“Scarlett,” he spoke my name so tenderly. “You know, that used to be your cue to tell me how beautiful I am,” he teased.
A smile broke out on my face before I could stop it, though I quickly recovered. “Could you please stop being charming for five minutes?” I begged.
“I’m not sure that’s possible.” I could hear the smile in his voice.
I was afraid of that. However, I would resist him.
He lightly ran a finger down my bare arm, leaving a trail of goose bumps behind. “I promised no strings attached today. I meant that. So, could you at least look at me?”
It’s not that I didn’t want to; it was just better for my mental health if I didn’t. Not only was he breathtakingly beautiful, but I would get a look into his eyes and see so many possibilities that were no longer feasible. We were at war. More like I was at war with myself. I knew if I let him, he would want to be my ally. And my greatest champion. Why couldn’t he have believed in me enough eight years ago?
“Maybe I shouldn’t have come,” I eeked out, unable to face him. What was wrong with me? I’d survived med school and a grueling residency. I should be able to handle an afternoon with the man I loved.
Kane eased off the gas. The car decelerated quickly despite our still being on the highway. “I know there’s nothing I can say or do to make up for what I did, but do we have to be enemies?”
I braved a glance at him.
His eyes were darting between me and the road, begging me to forgive him.
“I will be firing you soon,” I said lightheartedly, though there was a hint of truth in my words. How could we ever work together? I mean, I would give him the ultimate severance package and even allow him to say he resigned. I wasn’t a monster.
Kane laughed. “Darlin’, the board would never approve that. They love me.”
Ugh. Of course, they did. He had the advantage in every way. “Right,” I sighed.
“Why didn’t you ever tell your father the truth?”
I shrugged. “What are dreams anyway? Actually, I’m surprised you haven’t. You could use it to your advantage.”
He swerved a bit when he whipped his head my way for a brief second. “Advantage? You think I would do something so low? I promised you I would keep your secrets and I have.”
I felt terrible. I knew Kane wasn’t that kind of person. But I had all this hurt built up inside of me, and it begged to be let loose, to lash out at the source of the pain. “I’m sorry.” I wiped a tear that had escaped off my cheek. I didn’t want to be that person. No matter what he had done, I still wanted to be me. Though, was I truly me without him? I couldn’t think like that. I was my own person. Why didn’t I feel whole then?
“Don’t apologize. I deserve that and more.” He sounded so defeated. “Regardless of what you may think of me, I will always feel honored you chose to share your dreams with me, but your dreams are for you to tell. And if you ever need help making them come true, I will do anything in my power to see that they do.”
I knew he spoke the truth, and I loved him and hated him for it. But I had to save the world and make my father proud. “So, you’ll drop out of the running?”
“That would defeat the purpose of making your dreams come true.” He wagged his brows before giving me a thoughtful smile. “But if I believed for one second that’s what you really wanted; I would step out of your way. Is it what you really want?”
I told myself to lie to him. But how do you lie to half of your heart? It was impossible. “Drive, Kane. Just drive.”
A Dream Come True
My stomach was flip-flopping as we walked toward the production studio warehouse. Landon Drummond was my first crush and one of my heroes. I was anxious to meet him, though cautious. I was wary of dreams now. What if Landon wasn’t all I had imagined him to be, like the man who walked too close to me? The man who’d breathed life into my soul, only to crush it.
It was a silent walk into the studio, though a million thoughts hung between us in the sticky air. I think I hated that more than anything. It used to be so easy to be around him. I missed that comfort.
Kane opened the door for me. “Megan will meet us and take us to the editing suite.”
I nodded. “Thank you for setting this up.” I should at least be grateful. And I was. It was just like him to be so thoughtful. Which only added to my conflicting feelings toward him.
“You’re welcome.”
As soon as we walked in, we were greeted by a frazzled redhead. She was around my age with curls tighter than mine and was wearing mismatched socks with her sandals. I already loved her. It wasn’t that long ago that I was wearing polyester pants with elastic waistbands. Sometimes I really missed that girl. I wished I was still as naive. Not because I didn’t want to know the truth but because I wanted hope for a future that I knew wasn’t possible now. I ached to feel that all-encompassing excitement of the unknown. Now that I knew the truth, there was no reason to hope.
“Hi, I’m Megan. You must be Kane and Scarlett. Landon is on an extremely tight schedule, so follow me.”
Kane placed his hand on the small of my back, nudging me forward. He had done it dozens of times in the past, and it felt so natural that for a moment I forgot we were at war and that he had ever let me go. However, reality was never far behind. I gave him a pointed look.
He dropped his hand with a heavy breath. “Sorry. Old habit.”
It was a lovely habit, one I used to adore. It said we were a couple. “It’s fine.” I hustled ahead, trying to run from my feelings and catch up to Megan, who was practically sprinting across the cement floor and down the large corridor toward the editing suite. It was a no-frills place, or at least I thought it was until we entered the editing suite. We walked in to find massive monitors on almost every wall and enough computer and electronic equipment to start a Best Buy. The only source of light in the room illuminated from the monitors. Even so it was easy to make out Landon standing with his arms folded in front of a large hanging monitor showing photos of a dead woman’s hand. He was looking intently at the screen as if he were contemplating the meaning of the universe. Or, you know, trying to solve a crime. I began to get excited, wondering what secrets were under her dirty fingernails. DNA? Dirt that could be analyzed to tell us where she was from or where she had died? I had to hold myself back from running over and asking him if there was anything I could do or research for him.
Landon was dressed casually in the same black T-shirt and loose-fitting jeans he normally wore during his show. Sometimes he sported a lab coat when it was called for. His circular wire-rim glasses rested atop his graying mop of messy brown hair. There were several people in the room, engrossed in their work. A low hum from the electronics and whispers from a few people could be heard, but no one gave us the time of day or even noticed us as far as I could tell.
Megan jetted over to Landon and tapped on his shoulder. He barely glanced at her.
“You have some visitors,” she informed him.
“I’m busy,” he growled.
I had a feeling another dream of mine was about to be obliterated. Might as well add it to the collection.
“Maybe we should go,” I whispered out of the side of my mouth to Kane.
“Not yet.” Kane strutted over to Megan and Landon, obviously intent on saving the day once again.
I stood by and bit my lip, watching Kane be Kane. I wasn’t sure what he said to Landon, but within a minute, both men were walking my way. Kane with an arrogant smile and Landon resigned. Of course, Kane got his way. I had a feeling he would make a good hostage negotiator. Maybe someday he would quit holding my heart hostage.
As they drew nearer, Landon slid his glasses down off his head and fixed them on his diamond-shaped face. Even in the dark, I could see his eyes widen when he got a good look at me. His scowl was replaced with a smile. He didn’t wait for an introduction but instead held his hand out to me on approach.
“I’m Landon. I’m sorry to have
kept you waiting,” his baritone voice filled the room and, admittedly, me. I knew his voice like my own. He’d been a constant in my life for many years. Sometimes he had been the only thing I had to look forward to on a weekly basis during my lonely undergrad years.
That fluttery feeling was back. “I’m . . . uh . . .” Who was I? Besides an idiot.
“This is Scarlett Armstrong.” Kane came in clutch again. “Excuse me, Dr. Armstrong.” He sounded so proud of me.
I took Landon’s hand. It was a bit dry, but his grip was firm.
“Yes, Kane was just telling me that you finished a clinical pathology residency at Stanford. Impressive.”
“Yes.” It was all I could think of to say. What was wrong with me? It wasn’t as if Landon was drop dead gorgeous like Kane, or even that I was attracted to him like the aforementioned. Yet there was something about Landon. His intelligence consumed me.
Kane again came to my rescue. I really wished he wouldn’t. “She’s also a huge fan.” Kane winked at me.
I twirled some tendrils of my hair that I’d pulled up in a messy bun. I’d refused to wear my hair down because Kane loved it that way. I knew it was petty. I wasn’t proud of it. “Um, yes, I was one of the first hundred subscribers to your YouTube channel.” That made me sound juvenile.
Thankfully, it seemed to please Landon. “I’m honored.”
“Well, I know you’re busy. So, we won’t keep you. I just want you to know that I admire the work you do. I think you’re brilliant.” I sounded like a starstruck teen, breathy and all.
Landon smiled, and it lit up his brown eyes, which crinkled a bit at the corners. He looked older in person. Not that he was old. He was only forty-five, but they obviously did some editing to make him look younger. “Please, don’t go yet. I was about to take a break. Do you like green tea?”
It wasn’t my favorite. Ethan was kind of a health nut and had always been trying to get me to drink weird concoctions. Half of them made with green tea. Still, I didn’t want to be rude. “Yes.”
Kane’s brow quirked. He knew I wasn’t telling the truth. He always knew. But he didn’t say anything.
Landon turned to Megan. “Three green teas, if you wouldn’t mind.”
I caught Kane’s grimace. He wasn’t a green tea sort of guy.
Megan huffed like she did mind, then marched out the door anyway. It made me feel even more guilty for the intrusion.
Landon waved his hand toward a couch back in the corner. “Please, have a seat.”
I walked over and sat down. Landon was quick to sit right next to me, leaving Kane to take the overstuffed chair nearby. He wasn’t pleased about it; I could tell you that. He shot daggers at Landon with his eyes.
Landon leaned back and studied me for a moment. “Tell me about yourself, Doctor. Why clinical pathology?”
“Please, call me Scarlett. My father owns Armstrong Labs. We specialize in blood plasma therapies and collection. I’m the new lab director.” Which was true. Only the board, Kane, and I knew that perhaps I would have a different title soon. Besides, I wasn’t slated to start in the lab until next month anyway. I was supposed to be house hunting and settling into my life in Atlanta, not writing a business plan for a Fortune 500 company.
“Yes, I’ve heard of Armstrong Labs. I recently read a study that came out of your R&D regarding plasma protein therapies. You’re doing good work.”
“It’s not me, yet.”
“Don’t be modest, Scarlett. She graduated from Johns Hopkins with honors, and she’s been involved with our processes and procedures for years,” Kane interjected.
Landon clapped his hands together, basically ignoring Kane. “My alma mater.”
“I know.” I blushed. Admittedly, it was one of the reasons I had wanted to go there. “I used to go to the little coffeehouse west of campus that you’ve mentioned several times on your show. They have a drink named for you—the confession. It’s the best latte I’ve ever had.” Seriously, I sounded ridiculous.
Landon laughed. “I’m certainly glad it didn’t disappoint you. Tell me more about your time there.”
I ended up rambling about professors, some of which we’d both had. We talked about the sights we loved in Baltimore and the food, our favorites both being the Oyster House and a cozy Indian restaurant. We even discussed some of the cases he was currently working on. We talked and talked and talked until I noticed Kane smiling at me. He hadn’t once interrupted us or tried to be part of the conversation. It was then I knew he had done this all for me. He couldn’t have cared less about meeting Landon. He wanted to make one of my dreams come true. He was the best and worst ex-boyfriend ever. Best because of his thoughtfulness, worst because he made it impossible to get over him.
After a good half hour, with me never once touching my green tea that rested on the coffee table in front of us, I said, “We should probably let you get back to work.” Even though I had enjoyed getting to know him and wanted to talk about a few past cases he’d solved, I felt bad keeping him for so long.
Landon looked at his watch. He tossed his head from side to side. “You know, I could catch a later flight. Would you like to have a late lunch with me?”
For some reason, I immediately glanced at Kane to see his reaction before I answered. He was no longer smiling.
Landon looked between the two of us. “I’m sorry. Are you two together? I didn’t realize.”
“No,” I was quick to reply. “In fact, our parents were married.” I tried to cover up the awkwardness with more awkwardness. I didn’t want to mention we were exes. That would have been too uncomfortable. Or so I thought. Leave it to me to find a way to make it even more so.
“Stepsiblings. Excellent,” Landon laughed.
“Yep, my stepbrother,” I teased, though I immediately regretted it when Kane’s eyes flashed with a fury I’d never seen. It was as if I had murdered a loved one. I knew he hated to be referred to with that title, but it had just kind of fallen out. Sure, I’d thought about saying it before to taunt him, but honestly, this was an accident. After what he had done for me today, I wouldn’t purposely injure him.
Landon turned to Kane. “You wouldn’t mind, would you?” Then he faced me. “You are absolutely enchanting, and I would be happy to personally see you home.”
Landon thought I was enchanting. Wow.
Kane didn’t seem to be feeling it. He jumped up. “Can I speak to you for a minute, sis?” His tone was biting.
“Sure,” my voice quivered while I stood on shaky legs.
Kane took my hand in a very unbrotherly fashion and led us over to a dark corner. It was a little awkward. “You’re not seriously considering going out with him, are you?” he whispered.
“Of course, I am. Why wouldn’t I?”
“He’s old enough to be your father.”
I spat out a laugh. “He’s fifteen years older than me. I don’t think we’ll be breaking any world records with that age difference. Besides, I like older men.” And I did. Even Ethan was eight years older than me.
Kane’s eyes softened. “I remember. Regardless, you need to ask yourself why a forty-five-year-old man is still single. What does that say about him?”
I scrunched my face. “You’re thirty-seven and single. What does that say about you?”
He pulled me closer. Again, not very sibling-like, but being so close to him made me forget about anyone else in the room. “It says I’ve been patiently waiting for the right woman. I’m ready to walk away from the single life anytime. Just say the word, Scarlett.”
I had no words. I had no breath. Kane had stolen both. All I could do was blink and blink.
Kane, on the other hand, had plenty more words. “While we’re on that note, a stepbrother wouldn’t, shouldn’t, know that if he kisses you right here,”—his finger grazed the hollow of my neck—“you’ll gasp. Or if he nuzzles you right there,”—he touched the skin right below my earlobe—“you’ll throw your head back and beg for more.”
> Though his warm lips hadn’t touched me, my body shook as if they had. My body longed for him to take me in his arms. Stay strong, Scarlett. I pulled away from him. “Thank you for bringing me here,” I eeked out. “I’m going to go to lunch with Landon,” I said before I lost my resolve and begged Kane to take me to his car and make me feel all the things.
Kane sighed and hung his head. “Fine. Keep running, Scarlett. I’m not your big brother, here to protect you from men who come calling. Just be careful. I’ll keep my phone on if you need me.”
“I’m not running from anything,” my voice cracked.
“Keep telling yourself that, but the truth is you’ve been running your entire life. Afraid to go after what you really want.”
Tears of frustration filled my eyes. “I tried once. It didn’t do me a lot of good.”
“Here’s the thing,” he whispered in my ear, “you have to keep trying no matter how hard it gets or how impossible it seems.” He pushed away, leaving me stunned. “See you later.”
I stared after him feeling such loss as he walked away.
Landon appeared by my side. “I hope I’m not causing any problems. You’re obviously close.”
He had no idea, and I planned to keep it that way. “Kane’s just, well, he’s worried.”
“I can see that. Are you ready to go?”
No. No. I wasn’t.
The Runners’ Club
I popped an olive into my mouth from the hummus sampler between us. Mediterranean was Landon’s favorite food. I knew that from his show. We were cozied up in a corner booth at a hole-in-the-wall place downtown. It smelled of olive oil, fig, and rosemary. It wasn’t a bad combination at all. Neither was listening to Landon talk about his work and travels all over the world solving what seemed to be the unsolvable. Especially intriguing was a case in Argentina involving twin brothers. It was one of my favorite episodes. They were identical twins, and it had been obvious one of them had murdered a prostitute. The local police hadn’t been able to prove which brother had done it, so they’d let them both go. The victim’s family then contacted Landon and his team. Being the genius Landon was, he’d taken a second look at the DNA, though it had seemed futile given the brothers were identical matches.
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