I lift my brows. Well. That’s news to me. “Where at?”

“The diner in the next town over. You know, the one that your Jennifer Cade used to work at?” How the hell he knows this stuff about Jen is beyond me. It’s like the guy keeps up on the small-town gossip even long after he’s gone. “That’s what your mother told me, at least.”

Ah, well that makes more sense. Mom always did like Jen. “I’m still mad at you.” I decide to be forthright with him and not beat around the bush. A new thing for me, since I’m usually all about avoiding confrontation.

He blows out a harsh breath. “You needed to know, son. It’s best you have all the facts when you’re dealing with a woman. You don’t want to end up like me and your mother.”

That’s the damn truth. Funny thing is, though, even after I learned the truth, I’m realizing that I still want Jen. That I’m in love with her and will do whatever it takes to get her back into my life.

“Did she admit to everything?” he asks when I don’t speak.

I nod. I really don’t want to have this discussion with him, so I don’t go into too much detail. “I was mad at first. Freaked out. We got in a big fight and she moved out of my place this morning before I even woke up.”

“Huh. Well, that was easy, wasn’t it? You got rid of her with no fuss, no muss.”

I grit my teeth together, holding back the angry words I want to hurl at him. The man is completely dense. No wonder he drives my mother insane. “I want her back.”

“What?” His eyes practically bug out of his head. “You’ve got to be kidding.”

“I’m not,” I say flatly, clearing my throat. I’m about to admit something major and I don’t want him to pass judgment. “I’m in love with her.”

He chuckles. Of course he does, the asshole. “You’re crazy. Crazy, just like your mother. Always looking for trouble and finding it real easy.”

“Sounds like you too, you know,” I bite out.

“Yeah. Yeah, you’re right. I like a little trouble now and again myself.” He sits up straighter, his expression going blank. “Speaking of that, I wanted to talk to you about that San Francisco location and the loan you promised . . .”

I didn’t promise him shit, but I’m not going to press that point. “Forget San Francisco, Dad. I’m not doing it. I have my hands full and I’m perfectly content staying here.” I eye him carefully. “You didn’t already sign any papers, did you?” Please tell me he didn’t.

“No, I was waiting for your okay.” He sighs and leans back in his chair. “I knew you were going to refuse me. We could’ve made a lot of money together.”

“Yeah, well, maybe someday, but not now.” I want him out of my office. I need to be alone with my thoughts. I need to figure out how I’m going to get to Jen.

“Uh, how about that loan though, son? I need some money to get me through. I have a few things pending, payments due, and I need a little help.” He looks decidedly uncomfortable, which I’m thankful for. If this came too easy for him, I’m afraid he’d soon be constantly asking me for money.

“Sure. I can do it.” He helped me so much early on, though it always came with conditions. And it definitely hadn’t been easy. We tried to work together but we’re like oil and water. We just don’t mix well.

Opening up a desk drawer, I pull out the company checkbook, then grab a pen. “How much do you need?”

“One hundred thousand dollars.”

My pen skids across the check I’m about to write at the staggering amount that just fell from his lips. I glance up at him. “Are you f**king serious?”

He nods, his expression miserable. “You’re going to think I’m a f**king fool, but I got some thugs breathing down my neck. Gambling debt I owe from way back. I gotta pay it by Monday and or I’m in deep shit.”

“Sounds like you’re already in deep shit,” I say, setting the pen down and leaning back in my chair. I run my fingers through my hair, clutching it tight for a moment before I release it. How does he always end up in these risky situations? He grew up spoiled and turned reckless at an early age. The man likes living on the edge. He always has. I had no idea he had a gambling problem, though. “Hell, I really don’t have that kind of money to spare.”

“Come on, Colin. I’d do it for you,” he pleads.

Ouch, thanks for the guilt. Love you too, Dad. Not that I’d ever deny him, but hell. That’s a lot of money.

“Yeah, things might get a little tight for you for a bit, but you always bounce back. I know it. You’re a Wilder.” He grins, his over-bleached teeth seeming to glow. “We’re just alike. I know you’re raking it in here. And you have your new restaurant opening up soon. That’s going to be a huge success—I don’t doubt it for one minute.”

Shit. I really do have that kind of money to loan him, but what he’s asking for is no loan. I’ll never get one dime of it back. “How about fifty,” I offer.

The unmistakable disappointment etched across his face isn’t easy to ignore. “I guess that’ll work. I’ll take what I can get. Maybe they’ll only break one of my legs instead of both.”

I write him a check for seventy-five, because I’m a sucker and he’s my dad. If he’s really involved with guys who’ll physically hurt him, I could never live with myself if they really did break his legs.

Tearing the check off, I hand it to him, then see his face go from disappointed to relieved in an instant. “Thanks, son. I’ll pay it back as soon as I can,” he says.

Sure he will.

“I have to ask a favor from you, though,” I say as I watch him fold the check and put it in the pocket of his button-down shirt.

“Anything,” he says eagerly. “Whatever you need, I’m here for you.”

“I need you to help me locate Jen.” I ignore his flabbergasted look. “Use your wily ways and track her down. I know you can do it. You can dig up information on anyone and anything.”

“But I’m leaving in less than an hour,” he whines.

I silence him with a look. “You owe me. I’ll give you the other twenty-five if you find her.”

Ah, greed always talks when it comes to Con Wilder. It usually talks to me too, as loath as I am to admit it. “Well, now you’re talkin’.”

I barely restrain from rolling my eyes. “Find her in the next few hours and that twenty-five thousand is yours.” I can’t believe I’m essentially paying him to find Jen, but a desperate man falls to desperate measures.

And I am beyond desperate to find Jen.

Jen

The bus ride took a lot longer than I thought it would. It felt like we stopped in every single town along the way, which I really think we did. I was stuck on that gross, stinky, hot bus for so long, my phone battery died. Then I realized I’d forgotten to pack my charger. I bet it’s still plugged in at the kitchen counter in Colin’s house.

Talk about a bonehead move. Yet again, I don’t think things through.

Tired, frustrated, and hungry, I finally arrive at the bus station in Sacramento, thankful my new roommate, Angela, is kind enough to come pick me up. I pull my suitcase behind me, my giant purse filled with everything I couldn’t fit in my luggage slung over my arm, when I think I spot her.

Dread fills my gut the moment I see her face. She is the complete opposite of me. Short and curvy, with bright, bleached blond hair and a fake tan, she comes running over to me, a big smile curving her freshly pink-glossed lips.

“You’re Jennifer?” she asks, clapping her hands together like a seal.

Shit. She is way too enthusiastic for her own good. “I am. You must be Angela.”

“It’s so good to finally meet you!” She wraps me in a bear hug, holding me so tight I’m afraid she might suffocate me. I carefully detach myself from her grip, offering her a faint smile in return for her giant grin. “Is that all your stuff? Wow, you pack light.”

“It’s everything I own,” I say, trying to joke but feeling sort of dumb.

“You don’t have a bed or any furniture?”

“Um . . .” My voice trails off and I clutch my purse even closer to my side. Colin made good on his promise and had brought home my final check the night before. Though I’d told him I didn’t want it, I took it anyway. Thank God. I need every single dollar I can get.

You’ll never make it on your own.

I ignore the rude voice in my head.

“Hey, I’ll take you the Goodwill tomorrow, or Target or Walmart. Wherever you want to go—we’ll find you something. You can sleep on the couch tonight. I’ll make sure and warn Roger you’re going to be there.” She giggles as we emerge outside into the parking lot of the bus station, the waning late afternoon sun warm on my skin.

“Who’s Roger?” I ask.

“My boyfriend, silly. He stays over a lot. I hope you don’t mind.” She tosses her hair over her shoulder. “He’s really nice. I’m sure you two will get along great.”

“No, of course I don’t mind. I bet he’s a great guy,” I say, not really meaning it. I mind like crazy. I had no idea I’d have to deal with a near live-in boyfriend. Just great.

“So hey! I worked earlier today and my boss said she’s looking to hire someone part-time at the store.” Her smile never, ever fades. I wonder if her cheeks hurt. “Would you be interested?”

“Absolutely,” I say, a hint of excitement filling me. I’m not as cheerful as Angela, but maybe if I hang out with her for a bit, my mood will brighten.

Maybe.

“We’ll stop by there tomorrow too, and you can fill out an application.” She stops at a candy-apple-red Volkswagen Bug, clapping her hands together again. Reminding me of an overenthusiastic little kid at her birthday party when she sees all her presents. “This is my car! Let’s get you loaded up.”

Oh. My. God. I don’t know if I’ll be able to handle this chick. She’s obnoxious as hell and I have zero tolerance for any bimbos at the moment. Not that she’s a bimbo. I don’t know her at all, so I need to chill.

And I need to remember to be grateful. She came and picked me up from the bus station. I know that was a long drive from her apartment. She might have even found me a job. And she wants to help me find some furniture.

I think this has the potential to really work out. Maybe I can move on and truly forget my past once and for all. Start a new future and finally find that freedom I’ve been so desperately seeking . . .

Hours later, I’ve come to the conclusion that she never, ever stops talking, my new roommate. Angela ordered in Chinese for dinner, enough to feed an overindulging family of eight, and then her boyfriend showed up, all sullen and moody. With the typical boy band, swing-it-constantly-out-of-his-eyes sandy-brown hair and glittery golden eyes. He, on the other hand, doesn’t talk much at all, but I don’t like the way he looks at me.

It gives me the creeps.

Deciding to ignore him, I instead concentrate on Angela, who prattles on and on, telling me essentially her entire life story. I pretend that I’m listening. That I’m not nodding off in the middle of our conversation, trying my best to stay awake. Considering I’ve been up since before five a.m., I’m having a heck of a time.

“You’re tired,” Angela says with a sympathetic look. “Let’s get you a pillow and a blanket and you can crash out on the couch. Sounds good?”

“Yeah.” I nod gratefully, offering her a small smile. “Sounds awesome. I can barely keep my eyes open.”

“I’m boring you with my endless talking.” She flashes the creepy boyfriend a look. “Rodge says I talk too much.”

Rodge is one hundred percent correct, but I’m not about to validate anything he says. He gives me such a bad vibe I don’t know what to think about him. “I don’t mind,” I tell her, neither confirming nor denying her statement. “You’re so sweet to help me out. You don’t know how much this means to me.”

“You’re helping me out too, you know. I’ve had a hard time finding a roommate, and Rodge didn’t want to move in. Says I’ll try and take away his independence.” She sends him a withering stare. There’s unmistakable tension between these two and not the good kind. “I think we’re going to make a perfect match.”

I don’t know if I’d go that far, but I’m so damn grateful for her and everything she’s already done for me, I can only nod in agreement. “Yeah,” I say weakly, glaring at Roger when I catch him staring at me. Again. “We’re the perfect match.”

Chapter 23

Jen

“I need your forgiveness," he whispers in my ear. “I’ve hurt you and I’m sorry. I want you back in my life, Jenny. I need you.”

My heart expands, making my chest so tight I’m afraid it might burst. “I forgive you, Colin,” I say, throwing my arms around his warm, familiar body and hugging him tight. “Thank you for coming for me.”

“I can’t live without you. I couldn’t not come for you.” He holds me tight, his mouth pressed against my cheek in the sweetest of kisses. “I love you, Jen. So much I can hardly stand it.”

I burst out laughing. Only Colin would make love sound painful. But it’s a good kind of pain. One I revel in, especially when it comes from him. “I love you, too.”