“For what?”
“Brandy’s still blushing from a mere mention of some guy, which tells me it might not just be some guy.”
Turning quickly, I could feel my cheeks blazing as I socked him one in the arm. Suddenly feeling like I was back in high school, all I could blurt out was to shut up.
“Is that so?” my father asked, as he tended to the unlit coals.
“Dad, have you ever wondered why you have such bad luck with your coals?” I took a step away from my brothers, but unfortunately, it landed me closer to Cole.
Ayden and Mason quickly exchanged glances. Mason’s mouth opened, but he shut it quickly when my brow shot up daring him.
“That’s part of the challenge,” my dad answered.
“You might want—”
“To let us buy you one of those stainless steel barbeques that even has a burner,” Ayden interrupted me.
“So who is it that Brandy’s interested in?” Cole asked, taking a sip of his beer.
I saw Lily come outside with my mom and another group of my brothers’ friends. I hoped she’d see the desperation in my face and come save me.
“Yeah. What’s his name?” Mason grabbed a beer from the cooler just as Lily settled into our expanding circle.
“Who?” Lily asked.
“Gabby’s brother.” Mason knocked the cap off of the bottle and took a chug.
“Aaron,” she replied, completely oblivious.
“Aaron who?” Cole asked, his hazel eyes flicking to Lily’s.
“I’d imagine his last name is Sullivan,” Lily replied, grinning.
“Aaron Sullivan? The Aaron Sullivan?” Cole started laughing viciously and my insides began to ignite with fury.
“What about him?” I asked, narrowing my gaze on him.
My mom was moving a bunch of the balloons to the far side of the yard so they wouldn’t keep interfering with the food table, but she stopped to glance at me. My voice must not have been as calm as I’d hoped.
“Only that he’s the king of players. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him with the same date twice.”
I could feel the blood pumping mightily through my veins.
“And when exactly is it that you’re bumping into him? I wouldn’t guess you two to be running in the same circles.” My brows shot up.
“Ouch,” Cole said, grinning. “Believe it or not my MIS degree is paying off. And yes, we do frequent the same functions quite often.”
“It doesn’t matter to me. He’s a single guy and can date whoever and however many he wants.” I walked over to the cooler and grabbed a hard cider, twisting the top off.
Cole came up behind me and lowered his voice. “Look, I get that you’re not into me, but this Sullivan guy is bad news. I just don’t want to see you getting hurt.”
I turned to face Cole and couldn’t help but soften. “For that I thank you.”
“Truce?” he asked.
“Truce. But enough with the selfies, Cole.”
I had spent the last couple weeks on autopilot and was relieved to go that long of a stretch without having any accidental run-ins with Aaron. I was back at my desk and buried in Monday morning madness, looking forward to getting some chapters read later in the afternoon on formatting legal pleadings when I heard a laugh from Gabby’s office. It had to be Jason on the other end of her phone. A nagging feeling of envy began to rear its ugly head, and I squashed it quickly. What I needed to do was concentrate on getting all the calendars updated and airline reservations made for the team. Once I got all that out of the way I could sneak in some reading and shake these ridiculously unfounded feelings. I wanted to start law school with a bang, and the only way I saw that as a possibility was to begin reading the textbooks ahead of time.
Gabby was softening on her brother, and I was positive Jason had something to do with that. Whether Gabby recognized that or not, I didn’t know, but at least she was willing to consider the possibilities. It was nice to see a genuine smile on Gabby’s lips since Jason came into her life. And her laugh was definitely signaling a turn in the relationship. I’d almost bet money that pieces of the wall around her very guarded heart were actually beginning to crumble.
My email bleeped, and I looked up from the files I’d been sorting through. My heart started pounding when the letters came into focus.
How could this be?
To: Brandy Rhodes
From: Aaron Sullivan
Subject: Cole
Ms. Rhodes:
It was a pleasure bumping into you a couple weeks ago. I’m surprised our paths haven’t crossed since. I want to express my astonishment at what a small world it is. Beyond the obvious connection we seem to share, it seems the universe has a mind of its own.
I was playing golf with Cole on Sunday, and he mentioned running into you at a function. Can you believe that? It sounds as if you two certainly have a history. Is it…
My cheeks ignited. What history? There was no history with Cole. What in the world did Cole tell Aaron? The preview screen cut the remainder of Aaron’s message from view. But that was completely fine since I was in a frozen state of shock. How did Aaron get my email? Sitting motionless at my desk, I slowly rose from my chair, popping my head over the cubicle walls, and scanned the top of everyone’s workspaces on the off chance Aaron was on the floor, spying on me. He didn’t seem to have any scruples when it came to tracking me down. I looked around the room and saw no sign of sexy-as-hell-stalker-man and sat down quickly.
Okay, I had definitely turned crazy on this one.
I stared back at the screen not wanting to open the message fully. I refused to engage with him, and something told me that a control freak like him would have tagged it to see if his message was read. I knew I would have. But it was killing me to find out how he got my email address. Who would have given it to him? I positioned my cursor over his name very carefully and right clicked the properties. My mouth dropped open as I saw the same parent company where I worked in his email stamp. The bastard worked here, and I bet Gabby had no idea.
Damn him! Damn me for not figuring it out sooner.
Even though the curiosity was pounding through my veins to take a look at his email, I highlighted his message and clicked the trashcan.
There!
That made me feel a whole lot better. I wanted to tell Gabby, but that wouldn’t be a brilliant idea because she’d wonder how I’d found that piece of information out.
I turned around to see the receptionist bringing me a bouquet of flowers, and my stomach dipped to my toes. No way!
“These are very pretty,” she cooed, placing them on my desk. “Great date last night?”
My heart was beating so fast. How could he do this when his sister was bound to see them?
“No date at all,” I said, searching for the little card and only finding one with my name on it and no sender.
“Well, they’re gorgeous,” she said, before turning around.
I shoved the arrangement to the corner of my desk and tried not to focus on them, but the thought of the weird texts and phone calls that I’d recently received made me a little uneasy. But I was sure these came from Aaron. The timing was too impeccable and I was just being a worrier, reading too many thrillers late at night.
I heard a male’s voice calling for me down the way and almost panicked mistaking the tone for Aaron’s. This pins and needles thing was really getting tiresome. Decker came into view, and my insides did a conflicting tumble as disappointment and relief duked it out.
“Hey, Brandy. You doing okay?” he teased, leaning over the cubicle.
Decker transferred to our division around the same time as I arrived, and I enjoyed his sense of humor. His dark hair, chiseled features, and hazel eyes weren’t bad to look at either.
“Yeah. Why?” I glanced back at my email to see if any new messages arrived and it looked all clear.
“You kind of look like you saw a ghost.”
“Just got a random email that
was meant for spam.”
Decker started laughing, and I couldn’t help but notice how strong his forearms looked in the rolled-up shirt he wore. “Some of those can be pretty spicy. Just don’t click on them…whatever you do.”
“I’ll try to remember that.” I grinned.
Why couldn’t I be into Decker? He’s available, friendly, and hot…in a newly-minted college graduate kind of way. Aaron, however, exuded an entirely different persona. He was full of confidence, and he wasn’t that much older than Decker. Somehow, Aaron’s mannerisms conveyed an entirely enticing way of thinking and being. I also had to admit to myself the deception was a little intriguing, which added mystery in a way that wasn’t explainable…
And shame on me!
I had done great all last week.
“I was just checking to see if you’d like to do lunch? A new pizza place opened up that offers lunch specials by the slice.” Decker smiled, and I noticed the flicker of more behind his eyes.
“Totally. What time you wanna head out?”
“11:30 work?”
“Perfect.” I gave him a quick wave and watched him wander back to where his cubicle was hidden.
Exactly what I needed. I turned my attention back to the file I was organizing that contained everyone’s itineraries as Gabby came out of her office beaming. I couldn’t help but smile. There was no way I was envious of her, only confused about my own choices.
“Nice conversation about cheese?” I teased.
She leaned over my cubicle, a dreamy expression plastered on her face as she rested her elbows on the plastic wall.
“There is something so familiar about Jason. Like we can talk for hours and it never gets old.”
“Sounds like how it’s supposed to be,” I reminded her.
“I know I’m still in the honeymoon stage, but I hope that it never ends.”
“Something tells me it never will.”
“Wanna do lunch today?” Gabby asked.
“I would but Decker just asked. You want to come with us?”
She smiled and nodded knowingly. “No. I don’t want to be the third wheel.”
“It’s not like that,” I whispered. “It’s totally professional.”
She shrugged, still grinning. “Listen, who knows when and where love will…”
“Enough.” I shook my head. “Not happening with Decker.”
“Well, when that attraction does happen, don’t ignore it, my friend. We’ve only got one shot at this life.” She patted her chest where her borrowed heart resided, and I had to push down the lump that formed in my throat. She really did have a different view of things than most.
“Promise.” I rose my hand in a pledge and smiled. “One more thing.”
“Yeah?”
“Do you promise me you’ll be extra careful on your bike?”
“I’m always careful.”
“I know, but I just want you to be extra cautious.”
“For you, anything,” she vowed, winking. “Okay, off to grab a coffee. Need anything?”
“Nope. I’m set.”
I glanced at the clock and only had about an hour to run through everything I wanted to get done before lunch. I made my rounds, dropping off mail and picking up a few small business requests along the way.
Decker was waiting near my cubicle when I returned. He was leaning against the wall, and I had to admit that he really did know how to dress well. He finished an email on his phone and glanced up when I’d grabbed my purse.
“My treat,” he said, ushering me toward the elevators.
“No way. You did that last time. I owe you.”
We stepped into the elevator and the cart glided down to the lobby. Once the doors opened, I stepped into the large space that bustled with people as the noon hour became closer.
“I think I’ll owe you one after this lunch.”
I turned to face him and raised a brow. “What does that mean? Did this place get really bad reviews or something?”
“No. I just. You’ll see.”
I stopped mid-stride and turned to face Decker.
“What are you not telling me that you obviously want to tell me?”
His eyes fell to the marble floor and then moved up to a large ficus tree near the security guards.
Decker still didn’t speak, so I lightly punched him in the arm. Maybe this was a date. “I’ll let you buy. Now let’s get going before the place fills up. Lead the way.”
I followed him down the hill and over two blocks before seeing a large outdoor eating area that was nestled in between two towering skyscrapers. It was filled with people drinking coffee and eating all sorts of food. I spied frozen yogurt, sandwiches, burritos, and burgers scattered on people’s trays. How did I not know about this spot? It was lunch hour heaven.
“Is that the place we’re headed?” I asked.
“It is. There are over ten restaurants and cafes lined up in that little atrium area so if the pizza place doesn’t look so hot we can always grab something else.”
Decker looked a little uneasy, and I realized this might be a lot more than I realized. I totally needed to give him a break.
As we wove through the patio tables and lines of hungry people, we made it to the corner pizzeria, Bella Pies.
“This the place?” I asked, standing next to him.
“It is.” He reached into his pocket and dug around. “I don’t have my wallet.” He slapped his head. “I left it on the desk.”
“No sweat. I’ll pick up the tab.”
“I can’t let you do that. Just buy your own slice and I’ll be right back.” He wouldn’t look me in the eye and took off before I even had a chance to relay how ridiculous that was.
“Next,” the cashier called.
Realizing I was that person, I ordered a slice of garlic chicken and spinach pizza and paid. I stepped to the side of the counter and wondered what in the world had gotten into Decker. When my order was called, I grabbed the tray with the slice of pizza and cheese bread and found a place to sit. I felt awkward as couples and groups were taking up tables all around, and I hoped Decker would hurry up and reappear. Plus, I didn’t want my pizza to get cold.
Snagging a sliver of spinach off the top, I slurped it up and delighted at the lack of manners I displayed when no one was looking. I had never actually been to this area of the city before and noticed the amount of techies that congregated rather than the suits, and then a rumbling laugh interrupted my people watching.
“Is this seat taken?” An all too familiar voice from behind wrapped around my body. The spike of excitement I felt was out of this world.
I turned around to see Aaron standing with a tray that held two slices of pizza and garlic bread. His smile was absolutely adorable and revealed a line of perfectly straight teeth. He was one of the suits, dressed impeccably in some designer I’d never guess, but Lily would be all over. The wind ruffled up the corner of his suit jacket as I sat staring, speechless. His brow arched up and his smile turned into a smirk.
“Well?”
“Sorry. I mean yes. It’s taken. I’m here with a coworker.”
“Decker?”
“How did you know who I was here with?” I responded, trying to keep my voice neutral.
He slid his tray onto the table, unbuttoned his jacket, and sat across from me with such quickness that I was stunned. His brows pulled together as he removed the napkins from under the plate, still not responding. The rays of sunlight that managed to sneak in between the buildings danced off his eyes, warming them up as he looked up at me.
“You’re going to have to find another place to sit. Decker went back to grab his wallet and…” As the words left my lips, I rolled my eyes. Man, I was gullible. I glanced around the patio and back at Aaron.
“Decker worked on one of the teams in my division.” He took a sip of water. “Before he transferred to yours. Good kid.”
“Kid?” I rolled my eyes. “I’m sure he’d love to hear himself be r
eferred to that way.”
“He’s got a lot to learn. His maturity level is—”
“About as great as Cole’s,” I interrupted.
Aaron’s gaze caught mine and his mouth parted only to shut quickly.
“You look completely out of place.” I grabbed my fork.
“Doesn’t bother me if it doesn’t bother you.”
I shrugged and took a bite of the pizza. It was delicious. Not as delicious as looking at him, but it would have to do as I stared at my plate, determined not to be swayed.
“You have my number. Why didn’t you just call me?” I asked.
“Would you have answered?”
I couldn’t help but smile at the obvious and felt my belly tighten as his eyes darkened with intent.
“Thanks for the flowers,” I said, grinning. “But that wasn’t very tactful considering…”
“I didn’t send you any flowers,” he said, bewildered.
“Oh. I just thought it was you,” I said, completely mortified.
“The old send-flowers-to-yourself trick,” Aaron laughed. “I think the person you’re taunting is supposed to be in the office to see it or it doesn’t quite have the same impact.”
“Very funny.” But the uneasiness began to creep up each vertebra as I thought about who might have sent the flowers.
“So why did you delete my email without opening it? That’s a bit rude, don’t you think?” His eyes pinned me against an imaginary wall, and it was all I could do not to slink away. “I won’t go away that easily. And I don’t think you want me to either.” His gaze drilled into me as he watched my cheeks ignite.
“I saw the direction the email was heading and didn’t want to waste my time. And don’t be so certain.”
“Direction the email was headed?” he questioned, ignoring my confession.
“Cole. There is no Cole. He’s my brothers’ friend and contrary to what he may have told you, I have never been nor would I ever be involved with him.”
“I realize you have some internal code about not being with him because he’s a friend of your brothers, and not entertaining the idea of us because I’m the brother of your best friend. But I think…”
Beyond Doubt (Beyond Love Series #2) Page 5
