36. Chapter Thirty-Six
Chapter Thirty-Six
Juliet
I just can’t stop kissing my ex-boyfriend.
Maybe there’s something wrong with me. Or maybe I should give myself some grace because who can resist his charm?
Certainly not me.
I must be a masochist for heartbreak because I know how this is going to end.
“Welcome, everyone,” one of the event organizers says into the microphone on stage. “We’re so glad you could all make it to our first ever Evergreen Heights Honor Gala! ”
Leo and I clap with everyone else as we sit at one of the empty tables.
“Tonight, we honor those who helped Evergreen Heights during our town’s worst days, and we’d like to start with honoring Devon Ramos, CEO of Mile High Construction and Development!”
My eyes widen as I watch Devon walk onto the stage in a dark green suit. I swear he’s everywhere lately. I glance over at Leo, and he just quietly claps with everyone.
I still can’t get a read on how he feels about Devon. He must like him somewhat since he’s willing to do business with him.
Devon strides up to the microphone, flashing a grin at the crowd. “Wow, thank you so much. I have to tell you…I’ve never felt so welcome in any other town.”
I tighten my jaw slightly as some people cheer. They don’t get the same weird feeling about him that I do.
“I have big plans for Evergreen Heights. Not only do I want to give back to all those in need, but I also want to stimulate and bolster your economy and provide job opportunities,” Devon announces, sparking more applause.
“Evergreen Heights deserves more, and I want to give you all more if you’ll let me.
I love this place, and I want to bring it to a whole new level. ”
Unease crawls under my skin as everyone eats up every word that he says. He’s making all these big promises, but are his intentions pure?
That’s what I’m really unsure about.
Leo just watches quietly, his eyes sweeping around the room.
“Thank you for honoring me tonight. We’re going to make history together, you guys!” Devon says, lifting his hand up in a wave as people get to their feet to cheer him on. He walks off stage and disappears through a side door, applause still echoing throughout the room.
Leo motions for a server to come by and grabs another glass of champagne. He quietly sips on it, looking deep in thought.
“I’ll be right back. I need to touch up my lipstick,” I tell him.
Leo nods, but I don’t even know if he truly registered my words or not .
I stand from the table and walk out of the event room, glancing up and down the hallway for directions to the restroom. Why aren’t there any signs?
I glance up and down other hallways, not seeing any doors that look like they lead to a restroom. With an annoyed sigh, I pick a hallway and venture down it, my eyes finally landing on a ladies’ sign on a door just up ahead.
Before I can push it open, I pause, hearing a familiar voice nearby.
“I’m tired of playing this fucking game. He’s dragging his feet, and I’m waving a bunch of money in his face. Just sell me the damn logging company already. Why does he want to stay here when he has a whole other company in New York?”
My heartbeat stalls as I recognize Devon’s voice.
And it’s steadily getting closer.
I duck into the bathroom and crack the door so that I can still hear Devon as he walks down the hallway in my direction.
“If he doesn’t give me an answer soon, I’m going to have to put some pressure on him,” Devon mutters.
“If I can get his father’s company, we can stop buying lumber from that asshole in Colorado Springs that overcharges us.
We’ll funnel all the lumber made here to our company and not have to pay a cent. ”
My eyes grow wide. I knew he was selfish, but I underestimated just how selfish.
“I’ll be back in Denver soon. I can’t wait to get out of this crap town,” Devon says as he walks toward the men’s restroom next to the women’s.
I quietly shut the door before he can spot me peeking out at him. Part of me wants to throw open the door and tell him exactly what I think about him but telling Leo what I just heard is more important.
He can’t sell to Devon.
When Devon disappears inside of the men’s restroom, I hurry out of the women’s restroom and back to the event room, finding Leo exactly where I left him. His champagne glass is already empty.
“I need to tell you something,” I say as I sit down next to him.
“I think I’m going to sell to Devon. ”
My eyes nearly bulge out of my head. “What? No, you can’t. I just heard—”
“I know he’s from the city, and you don’t really like people like that, but he’ll do good things for Evergreen Heights. He’ll keep the company from going bankrupt, and I’ll negotiate with him so that the people working there can keep their jobs,” Leo tells me, speaking quicker than normal.
I frown as I see the stressed look on his face. He’s coming apart at the seams. “No, Leo. Just stop and listen.”
Leo shakes his head, lowering his eyes. “I’ve made up my mind, Juliet. Dad is going to die soon, and I have to make all these decisions. Everyone is waiting on me to decide the fate of everything, and I just…I have to let it go. I have to let all of it go.”
My heart sinks. I lunge forward and grab his hands, trying to get him to look at me. “Devon isn’t a good guy. He’s a selfish creep. He just wants the lumber for himself. For his own company.”
“He’s going to use some of the materials for his own company, Juliet. It’s smart business,” Leo says as he pulls his hands away from me. “The people here love him. Why should I stop him from doing good things for this town? It’ll be the best gift that the Galloways can give Evergreen Heights.”
“Listen to me!” I snap at him, panic clawing its way through my chest. “He wants all the materials. He doesn’t care about this town!”
“I can’t help this place. Whatever I choose to do, I’m going to disappoint someone,” Leo tells me. “So, I’m done. I’m selling everything, and I’m going back to New York City where I belong.”
My eyes burn as tears try to flood them. “Don’t. Leo, please…”
Leo stands from his chair. “I’m sorry, Juliet. I shouldn’t have kissed you. I shouldn’t have done anything with you.”
Pain flashes across his face.
“I need to walk away before I make things even harder.”
I lurch out of my chair. “If you’re not going to stay for me, at least stay for our daughter!”
He freezes. “What?”
My body goes completely numb for a second. I just said that. Those words just came out of my mouth .
All the color drains from Leo’s face. He just stares at me like the entire world tipped sideways beneath him.
I can practically see every moment replaying behind his eyes at once. Building snowmen together. Sharing donuts in her hospital room. The way she hugged him like she already belonged to him.
A sharp breath leaves him, rough and uneven.
“Juliet?”
I swallow hard. “I’m sorry.”
“Piper is mine?” he asks, his voice becoming quieter.
Tears blur my vision, but I can still make out his shocked expression. “Yes.”
He drags his fingers through his hair as he sinks back down into his chair. “She’s seven. She…I…I haven’t known about my own daughter for seven years?”
Guilt hits me so hard that it makes me sick to my stomach. I’m the reason why so much time has passed and he didn’t know. I should’ve said something sooner.
I shouldn’t have been so afraid .
“I found out I was pregnant after you left,” I tell him, my heart aching as his mouth wilts into a deep frown. “But you changed your number. I didn’t know how to reach you.”
“You didn’t find my company or anything?”
Bile rises up my throat. “Later on, I did. But I was afraid you’d just ignore me. And I was angry. I didn’t think you would come home.”
“Even for my own child?”
I nod. “Things ended so badly. I didn’t think it was a possibility.”
Leo lowers his head and shakes it.
“I’m sorry,” I say, my voice trembling. “I wanted to tell you when you came back to town, but I was afraid that you would still leave. I needed to protect Piper.”
A tear slips free.
“And I was trying to protect my own heart too.”
For a moment, Leo doesn't say anything. He just stares at the floor.
Then he lets out a slow breath .
“Juliet...” Pain flashes across his features. “I would've come back.”
His jaw tightens.
Leo runs his hand over his face. “Even after I got attached to her?” he asked quietly. The hurt in his voice cuts straight through me.
“After she hugged me and trusted me. After I started loving her and didn't even know why.”
His eyes meet mine. “You didn't say anything.”
I really messed up. I don’t even have any words to respond.
Leo reaches into his pocket and places the keys to his rental car on the table. “I shouldn’t drive. I drank too much, and I need to get some air. Can you get home okay? I can call a driver if you need me to.”
“I can drive,” I say quietly.
Leo nods and stands. “I just need a minute.”
I nod in understanding. Of course he does. I just dropped a bomb on his life.
Leo walks away from me, and it takes everything in me not to break down in the middle of the event room .
I tried to convince him to stay, and I’m pretty sure that I could’ve possibly sent him running. It sounds like he wants to be a present father to the daughter he is already starting to love but will he ever forgive me for keeping that secret?