Undertow

by Jen Greyson

  “I’m sorry.” I raced down the plank and didn’t stop until I’d gotten into a cab and was on the way to the airport.

  CHAPTER

  AFTER THE THIRD delayed flight, a re-route through Chicago, and a crew change that made me miss yet another connection, I felt like the Universe didn’t like my choice. But I’d done it and there was no going back.

  By the time the plane landed at home, I was exhausted—mentally, physically and emotionally. The only bright spot was that the running around and frustrating delays had kept my mind off the show. With me gone, the remaining taping should have gone smoothly. If ratings had tanked, then Stuart would have expedited the production schedule anyway. He’d pulled the plug on the live episodes the moment ratings had started to slip. With the massive bank of content, he could have edited in enough to carry through for the final couple weeks, saving his ass, if not the show. Guys like Stuart never went down with the boat. Kat and Mateo would end up together and life would be splendid.

  Tears burned my eyes and I blinked them away so I could let myself into my house and bury my head under the covers for a long while. A note fluttered on the counter. I dropped my suitcase, kicked off my shoes and picked up the note, recognizing my roommates looping handwriting.

  When I’d landed in Miami, I’d texted her that I was coming home early, but she hadn’t responded. I had no idea when she’d left the note, but apparently she was in Europe with her parents which made me both sad that I wouldn’t have anyone to tell my sob story to, and secretly elated that I wouldn’t have to tell her my sob story and I could hide from the entire world until I had to go to work again.

  I wasn’t ready to deal with anyone at McComb, so I’d emailed them that I was taking the week off. I wasn’t sure I had a job and I was sure Stuart had fed them whatever BS he’d needed to so that my leaving the show had been my fault, not his.

  I crumpled the note and tossed it in the trash, then went looking for whatever alcohol we had left over from our last house party. We didn’t entertain a lot, but my roomie usually invited people over every weekend. I found a bottle of whiskey and a plastic tumbler and poured myself a healthy drink.

  I sat on the couch and took my first relaxing breath, then a giant swig of the whiskey. It burned and made my eyes water, but then the soothing warmth pooled outward from my belly. “Way to screw up your entire life, Sangria.”

  I took another swig and the tears started in earnest.

  My career for the immediate future was over.

  I’d probably be sued by the studio for contract violation.

  I’d lost the only guy I’d ever felt safe around because I was too chicken to let our bizarre and public relationship play out.

  And I’d let my dad down.

  I set the drink on the table and curled into a ball. There wasn’t enough alcohol in this house to fix my mess.

  After a long night of tortured thoughts and plans, I watched the sun come up. While my situation was still bleak, I’d at least come up with a plan to somewhat save face. My resignation lay neatly typed on the coffee table, I’d showered and pulled on my most expensive suit. I touched my bun, smoothing invisible hairs that had come loose, but every singe strand was perfectly in place, pulled back severely from my face. My makeup was a swipe of mascara and a matte gloss. I was readied for battle, or at least for the attack I knew was coming.

  I slipped a muted pair of navy heels on and stood, slipping the paper into my briefcase.

  The office was a flurry of activity. Cameras met me in the lobby and I skirted them, wondering what in the world the partners were up to, but then I remembered that one of our new clients had offered to shoot new video testimonials for the website redesign. Figured that I’d show up on the same day. I was so very allergic to cameras, camera personnel, any video, and probably stills. I didn’t want to see my boss or McComb, and I toyed with the idea of leaving the resignation on my desk, but I needed to make sure they got it. I deserved whatever they had to say to me with how badly I’d screwed up.

  I got a few startled looks on my way to my office but I ignored them. I was sure they’d seen me on the show, and really, how could I explain? At my cubicle, I quickly gathered my few personal effects then steeled myself for what was coming next.

  My boss’s office was at the end of our cubicle row and the door was shut as usual. I lifted my hand to knock, but paused at the multiple conversations going on inside. Damn. I bowed my head. I guess I’d have to leave it on my desk.

  I turned and bumped against my boss. He grabbed my arms to steady me and I gasped.

  “Sangria? What are you doing here?”

  I held the paper out. “I’m so sorry.”

  “Here, here. Come in. We’re watching the final episode of the show.” I recoiled but he ushered me in the room. Ten of the partners and assistants were crowded around his big screen TV, and sure enough, Mateo’s big head was filling the screen in a close-up. I spun away and shoved my resignation at him. “I just came to give you this.” My eyes burned with a new set of tears. I didn’t want to be anywhere near any episode, let alone the final one. I ran from the room.

  “Sangria? Wait!”

  I ducked and hurried to the elevator banks, clutching my purse tightly to my chest and despising the heat burning my whole face. The entire floor watched me and I stabbed the elevator call button again. One of the camera men swung toward me but I drew my face down further, like a turtle hoping to find some safety inside my shell. This was a horrible idea. I should have e-mailed it.

  The elevator doors finally opened and I leapt in. My breath came in gasps. I hadn’t been ready to see Mateo and the picture of his face had been enough to crack every bit of resolve I’d had. This was for the best, it really was. I was so glad it hadn’t shown anyone standing with him. I was barely keeping it together seeing him alone. Seeing him with Kat would have knocked me flat on the floor and I’d have made a serious spectacle of myself. Not that I hadn’t anyway.

  I clutched my purse tighter and stepped into the lobby, keeping my head down until I was outside. I thought about getting a cab, but decided to walk. It was only a few blocks to the apartment and it would do me good. I touched my hair, but it was still there, still neatly reserved.

  Like I should have been during the whole time on the show.

  The courtyard outside the office was overly crowded and I edged my way between the clumps of people. I’d barely made it a few feet when a voice much too similar to Mateo’s called my name. “Sangria?”

  I squeezed my eyes shut and walked faster. Someone must be listening to the damn show on their phone nearby. I wanted to find them and shake them and demand they put on headphones so I never had to hear Mateo’s voice again.

  “Sangria.” Warm fingers wrapped around my elbow and I jerked away, already remembering my life from before.

  “Sangria, please,” Mateo’s voice was soft and his strong scent of mint and his aftershave washed over me. I fought the urge to inhale him deep into my lungs. “Look at me.”

  I chewed my lower lip and lifted my gaze. Seeing him on screen had been brutal, seeing him a few inches away was nearly enough to make me implode.

  His fingers lifted to my cheek and I flinched. He paused a breath away until I relaxed, then he brushed them lightly across my face. “I told you I wasn’t ready to let you go.”

  My gaze darted side to side. “This isn’t possible.”

  He smiled but it didn’t reach his eyes. Something was troubling him but I didn’t want to know yet. “Come here.”

  His lips came closer and I had no time to think. We kissed with wild abandon, cupping my face and tilting my head so he could deepen the kiss. I kissed him back and melted against him, wanting him so much it hurt. I’d been a fool to think that being away from him would lessen any of the attraction I felt for him. He was my everything, my strength. And today I was in dire need of a whole bucketload of it.

  I got lost in the kiss, but we couldn’t be doing this any more
now than we could when we were on the show. I pulled away quickly. “Wait! You’re engaged.” I wiped the back of my hand across my lips like I could undo the kiss and take back how badly I needed a man who was so very spoken for.

  He stroked my cheekbone with his thumb. “Not yet.”

  “Wha—“ I didn’t dare hope that Kat had refused him.

  He dropped to one knee and opened a velvet box, lifting it up toward me.

  CHAPTER

  MY HANDS FLEW to my mouth. “What are you doing?” Then I looked closer and squinted. That wasn’t a ring in the box, it was a key. I picked it up between my finger and thumb and held it up. I crooked an eyebrow at him, down there on one knee, grinning up at me. “What’s this?”

  “Give you a guess.”

  I settled it in my palm. “Looks like a car key.”

  “Come on, you can do better than that.”

  I could, but my heart was already pounding in my chest. This key belonged to a mustang, with the stamp of the running horse on it.

  “I believe I owe you a Mustang... since I stole it from you.”

  My eyes flew to his, but he was teasing me. I’d wanted this car so badly those nights ago at the auction, but now I wanted something else more. I’d sell every single one of my treasures if it meant I could have him. I blinked back the tears.

  He snapped the lid of the box shut and stood. “I was kind of hoping you’d let me date you.”

  I laughed and my hand twitched, curling the key into my palm. I wasn’t sure if he was giving it to me, or letting me borrow it, or making me buy it, but none of that mattered.

  He really did know me.

  After all my worries, after everything we’d been through that no sensible couple should be able to survive, he’d listened, he’d been there, and he hadn’t given up on me.

  I stared at him for a long time. We were so mismatched in all the things that were supposed to matter. But I wanted him.

  “I’d like that.” I grabbed the front of his shirt, pulling him down to kiss me again.

  A chorus of cheers erupted around us and I finally pulled out of the kiss enough to look around. A massive audience surrounded us, but they’d stepped back to give us a bubble of space. I scanned the crowd, and narrowed my eyes as I caught sight of Stuart.

  He stood a dozen feet away in the middle of the cheering onlookers, slow-clapping his approval. I frantically searched for cameras, spotting three—two of which I’d seen upstairs. This whole thing had been a set up? Fury and embarrassment eclipsed the joy of a few minutes ago.

  “You bastard!” I launched myself at him, hands outstretched and going for his throat. He leaned back, just out of striking range and Mateo caught me around the waist and pulled me back. “Hold on.” He pressed his lips to my ear. “Listen to him first. Then you can strangle him.” I nodded and he loosened his grip but stayed with me, ready to jump back in if he needed to keep me from killing Stuart.

  My fists clenched at my sides and I vibrated with the anger and hurt. I’d wanted this to be real, not more of Stuart’s script. “You’d better start talking.” I glared at Stuart.

  His gaze flickered to Mateo and he held up his hands. “First, I didn’t have anything to do with today. This was one-hundred percent authentic. We’re all bystanders.”

  I inhaled sharply and Mateo’s hand tightened around my ribcage. I nearly sobbed with relief. I should have grabbed Mateo and dragged him out of there, but I wanted to hear what Stuart had to say.

  “As for the show... After you left, things went south.”

  They’d already gone south before I quit, so I had a hard time seeing how they could have gone worse. I crossed my arms, settling them over Mateo’s where he still held me.

  Stuart cleared his throat. “All the girls quit. Well everyone but Kat, the rest of them didn’t want to play once you left. And then Mateo cancelled the rest of the taping.” He sighed and rubbed his forehead. “Before we could get everyone on a plane the studio got bombarded with complaints. Kat threatened to sue...” The corner of his mouth ticked up in his wolfish grin. “You made a right mess.”

  I glared. “No, you did by trying to turn—“

  He held up his hand and I clamped my lips together. “I agree there were mistakes made.”

  Ooh he was such a slimy, no-account... “I quit and you screwed me anyway?” I pointed at the nearest camera. I hated him so much. Maybe it was good that I’d bailed on entertainment law. I was not cut out for these slime balls.

  “Not exactly.” Another voice said from my left. The crowd parted and McComb stepped forward, my boss in tow. He held out an envelope. I reeled sideways out of Mateo’s loose hold, clasping my hands tight together at my chest. That was probably the lawsuit.

  McComb smiled and eased the envelope toward me. “Stuart called us the moment you left the ship. He told us what happened and I defended you and the position we’d put you in. I’m sorry that it worked out badly, but I stand behind the offer I made you. If you ask me,” he glanced at Mateo, then back. “You were put in an untenable situation and I think you made the right choice.”

  My boss stepped forward. “We’ve been watching the show.” He motioned toward the cameras. “And we knew what was going to happen today because we were watching the live feed in my office...” He blushed and rubbed the back of his neck. “I didn’t know you were coming in to quit, though. We wanted you to end up with Mateo when he came for you today. He’s good for you.”

  I snorted. I thought so too... Even with the cameras and fiasco with Stuart.

  Mateo stood watching me, smiling and looking supremely contented. I wanted him in my life. Stuart could take his footage and shove it, but I couldn’t walk out on Mateo twice. I winked at him and held up a finger.

  He nodded and clasped his hands in front of him, ready to wait on me for as long as I needed. I loved that about him.

  I turned to my boss, needing some closure about my career. I took the envelope. “What is this?”

  “It’s a job offer.” He folded his hands at his waist. “And a bonus check for making our biggest client our happiest one.”

  My mouth opened but I couldn’t think of what to say. I was going to need some time to sort things out. The bonus check didn’t make sense though and I glared at Stuart. “He doesn’t seem very happy.”

  “I’ll let Mateo explain the rest.” He lifted a hand to my shoulder and leaned close. “Time to stop thinking with your head, Sangria. Make this next decision with your heart.” He straightened and nodded toward the envelope. “I hope to see you in a few weeks. Take some time off.” He squeezed gently. “But come back, okay?”

  I nodded. “I’ll be in touch.” I folded the envelope and put it in my pocket, then turned to Stuart. He still had some explaining to do.

  “We’ve never had a show pull in so much viewer support. Our ad rates are through the roof for anything we put in this time slot now.” He shrugged. “We came out good.” He jerked his chin toward the cameraman. “Don’t be mad that we taped this. I won’t use it if you don’t want me to, but those viewers are going to be bummed if they don’t find out that you guys end up together. Mateo asked us not to release it, so this is basically paparazzi. “

  I glanced at Mateo and he shrugged. “I knew you’d hate it so I told him no.” He closed the distance between us and the onlookers faded away as they held their breath. Mateo turned me around in his arms and brushed a strand of hair back from my face. “Because I know it matters to you, the penalties and contract obligations have been fulfilled. Stuart and I made a few deals. He offered to forgive the penalty if we’d let him air today’s footage. I told him no.”

  My fingers closed around the lapels of his jacket. “You’ll have to pay the penalty?” I groaned and dropped my forehead to his chest. That was the whole reason I’d left, to keep this from happening but he’d brought us back to the same spot.

  He pressed a finger to my lips and I kissed it. I wanted this, I wanted him. But not at that cost. />
  “Already wrote him a check.” He pulled me into a kiss, then lifted his head and stared into my eyes. “I can make more money, Sangria.” He stroked my cheek. “I can’t find another you.”

  I kissed him, no longer caring about the cameras or the crowds or anything beyond the feel of him. I already knew he was one in a million.

  Jen

  I really want to hear what you thought about Undertow. Which of the girls should get her own book? What did you think about Mateo’s high-handed approach to getting Sangria on the boat? Your feedback really does mean a lot to me, and I’d love to hear from you. Shoot me an email at jennifergreyson@gmail.com with your comments.

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  Keep reading for a sneak peek at Cassidy’s story in Snowed Under.

  Sneak Peek

  Sneak Peek

  Snowed Under

  A Wunderland Novel

  (Cassidy)

  One