Page 112 of Dirty Rival

“Reid,” she says, her voice lifting urgently.

“Yes?”

She’s silent a moment. “I—I’ll see you in the morning.”

She doesn’t hang up. I don’t hang up. Finally, she says, “Can you hang up now?”

“Because you can’t?” I ask.

“Just hang up, Reid.”

Fuck.

I hang up and it about kills me, but I know after that call that I still have a chance, but a chance isn’t enough. I have to go after her father, but not to destroy him. I’ll make him rich as fuck if that’s what it takes to get him to tell Carrie the truth that I can’t.

Chapter fifty-five

Carrie

Idon’t remember going to sleep, but the alarm on my phone wakes me after what I think is about three hours. Not only did I work most of the night, I kept thinking about that last call with Reid. I know I’m not overreacting to what has happened, but I want to be overreacting. His voice made me want so very badly, on so many levels. Knots form in my stomach at the idea of seeing him today. I’m going to have to face up to who we are, not who I thought we were. And I will. Maybe that’s just what I need. To see him, to look into his eyes, and see the truth.

I shower and slip into a black dress with a neckline that goes all the way to my collarbone. I use the products I bought yesterday. I wear panties that I bought myself that he will never touch. I pack my backup briefcase because Reid has that, too.

I arrive at work with coffees in hand, one for me and one for Sallie. “Morning,” I say, eyeing Reid’s closed door, with Connie already at her desk.

He’s not here.

I am.

I walk into my office and claim my desk. My cellphone rings with Royce Walker’s number and I answer immediately. “Hi, Royce.”

“I’m late getting back to you, but Reid told me to get you whatever you want on your father.”

“He did?”

“Yes. He did. What do you want to know?”

“Everything, because I now believe I know nothing.”

“Then you’ll get everything. I’ll be in touch.”

“Wait. When did he tell you to do this for me? Before the weekend?”

“Yes. Before the weekend.”

“Okay, thanks.” He disconnects and I lean back in my chair.

Reid told him to do this for me and it wasn’t motivated by what happened this weekend. It matters. The timing matters. That he did it matters. It says he’s not trying to keep whatever is going on with my father a secret. He just doesn’t want to be the one to badmouth my father.

Sallie appears in my doorway. “You okay?”

“Yes. Why?” I try not to look guilty as charged.

“You didn’t even look at me when you gave me the coffee.”

“Sorry. I was up dealing with a Japan deal and barely slept.”

“Japan? You hate Asia deals.”