Chapter 95
Acting civil when you’re mad is a skill I swore I’d mastered after putting up with Delilah and Finn for years. But Soraya is testing that skill, and I slowly count the minutes until the last guest walks out the door.
Knox might be private and antisocial, but his people aren’t. They linger, they chat, they slap his back, and they toast with whatever alcohol is left.
Eventually, they start trickling out one by one, and I force a tight smile for every handshake, every half–drunk hug, every murmured “nice to meet you? Knox and I stand side by side like a pair of Victorian hosts–me in his oversized shirt and borrowed boxers, him in lounge clothes and a smile that’s wearing thinner by the second. We say thank you. We nod. I even get kissed on the hand by some guy with a buzz cut and an attitude that screams ex con turned executive. I smile anyway, wondering how Knox found all these hard–faced men and severe–looking women and convinced them to work for him.
One of the last to leave is Levi, who I’ve discovered is Knox’s second club manager. He shakes Knox’s hand, then glances at me with a crooked smile.
“You two are gonna make some cute babies,” he whispers before slipping out the door.
Knox is all smiles as I glare at Levi’s retreating back.
Eventually, it’s just us.
Well–us, and Jade. And Soraya, who’s suddenly very busy picking up used cups and trashing empty bottles like she’s the hostess of the year.
Jade stands by the door, his hands in his pockets, rocking on his heels as though he doesn’t know whether to leave
or say something first.
“This is the part where I threaten you not to make my stepdaughter sad or I’ll kill you,” he says, attempting a joke that dies before it lands.
Knox smiles anyway. “Noted, Jade. I’ll try my best.”
I roll my eyes at their conversation and say, “How’s my mother? Haven’t heard from her in a while.”
“She’s cool. Going for checkups. Taking her vitamins. Missing her kids.”
“She’ll survive.”
“She figured you’re happy now ever since I told her my boss took interest in you.” He pauses, then adds with a pointed look at Knox, “And that you both are kind of a thing now.”
“Your boss, as in the artist boss?” I ask. “Or did you finally man up and tell her the truth?”
He doesn’t respond, but his face answers the question.
I sigh. So he hasn’t told her. And somehow Serena with her inability to shut up about anything–has kept the secret too. Must be the leverage Jade has on her. Otherwise, she’d have blown the whole thing.
It’s going to come out eventually. Secrets like these always do. And when it does, it’ll burn everything in its path. Honestly, a part of me wishes we’d just rip off the damn Band–Aid now and get it over with. Let everyone scream, cry, throw drinks. Better one big fire than a slow rot.
“Thanks for coming, Jade,” Knox says, stepping forward to shake his hand. “Now get your ass to work. It’s Saturday.”
“Sure, boss. Although I was wondering if I could invite you both to dinner tomorrow.” He turns to me. “Your sister doesn’t know this, but Nathan sought permission to propose. We’re letting him do it at dinner.”
“Oh,” I say, caught off guard. “That’s sweet. Did he seek permission from you or Dad?”
“Does it matter?”
“You’re right. It doesn’t. I’ll be there. I like Nathan. It’s about time we had someone sane in the family.”
1/3
Chapter 95
He smiles, then glances at Knox. You coming too?”
That depends. Dal have to pretend I’m an aitist?”
Yeah
Then no, thank you.
That’s great. I didn’t expect you to say yes anyway.” Jade waves a hand as he turns. “I’m out.”
The door clicks shut behind him, and it feels like we’re both counting to ten in our heads before turning around.
We walk back into the living room.
Soraya is there, finishing up the last of the clean–up. She’s tying a trash bag closed, her movements slow. She looks up as we get closer.
“Did you enjoy yourselves?” she asks in that smooth voice of hers. “I know it isn’t much, but Knox wouldn’t want anything extravagant anyway.”
I don’t stop walking until I’m right in front of her.
“You’re the one I should be asking that question, Soraya,” I say. “Did you enjoy yourself with that fucking stunt you pulled just now?”
Her head tilts. “What stunt?”
“The speech. Try to keep up.”
She glances at Knox as if to say, ‘Your girlfriend is being dramatic‘, but Knox doesn’t bite. He’s already dropped into a chair, crossing his legs like he’s about to tune into a sitcom.
“Eyes on me,” I say sharply. “I’m the one talking to you.”
She turns, her expression tightening.
“Did you have a problem with my speech, Sloane?”
“I had every problem with it. You were given divorce papers to sign, and suddenly you’re making a speech about spending more years married together. What was that all about?” I step even closer. “Where are the papers, Soraya?”
“I trashed them.”
“You did what?”
“I’m very sure the divorce was your idea, Sloane. And until I know this is exactly what Knox wants, I’m not signing them.”
Knox stands now. The casual posture is gone. He walks over to me and stops beside me.
“Cut with the dramatics, Soraya,” he says. “Where are the papers I sent?”
She crosses her arms. “Like I told your girlfriend, I trashed them.”
“Why would you do that?”
“Because she’s done nothing but bring problems to you ever since she came into your life. You used to be happy, Knox. Carefree. You almost never called Yara. And then you came back from Asheville with a girlfriend, and I started seeing your name pop up in our office records. I know she’s the cause.”
“What?” Knox says. “You think you’re the judge of my happiness now? How does me talking to my therapist mean I’m unhappy?”
“You don’t even like therapy. Especially not hypnotherapy, which–by the way–your next appointment displays.”
Chapter 95
Jesus.
I stare at him. “You booked a hypnotherapy session?”
He sighs, rubbing a hand down his face like this is all giving him a migraine. “I was trying it out. It’s not a big deal.”
But to Soraya, it is.
“Just sign the damn papers,” he says, voice lower now. “The last thing I need is to quarrel over this.”
I’m processing everything at once: Soraya knowing about his appointment, her having access to his visit records, and her claiming she knows what’s best for him. From the way she’s speaking, I realize she works with Yara. Probably as an assistant. Which explains how she knows so much.
But what has his hypnotherapy appointment got to do with me?
“Soraya,” I say, done with her bullshit, “we could do this the hard or easy way.”
“Do whatever you like. I’m not signing them.” Her jaw clenches. “I looked into you, you know? Actually paid someone to do that. You were obviously moving around with Knox’s brother a lot for ten years, and in one weekend, you have the hots for his brother? I don’t buy that. Finn is the origin of Knox’s problems, and now his best friend is with Knox? I think you and Finn are working together to break his heart further. He’s a nice man, and I’m not going to let you do that. You don’t deserve him.”
