Manfax (Winter Brothers #2) - Jacob Chance Page 0,68

hired my company.

Once I’m done explaining, Dani puffs her cheeks and blows out the air. “Wow. You’ve been a busy lady.”

“You could say that,” I agree. “I don’t know what to do now.”

The bathroom door opens inward as Jessica steps inside. Her dark eyes look me over and glitter with amusement at what they find. “Oh, honey, he’s not worth your tears.”

“Was he worth paying for a Manfax?” Dani chimes in.

“Money’s not an object for me. Easy come, easy go. I’d rather know what I’m getting into. It beats this.” She draws a circle in the air gesturing at my tear-streaked visage. She takes a step closer. “I think you should be more concerned about your business. How does it look when the owner of a company that investigates men turns around and becomes involved with one of them? It’s not a good look. It would be a shame if people found out. Who knows what kind of effect it could have on your business. And you know how easy it is to trash someone on social media. I’m sure people would go rabid over this unethical tidbit.”

Dani steps forward. “Listen here, bitch.”

I block her with my arm. “Don’t waste your anger on her.” Dani doesn’t need to get involved. This chick is liable to claim she threatened her, and I don’t want anything coming back on my friend. I’m a big girl and can handle this.

“Jessica, I don’t care what you do with this information. I could lose customers over it, but that means nothing compared to losing Adam.” I wave my hand like she’s an annoying bug. “You can leave now.”

She smirks and turns, her heels drag against the tile like nails on a chalkboard. Opening the door, she offers a parting shot, “It’s your business’ funeral, not mine.”

Dani throws up a double bird salute. When the door closes, the three of us fall into laughter.

“What you said about Adam being more important than your business, did you mean that?” Dani inquires.

“Absolutely. I didn’t realize what I was missing out on. He wore away at my resistance and assuaged every one of my doubts. We just found each other. I can't lose him. But if I do, it’s my own fault. I should’ve mentioned the Manfax reports immediately.”

“You had good intentions for not telling him,” Vi reassures me.

I push my hair back from my face and look at my friends. “What should I do?”

“What do you want to do?” Dani asks.

“I want to go to Adam and work this out.” I’ve already wasted precious time having a pity party for myself. I should’ve run after him and forced him to listen. I could’ve climbed into his truck and gone with him. Anything would’ve been better than the choice I made to stay here.

“What are you waiting for?” Vi asks

I glance at Dani. “I feel horrible about skipping out on your party. Are you sure it’s okay?”

“Don’t be ridiculous. You’re leaving early to go get your man, not skipping out on it. Now get your ass out of here,” Dani urges.

I dive into their arms for a round of hugs and then I scurry to the door. I slap a hand against my forehead. “Oh, shit. Vi can you give me a ride?”

It was difficult convincing Vi to leave me alone when she dropped me off. She wanted to drive me to Adam’s but I prefer to be alone. I’ve tried to collect my thoughts and organize them on the drive to Adam’s. When I pull into his driveway, I notice his truck is absent and no lights are on in the house. Fuck me. Where else would he go?

Instead of wasting precious minutes, I call his cell number. He doesn’t answer, so I leave a message for him to please call me. I also send him a text to which I get no reply. Not that I expected one—he’s hurt and angry. Both of those emotions are totally justified. I fucked up.

I drive back to my house, crying the entire way. I’m surprised I made it safely. I haven’t cried this much since my father left. That was the last time I allowed myself to feel so deeply.

Ever since then, I’ve carefully cultivated and maintained all the relationships in my life so they fit into the box I wanted them in. I’m not only speaking of romantic relationships. I mean all of them. From coworkers to employers to friends, it doesn’t matter who. I’m careful with my emotions