Chapter 378

• Smoothing down my skirt, I enter the elevator and glance at the narrow mirror by the door, sighing as I take my place beside the other staff. I look better and feel better and more in control. I’ve only been back at Executive House for a few days. Still, somehow the familiarity of this building and the people who knew me as Jake’s assistant and treated me with more respect than I received at Carrero Tower have helped me get back on track.
• I’ve barely slept the last few nights. My mother’s appearance has left my mind in a constant cyclone of thoughts and insecurities. I’ve replayed my mother’s words a million times; none makes sense to me. The obvious aside, I can’t wrap my brain around her admission. Ray isn’t the kind to up and run off because another guy gave him a taste of his own medicine. He only left years ago because I threatened to involve the police. Something more must’ve happened after Jake left him lying in the street.
• What did Jake do to make sure Ray left for good? I need to ask him, but I know I can’t. Seeing him would be agony, and I can’t bring myself to ask him via email. As much as I want to know if he did something, I’m too scared to inflict that kind of pain on myself. Seeing him and speaking to him would kill me all over again. I need distance if I’m going to get over Jake Carrero. I should forget about Ray and my mother. Forget all of them.