Unplanned Love

by Sharon C. Cooper

  He gave his head a slight shake. Her issues weren’t his problem. She wasn’t his problem. Only a fool would keep subjecting himself to the heartache Charlee tended to cause.

  And I must be a fool. Because going after her was exactly what Liam wanted to do, but he stayed put. Whatever was going on, he planned to…

  “I always wondered what happened between you and my daughter,” Kingslee said, snapping Liam out of the trance that Charlee had unknowingly left him in.

  Liam gave himself a mental head slap at being caught staring after Charlee. He didn’t know how much Kingslee knew about their relationship, but he had no intention of sharing anything.

  He had always been a private person, never wanting anyone in his business. Not even his nosey family knew about his short courtship with Charlee. Well, most of his family didn’t know. His cousin, Jerry, found out over a year ago, but he hadn’t shared Liam’s big secret. That he was once engaged to be married to Charlee.

  “A couple of years ago, shortly after you and Charlee met,” Kingslee started as he sat at the head of the long conference table, “Charlee had mentioned going to dinner with you. Needless to say, I was pleased. The thought of her dating my mentor’s grandson was more than I could hope for.”

  According to the stories Liam had heard, his grandfather, Steven Jenkins, and Kingslee had met during a meeting. A meeting that Kingslee had pulled together with several heads of construction companies in Cincinnati to discuss equipment needs. Since then, Kingslee and Liam’s grandfather had been good friends and even golfing buddies.

  “But whenever I questioned Charlee about the relationship,” the old man continued, “she’d in so many words tell me to butt out.” He chuckled, gesturing for Liam to take the seat in the chair to the right of him.

  Liam pulled his laptop out of the bag and set it on the table before taking the seat that Kingslee pointed to. The last thing he wanted to discuss was Charlee, especially since he was there on business.

  “At the time, she was happier than I had ever seen her, which was all I ever wanted. Then a few months later, something had changed. No matter how many times I tried to get her to talk about her personal life, she shut me out.” He looked Liam in the eyes. “What happened between you two?”

  Liam wondered why the guy was asking now. Jenkins & Sons Construction had done a couple of projects for him over the last few years, and Liam had seen him during some of those times. Not once did her father question him about Charlee. Why now?

  “You’ll have to ask your daughter,” he said and glanced at his watch. “Nick should be up here shortly. Then we can get started.” His cousin, the manager of Jenkins & Sons Construction, had met Liam there, but before they entered the building, Nick had gotten a call that he had to take.

  After a slight hesitation, Kingslee said, “So it’s like that, huh?”

  Liam met his amused gaze. “Yes, sir.” As far as he was concerned, conversations about Charlee or his personal life during a business meeting was off limits.

  Kingslee nodded, looking thoughtful, tapping his pen against a pile of papers in front of him. “I like you, Liam. I’m not sure what, if anything happened between you two, but for the record, you’re the type of man I’d pick for her.”

  Uhh…o—kay. What the hell am I supposed to say to that?

  Should he tell her father that had things worked out as planned, he’d be married to his daughter and have at least one child by now? Or maybe he should tell him that no other woman had ever, and probably never will own his heart the way Charlee had. Or maybe he should explain to him that after the breakup, his heart had practically stopped beating because she was no longer in his life.

  Liam didn’t say any of that. He stared at the older man for a moment before dropping his gaze. He should be flattered by Kingslee’s words, but after the breakup, he spent months trying to forget Charlee. When she resurfaced about a year ago, the anger festering since last seeing her came to the forefront. So caught off guard at the time, all Liam had been able to do was glare at her before walking away.

  He could admit to being a world-class jerk. Since then, he was better around her but not much. Memories of how good they were together always got the best of him. Charlee had once owned his heart. She could’ve asked anything of him. He would’ve given it. But weeks after agreeing to be his wife, she had chosen her career over him and tossed his love back in his face.

  Liam shook those thoughts free. This was not the time or the place to be daydreaming about his ex.

  Minutes later, his cousin Nick entered the room. Not only was he a sheet metal worker by trade, but he was also the construction manager for Jenkins & Sons Construction. Their cousin, Peyton, had taken over the business after their grandfather retired, propelling it into a multi-million-dollar company before she married and moved to New York. Since then, Nick and some of their other cousins had turned it into the largest minority-owned construction company in the state of Ohio.

  “Sorry I’m late, Mr. Kingslee,” he said, shaking the older man’s hand. “Good seeing you again.”

  “Same here, Nick. It’s always a pleasure working with J & S. Thanks for being willing to meet me here.”

  “It’s our pleasure.”

  Nick sat next to Liam and thankfully leaped right in. For the next hour, they discussed the renovations for the cottage Kingslee owned that was located just outside of Cincinnati. Liam had met him out there a few weeks ago to go over specifics, check out the layout, and make sure he had a good understanding of what Kingslee wanted.

  “The wall of windows facing the stream is going to look amazing,” Kingslee said, pointing at the rough drawing on the laptop screen. He asked a few questions about material, requested several changes, and Liam took notes.

  He was done with his portion of the meeting but stuck around while Kingslee and Nick worked out a few other details. As the two men talked, Liam’s mind drifted back to Charlee. From the moment they’d met, there had been something about her that drew him to her like a magnet to steel. He hadn’t planned on falling in love with her. They were as different as night and day.

  He planned everything, while she was a fly by the seat of her pants type of person. He enjoyed cooking and quiet evenings at home, while she preferred to eat out and be around people. The louder, the better. Despite their differences, they clicked, balancing each other perfectly.

  And then there was their lovemaking. Liam’s body tightened just thinking about their sex life. They never had a problem in that area. There were times when he could still feel the weight of her firm breasts cradled in his hands or those long, toned legs wrapped around his waist. Hell, there were even times he could still taste her on…

  “Liam?” Nick nudged him in the arm with his elbow, frowning as if asking, What’s up with you? “Are you going to be able to deliver the final plans by the end of the month?”

  Liam ran a shaky hand down his mustache and over his mouth not wanting to admit that he’d been half listening while fantasizing about Charlee. Rarely did he promise to complete plans in less than six weeks, especially since they were practically rebuilding the seventeen hundred square foot place. But the sooner he was done with this project, the better and the less chance he’d run into Charlee any time soon.

  “I’ll make sure they’re done,” he finally said.

  Chapter Three

  Charlee stumped up the three steps to her best friend’s house, still fuming from the meeting with her father that morning. Despite how busy her day had been, thoughts of what he’d said about the CEO position kept seeping into her subconscious, making her angry all over again.

  She stabbed her finger at the doorbell, impatience roaring through her as she stood on the threshold waiting for Rayne or Jerry to answer the door. Charlee hadn’t called, but rarely did on a weekday and occasionally stopped by. She knew their routine. Jerry’s work truck was in the driveway and right about now, Rayne would be cooking dinner for her family.

  Charlee refrai
ned from ringing the bell again, not wanting to chance waking Jay Jr in case he was asleep. But the moment Rayne opened the door, she stormed past her into the house. Charlee didn’t have to look behind her to know her friend was staring a hole into her back.

  “Hello to you, too. Come on in,” Rayne said sarcastically, closing the heavy wooden door. “What’s wrong with you? I don’t think I’ve seen you this pissed since your father fixed you up with the owner of that pest control company.”

  Charlee grimaced at the memory. She would never allow her dad to set her up on a blind date again. Clearly, he had poor judgment and lousy taste in men when it came to her.

  “What happened?” Rayne strolled toward the kitchen, Charlee following behind her.

  “My father is what happened. The old man has finally gone too far,” Charlee snapped, pounding her fist on the breakfast bar. “Ugh. Every time I think about our conversation from this morning, I get pissed all over again. Sometimes he makes me so angry. Do you know what he had the audacity to say to me?”

  “No, but I’m sure you’re going to tell me.” Amusement flashed in Rayne’s eyes.

  It was nothing new that Charlee and her father bumped heads. Where he was patient, strait-laced, and focused, she was the opposite. Impatient. Non-planner. Charlee loved to bring fun into everything she did. It was a wonder she’d made it up the corporate ladder as quickly as she had, especially since she usually followed her gut when making decisions. Lucky for her it hadn’t steered her wrong.

  “He told me that even though I’m qualified, he wouldn’t consider me for the CEO position when he retires.”

  Rayne’s brows drew together. “Why not? I would think he’d want you to take over the family business.”

  “Yeah, you would think, but he was adamant about me not getting the position because…” The words dangled on the tip of her tongue like a bitter piece of fruit. “He’s not promoting me to the position because I’m not married.”

  Rayne’s mouth formed a perfect circle. “Whoa.”

  “I know right? What type of shit is that?”

  “Language,” Rayne reminded. “Stormy’s upstairs. You know her hearing is sharper than that of a bat.”

  Rayne’s daughter was the most precious little girl, and she was also Charlee’s goddaughter. She loved that kid as if she were her own.

  “Sorry, but I’m so disgusted with that man right now. It took all my restraint not to dive over the conference room table and strangle him today. I have worked my butt off to learn practically every aspect of that company since I was seventeen, and he has the nerve to say something like that to me.”

  “Did he give any other reason why he wouldn’t consider you for the position? Surely that can’t be the only reason.” Rayne seasoned the chicken that she had in a pan before covering it with aluminum foil.

  “He said that I was too much of a loose-cannon, untamed, wild, and unpredictable.” He might not have said those exact words, but growing up, she’d heard them plenty of times.

  She sighed. It didn’t go unnoticed that her friend hadn’t responded. Charlee could admit to being a risk taker, often following her gut to make major decisions, but her instincts were always on point.

  “I never thought my own father could be a sexist, but he is,” she mumbled absently. It hurt knowing that he didn’t respect or appreciate the value she brought to the company. “Even if I was ready to get married, it’s not like I can just pick up the phone and ask a man to marry me.”

  “Actually, you can. I know a guy.”

  Charlee spun around to find Jerry standing at the entrance between the kitchen and the stairs that led to the second floor. He was holding her three-month-old godson, Jerry Jr, in the crook of his arm like he would a football.

  Jerry approached Rayne, looking at her like he always did, like she was a gourmet lollipop and he wanted to lick her all over. Charlee almost felt as if she should cover her eyes at the blatant way he undressed his wife with his eyes.

  It was actually kind of sweet. Now at a size sixteen, Rayne had complained about not being able to lose the baby weight fast enough, but Jerry could care less. Back in the day, he had been known for being attracted to thick women and the way he was looking at his wife, it was safe to say that hadn’t changed.

  “Hey, beautiful,” he crooned when he was in reach of Rayne.

  She blushed, a small smile on her lips as her husband moved even closer and kissed her sweetly.

  Charlee’s heart melted a little bit each time she saw them together. She couldn’t think of any other person more than Rayne who deserved the love of a good man. For much of her friend’s life, she’d had one devastating blow after another…until Jerry came along.

  “How was your nap?” she asked, caressing the light stubble on his cheek.

  “It was good until this little guy woke up.”

  “There’s my baby boy.” Rayne kissed his chubby cheek and nuzzled his neck before returning her attention to Jerry. “It’s awfully quiet upstairs. Did you look in on Stormy and Sunshine?” she asked of their six-year-old daughter and the puppy that followed her everywhere.

  “Yeah, she’s fine. She’s on the phone talking to my mother.”

  “Oh, okay. Well, since Jay seems content at the moment, give him to Charlee. I want to cut up these potatoes before I feed him.”

  Charlee happily accepted the squirming little guy whose disposition was much like his parents. Rayne and Jerry were both pretty laid back, and junior was just as mellow. He rarely cried, and she had never seen a baby at his age who seemed so aware of everything around him.

  Like now. He stared, gazing into her eyes as if searching her deepest thoughts.

  “Hey, cutie-pie. How’s my sweet boy?” Charlee’s heart thudded against her chest when he flashed a toothless grin. He was definitely going to be a heartbreaker when he was older. His smooth dark skin and long eyelashes were like his father, but the light brown eyes were identical to Rayne’s.

  Jerry leaned his back against the kitchen bar and folded his arms across his chest, studying Charlee. Since marrying her best friend, he was the closest thing she had to a brother.

  “Let’s get back to your needing a husband.”

  “Let’s not,” she said quickly. “I don’t know how much you heard, but I don’t have a husband situation. Besides, I’m never getting married.”

  Charlee had missed her chance with the only man she would’ve ever considered marrying. She had no intention of opening her heart to another.

  “Well, that’s too bad, but if you change your mind in the next few minutes, you won’t have to call anyone. Liam is on his way over. I have no doubt he’d help you with any situation.” Jerry smirked and nudged her arm as he headed out the back door.

  Charlee’s pulse kicked up. Her first instinct was to leave before Liam arrived, but the other part of her wanted to see him again.

  Considering Cincinnati wasn’t all that big, it was a wonder they didn’t bump into each other more often. After their breakup, many months had passed before she saw him again. As a matter of fact, the first time had been at Rayne’s old townhouse, when she lived next door to Jerry. He and Liam had been hanging out, and Charlee happened to be leaving Rayne’s place at the same time Liam walked out of Jerry’s door.

  To say the encounter was tense would be an understatement. If looks could kill, Charlee would’ve disintegrated into a heap of dust right on the spot.

  Since Liam wasn’t there yet, she still had time to leave before he arrived.

  “Don’t even think about running away,” Rayne said as if reading her mind.

  Charlee rolled her eyes.

  “I know you might not believe this, but Jerry told me that Liam is still in love with you.”

  Charlee snorted as she rocked and swayed a little with Jerry Jr. who was drifting off to sleep.

  “Liam stopped loving me the moment I put my career before him. Besides, that was almost two years ago. We both have changed, and I’m sure
he’s moved on.” Charlee’s heart ached. They would’ve been married had she chosen differently.

  “I don’t know why you’re doubting his feelings for you. The heat between you two, whenever you’re in the same space, crackles like hot timbers in a fireplace. Anyone in the vicinity can see the sparks. If that hadn’t given it away, the way he looks at you speaks volumes.”

  “You mean the way he glares at me like I’m gum on the bottom of his shoe? Or are you talking about the way he makes himself scarce whenever I walk into a room?”

  Rayne waved her off. “That’s just a front, a way for him to protect himself.”

  “Yeah, call it what you want. I know better. He is so over me.”

  “I think he has tried to move on, but lately, I’m picking up a different vibe from him. There might’ve been a time when he was still angry, but Charlee I don’t get that from him anymore. He wants you.”

  “Rayne don’t go there. Do not turn into one of those people. Just because you and Jerry are crazy in love doesn’t mean it’s in the cards for the rest of us.”

  “I just want you to experience what I have with my husband. There is nothing like the love of a good man. Why can’t you and Liam kiss and make up? Maybe you can make the first move and—”

  “I’ve tried. He wants nothing to do with me.”

  “When did you try?”

  “Shortly after we broke up. He’s not the forgiving type, Rayne. I begged for him to give me another chance, promising never to put work before our relationship again.”

  “And what did he say?”

  “He said I had already made my choice. Said that it was abundantly clear that my career meant everything to me. Then he told me to forget he ever proposed, and forget he even existed. Like that could ever happen.”

  Charlee would never forget him, his kisses, or the way her body still yearns for him.

  She tried. On more than one occasion she tried to replace him, dating men who she thought could take her mind off of him. The only thing that accomplished was to make her realize what she had given up.