Hate to Love Him

by Jody Holford

  “Hard to stop. I like what I see,” he said.

  “Which is strange, since we weren’t even sure if we liked each other.”

  Brady pursed his lips and thought about that. She wasn’t wrong. But, obviously, the fighting had hidden some attraction that now felt too strong to ignore. “Maybe we were both wrong about each other.”

  The image of her kissing some guy popped into his head. “You seeing anyone?”

  Mia took the entrance for the freeway and Brady stayed silent. She’d either tell him or she wouldn’t.

  “You saw the photos.”

  Brady’s heart beat heavy in his chest. “Maybe.”

  “Funny thing about photographs: they don’t always tell the whole story.”

  “Wasn’t judging you. Just asked if you were seeing anyone.” She could just say yes.

  The collar of his T-shirt felt restrictive. He stared out the window, watching the lights fly by in the other direction.

  “Jonathan and I are friends. We dated years ago, but there was no chemistry. We met up for lunch the other day. I didn’t even see a photographer.”

  “No spark, huh?”

  “We’re friends. It wasn’t the first time the society pages have gotten the wrong story. It won’t be the last. I wouldn’t have agreed to go out with you if I was seeing someone. For all of your doubts about me, I hope you at least believe that.”

  He must or he wouldn’t have followed through with the evening. Despite the fact she got under his skin like no other woman had, he was really starting to like being around her. She was smart and funny and surprisingly down to earth.

  “I do.”

  “Good.”

  “His family owns hotels,” Brady said, wondering why he didn’t just drop the subject.

  Mia groaned. “Yes, they do. But I don’t want to talk about Jonathan right now.”

  Jonathan. Jonathan GQ Conroy. Brady was frowning when Mia pulled into the parking lot of a cement gray building. A sign hung in the front that said BAY STREET MISSION. There were no windows on the front of the building, just a dark wooden door. She drove to the rear of the building and parked next to an aging pickup and a couple of small sedans.

  Only one dingy streetlamp cast light on the black concrete. When he got out of the car, he looked around. The back of other similar buildings butted up against a fence at the end of the lot. There were a couple of dumpsters along the far side of the lot. It wasn’t exactly the Four Seasons.

  “You would have come here by yourself tonight?”

  She waited for him to join her on her side of the car. He lost his train of thought for a second when she took his hand. “I would have. I park right by the door and someone usually walks me out. Tonight, that can be you,” she said.

  Tonight. And what about the next time? Was he someone Mia would consider an actual relationship with? She’d brought him here and he didn’t think she’d bring just anyone. She stopped at the metal door and banged her open palm on it, then stepped back. Grinning up at him, she asked, “Not even going to ask?”

  “I trust you,” he said. Unease coiled in his gut and he forced himself to relax.

  Sparks lit her gaze and she went up on her tiptoes to kiss him. It was barely a second, but he felt it through to his bones. She was like warmth on a cold night. The door swung open.

  “Mia. Right on time. How you doing, hon?” The big burly man in a chef’s hat and apron asked her. The white scruff of a five o’clock shadow covered his jaw.

  “Hey, Al. I brought a friend. This is Brady. Brady, this is Al.”

  “Any friend of Mia’s and all that jazz. Get in here. It’s cold and I have six dozen carrots for you to peel.”

  Brady followed her into a standard professional kitchen. Bay Street Mission. They were at a soup kitchen. No media, no limelight. Her plans for the evening involved feeding the homeless.

  She took off her jacket and looked at him expectantly. He realized she wanted his, too, and shrugged it off. As she started past him, she stopped and her lips tilted up. Not quite a smile, but she exuded cockiness, which he found really freaking hot.

  “Not exactly the kind of place you wear a suit, right?”

  Brady nodded, knowing he’d judged her like a jerk. Based on nothing because every time he thought he knew something about her, she proved him wrong.

  “Come on back, I’ll set you up while Mia says hello and puts away your coats,” Al said.

  His stomach led the way, which Brady figured boded well for his cooking. Mia joined him at the sink where Al had instructed him to start peeling potatoes. That was not his favorite thing to do, but since she was standing beside him, doing the same with carrots, it didn’t seem so bad.

  “So this is what you do for fun?” he teased.

  “It reminds me how lucky I am,” she said honestly.

  “Definitely one way to put it into perspective, isn’t it?”

  “It is.”

  They worked in companionable silence, peeling, washing, and chopping. Al sang sixties love songs while he mixed spices and flavors that made Brady’s stomach growl.

  “How often do you come here?” Brady scooped up peelings and transferred them to the trash bin.

  “Once a month. It’s not a lot.”

  “People always think it takes a lot to make a difference. But it doesn’t. Just takes showing up and caring,” Al put in as he walked past them.

  Mia hooked a thumb at him. “What he said.”

  When they’d finished prepping carrots and potatoes, Al had them peeling apples for a cobbler. Again, they worked side by side. A few others washed dishes, helped with set up, and prepped condiments. Every person there treated Mia as another helper. Not a woman who could jet off at a moment’s notice to wherever she’d like. She could have done anything tonight and she’d chosen to be here. Brady realized two things when she put her knife down and met his gaze: he was staring at her again and he’d misjudged her.

  He chucked an apple core in the trash when he’d finished slicing it. “You want to grab something to eat after this?”

  “Sure. How about Sergio’s or One?”

  His knife slipped on the next peel when she mentioned two of the most expensive restaurants he’d heard of. They didn’t have a reservation. He probably couldn’t even make one. They were both the kinds of places people had to know someone to get in the door.

  “You’re so funny, Brady. I’m messing with you. We can grab some burgers and head home if you want?”

  His heart rate returned to normal knowing he wasn’t going to have to request another loan to take her to dinner.

  They helped clean up and said good night. He was glad she had him beside her when they walked to the car. He was so lost in thought, he forgot to ask if he could drive.

  “That was fun,” he said when they got in.

  “I like it. I tried serving once, so I could get a chance to talk to people, but it makes me too sad. My father says I’m weakhearted.”

  “Your father is wrong.”

  “About a lot of things.”

  When Mia pulled into the drive-through, he argued with her over paying for the burgers.

  “I’m driving,” she said.

  “Exactly. You drove. I pay.”

  “That’s not a rule.”

  “It is now.”

  “Why do you get to make the rules?”

  “Jesus, Mia. Just let me buy you a burger. You can make the next rule, okay?”

  She laughed and he handed over a twenty. He’d never worked so hard to get a woman to let him buy her fast food. They ended up eating in the car because they didn’t want it to get cold on the ride home. By the time they pulled into the underground parking of their building, Brady was full and happy. He didn’t want the night to be over.

  They took their time getting up to her apartment. He didn’t want to ask her if he could come in. He wanted it to be her choice.

  “Thanks for coming with me tonight,” she said.

  “
Thanks for bringing me and for not letting me make a fool of myself by wearing a suit,” he said, taking her hand in his.

  She laughed and came close, putting her head on his chest and her arms around his waist. Brady’s breath caught in his lungs as his arms came around her. It was such a simple and sweet gesture and the way she fit into his arms, her head tucked under his chin, had the muscles around his heart squeezing impossibly tight. He had no idea what they were doing or where this could possibly go, but in that second, it felt right. It felt necessary.

  He stroked her hair, loving the feel of it beneath his palm. He tugged gently, getting her to look up at him.

  “I wouldn’t mind seeing you in a suit,” she said.

  He leaned in so their noses were touching. Don’t do it. Don’t set yourself up. Go-karting and hanging at a soup kitchen were pretty casual events. His best friends’ engagement party was a big deal. Still, he whispered the words, “I’ll be wearing one this weekend.”

  She closed her eyes and Brady used both hands to frame her face. He kissed her softly, memorizing the feel and shape and taste of her lips. When she sighed into his mouth, his heart sank like an anchor. Right at her feet. Crap. He hadn’t expected the rush of feelings. They were unfamiliar and frightening.

  Mia broke the kiss first and her eyes fluttered open as she gave him a dreamy stare.

  “This weekend?” she asked.

  “Engagement party,” he reminded her.

  “Right.”

  She stared at him and his heart jumped. Who the hell got nervous about asking out a woman he’d already made out with?

  “Would you go with me? To Owen and Gabby’s engagement party? I know Shay invited you, but maybe you’d go as my date?”

  There. He’d officially asked her out. Screw his rule and his worries. He liked the feel of her in his arms and the taste of her mouth under his. Mia Kendrick wouldn’t be standing here with him if she didn’t want to be, so why shouldn’t he ask her out? Why was it taking so much effort to convince himself he was in her league?

  “I think I’d like that,” she said. Then she smiled and made her brows go up and down in a cute and slightly awkward way. “Providing you don’t make me mad before Saturday.”

  Brady laughed, giving her another kiss. “You know I can’t make that kind of promise.”

  “Just try, okay?”

  He nodded. “I’ll do my best.”

  When he let himself into his apartment, it was quiet. Justin had turned in for the night—or, more likely, retreated to his room to play on his phone. As he got ready for bed, he thought about his desire to surround himself with family—even if it was of his own making. Now, he had his friends, his nephew, and an amazing woman in his life. It almost seemed like too much. Perfect was an illusion; just as easy to fall for as it was to shatter. But he couldn’t help feeling like right that second, his life was about as perfect as it could get.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Mia’s hands shook as she waited just inside the room that adjoined Jonathan’s office. It had to work and it would. Because what other option was there? If she thought about the fact that not every tenant would be able to stay, her stomach tipped upside down. She’d completely chickened out of telling Brady—not that a good moment had presented itself. At first it was too soon to say anything and then there was a strict clause not to. He was a businessman. Surely he’d understand the greater good? Especially if she could figure something out for him in particular. Better than all of them being ousted. Regardless of how she defended herself, she worried he wouldn’t see it from her point of view—that he’d focus on the not telling rather than the silver lining. Because it isn’t one for him. The papers from her lawyer had arrived on her desk this morning and Jonathan had been able to set up a meeting with her father and brother. Her grandmother had been invited as well.

  A knock came and Mia’s stomach clenched tight. Jonathan stepped into the room where she was standing statue stiff.

  “You ready?” His grin was confident and relaxed.

  “No.”

  Jonathan chuckled. “Yes, you are.”

  He walked away, back into his main office. She couldn’t see him now, but she could hear everything perfectly.

  “Mr. Kendrick, Michael, good to see you. Come on in,” Jonathan said.

  “Thanks for calling, Jonathan. My dad and I are eager to get this deal going,” Michael said.

  Mia frowned and rolled her eyes.

  “I’m pretty impressed with my boy, arranging this with you. Hell of a deal for both of our families and high time we joined forces,” her dad said.

  “Couldn’t agree more, Mr. Kendrick. Please, have a seat.”

  Her heartbeat sped up and seemed to echo in her ears. Another knock stopped their polite conversation.

  “Excuse me,” Jonathan said.

  She could imagine him getting up and going to the door. “Mrs. Kendrick. Lovely to see you,” Jonathan said.

  Mia smiled. Her grandmother had arrived.

  “Mother. What are you doing here?” Her father’s voice was sharp.

  “Grams, how are you?” Michael said, his voice uneven.

  “Boys. Thank you for inviting me, Jonathan. You’ve grown into such a fine looking young man.”

  Mia rolled her eyes again. Not time for flirting, Grams.

  “Thank you. And you never age, I swear. Please come sit down. Can I get you anything?”

  “No, thank you.”

  “Not that I’m not happy to see you, Mother, but what’s going on here?”

  Wringing her hands together, Mia took short breaths, trying to tell herself it would all work out.

  “I invited her. Seeing as we’re planning on making some significant changes and it affects Kendrick Place’s history, I thought it would be the right thing to do to include your mother.”

  Mia could tell by the tone of her father’s voice that his temper had been sparked. He did not like a surprise. You’re really not going to like what comes next, Dad.

  “Now. Let’s get started. My understanding is you and your sister now own fifty percent each of Kendrick Place,” Jonathan said.

  “Correct.”

  “Have you spoken to Mia about the conversion?” Jonathan asked.

  “No. We’ll get started on the paperwork and I’ll let her know when her probationary period is over. Best not to overwhelm her,” her father said.

  Gritting her teeth together, Mia took a step closer to the adjoining doors.

  “What if she’s opposed?”

  Mia’s breath stopped all together.

  “She might be resistant, but I think we can sway her,” her father said.

  “If you believe that, I don’t think you know her very well,” Grams chimed in.

  “Mother, you know as well as I do, once you signed over title, the choice of what happens with Kendrick Place is no longer yours.”

  “Yes, I do understand that, son. What I don’t understand is how you can make this change without one thought toward the legacy your father and grandfather were trying to build.”

  “You’re looking at it wrong, Grams,” said Michael. “We’re building on that legacy. Joining with Conroy Hotels is going to open up a whole new world for us.”

  “Mia won’t stand for it,” Grams said.

  Pain stabbed Mia’s heart. She didn’t care how her brother or father took the news, but she hoped her grandmother would understand that she really had no choice.

  She stepped into the room. “Actually, Grams, I don’t have a lot of options. But I do have some.”

  All eyes turned her way. Mia walked slowly to sit with them, careful not to trip. She took a seat at her grandmother’s side, taking her hand.

  “What is going on here, Jonathan?” her father said. She met his gaze straight on. “I could ask you the same thing, Dad. See, when you said you’d give me a chance to prove myself, I thought you meant it.”

  He had the grace to look down. His salt-and-pepper hair was groomed
back from his wide forehead. When he looked at her again, she felt like she was looking at a stranger.

  “I am giving you your chance.”

  “You’ve been waiting for me to fail. There’s a difference.”

  “Don’t be dramatic, Mia,” Michael said.

  Mia smiled, turning her attention to her brother. “Remember your own words in a moment when I lay out my terms.”

  “What terms?” Michael asked, his voice rising.

  Mia turned to her grams. “You know how much I love Kendrick Place and what our history means to me. I love you and I want very much to honor our family name. But Dad is right—you gave up your ownership and now I’m limited as to what I can do.”

  Grams patted her hand. “I didn’t know what they wanted to do, my darling.” She sent Michael and her son a scathing look. “Had I known, I would have done things differently. You both disappoint me.”

  “I hope you don’t feel the same about me,” Mia said quietly.

  Grams squeezed her hand. “I know you. I trust that you’ve acted with your heart.”

  Her heart clenched at those words. Maybe there was room for emotion in business.

  “I’ll ask again, what is going on?” her dad said.

  Jonathan looked at Mia and nodded.

  “I want to buy Michael out of his share of the building,” Mia said. Might as well shoot for the moon. Her faith rested on Brady’s story about his own brother, but hers wanted a piece of the pie. Ha. He wants the whole damn thing.

  “Not a chance,” Michael said. “And sister or not, I will fight you on this and make it so no one wants to live in that building.”

  She sat straighter, trying not to let the words puncture her skin. “I had a feeling you’d say that. So, we’ll compromise. I want to buy you out of thirty-three percent of your shares. You will have one floor of apartments to go forward with Conroy Hotels. I will have full ownership of the other twelve units. Kendrick Place will be a combination boutique hotel and standard residences. The residences are mine alone.”

  “Nope. Not happening. I get nine of the units and once the other tenants start leaving and you see what kind of profit I’m pulling in, you’ll jump on board.”

  Shifting in her seat, she let go of her grandmother’s hand. “That’s the main difference between you and me, Michael. I don’t need an exorbitant profit to be happy. It’ll thrill me to keep providing a nice place for people to live in a building I’m happy to call my home.”