Atlas pushed open the heavy metal doors and rushed into the lobby. Sweat beaded down his forehead as he searched for the one face he needed to see.
Jasmine. There she was, wrapped in a group hug from her family. They’d been here all along. She wasn’t alone.
Bently seemed to notice him first, his shoulders bunching as he stepped in front of Jasmine protectively. Mikel and Andre were soon to follow as all eyes pointed at him. The conversation was swallowed up by stunned silence. Even the kids seemed aware of the tension.
“What do you want?” Bently asked.
Jasmine peeked her head out from behind the giants standing guard before she stepped beside them.
“Can we talk?”
Her chest rose and fell before she nodded.
“Mr. Atlas! You didn’t say goodbye.” Zoey pushed forward, her big grey eyes saddened.
“I—”
Jasmine spun around, crouching to face Zoey. “Sweetheart, can you go with Uncle Bently to the car? I think he needs someone to hold his hand.”
Zoey’s eyebrows scrunched together as she looked critically between her mother and uncle. “I guess so.”
Bently held out his palm. “Come on. We’ll find somewhere to get lunch after this with ice cream.”
“Ice cream!” Her face lit up.
Lyra and Phoenix cheered with her as the group filed away. All adult sets of eyes cut him a warning glare, the equivalent to hurt her anymore and die a slow, painful death.
He nodded. Message received.
Jasmine turned to him, looking over at the lone receptionist pretending not to listen in. Atlas motioned across the other end of the room by the trickling water fountain. They walked side by side in silence until they were farther away.
He blew out a breath, searching for the right words to say. But there were none. “I’m sorry doesn’t feel adequate.”
She met his eyes, a newfound confidence glowing from her. “I really try not to care what people think of me, but I need you to know nothing between us was a lie. I meant everything.”
“I did too.”
Her expression softened as she looked down, like she wasn’t sure what to believe. He deserved that.
“I was in a really bad place when I met Oliver.”
His muscles tensed and his chest squeezed. He didn’t want to hear about his brother, but if she needed to get this out, he’d let her.
“Random sex with strangers was my way of hurting myself because I thought I deserved the punishment. But Zoey came along and changed my whole world. She showed me how to love myself . . . But you, you were never a punishment for me. Being with you was something I’ve never experienced before. So, thank you for showing me I’m not as broken as I think sometimes.”
His hands reached out to cup her face. His self-control snapped. Pain lanced through him at the thought of this beautiful woman hurting so much. And I made it worse. “You’re not broken. You’re the strongest woman I’ve ever had the privilege of knowing. Baby, you’re so beautiful and genuine. Zoey is every bit of the amazing girl she is because of you, and only you. I’m so fucking sorry I ever did anything that would make you doubt that.”
She closed her eyes, her body trembling against his.
“I can’t begin to apologize for what I said to you that day at the inn. I lied. What we had between us was everything and more. I originally came there to buy the inn, but I gave up on that before we were together.”
Her eyes opened—green orbs piercing to the depths of his soul. “You said you were in this regardless of what that meant. And then . . .” Tears welled in her eyes, a direct hit to his ragged heart.
“And then I left you when you needed me most. I walked away.” His voice broke.
She nodded. “For a long time, I settled for a lot less. But I won’t do that anymore. Zoey deserves a man in her life who won’t run when things get tough. And so do I. We deserve someone who will love us through the storms because trust me, I’ve got plenty of ghosts in my past.”
“You deserve the world,” he agreed.
“Atlas?” Her gaze searched his. The question hung in the air between them. Could he give her that? Yes. But he’d already gone back on his word. She deserved to be shown through his actions. He’d make this right.
“Can I say goodbye to Zoey?” he asked.
Jasmine stepped back, cringing away in rejection. Her eyes darted to the floor before she nodded.
Shit. He reached out his hand to her shoulder. “If you think for one goddamn second I don’t want you, you’re wrong.”
Her attention focused back on his face.
“I’m coming for you, Jasmine. I’m gonna prove just how much I’m in this. I’m gonna earn your forgiveness, and a place in your and Zoey’s life. Then I’m going to spend my days making sure the both of you know just how important and worthy and amazing you truly are.”
She blinked, tears falling. Fear and disbelief were painted across the curves and contours of her face.
It’s okay, sweetheart. I’ll show you.
“Now, let me give that girl a proper goodbye for now.”
She turned and walked towards the elevator. He followed her in before riding it down to the parking garage. He stayed by her side as she led him to the two SUVs parked side by side. Jasmine opened the door of the one closest to them, children’s laughter pouring out.
“Zoey? Atlas wanted to say bye.”
A moment later, a dark-haired angel climbed out of the vehicle, holding her mother’s hand. She looked up at him with a soft smile. “Goodbye, Mr. Atlas.”
He crouched down to her level. “You can call me Atlas if you want.”
She tipped her head to the side.
“I’ll see you again sometime soon, okay?”
“Otay.”
“Until then, can you do me a favor?” he asked.
“What?”
“Give your mommy an extra hug and kiss every night for me.”
Zoey giggled, looking at her mother. “I fink I can do dat.”
“Have a good trip home, princess.”
Zoey surged forward, wrapping her tiny arms around his neck and squeezing hard. Atlas’s eyes widened in shock. She’s hugging me. He smoothed his hand over her back, cherishing the connection. His eyes darted up to Jasmine’s as she wiped her eyes.
“Okay, sweetheart. We need to get going,” Jasmine said.
Zoey released his neck and pecked him on the cheek.
Jasmine picked her up and put her back in the SUV. “Buckle up.” She shut the door.
“Jasmine, I—”
“Atlas?” Veronica’s voice echoed in the garage, grating on his nerves. He closed his eyes, wishing her away.
“Oh, aren’t you that innkeeper? What are you doing in New York City of all places?” Veronica eyed Jasmine up and down.
“What are you doing here, Veronica?” Atlas snapped, stepping in between the women.
Veronica rubbed her glossy lips together. “I have an appointment with your mother in fifteen minutes to discuss the engagement dinner for us, silly.”
Jasmine’s gasp pushed him over the edge into rage. He spun around, palms up. “It’s not true.”
“I have the confirmation right here, and a few sample invitations in my bag if you want to see,” Veronica pushed.
“Don’t you think I’d know if I was engaged?” he snapped.
Veronica rolled her eyes and held up the paper. “I know you’ll have your mistresses from time to time, but come on, Atlas. You can do better than her.”
His fists clenched. Seething with anger, he grabbed the invitation and ripped it down the middle. “There. Will. Be. No. Fucking. Engagement. Between. Me. And. You. I don’t know how many fucking ways I can say it.”
“What the fuck is going on?” Bently asked, coming around the front of the car.
“We need to go,” Jasmine said.
“Wait, please,” he begged.
Bently wrapped an arm around Jasmine protectively.
Jasmine shook her head and opened the door, climbing inside.
He wanted to reach out and stop her. Everything had gone to hell. Bently shut the door behind her, folding his arms over his chest. “Leave my sister alone.”
“I love her.”
Veronica gasped.
Bently’s gaze turned to Veronica and then back to him. “I want to believe you, man, but nothing you’ve done proves your words true. If you ever bother my sister again and hurt her . . . Let’s just say, you’ve been warned.” He walked back to the driver’s side and got in, then backed the car out before disappearing from the garage.
“Our parents have planned this since we were kids. Why would you risk everything for some small-town bitch?” Veronica snarled.
He whipped around, stepping into her space. She winced.
“I don’t give a fuck what my family wants. I wouldn’t marry you if my life depended on it.”
“You’ll lose everything,” she threatened.
He scoffed. “I already walked away. I just quit the company before I came down here. Guess you won’t want that engagement party now either since all you really cared about was my money and connections.”
“You’re lying. You don’t have the balls.”
He threw his hands up. “I don’t care what you believe. It’s the truth.”
She looked frantically around the garage and then back to him. “That woman won’t want you now either. What do you have to offer her if your hands are empty?” She huffed and stormed off to the elevator.
Atlas ran a hand over his face. Fuck. How was he going to fix this? How would Jasmine be able to trust him again? This was the exact drama he’d wanted to keep her out of. But Veronica had a point. Who was he without his money and power? Was Jasmine better off without him? He glanced at the elevator. There was no way he was going back there. What was he going to do?