I didn’t appreciate her question, though. It made me think of how utterly amazing he really had been. I’d never been with someone so fully supportive, who appreciated who I was. He’d never wanted to change me. He had been thoughtful, and never made fun of me, even when he’d had to teach me how to kiss. And man, could he kiss. But he’d never pushed it further than I had wanted it to go that summer. Always careful to never break the teacup, as he’d put it, even at times when I probably would have let him. So yes, he had been amazing, even though he’d left me. And I wish I could blame him for stealing my dreams; however, he was right. That was on me. All on me. And he had probably been right to break things off—not in the manner he had, but I was twenty-two years old, and overly naive at that. I’d had no business committing my life to anyone back then, even though I’d really wanted to.
Jaycie didn’t need to know any of that, so I answered with a simple, “It was.”
She grabbed a complimentary breadstick. “Maybe you could give me some advice on how to make him forget his mystery woman.”
Just as I’d imagined, I wanted to grab that breadstick out of her hand and smack her with it. She would be getting no such advice from me. I didn’t want Kane to forget about me. If I couldn’t forget about him, it was only fair. I refrained from violence and instead asked her a question, “Do you really want to be with a man who’s in love with someone else?”
She thought for a moment.
I’d thought this would be a no-brainer.
“Well,”—she nibbled on her breadstick—“I mean, sometimes you need someone to help you forget.”
“Believe me, you don’t want to be that person. When you really love someone, no one else can make you forget that.”
She patted my hand. “Aww. Have you been that person?”
“No, but I’ve hurt a few men when I couldn’t give them my whole heart because it belonged to another. I don’t wish that on anybody.”
“Ouch.” She sounded shocked. “Are you still in love with that person?”
“Yes,” I whispered. So much.
“Anyone I know?” she teased.
When I sat quietly, wide eyed, not knowing how to answer her, dawning swept over her face.
She dropped her breadstick. “Oh. Oh. Oh!”
Oh, oh, oh was right. The question was, what was I going to do about it?
What a Girl Wants
I fidgeted while sitting on the couch in Auggie’s office. My heart was racing, and I was pretty sure I hadn’t put on enough deodorant this morning. I was afraid to raise my arms for fear of what damage had been done to the underarms of my blouse. Every pore I had was sweating as I waited for my father to tell me what he thought of my plan.
Auggie sat across from me on a leather accent chair, looking between me and his laptop screen. Consternation was written all over his face. It didn’t help my state of being. Not only did I have to worry that Jaycie was blabbing to everyone that I was still in love with Kane—that had made lunch really awkward, by the way—but now I feared that I had disappointed my father once again.
Auggie finally set his laptop down on the coffee table between us. With a huge exhale, he said, “I’m impressed with you.”
I relaxed a bit and smiled. “Really?”
He smiled back, but it was subdued. “You have excellent insights and you grasp the nature of what we do here. And, of course, your medical expertise is second to none, not even Pamela’s.” That was a huge compliment, considering Pamela was a brilliant doctor in her own right.
I clasped my hands together. “But?” I knew there was one coming.
He scrubbed a hand over his face before running it through his hair. “Kane sent me his plan as well. He asked me to evaluate both.”
“Why?”
“Because, Scarlett, he plans on resigning, dependent on my findings.”
I blinked a dozen times. “What? He would quit? Why would he do that?”
Auggie leaned forward. “Why do you think?”
My cheeks began to burn, and my eyes started stinging with tears.
“He loves you.” Auggie said it so bluntly. “He wanted me to evaluate his plan to see who I believed the board would pick.”
“It’s him, isn’t it?” I managed to ask the question he obviously didn’t want to answer while a great sense of disappointment and, admittedly, relief washed over me.
“Yes,” Auggie confirmed.
I wiped my eyes. “I’m not surprised. He’s brilliant.”
“That he is. Regardless . . . he’s willing to resign and help you with your plan. He knows if he drops out of the running, the board will want additional candidates to evaluate. He wanted to make sure his plan was enough for you to clinch their approval over anyone else.”
“I’m not going to cheat. I don’t need his help,” I said indignantly.
“He figured you’d say that.”
“Then what is the purpose of all this?” Other than to humiliate me. Or was Kane trying to make his point that I wasn’t meant for this job?
Auggie turned his screen toward me. “Kane included an interesting idea in his plan. He believes we should expand our services here, including a new division dedicated to forensic pathology.”
I couldn’t help but smile, though it was pretty subdued, as I was trying to keep my emotions in check. Of course, he was brave enough to include it in his plan. I had considered something like that but thought I would look like a fool suggesting such a thing. The fact is, clinical and forensic pathology did go hand in hand. Clinical forensic pathology is needed for both the living and the dead. And all forensic pathologists were trained in clinical and anatomical pathology.
I quickly scanned Kane’s overview, which laid out how the kind of technology we used here at Armstrong Labs would benefit the forensic pathology community. How he envisioned Armstrong Labs bringing together the medical community to further advance the causes of the living and the dead. He really was brilliant. It was both frustrating and enviable.
“I called Kane and asked him where he got this idea.”
My head popped up and I met Auggie’s eyes as he carefully examined me. “He told me I should talk to you.”
I swallowed hard. “He did?” I squeaked.
“He said something to the effect that I didn’t know my own daughter. It’s not the first time he’s mentioned it,” he grumbled.
“And you let him talk to you like that?” I teased, trying to lighten the moment and delay what I knew had to come next. What probably should have come eight years ago.
Auggie chuckled. “I’m not fond of it, but I’ve always admired his directness.”
“Really? It drives me crazy.” But it was admirable, even though I wanted to smack Kane with a breadstick right about now. He knew this would force my hand. Make me choose once and for all what I really wanted.
Auggie stood and came to sit by me on the couch. He took my hand. “Tell me what I’m missing, Scarlett.”
I blinked back my tears, trying to avoid looking at him while mustering up the courage to say what I needed to. “I . . . um . . . well . . . my entire life, I’ve been afraid of disappointing you. I’ve wanted you to see me and be proud of me. And I thought the only way I could do that was for me to take over Armstrong Labs. But”—I braved looking him in the eye—“the truth is, I want to be a forensic pathologist. I’d rather help solve crimes than run board meetings,” I rushed to say before I lost my nerve.
Auggie seemed at a loss for words, almost as if I had used a stun gun on him. He opened his mouth several times to speak before saying, “Why didn’t you tell me this?” There was a slight bite in his tone.
“How could I? I didn’t want to give you any reason to love me less.”
He leaned away as if I’d slapped him, but he was quick to recover and wrapped his arms around me.
I fell on his shoulder and bawled, no longer able to hold back my emotions. “I’ve disappointed you again.”
He stroked my hair
. “I’m not upset with you. It’s me. I’m the one to blame here.”
“I’ve been trying to do the right thing. I know how much the company means to you and Momma,” I blubbered. “I wanted to make you happy.”
“Scarlett,”—he paused—“are you happy?” He had never once asked me that question.
I leaned away from him. “Not really. I haven’t been for a long time.”
He carefully wiped some tears off my cheeks. “What will make you happy?”
I looked around his spacious office with all its amenities and fancy technology. I looked at his desk and chair. I didn’t belong in that seat. “Honestly, not this. I don’t see myself here.”
“Where do you see yourself?”
“In a lab, surrounded by evidence.”
He smiled. “You’re more like Naomi than I ever realized.”
“Yes, but it’s not only because of her, I want what she has.” I pointed to my heart. “It’s something here that calls to me.”
“I think you should listen to it,” he said stoically.
“What about your legacy?”
“Scarlett, you are my legacy. You’re the best thing I’ve ever done in my life. I only regret you didn’t know that.”
I regretted that, too, so my mouth apparently decided to continue blurting out more truth. “You asked me what would make me happy. Having a real relationship with you makes me happy. I need you in my life.” It was about as vulnerable as I had ever been.
He leaned in and kissed my forehead. “I don’t deserve you.”
“Probably not,” I teased.
He laughed. “You are more like your mother than you will ever know. She always knew how to make me laugh.”
I took his hand. “Help me to know her,” I begged.
He nodded, a sheeny mist in his eyes. Then he took a deep breath and let it out. “Scarlett, I need to tell you something.”
I tilted my head, a bit concerned because of his tone.
“I know this competition of sorts between you and Kane has caused some issues and placed a divide between you.”
“That’s only part of the reason.”
He cleared his throat. “I’m part of the other reason as well.”
“How do you figure?” I was confused.
He swallowed hard. “When I promoted Kane to senior global manager eight years ago, I had a little talk with him. You were so young, and I didn’t want you to face the same fate as your mother,” his voice hitched.
“What do you mean?” I was taken aback.
“Your mother and I should have waited to get married until I was more settled in my career. I spent too much time away from home. So much time, I didn’t even realize how deeply my wife was drowning. I brushed off her concerns, thinking someday she would understand why I had to put so much damn time in at work. She tried to tell me she was unhappy and that she needed me, but I thought all the money we were making would somehow make it better. That there would be time later for us to spend together. I let my young ego get in the way, and because of that, she’s dead.” The pain still very much lived in his eyes, his soul.
I placed my hands over my mouth, thinking about how lonely and unhappy my mother had been. How my father had carried around this guilt for years. So many of his actions now made sense. Maybe even the next one he revealed did. Maybe.
He rested his hand on my cheek. “Scarlett,” he whispered, “I begged Kane to let you go. Let you grow up. I saw so much of your mother and me in the two of you. I was afraid his own ego would get the better of you both. And I couldn’t stand the thought of losing you like I did your mother.”
“So, you did send him away?” I felt so betrayed that he had lied to me all those years ago.
“No. I wouldn’t do that. He’d earned that promotion. The timing of it just happened to work in my favor, or so I thought.”
“You had no right. Kane isn’t like you,” I spat out.
“Once upon a time, I wasn’t like me. But you’re right—Kane is the better man. And he fought like hell with me. It wasn’t until after I told him about your mother that he came to realize he needed to let you go for a while.”
I grabbed my stomach, feeling sick. “Did you make him think I would take my own life?”
“No. I made him see that you needed to live life. I was well aware of all the mistakes I had made with you. Though he was more than happy to point them out to me. And he was right. But the fact remained that you needed to come into your own.”
“I was coming into my own,” I fired back. “Kane helped me more than anyone. He helped me see who I was and that I shouldn’t be afraid or embarrassed because I was different. He taught me to believe I could make my dreams come true.”
Auggie let out a heavy breath. “He did the job I should have done. But it was even more reason for me to be concerned. I wanted you to be able to separate your feelings about yourself from him. He wanted that too.”
I stood and ran a hand through my curls, not believing my father had convinced the love of my life to leave me. I was livid with both of them. While also sort of understanding why. Even so, while their intentions were good, their actions were foolish. Why did the men in my life have to make everything so complicated? “You both should have talked to me. Trusted me,” I threw at him.
Auggie stood and, without a second thought, embraced me. “You’re right. And now we are both paying for that mistake. And you are too, and for that I am truly sorry. You deserved better from me. I hope one day you can forgive me. And Kane. He’s a good man, Scarlett.”
I burrowed my head in his chest. “I know.” As maddening and meddling as he was, I knew how good he was. And I knew I had to forgive him. “I suppose he’s going to become the new CEO.”
“More than likely. How do you feel about that?”
“I don’t know. I really wanted to beat him.” I laughed somewhat maniacally.
Auggie leaned away but kept me safely in his arms. He seemed reluctant to let go. “You have every right to be proud of your plan. I know I am. You would have given Kane a run for his money. Regardless, I placed you in a position I had no right to. The question now is, what do you want? And how can I help, other than to get out of your way?”
Wow. What did I want? I wasn’t used to thinking about that. Unexpectedly, I had a world of possibilities in front of me. I liked it. I liked it very much. I took a moment to think about what this really meant. What I really wanted. I laughed to myself. Was it really any question what I wanted? There was absolutely no doubt. “Do you know Kane’s address, by chance?”
Auggie grinned. “I’m sure Randall can find it for you, or Jaycie.”
“Um . . . let’s leave Jaycie out of this.”
Auggie gave me a knowing look before letting me go. “I’ll get Randall on it.”
“Thank you.”
He headed for his desk. “I’m sure you’ll be busy tonight, but I’d still like to have dinner with you. We have a lot to catch up on.”
“Yes, we do.” I wanted him to know me. The real me.
“You can bring Kane,” he offered.
I tossed my head from side to side and smiled. “We’ll see how it goes.”
“He’s not going to let you go this time. After all, the man was ready to turn in his resignation for you. He’d do anything for you. Believe me, I know,” he playfully grumbled. “I can’t tell you how many times over the years he’s put me in my place because of you.”
I had no doubt. “I guess that says something.”
“He loves you, Scarlett. I do too.”
“I love you, Auggie. I mean, Dad,” I choked out.
“How about we stick with Dad?”
“All right. Just promise me: no more interfering in my love life.”
“Deal. Now get out of here.” He jerked his head toward the door. “I’ll have Randall send you the address.”
He didn’t need to tell me twice. There was something I wanted, and I had every intention of getting it.
>
Checking All the Boxes
I straightened out Kane’s old alma mater T-shirt as I stood on his doorstep. I was more nervous than I’d thought I would be. I shouldn’t have been surprised. This was kind of a big deal. One of those I-am-woman-hear-me-roar kind of moments. Granted, my roar would probably be more like a purr. Regardless, it would be me seizing my moment.
After a few cleansing breaths in and out, I knocked on his door. While I waited for him to answer, I admired his home. It was older but charming, with a deep covered porch complete with a swing. Kane had even hung a few potted ferns that were rustling in the light breeze.
It didn’t take long for Kane to open the door. When he did, he blinked a few times, as if his eyes were playing tricks on him.
“Hi,” I said breathily.
He perused me from head to toe, taking in my outfit—his old T-shirt and a pair of cutoffs. He must have liked what he saw. He dropped his hammer on the tarp-covered floor.
I took a good look at him, too, all sweaty in a dusty fitted T-shirt and snug khaki shorts. Oh, I was definitely going to be purring. Perhaps even roaring.
He wiped his brow. “Hello, darlin’. Nice shirt,” he said, ever so pleased.
I looked down at the old, faded thing I had probably worn and washed a hundred times. “I thought you might like it. I also thought since I have nothing to work on now, thanks to you, you might want some help with the house.” Though I knew zero about renovations.
He chuckled and tugged on my shirt, pulling me into his home before shutting the door.
I was hit with the smell of freshly cut wood and stain, mixed in with Kane’s spicy scent and a hint of perspiration. I found the mixture quite intoxicating.
He pulled me closer, his eyes dancing with amusement. “Are you furious with me?”
“Very.” I ran my hands up his taut chest. “How dare you try to give me what I want,” I purred.
“And what is it you want?” His lips drew closer.
I placed a finger on his lips before they ravaged my own. “We’ll get there. First, we need to lay out some ground rules.”
He kissed my finger before leaning in and whispering in my ear, “Name your terms, darlin’.”
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