by Donna Fasano
“Sounds nice. Jacket?”
“Not necessary, but if you have one that would be fine.” It had been a while since I was out with a man who owned a dinner jacket. Jay wasn’t the tie type, and he lived in his jeans.
“Of course. I’ll make the reservations and pick you up at seven.”
I directed him to my apartment, and we pulled up in front.
He stepped out of the car. “I’ll just come up for a minute. Say goodbye to Katie.”
“Okay. But make sure you leave before they do.”
He chuckled. “Yeah. We don’t want to make that mistake twice.”
I laughed too, and looked into his eyes. Big mistake. There was just something about him that pulled me in, and made me want to be closer to his warmth. He was like a bright sun or some such thing, and I wanted to be his orbit.
Just my damned luck. I could never find a man who wanted to orbit me.
He put a hand on my back as we walked to the elevator. “Billy doesn’t seem like that bad of a guy. I can see why Katie likes him.”
My heart warmed. “Thank you. Katie’s lovely too.”
“Still, we’ve got to stay united on all fronts. Don’t cave on me, Candy,” he said, holding the elevator door for me to step in. “I understand that this is a delicate situation but something we have to do.”
I nodded but didn’t speak. I backed into the corner, keeping my distance from the Wolfe.
“We don’t want to push them too hard or drive them away from us.” He glanced at me, and a brief smile lit up his eyes. “I’m not going to pounce on you. You’re quite safe with me.”
I let my arms drop at my side. He probably regretted last night as much as I did, and had no interest in kissing me senseless. But the Candy Bar magic was strong and just to be sure, I stayed where I was.
“Just as you are safe with me. There will be no hanky-panky from either one of us.”
He raised a brow. “Not even after their gone?”
“Nope. Not then. Not ever.” I folded my arms under my breast. “I wish I could be as sure as you that we’re doing the right thing. They’re young, but who are we to say that their love isn’t real?”
“Don’t go down that track.” Harrison took a step toward me, crowding my space.
I shifted uncomfortably and looked away from him.
He lifted my chin, forcing my gaze to his. “We both know this isn’t a good match.”
I knew he wasn’t talking about the kids.
~*~
Upstairs, Billy was sitting on the sofa, feet up on the coffee table, his duffle bag next to the door. “What took you so long?” He glanced from Harrison’s face to mine.
“Nothing. The car was valeted, and we had to wait for it. Pain in the ass.”
“We’ve been waiting for you guys to get here. I wanted to give you back your credit card.”
I knew that was a weak excuse, and that both Katie and Billy were not at ease leaving the two of us alone.
“Where’s Katie?” Harrison asked, standing in the door awkwardly.
“She’s changing. Don’t ask me why.”
Harrison sat down to wait. “Did you find a hotel room?” he asked in a conversational tone.
“Yup. We’re staying at the Hyatt. Figured since Mom was paying, we’d stay at the best.”
I laughed. “Thoughtful of you.” I handed him a couple of hundred dollar bills that I kept tucked away in a dresser drawer. “Take her for a few nice meals while you’re there.”
“Thanks, Mom. Appreciate it.” He stood up and gave me a peck on my cheek. “So you really don’t mind us having the Saab?”
I drove a five-year-old Saab convertible and I inwardly cringed with the idea of these two kids driving it, but I couldn’t back down now. “Yes. On two conditions. No smoking in my car—not anything. And drive safely. Oh, one more thing. Don’t come back on empty. Leave me enough to get to a gas station, okay?”
“Sure. No problem. And we don’t smoke.”
“You quit? That’s great. So glad to hear. I feel like we haven’t communicated at all these past few months.”
Harrison stood up and went to the bedroom door. He knocked. “Katie. Are you just about ready? I’m waiting to say good-bye.”
“Just one minute, Dad.”
Billy grabbed his cell phone and stuffed it into his pocket. “So. Mom. Are you still planning to come down and see that fellow interested in your bar?” He looked down at his sneakers. “I mean, you could wait a week or two. You might change your mind about the bar.”
“First things first. I’ll give him a call and see if he’s at all interested and available to talk. Don’t want to make the trip for nothing.” I had no intention of telling them that Harrison intended to accompany me. Since he was the one who insisted, he was also the one who could dash their hopes of getting rid of us.
“I can’t believe you’d sell the bar. I mean, I thought you really loved that place.”
“I do, but it’s not profitable anymore, and I can’t keep throwing money down the toilet every month. But besides that, the area is not what it used to be, and I don’t like what it’s become. Gambling, hooking, drugs.”
“I noticed that, too. It sucks.” He rubbed his jaw. “I’ve been doing some thinking about that. Might have an idea or two.”
“Really? When you have a moment, I’d like to hear them.”
Katie came prancing out of the bedroom. She was in shorts and a tee, her long blonde hair up in a pony-tail. She looked pretty and all of sixteen.
“I’m ready.”
Billy beamed. “You got your swimsuit on under that?”
“I do. They said the room might now be ready until four, so I didn’t want to take a chance.”
“Good idea. I’ve got my swimmers in the side pocket.” He grabbed her hand and glanced at Harrison and me. “So, thanks guys. We appreciate the cash, the car, and the digs. And we’ll be sure to call.” He picked up Katie’s bag. “Right, babe?”
“Right.” She gave her dad a hug. “We’ll call, and thanks.”
Billy had moved her to the door, and Harrison and I followed, ready to see them off.
Katie turned back. “Dad…why don’t you walk me to the car? I won’t get to see you for another couple of months. You’ll be going back to Boston, right?”
Harrison hesitated, and glanced at me. “In a couple of days. I figured that if you’re going to stay in Florida I might take a look around for someplace I could spend part of the winter. I’ll be looking from Miami to Palm Beach.”
“You—in Florida? That’s a sudden decision, isn’t it?”
“Not really. I’ve been thinking about if for awhile.”
“Can’t blame you for that,” Billy replied. His eyes searched mine. “Mom. Don’t be hasty. I’d still like to tell you about my ideas for the Candy Bar.”
“Okay. But if I get a decent offer, I’m taking it.”
Harrison took his daughter’s bag from Billy. “Goodbye, Candy. I’ll see the kids off, and we’ll keep in touch.”
I nodded and watched them all leave.
Halfway to the elevator, Billy came running back. He gave me a hug and whispered, “Harrison’s going to be hanging around for a few more days. Stay away from him, okay? It’s just too creepy to think of you guys making out.”
“Got it. Creepy.” I made a face.
I waved at Katie who was standing with Harrison at the elevators. “Have fun,” I called loudly.
She waved back.
“I’ll call you if I decide to come down,” I told Billy. “If you’re free, we can do dinner.”
“No promises,” he said.
I shut the door, glad that I didn’t have to deal with Harrison alone. Maybe Billy was right. It was creepy.
He knocked on my door about ten minutes later. I’d hoped he was long gone.
I opened up but didn’t invite him in. “Look, Har, I think we’re making a mistake. We should leave them alone in the Keys. Even having dinner
tonight is dumb. All it can do is get the kids more riled up, and possibly band together against us.”
“Come on, don’t chicken out on me,” Harrison said smoothly, leaning on the door jamb. “We can discuss this over dinner.” He gave me a winning smile. “They don’t need to know what we do tonight.”
“Billy asked me to stay away from you. Said it’s creepy.” I added quickly, “You know I’m attracted to you, so it’s tempting, but can only cause us more harm than good.” I crossed my arms around my middle, in protective mode.
“What are you afraid of? I’m not going to seduce you unless you want to be. And as far as your son is concerned—creepy or not—it’s our job to make sure the kids don’t do anything crazy, like elope.”
“Why do you say that? They wouldn’t do such a thing, would they?”
“Katie threatened it last night. But I think she did it because she was so upset seeing you and me in that predicament. I’m sure she was just punishing me. But that’s not to say they wouldn’t, if they believe we’re trying to keep them apart.”
“This is all so confusing. I want Billy to be happy. Period. ”
“Well, I’m going. With you or without you.” He cleared his throat. “I want to keep an eye on things. Maybe we could stay at a different hotel and keep a low profile.”
“How very amateur sleuth of you,” I said sarcastically.
“So is that a “yes?”
“I’ll let you know. Tonight at dinner.”
Chapter 8
He left, and I was puttering around my kitchen when the doorbell rang not long after. I was sure it would be Harrison bothering me again.
It was Susie, and I let her in with a squee of delight and a smidgen of trepidation. “Susie—come on in. It’s so good to see you! What are you doing here?”
“I came to gossip.” Her eyes lit up with mischief. “What’s going on with you and that handsome hunk of a man from the bar? Did you…”
“Did we what? No, of course not.” I blushed, and then seeing her mouth open and her eyes widen in pleased surprise, found myself in confession mode. “We got caught in the act. By Billy and his fiancé, Katie—Harrison’s daughter. As you can guess, the shit hit the fan.”
“Oh, no.” Susie plopped herself down on the sofa that faced my ocean view. “Pour me some wine and tell me everything.”
I opened a bottle, poured two glasses, then sat next to her—tucking my feet up under me--and updated her on the entire mess.
“So, you’re going out with him tonight?” She smiled and ran a dainty finger up and down the stem of her wineglass. “And then you’re going away with him tomorrow? You two are going to show up in the Keys, tucked away in your own love-nest and spy on the kids?” She put the glass down with a frown, probably remembering her own father doing the same to her. “Are you crazy?”
“Yes. No. Maybe.” I chewed my bottom lip. “What would you do?”
Susie glanced out at the view and thought before she answered. “Not sure. Probably the same as you. I mean Harrison is an amazing catch and you two definitely have chemistry, but I am worried about how this will affect your mother/son relationship.”
“So am I. That’s why Harrison and I can’t stay together and should drive separately. We have to be very sure that nothing happens between us again. I’m telling you, Sus, it is incredible, the attraction. When I’m with him, he’s all I want. But it can’t happen. If it did, well, that would be just too awful. I’d never forgive myself, and Billy wouldn’t either.”
“Why tempt fate?” Susie asked. “Forget dinner. Don’t answer the phone.”
“We are doing this for their best interests, not for ours,” I answered in an attempt to justify our actions. I hoped she could convince me that it was wrong because I had a very bad feeling about this whole thing.
“Right. You continue to believe that.”
“So I shouldn’t go?” I leaned closer to her.
“If you think he’ll try to sabotage their relationship single-handedly, then yes, by all means you need to go. So you can be their advocate, and work behind the scenes on their behalf.”
That sounded low-down and tricky. I wasn’t a subterfuge kind of girl. “Go against Harrison?” Secrets were awful things and I’m a lousy liar.
“If need be. Billy is your priority.”
I thought that over. There was only one win-win proposition for the Keys. Pray that my will power was stronger than my attraction to Harrison, while convincing my son that he was not ready to get married just yet. Gain their trust by being honest and sincere.
“Enough about me and my problems.” I was giving myself a head ache. “Tell me about yourself. How is the in vitro thing going? You look wonderful.”
“Not so great. The first one didn’t take, but we’re not giving up.” Susie licked her lips. “I think I want this more than Brett, but he wants anything I want.”
“You’re a lucky lady. He’s a sweet guy and you two are perfect for each other. You’ll be terrific parents.”
“True, but I’m in my mid-thirties, and if I don’t do it now, it will never happen. I’m ready. I really am. I’ve got some of my work projects to finish up and then I haven’t rebooked anything for next year. Keeping myself open, just in case.”
“That’s smart. You’re both very fit and healthy. Hopefully, by next year you’ll have a darling baby to stay home with.”
“To God’s ears,” she answered. “Getting work will be no problem, if all else fails.” She finished her wine. So what are you going to do about the bar? Are you still set on selling?”
“I’ve got to get through one crisis at a time,” I said.
“Got it.” Susie picked up her artsy handbag. “Well, I should be going. Have a good time tonight, but not too good.” She gave me a wink. “And best of luck with Billy. I’d let him be if I were you. This romance might just burn itself out. They’re so young.”
“He’s impulsive, like me. That’s what worries me.”
“Well, if the two of you do wind up together in the Keys--stay focused. Don’t let Harrison’s animal magnetism wear you down. Unless you want to, of course.”
“It won’t be easy. Every time he gets close, I want to tear his clothes off.”
“Oh, shit.” Her expression sank.
“Exactly.”
“Maybe you should call Jay Carpenter up and see if he can meet you for a few days in the Keys. It would keep you out of Harrison’s bed, and you’d be satisfied without making anybody mad.”
Funny how the idea repulsed me. A few weeks ago? I might have considered the option. “Susie. You have the worst ideas!”
She laughed, guilty. “Always have. Remember that time I botoxed myself and my eye drooped horribly right during my big art show? Not one of my brighter moves.”
“And what about the time you were fired from the law firm and worked for that gorilla gram company?” I chuckled.
Susie pointed her nose in the air. “I was a singing bumble bee, I’ll have you know. And I was very good.” She tossed her head and grinned. “So I made some weird career choices. It drove my dad ballistic, and that’s what mattered at the time.”
“Aw, hindsight. It’s a wonderful thing.”
“Exactly,” she said, as if that was her point all along. “So don’t let it happen to you.”
“Thanks for the warning.” I looked into the eyes of my dear, loving friend. “And I so hope the in vitro will work this time. You’ll make a great mother.” I touched her hand. “Let me tell you something–for all the heartache and rough times I’ve had with Billy, I wouldn’t trade motherhood for the world. He’s the most important person in my life, and always has been.”
Susie gave me a hug. “I know. And no matter what Billy decides, you’ll have his back. He’s lucky to have you.” She opened the door, then paused. “Please reconsider selling the bar. We might be selfish, but we don’t want to lose you or our favorite meeting place.”
“Everything will be fin
e,” I said, unsure how or what the future would bring. “I like to think it’s all written in the stars, and we just play it out.”
“I prefer to think we control our destiny in every way but one. That little piece of magic in the Candy Bar is the one thing no one can explain—and it’s priceless. There is not a dollar amount you can put on it. Think about that.”
“I will. I promise.” I closed the door behind her and went directly to my computer where I had all my business matters filed. I looked at my bank statements and thought about Susie’s comments. How did you factor in the monetary worth of making dreams come true?
To sell the Candy Bar would be to hand over that magic to someone who might never understand or appreciate the miracle it was--or the happiness it brings. But not to sell meant I was stuck doing what I’ve been doing for the past ten years. I wanted more. I wanted to make a difference in the world. Do something meaningful with my life. And the idea of romance, adventure, and fewer responsibilities had a strong appeal too.
~*~
I tried to put my worries to rest, but they followed me into the bathroom and haunted me as I showered and dressed.
Financial decisions regarding the Candy Bar had slipped to trouble number three. Second in my list of worries was fighting my attraction to Harrison. And the big one, the heart-breaker--the game changer was whether I should side with Katie’s father and enter into a dire plan to drive them apart.
Perhaps Susie was right. If we left them alone, they might break up on their own, and we wouldn’t have to be the bad guys.
I exfoliated and then creamed my skin, while my mind flitted back and forth. Mind my own business? Or go to the Keys with Harrison so we could sabotage the two young lovers?
I cringed. Even talking to them about taking it slow would be hard. I’d be hurting the person I loved most in the world. Billy was my whole heart and soul. Working against him simply would not be right, even knowing that he doesn’t have the maturity to take on a wife and family.
He’s just a boy.
Sure, he may have the physical size of a grown man, but inside his head? Not a hope. One day he’ll make a wonderful husband and father, I have no doubt, but he has a lot of growing to do. Marrying a woman because he’s afraid of losing her is not indicative of a healthy, mature relationship. It reeks of insecurity and desperation.
