Forever Blake (Once Upon a Player Book 3) by Elena Matthews (free books to read .TXT) 📗

feel even more appalled by my behavior. I really didn’t know anything, did I?”

“No, you didn’t, and that was my fault. I should have told you sooner.”

“I appreciate that, Blake, but that doesn’t excuse how I treated you. I’d like to make it up to you if I could.”

“Make it up how?”

“You know how we’ve been expanding the company. We have the headquarters here in Dallas and another office in California. I’ve been looking at expanding to another location. Well, I’ve leased out an office space in Boston, and I’d like you to run the show.”

I blink. And blink again.

Then, I squint, confused when his words still don’t register.

“Huh? I’m not following.”

Edwin lets out a light chuckle. “I’m reinstating you and giving you a promotion as well. I want you to be the senior partner at Boston. I know it’s a big relocation, but it’s only until Reagan finishes school. Then, if you wish, you can return to Dallas.”

Holy shit. Can this day get any crazier? First, I was offered a job at a new law firm, and now, I’ve been offered my dream job, where I not only get to do what I love, but I get to be with the girl too.

“Are you serious?”

“As a heart attack.”

I shake my head as I let it sink in, my mind completely blown.

“I don’t know what to say.”

“I’d like you to say yes and then go get your girl back.”

“Well, yes. Of course I’m going to say yes! I’m just going to have to make a phone call first. I accepted a position at Richmond-Sussman this morning.”

Edwin’s eyes narrow, and his cheeks flush with anger. “Those fuckers poached you?”

“No. You did fire me, so it was fair game.”

“Well, I’m glad I came to my senses sooner rather than later. Now, you’re going to need this address.” He hands me a card.

“What’s this?”

“It’s where Reagan is. Go and win her back.”

“Right, yeah,” I say, a little out of sorts, my brain frazzled from this insane morning.

“I hope this is enough to earn your forgiveness.” That’s when I hear it—the sincerity of his apology.

“It’s going to take some time for me to trust you again, but I forgive you.”

“Thank you.” He flicks a glance behind me. “Now, go.”

“Okay, I’m going.”

I turn and retrace my steps down the corridor, but instead of stopping in front of the elevator, I continue toward the staircase. Just before I push the door open, I look back and see Edwin waiting for the elevator.

“You really love your daughter, don’t you? I’ve never known a dad to open a new law firm in the city their daughter will be just so she can be with the man she loves.”

“I would do anything for her, but it’s not just for her; it’s for you too.”

I nod with a grateful smile before heading in the direction of the woman of my dreams.

With a cupholder holding four lattes with extra whipped cream and a single rose balanced on top, I knock on the door of Reagan’s mom’s house. As I await an answer, my heart races in my chest, nerves and excitement running through my veins.

Louise answers the door with a smile, and it’s so uncanny how much Ever is like her. It’s blindingly obvious that I should have known who Ever was the moment I saw her.

“Hi, Blake. I’ve been expecting you.”

“Did Edwin call you?”

“I mean, when has Edwin not called me this week? But, yes, he gave me a heads-up that you would be here to win my daughter’s affections back.” Her eyes light up when she spots the coffee goodness in my hands.

“Oh, and you brought coffee.”

Um, actually…

I go to tell her the lattes are part of an elaborate peace offering to win Ever back, but not wanting to seem rude, I decide to let her have one.

“Yes,” I say, taking a paper cup out and handing it to her. “I hope you like latte with extra whipped cream.”

“I do. Thank you so much. Come on in.”

I follow her into an elegant townhouse. It’s not quite the lavish house Edwin has, but I can tell she did well for herself in their divorce settlement.

“She’s in the guest room. I’ll show you the way.”

We walk up some stairs and down a hallway until we come to a stop outside a door.

“Here you go. Good luck.”

“Thank you,” I tell her before she returns downstairs. Taking in a deep breath, I knock on the exhale.

“Mom, you don’t need to knock, just come in.”

It makes sense that she assumes it’s her mom. I doubt she’s expecting the love of her life to walk inside.

Well, here goes.

I turn the door handle and open the door, walking inside the air-conditioned room.

The first thing I notice is what’s playing on the TV.

Suits.

Huh, I’m guessing she’s been spending her time with misery, too.

The second thing I notice is her lying on top of the bed, and I think I must have forgotten what she looked like during this past week because, damn, my heart screeches to a halt at how beautiful she is.

“Hi,” I greet.

She jackknifes up to a sitting position, her pretty blues wide with surprise, her mouth open in shock. “Blake! What are you doing here?”

My eyes trace over her perfect face, and my cock shifts a little at the shorts and crop top that adorns her body.

“I know you said a couple of lattes couldn’t fix anything, so I brought you four lattes and a rose.” I decided my opening to her should be cute, and I dazzle her with the smile I know she finds irresistible.

Her eyes drop down to the cupholder in my hand. “There are only three lattes,” she points out, unimpressed.

“Well, I gave your mom one. She thought I’d just brought coffees, not that they were a prop to win you back. So, there were four, but now, your mom is currently drinking one.”

The corner of her mouth scrunches up in a barely there smile, and I