couldn’t compete with the ideal of who he’d always believed she was meant to be with. The familiar demons whispered in his ear, reminding him it was best to bow out and leave her to be happy.
He crumpled the paper in his hand and walked into the courtroom, trying to decide what he was going to do.
* * * *
Dear God.
She’d made Page Six.
Chloe sat at her desk with the door closed. The roses mocked her with their mysterious message, the cloying scent filling her nostrils. Drew had deliberately left off an envelope. Why was he suddenly playing these games?
The photographs stared up at her in mockery. She was trapped in a nightmare. Sure, she’d made the papers and gossip columns before, but none had been so evidently gleeful of splashing her personal life for the world to see. Her private struggle was now public. Even worse? Advocates for Animals was dragged into the mess because of Owen.
Owen.
What would he think? He had no idea she’d broken up with Drew Friday night. How many times had she dreamed up a revenge to hurt him back, and now all she wanted to do was run and explain. A wave of dizziness hit and she groaned, trying to decide her next step. Already, her phone was blowing up with texts and emails, as more news outlets ran the story in the hunt for gossipy pieces. She had to get ahead of it somehow, by either making a statement, or going into hiding until things blew over.
On cue, her phone blasted the familiar words from Darth Vader.
This is your father.
She closed her eyes halfway and hit the button. “Hi, Dad.”
“Did you see Page Six?”
She sighed. “Yep. Now’s not a good time to talk. Can I call you later?”
“No. What’s going on? Why are you dancing with Owen Salt? Are you involved in a love triangle?”
“No, Dad! Ugh, I went with Owen to a business thing and we danced. Then I had a date with Drew the next night and the paparazzi caught us leaving dinner.”
“Oh, okay. So you’re happily with Drew and they’re just dredging up dirt to exploit. I got your back, honey. I’ll have Alyssa begin putting out fires and drop hints that you and Drew are the real thing. How’s he taking it?”
“I broke up with Drew that night. We’re not together any longer.”
A few beats of silence passed. “Is this because of Owen Salt?”
“No. And stop saying his full name like you’re about to call a hit on him. Owen made things more complicated, but Drew wasn’t the man for me, Dad. I can’t explain it—we’re just two different people and I didn’t want to lead him on. It’s for the best.”
Her father spoke carefully, as if picking his way through mine field bombs. “Honey, I know this thing blew up for you, but I really think you’re letting the past with Owen affect you. I didn’t want to tell you this, but Drew texted me this week. He’s a really great guy. Told me he wanted to be respectful and that his feelings for you are strong, and he was thinking of moving toward a committed relationship. He mentioned marriage.”
“What!”
“I know it’s a short time, but maybe you got spooked? Love is scary, especially the right kind. Drew is a grown-up. Owen always struck me as a kid looking for some fun. He’s not the type of man you settle down for.”
Temper shot through her. “Dad, I’m done with this conversation. Knowing Drew texted you makes me even happier I broke up with him. I may respect you, but this is my life and my decision. You never wanted to get to really know Owen because you kept reminding me it was a first love. Mom was your first. How would you have felt if your feelings were discounted just because of your age?”
A hard breath exhaled over the phone. “This is different.”
“No, it’s not. I’ll handle it my own way.”
“Fine. I’m calling for another reason. We need to go to the farm this weekend. Mia invited us up for Evelyn’s first birthday party. We can talk, and have some family time away from the madness. God knows I need it, too.”
The idea of quiet solace at her favorite place settled her down. “I forgot her birthday’s this weekend! Mia mentioned it a while ago. Of course I’ll be there.”
“Good. Something tells me you need an intervention.”
“Dad!”
“Fine, sorry. Are you okay? Can I do anything?”
Her tone softened. Her