Page 5 of Snow

Nova squeezed him back. “I will.”

He released her, and she grabbed her stuff and slung her bag over her shoulder.

“If you want to escape your family brunch, you know that you are always welcome at mine and Laney’s place.”

She smiled. “Thanks.”

He grinned and waved as she turned and walked toward the exit. As she pushed through the gym’s heavy glass door into the cool Salt Lake City air, she replayed Joaquin’s words. Perhaps it was time to start listening to herself rather than to everyone else.

She had a lot to think about, not to mention a lot of planning to do if she was seriously thinking about making a clean break. But until she finalized any plan, she would continue to play the obedient daughter and girlfriend.

CHAPTER THREE

Nova stepped out of the coffee shop just down the street from Rick’s building. The warmth of her chai tea seeped through the paper cup and into her fingers as the crisp spring air brushed her cheeks. The city was quiet, with just a low hum of traffic and the occasional chatter of early holiday risers, yet her mind was still tangled in the conversation she’d had with Joaquin after their workout.

Her muscles felt loose and strong, the endorphins leaving a lingering glow of accomplishment, but beneath that surface calm, questions lingered. Joaquin’s words about direction and purpose had settled deep, nudging her to consider the path she was on.

As for her relationship with Rick, she knew that Joaquin was right. She deserved someone who would cherish her, who would see her as more than a pawn in some career game. Someone loyal, respectful, and compassionate.

She bit down hard on her bottom lip, pushing away the ugly thought clawing at her chest. Deep down, she knew Rick wasn’t with her because he loved her. For one, he had never even said those words to her. But in his defense, she hadn’t either. She cared for him, but there was no love. And lately, they had been drifting apart, only spending time together in public when there were cameras around.

She had her own dreams. The ones she never even got to chase. Every time she worked another late night drafting contracts or battling mergers that she didn’t give a damn about, she felt a little piece of herself die.

Even if she found the courage to leave, she felt her parents would find a way to pull her back in. Disappointment from them would be inevitable. But honestly, she didn’t even understand why they were so dead set against her following her own path.

Each step toward the gleaming tower where Rick’s penthouse sat seemed heavier. Too many questions and not enough answers swirled through her mind, and the decisions looming ahead felt impossible to ignore any longer.

She exhaled sharply as she pushed through the sleek glass doors of Rick’s building.

“Good morning, Miss Hart,” the doorman said as she walked into the lobby.

“Morning, Benji! Happy Easter,” she replied with a smile.

“Likewise, Ma’am.”

The lobby gleamed with marble floors, modern furniture, and expensive, gaudy accents. It was a little obnoxious in her opinion.

She snorted a laugh, thinking that it was just like Rick.

Rick was born with a silver spoon in his mouth. Hell, his whole life was handed to him on a silver platter. His parents had paved every step of his path, from elite prep schools to a fully funded ride through Harvard Law. He never worked a day in his life until he was hired at her father’s firm.

His parents purchased his penthouse outright in the most exclusive high-rise in Salt Lake, complete with a concierge, valet, and a rooftop spa. He had a maid who came in three times a week to clean. Everything had to be top-of-the-line, like designer suits, imported wine, and custom furniture. Rick didn’t just like luxury. He breathed it. And worst of all, he acted as if it were normal. As if everyone lived that way.

Nova jabbed the elevator button and rode up to the twenty-second floor. She leaned against the wall with her arms crossed tightly over her chest. She stared at her reflection in the mirrored walls. Despite the turmoil going through her mind, she looked alive, probably from the earlier workout.

The elevator beeped, signaling it had reached the floor. She dug her key out of her gym bag as she stepped into the hallway and headed to Rick’s door.

She inserted the key, and when the lock clicked open, she slipped inside.

She barely glanced around as she headed straight for the dining room table, where a manila envelope sat, just like her father said it would.

Nova grabbed the envelope and turned to leave, not wanting to be there longer than she had to. She had taken two steps when she heard a low, masculine voice, followed by a feminine giggle. Then a loud moan.

Nova froze. The envelope slipped from her fingers and hit the floor with a soft thud.

There was no mistaking what that sound was.

No. No. Rick wouldn’t do that. Or would he? After all, half the men at the firm cheated on their wives and girlfriends. She had just been stupid enough to think Rick was different.