by Ciara Knight
“Yes.”
Liam quirked an eyebrow at her. “And? Did you request a meeting with him?”
Ms. Beetle tapped her nail against the doorframe. “Actually, I didn’t need to. Her assistant called me and requested a four o’clock.”
“Really? Did she say why?” Liam asked.
Ms. Beetle shook her head. “Only that it was in reference to the university expansion.”
He drummed his fingers on the desk. What could she want to meet with him about? Perhaps there had been a change? “Um, thanks. I’ll be there.”
His cell phone buzzed again, and he noticed it was Rachel Vine.
Ms. Beetle left the room to return to her desk and he collapsed into his chair. The plush leather sighed under his weight. With a swipe of his finger, the cell screen unlocked and he saw that Robert still hadn’t returned his call. Then he read Rachel’s text.
Board voted this morning on the industrial property. New development, though. I have meetings until after lunch, I’ll call you then.
With a few minutes of quiet, he ignored his mountains of work and started researching more potential properties. He needed something solid to take to the dean. A place that was the best economical choice and location. Click after click after click led to more disappointment. One property too small, another too expensive, still another in a flood plain.
“Mr. Harrow, don’t forget about your eleven-thirty committee luncheon.” Ms. Beetle stood in his open doorway.
Liam smacked his forehead. “Geesh, I didn’t realize it was so late.” He grabbed his briefcase and headed for his lunch meeting. Ms. Beetle was back at her desk, her fingers flying over the computer keys.
“Call if you need anything. If not, I need to do a few things after the committee lunch. I’ll head straight to my meeting with Dean Jennings from there.”
Her fingers continued tapping away. “Okay, good luck. Say hi to Anna for me.”
Liam stopped in his tracks. “You know Anna?”
She didn't look up, just clicked her mouse then began typing again. “I’ve met her a few times.”
He scratched his head.
“You better go or you’ll be late.” Ms. Beetle pointed at the clock over her head.
“Right, okay. Bye.” Liam raced to his car and drove over to the committee lunch. Five minutes late to the meeting, Liam sat at the end of the table with a few sideway glares.
“As I was saying,” Dr. McGregor, the Director of Admissions said, “I hope you all cleared your schedules today. We have so many exceptional candidates this year, it’s going to be a tough process to pick the perfect students for the Arts, Social and Health Sciences college.”
Liam groaned in unison with the others. He usually enjoyed bringing in new students. Their excitement always infected his staff and returning students, reinvigorating them in their work and studies, but not today. Today he wanted to get to work on a different project.
Hour after hour ticked by until the final acceptances were decided. “Thank you all for being patient," Dr. McGregor finally said.
Dr. Wood stretched his arms over his head. “This was a difficult one for all of us. We’ll be sending acceptance letters early next week, so no sharing the results with anyone yet.”¬¬
Finally free, Liam snagged his phone to call Rachel. He needed to know all the facts before meeting with Dean Jennings. She didn't answer. Not wanting to leave a voicemail while others in the room could hear him, he hung up and sent her a text instead.
She texted him back almost immediately. I’m at Cynthia’s bridal shower at Timeless Tea. I can call you after it ends.
His pulse lashed at his stupidity, thundering so loud it smothered all rational thought. Shower. Anna. Lies. He grabbed his briefcase and knocked into Professor Lee at the doorway. “Sorry.”
The man grunted, but Liam didn’t stop. He raced to the tea shop to find Anna and confess before she discovered the truth and built the Great Wall of China back up between them. She’d hate him this time. Hate him forever.
Chapter Seventeen
The small white house with green shutters and the Timeless Tea sign out front screamed country charm with class. A massive oak tree with six twisting limbs added to the old world feel. Anna snagged her bridal shower gift from the back seat and imagined Cynthia’s face when she opened the revealing lace Parisian teddy. Anna would need to be on the other side of the room when she opened it, though, so Cynthia couldn’t hit her upside the head with a box.
Anna followed the stone path to the front steps of the dark green and white painted porch. The door opened into a world of high end china, the smell of jasmine and baked goods, and warm smiles. The aroma filled Anna with a sense of home. “Hi, I’m Anna Baker. I’m here for the Cynthia Gold’s bridal shower. I’m the maid of honor.”
An attractive older lady with hazel eyes and high cheekbones greeted her at the door. “Yes, Ms. Baker. Please follow me. I’m Elizabeth Lander, the owner. I’m sorry I hadn’t met you before today, but I was on vacation last week.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you. And no worries at all.” Anna sidestepped an ornate silver tray full of food resting on a stand, careful not to bump it in fear she’d break the beautiful rose leaf china. After two more turns, and a few floor elevation changes, she stepped into a beautiful white room with lace curtains and plate glass windows that allowed for tons of natural light. Pink roses filled the room along with white and sage ribbons. “You did an amazing job. Thank you so much.”
Elizabeth gave her a proud smile then sauntered to the back table. “The gifts can be placed here and the menu you preapproved will be served with the guest’s choice of tea or other beverage."
Anna eyed the centerpieces with rose petals scattered around sparkling candles in crystal vases. “I’m so happy I chose this place. Someone told me about it when I was in town last time. I can’t believe I haven’t been here before.”
“Hey, Izzy. You ever gonna be done workin’ and ready to play some gin?” a crackly voice sounded from a back room.
Pink tinged Elizabeth’s already rouged cheeks. “I apologize. My ladies group usually meets here on Tuesdays, but we had to switch it since one of them had an appointment. I’ll make sure they behave themselves.”
“I’m sure it'll be fine.” Anna removed her coat and hooked it on the coatrack in the corner.
“I told you to behave or I’m going to kick you out of my place,” Elizabeth said, her voice echoing from the back of the old house.
“You know, you wouldn’t be able to find the sugar cubes without me. Now sit down and place your bet.”
The door swung closed with a click before a waitress placed pitchers of water on each table. “Good afternoon. Don’t mind them. They’ve known each other since childhood. They bicker like siblings, but love each other more than family.”
Anna set her gift on the table. “They’re funny. I always wished I had a sister or brother. I hope someday to be just like them with my friends and family around me so we can bicker over cards.”
The front door creaked and Anna heard steps approach. To her delight Cynthia stood in the doorway. “I was nervous you wouldn’t come to your own shower. Did Mitchem drive over here and kick you out of the car?” Anna teased.
“No, he stole Andrew and left for the hospital while I was in the shower. It was stay home and think about how the appointment was going, or come here. I figured you’d kill me if I chose the first option.”
Anna hugged her tight. “Killing would be too nice. Torture would be involved first.”
“Sounds like you already have a friend to fight with.” The waitress smiled then busied herself pouring water into each of the glasses set around the tables.
“What?” Cynthia asked.
Anna shooed her to her seat of honor. “Inside joke. Don’t worry about it. Today you get to be a bridal princess.” She retrieved a tiara from her purse and positioned it on Cynthia’s head.
“Really? I’m not five, you know,” C
ynthia protested.
Anna took her coat and hung it next to her own. “I know, and I know how much you love attention, so I’ll make sure you get lots of it today.”
Cynthia snarled. “Yep, you know me so well,” she said. The waitress paused at her sarcastic tone then chuckled before leaving the room.
“Okay, so I invited all your friends from the university, even that Rachel girl. That’s how much I love you, so you can sit there and pretend to like all this attention.”
“Jealous much?” Cynthia took a sip of water. “I know you’re doing this for me, and I really do appreciate it. I’ll try not to crawl under the table if you promise not to embarrass me too badly. No singing, no games that require me to be half-dressed, and no obscene gifts.”
“I can’t make any promises. Your professor friends can be kind of wild.” Anna escaped to the front room to greet the other guests. Twenty minutes later, all the ladies were seated and enjoying delicious cucumber and cream cheese sandwiches, the fruity taste of preserves and the fresh-baked to-die-for scones.
“Okay, ladies. I know you’re all itching to see some of the amazing gifts our sweet dear Cynthia Gold has received, but first everyone has to raise their tea cup and share one memory of Cynthia as a single woman. It can be anything funny, sweet, embarrassing, loving, whatever you want.” Anna avoided eye contact, but she could feel Cynthia’s gaze boring into the back of her head.
“I’ll go first,” Anna said. “I remember when Cynthia wore a stuffed bra to our high school junior dance and when she came off the dance floor, white tissue stuck up out of her dress.”
“And who made me stuff my bra?” Cynthia said. “Um…Anna there, right after she stuffed her own.”
Everyone laughed and applauded, before they moved on to the next guest. By the end, everyone was doubled over from laughing. “Wow, Cynthia, I had no idea you were so adventurous, and I thought I knew everything about you.”
“A girl’s gotta have secrets,” Cynthia winked.
Anna turned to the long table full of white and silver bags, wrapping and bows. “Let’s open some presents.”
Rachel hopped up, nearly taking out the waitress. “Open my present first. I know you’ll love it. Liam helped me pick it out.”
Anna forced a smile, but her teeth ground together so hard she thought she’d break her jaw. Cynthia grabbed Anna’s hand. “Would you take notes for me, please?”
Anna retrieved the pad and pencil she’d left by the gift table. “Of course.”
Cynthia ripped open the package quickly as if Rachel’s life depended on it. She held up a white handkerchief with blue embroidery on it that said Dr. Mitchem Taylor and Mrs. Cynthia Gold Taylor. “Oh, this is beautiful. Thank you, Rachel.”
“Well, I wanted to make sure you had something blue covered. I wasn’t sure how on top of things your maid of honor would be.”
Cynthia placed the handkerchief on top of the table. “I think my best friend and world class fashion buyer can handle maid of honor duties, but thank you for the gift.”
“Meoooow,” someone sounded from the back corner.
Go, Cynthia. Anna hid her amusement by scribbling on the pad.
Rachel sashayed toward her seat. “I’m so glad you like it. I’ll let Liam know when he picks me up after this.”
The pencil lead broke under Anna’s pressure. Cynthia grabbed another present and ripped into it. “Yes, my serving ware. Thank you so much, Betty.”
Anna retrieved a pen from her purse, trying to remain focused on the fact that this was Cynthia’s time, not about Rachel and her manipulations.
“Oh, this one’s from Anna.” Cynthia lifted the box and shook it a little. “Well, it’s not china or silver. Hmm…what could my daring, exciting, fashionista friend have for me in here?”
“You know me too well, don’t you?” Anna prepared to make her actually open the box instead of just lifting the corner to peek inside, but to her surprise, Cynthia tossed the lid onto the floor and held up the teddy to her front.
“Wow, I think Mitch is gonna like this.” She danced around in a circle and shocked all her coworkers. Whispers ensued followed by laughter. “Oh, come on, ladies. You know we’ll be newlyweds.”
They all laughed and cheered through the remainder of the gifts. Once the last bow was tossed to the side, Cynthia stood and raised her tea cup. “I just want to thank all of you for your kind words and gestures throughout this ordeal with Andrew. You’re all so special to Mitch and me. Anna, I’m so lucky to have you in my life. You make every day a little brighter. If it wasn’t for you, Mitch and I wouldn’t be getting married today. You have always been there for me, guiding me, picking me up when I fall, giving me strength and words of advice. You’re like a sister to me and will always be my closest and dearest friend. Thank you for all of this.” Cynthia waved around the room. “And thank you for being my friend.”
Tears streaked down Anna’s cheeks. She raised her glass with pride. Life had never been this kind. A happy best friend, new boyfriend, exciting new career.
Cathy approached and hugged Cynthia. “You’re gonna make a beautiful bride. I’m so glad you two have each other. Friends make life better. Trust me, my Judy has picked me up more times than I can count. Now, you listen. You eat a few more of those sandwiches. You can’t afford to lose anymore weight. I can’t alter that dress again.”
Cynthia grabbed a cucumber sandwich and shoved it in her mouth. “Yes, ma’am,” she said, crumbs tumbling down her lips.
Rachel approached with her purse on one arm and her head held high. Anna busied herself with gathering and organizing the gifts, leaving Cynthia to say her goodbyes.
“Thank you for inviting me. You’re going to be so happy with Mitchem and Andrew. I know. Liam has talked about how much you mean to his best friend. If you need anything before the wedding, let me know. Right now I need to go catch Liam. I’m involved with the executive board at the university and I need to fill him in on some information he missed about the university’s plan to tear down the industrial district.”
Anna’s ears burned and she whirled around, knocking several gifts over. “What did you say?”
Rachel took a step back, her mouth ajar as if scared Anna would tackle her in the middle of the tea shop.
The front door creaked open several times as people left. China clinked. The heat cut on with a boom and a twang, but Rachel just stared at her.
“I asked what you just said. About the industrial district. Are you talking about the old factory?” Anna asked, her heart drying and cracking.
“Yeees,” Rachel said, remaining on the other side of Cynthia.
“What about Historic Hall?” Anna croaked out.
“That old shop that used to be for antiques or something? Yep. That, too, of course. All the old storefronts will be demolished.”
The room tilted and her heart peeled open. Anna held the back of a chair to remain upright. “Did Liam know about this?”
The edges of Rachel’s mouth curled upward. “Of course. He’s the one who recommended the property to the university.”
Anna’s heart crumbled, as if the news had dried out the last moisture of hope and crushed it to dust.
Chapter Eighteen
Liam raced through the parking lot, up the front porch stairs and inside Timeless Tea. Each step pounded more fear into his subconscious. He had to get to her before she found out.
“Excuse me,” he said again and again as he nudged his way through the women leaving. But when he reached the doorway to the party room, he spotted Anna, her eyes watery, her brow tight, her arms around her chest and Rachel a few feet away from her.
He willed it not to be true. With a tentative step, he rounded the tables and faced Anna. Her mouth opened, but she didn’t say anything. She didn’t have to. The silence between them and the angry look from Cynthia told him she already knew.
“Did I say something wrong?” Rachel placed her palm to her chest.
“I think
we should wait out front.” Cynthia ushered Rachel from the room, leaving Anna and him alone.
“Please, let me explain,” Liam pleaded.
Anna lifted her eyebrows and opened her mouth, but said nothing.
“I didn’t know, not when I told you about opening your store. When I did find out, I tried to tell you. I only wanted to make you happy.”
“With lies?” she finally managed.
Liam clutched both her arms, willing her to understand. “Please, Anna, listen to me. You mean everything to me. I’m working on a plan to get the university to pick another property to build on for their expansion. I’ll do whatever I can to stop this from happening.”
“You said you’d never lie to me. That you’d never be like my mother. Yet Rachel knew about this. The university knew.” Anna covered her face. “I’m so stupid. I wanted to believe in the dream. I should’ve known all my wishes would never come true. Especially when it comes to you.” She yanked the thin chain around her neck and it broke free. “I never should’ve believed you.” With a shove, she planted the star charm on his chest and pushed him away.
“Anna, please.” He turned to follow her, but she was gone. His legs wobbled and his stomach churned until he collapsed into a chair and rested his head in his hands. “Oh Lord, what have I done?” He held the charm to his lips, inhaling the remnants of Anna’s lilac scented perfume. “I can’t lose you, not again.”
“Then you shouldn’t have lied to her, Liam. What were you thinking?” Cynthia scolded from the doorway.
“I thought I could fix it before she found out.”
Cynthia sat in the chair next to him. “Do you really think she agreed to stay here just because of Historic Hall?”
