Which made him feel worse.
“You know, Nicole, Benjamin had a bright future. Of course, we were devastated when he decided not to go to medical school, but there were plenty of opportunities for him at Van Mont Industries. He was doing so well and then he just abandoned them. The family has worked so hard to build an important, successful business for the next generation. Why he’d want to leave it to start up some fly-by-night back alley boiler room is something his father and I will never understand.”
Nic offered a little laugh. “I don’t think it’s fair to compare Reed Financial Services to a boiler room. He’s been recognized several times by the city and in his industry.”
Fallon arched a brow. “That’s nice but he could’ve been chief financial officer of a multibillion-dollar company.”
“That’s not what I wanted,” he said flatly. He didn’t know why he even bothered. “I wanted to help people.”
Fallon waved off his response with her usual disdain. “Van Mont Industries is a multinational biopharmaceutical company. They help people all of the time.”
“From a distance. I wanted to be more involved. It’s the difference between teaching in medical school or practicing in the ER.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. You had the chance to help people on a global scale and you chose not to. It’s as simple as that.”
Nic stiffened next to him and narrowed her eyes. This time he grabbed her thigh beneath the table and squeezed.
Don’t do it.
She ignored his mental plea.
“Dr. Van Mont, I find your comments about Ben and his work peculiar.”
“Really?”
“Yes. He’s a good man. He’s hardworking and his firm is doing well. He may not be a doctor, but he does provide an important service to people who need it. But even if none of that were true, as his mother, you should be proud of him anyway.”
What was she doing? This was not in her best interests and it would not end well. He needed to intervene.
“It’s okay, Nic. She’s entitled to her opinion.” Fallon should love hearing that. She reminded him of it often enough. “Mother, it was good to see you. Please give Father my—”
“You’re offering me unsolicited parenting advice?” Fallon arched a sculpted brow at Nic. “Do you have children?”
Nic frowned. “No.”
“Then why do you presume to know my son better than I do?”
This was not good.
“Because I see him more than you do. I spend more time with him than you do. And from personal experience I can tell you that it takes more to parent a child than contributing DNA. Their presence, care, and consideration are also required. It seems you’ve been lacking on the latter three qualities.”
The silence between them was deafening. Suddenly, as if she’d just emerged from a trance, Nic’s mouth dropped open and horror seeped over her features with the realization of what she’d done.
She stood abruptly, her hip jostling the table. “Um, please excuse me.”
She turned and hurried down the street.
He leaped from his seat. “Nic, wait!”
“Let her go,” Fallon said, staring after Nic, her lips firmly downturned.
“She was upset on my behalf. Make the call. You said you would.”
He rushed after her. She moved fast for one so small. It took a block before he caught sight of her curly hair.
“Hey! Nic! Stop!”
She finally did, but so abruptly that several people quickly sidestepped her to avoid causing a pedestrian pileup.
The blood had drained from her face and her eyes were too wide and too bright. “What the fuck was I thinking? I just reprimanded Fallon Rothschild Van Mont!”
He was glad she wasn’t focused on him. She’d be pissed if she saw the smile he couldn’t suppress. “It was a novel experience.”
“I was so excited to meet her. Then she started being awful to you and saying the worst things and I remembered what you told me about your childhood. How could a mother not be proud of you?” She looked off into the distance, hugging herself while she absently stroked her upper arm with the opposite hand. “She’s never going to call Duke on my behalf.”
Probably not.
But there was a chance for another miracle. Because something extraordinary had already happened.
He pulled her into his arms. “No one’s ever done that for me before. You stood up to my mother. For me.”
Instead of melting into his embrace she pushed away from him. “Why didn’t you?”
Was Nic mad at him? “Why didn’t I what?”
“Stand up for yourself?” she said, her body rigid. “Why do you let her speak to you that way?”
He shrugged. “That’s who she is. I don’t let it bother me.”
“Oh my God! Do you always have to be so reasonable? With your mother putting you down. Your friends calling you Benji. Maybe you should let it bother you.”
“What do you expect me to do?”
“Get mad! Tell them off! Don’t just sit there and take it.”
He clenched his jaw. “Isn’t that what got you in this situation in the first place?”
“I’m not going to apologize for refusing to let people walk all over me.”
Is that what she thought he did?
“My mother’s angry because I’m not living my life the way she wants me to. How will yelling at her change that?”
“Maybe it won’t. But someone had to do something. Unlike you I couldn’t sit there and take it in silence. Clearly, I should have. If I’d kept my mouth shut, I wouldn’t have just fucked up my life.”
“You didn’t fuck up your life.”
“Just—” She took a step back and lifted her hands to ward him off. “I need some space. I’ll see you back at the house.”
“Nic—”
She shook her head then turned and walked away.
Great!
When he returned to the cafe to get Nic’s forgotten purchases, he was surprised to see his mother still sitting there.
“How close are you and Dr. Allen?”
He collapsed into a chair. “Why?”
“You implied you were asking this as a favor for an acquaintance, but it’s clear you know each other well. She seems to believe she knows you better than I do.”
“She does.” He raked a hand through his hair. “She’s one of my best friends.”
“And more, by the looks of it.”
From her hard eyes and tight expression he could tell Fallon was displeased. Dammit.
“I told you she was angry on my behalf. Don’t hold that against her.”
Fallon’s nostrils flared. “Why did she think you needed protection from me?”
Fuck, he was making it worse!
He braced his elbows on the table and dropped his forehead into his palms. He knew how much that fellowship meant to Nic, had witnessed firsthand her dedication and drive to meet her goals over the past three years. He’d promised to fix this for her and they’d been so close. The thought that he’d ruined her chances broke his heart. Her happiness, her success was as important to him as it was to her.
Because you love her.
Euphoria surged through him and he raised his head. He loved her. He loved Nic! He didn’t care about her job or whether she ticked the boxes on some imaginary wife checklist. She was funny, smart, beautiful, clever, caring . . . everything he could ever want in a woman.
He leaned forward, his heart acting as a paddle ball against his rib cage. “Mother, this was my fault.”
“Benjamin—”
“Nic is an exceptional doctor and a hard worker. She deserves that fellowship!”
Fallon shrugged. “Not if Duke wants to revoke their offer.”
He couldn’t let Nic lose this opportunity. He’d give anything he had to make it right. But what could he do? He had nothing his parents wanted—
A memory blossomed. “I’ll do it.”
Fallon paused,
the cup of coffee midway to her mouth. “Excuse me?”
His gaze was direct and determined. “If you call Dr. Newman on Nic’s behalf and ensure that she keeps her fellowship, I’ll come back to Van Mont Industries and run the foundation.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
What in the hell had she been thinking?
Nic swung back and forth in the hammock, ruminating on her visit with Ben and his mother. She couldn’t get past what she’d done. Dr. Van Mont had agreed to make the call on her behalf. Nic’s problem had been solved and in less than ten minutes, she’d blown it. All because she’d been unable to keep her opinions to herself.
But was she supposed to sit there and remain quiet in the face of her disrespectful comments? Anyone listening in would think Ben was some spoiled dilettante who’d blown his trust fund on frivolous and superficial interests. Nothing could be further from the truth. He was hardworking, generous, smart, and caring. Quite simply, he was the best man she’d ever known.
I hope so. Because it’d be shame if you ruined your chances for the fellowship because of some basic dude.
Fuck. That.
She’d earned that fellowship fair and square. And if they aimed to take it away from her, they’d better have a damn good reason. One that would stand up to public opinion or a judicial challenge. It was time to come clean to her friends. She would talk to Ava about her legal rights and get ideas from Caila about framing her story for the public. She couldn’t allow this to stand. She wouldn’t!
It took several seconds for the vibration against her hip to penetrate her righteous indignation. Pulling her phone from her pocket, she checked the caller ID.
Duke Med School, Durham, NC.
Shit.
They were persistent. This was the third time they’d called since the incident with Whitaker. Probably to officially confirm they’d revoked her acceptance. She didn’t know because they never left a message. She wasn’t avoiding them, per se. She’d wanted to wait until after the Van Monts had spoken to them, a part of her hoping a return call from her wouldn’t be necessary. But since she’d fucked that up . . .
Bracing a hand behind her, she did her best to sit up. It wasn’t easy. Damn hammock.
She took a deep breath and answered the phone. “Hello?”
“Dr. Allen?” A crisp, male voice.
“Yes.”
“I’m glad to finally talk to you. This is Dr. Newman from Duke’s Sports Medicine Surgery Fellowship.”
Her hand gripped the device tightly. “Yes, sir.”
“I wanted to touch base with you regarding your spot. This isn’t something I wanted to leave on a voice mail. Which is why it was important to me that we actually speak.”
Her chest felt compressed, making it difficult to breathe. Her heart beat out of control against her flattened palm. Tears burned the back of her eyes, but she refused to let them form and fall. No matter what this man told her, it wasn’t over.
“I wanted to personally assure you that your spot in this program is secure.”
Nic couldn’t contain her gasp and she covered her mouth with her free hand.
Dr. Newman continued. “I received a call from a Vincent Whitaker a couple of weeks ago. The specifics aren’t necessary but I made it clear that while I know how other programs work, I don’t make decisions based on outside influences.”
Her fingers trembled against her cheek and she closed her eyes in relief, letting those tears seep from beneath her lashes. Was this really happening?
“Although I have to say, getting a call from Dr. Fallon Van Mont is quite the outside influence and an unusual occurrence.”
“Dr. Van Mont called you?”
“She did. About an hour ago. Told me you were bright and hardworking and would be an asset to our program.”
Shock at that declaration almost curbed the swell of exultation sweeping through her.
“But I already knew that. From the moment I first received your application, I was impressed with your impeccable credentials and your phenomenal work record. And my opinion hasn’t changed.”
Yes! Yes! Yes! Her enthusiastic triple fist pump disturbed her precarious balance, causing her to fall back in the hammock, but she didn’t care. She still had her fellowship.
“Thank you so much, Dr. Newman.”
“No, thank you, Dr. Allen. I’ve been head of this program for twenty years. It’s been a while since I’ve been this energized by a fellowship class. I can’t tell you how excited I am to work with you. I look forward to seeing you in six weeks.”
“Yes, sir. See you then.”
She ended the call and swung forward in the hammock. When her feet touched the ground, she took off running across the lawn, up to the back patio, and through the French doors into the house.
She found Bronwen sitting on Palmer’s lap in the living room, both watching the same iPad screen.
“Is everything okay, Nic?” Bronwen asked, straightening.
“Have you seen Ben?”
Bronwen frowned. “I thought he was with you?”
Nic hadn’t seen Ben since she’d left him standing on the sidewalk after their argument. She’d wandered around until she’d seen a local bus. She hadn’t realized the Vineyard had public transportation. The bus didn’t drop her off in front of Palmer’s house, but it was close enough that she could walk the rest of the way.
“Not now,” Palmer whispered to Bronwen. He looked at Nic and jerked his thumb over his shoulder. “He went up to your room to pack.”
“Thanks. And everything’s wonderful,” she said, hurrying up the stairs.
She burst into their room and Ben looked up from where he was placing a stack of clothes into his opened suitcase.
She threw her arms wide. “I still have it!”
He made a face. “No one ever said you lacked confidence.”
She rolled her eyes. “Now’s not the time for witty wordplay. I’m talking about my fellowship! I. Still. Have it!”
She launched herself into his arms and he caught her and swung her around. She clutched his shoulders and threw her head back and laughed. The relief, the spinning, the euphoria, all combined to make her giddy . . . and dizzy.
“That’s wonderful! When did you find out?” he asked, setting her down.
She held on to his forearms, attempting to regain her balance. “Just now. Dr. Newman called.”
“I’m so happy for you,” he said, trailing a finger down her cheek.
“Guess what?” She was practically bouncing on her toes, she was so excited.
“Dr. Newman admitted you’re so awesome you don’t even need to complete the fellowship? He’ll give you the accreditation anyway?”
“No!” She popped his chest with the back of her fingers. “Your mother still called him, like she said she would, only it wasn’t necessary.”
He frowned. “What do you mean?”
“He said it’s what he wanted to tell me when he called last week. He said my spot in the program had never been in jeopardy. He had no intention of revoking my fellowship.”
He squeezed his eyes shut and the bottom dropped out of her stomach.
Was he annoyed with her? He’d gone to his parents for help and had endured a difficult encounter with his mother and a tongue-lashing—not the fun kind!—from her and none of it would’ve been necessary if she’d just taken Newman’s earlier calls.
But then Ben shook his head and when his lashes lifted, he smiled. “Turns out, you didn’t need my help. You saved yourself.” He cupped her cheek. “Like you always do.”
She gazed into his dark soulful—yes, she could finally admit they were soulful!—eyes and her heart fluttered before tumbling over and over, like it was falling down a flight of stairs.
She stepped into his personal space and brought her lips close to his. “You are a good man, Benjamin Reed Van Mont.”
Then she kissed him.
Desire spiraled in her belly as he pressed his hot, hard body against h
ers. She didn’t think she’d ever tire of his kisses. Strange but true. She reached for the hem of his shirt and pulled it off, exposing his yummy, tanned chest. She kissed the exposed skin, and began moving forward, pushing him backward until he fell back onto the bed. Staring down at him, with his flushed cheeks, his erection straining against his shorts, she realized the one negative in all of this was losing Ben.
And she didn’t want to. Couldn’t imagine him not being in her life.
She straddled his thighs. “You know, once I start my fellowship, I’ll be pretty busy.”
His hands slid beneath her shirt and up to cup her breasts. “I know.”
She arched into him. “But my schedule will be much better than it has been the past few years.”
His fingers pulled on her taut nipples just the way she liked. “Really?”
“Hmmmm,” she murmured, unbuttoning his shorts. “I might be able to manage monthly trips to Baltimore.”
“Could you now?”
“Then we wouldn’t have to stop doing this.” She slid her hand into his shorts and sighed when her palm met his hard length. She stroked him.
“Please, don’t stop doing that.”
She bent over him and kissed the pulse in his neck.
He moaned. “If you’re willing to do all of that, I guess I could also make monthly trips down to Durham.”
“Hmmm, then we could see each other every couple of weeks?”
His low chuckle stirred heat between her thighs. He grabbed her hips and pressed her against his hardness. “That would change the rules.”
“I know. I just don’t want this to end.”
“Me neither.” His eyes glittered, the flecks of amber glowing.
“Too long to drive, but it’s what? Probably an hour flight?”
“That’s doable.”
She smiled. “So are you.” She glanced over and spied his open suitcase on the bed. Yeah, that was going over the side. “I hate to mess up your neat packing, but what I want to do to you requires a lot of room. I promise I’ll redo it for you before we leave tomorrow.”
He exhaled. “Yeah, about that. Unfortunately, I have to fly to New York tonight for a couple of days. But don’t worry, you’re still confirmed for your flight home.”
Like Lovers Do Page 23
