by Cindi Madsen
His phone rang. “My Life Would Suck Without You” meant Dani—he’d changed it after her performance at the club. Over the past few days, he realized how well it fit.
She’d called while he’d been out with Sophie but hadn’t left a message. He rolled over, grabbed his jeans off the floor, and dug through the pocket for his phone. For a moment, he considered saying something sarcastic as soon as he answered, about how it was such a relief she was still breathing and knew how to dial. But he was too happy to hear her voice, and he was dying to tell her about his job offer.
“Did I wake you up?” she asked, her words rushed together. “I know it’s late.”
“I wasn’t asleep yet. And you know you can call me whenever.” He turned onto his side, resting his head on his arm. “So, you’ll never guess what happened today.”
“You broke your ankle doing something stupid.”
All the bitterness he’d felt toward her for ignoring him this past week melted. “Close. I might do something stupid, and there’s always a possibility of ankle breakage. Especially if I get my way.”
“Okay, I think I’m way off, then.”
“So guess again.”
“Just tell me.”
“I’ll give you a hint. It’s something to do with my job.”
“Are you going to get to do your Indiana Jones adventure tours?” she asked.
“It’s sounding like a real possibility. Can’t call it that, of course.”
“’Cause that would be crazy.”
“More like copyright infringement,” he said. “So you need to help me figure out a name with all your mad marketing skills. But that’s not even all of it…” He told her about the possibility of taking over the entire company. “It’d probably be hectic and stressful for a few years, but then it would be mine, and I could do some different tours. I’m trying to think logically, but it’s hard when everything inside of me is screaming to go for it.”
She was quiet for a couple of seconds, and he held his breath, waiting for her to tell him it was a crazy idea. That finally he’d gone too far for even her to indulge his ideas, which meant his family would totally freak.
“Wow. That’s… That’s huge, Wes. I’m so happy for you!”
The excitement in her voice made him sit up. “So you think I should do it?”
“Well of course you’ve got to look at the financial side before diving in—if you want, I know a good accountant who can help you go over all the ins and outs. But it sounds perfect for you, it really does.”
“I think it might be.” He thought of the helicopters in the hangar at work. They could all be his. His to maintain. To fuel. To freak out over if they weren’t full of people, making money. He leaned back against the headboard. “It’d be more responsibility than I’ve ever had, though. I can’t just walk away if I get a new idea. Not this time. And what if I end up driving the entire company into the ground?”
“If it’s what you want, you’ll find a way to make it a success.”
Come run it with me, he wanted to say.
“You know, I was thinking earlier today how both of our lives are so crazy right now—yours even more so with all the good news about your job—and maybe this retreat’s at a bad time. Work’s going really well and I’m sure I can land this promotion, even if I don’t get much time to talk with the boss, so you don’t have to come out here.” It was like she’d taken up speed talking and it took him a couple of seconds to process it all.
“It’s not a problem. I already bought the plane ticket.”
“I’m sure they’ll let you change it. Having you pose as my fiancé for this thing was a stupid idea in the first place.”
Everything inside him turned from warm and happy to cold and confused. “But the retreat will be a good chance to take some time off before life gets crazy. And you know I’d never give up a chance to be outdoors, competing, forcing you to do dangerous things with me.”
The line was dead quiet, and frustration was creeping in. He needed another chance to be with Dani. To see if he’d made the right decision tonight.
“If you’re sure…” she finally said.
“I am. I’ll see you Wednesday night. It’ll be fun, Dani. And don’t worry. I’ll behave myself.” He thought of all the excuses he’d have to hold her hand. Maybe even steal a kiss. Or ten. “For the most part.”
She laughed, and like always, the sound made him smile. It made him wish he were there to see her eyes light up, her lips curve. “Well, when you put it like that…I’ll see you then. And congratulations again on the new job.”
“You’re next,” he automatically said, but realized that meant she’d still be way too far away.
He set his phone on the nightstand and lay back again, thinking about this roller coaster of a day. So many ups and downs. At dinner, he’d been so close to giving a relationship with Sophie another try.
Then Dani had called. He’d wanted to answer—but Sophie was eyeing him, and he knew that wasn’t the way to start over with her.
Sophie had slipped her hand off his and straightened. “I don’t know what I was thinking, coming here. Just tell me one thing, Wes. I want to know—I need to know—if you started sleeping with Dani before we broke up. Please just be honest, because it’s killing me.”
Wes clenched his jaw. “If you knew me at all, you wouldn’t have to ask.”
“That’s not fair. You were always on the phone with her. You went to visit for a week and then a few months later, you end up engaged. What am I supposed to think?” Ever since he and Sophie had broken up, he’d focused on everything great about her. But he’d forgotten that there were fights that didn’t include his friendship with Dani. She always called his hobbies immature, told him he needed a “grownup” job, and apologized to her family for his jokes.
“Nothing was going on with Dani before you dumped me, Soph.” He was about to admit he still wasn’t involved with Dani, but he realized that would be a lie. There was something inside pulling him to her, and distance or not, he had to try. Better to crash and burn than to forever wonder.
“I’m sorry I asked you here,” he said to Sophie. “I thought… I guess I thought we needed resolution. But I think I’m just making it worse. So I’m sorry you and I didn’t work out, I’m sorry if I hurt you, and I wish you the best.”
Sophie stared at him for a few seconds, then dropped her chin. “Yeah. You, too.”
Not sure whether he’d later regret his choice, he’d paid the bill and left. He drove around the city for a long time before coming home. And now that he was thinking about it, he realized that in a way, Dani was responsible for not just his and Sophie’s relationship failing, but all his failed relationships. Not only because no one could believe they were just friends, but also because he knew there had to be more girls like her out there.
But there weren’t. Not exactly like her, and she was who he wanted. So he was going to that retreat with her, he’d be the best damn fiancé ever, and at the end of it, he’d lay it all on the line and hope if they were good enough friends, they’d survive it, even if she didn’t feel the same way.
What he really hoped would happen, though, was that she’d tell him she felt exactly the same way.
Chapter Fourteen
Just in the nick of time.
Dani made a copy of the signed contract and then walked into Bill’s office and tossed it on his desk. “The account’s ours.” Hopefully it would be hers once she got the promotion. “I’ve got to go pick up my fr—fiancé—at the airport, so I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Bill nodded. No good job, no friendly good-bye. No thanks for working your ass off this week and talking our new client into signing a contract.
When I’m in charge, she thought, I’m going to be much cooler to the people who work with me.
Dani stopped by her cubicle, shut down her computer, and grabbed her purse. A mixture of excitement and apprehension swirled through her stomach, leaving it tingly and crampe
d at the same time.
Because of her confused emotions over Wes, she’d worried his being at the retreat with her was a bad idea. But with so much on the line, she was glad he’d insisted on coming. She’d be calmer, he was a total charmer, and everything would be okay. The next three days would include lots of “team building” activities, and if she had her way, lots of chatting up the boss and proving she deserved a promotion.
All she had to do was focus on her goals. Rock the retreat, land the promotion so she could help out her family financially and they could all breathe easier, and continue to get her life back, which may or may not include Darryl. He hadn’t called for a few days, but she hadn’t called him, either—she was enough of a mess without adding any new, maybe-kinda relationships into the mix.
Dani got in her car, fired up the engine, and gave herself a mini pep talk.
I’ll be fine. Wes and I are friends. I’ve just got to keep my feelings in check.
Or, in other words, she just had to hold back.
…
The lights of Little Rock grew brighter, buildings and freeway lanes starting to take shape. Flights he wasn’t in charge of piloting weren’t nearly as fun, but at least he was that much closer to Dani.
He tapped his fingers on his bouncing knee, and the man next to him scowled. Wes almost wanted to tell him it was okay—he wasn’t nervous, just in love. With his best friend.
His heart squeezed. He’d been determined to cross into more, but he hadn’t realized until now how true the love part was. This wasn’t like a normal dating situation, where he was getting to know the other person a little at a time. He already knew her. Already loved her. And now he was in the kind of so-crazy-he-couldn’t-think-about-anything-else love.
It felt reckless and dangerous, the same feeling he got whenever he was about to cliff dive or do a stunt in his helicopter. Frantic energy coursed through his veins; his knee bounced higher.
The airport took shape, and then the wheels were down, bumping against the asphalt. The landing was a little rough, and he couldn’t help thinking his landings were much smoother. All the passengers sprang into action as soon as the Fasten Seatbelt sign dinged and shut off.
Wes ran a hand across his jaw. He still wasn’t quite used to it being so smooth; his face still felt naked without his scruff. Small price to pay if he got to kiss Dani, though.
Finally it was his turn to grab his bag from the bin and exit the airplane.
He spotted her right away, even though she looked different than she usually did. Her hair was down and straighter than usual, and she was wearing tight black slacks and a crisp white button down. He’d never seen her dressed so all-business before. Her gaze moved down the line of people, getting closer and closer. Then her eyes met his, and his heart skipped a beat.
He crossed the distance between them in a few quick strides and hugged her. It was like hugging a wooden post—her arms stayed down by her sides and her body was stiff. Then she was stepping back. Her eyes followed the movements of people around them, not meeting his.
Why’s she all cagey and closed off?
She scuffed the floor with the toe of her shoe. “How was the flight?”
“Would’ve been better if I got to fly the plane.”
That got him a half smile. “I’m surprised they managed to get it off the ground without you.”
“Me, too.”
Her shoulders lowered, the tension slowly draining from her body. “I’m surprised. I figured you’d be about back to the mountain man look.” She reached up like she was going to smooth a hand down his face but then dropped her arm last minute. “Anyway, you ready?”
He hiked the strap of his duffel bag higher on his shoulder and stepped toward her.
She took a large step back and spun around.
This was the furthest thing from the scenario of this moment he’d cooked up in his head. If only he knew what was going on in her head. He didn’t want to make a mess of things before the retreat—if she didn’t feel the same way about him, it’d be a whole lot of awkward over the next four days. So he’d take it slow, even though everything in him revolted at that thought. All the time together would be the perfect opportunity to show her how great they were together.This time, he was all in. No more holding back.
…
Dani gave Wes the tour of her apartment, which didn’t take long, since it was just the living room and kitchen, bathroom and bedroom down the hall. “I already pulled out the blanket and pillow,” she said, pointing to the pile next to the couch. “Watch TV if you want. My kitchen doesn’t have much food, but you’re welcome to anything in there.”
“You’re going to bed already?” Wes asked.
Yes, otherwise I might accidentally throw myself at you. Hopefully it’d be easier to control herself at the retreat. She’d be in work mode, not thinking about how they were alone and how he looked with his shirt off and—
“Dani?”
She gave her head a little shake, trying to rid it of that image. “We have to get up early tomorrow and you know I suck at that. I have to be awake enough to drive the hour and a half it takes to get there.”
“I’ll drive.” Wes grabbed her hand and pulled her toward the couch. “Stay up for a bit with me.”
“But you don’t know the way.”
“There’s this amazing thing called GPS that tells you exactly how to get there.” He gave another tug and she moved toward him.
“But you never listen to the GPS because you think you can figure out a better way.”
“My way’s always more fun.” He pulled her again and their bodies were almost touching.
Dani tried to swallow but a permanent lump was in her throat. As much as she’d told herself to hold back—that she could control her attraction—it wasn’t really working. Not now that she could feel the heat coming off him and his eyes were on hers.
Space. She needed space. She sat down on the end of the couch, leaning her back against the armrest and pulling her legs up to create a barrier.
Wes sat on the other end. Two creases formed between his eyebrows and she worried he’d noticed she was acting weird. They’d always had such a natural ease, one no one else understood, and she wished it hadn’t disappeared with that kiss at the wedding.
“So?” he asked. “Anything new happen in the last few weeks?”
“Well, it’s not anything yet really, but I did go on a couple of dates with a guy.”
Wes sat back, his lips pressed in a tight line. “No offense, but you do tend to pick losers, so I’m going to save you a few months and say you should just get rid of him now.”
“Hey,” Dani said, kicking her foot against his thigh. “Okay, so maybe I’ve picked a few losers, but that doesn’t mean I’m incapable of finding a good guy. Besides, I… Don’t make fun of me, but I started a membership through an online dating site, so technically I didn’t pick him, the site did. I’ve been out with him twice, and he’s nice.”
“Ah, nice. Sounds thrilling.”
“And he plays basketball.”
“The key to any good relationship.”
The more he mocked her, the more flustered she got. Not all guys can be like you, she bit back. Desperate to change the subject, she said, “What about the job offer? You take it yet?”
“Not officially. I’m still looking over some things. I did find a spot for white water rafting. Just need to get the certification.”
“So you can save all the people you convince to do crazy things?”
“Pretty much.” He patted her foot. “You’re freezing again. Here.” He shifted, tucking both her feet under his leg. “I actually brought the files. I was hoping one night we’d have some time to go over it all. I’d love to get your opinion before I sign away my life.”
“Sure,” she said, and then silence stretched between them. For background noise, she punched on the TV, settling on ESPN.
Wes hooked his arm over her knee, leaning toward the TV. “Five b
ucks the Cardinals come from behind and win this game.”
“You’re on,” she said, and he grinned. “Would now be a good time to tell you that Johnson got hurt yesterday and isn’t playing?”
His smile faded. “Really? Damn.” He rubbed his fingers along his jaw and shrugged. “Oh well. I’m standing by my bet.”
“Prepare to lose, then.” After a few minutes, she let her head fall back. Exhaustion seeped into every muscle, every bone. Her eyes drifted closed as the game played in the background.
There was something so cozy and secure about Wes and the noise and the fact her feet were now warm underneath his legs. As she drifted off, she had the hazy thought that this was all she’d need to be happy for the rest of her life.
Chapter Fifteen
Wes glared at the GPS when it told him to “Turn right in point two miles.” Like he couldn’t see the sign. He shouldn’t feel so bitter at an electronic voice telling him what to do, but it was driving him crazy.
He glanced at Dani. Her seat was reclined, her eyes closed, a completely peaceful look on her face. He punched off the GPS. She’d never know, and now he could relax and drive. He still wasn’t sure what to make of how closed off she’d been last night. He’d promised himself he wasn’t going to hold back, but it was stupid to ruin everything if she clearly didn’t feel the same way.
He took a sip of his now-cold coffee, swearing when it sloshed out of the cup, over his thumb and onto his shirt and pants. He looked up in time to see the shift in the road and all the orange barrels set in place to keep traffic out. He merged behind a semi, following it onto the rough pavement.
The bumps and loud noise the tires made hitting the road didn’t even faze Dani.
When, a good hour later, he realized he was on the wrong road and had been for quite some time, he started hoping she would stay asleep for the entire drive. No such luck. Of course that was the moment she started stirring. She squinted at the clock, rubbed her eyes, and looked at it again, scooting forward. “Aren’t we there yet?”
Wes grimaced. “Small problem.”
