “Happy Monday, Hunter. How are you today?”
I want to tell her how awful I am, but nobody likes a sour mood. “I’m doing fine. Do you have a minute?”
“Um… What do you have in mind?” She peeks over at a man I can only assume is a bodyguard. Her gaze comes back to me.
Damn, I miss her.
I step closer to her so I can smell her perfume. A rush of desire flares in my chest.
“Do you have time to grab a cup of coffee? I’d like to talk to you about a couple of things.”
She presses her lips together, pauses, and then nods. “Sure, but I don’t have a lot of time. I need to run errands and don’t want to leave Jami for too long. ”
Was she so upfront with Jamison about spending time with me when we were together?
Maybe I don’t want to know.
I motion to the complex restaurant. “In that case, we can stay here and grab one.”
She cinches her brows together. “Okay, but I only have a few minutes. And we stay in the open.”
I place my hand on her lower back and guide her into the restaurant’s lobby. She doesn’t resist, so I soak in how her hips sway as she walks. Touching her has my muscles loosen.
We get seated, and the man she was looking at stations himself near the opening. His head turns from side to side as he takes in all the surroundings. He seems to be doing his job well, so I relax.
Dorothy dives in. “What’s this about, Hunter?”
I move my utensils over and lean toward her. “I wanted to see how you were doing.”
“With what?” She crosses her arms over her chest.
“The last time I saw you, you were hugging Melanie goodbye. I wanted to make sure you’re okay.”
“Yeah, I’m doing fine.”
“That doesn’t sound convincing.”
“I’m going to her place after our coffee...chat.” Dorothy’s cheeks grow pink.
Maybe she’s thinking about us being together.
“Why do you have that look about you?” I keep my eyes locked on her. I don’t want to miss it if she tries to hide something from me.
Her eyes narrow. “What look is that?”
“You turned that beautiful shade of crimson I love. Why?”
Her shoulders sag. “Because I almost said coffee date. I don’t want to mislead you.”
Not what I was hoping for.
My heart shrinks. “You’re not doing anything wrong, so relax. ”
“Being here with you is wrong. It only confuses you, and it isn’t fair to Jami. Can we please chat so I can say goodbye to Melanie?”
“Ouch. Why so cold?”
“I’m not trying to be cold.” She sighs. “I’m sorry. I’m just trying to set your expectations and honor my boundaries around spending time alone with you.”
“That sounds more like Jamison’s boundary than yours.” I let it hang out there while I study her every expression. I have to know if there’s still a chance for us.
For a second, she softens, exposing her gentle side. “Hunter, these are my boundaries. I can’t make you both happy, so this is the way it has to be.”
“But you still want me, don’t you?”
She pushes her chair back. “I need to get going.”
I place my hand over hers. “No. Please don’t run out. I still have some things I want to discuss.”
She settles back in her chair. “Fine, but I’m only staying because I saw that expression you get when you think I’m running away from you. I don’t want to traumatize you.”
She still cares about me. That gives me a little hope.
“Thank you.” My blood pressure comes down a notch. “I have a meeting with my dad today. We’re going over ways to get you reinstated. Is that something you’re still interested in?”
She analyzes me. “Is it even possible?”
“It is, but if you’re moving to Miami, I need to know so we can fill the void. Efron Worldwide can’t be without a marketing director.”
The server interrupts and asks us what we want to order. Once that’s done, Dorothy rests her arms on the table and inches closer to me.
She asks, “What are you guys doing in the interim?”
“We have Sadie filling in.” I take a drink of my water. “She knows the business and our systems. It was a quick fix.”
Dorothy’s eyes widen. “But what about her baby? ”
Fuck!
I do not want to be talking about kids. I was hoping to avoid that topic.
I rub my neck and pray I don’t lead us into a conversation about Isabella. “Sadie’s working from home. We set her up remotely. It’s only temporary, so she agreed.”
Dorothy nods. “That makes sense. I’m glad it worked out for you.”
My insides tighten. “What are your thoughts on stepping back into your role?”
“I can’t think about it until it happens. I don’t want to get my hopes up.”
And that right there is my ticket to winning her back.
I can’t help but smile. “You’re going to be reinstated. I know I can sway the vote. It’s time you think about your options because it’s going to happen sooner rather than later.”
The server returns with our drinks.
“I’ll think about it and let you know.” Dorothy mixes her coffee to her liking. “Can I ask you a question that’s none of my business?”
My mouth gets dry. “Fire away.”
She peeks over at me. “How did the paternity test come out?”
I knew this was going to be brought up. I tried to brace myself for it, but it still has my blood running cold.
My shoulder tense. “It appears Isabella was being truthful.”
I can’t bring myself to say she’s pregnant with my child. It’s something I’m having a hard time coming to terms with. I’m at a loss for how it could’ve happened with how drunk I was. It doesn’t make sense.
Dorothy drops her gaze and takes a sip of her coffee. I give her the time she needs to process my words.
She places her cup down and smiles. “Congratulations. You’re going to be a terrific dad. ”
“I wouldn’t be so sure.”
“Please don’t doubt yourself, Hunter. You’re an amazing man with a big heart.”
My face heats. “That’s with people I love, not this.”
She sits straight. “Your child isn’t a this . It’s a human being.”
“That’s not what I meant. I was talking about the situation with Isabella.”
Dorothy's stance softens. “That’s good to hear because your baby needs you.”
“I know. I have no intention of walking out on him.” My heart skips a beat for fear she’ll leave me for good. “Jonah talked to me about it Friday when I found out. He made me understand it’s the right thing to do.”
She smiles from ear to ear. “Hunter, that’s great. I’m so proud of you.”
This woman confuses the fuck out of me.
Just when I think she’s going to blow a gasket about something, she does the exact opposite.
“Really?”
“Yes, really. This shows me you’ve changed.”
I shake my head. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
She bites down on her lip. “Why did you tell Jami that you and I had dinner the other night?”
A sliver of shame shoots through me. “Oh, that.”
“Yeah, that.” She rests back against her chair. “You did so much work on yourself, and then you went and pulled that. That’s the same behavior that put us all at odds.”
I shrug an apology. “He pushes my buttons.”
“I don’t care. It was wrong and only makes it difficult for me.”
Maybe my plan to get them into a fight on Friday worked out.
For a second, I relish the thought. “I’m sorry if I got you into an argument with him.”
“We didn’t fight about it. He just mentioned it to me. ”
I huff a laugh. “There’s no way he brought that up to you without a few choice words.”
Her face turns red. “I’m not here to talk about what he and I discuss.”
“Alright. I see it’s a sensitive subject, but trust that I am sorry I ruined your Friday night.” I turn my coffee mug in a circle and tilt my head.
I’m going to get her to admit they fought. Their relationship can’t be doing that well when she was upset with him for weeks before he was shot, and I need to know she still wants to be with me.
“Trust me, Hunter. You don’t need to apologize. Jami and I didn’t argue about it. He wasn’t even mad.” Her phone beeps with a message.
She pulls it out of her purse as I stew in the fact she seems genuine about them getting along.
Is he more secure in their love than I ever was with our love for each other?
I don’t like the answer to that. I need to get the board to overturn her termination this week. The longer I take, the more chance I’ll never be with her again.
I have to find a way to break them apart.
My phone vibrates in my pants pocket. I dig in and retrieve it. My eyes narrow as I open and read the message.
Unknown Number: Message received. There’s a car waiting out front for you. The driver knows who you are. Excuse yourself from your companion, and let’s have this meeting you need.
My stomach hardens as my pulse skyrockets. It’s got to be a message from my mother. My hands shake in an instant.
I get my wallet and throw some cash on the table. “Dorothy, I have some business that needs attending to. I’m going to have to excuse myself. ”
“That’s fine. I need to get going too.” She gathers her purse and stands. “Thanks for the coffee.”
“Anytime.” I get to my feet. “I’ll walk you out.”
When we get to the exit, Jamison is near the elevator area, watching us. He has his mail in his hands and is staring blankly our way.
I pull Dorothy into a hug, hoping to cause a rift. His gaze hardens.
Good.
I smile wide to give him something to think about. They may not have fought that night, but maybe they will today.
The sun warms my face as soon as I step outside my complex. I slide my sunglasses on just as a black SUV with tinted windows pulls up.
A man who’s built like a bodybuilder gets out. “Hunter Efron, your car is waiting.”
He opens the door, and I snap my armor over me. I need to use my most ruthless side for this meeting.
I dip my chin at the guy and get into the car. I half expected my mother to be waiting for me. But it appears she has other plans.
The driver gets in, and we leave as I text my dad.
Me: I can’t make it to our meeting today. Please continue to look for another board member to change their mind about Dorothy.
Dad: Very well, but why can’t you be here?
Me: Your plan worked. I’m about to see my mother.
Dad: Be careful, son. And text me as soon as you’re done.
Me: I will.
My pulse thumps wildly, but I try to appear unfazed as I go through my phone. I have a million messages that need attention, so I respond to them as time ticks on.
An hour passes, and I pull on my collar. Meeting my mom may be a mistake.
What if she wants to kill me?
I’m reconsidering my actions when a text comes in.
Dad: Good news, son. Dori’s job has been reinstated. Not only did I get the vote we needed, but I got two others. With seven members in favor, eight including you, nothing can go wrong. I’ll get the legal team on the contracts.
“Yes!”
The driver doesn’t flinch at my scream of excitement.
Dorothy and I still have a chance. Maybe this meeting with my mom will clear the air and get everything back on track. It’s wishful thinking, but I have to have hope.
Me: Thanks, Dad. What you’ve done for me is nothing short of amazing. I can’t thank you enough.
Dad: No need. I want to see you happy.
The vehicle turning has me leaning against the car door and looking up. A two-story house on a farm comes into view.
I was about to assume this place was abandoned, but trees and spring flowers line the property. The lawn has streaks of green poking through the winter yellow grass .
Someone has been taking care of this place.
Who?
My gut screams that I’m way out of my league. Unease sets in.
The SUV stops along the side of the place. I swallow and take a deep, stabilizing breath. The door opens and I step out, praying I’ll make it out of this alive.
The driver gestures to the house. “You’re expected inside.”
I square my shoulders. Gravel crunches under my feet as I stride to the stairs. Not even a bird chirps or a dog barks. I’m alone, and that’s how my mother set it up.
Shit, I hope I don’t look like the frightened ten-year-old boy she left at her doorstep almost twenty-five years ago or else I’ll have zero leverage.
The wooden stairs that lead up to the porch are silent when I step on them. The stillness of this place has the hairs on the back of my neck standing at full mast.
When I reach the teal door, I consider knocking but don’t since I’m expected inside.
I turn the knob and push open the door. The seal pops and splits the air. I step in to look around. Straight ahead is a hallway. There’s a living room on one side and a formal dining room on the other.
They’re both decorated with a Provencal flair, with murals of lush grounds on the back walls and thick moldings outlining a boxed design on the other walls. The woodwork is exquisite.
I doubt I’m here to take in the beauty, so I stride down the hall. My heavy footsteps against the wood floors echo throughout.
At the end of the hall is a kitchen and a family room. I don’t have much time to take it in as movement through the back window catches my attention.
Chills scatter over my skin.
A striking woman comes into view, sitting at a sturdy black metal patio table. When her gaze meets mine, my heart stops.