The Carrero Effect - Falling for the Boss (Billionaire CEO)

Chapter 89

“Teenage Emma, only less aggressive.” She shrugs. “And yet so much changed … emotional … open, and honest … even warm.” She giggles with an apologetic expression.

“You make me sound like I was awful to be friends with.” I chide softly, guilt coursing through me again. I lower my lashes, ashamed in a way that I’ve been this way toward her for so long. So blind to it.

“You have your charms, Ems … You’ve no idea the allure you have, even when you’re acting the ice maiden.” She smiles. “There’s always a hint of something more in you … Like it’s just out of reach; I can see why Jake would pursue it … That elusive prize, always dangling out there, that door sitting ajar, waiting to be opened.” She grins at me, my face flushing with her version of how she sees me. It’s so disconnected with who I am. Who I think I am, and my mind reels.

Is she right? Does Jake see something worth chasing, worth holding on for, and trying to figure out?

“My messed-up brain.” I grimace sadly, she smiles back at me gently. Her eyes softening with understanding.

“Have you ever just come out and told him how you feel? He may surprise you.” She coaxes, placing a hand over mine once again.

Why have I never done this? With Sarah I mean, this female bonding, sharing our problems, being real and letting someone else figure out your heartbreak with you. That shoulder to lean on.

Because I’m incapable of showing people that I’m capable of being hurt, defensively protecting myself, always hiding. Jake has stripped me of my armor, slowly and surely.

“It’s too hard.” I admit sadly. “I’m scared all the time, Sarah … Scared of what he’ll say … Scared of what he’s thinking … feeling … He’s complicated, he sleeps around … He has women at every city we go to, always at arm’s length … He doesn’t do love and I couldn’t bear his rejection.” The words slice me open; I can’t think about these women he has sex with, the pain is too acute. She’s watching me carefully, sipping her cocoa and thinking.

“You think he wants to be with that girl though; Marissa?”

I push them down. I shift to cross my legs under the

the news about the baby?” she pushes gently, but I just shake my head and shrug, I really am bewildered about

didn’t seem happy … He closed up … Jake isn’t ready for that kind of commitment. He can’t even commit to a girl, let

all my

things. Having a father reject you and a mother who eternally put her own needs above you will do that to a person.

Sarah sighs heavily, mirroring how I feel; there isn’t anything much to say on this subject. We’ve dissected it all endlessly through three cups of

a brief reflective silence,

to contact you directly.” She pauses, hesitant for a second. “I spoke to her briefly, she’s doing well, her nurse is taking care of her.” She smiles at me gently. Sarah text me this all before and hadn’t been surprised at my non-responses to her messages.

my teeth and slide the mug on the table, full of too many hot drinks with nausea rising. Sarah raises an eyebrow, then lets my comment pass. I haven’t told her about Ray … About what happened in Chicago. I will, I promise myself to tell Sarah everything, just not right now. This

she asks instead, her bright blue eyes focused on my face. I’m avoiding it, looking at my hands in

her again? How can

there anymore. I have so many emotions about

the little girl?” Sarah asks as though reading my mind. I briefly told her, via text, and

through the process of being awarded a protection order, so she can stay with her new family without fear of being returned home. Her father will be prosecuted. She’s in counseling …” I sigh at Sarah. I have been

That damned Carrero charm.

for her what someone should have done for you, Ems.” Sarah is so direct and spot on that I snap my eyes to her, inhaling lightly. I want to deny it, want to brush

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