I scroll through the texts:Have youleft yet?
Don’t forget to tell me when you leave.
Kate???
Kate call me.
Kate answer your phone.
KATE!
You need to call me RIGHT NOW!
Dammit. I forgot to call Cole and tellhim when I left. I tilt my head back with mental anguish. How could I forget?Why is it that big of a deal that I didn’t call? Oh boy, I punch in a text whenmy phone rings. It’s Cole.
“Hello,” I cringe. I hear him blow out abreath.
“Kate.”
“Sorry,” I breathe.
“I know. Where are you headed now?”
It’s my turn to blow out a breath. “Thespa at the Empress.”
“How long will you be there?”
I cover the phone with my hand. “Do youknow how long we will be?” I ask Olivia.
“Until we’re done, darling.”
I shake my head. “I’m guessing about anhour before the gala starts, so maybe around six or seven. According to Olivia,I need a lot of work done.”
“Olivia is back to being herself.”
“Very much so.”
Cole laughs, “Oh Cookie, I want so muchto tell you I told you so, but I won’t.”
“Hey…” I pout.
“I know you were trying to do a goodturn. Just another reason I love you so much.”
“Thank you for seeing the good in it.”
“Since you won’t be home for a while, I’mgoing to stay at the office for a while longer.”
I bite my lower lip, chewing it. “Cole,have you…” but I trail off.
“Nothing,” Cole exhales. “I don’t know ifthat is good or bad.”
“I’m sorry,” I whisper. This whole thingfeels like it’s my fault, even though I know it’s not. I can’t help it. Alanset me up. Not to be the bad guy. He wanted me to have the company because Ididn’t want Cole to sell it. It says something that Cole was willing to sellLawton, that he did it for my safety, for our future.
“Baby, it’s not your fault. It’s Alan’s.”
“How is Alan today?”
“The same grumpy old man he’s alwaysbeen. He feels bad about putting you in the middle. He came in about an hourago to apologize; he looks a little worse for wear but he’s the same oldGramps.”
