Simon’s eyes sparkled with mischief as he mimicked her. “You don’t know where to go, do you?” His smugness made her even more determined to find a place. Her heart ratcheted when his warm breath caressed her ear. “I tell you what—”
“Simon?” Someone called out from the city crowd. Simon went stiff. His warm dancing eyes narrowed into a cold stare. Regina squirmed at his tightening grip before his arms fell from her waist and air rushed between them.
A petite, beautiful woman carrying an assortment of high-end store shopping bags approached them. She wore a short burgundy ruffled skirt, printed tank top, and a pair of knee-high boots that added irony to her ensemble given the current heat. “Simon, I can’t believe it’s you. How are you?” Simon’s body remained rigid as the woman stood between them. The nameless person laid her hands onto Simon’s shoulders and stood on her tiptoes with her lips puckered. He wrenched his head and swept her arms away.
Bags hit Regina on the leg, and tension mounted at the base of her neck. She stepped back and crossed her arms, resisting the urge to grab the hair falling down the woman’s back. Who is this woman? It’s obvious Simon knows her, but how?
“Samantha.” The woman flinched at the ire in Simon’s tone. The name clicked in Regina’s head. She had to be the woman that he argued with on the phone the other night. Simon’s head was visible over blond tendrils. Jaw clenched, he stared daggers at her.
Samantha shifted her weight to one leg and put a hand on her hip. “Why so mean?” She turned and sized up Regina with a critical glance. “She’s a big one, isn’t she?”
“Excuse me?” Regina put her hands to her hips and stood with her legs apart. “Simon, who’s this person?”
Simon circled past Samantha and hooked an arm on Regina’s waist. “Nobody.” He gently prodded her to walk. “Nobody at all.” She slid her arm through his and rested her hand on his hip. They began to meander through the crowd.
“So, it’s like that?” Samantha’s shrill tone wafted over the street sounds.
His eyes fixed straight ahead, Simon raised his hand and sent a dismissive wave towards his back. Regina jumped a little when he slid his hand to her bottom and squeezed. She glanced over her shoulder and sneered at Tiny Barbie’s scowl. “Bye, Samantha,” Regina said blandly. Samantha took a few steps forward in her high-end boots, but then stopped and disappeared behind a rush of pedestrians.
Simon’s pace quickened. It was all she could do to keep up with him. Regina remained quiet and rubbed Simon’s back as they walked, hoping it would stop his arm from shaking.
“Everything okay?”
“Fine.” He didn’t look in her direction. They were forced to stop at a traffic light. The childlike joy was gone, swept away by a brief encounter and replaced with hard, icy bane.
Regina bit her bottom lip. Should I ask him about her? Her feelings for Simon grew strong, and they had developed a real connection. I want to know if someone is hurting him, but I don’t want to risk what we have over curiosity about someone he obviously can’t even stand. “So, lunch?”
“Yes.” He released his grip on her waist. “Actually, there’s some work I need to get done today.”
Rubbing the vein at the top of his forehead, she tried to find warmth in his cold, steely eyes. “Simon.”
He took her hand and placed it at her side. “I really need to get back to work. Let me get you a car.” He looked down at his phone and stepped away.
The distance between them grew with every passing moment and all because of some blonde in a bad outfit.
Simon opened the door to the car when it stopped. “I’ll call you.” Once Regina was settled inside, she rolled down the window and opened her mouth to say something, but she didn’t get a chance. Simon spoke to the driver and handed the bearded man a large bill. Then he hit the roof of the car and strode away.
***
Simon walked through the boardroom doorway and scanned the room. As usual, it was filled with advisory volunteers clustered in klatches of conversation. His gaze fell on Regina sitting and writing. Of course, Jeremy is planted right next to her. He stretched his neck and lifted his shoulders. It was foolhardy, but he was going in.
He took a deep breath and strode to Regina. “Hi, Regina. I was wondering if we could talk for a minute about somethin’?” He managed to calm himself at his office earlier, and realized how terribly he treated her after their run-in with Samantha, foolishly allowing his rage to cloud his judgment.
“Hi, Simon. How are you?”
Waves of irritation permeated across Simon’s shoulders. “Hey, Jeremy.” His eyes never diverted from Regina. “What do you say, Gin—Regina? Just a couple of minutes.” Simon stared at the blossom of coils hiding her face, resisting the urge to lose his fingers in their softness and apologize profusely for his foolishness.
Regina flicked her pen and turned her head. Starting at his feet, she scanned him from toe to head. Face neutral, her eyes flamed with anger. She opened her mouth. Here it comes. Simon tightened his stomach, preparing to get it with both barrels.
“Okay, everyone,” Marcus announced as he walked in the room, looking down at a stack of papers, “let’s get started.” Marcus took his usual place of authority at the head of the table. “We have quite a few things on the agenda today.”
His voice faded from Simon’s mind and thoughts on what to do to get Regina’s attention took its place. He pulled out his phone. I’m sorry.
Regina flipped her phone and shot Simon an annoyed glance before tapping her manicured fingers on the screen. You certainly are. She returned her attention to Marcus.
Simon: Are you gonna stay mad at me forever?
Regina: Stop texting me.
Simon: I will, once you give me a smile.
Regina read Simon’s last message and stared directly at him, or rather, through him. Then she turned her head back to her brother. She’s very mad. He put his phone in his pocket and turned his chair towards Marcus. It was going to take a lot to get her to hear him out and forgive him. `
“Next, we’re scheduled to have a booth at the upcoming street fair. I think it’s important for a few of the advisory board members to join the volunteers and help collect petition signatures.” The room went still. Regina and Simon made eye contact as they simultaneously raised their hands. Marcus smiled. “That’s good to see. I’m sure your presence will encourage our volunteers to do their best. Any questions? Thanks. Meeting adjourned.”
Simon hurried through the crowd herding from the room. He spotted Jeremy’s head bobbing over everyone else’s. He tailed it, sure that Regina couldn’t be far away. Simon continued down the hall. Everyone spanned out in the entryway and out the door; Simon caught sight of Regina craning her neck and listening to Jeremy while he chattered. Doesn’t this guy have anything else to do than hang around my girlfriend? The word rolled easily from his mind and into his heart. Afterall, she had a hold on both. Hardly a moment went by that Simon didn’t think about Regina, and her smile alone could make his entire day.
“Simon,” Marcus called out from his office. “I need to talk to you, man.” Simon slumped his shoulders and walked into Marcus’s office. There was no way I’m going to catch her now. I may have totally blown it.
Chapter 12
Am I Forgiven?
Squeezing her handbag strap, Regina tapped the side of her leg. Come on. I hate this friggin’ elevator. She turned and saw Jeremy grinning down at her. She couldn’t help but smile back. “You didn’t have to keep me company, Jeremy. I’m fine, really.”
“No, Regina.” Jeremy raised his hand. “It’s my pleasure. Besides, we can do some planning about the street fair.”
“Do we have to?” She stifled a yawn with the back of her hand. “I’m beat.”
“Whatever you want.”
I want to bop Simon Young on the top of his thick head for shoving me in a car. “Movie? I have popcorn.”
“That sounds great.”
Regina swung
the door to her apartment open and dashed straight to the air conditioner. She fanned both her hands in front of her face and surveyed the room. Satisfied it was suitable for company, she bade her guest inside and walked into the kitchen, grabbing a packet out of the cabinet. “You pick the movie, I’ll make some popcorn. Water or soda?”
“Soda, please. How about an action movie?”
“Hell no.” Regina passed a can to Jeremy and sat next to him. “I’m in the mood for somethin’ where the arrogant jackass boyfriend—who doesn’t appreciate what a fantastic girlfriend he has—gets it in the end.” She unscrewed the cap with more gusto than necessary.
“That’s specific.”
“I’m a specific gal.” She braced her bare feet on the edge of the coffee table and drank.
She turned her attention to Jeremy. He groped the remote with his long fingers. “This one looks good.” A bead of sweat traveled down his light skin, and he kept rubbing his hand on his jeans. “This looks good too.”
“How about we just watch the news or somethin’?” A muffled buzz emanated from her handbag on the counter. “Excuse me.” She retrieved the phone, and a nervous pit formed in her stomach as she read Simon’s name on the screen.
“Hello?”
“Hi, Gina. Look, I’m sorry for cutting our date short.”
“Who’s this?” She fiddled with the zipper of her handbag.
“I deserved that. Please understand, I just needed to be by myself for a while.”
She leaned over the counter. “Oh, I understand. Everyone needs some solitude. So why don’t you stay alone?”
“You’re going to be mad for a while, aren’t you?”
“You have no idea.”
“Come on, babe, don’t be like that. I’m really sorry.” She twirled a coil around her finger and smiled. She loved to hear him beg.
“Everything okay, Regina?” Jeremy’s question reminded her that she was not alone.
“Fine, just give me a minute.” She bowed her head and held her hand near her mouth. “I’m not interested in talking about this right now.”
“Is someone there with you?”
“Jeremy came home with me to keep me company.” She maintained a hushed tone. “He seems to enjoy it.”
“Jeremy? Why am I not surprised?”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Nothing. I’m going to have to talk to him about trailing behind you all the time.”
She heard a familiar ding and slow grind in the background. “Wait a minute. Where are you?”
“I’m getting into the elevator.”
“Of your building, right?”
“No, yours.”
She squinted into the peephole. “What makes you think I’ll even let you in? You assume too much, Young.”
“I think it’s fair to assume that you’ll give me a chance to explain. Besides, I’ve got something to say to that overgrown puppy dog.”
“No, you can’t. He’ll shoot his mouth off to Marc and start a whole mess.” Her stomach churned at the silence. She was aware of Jeremy’s fondness for her, but Simon had to consider the trouble a confrontation over a harmless crush might cause.
“Regina,” Jeremy called out. “You said you wanted to watch the news?”
“Yeah, the news is good,” she shot over her shoulder. “Simon?”
“Fine. I’ll take the stairs, but I’m heading up, so you better get rid of Lurch.”
The soft disconnect click denied her any chance to respond. “Why that—"
“Regina, I think the popcorn is done.” Jeremy stood his full height and went to the kitchen. “I can get it if you want.”
“Umm, Thanks, Jeremy. You know what?” She messaged her forehead with her fingertips and reached for his jacket. “I’m startin’ to feel a bad headache coming on. I think it would be better for me to just go lay down.” She handed the young man his coat.
Jeremy drained the soda can and slammed it onto the counter, crushing it, He looked at her and smiled. “I’m sorry to hear that. I was lookin’ forward to us hangin’ out. He shrugged on his jacket and turned once in the hallway. “Do you want me to get you somethin’? I can run to the store if you need me to.”
“No, no, thanks. I just need to rest.” She began to slowly shut the door. “Good night, Jeremy.” She slumped against the wall, letting out a huge sigh. I hope he doesn’t run into Simon.
A few minutes later, a key clicked in the door locks. Simon stormed in with his fists clenched. “Is he still here?” He flung his backpack into the side chair and spun in a circle in the middle of the apartment. She half-expected him to start peeking in the closets.
Regina crossed her arms and fought the smile twitching at the corners of her lips. “No, he left.” Unbelievable. He’s working himself into a tizzy about Jeremy of all people.
Simon’s fists relaxed, he hung his suit jacket. “Good. We need to talk about how Jeremey is always—"
“No. We don’t need to talk about Jeremy. We need to talk about you.” Regina pointed at Simon’s face. “You got strange blondes approaching you in the street and turning you all broody. I won’t let you make this about some kid with a schoolboy infatuation. You got some balls comin’ here after leavin’ me on the street like that.” She turned off the TV and prepared to listen to his reasons for ditching her.
“I know Gina.” Simon looked inside the refrigerator and grabbed a can of his favorite soda sitting between bottled water and Aloe vera juice. “I was wrong.” He stared across the room. She was perched on the edge of the sofa, legs crossed with one arm resting on the back. A pearl headband surrounding coils made her look especially regal.
Taking a swig of soda, Simon prepared to do some fast talking to charm his way back into her good graces, but he remained uncertain about how much of the truth and past pain to reveal. He settled next to her. It was hard to tell if the chill diffusing through his limbs was from the cool air blasting by him or her cold stare as his gaze met hers.
“Who’s this Samantha?”
Let the inquisition begin. Simon took her hand and pressed his lips against the soft inside of her wrist. “No one.”
“You sure as hell didn’t act like she was no one.”
“She’s an ex.” He inched closer and placed a hand on her lap.
“An ex?”
Simon heard some shakiness in her voice. She can’t possibly be worried about Samantha, can she? “Yes, an ex. It didn’t work out.”
“That’s obvious, but why were you so angry, and why in the world did you send me on my way?”
“I needed to be alone.” He placed his hand on Regina’s cheek and leaned forward until his forehead was on hers. The tension that sat at the base of his neck loosened. He needed to be with her, to forget the hurt eating away at him. “She did somethin’ really horrible that caused me a lot of pain.” Simon watched his hand as he caressed Regina’s leg. “It took me a long time to forget about her. Seein’ her again just brought it all back.”
“I-I’m sorry you were hurt, but that doesn’t give you the right to mistreat people. I don’t know what this woman did to you, but she did it, not me.”
The anger washed away from her eyes, replaced by a softness that pierced through his heart. I was a damn fool this afternoon. Gina deserves so much better. “You’re right.” He brought his lips close to hers. “Do you know,” he said grazing his lips against hers, “I thought I wanted to be by myself. That’s how I usually deal with things, but all I could think about was you.” He gazed into her eyes. “Gina, you mean a lot to me. I feel so relaxed and happy when I’m near you. I was an idiot to allow anything or anyone to keep me from treating you as special as you are for even a second. His heart burst with relief when she encircled her arms around his neck and brought him closer. “I never want to hurt you, Gina. If I ever do somethin’ stupid again,” he ran his hands up her back. “Please remember that.”
Simon relished the sweet, intense kiss from her. Her soft lip
s sent a charge through him that surged down to his toes. He drew her legs onto his lap and showered her neck with kisses, breathing in her sweet scent. “So, am I forgiven?”
“Mmm. I guess I can let you off the hook. Do you think that she’ll bother you again?”
“Who?”
“Samantha.”
“What do you mean?”
She pulled the knot out of his tie. “Well, don’t you think it’s kinda strange that in this big city, your ex-girlfriend was passin’ by the movie theater at the same time you were leavin’?”
Simon stared at the humming air conditioner. He hadn’t thought about how incredible a fluke it was running into Samantha. Was that because she was now keeping tabs on where he went? “I’m sure it was just a coincidence. What would she get out of followin’ me around?”
“You?”
Simon resumed smooching Regina’s neck. “Not a chance.” He moaned when Regina pushed him away and settled her head on his chest.
“Well, that’s good to know.” She handed Simon the remote and stretched her arm across his torso. “I just hope she got the message today that you’re taken.”
He buried his chin in her hair and turned on the tv. Being taken was nice.
Chapter 13
Strap on a Helmet
Simon inspected the tabs as he flicked files on the shelf with his fingertips. He pulled one out, dropped it with a soft thud on top of stack on his desk and begrudgingly prepared for a late evening at work. “Corella?” The soft clicking sound drifting into his office ceased.
A moment later, she stood at the other side of his desk, sliding her hand up and down her tablet. “Yes, Simon.”
“I’m sorry to interrupt your work.” He scratched the back of his head and scanned the table before having the courage to gaze directly at her. “I need you to arrange for a paralegal to come to my office and help me. I am assisting Rameez Baig in court tomorrow.
My Way to You (Brothers in Law Book 1) Page 9
