Total pages in book: 130
Estimated words: 123579 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 618(@200wpm)___ 494(@250wpm)___ 412(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 123579 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 618(@200wpm)___ 494(@250wpm)___ 412(@300wpm)
“You would choose that woman over your friends?” Hurt floods her eyes. “Over our friendship? You’ve known her what? All of two months? Been on a few dates?”
My phone vibrates in my pocket, and I slide it out to check the screen. I put an alert on Sofie’s name to keep abreast of what’s developing back in the States. These Collective meetings have consumed my attention and focus almost completely. The brief snatches of conversation with Sofie each day don’t come anywhere close to reassuring me that she’s okay. And I suspect she’s not telling me all that Kyle’s campaign is up to, how difficult they’re making things for her.
“Trevor, are you hearing me?” Henrietta asks.
I hold up a finger, silently asking for a reprieve from our battle royal so I can peer at my screen. My teeth clench at what I see.
Model Behavior: Details from a wild past continue to cast doubt on Sofie Baston’s allegations of misconduct by Kyle Manchester, frontrunner in next year’s U.S. Senate race.
The video that accompanies the article only affirms my suspicions. Sofie emerges from Jalene’s barre studio to face a clump of reporters, throwing questions at her, snapping photos, pressing to get a better shot. The huge guy at Sofie’s back can barely fend off the mass of people for the short distance from the studio to the black SUV waiting at the curb. Sofie’s face remains composed even in the midst of the chaos. She slips the hood of the sweatshirt she’s wearing with her leggings over her head, concealing her face. My Princeton sweatshirt.
These meetings and the delicate nature of the transition of power have required an inordinate amount of focus. I’ve always been that guy who doesn’t have to be in charge, but usually finds myself in that position nonetheless. And this week has been no different. Someone had to step into the leadership void left by Clarke’s arrest. One thing I’ve never been is hesitant.
Seeing the firestorm now surrounding Sofie in New York pushes me to the brink of that singular focus I’ve never had trouble maintaining. Frustration boils beneath the surface of the face I keep expressionless. I want to be there for her, with her. I want to hold her and reassure her that she’s doing the right thing, to make sure she’s not swayed by the dirt Kyle’s hurling at her head. I want to be there.
And I will.
“I’m going back to New York.” I flip my phone facedown on the table and prepare myself for all the objections Henri will make that won’t change my mind.
“We all are in three days.” Henrietta doesn’t look up from the dessert menu, but I know I have her attention.
“I’m leaving tomorrow after our last meeting.” I pour myself another glass of Vergelegen V. I need it.
Harold only nods, pushing away his plate and picking up the dessert menu. Henrietta drops her menu, eyes widen.
“You’re leaving early? But why? We have more meetings over the next couple of days.”
“All goodwill stuff. Checking on investments. Nothing new and nothing you two can’t handle.”
“You’re seriously going back to New York?” She lets out a scoffing laugh. “Weren’t you the one saying you couldn’t wait to be done with that city? Oh, let me guess. Now it holds a certain appeal.”
“Have I ever missed a meeting I needed to be in?” I run a steady hand over my face, exhaustion hitting me for the first time since we touched South African soil last week. “I’m tired, Hen. I’ve been going nonstop, and yes, I want to be there for Sofie. You may not believe she was raped—”
“I didn’t say I don’t believe her,” Henrietta says, her voice softer than it’s been. “Her past just makes things awkward.”
“Is it awkward that Kyle Manchester raped her when she was eighteen years old and she’s lived with that secret for fifteen years?” Just thinking of the story Sofie told Karen and Shaunti fans my anger, and I can’t keep it out of my voice. “It took her years before she could even be touched by a man without…never mind. Sofie doesn’t owe you an explanation, so I’m not making one for her.”
I stand to leave, stopped by Henrietta’s staying hand on my arm.
“It’s not that I don’t sympathize,” she says. “I do. I just don’t want this fling to jeopardize everything you’ve worked for.”
“Who says it’s a fling, Henri? What if it’s more? What if she’s the one?”
Henrietta closes her eyes and shakes her head.
“She’s not, Trevor. Not for a man like you.”
It sounds so much like the nonsense Sofie spouted before we left. I have to convince her that we are good together and that’s all that counts, but I don’t have to convince Henri.
“I think we all need some space.” I gently shake her hand from my arm. “You guys take the house for a few days when you get back. I’m sure you could use some time together without me around all the time.”