“Thanks.” She had texted Wes, too. He had a feeling she’d also set an alarm on his phone somehow. “We’ll be home in time.”
If they weren’t, no one would start the call without him.
“Then you’ll go back to Paige’s,” Craig said in a matter-of-fact tone.
As long as Wes could control himself and not think those three words again, he would go back.
Wait. Craig hadn’t asked a question. “How did you know?”
The rearview mirror showed Craig’s laughing eyes. “It’s where I’d go if I were you.”
A guess. Nothing more. Wes let out his breath. Chances were Paige hadn’t known what he was about to say.
The garage door opened, and Craig pulled in. “Call me when you’re ready to head out again.”
Wes hurried inside to his office and sat at his desk. He’d have the call on his desktop and the info he needed on his laptop. Five minutes later, his executive staff was on the call with him.
“What’s so important we have to talk today?” he asked.
Draper, a vice president, smiled smugly. “NanoNeu approved the buyout. The deal is a go.”
The others cheered.
Wes understood their excitement. The technology would enable WEL to rise above its competitors. There was always a transition period, but the profits would be worth it. He spun a pen. “What about their employees?”
He’d never asked in the past. It had never crossed his mind. All he cared about were the potential profits and benefits to WEL. Anything else was…collateral damage.
“The technical team will remain in place. A few support staff.” Draper might as well pick the canary feathers from his teeth given the way he gloated. “The rest are redundant staff.”
Wes scratched his neck. “How many will be let go?”
Someone typed. Papers shuffled. Another person coughed.
He tapped his foot against the rug under his desk. Why was it taking so long? That number should be as important as any other in their data.
“Three hundred and eighteen,” Draper announced.
Wes blew out a breath. “What kind of severance will they receive?”
Draper’s forehead creased. “You’ve never cared—”
“I want to know,” Wes interrupted.
“We’ll get you those specific numbers on Monday.” Kerri, another vice president, spoke up. “This isn’t our first rodeo, as you know. WEL always provides a fair package.”
Fair to those who would reap the rewards with bonuses, stock options, increased valuation, and happy investors. But was it fair to those who would no longer have a stable job and paycheck?
Wes scrubbed his face with his hand. “What’s the timeframe for the deal?”
“First quarter twenty-twenty.” Draper snickered. “We don’t want anyone let go during the holidays, or Wes’s reputation as a corporate marauder will be solidified.”
People laughed.
“And this way they’ll have a merry Christmas before they have to apply for unemployment,” someone else added.
Wes clenched his jaw. His staff could see him so he schooled his features, but he dropped the pen before he snapped it in half.
“Not funny.” He ground out the words. “Unless you want to see a severance package in your inbox, I’d learn to show a little more empathy and compassion for the people who will pay the price after their hard work made their company so successful.”
Silence descended. The faces staring from his monitor paled. All muttered apologies.
“I want details of every package offered to NanoNeu employees on my desk Monday morning.” His tone was harsh. He didn’t care as he quit the call.
Acquisition talks had started before Wes went into remission. He’d barely been involved, but he hadn’t stopped them. He’d encouraged the deal, not thinking of the repercussions—three hundred and eighteen employees.
Would buying NanoNeu help WEL?
Immensely.
That was all he should care about because he was helping his own employees with the deal, but he wasn’t the same person he’d been.
Maybe Wes had gone soft. That was what his father would say. But what was wrong about caring?
Someone like Zeke, who needed medical coverage or another person, who lived paycheck to paycheck, might soon find themselves jobless. The stress of both situations was bad enough, then add in unemployment…
And there could be others like them.
Real people, who worked hard and struggled to make ends meet. Ones he’d met in waiting rooms or during chemo treatments or getting imaging. Ones not so different from him if his net worth disappeared. Ones who deserved recognition and rewards for their hard work.
For years, Wes had relished his cut-throat reputation, wearing it like a badge of honor. But now, he hated it. And when this buyout went through, even though WEL was buying NanoNeu not Wes himself, he would be the face behind the deal—the brilliant businessman people praised and the selfish billionaire they cursed.
No matter that he was only doing his job, maximizing profits for his company. Some wouldn’t see it like that. And Wes didn’t blame them one bit.
Because he wasn’t doing more.
No matter how hard he wanted to change, to help others, to do better, he hadn’t.
Not with work. Not with Annabelle. Not with…Paige.
They are full of second chances like some Christmas ones, but wiping the slate clean and chasing your dreams in the new year are themes, too.
He wanted to start anew in the new year with Paige, but he’d only been fooling himself.
His family had founded WEL. He’d grown up knowing running it was his legacy, and he’d thrived leading, expanding, and maximizing profits. This company was as much a part of him as his heart. He might not get the same satisfaction working as he once did, but he couldn’t walk away. Wes had a responsibility to his family and his employees.
Not cancer. Not lo…
Wes shook his head.
Nothing would change.
Paige deserved someone worthy of her. Someone who could love her without freaking out just thinking the L-word. Someone better than him.
So how did he tell her?
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Paige surveyed her kitchen. The scent from the cranberry pork tenderloin filled the air. The mashed potatoes and gravy were ready. The salad was in the refrigerator. Dessert was cooling on the rack.
Only one thing was missing—Wes.
The security buzzer went off.
Excitement shot through her. “Hey.”
“It’s me,” Wes replied.
She hit the button to let him in and then hurried to get dinner on the table, nearly forgetting the rolls and butter. A Christmas-themed centerpiece and candles coordinated with her holly napkins and tablecloth.
A knock sounded.
Paige opened the door. “Hi.”
She hugged him, but he didn’t wrap his arms around her. Instead, he stood ram-rod stiff. “Wes?”
“We need to talk.”
Uh-oh. That was ominous. “Dinner is ready.”
“I… I can’t stay.”
“Oh.” A weight pressed against her, making it difficult for her to breathe. “Is something wrong?”
He didn’t answer, but walked into the living room. He glanced at the dining table for a nanosecond before staring at her tree. Usually, he took off his jacket. Not tonight.
Something was wrong. Paige tensed, her muscles tightening.
Don’t borrow trouble. Her mom said that. Still, Paige chewed the inside of her cheek.
Wes handed her two envelopes, but he wouldn’t look at her. “These are for you.”
Confused, she stared at them. “It’s not Christmas yet.”
“They aren’t gifts. I just…” His Adam’s apple bobbed. “I want you to have them.”
“Okay.” But she felt anything but. As Paige opened the first one, her fingers trembled. Inside was a travel gift certificate. The nu
mber of zeroes made her do a double take. “Wes, I—”
“Go to Paris. Go to Vermont. Go wherever your heart desires.” Wes spoke fast as if he might not get the words out. “It expires on December thirty-first of next year. I did that on purpose, so you won’t put off your vacations until ‘someday’ arrives.”
“I… Thank you?” Her voice sounded as shaky and uncertain as she felt. The amount would cover several trips for her and a travel companion, but Wes’s tone suggested he wouldn’t be going with her.
“Open the next one,” he ordered with an edge to his voice.
The way he acted was so unlike him. Paige didn’t understand, but she did as she was told. With unsteady hands, she raised the envelope flap and removed…papers. She unfolded them. The letterhead read “Matches by Lowell-Mortenson.”
Wait. What is this?
The first two pages contained information about Hadley’s matchmaking service. The next was a form. A questionnaire followed.
Paige lowered the papers. “I don’t understand.”
“You told Santa two Christmas wishes at the hospital.”
“I did, but you made the most important one come true.”
His gaze finally met hers. “I want you to have both.”
Her heart leaped. If Wes wanted to take their relationship further that would be a dream come true but… She glanced at the papers. “What does Hadley have to do with making my wish come true?”
“She’ll find you exactly what you want.”
Paige was still missing something. “What I want?”
“A husband.”
Her heart plopped to her feet.
“No one has the same success rate as Hadley. She’s the best in the business.”
Paige’s shoulders sagged. Wes didn’t want to be a part of her wish himself. He wanted her to date someone else. Marry someone else.
Her breath hitched. She clutched the papers. Tears stung her eyes. She blinked them away.
“I thought we…you and me…us…” Her voice cracked.
“There is no us.” No emotion sounded in his voice or showed on his face. “It’s not going to work out.”
Maybe they hadn't put a label on what they were doing. And they had only been together a short time. But she hadn’t mistaken the heat in his kiss. The desire in his eyes. The affection in his voice. “I don't understand.”
His jaw jutted forward, hardening his expression. “I didn’t mean to give you the wrong idea. Lead you on.”
Lead you on.
The words reverberated through her and squeezed her heart like a vise. The pain, deep and unyielding. “You want me to hire Hadley—”
“I’m paying for it,” Wes interrupted. “Fill out the paperwork and call her. You might be able to use the travel certificate for a honeymoon.”
The words hit like a left jab. The air rushed from her lungs. Her heart shattered. But she had to say something, even if it hurt. “I wanted you to be my Christmas wish.”
“I…can’t.” Something flared in his eyes. Regret, maybe? “You deserve better.”
“You're one of the best men I know.”
“I'm not. I’ve hurt people. I’m trying to do better, make amends, but it’s not good enough. I don’t want to hurt you.”
Tears filled her eyes. “Too late. You’re hurting me now.”
He reached for her but then drew back his arm. “I’m sorry. I didn’t want that to happen. Trust me, you’re better off without me.”
“How can I trust you now?” She blinked, trying to keep the tears at bay. “I don’t know what happened today, but you’re wrong. I’ve told you before, everyone makes mistakes. You. Me. No one is perfect. But that doesn’t mean you have to rob yourself of happiness. Of…love. Please, Wes, let me help you.”
“You’re a great doctor, but you can’t fix this.”
Ouch. Paige winced. He didn’t care about her the way she did about him, but her feelings hadn’t turned off despite what he said. Whether or not he admitted it, Wes Lockhart was in pain.
“If you don’t want my help, please reach out to your friends.” She struggled to keep her voice steady. “You were given a gift—your life back when you went into remission. Not everyone gets that. Zeke didn’t. You get the choice of what you want to do with that life. But making amends…”
She forced herself to breathe.
“You can give all you want, but if you’re not giving for the right reasons, it won’t make a difference. You’ll be no better off.”
A vein ticked at his jawline. “I’m giving for the right reasons. Paying it forward. Helping others. Giving second chances like the one I was given.”
“You’re not.” Paige squared her shoulders. “Because what you’re doing isn’t about the recipient. The travel certificate, the matchmaking service… You’re giving them to me so you feel better. Which is why that will never happen.”
His nostrils flared. “You have no idea what you’re talking about.”
She couldn’t stop now. “You need to forgive yourself for whatever you’ve done and move on. Otherwise, you’ll spend your entire life trying to reach a destination that you can’t find. It’ll be a lonely journey, too. Because if you don’t love yourself, how can anyone else love you? It may be a cliché, but it’s true.”
“You don't understand.”
“I do, all too well,” she admitted. “You have your health. More money than most people can imagine. And an incredible group of friends. Yet, you won't allow yourself to be happy. I hope someday you will. Because you deserve happiness and love. So much love.”
Wes started to speak but stopped himself. He turned and left her condo without saying a word.
The front door slammed.
“I love you.” Her voice was raw. “Or I would have loved you if you let me. But sometimes love just isn’t enough.”
Paige wanted nothing more than to curl up into a ball and cry, but instead, she grabbed her cell phone. She pulled up her contacts and hit the first one that came up.
“Hey, Paige.” The guy sounded like he was smiling. “What’s up?”
“Hi, Dash,” she said. “I’m sorry to bother you, but Cabot comes up before the others on my contact list first.”
“You can call me anytime. Do you need money for the cancer center?”
“No, it’s Wes.” The tears she’d been holding back fell.
“Paige?”
“He doesn’t want me to help him. He doesn’t want me at all.” She sniffled before pulling herself together. “He’s not himself. He needs you guys, but I don’t think he’ll call.”
“Where are you?” Concern filled Dash’s voice.
“My condo. I’ll be okay.”
“I’m still rallying the troops,” he said without hesitation. “Someone will be at your place soon. I’m going to Wes’s house.”
“O-kay.” Paige didn’t know what else to say. “Please take care of Wes.”
“I will. Promise.” The clicking of a keyboard sounded in the background. “If you need anything before someone gets there, call me, okay?”
She nodded but then realized he couldn’t see her. “Okay.”
“Don’t worry.” Dash’s voice soothed her. “This will all work out.”
Paige didn’t think it would. At least not for her and Wes. But she wanted him to be okay, whether that took a Christmas wish, Christmas magic, or a Christmas miracle. She prayed Wes got what he needed.
* * *
By the time Craig pulled into the driveway, Wes saw his seven friends standing at the front door. Anger flared. He slid from the car and strode straight to Dash. “I let you put your tracker prototype on my phone, but if you bugged—”
“Paige called.” Concern filled Dash’s gaze. “She’s worried about you.”
“Oh.” That was the last thing Wes expected her to do. She should hate him, but then again, Paige wasn’t like that. “Is she okay?”
“She’s not.” No judgment sounded in Dash’s voice. “Hadley
and Laurel are with her. The others are on their way.”
Wes hadn’t thought about Paige being alone when she was upset. More proof he wasn’t good enough for her.
Dash tilted his head toward the door. “Let’s go inside before we freeze to death out here.”
“Please.” Mason groaned. “It’s cold. I need a strong drink to warm up.”
They followed Wes into the house. Henry grabbed a bottle of whiskey and glasses from the bar. Adam pulled beers out of the refrigerator.
Dash removed a plate of snacks and a tray of Christmas cookies from a bag he had with him. “Iris put these together for you. They’re all homemade, and she says you’ll love them.”
That was typical Iris. She could feed an army—well, the eight of them—with zero notice. “Tell her thanks.”
Dash’s mouth quirked. “You can tell her yourself.”
Wes studied him. Maybe Raina was a good influence on him. “For someone we call Wonderkid, you’re acting surprisingly like an adult.”
“Sometimes I even surprise myself.” Dash pointed to the couch. “Sit.”
Wes did.
Within minutes, food and drinks were on the coffee and end tables. His friends sat on the couch and chairs.
Dash lounged on the floor by the fireplace. “You broke up with Paige.”
The great room went silent, but questions formed in Wes’s friends’ eyes. “She deserves a guy better than me. And before you come to my defense, it’s not one thing but a combination.”
All the men knew about his business reputation, which had kept growing more negative with each acquisition, but Wes took the time to do something he hadn’t in the past. He explained to his friends how being thought of so negatively and leaving that legacy if he died had made him feel. And now that he was in remission, he had a second chance and wanted to change.
“I don’t know if having cancer made me more touchy-feely or what,” he admitted. “But it’s not just acquisitions I feel differently about. Work just isn’t the same for me. Which is strange, since that’s been my life.”
“It’s because you’re not the same, Wes. And that’s okay,” Blaise said. “Though I glimpsed the hard-nosed Wes in Las Vegas, so he’s still inside you somewhere.”
The Wish Maker (The Billionaires 0f Silicon Forest Book 2) Page 18
