Free Sing For Me by Trisha Grace Page B

did.
    The odious green in their tones spelled out their real thoughts and feelings; the same shade that laced most of the words her mother spoke to her.
    She never knew how to react in those situations. She should probably walk away with a flick of her hair, but she wasn’t that sort of person. Instead, she would swallow whatever emotion she felt and force a smile. If she didn’t do that, if she didn’t have her guard up, she was afraid she’d shrivel into a wimpy crybaby; exactly what happened when she allowed her mother’s words or her father’s inaction to affect her.
    “Mr. Morgan.” The assistant immediately straightened her back. “Um … Mr. Morgan, Jason, your grandson—”
    “I know who you’re talking about,” Lawrence said. “Tell him that his grandfather and girlfriend are here.”
    “Um …” The assistant licked her lips again, and her gaze skittered across her desk. “He isn’t inside.”
    Chloe frowned at the red and black sparks going off.
    She looked over at Lawrence and found his brows drawing closer as well.
    After a moment, Lawrence turned to her and gave her the most dazzling smile. “Let me take you out for lunch.” A halo of dull reddish gray smoke surrounded the light pink.
    She followed the bubble of color for a second, then turned to the closed door and finally stared at the assistant, who was now displaying the brightest smile along with wide, non-blinking eyes.
    She looked at Lawrence again as he placed his hand on her back. She doubted Lawrence knew what was going on, but he seemed ready for her to leave as well.
    She didn’t demand that Jason put her first place. For the both of them, work had always come first.
    Why did his assistant have to lie? Why didn’t Lawrence call her out on it? He always did.
    She nodded and turned, but at the last second, she rounded the table and opened the door.
    She heard a gasp. It took her a moment to realize she’d made that noise and another moment to close her eyes and turn away from the naked brunette lying on Jason’s table while an equally naked Jason laid on top of her.
    “Lock the door next time,” she said.
    “Chloe!”
    She shot Lawrence a disapproving glare. “Oh.” She turned around.
    Jason skidded to a stop, his hands still fumbling with his pants’ zipper.
    She turned her face away. “I came to tell you that I can’t marry you.”
    Jason took her hand.
    “Don’t touch me.” She pulled her hand back and wiped it down on her jeans. “We’re done.”
    “Chloe, wait.” Jason grabbed her arm again.
    “Stop touching me.” She took a deep breath. While she did, she tried to gather her thoughts and feelings.
    Nothing came to her. “Our hearts are clearly not in our relationship.”
    “For heaven’s sake, get your shirt on!” Lawrence placed his hand on her back and led her away from the office. “I’m so sorry, Chloe.”
    She pursed her lips and turned to him. “I wasn’t an angel either. I kissed someone, which was why I came here today.”
    Lawrence didn’t say a word. They continued the rest of the walk in silence until they stepped into the lift.
    “The two of you spend too much time apart,” Lawrence said as the lift made its descent.
    “That was what we liked about the relationship. We didn’t have to talk every day or text each other every hour. Both of us like our space.” Now she had a better understanding on how Jason enjoyed his space. “This wasn’t the first time he’s cheated on me, right? You knew something was up when the assistant lied.”
    “I had an inkling.”
    “And you never told me.”
    He sighed softly. “I’m sorry, Chloe. I’m a selfish old man. You’re such a good influence on him. When he’s with you, he’s a better person.”
    She didn’t know what to say, so she stared ahead.
    “Are you angry with me?”
    She pinched her lips together. She couldn’t really say she was. She still didn’t feel anything besides the shock of seeing her now ex-boyfriend having sex