Just Pretend

Chapter Forty

Jason

I'm cornered in my office during my fabulous lunch of leftover stew by none other than my father; demanding to know where I've been the last week and why I was late today.

I sigh as I come up with an excuse, Gwen's current state of physical health serving as inspiration.

'I was sick, Dad. This morning I was late because I was behind on the washing,' the lie falls easily from my lips and I hope to God that I don't actually get sick.

'Fine. While I'm here, I'm letting you know that I'm retiring next year and you're taking over. So prepare yourself for some changes.'

Typical of my father, he leaves after dropping that bombshell and I fork another mouthful of stew miserably into my mouth; staring at the door.

I don't want this.

Taking over Harrington Holdings is not on my ten-year plan.

It never has been.

I pray for the rest of the day to go by quickly as I finish my lunch and head out to wash the bowl.

My assistant looks at me with raised eyebrows and I just shake my head, knowing my father only informed me of his plans to retire.

Thankfully the rest of the day goes by quickly when I stop staring at the clock in the corner of my computer screen, and focus on work.

I don't hear a thing from Gwen the entire day and I know that she's probably still sleeping off her fever.

The moment the clock hits four p.m. I'm in the elevator heading down to the ground floor where I'm apprehended by Finn and Howard.

'Why're you in such a hurry, dude? Until a week ago you were out with us every night,' Howard says teasingly and I roll my eyes as I push through them but they wrap an arm each around my waist, pulling me back.

'Not until you tell us,' Finn says and I sigh.

'My priorities have changed. I'm heading home,' I tell them slowly, stressing each word so that it sinks in and Howard laughs while they let me go.

'Say "Hi" to Gwen from us,' Finn calls after me in the empty lobby as I hurry to the door and jumping in my truck when I reach it.

I drive home, barely keeping to the speed limit, and pull into the garage thirty minutes after leaving the office building.

When I close the door, I notice the black Tesla standing behind Gwen's identical one, and I frown as I head inside; keeping my ears strained for any unusual sounds.

I walk into the entryway and look around, my eyes immediately falling on a towel-covered Gwen laying on the mattresses exactly where I'd left her with Carrie at her feet.

'You must be Jason,' a voice lilts from the kitchen and I spin around to face a blonde version of Gwen.

'You must be Gwen's mom,' I respond and she smiles.

'Well, I mustn't be, but I am. I'm Kim' she says and I chuckle, raising a hand in greeting.

I'm itching to get to Gwen but her mother's calculating gaze holds me captive. She looks me up and down slowly, her eyes resting on my shoulders before moving down and gazing at my hips and lifting back to my face.

'You're definitely her type. But she doesn't usually go for guys like you,' she says without beating about the bush and I blink in surprise.

'What's that mean?' I ask and she laughs softly, her gaze on mine.