How dare he show up here?

This was all his fault.

All his fucking fault.

Without thinking it through, I trudged through the wet grass toward the grave. He was looking down and didn’t see me coming.

“She was following a homeless person.”

He turned around, having no idea who I was, and hung his head, nodding. “I read it in the paper.”

“Do you know why she was following him?” My voice rose. “Why she took it upon herself to try to help every fucking homeless person in this city?”

“Who are you?”

I ignored him. “Because after you walked out on her mother and sisters, she practically lived in a shelter for years.”

I needed someone to blame, and her useless, piece of shit of a father was as good as anyone. In fact, the more I thought about it, the more I realized it wasn’t just a drunken thought that had popped into my intoxicated mind. Her father really was to blame.

At least he had the decency to look hurt. “That’s not fair.”

“Really? I think it’s more than fair. A man’s choices are his own. You think you can just walk away from your family and not be responsible for your own actions? For the consequences left behind in your wake?” I stepped closer, jabbing my finger into his chest as I spoke. “You left them. They ate in a fucking shelter every night. She died trying to help someone who ate in one. That’s no fucking coincidence.”

His eyes narrowed. “You’re that rich fiancé she had, aren’t you?”

I didn’t give an answer because he didn’t deserve one. Disgusted, I shook my head. “Just leave.”

He made the sign of the cross, took one last look at me, and started to walk away. Turning back, he stopped. “Where were you when she was being attacked? You’re so quick to point the finger at me for something that happened twenty years ago. If you’re looking for a person to hold accountable, maybe you should look in the mirror.”

Chapter 26

Reese

Travis was perched at the front desk flirting with the receptionist when I walked in on Monday morning. I’d slept at Chase’s last night, and we’d come to the office early together. Well, not actually to the office. We’d gone as far as Starbucks walking side by side. Chase wasn’t happy when I made him give me a minute’s head start after we picked up our coffee, but I didn’t want to stroll in together and raise suspicions. Finding Travis at the front desk, I was glad I’d forced the issue.

“You look especially smoking hot this morning.” He fell in step with me, draping his arm around my shoulder. “When are you going to let me take you out to dinner?”

“Never.”

Travis and I had become friends. His flirting was over the top but harmless and more of an ongoing joke than anything.

“Come on. Never is a long time.”

“You probably shouldn’t hold your breath.”

He laughed. “Lunch, then?”

“I told you, Travis. I don’t date people I work with.” Was that even a lie? More like a technicality. I don’t work with Chase, I work for him.

“Ah…read your email.” He winked. “You are having lunch with me today.”

“What are you talking about?”

“We’re having a team meeting at noon. Josh is bringing in lunch. So you’re having a hot lunch date with me whether you like it or not.”

Arriving at my office with Travis still in tow, I flicked on the lights and walked to my desk. “If the entire team is there, it’s not really a date, is it, Travis?”

“Maybe not. But I’m going to pretend it’s a date. I bet you secretly will, too. I think underneath all that negative vibing you’re throwing my way, you’re really into me.”

I was busy powering up my laptop, so the voice that came next surprised me.

“I believe we have a no fraternization policy.” Chase’s voice was terse. He stood in the doorway, a full head taller than Travis.

Because of the casual nature of the office, Travis probably assumed Chase was joking. But I saw the tick of Bossman’s jaw. There was an element of something else there. Jealousy, maybe?

Whether or not Travis thought Chase was serious, he took the hint to disappear when the boss stepped into my office.

But not before saying, “See you at our lunch date.”

Chase raised an eyebrow once it was just the two of us.

Instead of answering, I had a little fun. “I thought you were getting rid of that pesky fraternization policy, Mr. Parker?”

“I’ll get rid of it if you let me mark my territory here in the office.”

“Mark your territory? Is that like bite marks or a hickey?”

He stalked closer to my desk. “I was thinking more along the lines of you screaming my name while I bury my face in your pussy right there on that desk. But if you’d like a few bite marks, I’m happy to oblige.”

Chase inched closer to me. I put a hand to his chest, stopping him. “Keep it right there, Bossman. It’s only Monday. We’re not starting off our week like we ended it on Friday.”

Just at that moment, in my peripheral vision I caught Samantha walking by. Unfortunately, she’d seen us, before I saw her. Stopping in my doorway, she looked at us funny. I pulled my hand away, but we were still standing close. Too close. Chase was in my personal space, and he didn’t back up.

Her brows were slightly drawn as she read the unspoken clues. “Morning.”

“Hey, Sam,” Chase said.

I pulled my chair out and sat, anxious to put some breathing room between us. “Good morning.”

She spoke to Chase. “You have some time to chat this morning? I have some things I want to go over with you.”

“Calendar is open until afternoon,” he told her. Then turned to me with a twinkle in his eye. “Unless you were ready to pick up where we left off on Friday?”

I spoke through a forced smile. “No. Definitely not ready for that.”

Chase turned to Sam. “It’s your lucky day. I’m all yours, then.”

She rolled her eyes. “I’ll come by in a half hour.” Sam was about to walk away until Chase stopped her.

“Oh! I forgot to text you. Anna had her baby on Saturday.”

“She did? Wow. Congratulations. Almost a month early. How is she?”