Her Sweetest Fortune

by Stella Bagwell

  She stared at him in disbelief. “Did I hear you right?”

  “Every word,” he said coolly. “You act as though no one else has family issues. No one else has been betrayed or lied to or hurt. Well, grow up and open your eyes, Sophie. You’re just one of many.”

  Tears flooded her eyes and for one second Mason weakened to the point where he almost reached for her. He almost asked her to forgive him for being such a heartless bastard. But deep down, his pride and every ounce of common sense urged him to hold his ground.

  She stepped away from the desk and Mason could see her hands had balled into tight fists at her sides. “If that’s what you think of me, then I’m glad I found it out now. I wouldn’t want to keep torturing you with my monotonous problems.”

  Swallowing the ball of pain in his throat, he said, “It was fun for a while, Sophie. But I’ve been thinking and I believe it’s time we broke things off. For both our sakes.”

  Sniffing, she tossed her hair back over her shoulder. “Are you doing this because of last night? Because I didn’t invite you to the Fortune dinner party?”

  “No,” he said and realized he truly meant it. This wasn’t just about a party. This was about the fundamental differences in their lives. One day soon she would realize they were wrong for each other and move on to a man who would really be her Mr. Perfect. As for him, he expected he would spend the rest of his life trying to forget her. “I’m doing this to save us both a lot of heartache. Now if you don’t mind, I’m busy. I need to get back to work.”

  She gave him one last look, then turned and walked stiffly out of the cubicle. The moment she was out of sight, Mason slumped forward in his chair and dropped his head in his hands.

  Minutes later he was still sitting that way when Nadine poked her head into his work space. “Ready for some coffee, honey?”

  He lifted his head and by then Nadine must have realized something was amiss. She hurried over to him.

  “Mason, you look like hell! What’s wrong? What’s happened?”

  Pushing himself to his feet, he shook his head. “Nothing’s happened, Nadine. Except that I’ve just given up the most important thing in my life.”

  Nadine’s lips pressed to a thin line of disgust. “Don’t tell me. Ms. Fortune just gave you the shaft.”

  “No,” he said, barely able to speak around the bitter gall rising in his throat. “I’m the one who called it quits.”

  Nadine shook her head. “You! But, Mason, why? I don’t understand. You were crazy about the woman!”

  “That’s exactly why, Nadine. I want her to be happy. Not just for now. But for the rest of her life. And I’m not the man who can keep her happy.”

  “Oh, Mason, you’re letting talk around the office get to you. You’ve let Thom get to you.”

  Mason slung his arm around Nadine’s shoulders and urged her out of the cubicle. “Right now you’re getting to me, Nadine. So let’s go have some coffee. And all I want to hear from you is something about getting your roots done or work on your mother/baby app.”

  With a mirthless laugh, she wrapped an arm across his back. “Oh, hell, if I were only a few years younger.”

  *

  For the next three days Sophie’s feelings alternated between anger, sadness, and confusion. Anger, not just at Mason for suddenly picking a fight and ending things, but at her family and the whole world for being so messed up and wrong. Confused because she still didn’t exactly understand what had come over Mason so abruptly, and sadness for the utter loss of something she’d believed had been strong and true.

  Sophie had never been one to sit around and cry and mope over what could have been. She’d always been the sort to look toward the future and fight on. But losing Mason had hurt her so deeply that the world around her was like a strange and scary place. She was afraid to take any sort of step. Afraid that whatever direction she took, it would be wrong.

  For the past few nights she’d sat in her bedroom and stared at the little red bear Mason had given her on Valentine’s Day. The little bear had reflected all her hopes and dreams. It symbolized everything she’d ever wanted in her life. A man to love her, a marriage that was genuine, a life that would be filled with happiness and children. Money couldn’t buy her those things. And, in Mason’s case, she feared her wealth had actually worked against her.

  Oh, Lord, he’d been wrong, she thought sadly. Mason had no idea just how hard it was to be a Fortune. To be so insanely rich that a regular guy was too afraid to come near her. And the others were simply cons after her money. He didn’t know how it felt to go home to a palatial estate where there was no love or laughter.

  Somehow her brothers, Ben and Wes and Graham, and her sisters Rachel and Zoe had found their soulmates. And for a few short beautiful days Sophie had believed she’d found hers. Now, she was beginning to think that men were nothing but selfish creeps. She was trying to convince herself that she’d be better off if she marked love completely off her future plans.

  Glancing to the far edge of her desk, she groaned at the sight of the latest little gift Thom had dropped on her work space. A small picture of himself inside a gaudy gilded frame. Could the man get any more narcissistic? And why did he think just because she was no longer seeing Mason that she’d be willing to date him again? It was insane.

  The office gossip machine must have been working overtime to spread the news about her bust up with Mason. One day hadn’t passed before she’d found a flower on her desk. A card with nothing but Thom’s name had been attached. Sophie had tossed the card in the trash and given the flower to Dennis’s secretary.

  Yesterday, a text message from Thom had popped up on her phone, suggesting the two of them meet for drinks. She’d promptly blocked his number. Now today, the photo had arrived, but rather than toss it, she’d decided she was going to return it personally, along with firm instructions to leave her alone.

  “Great! You’re back at your desk. I stopped by earlier, but you weren’t here.”

  The sound of Thom’s voice made her want to scream with frustration. Instead, she swiveled her chair and asked bluntly, “Do you have a problem you need to discuss? A human resource problem?”

  A smug smile crossed his face. “I do have a problem. You won’t say yes to another date with me. But I intend to change your mind. We can start over, Sophie. And this time you’ll see I’m serious.”

  He was serious all right, Sophie thought. Seriously self-absorbed.

  Leaning back in her chair, she leveled a sharp look at him. “Doesn’t it bother you that I’ve been seeing Mason?”

  He shrugged and his indifference amazed her. “Why should it? He’s out of your life now. A fact that I knew would happen sooner rather than later.”

  The man’s insolence was beyond measure and though Sophie was trying to hold on to her temper, her stomach was simmering with anger and resentment.

  “I’m sure,” she practically sneered. “The last time I looked, I didn’t see a crystal ball on your desk.”

  He let out a short laugh. “I hardly needed a crystal ball to tell me your little hookup with Mason wasn’t going to work. The man isn’t nearly good enough for a woman of your class. I pointed out that very thing to him a few days ago. And I’m sure you’re relieved he took my advice. Apparently he saw the light and was smart enough to save himself a lot of awkward embarrassment by letting you dump him later.”

  Her mouth fell open as her tangled thoughts tried to unravel enough for her to see the whole picture.

  “Are you saying that you told Mason he wasn’t good enough for me?”

  Grinning, h
e moved closer and Sophie immediately jumped to her feet and stepped back.

  “Why not? It’s the truth. Better that you both face facts now, rather than later. Long, pointless affairs can often get messy at the end. You both saved yourself from an ugly situation.”

  Furious, Sophie picked up the photo and practically threw it at him. “You’re not half the man that Mason is, Thom Nichols! You never will be!”

  “Really? If he’s so wonderful, then why did you break up with him?”

  She hadn’t broken up with him, she thought miserably. Mason had broken up with her. He’d suddenly picked a fight, as though he’d deliberately wanted to push her into ending their relationship. But why? And why hadn’t she stood her ground and fought to keep everything they’d built together?

  Because she’d been terrified. Afraid to trust. Afraid to open her heart and admit to Mason how very much she loved him. Could the same thing have been going through his mind, she wondered frantically. Could he have been having those same doubts and fears? She had to know! She couldn’t just let the best thing she’d ever had slip through her fingers without putting up a fight to hold on to him.

  “Take that ridiculous picture and get out of my work space!” she said to Thom in a low, gritty voice. “Before I call security and have them throw you out!”

  He lifted his nose as though he couldn’t believe she could utter such a threat, much less go through with it.

  “Oh, Sophie. You wouldn’t do that in a million years.”

  “Try me,” she challenged. “And you’ll see I’m no longer that starry-eyed young woman who looked blindly past your faults.”

  His face hardened like a piece of granite. “You’re going to be sorry about this, Sophie. One of these days you’re going to be begging me to notice you.”

  Thom’s parting words were laughable. But Sophie didn’t laugh, even though she was silently rejoicing. Because in his own conceited way, Thom had just opened her eyes and given her hope.

  Turning back to her desk, she reached for the phone. She was going to put a plan in motion and pray it worked.

  *

  “Mason, you look drained. I honestly don’t think you should work anymore this evening,” Nadine advised as the two walked back to the office after having burgers at Bernie’s. “Your health app won’t get finished if you fall over from exhaustion.”

  “I’m not going to fall over from exhaustion.” A broken heart, maybe, Mason thought ruefully. And that was something that bed rest wouldn’t fix. Unless Sophie was lying in the bed with him. And that wasn’t going to happen. Not after the way he treated her.

  “How do you know?” Nadine asked. “I’ve heard of people falling into comas from extreme fatigue.”

  He looked over at his friend and gave her the best smile his wounded spirits could generate. “I appreciate your concern. But even if I went home right now, I wouldn’t rest. I don’t think I’ve slept three hours in the past three nights.”

  “And whose fault is that?” she shot back at him. “I just don’t get you, Mason. You go gaga over a woman and then deliberately break up with her. Because you want her to be happy. Well, do you think you’ve made her happy? I don’t. I saw her this afternoon at Olivia’s desk. She looked horrible—like you.”

  “Sophie came into research and development?” he asked with surprise. “I didn’t see her.”

  “No. You were too busy staring at your computer screen while trying to make everyone believe you weren’t somewhere in outer space.”

  It was just as well that Mason hadn’t been aware that Sophie was close by. Each time he’d caught a glimpse of her, it had felt like someone was stabbing him with a double-edged knife.

  Since their breakup, he’d felt like Austin had suddenly moved within the Arctic Circle and the days had all turned dark. Without Sophie in his life nothing felt right or good. And he’d been asking himself over and over if he’d been an utter fool to let her go.

  Maybe she hadn’t said anything about love. And maybe she had wanted to keep their relationship a secret. But all of that could’ve changed if he’d been willing to give them a chance. And now? Well, he’d said some awful things to her. Things that had cut him just to speak them aloud. How could he ever expect her to give him another chance?

  “Uh, Mason, beam me up, would you? I’ve lost my friend and maybe I’ll find him out there somewhere in a galaxy far, far away.”

  Nadine’s sardonic voice suddenly got through his deep thoughts and he slanted her a wry glance, then glanced around to see they had reached the Robinson Tech parking garage. The same spot where everything had started between him and Sophie. If only he could turn back time.

  “Sorry, Nadine. I was thinking.”

  “Obviously. Do you think you can make it back into the building without me? Or do I need to guide you to your desk?”

  Leaning down, he planted a swift kiss on her cheek. “Thanks. But I think I can find my way back. See you in the morning.”

  Nadine wished him a good night then slipped into her car. Mason watched her drive safely away before he headed inside the building.

  Since the work day had ended hours ago, the corridor was eerily quiet. As he approached the entrance to Sophie’s department, he noticed there were no lights coming from that area.

  And what if there was, Mason? Would you finally gather enough courage to face her? To beg her to give you another chance?

  Tormented by the voice in his head, he wiped a hand over his face and trudged on. A part of him wished Nadine was right and he would fall into a temporary coma. At least then, he’d get a reprieve from the agony of losing her.

  He was thinking about all the things he wished he’d done differently and how good it would feel to pull her into his arms and kiss her, when he walked into his cubicle and stopped in his tracks.

  Seconds ticked away as Mason stared in stunned fascination at a little stuffed bear sitting in his chair. The animal’s shaggy golden brown hair resembled that of a grizzly. An educated grizzly, no doubt, since his paws were resting on the computer keyboard.

  His heart racing madly, Mason stepped forward and discovered a note attached to the bear’s leather collar.

  No one should have to spend February 27th alone.

  He was staring at the note, trying to tamp down the ridiculous hope that was rushing to every cell in his body, when Sophie’s voice sounded behind him.

  “You’ve been gone so long I was afraid you’d left for home.”

  He slowly turned to face her and his heart began to beat so hard he thought his breastbone would surely crack down the middle.

  “Sophie! What are you doing here?”

  Like a beautiful dream, she glided toward him.

  “Waiting for you,” she answered quietly.

  “I don’t understand.” His voice closed around his words making it sound as coarse as gravel. “The bear—are you trying to say—”

  She reached for his hands and as Mason wrapped his fingers tightly around hers, his gaze was riveted on the emotions flickering in her eyes. The feelings he saw in the brown depths were so soft and tender and pleading, they smacked him right in the middle of his chest.

  “Mason, I don’t know what happened with us. Or why you—”

  Shaking his head, he interrupted her before she could say more.

  “Sophie, listen to me. I’ve been a damned fool. These past few days I’ve been wanting to come to you—to try to explain—to beg you to forgive me. I was a bastard, a jerk, and all kinds of a fool for saying those things to you. But I—”

  All at once her forefinger was pressed against his lips. “You
had a right to say those things. I’ve been an idiot, Mason. More than that, I’ve been a big coward. I was afraid to show everyone how much I cared about you. Most of all I was afraid to show you—to tell you how very much I love you. Everything was so good with us I kept thinking it couldn’t last. My parents’ marriage is nothing about love, and Thom—he doesn’t fathom the word. When you and I started getting close—well, the closer we got the more afraid I was to believe you could ever truly love me.”

  Relief washed through him, leaving his insides trembling with weakness. “Sophie, if you’ve been an idiot, then I’ve been an even bigger one. I kept thinking there was no way you could ever love a man like me. That’s why I went off on you like I did. Because I believed you were going to eventually drop me anyway. That you’d move on to some man more fitting to a woman of your status.”

  A tentative smile tilted her lips. “Fitting? Oh, Mason, you should know by now that you fit me perfectly.”

  Slipping his arms around her waist, he pulled her toward him until she was pressed tightly to him. Then burying his face in the crook of her neck, he murmured in her ear, “I love you, Sophie. I should’ve told you that from the very start. But I was afraid you’d think I was a sap. I was even more afraid to believe I could ever have a future with you.”

  She eased her head back and the love he saw on her face swelled his chest until he could scarcely breathe.

  “Do you want a future with me, Mason?”

  “Only for the rest of our lives. Is that too long?”

  Joy spread her lips into a radiant smile. “Forever isn’t nearly long enough, but I’ll take it.”

  He kissed her then and in a matter of a few seconds, desire began to sweep them both away.

  Finally, he lifted his head and said in a voice rough with desire, “Let’s go home—to my place. If you can call that home?”

  Her arms tightened around him. “My home is going to be wherever you are, Mason. Now and always.”

  *