Silently, I agonized. What the hell was Carter thinking?
Chapter 10
TYSON
Every fiber in my body wanted to bolt when I saw her, but Carter smiled at me like he had just given me the greatest present in the world. Then she looked at me.
She was stunning, so grown up. I was used to the sexy rocker chick with wild hair. She now looked like a hot, naughty librarian, her hair trying to escape whatever she’d tied it back with. I was confused by her comment that my foundation was Carter’s project. I’d only asked him for a recommendation for a good law firm. My expectation for this meeting was an introduction, not a presentation.
“Look, I think there is a misunderstanding, this is my project, not Carter’s.” I was irritated that I had to correct the situation.
“Oh, I didn’t know—um. Okay. Carter?” Zoey was perplexed but managed to sneak in a quick glare at Carter.
“Mr. Rainier, we have a lot of experience—” Joe Finney cut off Zoey in an authoritative tone, which pissed me off. And by the look on her face, it pissed her off too.
“I’m sure you do, but, um—” I also glared at Carter, willing him to speak. “This is awkward.”
“Mr. Finney, may we speak with Zoey for a few minutes alone? She and Ty are actually old friends who haven’t seen each other in a while.” Carter reclined far back in a conference chair, chuckling at the confusion. “I’ll clear things up.”
“Of course, take your time.” Joe was hesitant, but then nodded and stepped out of the room leaving the three of us.
“Carter, you’re such a meddling fucking grandma.” Zoey scowled, her directness and confidence intense. “You said this was your project.”
“It’s good to see you, Zoey.” I ignored her outburst and kept my voice calm, even though I was a raging river inside. Zoey looked through her sexy glasses at me with shock.
“Zoey, Ty and I made up years ago. My delivery sucked ass, but my advice was actually pretty solid. I never, ever expected you to react the way you did. My God, sweetheart, you could give seminars on how to ghost a man! Luckily, I’m here to sort you both out.” Carter smiled over at her.
“I know you only had Ty’s best interest in mind, Carter.” Zoey flopped down in a conference chair, tears brimming in her eyes. “That’s why I did what you asked. I told you I’d never be able to face him again.”
I stood across from her, staring like a deer in headlights.
Carter never meant forever, that was all you, butterfly.
“I never wanted to leave, Ty. As hard as it was for me to stay away, I hope it was the right thing for me to do.” She leveled her gaze at me, one tear escaped from her beautiful hazel eye and rolled down her cheek under her glasses. Although her dad and Jace had told me she had been a mess, this was the first time I could actually see evidence of it myself. It made my heart clench.
I wanted to take her in my arms and never let go again.
“Fuck, Zoey.” I sat down across from her at the table. “After all this time, I never in a million years expected to see you today, or really ever again.”
“Zoey and I had lunch a couple of weeks ago. She’s specializing in working with people and companies who help underprivileged kids, especially in the arts. She’s the perfect person to help you with the foundation. I just hope you can forgive an old, stupid fuck-up and do something amazing together.” Carter got up from his chair, clapped Ty on his back, and headed to the door. “I’m out, I’ll leave you two to talk.”
The door closing behind him seemed inordinately loud.
“Hi.” I smiled at her, the electricity in the air palpable.
“Hi.” She smiled back, and we looked at each other for a few seconds before she nervously broke our gaze to fiddle with the projector cord.
“So, you did it. You’re a lawyer.” I tried to break the ice but strangely felt as nervous as I did the first time that I summoned the guts to talk to her at The Mission.
“Yeah, and you did it too. You’re a famous musician.”
“Yeah, I suppose that’s true.” I couldn’t keep the grin off my face. “Still a geek at heart.”
“Hmmm. Well you seem to have overcome your shyness, Tyson. You’re quite the playboy now.” She looked directly at me.
“I won’t apologize, Zoey. You dumped me pretty spectacularly. And then put the nail in the coffin.” I sighed, slightly mortified that maybe she’d seen something I wasn’t proud of. On the other hand, it wasn’t any of her business.
Her voice hitched. “No, you shouldn’t apologize, I had no right to say that. All I ever wanted was for you to live your best life.”
“Look, it’s been many years.” I took pity on her, and on myself.
“I was so young and naïve, Ty. I’m so sorry that I made everything so fucking dramatic. It seems so stupid now. You deserved so much better after all that we meant to each other. I hope you can forgive me someday.”
“Zoey,” I spoke softly as I reached over, gently touching the top of her hand on the conference table, my bracelet grazing her skin. “Neither of us need to be forgiven. We were both young and did the best we could. Hopefully, we have evolved by now.”
“I honestly don’t know what to say to you, Ty.” She pulled her hand away and looked down at her notepad. “I never thought I’d be in the same room as you again either.”
“Fucking Carter.” I rolled my eyes. “Do you think we could talk, really talk about what happened someday? At the very least for closure? Not today, with all of these people around.”
Zoey regarded me pensively as if considering whether I meant what I said.
“I’d like that. I mean, I’ve owed you
