How could I not?
I’ve just had the night of my life with the only two people in this world I actually care about.
I lean forward, and our lips meet in a sweet, chaste kiss.
“I had the best night,” I whisper against her lips before kissing her again. It’s the best fucking feeling in the world knowing that she wants this just as much as me.
I love her. I love her so fucking much that I can’t let this moment go any further without being honest about what happened today.
“Tiff,” I say quietly.
She looks up at me. “Yeah?”
“There’s something I need to tell you.” I hold her gaze. “Before I leave tonight.”
Her expression shifts, her eyes searching mine as her back straightens against the door. “Is this about the job interview?”
The job?
“What?”
She tucks a strand of hair behind her ear, and her cheeks flush. “Yeah, you, uh, didn’t mention it, so I figured you didn’t get it.”
“I didn’t.” I shake my head, surprised I’d completely forgotten about that, too. “My dad somehow found out about it and blocked it.”
Her face falls. “Jamie—”
I cut her off with a wave of my hand. “It’s fine. I’ll figure something out. It’s not what I need to tell you.” I take a beat, preparing myself. “Your, uh, father came to visit me today.”
All the color drains from her face. “My father?”
“He showed up at my hotel.”
She takes a step away from the door and wraps her arms around herself. “I’m so sorry.”
I reach for her, but she’s already pacing, her mind clearly spiraling. “You shouldn’t be sorry.”
“Of course I should be sorry! He’s my father, he—”
“No.I’msorry,” I cut her off firmly. “I’mthe reason he’s here. My father is paying him.”
She stops mid-pace, turning to look at me. “What?”
“My dad is paying your dad to come here. To…” I swallow hard. “To sabotage us and make me come back to him.”
She stands away from me, processing it all.
“Of course,” she says quietly, more to herself than me. “Of course they’re working together. He and my mom haven’t said a word to me since he kicked me out. He wouldn’t just show up now unless there was something else going on.”
Her voice goes flat on the last word as I watch it sink in, hating that I’m the one who has to deliver this to her.
I swallow and tell her the rest.
“He says that I’m just some spoiled rich kid playing at being normal. He thinks I’ll get bored of this life and run back to Daddy’s money the second things get hard. That I’m going to hurt you and Ella, and I should do everyone a favor and leave now before I do more damage.”
Tears well in Tiff’s eyes as she bites down on her bottom lip. “What did you tell him?”
“I told him what I told you. He’s wrong.” I take a step toward her. “I told him I’m not going anywhere.”