Chapter Sixteen I Will Wait ~December~
I Will Wait
December
Joseph
MONDAY. THANK GOD. THE weekend was torture without my girl.
I welcome the distraction of work and an office full of people and meetings.
I’ve avoided my parents for as long as I can, with Fin running interference.
Matt is finally back in town. I don’t know where the fuck he’s been, but I’ve been a little busy with my own shitstorm to worry about him.
I enter Dad’s office and close the door, finding Dad giving Matt the third degree. Fin sits on the couch, busy on his phone, but it’s a ruse. Taking a seat next to him, I silently ask what’s going on with a single look. All I get is a shrug and a raised eyebrow.
Matt looks uncomfortable, like he’d rather be anywhere else than here.
“You requisition a company plane to fly to Sin City for a week and don’t even bother to call your mother to let her know you won’t be home for Thanksgiving!” Dad’s voice is getting rougher the redder his face gets.
I feel like I’m fifteen and about to get grounded, waiting for my turn on the chopping block.
“Actually, we only spent two nights in Vegas. We went skiing for Thanksgiving,” Matt tries to clarify, like that’s going to make a difference.
But then it registers—what he said. I elbow Fin. “Uh, Vegas?” I ask loud enough for them to hear me.
All eyes zoom to me.
“You have something to add, Joseph?” Yeah, Dad using my full name is not a good sign.
I stand and clear my throat. “Who were you in Vegas with?”
Matt scowls and looks away. “What difference does it make?”
“Bear with me.” I look at Fin to see if he’s caught on to my train of thought, but the crease in his forehead tells me he hasn’t. “Who were you with in Vegas?” I ask again with an edge to my voice.
Matt avoids eye contact like his life depends on it.
In a heartbeat I’m in his face. “What’s. Her. Name?” My body hums in agitation for what I believe is coming.
Dad steps forward, pushing us apart. “What’s going on, Joseph?”
Ignoring my father, I glare at Matt.
“Spit it out Matt, before he pummels you.” Fin joins me at my side, facing Matt.
“Lydia.” Matt steps back as if I’m going to attack him.
But that’s not the case, not at all. I’m filled with elation.
“Who else?” Fin asks, finally catching on.
“Some chick you don’t know.” Matt frowns at us walking to the sitting area, putting the couch between us.
I nearly laugh. If I wanted to get to him, that couch would not stop me. “Her name?”
“Joe, what the hell is going on?” Dad moves toward Matt, looking between the three of us like he doesn’t know who he needs to protect and who he needs to scold.
“Just…” I hold up my hand to the man who gave me life. “Give me a second, then I’ll explain.”
“Matt,” Fin barks.
“Bonnie. Her name was Bonnie, for fuck’s sake. Jeez.” Matt looks at us like we’re crazy.
I try to catch my breath. “Thank, God.” I collapse on the couch, my head in my hands. “Someone get Michael and Victor in here. Now!”
Samantha
The bed seems particularly empty this morning. Melancholy oozes from my pores. The sun coming in from the bedroom windows is entirely too chipper. But I’m glad it’s Monday. I need the distraction of school to eat away the hours between now and when Joseph comes this evening.
William escorts me to the car. I’m in a daze. I can’t get my mind off the last thing Joseph said to me last night, and every night since those damn photos showed up.
I’ll prove it to you. I’ll prove my innocence.
Proof. I keep saying I need proof.
But what does that mean?
What kind of proof do I need?
Do I need some sort of forensics report stating the pictures are fakes?
Couldn’t that be doctored as well? Who’s to say Victor or Michael won’t have one of their contacts provide a fake report?
I’d never know the difference. It’s not like I’m an expert in photographic forensics.
I don’t know what I’m looking for. I don’t know what verbiage on the report would satisfy my need for proof.
How far am I willing to take this until I’m convinced Joseph didn’t cheat on me?
How long am I willing to live without him? A month? A year? Forever?
Am I going to cancel the wedding? Why? Because some bitch sent me a photo that may or may not be real? I know Joseph. His love for me is real. That’s what matters.
Dizzy with a wave of nausea, I grip my stomach and lean forward.
What the hell am I doing?
“Stop! We have to go back.”
“Are you okay? Are you going to be sick?” William’s concern is evident.
“No. Turn around.”
Damn downtown. It takes three rights to make a left with all these one-way streets. Finally. Finally, we pull into the garage. As soon as we’re parked, I jump out and run to the Alpha Tower elevators. “Come on.”
“Sam?” The sound of William’s pounding feet get closer until he catches up with me.
I glance over. “Don’t tell him I’m coming.”
He smiles. “No, ma’am. I wouldn’t dare.”
I walk laps in the elevator. William simply stands back, watching me in amusement.
When the doors open, he steps in front of me. “At least let me get out first.”
I nod. I’ve broken all kinds of protocols already. And if I have my way, I’m about to break some more.
With his okay, I rush to Joseph’s office.
Teddy stands when he sees me. “Sam. God, he’s going to be so happy to see you.”
I hope so. “Hi, Teddy.” I motion to the door. “Can I?”
He smiles. “I wouldn’t stop you for the world.”
I return his smile, but a rush of fear stops me from opening the door.
“Go on,” Teddy whispers from behind me.
I subdue my emotions on a deep breath and slow exhale, and then open the door and step inside.
Joseph rises to his feet. “Samantha.”
As soon as I see him, my emotions crash into me. Tears prick my eyes, and I cup my mouth to stop a sob from escaping. Five days. It’s been five torturous days.
What the hell was I thinking?
Joseph rushes to me. “What happened?” He collects me against his chest as soon as I’m within reach.
I can’t answer him. The dam has broken free, and there’s no stopping it now.
“Nothing. Nothing happened. She… needed to see you,” William says.
A mass of noise and shuffling pass by us, and then silence. Except for my sniffles and stunted breaths, I hear nothing else.
Joseph whisks me off my feet and sits with me on his lap. “Christ, it’s good to see you, to hold you in my arms.” His lips brush my forehead as his warm breath skirts my face. “Tell me what’s going on.”
“I believe you.” I look up, meeting his eyes. “I believe in you.”
“Thank fuck,” he sighs, his relief palpable. “What changed?” I start to pull back, but he stops me. “Please don’t. I need to hold you.”
I cup his cheek. “I’m not going anywhere. I just need to see you.”
He situates us so he’s holding me as close as possible while still making eye contact. “Better?”
I smile my reply, but when I see his fatigue-worn eyes, my chin starts to quiver. “I’ve missed you so much.”
He runs his hand down the side of my face. “I was there. I was always there.”
“I know.” I bite my lip and close my eyes to stop from crying.
“Hey.” He taps my cheek, and I open my eyes. “Don’t hold it in. If you need to cry, cry. I’m not going anywhere. I’ll wait forever to hear what you have to say.”
“I’m so sorry. I feel like I’m always apologizing for being a step behind, for not being confident enough in our relationship to trust you without proof.” I run my fingers through his hair. God, I’ve missed this hair. “But you know what? I had proof all along.”
“You did?” He truly seems perplexed.
I nod. “Your love. Your commitment to me for the past two years, even when we weren’t together.
Your eye never strays from mine. You don’t ogle women when you think I’m not looking.
You don’t tolerate threats. You simply remove them—hence, Lydia.
You’ve never been a playboy even in your most single of days before me. You’re a one-woman man—and I’m it.”
“Yes, yes you are.” His smile, even tired, is still devilishly handsome.
“I don’t know if you can forgive me, but I pray you will. And if you’ll still have me. I’d like to marry you in three weeks.”
His lips crash into mine. Oh, god, I’ve missed these lips. But he pulls away on a groan, ending the kiss too soon. “Sweets, there was never any chance of you not marrying me in three weeks.” His desirous stare and growled words send a chill through my body.
“God, I’ve missed you, Caveman.”