“Good idea. I’ve got my swimmers in the side pocket.” He grabbed her hand and glanced at Harrison and me. “So, thanks guys. We appreciate the cash, the car, and the digs. And we’ll be sure to call.” He picked up Katie’s bag. “Right, babe?”
“Right.” She gave her dad a hug. “We’ll call, and thanks.”
Billy had moved her to the door, and Harrison and I followed, ready to see them off.
Katie turned back. “Dad…why don’t you walk me to the car? I won’t get to see you for another couple of months. You’ll be going back to Boston, right?”
Harrison hesitated, and glanced at me. “In a couple of days. I figured that if you’re going to stay in Florida I might take a look around for someplace I could spend part of the winter. I’ll be looking from Miami to Palm Beach.”
“You—in Florida? That’s a sudden decision, isn’t it?”
“Not really. I’ve been thinking about if for awhile.”
“Can’t blame you for that,” Billy replied. His eyes searched mine. “Mom. Don’t be hasty. I’d still like to tell you about my ideas for the Candy Bar.”
“Okay. But if I get a decent offer, I’m taking it.”
Harrison took his daughter’s bag from Billy. “Goodbye, Candy. I’ll see the kids off, and we’ll keep in touch.”
I nodded and watched them all leave.
Halfway to the elevator, Billy came running back. He gave me a hug and whispered, “Harrison’s going to be hanging around for a few more days. Stay away from him, okay? It’s just too creepy to think of you guys making out.”
“Got it. Creepy.” I made a face.
I waved at Katie who was standing with Harrison at the elevators. “Have fun,” I called loudly.
She waved back.
“I’ll call you if I decide to come down,” I told Billy. “If you’re free, we can do dinner.”
“No promises,” he said.
I shut the door, glad that I didn’t have to deal with Harrison alone. Maybe Billy was right. It was creepy.
He knocked on my door about ten minutes later. I’d hoped he was long gone.
I opened up but didn’t invite him in. “Look, Har, I think we’re making a mistake. We should leave them alone in the Keys. Even having dinner tonight is dumb. All it can do is get the kids more riled up, and possibly band together against us.”
“Come on, don’t chicken out on me,” Harrison said smoothly, leaning on the door jamb. “We can discuss this over dinner.” He gave me a winning smile. “They don’t need to know what we do tonight.”
“Billy asked me to stay away from you. Said it’s creepy.” I added quickly, “You know I’m attracted to you, so it’s tempting, but can only cause us more harm than good.” I crossed my arms around my middle, in protective mode.
“What are you afraid of? I’m not going to seduce you unless you want to be. And as far as your son is concerned—creepy or not—it’s our job to make sure the kids don’t do anything crazy, like elope.”
“Why do you say that? They wouldn’t do such a thing, would they?”
“Katie threatened it last night. But I think she did it because she was so upset seeing you and me in that predicament. I’m sure she was just punishing me. But that’s not to say they wouldn’t, if they believe we’re trying to keep them apart.”
“This is all so confusing. I want Billy to be happy. Period. “
“Well, I’m going. With you or without you.” He cleared his throat. “I want to keep an eye on things. Maybe we could stay at a different hotel and keep a low profile.”
“How very amateur sleuth of you,” I said sarcastically.
“So is that a “yes?”
“I’ll let you know. Tonight at dinner.”
CHAPTER EIGHT
He left, and I was puttering around my kitchen when the doorbell rang not long after. I was sure it would be Harrison bothering me again.
It was Susie, and I let her in with a squee of delight and a smidgen of trepidation. “Susie—come on in. It’s so good to see you! What are you doing here?”
“I came to gossip.” Her eyes lit up with mischief. “What’s going on with you and that handsome hunk of a man from the bar? Did you…”
“Did we what? No, of course not.” I blushed, and then seeing her mouth open and her eyes widen in pleased surprise, found myself in confession mode. “We got caught in the act. By Billy and his fiancé, Katie—Harrison’s daughter. As you can guess, the shit hit the fan.”
“Oh, no.” Susie plopped herself down on the sofa that faced my ocean view. “Pour me some wine and tell me everything.”
I opened a bottle, poured two glasses, then sat next to her—tucking my feet up under me—and updated her on the entire mess.
“So, you’re going out with him tonight?” She smiled and ran a dainty finger up and down the stem of her wineglass. “And then you’re going away with him tomorrow? You two are going to show up in the Keys, tucked away in your own love-nest and spy on the kids?” She put the glass down with a frown, probably remembering her own father doing the same to her. “Are you crazy?”
“Yes. No. Maybe.” I chewed my bottom lip. “What would you do?”
Susie glanced out at the view and thought before she answered. “Not sure. Probably the same as you. I mean Harrison is an amazing catch and you two definitely have chemistry, but I am worried about how this will affect your mother/son relationship.”
“So am I. That’s why Harrison and I can’t stay together and should drive separately. We have to be very sure that nothing happens between us again. I’m telling you, Sus, it is incredible, the attraction. When I’m with him, he’s all I want. But it can’t happen. If it did, well, that would be just too awful. I’d never forgive myself, and Billy wouldn’t either.”
“Why tempt fate?” Susie asked. “Forget dinner. Don’t answer the phone.”
“We are doing this for their best interests, not for ours,” I answered in an attempt to justify our actions. I hoped she could convince me that it was wrong because I had a very bad feeling about this whole thing.
“Right. You continue to believe that.”
“So I shouldn’t go?” I leaned closer to her.
“If you think he’ll try to sabotage their relationship single-handedly, then yes, by all means you need to go. So you can be their advocate, and work behind the scenes on their behalf.”
That sounded low-down and tricky. I wasn’t a subterfuge kind of girl. “Go against Harrison?” Secrets were awful things and I’m a lousy liar.
“If need be. Billy is your priority.”
I thought that over. There was only one win-win proposition for the Keys. Pray that my will power was stronger than my attraction to Harrison, while convincing my son that he was not ready to get married just yet. Gain their trust by being honest and sincere.
“Enough about me and my problems.” I was giving myself a head ache. “Tell me about yourself. How is the in vitro thing going? You look wonderful.”
“Not so great. The first one didn’t take, but we’re not giving up.” Susie licked her lips. “I think I want this more than Brett, but he wants anything I want.”
“You’re a lucky lady. He’s a sweet guy and you two are perfect for each other. You’ll be terrific parents.”
“True, but I’m in my mid-thirties, and if I don’t do it now, it will never happen. I’m ready. I really am. I’ve got some of my work projects to finish up and then I haven’t rebooked anything for next year. Keeping myself open, just in case.”
“That’s smart. You’re both very fit and healthy. Hopefully, by next year you’ll have a darling baby to stay home with.”
“To God’s ears,” she answered. “Getting work will be no problem, if all else fails.” She finished her wine.So what are you going to do about the bar? Are you still set on selling?”
“I’ve got to get through one crisis at a time,” I said.
“Got it.” Susie picked up her artsy handbag. “Well, I sho
uld be going. Have a good time tonight, but not too good.” She gave me a wink. “And best of luck with Billy. I’d let him be if I were you. This romance might just burn itself out. They’re so young.”
“He’s impulsive, like me. That’s what worries me.”
“Well, if the two of you do wind up together in the Keys—stay focused. Don’t let Harrison’s animal magnetism wear you down. Unless you want to, of course.”
“It won’t be easy. Every time he gets close, I want to tear his clothes off.”
“Oh, shit.” Her expression sank.
“Exactly.”
“Maybe you should call Jay Carpenter up and see if he can meet you for a few days in the Keys. It would keep you out of Harrison’s bed, and you’d be satisfied without making anybody mad.”
Funny how the idea repulsed me. A few weeks ago? I might have considered the option. “Susie. You have the worst ideas!”
She laughed, guilty. “Always have. Remember that time I botoxed myself and my eye drooped horribly right during my big art show? Not one of my brighter moves.”
“And what about the time you were fired from the law firm and worked for that gorilla gram company?” I chuckled.
Susie pointed her nose in the air. “I was a singing bumble bee, I’ll have you know. And I was very good.” She tossed her head and grinned. “So I made some weird career choices. It drove my dad ballistic, and that’s what mattered at the time.”
“Aw, hindsight. It’s a wonderful thing.”
“Exactly,” she said, as if that was her point all along. “So don’t let it happen to you.”
“Thanks for the warning.” I looked into the eyes of my dear, loving friend. “And I so hope the in vitro will work this time. You’ll make a great mother.” I touched her hand. “Let me tell you something—for all the heartache and rough times I’ve had with Billy, I wouldn’t trade motherhood for the world. He’s the most important person in my life, and always has been.”
Susie gave me a hug. “I know. And no matter what Billy decides, you’ll have his back. He’s lucky to have you.” She opened the door, then paused. “Please reconsider selling the bar. We might be selfish, but we don’t want to lose you or our favorite meeting place.”
“Everything will be fine,” I said, unsure how or what the future would bring. “I like to think it’s all written in the stars, and we just play it out.”
“I prefer to think we control our destiny in every way but one. That little piece of magic in the Candy Bar is the one thing no one can explain—and it’s priceless. There is not a dollar amount you can put on it. Think about that.”
“I will. I promise.” I closed the door behind her and went directly to my computer where I had all my business matters filed. I looked at my bank statements and thought about Susie’s comments. How did you factor in the monetary worth of making dreams come true?
To sell the Candy Bar would be to hand over that magic to someone who might never understand or appreciate the miracle it was—or the happiness it brings. But not to sell meant I was stuck doing what I’ve been doing for the past ten years. I wanted more. I wanted to make a difference in the world. Do something meaningful with my life. And the idea of romance, adventure, and fewer responsibilities had a strong appeal too.
* * *
I tried to put my worries to rest, but they followed me into the bathroom and haunted me as I showered and dressed.
Financial decisions regarding the Candy Bar had slipped to trouble number three. Second in my list of worries was fighting my attraction to Harrison. And the big one, the heart-breaker—the game changer was whether I should side with Katie’s father and enter into a dire plan to drive them apart.
Perhaps Susie was right. If we left them alone, they might break up on their own, and we wouldn’t have to be the bad guys.
I exfoliated and then creamed my skin, while my mind flitted back and forth. Mind my own business? Or go to the Keys with Harrison so we could sabotage the two young lovers?
I cringed. Even talking to them about taking it slow would be hard. I’d be hurting the person I loved most in the world. Billy was my whole heart and soul. Working against him simply would not be right, even knowing that he doesn’t have the maturity to take on a wife and family.
He’s just a boy.
Sure, he may have the physical size of a grown man, but inside his head? Not a hope. One day he’ll make a wonderful husband and father, I have no doubt, but he has a lot of growing to do. Marrying a woman because he’s afraid of losing her is not indicative of a healthy, mature relationship. It reeks of insecurity and desperation.
Harrison and I would be doing the kids a favor, saving them from making major mistakes and years of heartache. But driving down to the Keys and barging in on their romantic getaway was just wrong. I wasn’t going to do it.
Decision made, I felt better, although only slightly.
It was six-thirty, and I’d dressed in a sleeveless blue dress with a hint of cleavage. The silky material glided over my hips to flow softly to my knees. I’d used a light touch with my makeup, and my shoulder length hair fell in wispy layers, a much younger look than the heavily starched big-hair I’d once so loved.
I poured a small glass of chardonnay and took it out to the balcony to wait for Harrison. Although I did my breathing technique to rid the mounting anxiety, I still felt jittery inside.
On top of this entire fiasco, I had Harrison Wolfe to deal with—and it wasn’t a normal attraction. The physical part was explosive. As much as I’d been hot to trot for Jay Carpenter—this was a different kind of attraction. When our bodies touched I felt instant heat, a fierce yearning, burning inside of me, a desire to snuggle into his body warmth, and let myself melt away.
I’ve always been single. Independent. Tough when I needed to be. Even when my father threw me out and I left home only with a few dollars and a backpack. I’d scrounged together enough for a bus ticket to Florida. First stop had been Jacksonville and I’d waitressed there until my belly became swollen. Then I’d packed up again and headed south. I didn’t know what south would bring me, but if I was going to be homeless with a baby in my arms, I wanted to be damned sure we would at least be warm.
I’d found cheap lodging in a dingy district, and a job waiting tables. Someone told me about a place for unwed mothers, and I spent the last month of my pregnancy there. My legs and my belly had been so swollen that I couldn’t waitress anymore, and my money had run out.
Billy arrived safely into this world. The shelter wouldn’t have thrown me out, but they needed the space for other girls like me, so when he was one month old, I left—determined to find a way to support the two of us. I couldn’t keep taking hand-outs.
I found a cheap, sleazy rental and a woman there told me about a bar that needed dancers. She said we could work alternate nights, and that she’d take care of my baby. For the first few months after giving birth I waited tables, but once my body got into shape I knew I could earn ten times as much if I learned to dance like my friend, Holly.
At first I’d loathed taking off my clothes, but I soon got used to it. Closed my eyes and remembered my little baby’s face, and then I didn’t have to look at the disgusting men leering at me.
Yeah, I was tough. I did what I had to do. Always had and always will. So, keeping Harrison from making a huge mistake was my priority now. After all, a mother will do anything for the child she loves.
CHAPTER NINE
I returned indoors, rinsed my glass and refreshed my lipstick. I picked up my handbag and headed downstairs to wait outside for Harrison.
“Good evening, Jimmy,” I said to the doorman who’d been on duty when we arrived this morning. “You’re still here. No relief tonight?”
“Another hour, Miss, then I can go home.” He saw the Jaguar pull up. “Looks like your young man is here to collect you. Have a nice night, you hear?”
I smiled. “I will. Billy’s back for a few days. Did you see him?”
“I sure did. With a lovely girl too. My, how he’s grown up.”
“Old enough to want to get married.” I made a face. “Over my dead body. I’m too young to be a grandmother,” I said with a laugh.
“You sure are. Hard enough to believe you’re that boy’s mother.”
Jimmy opened the car door before Harrison could get out. “Tell him to wait a few years. A good marriage should last a long, long time.”
“I intend to. Thanks, Jimmy.”
He shut the door. The inside of the car was the perfect temperature, cool without arctic.
“Hi Har,” I said with devilish delight, knowing how much it annoyed him.
He gritted his teeth. “Harrison, please, unless you want me to call you Can.”
“Suits me just fine,” I laughed. “That would only be fair.”
“So where is this place?”
I directed him to I-95 north, and we followed it to the Gables until we reached Old Cutler Road and Matheson Hammock Park. I managed to keep the conversation light throughout the drive. I was already nervous about telling him my decision, but I knew that for me it was the right one. Harrison could choose for himself.
Once we’d arrived, the maitre d’ led us to a table on the verandah—with swaying palm trees and Tiki torches. We were seated at a romantic table for two that overlooked the lagoon, and the sea breeze blew warm and gentle against my skin. It was a balmy night, with a half moon, and a bright starlit sky.
Harrison ordered a bottle of chilled Simi, and we sat back to chat and peruse the extensive menu. “You chose well. This is a nice place.”
“Ever see the movie, ‘Something about Mary?’” I smiled. “A scene in the movie took place right here.”
“Is that right? It was a very funny show.” He glanced at his menu. “So what’s good?”
“Most everything. I happen to love Chilean sea bass, but they also have a delicious red snapper or mahi-mahi. The double boned pork chop is a great choice if you prefer meat.”
“Not tonight. I’ll stick to fresh fish—imagine it’s a better choice, on the ocean and all.”
The Candy Bar Complete - 4 book box set: Candy Bar Series Page 73
