was alone and hurting? She’s always let me comfort her. But not last night. Does she hate me now that she’s back —and so are the nightmares? Then, there are the unanswered questions about her past. Thinking about it kept me awake. It wasn’t only her state of mind that had me distracted, but my attraction to her too. Visions of her delicious, naked body under the shower were about the only thing I could concentrate on. The woman has me tied into knots.
This morning isn’t any different.
She’s wearing a black dress that accentuates her figure and shows off her long, tanned legs. Her brown hair is pulled back into a side twist.
She’s breathtakingly beautiful.
“Abby,” I ask quietly. “How was your night?”
“You know, the usual,” she shrugs her shoulders and turns to address my brother.
“You look very professional, Sterling Ahern.” She smirks at him.
“Well, well, well…” My brother perks up and pushes himself off the couch. “If it isn’t little Abby Lyons.”
He takes her hands, extending her arms and looking at her from head to toe. “It’s been so long. I remember the last time I saw you. You wore a pair of sweats and your glasses.”
Abby glowers at him not amused. “Give me a break, I was studying for my finals.”
“I owe you a graduation present,” he says, twirling her around.
“You’re a vision, little Abby.” He whistles. “I’d love to sculpt you—paint you. Pose for me.”
“Ha,” she huffs, moving away from his grasp. “As if that line would ever work on me. I can’t believe so many women fall for your charm.”
Sterling grins. “You can try to pretend that you’re immune to the Aherns.” He looks at me. “But you’re not. You dig us.”
“You’re a conceited jerk.” She scrunches her nose.
His jaw drops. “If my mother were here, she’d be disappointed with your language, young lady.”
“Whatever.” She waves her hand. “The receptionist told me to come to see you right away.”
Abby narrows her gaze, walks around the desk and squeezes my hand. “What’s going on, Wes?”
She’s beautiful, smart, and a great listener, but what I love the most about her is that she knows my moods. I don’t have to say much for her to understand that I need her to comfort me.
“What did you do to him, Slugger?” She crosses her arms narrowing her gaze.
“Dudette, it’s not my fault that he needs anger management.” He pretends to wash his hand. “I’m an innocent bystander.”
“The board called an emergency meeting,” I say resting my head against the back of the chair and closing my eyes.
“We should just dismiss them all and then sell this joint,” Sterling suggests. “It’s not like you love working for this company.”
“That’s not how it works.” I rub both hands down my face.
It’s not that simple. They represent the future shareholders of the company. That’s what Dad was working on, making the company public, and as his successor, I’m continuing his work.
Sterling looks at Abby and says, “Tell him, Abbs. You and I both know that this isn’t what he wanted to do. He listens to you.”
“You’re exaggerating, Slugger. But what’s your idea?
“We sell this shithole. Then he can start his own company.”
“Oh my God, I should document this day,” Abby takes a pen and scribbles on her hand. “Sterling used his brain for something other than throwing out a pickup line.”
“I haven’t had my caffeine, Abigail, but wait until I do. You’ll be crying uncle.”
“Whatever,” she says rolling her eyes. “What happened to the software you were developing?” she asks me.
I stopped working on it and all the other projects. As much as I love developing apps and games and creating new software, I don’t have time to dabble in that while I’m trying to keep up with my father’s company. My goal is to keep my father’s legacy alive for Mom.
“I don’t have any free time.”
“You could, if you delegated,” Sterling says challenging me with his gaze.
“Where’s the Wes Ahern who makes things happen?” Abby asks, drinking some of my coffee.
“She’s right, Weston.”
These two are friendly, but when it comes to teaming up against me, they are one in the same.
My phone buzzes; I glance at it and see that it’s my mother.
Mom: Wes, I woke up to a message from the board. What happened?
Wes: I’m wondering the same thing, Mom. I’ll take care of it.
Mom: Good, because I’m busy this week. We decided to cancel the trip to Italy and head to Alaska instead. It’s lovely during the summer. Take care of