“I guess she didn’t give him that chance. And maybe he was scared she wouldn’t agree to step into his role once he retired. Her business was sky...rocketing and he has more than one enemy on the Board of Directors at Ellison. I’m not really sure, but the moment I quit her consultancy firm, Olivia proposed. At the time it seemed romantic that she was going against her father’s wishes. Like she loved me so much that she didn’t care what he thought. But I now think it was because I quit her company.. Her cheerfulness often seemed forced, and she’d been drifting off in a pensive mood lately. She spent every night at his house. Not that he minded (hell no, he didn’t) but it would have been better if it didn’t feel like avoiding her sister was part of the reason she stayed at his place. There was no use for it. He was going to visit SSE tomorrow. A plan was forming in his mind, but it would require help, specifically, Katie San Sebastian’s help. ************************** Two weeks. It had. I thought fuck it if these girls reject us we go home nothing lost. So I leaned in and asked a little quieter so a nearby table couldn’t hear us. ‘You guys want to get out of here and maybe have some fun?’ Jessie said she’d love to and took me by the hand and started leading me toward a family bathroom. Rebecca led my friend off in another direction. As soon as we got inside she turned around, pinned me against the door and started making out with me, our tongues dancing around and gliding in. Lawrence wouldn’t give up so easily. He pursued me doggedly. He was smart, charming, and patient. Eventually, he wore down my defenses and I agreed to one date. One date turned into another, and next thing I knew, he was living at the house with me and my sons and daughter. That was twenty years ago. My sons and daughter liked Lawrence. He was a very kind, patient and loving man. He introduced me to his family. His father, Jeremiah Jameson was a state trooper and his mother, Darlene Jacobs.