(Cass)I’m half-asleep on the couch when I hear Gabriel talking on the phone. He is all smooth and confident, like always. But then he says something that makes my heart drop.“I’m free to move wherever the business takes me. No ties holding me down.”No ties? What the hell does that make me then? A side piece? Some chick he’s keeping around for fun until he bounces?My stomach twists. I’ve been ignoring the signs, brushing off the little things, but hearing him say that out loud hits differently. It feels like the floor’s just been ripped out from under me. I can’t let this slide.I can’t just let it go. As soon as he gets off the phone, I corner him. “So, no ties, huh?” I snap, crossing my arms. “What am I then? Just some rando you hook up with when you’re bored?”Gabriel looks at me like I’m speaking a different language. “What?”“I heard you!” I jab a finger at him. “You told them you didn’t have any ties holding you down. So, where do I fit in, huh?”He rubs his temples like I’m
(Winona)I wake from my sleep and hear my tablet buzzing on my nightstand. The clock says 2 a.m. It can only be one person. I groan, my body exhausted, but I pick it up and connect.Jayden’s face fills the screen, bright and wide awake. He looks perfect, as always. “Hey, babe, did I wake you?” he asks.“Jayden, it’s 2 in the morning here. Of course you woke me.” I feel like I’ve only just gone to sleep.“Sorry. I want to introduce you to someone really important. Sofia Fernandez. She’s head of public relations here at Nexus Global. She suggested I call you while she and I have some spare time.”I blink, trying to shake off the haze of sleep. “Really?” I ask, trying to hide the sharpness in my voice. “How convenient for you both.”“Yeah, and I thought it’d be great for you two to connect before you got here.” He sounds so damn enthusiastic, like this is a business meeting I’ve been dying to take.“Sure, Jayden,” I say, trying not to sound pissed. I mean his heart is in the right place,
(Jayden)As soon as Winona’s face disappears from the screen, I lean back in my chair and exhale, rubbing my hands over my face. The call didn’t go quite how I’d hoped.I want her to feel more connected to what I’m doing here, but maybe I was pushing it, throwing Sofia into the mix like that. Winona didn’t seem too thrilled, and it wasn’t just the timing.Sofia seemed to think Winona would be okay with it. I better double check the hour next time.“I’m sure it’s tough being apart. But hey, at least you’ve got plenty to keep you occupied here. Plus, I’m here to make sure you don’t get too lonely.” She flicks her hair over her shoulder.“Right, yeah. Thanks.” I give a small, awkward chuckle, trying to refocus on work.Before I can say anything else, the door swings open, and Astrid Koenig storms in like a gust of wind. She doesn’t even knock, just strides in as if she owns the place—which, let’s face it, she might as well.She’s all sharp angles and business, her platinum blonde hair in
(Winona)I’ve called Jayden three times now. Nothing. He’s not answering, and it’s 3 a.m. over there. What the hell is he doing? My mind’s racing, and it’s not helping that I’ve got this news about Henry.We’d hoped he’d be cleared to travel in four weeks from when Jayden left. Which means I could have been going in two weeks. But his doctor is concerned as he’s been so unsettled.He wants to make sure he investigates every possible reason for that before letting him out of his sight. I get it, and I’m so glad he’s being thorough and not just blaming me for bad mothering, but it adds another possible 4 weeks onto when I can leave for Europe.Anne offered to be with them tonight and Beth said she could stay until after the kids were all asleep, so I’ve taken Lisa up on an offer for a girl’s night out and Lisa also got Cass to come along.But not being able to reach Jayden is messing with my vibe, especially after the Sofia call early this morning.“Maybe he’s just passed out from all t
(Winona)“Oooh show me!” Lisa says with too much excitement.Cass turns her phone to Lisa.“Fuck! Get your sights off Winona’s man, you bitch. But god, I’d do her.”“Lisa! Also not helping.” I almost choke on my drink.Lisa chuckles. “Sorry, but I can see why you’d be pissed. And Jayden not seeing that doesn’t help.”“Exactly!” I exclaim, feeling vindicated. “And then Jayden says she can teach me a lot in my job. Like, excuse me, what?”Lisa shakes her head and holds up one finger which moves back and forth with precision. “Yeah, that’s pretty rich. Jayden always thought you were the best in your field. Uh-uh, no.”Cass shakes her head. “Sounds like she’s purposely getting under your skin. Why?”“Some women are just like that,” I mutter, sipping my drink. “But what can I do? I’m here, he’s there. Don’t get me wrong, I trust Jayden. I’ll just have to deal with her when I get to Europe.”“Oh, speaking of Europe,” Lisa says, her eyes lighting up mischievously. “Let’s see who else you’ll
(Winona)It’s just after 10 p.m., and the penthouse is still when I get home. The kids are asleep, the lights of the city outside flickering through the tinted windows.I’ve been trying to reach Jayden again, but the call goes straight to voicemail. I know it’s the middle of the night over there, but still—it’s not like him to ignore my calls, and the insecurity of being left in the dark creeps in.I toss my phone onto the sofa with a frustrated sigh and head toward the kitchen. Anne is perched on one of the stools, cradling a mug of tea. I collapse onto the one across from her, rubbing my temples.“Fun night?”“Sure was. I can’t wait for bed though. How did the kids settle?”“All good. Henry has just been awake, so you should get a couple of hours.”“I’m not sure if I want the doctor to find a reason why he’s restless or if it's just because I suck at this.”“You don’t suck at it.”“Sure feels that way with Jayden gone. I still haven’t told him about the delay.”“Still no answer?” An
(Winona)Gus picks up on my uncertainty immediately. “If you let him, he’ll come into his own at Nexus Global.”“I’m not sure I can stop him.”“This is the opportunity he needs to become the man he was meant to be. Where he can finally be sure of himself and his decisions.”“Maybe,” I say slowly, “but what if that man doesn’t include his family?”“He’s not me,” Gus says, a touch of sadness creeping into his voice. “Jayden won’t ever walk away from his family like I did. He’ll figure out how to balance it, but you need to let him prove himself.”“I’m trying,” I admit, glancing around the penthouse that now feels too big and too empty without Jayden in it.“But this distance... It's hard. He feels so far away, Gus. And I feel like I’m losing him to that world.” My voice cracks, and I bite my lip, trying to pull myself together. “I can’t get over there for another six weeks. Henry has tests to go through for a clearance.”For some reason, I always know I can speak the truth to this man.
(Jayden)I wake up, groggy, disoriented, and immediately know something’s off. I’ve slept well. Too well. I know it was 3am when I finally got home but Winona should have called me.I rub my eyes and glance at the clock.8 a.m.What the hell? That can’t be right.Where the fuck is my phone? Not on the nightstand where I left it, that’s for sure. Panic tightens in my chest. Winona would've tried to call. I scramble out of bed and pull on my sweatpants.Immediately there are two young men who accost me with clothing and try to usher me into the bathroom. I bat them off like mosquitoes. I’m not awake enough for this shit right now.“Where’s my phone? Do either of you know?” I ask.They both shake their heads.“Fucking great.” I storm out of the bedroom looking around for is in my sitting area. Nope, nothing.I stride along the massive hallway to the main sitting area. I glance around.“Breakfast Mr. Brennan?” A younger woman asks.“No. Have you seen my phone anywhere?”She shakes her hea