Rowan: Woodsmen and City Girls

by Amber Burns

  “Darling, you need to think over everything that has been wrong in your life recently,” Olivia insisted. “When you are ready and when Sebastian is back, I am sure we will find some way to get you out of here.”

  Fate was finally punishing L. for everything and everyone he had ever wronged in his life. His own adorable grandmother was going to leave him to rot in this police department for another night until Sebastian was back.

  “And while you are here,” Grandma leaned closer and fished his phone out of her purse, “I picked up a phone on my way here. I spoke to the guards, generously, and they allowed me to bring it to you.”

  L. sighed, now he knew where his “bail” money was going.

  “I am sure you know who to call,” she winked. “I don’t believe you have anything better to do for the next hour, so please, darling, stop being a fool and do something good for yourself for a change. Meanwhile, I will chat with the policemen.”

  After wasting five minutes of his precious one hour, L. knew he could not hide from himself and his desires any longer. He unlocked the phone and dialed the number he knew he had to.

  Enya answered on the second ring.

  “Thomas,” she spoke in such a low voice that he thought she was trying to avoid doing so all together.

  “Hey,” he answered her with a quiver in his voice.

  “Hi,” the surprise was still in her voice, but now she actually seemed to believe it was him and that he was his very real self. He was glad she called him Thomas and not L. “How have you been?”

  Thomas laughed and it was the full-hearted happy laughter that he had not felt in such a long time.

  “Now, as you asked, I started feeling much better,” he was beaming like a complete idiot and was so confused about what he wanted to say.

  Despite the lack of words, there was no coldness and anger between them. It felt so natural, so normal to talk to her or even to stay silent together with her.

  “Is everything okay?” She asked.

  His heart was filled with so many emotions. He would never deserve this woman. Still, she did care and wanted to know how he was doing. He’d never understand how mad she could be to like him. But, hell, that made him the happiest man in the world.

  “Well, if you must know I am in jail,” he started and she let out a gasp. “Don’t worry, darling, not a big deal. I was working on some new art on Silversson Industries headquarters. The jerk has some security team working for him, I bet.”

  Although he had not been able to confirm his guess, he was quite sure it had been the head of his own security team that had come back to check on the building after he told him to turn off the lights and send the security home.

  “And my grandmother is refusing to bail me out,” he continued finally realizing how amusing and perfect all of this was. If he was not mad enough to attack his own corporation and his grandma was not so desperately in need for great grandchildren, this call would’ve never been possible. “Well, not until I make things right with you, anyway.”

  “You’ve pissed her off, I don’t envy you,” Enya chuckled.

  “You should. Despite my current accommodations, I believe I’m the happiest person alive right now. Just because I’m talking to the woman I’m in love with.”

  He blurted it out before he realized what he had said. Was it late to take those words back?

  “Oh,” Enya was silent for one moment. “Do you think it would help if that woman came to the police department and asked Olivia to get you out for a date with me?”

  “Maybe, but you’ll have to convince both Olivia and the police to let me free. Though if you manage Grams I imagine she can convince the police.”

  “I think I can be persuaded to do that,” Enya said, her voice growing chipper as the pair soaked each-other in.

  “Great. Only one problem, she’s not coming back for another hour. Why don’t you use this chance while I’m behind the bars and ask me as many questions as you want?”

  “Any question?”

  “Anything you want to know about me, darling. Just ask.”

  Thomas L. Silversson let out a deep sigh. He had just agreed to release his long held defenses and let the woman he loved into his world. Would that scare her away? He’d never know until he tried. At the very least he knew he needed to heal the scar between them and turn it into another story in the artwork that would become their relationship.

  19

  Enya arrived at the police department thirty minutes after their hour long call had concluded. She felt like it had simultaneously been much longer and much shorter at the same time. Their conversation flowed naturally, for the first time since they met in that elevator, and Enya had learned all about Thomas’ past and he hers. She inquired about his alter ego, now currently in jail, as well as his artwork. For his part, Thomas asked about her business, expressed his regret in taking it from her, and discussed with her future plans. When they hung up each knew infinitely more about the other than they had before.

  When Enya opened the door she found Olivia seated in the lobby with two officers hovering nearby. She expected a sour mood but instead found smiles on all their faces. It seemed Thomas’ grandmother knew how to keep people happy.

  “Enya, is it?” Olivia greeted her with a smile and warm hug. “I’m terribly sorry we weren’t properly introduced last time darling.”

  “It’s ok,” Enya squeaked from under the hug. “Olivia, correct?”

  Olivia tsk-ed at hearing her name. “Yes, but no darling. Call me grams or grandma.”

  “Ok Olivia… or… grandma,” Enya stumbled. “Is Th…”

  “Yes,” Olivia interrupted Enya. “Big Bad Mr. L. is here. I was just talking to these fine gentlemen about the terms of his release. I believe the lawyers have now been in contact and everything is settled, yes?”

  Olivia smiled politely to the police who returned her warm gesture.

  “Yes ma’am, all taken care of. The DA has spoken to his lawyers and bail has been posted.”

  As if on cue, a buzzer sounded and a heavy door unlocked with an electronic click. An officer appeared with “L.” following closely behind. He was in his familiar black hoodie but his face was un-obscured as his yellow goggles and black mask were still in the police’s possession.

  “Hey,” he greeted Enya, just as he had done on the phone.

  “Hi,” she answered back with a shy smile.

  “Hi to you too,” Olivia interrupted the two lovers who were staring silently into each others eyes.

  Thomas shook his head and turned his attention to his grandmother.

  “Thanks grams,” he started. “For everything.”

  Olivia pulled her grandson into a tight hug, just as she had done with Enya when she arrived.

  “Of course,” she whispered to him. “Just make sure you make it right, treat her right. Make me proud, son.”

  Thomas pulled away and smiled to his grandmother before turning to Enya. “I will,” he spoke to them both.

  “Oh!” Olivia chimed in, “And grandbabies, I want some grandbabies.”

  The comment brought an immediate flush to Enya’s cheeks, turning them a bright pink and accenting her dark freckles in a way that Thomas loved.

  “One step at a time,” Thomas spoke for them both. “Now, Enya, I believe you promised me a date once you convinced grams to set me free?”

  “I didn’t do much convincing, just kinda showed up…” Enya admitted. “But yeah. I suppose I did promise that.”

  Thomas smiled, his green eyes shining in the lights. Enya started back into the emerald gaze. It was still intimidating, still filled with passion and drive, but she also saw something else. The intimidation was softened when he looked at her, a deep caring and love for her was fighting its way through, pushing back the uncaring billionaire persona.

  Enya took his hand and pulled him towards the door. “Follow me, I know just the place.”

  The cool morning air envelope the pair as they emerged ou
t onto the city street. Thomas pulled his hood up and shielded his eyes. He was visibly uncomfortable being out in the day in his L. persona. However Enya was insistent and her pace quickened down the street. Thomas followed, trying to stay with her as she purposefully walked up town towards the nicer part of the city.

  “Where are we going?” Thomas inquired once he caught up to Enya.

  “You’ll see,” was her only response.

  They walked side by side through the forming crowds that bustled to get to work. They were silent, but content to enjoy each others company as they made their way to Enya’s intended destination. Near the end of their journey they passed a tall brick wall emblazoned with dragon letters and expertly stenciled graffiti. Thomas looked away, but caught Enya’s gaze. She smiled to him.

  “It’s good, even in the day time.”

  Thomas just shook his head. “Where are we going?” He changed the subject.

  Enya pulled Thomas onto the next street and into a shop. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air and served to lift the patron’s spirits. Thomas pulled up a chair to a corner table while Enya fled to the counter, ordering and retrieving a pair of coffee’s for them to sip as they chatted.

  “So this is your idea of a date?” Thomas smirked when he took his coffee from her.

  “This is what us regular non-billionaires do on dates,” she replied. “Besides, I’m not here for the coffee, I’m here for you, for us. Maybe… for our future.”

  Thomas cocked an eyebrow, intrigued. “Our future, huh? What exactly do you have in mind.”

  “Well,” Enya started. “With the inevitable closure of “Yum & Fun’s” current location, I figured I would need an alternate plan of attack.”

  A nod was all Thomas could manage to respond. The mention of Enya’s business closing, which he knew was his fault, caused Thomas a pain he tried not to express.

  “So I’ve been researching, thinking and making those plans. I wasn’t even sure if I’d want to start again, build a new business from nothing…” Enya trailed off as she stared into her coffee. The steam wafted up, leaving tiny droplets collecting on her forehead that Thomas whished he could lick off.

  She looked up and met Thomas’ gaze. His brilliant green eyes met hers and neither could help the smile that formed upon their lips. Enya giggled, eliciting an even bigger smile from under his dark hoodie.

  “So… what’s this plan of attack?” Thomas inquired.

  “Oh, right. So I was walking through town, trying to clear my head of you and I stumbled on this place. It’s nice, but not ‘Yum & Fun’. However, I also found that there is a vacant building two doors down. A perfect spot for a new ‘Yum & Fun’ location.”

  Enya was beaming as she explained her plans. It was a look Thomas knew well, one he saw on may faces of small business owners coming to him and his company for investment. One that he wore himself, many years ago when Silversson Industries was but a fraction of it’s current worth.

  “How much do you need?” Thomas asked, prepared to run his love’s venture.

  “What?” Enya replied, visibly taken back.

  “How much do you need to acquire the property? I could have it taken care of by next week.”

  “No.”

  Thomas was silent. “No” was not a word he was use to hearing, especially when it came to writing checks. Enya seemed to have a particular ability to rebuff him.

  “I…” he finally started. “Why?”

  Enya shook her head and smiled to him. “I don’t need... Don’t want your help. Building ‘Yum & Fun’ is something I need to do myself. I need to build it, put my money and my work into it. I don’t want you to hand it to me.”

  “Oh,” Thomas stared down into his coffee now, allowing the steam to wash over his brow. “I get it. I do. It’s been so long since I’ve felt that feeling… of building something from nothing. But I did… once.”

  “Thanks for understanding,” Enya sighed.

  “But,” Thomas said with a mischievous smile. “I still want to help. Do you need a waiter or… what’s the name… barista?”

  The image of the impossibly rich and handsome Thomas L. Silversson dawning a barista apron and making coffee sent Enya into a fit of laughter. Tears formed in the creases of her eyes and Thomas pulled his hoodie tighter, trying to avoid the stares of everyone in the coffee shop at their little table.

  Thomas reached over and put his hand on Enya’s. “I’ll take that as a no?”

  “Yes, I mean no… You’re not going to be a barista. If you want to help then support me. Listen to me complain about the hard days and revel in my triumphs. Stop by and buy a sweet or two. Just don’t try and take it from me, or buy me out.”

  Enya’s pointed gaze made Thomas shrink a bit in his chair, which then turned to a smile when she realized she was able to pull at her new lover’s strings.

  “So,” Enya said squeezing Thomas’s hand which still rested on hers. “I’ve told you my plans. What are yours?”

  A wicked grin formed across Thomas’ lips. A grin Enya had seen before. “Plans for when? Tonight? Tomorrow? The future?”

  “All the above?” Enya quickly prodded.

  “Well… for tonight, I still have a certain scarf which I’m sure you’d like back.”

  “I would,” Enya declared. “I need to return it to a friend.”

  “I think you should keep it. Maybe claim you lost it. Once I’m done with you, and it, she isn’t going to want it back.”

  Enya’s cheeks flushed, bringing out her freckles and causing a bulge to grow in Thomas’ pants.

  “Tomorrow,” he continued. “I’d like to start with some breakfast. I think I’ll have the same thing I did when we last spent the night together.”

  “Thomas! Shhh…. Not in public.”

  He continued, ignoring Enya’s pleas. “Then I, unfortunately, have some business to attend to. I need to take care of this whole jail incident and then work on something very important to me.”

  “Oh, and what’s so important to you that you need to work on it tomorrow?” Enya asked, her cheeks still flush.

  “I need to separate myself from the business, I can’t be both Thomas L. Silversson and ‘Dark L’.”

  “So you’re choosing ‘Dark L.’?”

  “No,” Thomas declared as he brought his intimidating emerald eyes back to Enya’s gaze. “I’m choosing neither. I’m choosing me. I don’t quite know exactly what that is yet. But that’s what I want to do.”

  “I like that,” Enya whispered with a smile. Their gaze lingered with silence for a few moments before Enya continued. “That leaves the future.”

  “Surprisingly I don’t have quite the fleshed out plan that you do. Don’t tell the board though, they might die from heart attacks,” Thomas paused for a laugh that didn’t come. “Umm.. so, I don’t exactly know how the future will turn out yet. All I know is I want you to be part of it.”

  “I’d like that.”

  “Me too.”

  The couple sat in the coffee shop, their gazes nearly transfixed on the other as they sipped their coffee. There wasn’t a need for words, only each other’s company. The world around them seemed to be a blur, the noise and bustle of the coffee shop non-existent as they drank in each other. They both knew the road ahead was going to be long, bumpy and arduous. Enya was preparing to start a new business, a new life while Thomas had to find himself and take care of the messy politics and red tape of his own company. Soon Thomas took the last sip of his coffee and eyed the empty drink.

  “So,” he started. “That empty shop is two doors up?”

  “Yep! And it’s even bigger than my old place. I can offer nearly twice the selection.”

  “That sounds great. Can we go and see it?”

  “Only if you promise not to try and buy it when we get there,” she warned with a fake glare.

  Thomas chuckled. “I’ll try to restrain myself.”

  Thomas L. Silversson, billionaire and most eligib
le bachelor in New York held the door open for Enya as they exited the coffee shop and stepped back into the busy streets. The pair walked slowly up the street, chatting stealing glances at one another as they approached the future site of Enya’s “Yum & Fun.”

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