Ten Minutes later
Evidently, he’s decided he’s done conversing with me tonight. It’s already climbing into the wee hours of the morning. I’m officially tuckered out. Tonight, it was nice to relax and casually chat with the Suit Master. I found out quite a bit about him. He likes steak, hates olives, and owns two vehicles, although he won’t tell me what they are. He admitted that Babs his dog isn’t actually his dog. She’s his dads, but he goes there every Sunday for lunch and that his dad just recently remarried a woman young enough to be his daughter. Which made me laugh. It was an informative and entertaining night, kept my mind from retreating back to Emma and Gage.
Now it’s time for some shuteye.
Chapter Sixteen
Wednesday
Me: Come on Gage… Answer my texts. I want to pick Emma up from school today. Is that okay? I’m going to see her after school unless you tell me otherwise.
I’ve been texting Gage all morning trying to get him to answer me. I even called his office and his bitch ass secretary said he was in a meeting. I want to see Emma today, and I don’t care how much of a bother or pain in the ass I’m being. I miss her, a lot.
One hour later
Gage: No, you may not.
Me: Finally you text back. Aren’t you working late? I can watch her.
Gage: What don’t you get about the word NO? No means no, I conceded to staying at your house on Monday, even after you blew me off. What makes you think I want to relive that nightmare?
My heart pains with malignant shame, and I rub it. I can’t believe he feels this way. It hurts to read.
Me: Being around me was a nightmare?
Gage: All of Monday night and Tuesday morning was a nightmare reincarnated.
Me: Ouch that hurts.
Gage: Yeah…well…the truth fuckin hurts don’t it? You kiss me and then you push me away. You don’t think that hurt me?
Me: It wasn’t about you!!! It’s about me!
Gage: Sure…perfect Lex has a flaw! Please spare me the bullshit.
Me: You don’t even know me.
Gage: You’re right and you’ve made it abundantly clear time and time again that you don’t want me to get to know you.
Me: I like you!!
Shit shit shit… I shouldn’t have admitted that. Talk about playing with a man’s head. He’s going to think I’m lying and only telling him because I want to see Emma.
Gage: No you don’t! You find me attractive. There is a difference! Every fucking female wants to bang me, Lex. Or suck my cock, like they’re sucking chrome from a bumper. I’m not stupid. I get hit on all the damn time. I don’t give a fuck about other women. I wanted to know you. Find out more about YOU. Do you realize my daughter hasn’t fucking stopped talking about you since we left your house Tuesday. Can you imagine how much that fucks with a little kid’s head? You fucked with her head, Lex. You fucked with my baby girl’s head. Playing like some fucking angelic mother that she’s always wanted. You bought her a play set, slept with her on the couch. You’re the reason I don’t date!
Now I feel like a piece of shit! He’s so right. I hate that he’s right. God I’m a terrible woman!
Me: I’m sorry. I love Emma. I want to be in her life.
Gage: We are a package, Emma and I are a damn package, Lex. I’m her fucking dad. Don’t you get that? HER DAD!
Me: I’m sorry.
I don’t know what else to say other than that.
Gage: Yeah well… tell that to someone who fucking cares. Goodbye Lex. I’ll see you on Friday. Leave me and my daughter alone!
Suit Master: Angel, I’ve been texting you all day. I’m coming over if I don’t hear from you soon. Did you get my present?
Crying in bed, I read the Suit Masters fifteenth text of the day. Another gift was delivered today. It was dinner from Dolly’s Dairy Dream. Another strange thing he obviously knows about me. Good thing he had food sent because I wasn’t going to eat a dang thing after the terrible day I’ve had. I came home from work and I’ve been in bed crying ever since. I can’t believe Emma is gone. All because I turned Gage away. As much as I want to blame him and be mad at him, I can’t be. He’s being a dad and trying to protect his daughter. I can’t fault that. Even though I wish I could.
Roni also hasn’t spoken to me since yesterday and I refuse to worry my mom or Lincoln with my problems. Life is pretty sucky right now. I pray it doesn’t take long for Roni to stop being angry with me. I miss my best friend.
Me: Yes, thanks. I wouldn’t have eaten if it wasn’t for that.
Suit Master: Why? You ok?
Me: No
Suit Master: Talk to me
Me: No
Suit Master: Is this about that little girl?
Me: How’d you know?
Suit Master: You’re a woman and you were upset about it last night. Most women don’t get over feelings that easily.
Me: You’ve got that right.
Two hours later
Me: Thanks again for an amazing night of distractions.
Suit Master: It’s been my pleasure, Angel. Soon enough we’ll meet and you’ll fall in love with me and all of this depressive nonsense will be in the past.
Me: Glad to see you’re still delusional.
Suit Master: Man is not made for defeat.
Chapter Seventeen
Friday
“You ready to get this over with?” Daniel asks, standing in my office doorway. Since Wednesday, he’s been checking in on me constantly. It’s dreadfully annoying.
“As ready as I’ll ever be.” To see Gage that is.
Rolling my office chair backward, and sliding on my black Louis’s, I stand and smooth down the sides of my sexy yet conservative turquoise and black mini business dress, synched with a black corset belt. The neckline gives away a little cleavage but it’s not too low. Considering I am signing over half a million dollars, because I showed too much flirtatiousness and breasts during a contract signing. I opted for less boobage. This settlement is nothing but a big bunch of BS anyhow.
Following behind Daniel out of my office and down the hall to the conference room, I take a deep breath and tail him inside.
Sitting down at the oval table, Donald is already eye fucking me, and Roni hasn’t even acknowledged my presence. I don’t like it when she’s mad at me.
Taking the seat next to mine, Daniel reaches under the table and supportively pats my knee.
“Sorry I’m late.” Gage announces, making his grand entrance. I keep my gaze adverted to the table and pick my freshly manicured nails.
Yesterday, I took a personal day. I went to Sally’s Salon, and had my nails, hair, and toes done. I felt a hundred times better once I finished there. Then I stopped by Barbie’s and picked up some dessert and my biscotti for the week. We chatted a while and by the time I came home last night, I felt better about my life. I haven’t felt like myself in days and spending another two hours conversing with Suit Master last night in bed, through texting, left me in a good place. It was the first night I’ve slept well all week. When I woke up this morning, now that’s a whole different story. I dreaded coming in today, knowing I had to come face-to-face with Gage. The man I’m… I dunno with.
“Let’s make this quick.” He declares and I nod, still picking my nails and biting my lip, about to burst from an overflow of anxiety.
“Ms. Keagan and Ms. Phoenix, you will need to sign these.” Sliding papers across the table, I turn to Kim, our lawyer. And she nods approvingly of this document that I’m sure she’s thoroughly read through.
Daniel drops a pen on the document, and I sign where the pink color tabs indicate. Still unable to bring myself to look up, Daniel does the decent thing and hands the packet back to Gage.
“That’s all.” I hear the tapping of papers on the table, the zip of a briefcase, and Gage exchanging professional handshakes for a completed case. I should probably participate in this.
Bravely glancing up, my heart nearly explodes out
of my chest at the sight of him. Daniel, somehow knowing how I must be feeling, grabs my knee, centering me.
“I’m okay.” I whisper to him and stand, reaching across the table I extend the professional courtesy and shake all three Saks reps hands. Then it’s Gage’s turn, offering my hand he takes it into his, giving it a little jerk. I peer up to see what that was for, and when our eyes meet, I hold my breath and nervously gnaw on my bottom lip. He’s unbelievably gorgeous today. Hairs done to perfection, his face slightly scruffy, just enough to wonder what it’d feel like brushing against my skin. His black suit with steel gray vest and blue paisley tie is impeccably tailored to his body. I can’t see his shoes, but I’d guess he’s wearing some expensive designer ones.
“Pleasant outcome, Ms. Keagan,” he shakes my hand firmly and drops it, taking my heart with him. I hate that I feel this much. It’s terrible and wrong on so many fronts.
A few minutes later, we are all filing out of the conference room and Gage is strolling ahead of me, reading something on his cell.
“Gage, can we talk?” I ask, catching up to him and gently placing my hand on his forearm.
Shaking his head, he keeps walking, ignoring that I’m even talking to him.
“Gage.” I plead.
Passing office after office, he stops for a moment, tucks his phone back into his pocket with a smile and turns to face me. “Ms. Keagan?”
That’s it! I’ve had enough of this cold shoulder.
Flashing me a questioning look, like I’m supposed to speak, I wait until the last person passes us and I quickly grab his tie and yank him into an open office. Closing the door behind me, he tries to grab the handle to let himself out.
“No,” I order, staring him down.
“Let me out, this isn’t a game, Ms. Keagan. Weren’t you already being sued for sexual advances? Don’t make me file a report.” His tone suggests he’s beyond bored with me, already.
“No,” I slap his chest, pushing him backward.
“Don’t touch me again.” He warns, finally making eye contact, his eyes shooting lasers of molten anger at me. I can see the pain lingering in his gaze. I damaged him.
“How’s Emma?” I inquire, pushing his hand away from the doorknob as he tries to open it for the second time.
“How do you want her to be?”
“Good, happy…”
He cuts me off. “Yeah well, you should have thought about that before you broke her heart.”
Whoa! Wait a minute here. I didn’t break anybody’s heart! I want to see Emma, he just won’t let me.
“I want to see her.” I drop my tone low, so he doesn’t find me too demanding.
“No,”
“Please.” I’m begging now.
“No.” I can feel the resentment hanging in the air.
“Do you want me to get on my knees and beg?”
“There’s a lot of things I’d like you on your knees for, Lex. Begging to see my daughter isn’t one of them.”
That was a straight shot to my heart. I tried. I’m done. This is too much.
Slouching my shoulders, I bow my head and scoot away from the door to let him leave, but he doesn’t move.
“Go.” I grumble, sweeping my hand toward the door handle.
“No.”
“Why?” I morosely ask, staring at his unmoving feet. I knew he’d be wearing nice shoes. I was right.
“Look at me.”
I shake my head.
“Please, Lex, look at me.” Now he’s the one pleading. What’s his deal? One minute he’s trying to escape and knocking me down a peg. The next he’s staying and asking me to look at him. Men! Sheesh!
I comply with his sweet tone and bit-by-bit raise my head and lock eyes with him.
He smiles.
Now I’m really feeling like a fool and an emotional basket case. I really wish I didn’t allow him to hold this much power over me but he does. It’s like Brian all over again. What is wrong with me!?
“I can’t take this emotional warfare, Gage. I really can’t.” I take a deep breath, grab the door handle and leave. I’m done fighting with him. I’m done with everything. I’m so glad it’s Friday. I plan to spend the entire weekend with a half-gallon of rocky road and TV.
Chapter Eighteen
Saturday
“Get the hell out of bed, Lex.” Roni orders, relentlessly pounding on my bedroom door.
“Go away!” I yell.
“No, the delivery man just dropped off a package that I had to sign for, the least you could do is open the damn thing. It’s time to come out of hiding.” Sassy Britches is miraculously speaking to me again. Four days of radio silence and now she’s trying to draw me out of weekend hibernation.
“What is it?”
“How the hell am I supposed to know? You’ve got five minutes to get your robe on and come downstairs. I’ve made tea and set the table. If you’re not down there, I’m burning this house to the ground with you in it.”
I bark a laugh, shaking my head. That’s Sassy Britches at her finest. God love her.
“Fine.” I pout, even though I’m truly ecstatic she’s speaking to me again. With Roni, you can’t approach her to make amends, not unless you want an earful of words that would make a trucker blush. Trust me, I’ve got years of experience dealing with her. Honestly, it’s probably her time of the month, which makes her extra bitchy.
Dragging myself out of bed, I cover my red silky nightgown with my cream silk robe and meet Roni down in the kitchen.
She smiles as I take a seat across from her. It seems the table is a place to store packages, because that’s where she’s left it.
“Well?” she presses, eyeing the box.
“I’ll open it now.” I give her a dirty look, stand, and grab a knife from the knife block on the kitchen counter. Slicing open the top I tug back the flaps and nestled inside is a beautiful white flowing gown, a pair of white heels and a note written on red cardstock.
I know you’ve had a rough week. It’s time for someone to treat you for a change. Wear this dress tonight to Vino’s and enjoy dinner and drinks on me.
I’ll be watching.
Suit Master
I read aloud.
“Dinner at Vino’s?” Roni asks, a thoughtful look marking her face.
“Seems so. That’s what the note states.” I drop it in front of her on the table and reach into the box, gently extracting its contents. The size twelve shoes I set on the table and carefully lift the dress from its prison.
Holding it out in front of me, pressed against my chest, it nearly touches the floor.
“That’s beautiful.” Roni whistles, eyeing the dress appreciatively.
She’s right; it’s exquisite and reminds me of a beautifully wistful, Grecian gown encompassing a delicate ethereal quality. It must have cost the Suit Master another fortune. The tennis bracelet unquestionably matches this gown, telling me that he had planned this night well in advance. That sly altruistic bastard.
Spending each night for days on end, texting and sneakily learning more about me has left him even bolder than I imagined. It’s one thing to speak of romantics. It’s another to display it this forthright. It’s true I’ve become more acquainted with him, but I’ve yet to even know what he looks like. I asked him that last night. He responded. “Handsome enough to get girls and smart enough to know better.” Not sure if that’s his way of easing my mind, by gently confessing he doesn’t sleep around. Every single thing about him is never cut and dry. He leaves it all open to vast interpretation. Not sure if that makes him more intriguing and attractive, or a huge pain in my ass.
“Are you going?” Roni inquires, with a serious expression, dropping the cardstock back onto the table with a thud.
Exaggeratingly, I shrug my shoulders, holding them steady by my ears. “What do you think?” I ask, nervously nibbling my bottom lip.
“I think if a man courts you like he has, I’d go. I’m not into all the mushy shit. You deserve
it though, and he seems genuine in wanting to get to know you.”
Sure he does, or maybe he’s a lunatic.
“Yeah, maybe… But… Weren’t you just telling me to give Gage a shot?” I press, with wide eyes and a raised brow, nearly chewing a hole into my lip.
“Neither one have claimed you. You’re not exclusive with anyone. I’d play the field.”
No she wouldn’t, she just wants me to have a boyfriend. She doesn’t have to worry about me being lonely, now that she has Bob. The sentiment is sweet, the execution, not so much.
“No, you wouldn’t., I’m fairly certain all of this ‘courting’ and the way the Suit Master expresses his feelings towards me, makes me his proverbial tree that he’s pissing on to mark his territory.”
Laughing at my mundane comment, she shakes her head. “That may be true, but until either of them sees lady, you are not to be tied down and that’s final.”
Bossy Roni, she’s pulling out all the stops today. Go figure. I was basically shunned from her presence for days and now she’s become bitchy, bossy best friend again. Not saying I don’t like having her back, I do. I just hate when it’s from one extreme to the next. Her emotional waves are giving me whiplash.
Mock saluting her and giving her a playful, “Eye, eye, Captain,” I gather up my belongings and take them to my bedroom.
I’m sitting in a quaint booth here at Vino’s Italian restaurant. It’s nearly eight and I’ve been putting back copious amounts of expensive alcohol and fine wine. I’m feeling way too good at this point.
I drove here a little over an hour ago, after I spent the better half of two hours dolling myself up and listening to Patsy as I sang off key and danced happily in my en suit bathroom.
My black hair is styled into a sleek low bun and my makeup is classically subtle. The dress from the Suit Master fits like a well-tailored suit, made just for me. My heels are surprisingly comfortable, or maybe it’s the fact that all I ever wear is heels.
Lex (Unconventional Hearts) Page 18
