“Damn it, Lou. That’s not even an option,” Connor snapped.
“We have no choice, Connor. Ashlyn is forcing your hand on this. She’s going to make sure you go down with her.”
Connor stood up, put his hands in his pockets, and turned towards the window. “This is bullshit, Lou. I need you to make this go away,” he said.
I sat there in silence as I listened to the conversation between Connor and Lou. I could tell Connor was worried, although he’d never admit it. My phone chimed and, as I pulled it from my purse, I noticed a text message from Mason.
“I’m in love with your little princess.”
I smiled, and Connor asked me if everything was okay. I nodded my head and then watched him glare at Ben. I noticed he did that quite a bit since we sat down. Lou got up from his seat and told Connor that he’d get back with him in a couple of days. As Phil walked Lou and Ben out of the office, Connor called Ben back. He turned around and started walking towards Connor. I stood up from my chair because I didn’t like the look on Connor’s face.
“Do you find my wife attractive?” he asked.
I gasped as my eyes widened. “Connor!” I exclaimed.
“Well, do you? Answer the damn question,” he said firmly.
“Um, yes, Mr. Black,” Ben answered nervously.
“Then that explains why you’ve been staring at her.”
“Connor, that’s enough!” I snapped at him.
Ben looked at me and apologized. “I’m really sorry for staring, but I feel like we’ve met before.” Suddenly, it must have hit him. “I know; you were Kyle’s girlfriend back in college.”
I looked at him, trying to figure out who he was, and then it came to me. “Ben? As in Ben Winston, Debate Club President and tech geek extraordinaire?”
“Yep, that’s me!” He laughed. “I knew you looked familiar, but I couldn’t put my finger on it.”
Just as I gave him a hug and Connor gave me a dirty look, Cassidy walked in.
“Oh, I’m sorry. I thought you were alone, Connor,” she said.
“It’s okay, Cassidy. Come on in,” he said.
Cassidy walked over to me and gave me a hug. “Where’s my niece?”
“She’s at home with Mason. I would like you to meet Ben Winston. Ben, this is my sister-in-law, Cassidy.”
They lightly shook hands as I turned and looked at Connor. “You owe Ben an apology.”
“For what?” he asked.
“You know for what, Connor. That was rude and uncalled for.”
Connor took in a sharp breath and shook his head. “Ben, I apologize for being rude.”
“It’s okay, Mr. Black. If some dude was staring at my beautiful wife or girlfriend, I’d be upset too. Well, it was nice seeing you again, Ellery, and nice to meet you, Cassidy. Mr. Black, we’ll be in touch in a couple of days,” Ben said as he started to walk out of the office.
“Hold on. I’m leaving too. I’ll walk out with you.” Cassidy smiled.
“But, Cass—”
I walked over to Connor and put my hand over his mouth. “She thinks he’s hot. Let her go.”
“Seriously?” he mumbled.
I removed my hand from his mouth and kissed him softly. “Leave your sister alone.”
“I didn’t say anything,” he said.
“Not yet you didn’t. But you have that look.”
Connor looked at his watch. “Let’s get the hell out of here.” He smiled as he put his arm around me.
Chapter 12
Connor
We both climbed into the Range Rover, and I sat there with my hands on the wheel. I looked over at Ellery as she looked at herself in a small mirror. When she stopped looking at herself, she turned her eyes to me.
“What?” she asked.
“I can’t believe what Cassidy did in there.”
“Why? She saw a hot guy and she took advantage of the situation.”
“Oh, so you think he’s hot?”
“Yeah, he’s cute,” Ellery replied as she put on her lipstick.
“I bet you thought he was hot back in college too,” I said as I pulled out of the parking space.
“Are you jealous because I said he was hot, Mr. Black?”
“Don’t be ridiculous. I’m not jealous.”
“Yes, you are. I can tell by that look on your face.” She smiled.
“I don’t want to talk about this anymore.”
“Okay, babe, but there’s no need for you to be jealous. You know I think you’re the sexiest man alive,” she said as she stroked my cheek and gave me a small smile.
I smiled and we drove home. Ellery became impatient with the traffic because she wanted to get back to Julia. We didn’t talk about the meeting, but I could tell Ellery was upset about it. I didn’t want her involved in this at all. If I had my way, she wouldn’t know anything. I only wanted to protect me and shield her from this bullshit. She didn’t deserve to have to go through this because of my past mistakes and poor judgment.