likes.”
“You can’t camp out at Gilly’s,” Jamison said.
“You’re welcome any time, for as long as you want,” Gilly countered, and Bare knew his cousin meant it.
Paisley shook her head. “I know there’s an apartment open in your building, Dad. I’d like to go there.”
“You could stay with me,” Bare offered, unable to hold back the offer, despite the other people in the room.
Jamison cleared his throat, and Gilly laughed.
“I’m sure I will occasionally,” Paisley said, shutting them both up. “But I need a place of my own, as well. Dad’s building is conveniently located and will make me feel safe when I’m not with you.”
“For the record, I can guarantee your safety, as well as allowing for whatever level of privacy you want or need,” Gilly offered.
“I’m sure Rusty will be happy to let you keep Remy for a while,” Tuck stated. “I know the dog makes you feel safe.”
“I know Rusty would, and thank you, Gilly. I’ve got to start standing on my own though. I appreciate all of you so much, but there are things I really need to take care of by myself.” Her gaze met Bare’s, and he knew she was asking him to understand.
Bare’s heart clenched at her words and the slight catch in her voice when she said them. He squeezed her into his side. As much as he wanted to demand she keep her ass with him, period, he did understand.
“Your mother won’t forgive you for doing this without her,” Jamison said.
Bare glanced down just in time to see Paisley’s face turn to stone, an expression she’d definitely learned from her father.
“I’ve made my choice on this. She’ll have to make hers. I’m done letting her cash in on the worst event in my life. I’m doing what I should have done a long time ago. I’m putting an end to this.”
Bare cupped her chin and lifted her face to his. He didn’t know what to tell her, had no words of comfort to offer. Vivian Ames was a cold-hearted bitch and chances were she’d resent the hell out of anything Paisley said or did without clearing it through her.
“I’ll be okay,” Paisley said and leaned up to kiss him softly on the lips.
“Can we have a minute?” he said, eyes not leaving her face.
“Conference is in thirty,” Jamison said. “Not a lot of time.”
Bare gritted his teeth.
“Give us a minute, please, Dad,” Paisley said. “Besides it would look better if you head down and give the press someone to focus on. Maybe, see if mother is already down there stirring stuff up. I’ll be there at precisely four. I won’t walk out until then. I have a statement prepared. I won’t be taking questions today. I’ll want the door open as soon as I finish so I can duck right back in.”
“Why are you having this outdoors again?” Gilly asked.
“My mother has spent the last five years telling the world I’m afraid. I’m going to show them that’s no longer true.”
Gilly nodded and headed out with Tuck. Jamison came over and gave Paisley one more hug before shooting Bare a look and walking out.
Paisley turned to him. “What’s on your mind?”
He blew out a breath. “I’m worried about you.”
“I know,” she said. “But I’m going to be okay.”
“I’m not talking about the conference, or at least, not specifically about the conference.”
“I don’t understand,” she said. “You’re not regretting last night, are you?”
“You know better than that,” he admonished, reaching for her. “I’m worried things are changing too fast for you.”
She shook her head. “Five years is not too fast, Bare.”
“Everything has changed in a matter of less than twenty-four hours.”
“But I’ve been working up to this for a long time,” she said. “It might not have seemed like it, but every day, I was a step closer. I’ve wanted you for a while now and struggled with the guilt that caused me. But us, we weren’t the catalyst that propelled me into finally doing what I needed to.”
“We
“You can’t camp out at Gilly’s,” Jamison said.
“You’re welcome any time, for as long as you want,” Gilly countered, and Bare knew his cousin meant it.
Paisley shook her head. “I know there’s an apartment open in your building, Dad. I’d like to go there.”
“You could stay with me,” Bare offered, unable to hold back the offer, despite the other people in the room.
Jamison cleared his throat, and Gilly laughed.
“I’m sure I will occasionally,” Paisley said, shutting them both up. “But I need a place of my own, as well. Dad’s building is conveniently located and will make me feel safe when I’m not with you.”
“For the record, I can guarantee your safety, as well as allowing for whatever level of privacy you want or need,” Gilly offered.
“I’m sure Rusty will be happy to let you keep Remy for a while,” Tuck stated. “I know the dog makes you feel safe.”
“I know Rusty would, and thank you, Gilly. I’ve got to start standing on my own though. I appreciate all of you so much, but there are things I really need to take care of by myself.” Her gaze met Bare’s, and he knew she was asking him to understand.
Bare’s heart clenched at her words and the slight catch in her voice when she said them. He squeezed her into his side. As much as he wanted to demand she keep her ass with him, period, he did understand.
“Your mother won’t forgive you for doing this without her,” Jamison said.
Bare glanced down just in time to see Paisley’s face turn to stone, an expression she’d definitely learned from her father.
“I’ve made my choice on this. She’ll have to make hers. I’m done letting her cash in on the worst event in my life. I’m doing what I should have done a long time ago. I’m putting an end to this.”
Bare cupped her chin and lifted her face to his. He didn’t know what to tell her, had no words of comfort to offer. Vivian Ames was a cold-hearted bitch and chances were she’d resent the hell out of anything Paisley said or did without clearing it through her.
“I’ll be okay,” Paisley said and leaned up to kiss him softly on the lips.
“Can we have a minute?” he said, eyes not leaving her face.
“Conference is in thirty,” Jamison said. “Not a lot of time.”
Bare gritted his teeth.
“Give us a minute, please, Dad,” Paisley said. “Besides it would look better if you head down and give the press someone to focus on. Maybe, see if mother is already down there stirring stuff up. I’ll be there at precisely four. I won’t walk out until then. I have a statement prepared. I won’t be taking questions today. I’ll want the door open as soon as I finish so I can duck right back in.”
“Why are you having this outdoors again?” Gilly asked.
“My mother has spent the last five years telling the world I’m afraid. I’m going to show them that’s no longer true.”
Gilly nodded and headed out with Tuck. Jamison came over and gave Paisley one more hug before shooting Bare a look and walking out.
Paisley turned to him. “What’s on your mind?”
He blew out a breath. “I’m worried about you.”
“I know,” she said. “But I’m going to be okay.”
“I’m not talking about the conference, or at least, not specifically about the conference.”
“I don’t understand,” she said. “You’re not regretting last night, are you?”
“You know better than that,” he admonished, reaching for her. “I’m worried things are changing too fast for you.”
She shook her head. “Five years is not too fast, Bare.”
“Everything has changed in a matter of less than twenty-four hours.”
“But I’ve been working up to this for a long time,” she said. “It might not have seemed like it, but every day, I was a step closer. I’ve wanted you for a while now and struggled with the guilt that caused me. But us, we weren’t the catalyst that propelled me into finally doing what I needed to.”
“We
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