by Holly Jaymes
I stood in the room, completely dumbfounded.
“The house is set up for voice commands, and other smart features, including monitoring from your phone while you’re away. I left all the literature on the counter in the kitchen,” Gabe said, leaning against the doorframe as I toured the room.
“Amazing.” I went to the closet and opened it. Because it was a one-and-a-half story cape cod style home, the closets weren’t huge, but Gabe had maximized the space with shelves and other closet organizers.
“About the deal with Nate.”
“He delivered beyond my wildest dreams,” I said. I wondered if I was dreaming. I couldn’t wait to bring my parents over. “When can I move in?”
When Gabe didn’t answer, I turned to him. His expression was a mixture of disappointment and disbelief.
“What?”
He looked like he might say something, but then stopped himself. He held out a set of keys. “We need to do the punch list, but here are the keys. You should be able to move in this weekend. I’ll leave the extra key on the counter in the kitchen when we’ve done the final walkthrough.”
“Really Gabe, this is magnificent. Thank you so much.”
I went to hug him again, but he walked away, and I couldn’t help but think he was upset at me. I couldn’t imagine why.
I followed him downstairs but told him I wanted to stay in the house a little longer.
He stared at me again, and I felt like maybe I wasn’t adequately appreciative. I started to tell him again how wonderful this was, but he said his goodbyes and left.
I sat down in the new leather couch in the living room, looking out the window feeling like I was in a dream. I needed to call Nate and thank him. What a wonderful gift. No, not gift. This was exactly what he said he’d do for me. It was part of our deal. So not a gift but definitely a surprise.
I pulled out my phone to call him, but then I remembered what he’d said on the phone, to who I now guessed was Gabe.
“I can’t move on until this deal with Hallie is done.”
There was a reason that Gabe called and showed me the house and not Nate. Now that the home was done, so was Nate. If I’d wondered before whether Nate had any feelings for me, I was now certain he didn’t. A man who cared for me would have wanted to share this with me himself. Instead, he had his brother do it.
The house was done, and Nate was already moving on.
Book 2: Chapter 19—Acting Normal
Chapter Nineteen: Acting Normal
Nate
I was a pussy. To be relieved that Hallie wasn’t in the office when I arrived back from the lab proved it. I was a big ass man with tattoos, but I was afraid to see my assistant. What other word was there for that except pussy? Coward. Gabe’s word came back to me. Pussy coward. That was it.
I hated that I couldn’t face her, and yet, I didn’t trust myself not to do something crazy. Gabe had said the scariest thing he’d ever done was open up to Samantha, but anyone could have seen that Sam was head over heels for Gabe. He wasn’t taking a risk. Me on the other hand? The fact that Hallie could leave without a word suggested to me she saw our relationship as a business deal with benefits. A deal that was now done.
Clair told me Hallie had gotten a call from Gabe and then later headed out to her home. Good. I was glad he took over that project. I owed him one. Still, I wondered what she thought when she arrived at the house and saw that it was done. Would she like the work? Did it fit with her vision? Would her parents find it comfortable? Maybe I should have been there after all, but I realized that thought came from a hope that seeing what I’d done would change her feelings for me. But that was stupid. What I did was meet my end of our deal.
I entered my office and took care of the checklist of items that came up while I was at the lab. It was nearly seven in the evening when I finished, and for a moment I looked for more work until I admitted I was avoiding going home. I didn’t want to face Hallie, but neither did I want to face an empty house. Fuck. I really did feel like it was a divorce.
I was putting my coat on to go home when Gabe’s number popped up on my phone.
“Gabe, hi.”
“Hey, sorry I didn’t call sooner, but Samantha wasn’t feeling very well tonight, so dinner was on me tonight.”
“Morning sickness?” I asked as I headed out of my office and to the elevator.
“More like afternoon sickness. We’re told it’s normal, but fuck, Nate, I hate seeing her like that.”
Add asshole to my list of self-recriminations. Gabe had his own life to deal with, I shouldn’t have him dealing with mine.
“Anyway, I met with Hallie today. She seemed happy with the house.”
“Happy?” I poked the elevator button for the ground floor.
“I think in shock was more like it. She stayed behind when I left her, but told her not to move in until the weekend. We’ve got a few more little things and the yard. Do you still want all that garden stuff like in your backyard? The pool seems like enough.”
“Yes. Whatever she said she wanted.”
“Alright.”
There was something in his voice that had me pausing as I exited the building. “Something wrong?”
“Nah. It’s just…”
“Just what?”
“She seemed grateful to me, but…I don’t know…it was like it was only a business deal to her.”
“It was a business deal.” Even so, my heart tore a little bit more. It verified my belief that while she might have enjoyed our time together, her goal was her home and family. As it should be, I reminded myself. After all, one of the things I loved about her was her commitment to her family.
“Yeah, except you developed feelings for her.”
Not wanting to get into a discussion about my falling for a woman who didn’t fall back, I said, “Life sometimes sucks, Gabe.”
He gave a small laugh, “I should be consoling you about that fact, not the other way around.”
I walked to my car, “I’ll get over it. It’s not like I don’t have other things to focus on. As do you, so I should let you go.”
“Yeah. Sam’s in the tub. I should check on her.”
“One more thing,” I said as I got into my car, “at dinner on Sunday—”
“Say no more. Whatever you tell the family, I’ll go along with.”
“Thanks.”
“Although I don’t like lying, so keep it close to the truth.”
“I will. Thanks again, Gabe. I owe you one.” I put on my seatbelt and drove home. I sat in the garage for a moment, not wanting to enter an empty house. Love really did suck.
I spent the evening working some more just to pass the time and distract myself from the fact that I still saw Hallie everywhere in the house - even her scent lingered. Tomorrow I’d ask my cleaning service to do an emergency visit. Their cleansers would certainly get rid of the essence of Hallie.
The next morning, I went through my regular morning routine - swim, coffee on the porch, shower, and then off to work. I wondered if there would ever come a day that I didn’t miss Hallie standing on my porch with her bright smile to greet me when I got out of the pool.
I arrived at work just before eight and went straight to my office. Checking my calendar, I had a call with my bank at ten about the last two days of trading of the stock. It made me remember that Hallie and my deal was done. My company had a successful first-day opening, and her home was rebuilt - terms of the fake marriage agreement were met. Now we needed a quiet divorce. I hadn’t really thought that part through. I wasn’t really concerned about the public response, but I worried about how the office would respond. Hopefully, if Hallie and I could continue to get along, everyone else would follow suit.
I checked my watch. Eight-thirty. Hallie was probably here. I couldn’t put off seeing her any longer. Still being a coward, I asked Clair to let her know I wanted to see her.
A few moments later, there was a knock on my door. I inhaled a breath to steel
my nerves.
“Come in,” I stood as the door opened.
“You wanted to see me.”
Jesus, fucking Christ…I was nowhere near ready to face her. My instinct was to hold her and ask her to come home with me. She wore her long red locks in a ponytail that gave her a carefree look. I didn’t get the sense she had a drunken or sleepless night like I’d had the last two nights.
It was like it was only a business deal to her. Gabe’s observation came back to me. And my response. It was a business deal.
“Hallie, come in.” I motioned for her to sit in the chair in front of my desk, and I sat back down in mine behind the desk.
“Thank you so much for taking care of my house. It’s beautiful,” she smiled, but it wasn’t quite as bright as I remembered.
“It was the deal,” The words felt like broken glass in my throat.
“Yes,” she looked down for a moment. When she looked up, she gave me that same forced smile, “What was it you needed?”
I cleared my throat, “Well, now that the terms are met, we need to officially fake divorce.”
She nodded.
“I’d thought we should pretend a little longer—”
Her head jerked up, and her eyes widened with surprise, “You did?”
“Yes, but I’m thinking we don’t have to drag this out. You’ve got your home and parents to deal with. At this point, even if it gets out to the public about us, I don’t think it will have any long effect on the stock.”
“The time out period,” she said.
“Yes. We have that at least, and when it’s done, any dip, if there is one, should have recovered.”
“As long as you behave,” she playfully wagged a finger at me.
Look what behaving got me. My heart was fucking mincemeat in my chest. But I’d toe the line. Truth was, I had no interest in going back to my old ways.
Not wanting to respond to her banter, I said, “What I want to avoid is a situation in which things in the office get weird.”
“Between us?”
“Yes, but the staff as well. I don’t want them picking sides and causing problems.”
“What do you suggest?” she asked.
How about we don’t fake divorce and instead really date? “Perhaps just an announcement that we’d been impulsive and while we still respect each other, marriage wasn’t a good idea.”
She stared at me for a moment, and I wondered if maybe she didn’t like that idea. Maybe she wanted to stay fake married. I shook my head free of that thought. I really needed to get control of my fantasies.
Then she nodded, “If that’s what you think would be best. I won’t cause problems.”
“I’d like for you and me to go back to how we were. We both got what we wanted, but I hope I didn’t ruin a good working relationship with you in the end.”
She waved her hand like my concern was nothing, “I can go back to that.”
I hoped to hell I could too.
“Now if Allison drops by again you won’t have to avoid her,” she said cheerfully.
I frowned, “I told you I’m not interested in her.” Was she still hung up on that?
“If you were, you’d be free to see her.”
Negative energy had me standing and turning away from her. I looked out the window but didn’t see the Virginia landscape.
“Well, I should probably get back to work. You have a conference call at ten with the bank about the stock.”
“Yes.”
“Would you like me to sit in on that?” she asked.
Jesus, she could just go back to how it was before. How did she do that?
“Yes.”
There was a long pause, “Anything else, Mr. Sloane?”
I closed my eyes at her formality. The transformation back to before was complete. I wish I knew her secret. I forced my reply, “No. Thank you, Ms. Thorne.”
Book 2: Chapter 20—Moving On
Chapter Twenty: Moving On
Hallie
I went back to my office, locking the door and promptly broke down crying. Again. For a moment, when he’d said he thought we should carry on this fake marriage, I had thought maybe he still wanted to be with me. But then he suggested we tell the staff of our fake divorce. I tried to keep a happy brave face, but it was hard because my heart was shattering in my chest. Did all the women Nate had been with end up feeling like this?
I knew from his reaction to Allison that trying to win his affection was futile. At least he valued my work and wanted to keep me around. I tried not to feel worse at the idea that he didn’t seem to be bothered at seeing me every day now that we weren’t going to be pretend married or really spending time together. Me, I wasn’t sure how I was going to survive working with him. Would heartbreak be a part of my everyday life from now on? Wake up, brush teeth, get dressed, go to work, cry? Regardless, I had little choice at this point, so I would soldier on, and hopefully, my heart would heal or at least become numb around him.
I worked on items Clair had given me via Nate to work on. I didn’t know why he was using her as a go-between. Did he think it would make our transition back to normal easier? Did he have a sense that I cared for him, and he wanted a buffer?
The reason didn’t matter, so I focused on the work. I noted that Nate was stepping up research around multiple sclerosis. I wished he could come up with a cure or at least something that would slow down the disabling effects of the disease. But even if he did, it would be years of research, testing, and then FDA approval before a drug would make it to market. Would my mom survive that long?
Just before ten, I was back in his office with folders from the IPO and a notepad. Dave, Nate’s lawyer arrived as well.
“How’s the missus?” he gave me a wink.
I smiled but didn’t answer. I wondered if or when Nate would tell him about our fake marriage ending.
The call came through with the bank and other IPO team members. The good news was that the stock was performing well, which meant Nate would have the money to expand his research. The downside of that was that he’d now be beholden to investors who wanted to see profits. Chances were, there wouldn’t be any more unpatented formulas or free drugs.
“This is all good, Nate,” Dave said when the call ended. “Why don’t you look happier about this?”
Nate cast a glance to me, then to Dave, “I am happy. Just ready to get to work.”
Dave stood, “Well, then, I’ll be off.”
“Actually, can you stay for a minute? I have something private to discuss with you,” Nate turned to me, “that will be all…Ms. Thorne.”
I swallowed my sadness, but mustered a smile as I stood, “Yes, Mr. Sloane.”
“What’s up?” Dave asked, looking from me to Nate. I didn’t know what Nate was going to talk to him about, but I suspected it was that we weren’t fake married anymore and to make sure it didn’t hurt the stock at least in the long run.
I went back to my office and did my work as usual, except, of course with a broken heart, and at the end of the day, I drove to my parents' home.
Mom had dinner ready when I arrived, “I made your favorite, honey, to cheer you up.”
“Cheer me up? I’m fine.” Did moms have a sixth sense?
“Your mouth says that, but your face says something different,” my father said as he came into the kitchen. Perhaps he was telepathic too.
“Just a lot going on at work. With the IPO, Na--Mr. Sloane is pushing to get more research and development going. Plus, I’m really happy about my house and want to bring you with me this weekend to see it.” I kissed my mom on the cheek and then opened the drawer to get silverware for setting the table.
“You don’t need to bother with us. You’ll want to enjoy your home again yourself.”
I knew they wouldn’t want to move in with me right away, so I decided I’d introduce it in stages. First, I wanted them to see how my home could make their lives easier. Then we’d have to begin going through their home
to cull stuff they didn’t need and organize the items they wanted to keep. After that, I’d move them in.
“Oh please, you have to come see it at least,” I used my begging tone to let them know it was important to me. “I want to show it off.”
“Well, if you’re sure,” my mother said, putting the dinner on a cart that she rolled to the dining table in the kitchen.
“I am. I can’t wait for you to see it,” I hoped they bought my forced excitement.
“You say you can talk to the house?” my father asked, helping my mother transfer the food from the cart to the table.
“Yes. It’s amazing. Please come with me.”
“Well, of course we will,” my mother squeezed my arm. “Now, let’s eat.”
The pot roast and potatoes were perfect as usual. It had been my favorite as a kid, and while I still enjoyed it, I couldn’t say it was my favorite anymore. I didn’t tell my mom that, though.
“Will you be moving back to your home this weekend?” my father asked. “We have some old furniture if you need it.”
“I was thinking I’d move, so you don’t have to fuss over me anymore.”
“It’s no fuss,” my mother huffed.
“As far as furniture, that’s taken care of,” I said.
“Really?” My father’s expression shone with surprise. “You must have some top-level insurance to cover all that.”
I smiled and nodded. They didn’t know about my deal with Nate. They’d probably be disappointed in me, especially if they learned I’d fallen for him.
I enjoyed the evening with my parents. After they went to bed, thoughts of Nate invaded my mind, and I wondered how I’d be able to live alone and not be consumed by missing him. Maybe I needed to move my parents sooner, or stay here longer so I’d have the distraction at least some of the time. Seriously. How did people ever get over heartbreak?
The next few days felt normal, except, of course, for the hole in my chest. Nate and I were back to our same routine pre-fake marriage. A part of me wondered how he could so easily go from living and sleeping with someone back to being boss and assistant. I knew every inch of his body. I’d traced every tattoo with my finger, my tongue. He knew every inch of me. And yet, he acted like we’d never been intimate. How’d he do that?
