hapter 31
Audrey’s POV
Death Takes Me, CEO
Crouching by the roadside, I absentmindedly pulled at the grass growing between the flowers in the garden bed while listening to Astrid i lectur.” Ito, the phone. After what felt like an eternity, my legs grew tired and I stood up with a weary stretch.
Ive been waiting forever,” I said into the phone. ‘When are you getting here?*
Through the phe, I could hear someone’s voice: “Astrid, can you take a look at this proposal? Does this revision, work?”
“Yeah, that works, Astrid responded to her coll
before returning to our conversation with an apologetic tone. ‘Sorry Audrey…
“It’s fine,” I said gently. “You focus on your work. I’m not in a hurry.”
I really am swamped right now,” Astrid sighed, “but
“a for a handsome guy to pick you up. He should be there any minute!”
“Handsome guy? Your new boyfriend?” I couldn’t help but tege
“Don’t joke about that!” Astrid’s voice turned serio Buy doesn’t have the slightest interest in me! You can’t make jokes like that?
Just as she finished speaking, a luxury sedan pulled up to the mansion’s circular driveway. The driver’s window rolled down, and I froze slightly as James Collins‘ face appeared behind the glass.
“Looks like he’s arrived, Astrid’s voice took on a teasing lilt. “Now you understand what I meant. Go on, spend some time catching up with him. You missed your chance three years ago – don’t let this opportunity slip
Clay now!”
Before I could protest, she had already hung up, leaving me to face this carefully orchestrated situation alone. My stomach churned uncomfortably, and this time it wasn’t just from the illness. Trust Astrid to turn even this moment into an attempted matchmaking opportunity.
James stepped out of the car, looking every bit the successful jewelry executive in his tailored suit. “Good morning, Audrey.”
I managed a polite smile, grateful that my discomfort wasn’t visible. “James. You didn’t have to come all this way.”
“I wanted to.” His voice carried that same warmth it always had, the kind that used to make my heart skip back in college. Now it just made everything more complicated. “Shall we?”
As we pulled away from the mansion, I found myself staring out the window, watching the palatial homes of the Hamptons elite roll past. I was immersed in my thoughts, remembering how I spent those boring days here.
“So, James broke the silence as we merged onto the highway. “You really told them you want a divorce?”
I nodded, keeping my eyes on the passing scenery. “I had to explain everything to William this morning. He deserved to hear it from me directly.”
William Parker…” James’s voice softened slightly. “He’s always been kind to you, hasn’t he? Unlike the rest of them.”
“He has. The memory of William’s face this morning – the hurt, the understanding, the resignation – made my chest ache. “That’s why I needed to explain properly. Whatever happens with Blake and me, William will always have my respect.”
James’s hands tightened on the steering wheel. “And Blake? Did he even bother to make sure you had a way back to the city? Or was he too busy with his precious Laurel Rose?”
The bitterness in his voice surprised me. “James…”
“I’m serious, Audrey. His usually gentle tone had an edge I’d never heard before. “The entire Parker family was there – not one of them thought about how you’d get back? If it had been Laurel stranded out here, would Blake have just driven off and left her to figure it out herself?”
“Tell me the truth, Audrey. Do you still have feelings for Blake, that jerk?”
*I no longer have feelings for him.” The words came out with a calm that surprised even me. Maybe it was true what they said about reaching a point where
1/2
Chapter 31
you just couldn’t hurt anymore.
