Final Offer (Dreamland Billionaires #3) by Lauren Asher

Before I exit the bedroom, I check the drawers and closet for anything I might have missed. I nearly forgot the folded piece of yellow construction paper that I kept on top of my nightstand. With a shaky hand, I open Cami’s card one more time.

Get better, Cow-L.

I trace the curve of the wonky heart before tucking it away in my backpack. The door across from mine remains closed, so I shut mine softly behind me and take off toward Cami’s room on the other side of the house. There is no way I can’t say goodbye to her.

Lana might not like it, but I can’t go off to rehab letting her kid think I abandoned her. The thought of her thinking I disappeared without caring enough to say goodbye is a punishment I can’t bear taking.

Cami is curled into a ball underneath her covers, clutching her stuffed lamb to her chest. She looks so at peace compared to her usual wild self when she is awake.

The ache in my chest that hasn’t gone away since yesterday returns, stronger than ever before. Missing Cami will be inevitable. The kid has grown on me, and it feels like I’m leaving a piece of my heart behind with her.

You’ll be back.

I swallow past the thick lump in my throat and shake Cami awake. Merlin jumps off the bed with a hiss before darting underneath it.

“Cow-l?” she rasps. Her hair resembles an eighties’ hairspray commercial with the strands forming a helmet around her head.

“Hey.” My smile is weak at best, but I try my hardest to stay strong for her.

She blinks a few more times to rid the sleep from her eyes. “What’s wrong?”

“I wanted to say bye.”

Her frown is instant. “Bye? Why?”

“I’m going away for a bit.”

“Where?”

I reach for my backpack and pull out the card. “Remember when I told you I was sick?”

She nods.

“I’m going to go see a doctor so that way I’m not sick anymore.”

Her small lips form a small O.

I take her small hand in mine and give it a squeeze. “When I’m feeling better, I’ll come back for you and your mom.”

“How long will you be gone?” Her glassy eyes shred whatever last bit of dignity I have.

You can’t help hurting everyone you love.

It’s a curse I plan on breaking, but a curse nonetheless.

“I’m not sure how long I’ll be away.” It depends on a lot of different things, all of which have to do with me.

She shocks me as she launches herself into my arms and wraps hers around my neck with a tight squeeze. “I don’t want you to go.”

Between her and Lana, I’m not sure if my heart will make it through this week without being ripped to shreds.

I rub her back. “I know.”

She sniffles, making my chest tighten.

“I’m going to miss you.” Her voice shakes.

God, if I don’t get out of here soon, I’m going to end up not leaving at all. “I’m going to miss you too.”

“You promise to come back?” She peeks up at me with tear-soaked lashes.

I swipe away the tears, erasing the evidence of her sadness. “I promise.”

She releases a heavy sigh, and the tension in her shoulders deflates.

“I have a favor to ask you though.” I tuck her card back into my backpack before zipping it up.

Her eyes widen. “Me?”

“Yup.”

“What is it?”

I put on a serious face, like my very life depends on her. “Will you take care of Merlin for me?”

She gasps. “You’re leaving him here?”

My throat feels all scratchy. “Yup. I can’t take him with me, so I need you to be in charge.” And that way, I have a valid reason to return, whether Lana wants me to or not.

Am I using my cat to convince Lana to see me again? Absolutely.

Do I feel bad about it? Not in the slightest, although I’ll be sure to have food and supplies delivered to the house while I’m gone so she doesn’t have to pay for a thing.

She stands tall and salutes me. “I’ll take cares of him.”

“And be sure to take care of your mom for me too.”

Her head tilts, the tiny frown lines in her face making her look older than six years old. “Do you love love Mommy?”

“I love love your mommy more than anything. That’s why I’m going to go get help.”

Her whole face lights up from whatever idea is brewing within that busy head of hers. “What if we go with you?”

Shit. All it takes is one shake of my head to have her smile falling.

“No. I wish you could, but this is something I’ve got to do on my own.” I give her one last hug before rising.

“But you’ll be back,” she states.

“I’ll be back—for you and your mommy.”

“Pinky promise?” She holds out her pinky with a wobbly smile.

I lock our pinkies together and shake on it. “Pinky promise.”

I give her one last kiss on the top of her head before turning around. My step falters as I take in Lana leaning against the doorframe, her eyes dark and her scowl unwavering.

“Hi, Mommy!”

She looks over at Cami. “You’re up early.” Her voice doesn’t sound accusatory, but the glare she sends my way is.

“Cow-l woke me up.” Cami throws me under the bus.