Seven Nights of Sin (Penthouse Affair #2) novel Chapter 37

My stomach tightens. This is it. I didn’t think the moment of truth would come quite so soon, but I have to face it regardless. I have to stay strong and do what’s best for both of us. Even if it eats me up inside.

Taking a deep breath, I type back:

Agreed. You pick the place.

She replies with an address I’ve never been to, along with the time of nine p.m. tonight.

I nod. Neutral territory. Outside of work hours. Makes sense.

Now I just have to figure out what in the hell I’m going to say to her.

• • •

At Oliver’s insistence, my girls and I are having dinner at his and Jess’s apartment tonight. He thought I could use a night off from my apparent self-loathing. His words, not mine.

Jess greets us at the door with a warm hug for each of my daughters and a bright smile for me. Maybe it’s too much to hope for, but I’m not sure she’s heard the news yet. I find it doubtful that Oliver didn’t tell her—they’re as thick as thieves, these two, and have been since college.

“Sorry about all your troubles, handsome,” Jess says, still smiling at me, but with a look of sympathy in her eyes. “It’ll pass, you know?”

I guess I have my answer. I nod, grumbling, “I know.”

She smiles sadly and pats my hand.

With that, we make our way into the kitchen where homemade macaroni and cheese is being prepared, along with a big pot of spicy chili and cornbread.

“It smells great, Jess. Can I help?” I ask, surveying the countertops. There’s no sign of Oliver, but he left right after we shared a drink in my office, so I’m assuming he’s here somewhere.

She gives her head a shake. “I’ve got everything under control. Figured you guys could use some comfort food.”

“Thoughtful of you, thank you.”

She nods, then gazes down at the girls. “Uncle Ollie is in the den, setting up for a tea party I hear never got finished from the last time he was over.”