Every ounce of sadness I felt this morning melts into a puddle at my feet. “I’m not mad at you. But I would like to understand where that came from. Did Jamison say something?”
Anderson touches his forehead to mine. “Let’s just say that Jamison being here brought up a lot of old feelings. I’m just confused right now, and I’m also pissed at myself for being so fucking stupid.”
I hold my palms to either side of his face and pull back enough so that he’s looking in my eyes. “Anderson Bexley, you need to stop letting what your brothers do determine your happiness because this is your life too. Stop trying to build their dreams. Even if they were here, they’d still have to do that on their own. Why don’t you admit to yourself that this is your dream. Screw them. Screw what they want or what they don’t want. What do you want?”
My heart is beating so fast, seemingly out of nowhere. I didn’t expect for all that to fly out of me, and I don’t even know where it came from. After all this time, I just hate seeing Anderson so broken over all the things he can’t control.
He squeezes his eyes shut then pries them back open while taking a deep pull of air. “I don’t deserve you. I’m sorry you’re here to see this entire shit show unfold.”
I sigh, my thoughts returning to my own problems. “It’s not like I don’t have my own shit show going on.”
He pulls back, his eyes wide. “But you still have a job, right?”
I shrug. “I guess so, but I’m not holding my breath. Dexter’s too quiet, which means he’s definitely up to something.”
Anderson frowns. “You think?”
The sound on the security cameras alerts us to another guest approaching the front gates. Anderson and I turn to each other. “Oh no,” he says as dread sinks into my gut. “Don’t tell me that asshole is back.”
We both turn to the monitors, only to find a different vehicle approaching. Another sports car. This one bright-red, shiny, and belonging to none other than Mallory fucking Shuman.
“Nope. Not him.”
This might just be worse than getting fired.
Chapter Twenty-Two
ANDERSON
Everything seems to happen in slow motion. Hope’s eyes bulge, her face turns a terrifying shade of white, then her entire body begins to quake while the blood rushes back up to her neck and cheeks—until everything about her appears to be filled with rage.
“I take it you know that person.”
Hope takes in a slow breath while closing her eyes. “You can say that.” She releases her breath and looks back toward the camera, which shows a woman exiting her car. “That,” she starts through gritted teeth, “is Dexter’s number one, Mallory Shuman. His senior project manager. And the one person I did not want anywhere near this project.”
“Well, then why the hell is she here?”
Hope gives me a look as though the answer is obvious. “I’ll give you one guess.”
I reel back slightly. “To replace you?”
She shakes her head. “No. If I was fired, I would have heard about it by now. My computer would be locked up, and my phone would be without service. Dexter sent her here to punish me by taking away the only thing I’ve been asking for since I started working for him. And that’s to have my own project, one where Mallory isn’t breathing down my neck and reporting my every exaggerated mistake back to Dexter.”
Anger begins to filter its way through my system. “You’re irreplaceable. It’s you or no one. Don’t worry. I’ll talk to Dexter.”
She deflates so fast, her face crumbling, that I know I somehow said the wrong thing. “You can’t do that. Please, Anderson. You’re incredible for wanting to help, but this is my problem. It’s me who’s going to resolve it.”
“But I’m the client. Remove our personal relationship from the picture. I should still get a say about who works on my reopening.”
She nods. “Maybe so, but we both know our personal relationship is the only reason you would fight to keep me around.”
“Wrong. It’s because you’re damn good at your job, and you know what this camp needs better than anyone. And frankly, you never should have left. I’m the reason you took that job in the first place, so let me do something to make this right.”
She tilts her head, her eyes softening even though I can still see the tension she’s carrying by the frown lines in her forehead. “You may have been the one who pushed me to go, but it was my choice to have a relationship with Dexter. These are the consequences of my actions.” She sighs and turns back to the monitor, where Mallory seems to look a little lost as she veers toward the main building we’re standing in now. “Promise me you’ll let me handle it.”
My jaw clenches. I don’t want to promise, but I know she’s giving me no choice. “Fine, but if you change your mind, just say the word.”
Her face relaxes, and she gives me a thankful smile. “I will. I’ll keep reminding myself that it’s temporary. Until I find something new.”
Hearing her confirm that she’s willing to leave Urgency is the comfort to my soul I need. I embrace her again, and this time I’m rewarded with a warm hug back. I kiss her head and lean back slightly. “I’ll go greet her while you pretend you never even saw her coming.”
Hope laughs. “Now that sounds like a deal. Maybe you can give her one of those big, long tours like you gave Dexter.”
My grin stretches wide. “This will be fun, seeing as her heels are about an inch taller than the ones you were wearing on that first day. And don’t worry. If her plan is to stay, I’ll stick her in one of the kiddie cabins on the west side of camp.” I wink.
Hope leans in, kissing me hard on the lips. “My hero.”
The front doorbell chimes, and I head toward reception, pasting a smile on my face to greet the woman. “Hello. Welcome to Camp Bexley. What can I do for you?” I decide to give the woman zero indication that I was briefed on her arrival.
Her smile comes easily, a little too easily, as she sweeps a long strand of silky red hair over her shoulder before extending her hand to me. “My name is Mallory Shuman, a co-worker of Hope’s, and a senior project manager at Urgency. It’s so nice to finally meet you. I’ve heard wonderful things about you and this camp.” She sweeps her gaze around like it’s the most fabulous office she’s ever had the pleasure of standing in.
Stifling a laugh, I take her hand and shake it before releasing it just as quickly. “Nice to meet you. So, what brings you here?”
She claps her hands together, opening her eyes wide. “I had to stop by to meet you and say hello to Hope. I’ve been a mentor of Hope’s with her projects back home, so I wanted to make sure everything was going smoothly for you and your reopening.”
The way she assesses me like she’s waiting for me to tell her some juicy gossip makes me ill. “I couldn’t be happier. In fact, Dexter stopped by the other day, and I told him the same thing. Hope is completely zoned in on what needs to be accomplished, and I’m just here for the ride.”