He’d lied to her and broken her heart. Of course, she didn’t tell him she was pregnant. But why hadn’t somebody told him? That question tormented him, but not as much as the idea that they were both here, short miles away, close enough for him to touch.
They were staying in that house. The memory of how many times he’d climbed that damn tree twisted a pain in his chest.
After so many years of telling himself he didn’t care, he was satisfied being alone, it was his choice, the idea that he could have a family with her was killing him. It was the most acute torture he’d ever known.
Would she come here and tell him? Or would she make him find out in front of everyone at a high school reunion event? He never remembered Anna as being that dramatic. She wouldn’t do that to their daughter.
Although he was discovering he was one of the few who didn’t already know. It was like damned history repeating itself. These damned small towns and their idiotic secrets. How could they keep something like this from a person?
Another hour passed, and still she didn’t come.
He stood and walked to the small table by his bookcase. On it was a crystal decanter and two heavy crystal tumblers. Even though it was early afternoon, he took the stopper out and poured a finger of scotch. Then he thought of his father.
Grabbing his suit coat off the back of his chair, he left the drink on his desk and walked out the door. “Mandie, I have to be gone for the rest of the day. Please take messages and send anything urgent to Will.”
“Yes, sir.” The pleasant young receptionist he’d hired was a nice change from the elitist blondes his older brother always installed at that desk.
Mandie was a friendly girl, who happened to be one of the most helpful staff members, and Will’s antics were starting to annoy him.
Before getting into his Audi, he pulled out his smartphone and sent a text to Lucy. Can’t make it tonight. Will see you tomorrow at PIV. Please apologize to Rachel for me.
He’d see his sister and her mob of children tonight, and it always lifted his mood. For years, he’d played backup father to them. Not that Rob did a bad job. It just kept him from feeling so alone. Had Lucy always known? He didn’t want to think about it.
Pulling into the circular drive, he went into the huge mansion that was now his parents’ joint residence, when his mother wasn’t staying in the old home out on Port Hogan Road. Why she held onto that place was beyond him, but he’d given up trying to figure out that woman. At Anna’s and his father’s request, he’d put the past behind him and drawn closer to her again. Or as close as authenticity allowed.
She was in New Orleans at one of her art showings this weekend, but his dad had stayed behind. Julian found Bill Kyser sitting out on the flagstone patio of his huge estate, looking toward the east.
“Dad?” He walked up and touched the man’s shoulder.
“Julian.” His dad eased himself out of the chair and hugged his son with a little less strength. The warmth that glowed in his father’s blue eyes every time they were together had gone a long way to heal the anger Julian had felt growing up.
“How are you feeling?” He sat across, facing his dad.
“Tired, like shit as usual, but that’s part of getting old, isn’t it? There’s even a song written for it. What a drag it is getting old.”
Julian laughed. “Sixty is not old, Dad.”
“Boring topic.” Before returning to his chair, his father walked over to the small table holding a decanter of scotch. He pulled the stopper and poured two fingers in each crystal tumbler, bringing one to his son. “What’s on your mind?”
Julian took the drink and turned it in his hand, thinking. His father knew about his child, he had no doubt. He also had no doubt his mother had forbidden him to say anything to Julian, and the entire family knew Bill Kyser did not cross Lexy.
He leaned back and put his ankle over his knee, thinking how to broach the subject. “I had an unexpected morning.”
“Contractor giving you hassle? I’ll take care of it if you want me to. I know all these assholes. I gave half of them their start in one way or another.” Then he glanced up at his son. “But you’ve never needed my help that way. You’re a great businessman on your own.”
Julian’s brow relaxed with a smile. “Thanks, Dad.” He sat forward then, putting his forearms on his knees. “It’s not a contractor. It’s a daughter. Apparently, I have one.”
His dad was still for a moment then he took a pull off his drink. In that moment, all the uncertainties became clear. Julian was the last to know.
Bill cleared his throat and sat straighter in his chair. “That wasn’t a question.”
His son stood and placed the untouched scotch on the small table. Walking to the edge of the patio, he stared at the eastern view. It faced Florida and other points along the south Alabama coast.
The more he thought about the entire situation, the more he felt an internal shift. His goals were changing, what he wanted. He didn’t want to be angry with anyone anymore. He didn’t care about holding onto the past. He wanted his future.
Turning back to his father, he had a new question on his mind. “You and Mom were apart for what? Seventeen years?”
His father’s brow lined. “One could argue we were never together. But I guess you could say that. We didn’t talk much for about that long.”
Julian nodded. “When you did come back together, how did you make it work after being apart for so long? After so much had happened? I’m sure you both had changed a lot.”
Bill considered this. It wasn’t the question he’d anticipated his favorite son asking, but it was one he was ready to answer.
“Your mother and I spent a long time punishing ourselves for a mistake we made as kids. Our love broke a lot of lives, and we both sort-of… shut down that part of who we were.” He took another sip of scotch, while his son waited. “When we came back together, that part, well, it was like it came right back to life. Like no time had passed. Granted, we’d raised families during the time we were apart, and she was clearly a better parent to you than I was to any of my children—”
“That’s not right, Dad. You tried so many times—”
“Thanks for saying that, son, but I do know what I’m talking about better than you do.”
Julian turned and walked to the railing again.
His father chuckled. “I spent so many sleepless nights killing myself over the notion that Lexy might marry someone else. I was sure I’d throttle any man you called Dad who wasn’t me. I was so screwed up. I believed I’d earned the right to be your father after all I’d sacrificed.” His voice dropped lower. “I was such a self-centered jerk.”
Julian went back to his father and sat in the chair facing him. Then he leaned forward and caught his hand. “I think we’re all pretty self-centered at some point in our lives. The important thing is that we see it and change. Yes?”
“We were all pretty broken by what I did. But love came in and filled the cracks, and I think we’re stronger now.” His father softened. “You have always been the best thing that came out of that tragedy.”
His son smiled and looked down.
“So.” Bill slapped the top of his thigh. “What do you want, Julian? Tell me what you want.”
A few moments passed as the youngest Kyser turned the question over in his mind. Then he looked up at his father. “I want her.”
His father nodded, but Julian wasn’t finished. “I want what’s mine. I want my daughter, my family.” He exhaled and leaned back. “But more than any of that, I want her.”
Bill gripped his hand, pulling him close. Their blue eyes met, steel against steel. “Then go get her.”
Julian stood, but before he left, he added. “I love you, Dad.”
Bill smiled. “I love you, son. I’ve always been proud of you.”
Chapter 5
Anna didn’t know where she was going, driving away from the reunion with only a promise of a text. All she knew was
the worlds were crashing in on her now. All the broken pieces were finding their way back together, and it was all making sense in a way it never had before.
Rachel’s words stood out strongest in her mind—why he’d lied to her. Maybe he did it because he knew you’d take the job.
“Julian…” Her voice was a frustrated plea in the silent car as she drove down the beach road, trying to decide what to do. “Where are you?”
She’d never find him this way. Common sense wasn’t what pulled the two of them together. It had never made sense that he would understand her like he did, or that he would wait for her the way he did.
Slowing the car down, she made a U-turn and headed back in the direction of their beach shelter. The place she’d sat and realized he was standing beside her all along. Where she’d realized she would follow him anywhere because she trusted him. Where she’d taken his hand and let him teach her to surf.
Parking the car, she ran out to the Romar beach pavilion. It was dark, and the sky was black with clouds obstructing the moon. No one was there. The storm was growing, and most visitors and locals were safe in their homes. She ran toward the sound of the waves crashing. If the sun were out, he’d be riding those waves. At least, he would have been back then.
Slowing down at the water, she remembered another night they were here together. They were so desperate for each other, but he’d refused to do more until he knew who his father was. She’d spun around and screamed at the high rises. He’d jumped into the ocean to cool off…
Looking up, she let out a laugh, remembering how they’d been in those days. She’d finally figured out what she wanted, and she wanted it right then. Immediately. No more waiting. He’d gone from trying everything to get in her pants to suddenly pushing her away. God, the frustrations of high school.
Her eyes climbed that old building and the lights were on in the top floor. Her breath stilled as she studied the lit penthouse office suite. Was it possible—?
She didn’t worry about trying to figure it out. She ran back, all the way to the garage elevator, pushing the button repeatedly until the door opened. Riding up in the shiny silver box, she tried to sort all the feelings racing through her brain. She tried to tame her scattering emotions. She had no idea if he’d even be up there—if she could even get in. They didn’t leave the offices open at night. It was most likely the cleaning service.
The doors opened on the familiar reception area, and she stepped out into the waiting room. Sure enough, a friendly group of cleaners were in the space, vacuuming carpets and dusting tables, emptying trash cans. She dropped her head as the crew studied her curiously, as if she were trespassing on their property.
A lone woman stepped toward her. She only spoke Spanish, but she gestured toward Julian’s door with a frown. “Esta buscando el senor?”
“Is someone in there?” Anna asked, knowing the woman didn’t understand her.
Still, she walked toward the large door and reached for the handle. It gave in to her grasp, and she pushed it open, stepping into his enormous workspace.
The sight of him hit her hard, straight to the stomach. He was sitting at his desk, wearing a familiar navy suit and white shirt. His top button was open, but tonight there was no tie.
Almost seventeen years had passed since she’d seen him that last night, but little had changed. A few hints of gray peeked out at his temples. A few lines had deepened at the corner of his eyes, but otherwise, he was exactly the same.
“I waited all day for you to come.” He spoke without looking up.
She walked toward his desk carefully, bracing for the onslaught of those eyes. In a blink he captured her, but at the same time, she could see the surprise register briefly. Perhaps she captured him as well?
“I did. I was here earlier, but you’d already gone.” Her voice was softer, slightly higher in contrast to his. She’d never noticed it before.
He glanced down and nodded. “I left early. Needed to talk to Dad.”
She couldn’t tell what he was thinking, but she knew why she was here. “You weren’t at the reception tonight. I thought we might talk there—”
“Is there something you need to tell me?” He was holding himself back, but she didn’t know that. He wanted, no needed to know what she would say.
Chewing her lip, she walked toward the window. He knew she couldn’t see out in the darkness, but he studied her while her back was turned.
She was slimmer than before. Her legs seemed longer somehow—maybe it was the dress? Her hair was even different. He’d always loved her wild curls, but tonight they were soft. They hung down her back in gentle waves that invited him to bury his face in them, inhaling the little flower scent he loved.
When she finally turned to him again, he wondered how he’d ever missed those shoulders. They were smooth and gorgeous, and her eyes flashed above perfect cheekbones.
“I don’t know how to start.” She was more confident now as well. “I have so many things I need to tell you.”
“Just say the first thing that comes to mind.” He leaned back in his chair watching her think. It reminded him of when he used to watch her in class. Tonight she was so grown up, but at the same time, he still saw that teenage girl who captivated his imagination.
“I guess for starters… How are you?” She smiled, and it caught him off guard.
“I’m doing well. How are you?”
“Okay, I guess.” She looked down, and turned back to the window. “I kept up with you… some. Sometimes I would let months go by, but then I’d get too curious. You’ve done very well here.”
He held back a smile. He’d followed every report of her brilliant career as well. She’d stayed behind the scenes in production—writing and putting stories together, guiding the reporters. She’d risen through the ranks all the way to News Director, but she’d stayed off the social circuit. He’d only ever gotten a posed headshot, and the occasional almost-miss at some function. It must have driven her bosses crazy as smart and beautiful as she was.
“I’ve thought about that night so many times, all the things we said.” She faced him again. “You were right. There were parts, small parts, I didn’t tell you.”
“I believe that was why we ended up fighting. I think it was even part of the reason you left.”
“It wasn’t the reason I left.” She rubbed her hand across her chin. A new gesture. “I was so preoccupied back then with school and JYA and London, but all I thought about was you. I was studying to be a professional communicator, and I sucked at communication.”
“Can I fix you a drink?” He motioned toward the small table.
“No. Thanks.” She was momentarily flustered, and he wished he hadn’t interrupted.
“Please continue.”
“I didn’t come here to make a speech.” Those green eyes flashed at him, and he caught his tongue between his teeth. Hazel.
“Why did you come here?”
She reached back to catch her hair. A familiar gesture. “I wanted to see you alone first because… well, I do have one secret I’ve been keeping. But now I think you already know what it is.”
They’d arrived at the truth at last. “Tell me what it is, and if I already know it, I’ll pretend to be surprised.”
Her lips twisted into a frown. “Are you making fun of me?”
The strength in her was intoxicating. He remembered the feel of those lips. Was it possible kissing her would be the same? Watching her now, he was pretty sure it would be better.
“I’m sorry. I was trying to lighten the mood.” He stood then, taking a step toward her. She took a step backwards, so he changed courses, going to the table. “You just seem a little flustered. I was going to fix myself a scotch. You can have one.”
“I don’t like scotch. I never have since…”
He glanced up at her wide eyes. “Since when?”
“Since the night of your accident.” Her voice grew quiet. “When we thought you might die.”
&
nbsp; “Wasn’t that also the night you found out about my parents? It was a pretty significant date.”
It was the night she’d first told him she loved him, she recalled, although he was unconscious at the time. He’d told her the same thing, but she’d run away. Again, stupid girl. She wasn’t that person anymore, and she wouldn’t feel that way in front of him now.
“I came here to tell you something, but before I do… that last night you said something to me. You said ‘The camera always loved me.’ Why did you say that?”
His brow lined. “I don’t remember. It was a long time ago.”
“I know, it was, but you don’t have any idea where you might have heard it? You’d never said anything like that to me before. It wasn’t your style.”
“I honestly don’t know.” He took a sip of his drink. “But isn’t it obvious? You’re beautiful.”
She shook her head. “Thank you, but that isn’t why I’m asking. I’ve admitted I didn’t communicate well. I didn’t tell you things as quickly as I should’ve, but I wasn’t trying to hide it from you. Once I’d figured out how to say it, or once we were together again, I would tell you. The problem was you already knew. How did you know? Were you spying on me?”
He straightened, the look on his face incredulous. She knew the answer to this question, but she had to lead him there for him to see it, too.
“God, no. Why would I spy on you?”
“Then how did you already know? How did you know about everything when I hadn’t told you?”
He exhaled and walked back to his chair to sit. This wasn’t the walk down memory lane he’d wanted to take. That year had been gut-wrenching for him. “I would get texts from ‘A Friend,’ photos of you and him.”
“You didn’t know who sent them?”
“I didn’t care to know. All I cared about was you, and you weren’t telling me anything. Whoever it was had my number. I assumed it was Brad or Rachel.” He put the scotch on his desk. “I was too angry to worry about who it was.”
Mosaic (Dragonfly #4) Page 26
