Page 72 of Miss Treated

Damn. When he put it that way, why in the hell should I feel responsible? “I’ve always been a pawn for her, and although I know ultimately my father isn’t capable of any meaningful connection with his children—” It wasn’t as if he was close with Chance or Reid, either. “I always went out of my way to try to smooth things over.” Yet another way I’d tried to earn love. “I’m a fucking mess.”

“Actually it’s your parents who are the messes. Think about it for a moment. You’re navigating, and you’re struggling, but you’ll also never make the same mistakes they did when it comes to your family. It’s why you have meaningful relationships with your brothers and your friends.”

“And with you?”

“Definitely with me. Haven’t you figured it out by now? I’m not going anywhere. Unlike your parents, and your ex, I understand how lucky I am to have you in my life.”

I kissed him deeply. “I’m lucky too.” Sort of like the dog he’d rescued.

“Mm, how come you’re frowning against my lips? Am I not doing it correctly? Cuz I’ve gotta tell you, by now I would’ve hoped I had a handle on this kissing thing.”

My giggle bubbled up. “Your kissing is superb, as always. I just had a weird thought, but it’s nothing.”

“Nope. There’s no such thing as nothing if it’s on your mind. Lay it on me.”

If Dominic wasn’t freaking out yet, what was one more insecurity for me to verbalize? “I was making a parallel between me and Lady. Maybe rescuing abused strays is your thing?”

Instead of being offended, he chuckled. “Nah, my thing is to be in absolute awe of you rescuing yourself. I suppose the only parallel between you and Lady is the strength it takes in both of you to trust someone again.”

I framed his face with my hands. “I’m lucky I met you.”

He smirked. “See, this is what I was trying to tell you all along.”

We both erupted into giggles. “Nic?”

“Mm.”

“If you hate working at your father’s company so much, why are you making yourself miserable by staying an entire year?” I’d meant it when I’d said I didn’t care what career he followed, but I hoped he’d find something that made him happy.

“Stubborn, I guess. I’ve always had trouble committing to anything long term, and if I quit, he’ll hang it over my head forever.”

I tried not to make his statement regarding commitment about us, but it was difficult not to when I coupled it with the fact he’d never had a relationship.

“Secretly, I think we both hope Gabe will swoop in and take over, but my brother is more stubborn than I am. He and my dad don’t see eye to eye on a lot of things.”

“Did you propose your ideas about changes to the budget?”

He sighed. “Yep. He’s reluctant about transformation. Which honestly begs the question why he brought you in to change processes since he’s closed off to anything new.”

Guilt the size of a golf ball took residence in my throat. I hadn’t been hired to change or transform the company. “I’m sorry he didn’t like your ideas. Maybe I shouldn’t say this, and it’s only for your ears, but your father often seems to treat a billion-dollar firm a lot like a family business.”

“Gabe told him the same thing. And I hope you know you can tell me anything. I want us to be honest with each other about everything.”

Damn. Double guilt. I only hoped once he found out what I was actually doing at Chambers Tech, he’d find a way to understand.

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Kelsey

By Monday morning I lifted a small weight off my chest by getting a brand-new phone number. I put in seven whole contacts. Ruby, Chance, Reid, Tory, Daisy, Brooke, and of course, Dominic.

Quality over quantity. From now on that was my philosophy when it came to people. I’d no longer feel guilty about cutting toxic people from my life.

When I texted Chance my new number, I also asked for his help in making some discreet inquiries into Sand Dollar Realty and Frank Russo.

He texted back to let me know he’d call once he had some information.

I glanced up to see Dominic peeking his head in my doorway. Crap. I’d forgotten he was dropping by with coffee.