It might’ve been a whirlwind romance one step short of instalove, but it was our story. Charles and I were meant to fall for each other. I know that without a shred of doubt.
“Are we okay?” I whisper into Asher’s shoulder.
“We will be.” He kisses me on top of my head again. “I promise.”
I hold on to that, allowing him to hug me while I cry until there are no more tears to spill.
Hours later, they’re both still with me. We’ve ordered pizza and switched to water from the alcohol.
“I need to tell you something,” Asher says, and my back straightens at his tone. “It’s the last thing I want to be telling you, considering this,” he says, motioning to me, “but you have to know.”
“Tell me,” I whisper.
He takes a deep breath. “Bauer got ahold of your presentation, and they’ve already pitched it to Holly... and Diosa.”
I gasp. “When?”
“It just happened.”
My head swims, and I feel the world spin around me.
“You have time, Raven. Come up with something better. Something fresh,” Lily says, taking up the role of cheerleader.
“She’s right,” Asher chimes in. “Bauer can only capture clients with shady practices. You can do it, and I’ll help.”
I offer him a small smile, hardly able to conjure one.
Not only were Charles and I destined to meet, but I must’ve been destined to lose this account as well. The fates have turned their back on me, cursing me to a life of misery, so it would seem.
“Whatever is going through that head of yours, stop,” Asher commands. “You don’t give up on us, Raven Bennett. You fight.”
“He’s right. You’re strong, and we promise to help,” Lily offers.
A genuine smile spreads across my face because while everything else around me falls apart, I’m still blessed to have these two at my side. Ready to fight with me.
Asher offered to take on his own company to help.
The odds might be stacked against me, but they’re right. Raven Bennett isn’t a quitter. I’ll fight to win back Diosa and save it for Cavendish.
I’ll do it for myself.
I’ll do it for Charles.
“Let’s do it.”
45
Charles
“You’ve gotto be kidding me.”
My hands slam down on the desk as Dr. Amberly checks my father’s vitals.
“Not at all. He’s quite fine. A bad case of indigestion.” He packs up his stethoscope. “He’ll live to see another day.”
“Why did Stuart think you were dying?”
My father sighs. “Tabitha. You know how she worries.”