by J. Kenner
The guys looked at each other, then back to Amanda with equally innocent expressions.
“Not much,” Nolan said. “Just telling my buddy Derek here to be good to you.”
“Sweet thought,” she said as she got closer. “But did you miss the part where we’re just friends?”
“Oh, you mean the bullshit you told mom and dad? Yeah, I missed that.” He waggled his eyebrows. Watching her, Derek couldn’t decide if she was amused or exasperated.
Finally, she rolled her eyes at Derek. “Ignore him,” she said. “He’s a first class asshole.”
“Maybe,” Nolan said, flashing his cockiest grin. “But he’s a smart one.”
Chapter Nine
“Where are you today?” Amanda asked the second she answered the phone.
Derek grinned, loving the way she just dove into a conversation. “What, no hello?”
“Hellos start conversations that end in goodbyes. And with all of your traveling with this job, I feel like we’re saying way too many goodbyes.”
He couldn’t argue with that. “Disneyworld, actually. The Winston family of hotels is about to break ground for a glorious resort. Complete with shuttle service to the land of the mouse.”
“Sweet. Nice to do business in the happiest place on earth. Or is that Disneyland?”
“Neither as far as I’m concerned. Not unless you’re with me. And even if you were tempted to jump a plane to Orlando, I’m leaving tomorrow for St. Louis.”
“I think it’s snowing there. You have a coat, right?”
“I pack for all occasions now,” he said, which was true. Though he loved that she worried. The truth was, he was getting damn tired of living out of a suitcase. And if some of the corporate changes that were in the works got pushed through—which they should for the good of the company—then he’d probably be traveling at least seven more days each month.
Prestigious job. Crappy situation.
And except for the two meetings he’d had with Brooke at the motel, that project was moving slowly. Now, at least, the ball was in the owners’ court. Derek and Brooke had made their pitch. Now they just had to wait.
“Any chance you’ll be in Austin for New Year’s Eve? I know we’re not technically dating, but there was this dress that I just couldn’t resist, and so I bought it. I was kind of hoping you’d have the chance to see it.”
With every word, his heart seemed to flip over and die.
“You have no idea how much I wish I could.”
“Really? You can’t?” The disappointment in her voice both broke his heart and lifted his spirits. “I saw an article about a huge New Year’s Eve bash at the Winston. I thought maybe you could come down as, you know, the official representative of the Winston family.”
“That’s a great idea,” he told her. “Unfortunately, it’s not original.”
“What do you mean?”
“We hold those events at every Winston hotel in the country. I’ll be at the one in Chicago as the corporate rep. Unfortunately, New Year’s Eve is a workday for me.”
“No problem. I knew it was a long shot.”
“I’m glad you thought of it, though.” He pitched his voice low. “That means a lot.”
“Oh. Well. You know.”
He could picture her cheeks, flush with the embarrassment of being caught out. And her disappointment that he couldn’t join her tugged at his heart.
“You should definitely go to the party, though. It’s always fun. Good food. Great music.”
“I don’t know. I—”
“I’ll reserve a VIP table for you. If you don’t use it, that’s fine. But it would be a shame to waste a dress. Maybe take Brooke. You two could make it a girl’s night. Or Nolan.”
“Maybe.”
“Just don’t take a date,” he said, and was rewarded with her laugh.
“Deal.”
“And one more thing.”
“Yeah?”
“Send me a picture from the party. I want to see you in your dress, especially if I don’t get to see you out of it.”
“Yeah,” she said softly. “I will.”
When they hung up, he was smiling. Which took the edge off the mile-high pile of paperwork he still had to go through. He’d managed to make a small dent when the phone rang again. He snatched it up, expecting Amanda, only to find that the caller was Jared.
“Hey buddy, happy almost New Year.”
“I’d say the same, but it’s all a load of bullshit, isn’t it?”
“Not exactly in the holiday spirit, are you?” Derek asked. “What’s wrong?”
“Same bullshit as always. I’m on a damn hamster wheel. So are you, my friend. That job for Daddy? You’re going nowhere fast. Unless you consider flying all over the United States going somewhere.”
Derek leaned back in his chair. “How much have you had to drink?”
“Not enough.”
“Got a date for New Year’s Eve?”
“Did. Don’t anymore.”
Now was not the time for a lecture on either Jared’s work ethic or his relationships. “So come to Chicago. I’m playing host, so you’ll be on your own, but so what?” And unlike Amanda, Jared knew enough of the attendees that he would be fine without Derek.
“I don’t know. Maybe. Shoot me a ticket, okay?”
“Will do.”
Jared’s heavy sigh filled the silence. “Why are we doing all of this?” Jared asked.
“All of what?”
“Exactly,” Jared said. And then he hung up.
Amanda almost didn’t go to the New Year’s Eve gala at the Austin Winston Hotel. What was the point without Derek there, too?
In the end, though, she decided to go for four reasons. First, he’d told her to, and he’d taken the trouble to get her a VIP table. Second, he’d asked for pictures of her in the dress, and what was the point of putting it on to take a picture if you didn’t actually go somewhere? Third, she actually wanted to wear the dress, and a gala was the perfect venue. It wasn’t as if a full-skirted black and white ball gown would be appropriate for showing a three-bedroom, two-bath condo overlooking the river.
Mostly, though, she wanted to be close to Derek. Although that emotion scared her to death. She’d put so much into the relationship with Leo, and when it fell apart she’d been ruined for months. Emotionally and in her career.
Maybe she was being stupid to let herself get in deep with Derek, but she told herself it was safe because it was essentially a monthly thing. A moving hook-up. Friends with Ultra Benefits. And that was okay.
That’s what she told herself.
But on nights like tonight, she just wanted him. And if she couldn’t be with him, then being in the hotel that bore his name would have to do.
“What do you think?” she asked Reece, twirling for him in The Fix. Since the bar was hosting its own celebration tonight, it was overflowing with patrons, and Amanda appreciated Reece taking the time out to humor her.
“You look amazing,” he said, and she curtsied.
“Thank you, kind sir.”
Honestly, he was right. She did look amazing, and she’d saved two pictures of the getting dressed process to her phone. She’d already texted the first one to Derek—her in a lacy bra, matching panties, a garter, and stockings. After all, why not start from the bottom up?
He’d texted back that it was cruel of her to torture him, and she’d continued to get dressed with a huge smile stretched across her face.
The second picture was as she looked now. She’d put her hair up, so that only a few tendrils fell around her shoulders, leaving the elegant neckline on full display. As for the dress itself, the bodice was fitted and zipped up the back. The material was white, but not blinding. A simple belt of grosgrain ribbon separated the form-fitting bodice from the flared skirt made of layers and layers of material.
The dress was a rare splurge, and it made her feel as lovely as Grace Kelly. Too bad Derek wasn’t there to see her. But she di
d send him the second picture of her in the dress, too.
Now she just needed to get one more picture of her actually at the gala. Even if she left early, she’d be able to show him that she was there.
And, honestly, even with her friends there as well, she wasn’t sure she could stay until midnight. That might be a little too depressing.
“You’re not walking over, are you?” Reece asked.
She shook her head. “Nolan’s actually getting us one of the carriages, so that should be fun.”
Reece laughed. “You’ll look like Cinderella.”
“Speaking of, have you talked to Jenna? Last time I did, she was still looking for work after the mess with that horrible company she went to work for in LA.”
“This morning,” Reece said. “Terrible time of year to be looking for work.”
He looked so worried about her that Amanda wished she hadn’t brought it up. “She’ll be fine. She’s so freaking talented and—oh, there’s Nolan.”
Reece waved her off. “Go. Have fun in the glitz and glam. We’ll be here with jeans and boots and beer.”
“Don’t bullshit me. This place has the best cocktails in the city.”
“We do indeed,” he said as she hurried through the door, then let her stepbrother help her into the carriage.
“Very cool idea,” she admitted.
“I have them every once in a while,” he said. “And I figured you’d need cheering up, what with your boyfriend being absent and all.”
“He’s not my boyfriend.”
“Uh-huh. Pull the other one, why don’t you?”
She rolled her eyes, but didn’t otherwise protest. He might not be right about the label, but she did want Derek there.
It didn’t take long to reach the hotel, and once they were in the ballroom, Nolan went off to mingle. “This place is dripping with fodder for the show. I brought a notepad and a recorder.” He patted his pockets. “I’m set.”
She laughed, then waved him off. Then stood like a dolt wondering what to do next. She’d just noticed Brooke on the far side of the dance floor when Martin Arand came up beside her. They’d never been good friends, but she knew his name and face well enough. He was the man Zeke had entrusted with his portfolio. And the man Zeke had sponsored for a brokership.
He was the man who’d stolen her life, and all because she’d let Leo steal her heart. Bastard.
She wiped the frown off her face, then smiled up at the man. “Martin. How lovely to see you.”
“I saw you here and just wanted to say hello. I know you still haven’t gotten your broker’s license. If you ever need a sponsor, just give me a call.”
Her smile was ice. “That’s so nice of you. Thanks.”
“Of course, of course. Any time,” he said. She resisted the urge to punch him—it was Zeke’s fault, not Martin’s—and the evening went on.
He had, however, reminded her of her priority. With Derek not there, she might as well network.
She’d met a few of the owners in Derek’s building and that had led her to other potential clients, many of whom were here. So she mingled and chatted and flirted when necessary. But it all felt hollow and useless.
She didn’t want to schmooze clients. She wanted—
Well, no, it didn’t matter, because Chicago was a long, long way away.
She headed to her VIP table to leave a note for Nolan and Brooke. She’d had her fill of the gala extravaganza, and simply wanted to go home.
But, of course, she had no pen, so she turned around to search down a waiter.
There he was.
Which made no sense because he was in Chicago. But that was him, no doubt about it. And she wanted to run to him—but that would make a scene. Plus, she’d probably fall. Her shoes weren’t exactly made for running.
So she waited, breathless, for him to come to her.
“Hey, beautiful. That dress looks amazing on you.”
“You’re only saying that because I want to hear it.”
“And because it’s true.”
Her grin spread so wide it hurt.
“I liked your pictures.”
“Did you?”
“Mmm,” he said, then stepped closer.
“How are you here?”
He lifted a shoulder. “I told the office that I was taking New Year’s Eve off.”
“That simple?”
He shook his head. “No. But that important.”
Tears pricked her eyes. “Thank you.”
He brushed his thumb over her lower lip, the sensation hinting at a kiss.
She swallowed. “What do you want to do?”
“I’ve come a long way to get here. Right now, I just want to hold you. Dance with me?”
With a nod, she slid into his arms. “Thank you.”
“For what?”
“This has been the best night ever.”
His brow rose. “Has been? It’s not over yet.”
“I know. But I didn’t want to forget to tell you.”
She rested her head against his chest as they swayed to the music. “And I already know this is one of those rare, triple gold star evenings.”
Chapter Ten
There was nothing about spring in Austin that Amanda didn’t like, especially this year. She’d seen Derek at least once each month since New Year’s Eve, the bluebonnets that covered the state were stunning, and Jenna was back from LA.
“I know I keep saying it,” Amanda said to Jenna as they sat at a table by the window in The Fix, “but I’m just so ridiculously happy you’re back. Even if the reason does suck.”
Jenna had moved to LA a while back to take a job with a marketing company. That whole situation had been a massive fail, and now she was back. A fact that made Amanda positively giddy.
“It did suck,” Jenna admitted, taking a sip of her Loaded Corona, a specialty at The Fix and one of Jenna’s favorites. “I ended up broke and coming home with my tail between my legs.”
“You came home,” Amanda said, leaning over to put her hand on Jenna’s. “That’s the important part. Besides, look at you now. A partner in The Fix and doing the exact job you wanted to do. Marketing and Event Planning. I think you must have some pretty good karma clinging to you, my friend.”
At that, Jenna smiled. “It is pretty cool. And completely unexpected. I still can’t believe it.”
“Can’t believe what? That Reece and Brent would pull you in? The three of you are like the planets, the sun, and the space between. A unit, you know? Of course they wanted you in. Especially when they need you to do the marketing. That’s not their thing—Reece is all about management and Brent’s deal is security—and it’s sure not Tyree’s.”
Tyree Johnson was the original owner of The Fix on Sixth. And Amanda felt like a complete idiot for not realizing that the place was in financial trouble. But apparently it was—and continued to be—because even though Tyree had taken on three partners in Jenna, Brent, and Reece, he’d still publicly announced that unless The Fix was firmly in the black come New Year’s Eve, then he’d sell the place. And Amanda knew the market well enough to know that the most likely buyer was Bodacious, a corporate chain bar that not only had an infantile business model, but also served truly crappy food and watered down drinks.
Brent and Reece had bought into the partnership, providing working capital for the rest of the year. And Jenna had come in on her skills alone. But she’d already proved her worth as far as Amanda was concerned. “The Man of the Month contest really is brilliant,” she told Jenna. “And it was all your idea. Although I think I provided some wisp of inspiration.”
The competition centered around hot men vying for a slot in a calendar. Which mean that soon there would be shirtless men on stage. Which meant more women in the bar. And that meant more drinks sold.
Ergo, the brilliance.
Jenna laughed. “I just hope I can pull it off.”
The contest was still in the planning stages, with the first competi
tion a few weeks away. “It’ll be a huge success. You’ll see.”
She leaned back in her seat, then took a sip of her Jalapeño Margarita. “And the rest?”
Jenna’s eyes widened. “What rest?”
“You and Reece. You’re really going to tell me nothing’s going on?”
Jenna rolled her eyes. “Yes. I’m really going to tell you that. He’s my best friend. Since childhood. End of story.”
“Uh-huh.”
“Please drop it.”
“Fine.” Amanda had pulled that thread before, and she’d undoubtedly pull it again. She could let it go for now.
“How about you?” Jenna countered. “You’re dating someone, aren’t you?”
“Oh, please. No.” Amanda fought the urge to cross her fingers under the table. “You know me better than that.”
“Yup, I do. And you haven’t been talking about your conquests nearly as much since I got back. So, what? Do you have a guy tucked away in your attic somewhere?”
“Actually, yes. I take him out and dust him off about once a month.”
“I’m serious,” Jenna said.
Amanda blinked at her friend, the picture of innocence. “And you think I’m not?”
“Fine. Whatever.” She finished her drink. “Another?”
“Sure,” Amanda said. For a second, she thought about telling Jenna the real truth. About the man whose presence she craved. Who made her feel special and even loved.
But she didn’t. The feelings were true, but they were scary. And acting on them meant change. And right now, between her and Derek, she didn’t want anything to change at all.
“It’s been way too long since we’ve gotten together,” Derek said, his eyes meeting Landon’s in the locker room mirror. They’d just finished a killer game of squash, and they were both dripping with sweat. “Hell of a game, though.”
“Right on both counts.” Detective Landon Ware and Derek had been having drinks at The Fix On Sixth the night that he met Amanda. They’d met when Landon was working in the Dallas Police Department ten years before and had been assigned to investigate a suspicious death in one of the Dallas Winston Hotel’s rooms. Murder, it turned out. A wife who’d poisoned the engraved water bottle her husband took with him to work, because she was certain he was having an affair. She was right. And the husband and the mistress had died in the penthouse.
