Forget You

by Nina Crespo

  King picked up his cell from the desk. Would Gerard listen or would he go off on some tangent like he had in Virginia Beach?

  A comment his father had made that day percolated. It didn’t make any sense. Did it?

  “Hey.”

  Aiden paused in the doorway.

  “In Virginia Beach, when Gerard was trying to bust my balls, he said, ‘Out of all of you, I thought you were the smartest.’ What did he mean by ‘all of you’? There’s only the two of us.”

  Aiden snorted a laugh. “Knowing him, it was another mind fuck to make you do what you’re doing now. Wonder about it. Don’t give him the satisfaction by asking about that shit when you call him.”

  “Yeah. You’re right. Want me to let you know what he says?”

  “Sure, but tell me tomorrow.” Aiden grimaced. “No need to ruin a good bacon burger and a beer buzz. I’m out.”

  King dialed Gerard’s direct number.

  His father picked up on the third ring. “You finally come to your senses?”

  King sat in his chair. “I don’t need to, but you do. There’s a problem with the Ivy Gate Hotel.”

  twenty-seven

  THE NEXT DAY, King watched Sophie stroll out of the boutique from his brother’s dark blue SUV.

  Wearing sunglasses and a slim-legged gray pantsuit and heels, she looked chic, beautiful, and carefree.

  The urge to go to her almost made him get out of the car. No. He’d stayed out of her way for almost a month. He could hold off a bit longer. Giving her space and time to complete her jewelry collection without distractions was important. The show was in a week.

  She zoomed past him in her car, not giving him a second look.

  He entered the boutique. A few days after Sophie had left him, he’d come by at closing time. Meagan had lit into him, then kicked him out. With customers perusing the clothing racks, she’d have to scale her temper down a notch.

  She spotted him as she walked on the other side of the store. Like a shark that had suddenly scented blood, she changed directions. As she came toward him, the skirt of her cream dress floated around her legs. She pointed at him. “I told you not to come back.”

  He held up his hands. “Clarification. You said if I came back when she was here, I’d regret it. She’s gone. I’m here to talk to you.”

  “I’m busy.” She dismissed him with a look and turned away.

  “I’m in love with her.”

  Meagan spun back around. Anger snapped in her eyes. “My office. Now.” She stomped away.

  He followed and entered her domain.

  She slammed the door and whirled on him. “Love? You don’t know a damn thing about love, because if you did, you wouldn’t have crushed the one woman in the entire world you’ve slept with who actually cared for your dumb ass.” She poked his chest. “If that’s who you are, I want nothing to do with you, and more important, neither does Sophie.”

  “I messed up.”

  “Messed up?” Her brows rose. “Oh no. A mess-up is if you don’t have the courtesy to call someone and let them know you’re running late for an appointment. A mess-up is if you forget to tip at a restaurant. A mess-up is when you leave the toilet seat up in the middle of the night at your hookup’s apartment. But willingly being an asshole? That’s not a mess-up. That’s a straight-up, honest-to-goodness, balls-out, jacked-up decision that you deliberately chose to make.”

  “Will you just li—”

  “Nope. Sorry. No sympathy here. I fully support her wanting nothing to do with you. Bye, King.” She turned away from him.

  He grabbed her arm. “Damn it, Meagan. What the hell do I have to do to make you understand how sorry I am for hurting her? Beg? Let you cut open my veins with the same fingernail you practically just skewered my chest with so you can watch me bleed?” His heart pounded in his ears. “I’ll do it if it will get you to shut up and hear what I’m saying. I. Love. Sophie.”

  “And you’re telling me this because?” She looked pointedly at her arm.

  He let her go. “Because you’re my friend. You also know I wouldn’t show up here again just to let you rip chunks out of my hide if I weren’t serious. I’m not my father, and I have no intention of ever becoming him.”

  “Glad you figured that out.” Meagan crossed her arms over her chest. “But here’s the real issue. Sophie said you viewed her as a cog in your wheel instead of supporting her entrepreneurial aspirations.”

  “Did I want her to stay on as my assistant? Yes, I’ll admit that, but not because I didn’t see her as being smart and capable of success on her own. I didn’t want to lose her. Her being my assistant was a safe way to have her around and not let her in. But I don’t want that. I want to let her, and only her, all the way in. I don’t want to spend my life with any other woman. Just her.”

  A flicker of compassion softened Meagan’s expression. “Saying that is the easy part. Sophie believing you is a different story.”

  King risked stepping closer, willing her to see what he’d learned to admit to himself, and the whole damn world. “I’m fully committed to her, and I’ll do whatever it takes for her to give me another chance. I love her. Help me.”

  twenty-eight

  WAIT!” SOPHIE SNAGGED the arm of the pretty Asian model and encircled a ruby, crystal, and gold charm bracelet around the young woman’s wrist. The complete jewelry ensemble of the bracelet, necklace, and earrings, paired with the wine-colored sheath draped around the model, was pure perfection.

  A show assistant hurried the model to the other side of the crowded room, which was brewing with controlled chaos, for a change of shoes.

  On the right, makeup artists and stylists fretted over a line of flawless women perched in directors’ chairs in front of brightly lit mirrors. On the left, other models in various states of undress were shepherded through a line of assistants, who zipped, buttoned, steamed, straightened, and added last-minute stitches to outfits.

  I have a jewelry line in a fashion show. Nervous jitters erupted in Sophie. Suddenly, the fitted navy halter dress she wore seemed too tight. She pressed her hand to her chest. Her heart beat so hard, the sunflower charms on her bracelet jingled. Breathe, girl. Just breathe.

  The past four weeks had quickly progressed to a rocket-blast pace as she’d finished and perfected her jewelry. The last seventy hours had moved even faster. Meagan’s Loft had been transformed from a boutique to a full-scale fashion show venue with a catwalk and stage. In the midst of everything, Meagan had surprised her with plans for construction of a special display area for her jewelry in the boutique. She’d given Sophie’s Originals equal billing in the show along with Meagan Langston Designs.

  Robin caught Sophie’s eye. She weaved through the sea of models, looking as stunning as one of them in a sleeveless black jumpsuit. She hugged Sophie. “You did it!”

  She couldn’t help returning Robin’s infectious grin. “Honestly, I can’t wrap my mind around it. It’s too surreal.”

  “Believe it. This is not a drill. I hope you’re prepared, because you’re going to be very popular. Women were shoving each other out of the way to get a closer look at this necklace.” Robin brushed over the diamond-and-onyx choker she wore. With her blond hair pulled back in a curly ponytail, the matching earrings were clearly on display.

  “I’m sorry your paramedic couldn’t make it to the show. He won’t get to see you all dressed up.”

  “Oh, he will.” Robin blushed. “We’re meeting later.”

  He makes her happy. A pang of envy hit Sophie. Robin deserved a great guy who truly cared about her.

  The driving beat of dance music thumped from out front and vibrated into the floor.

  Robin kissed her on the cheek. “The show’s about to start. I better get to my seat. Good luck.”

  Meagan signaled for Sophie to come over to where she stood near the closed curtain leading to the stage.

  Her legs shook, making her feel unwieldy as she walked in her blue stilettos.

>   The first wave of models lined up.

  Giddiness and nerves erupted in Sophie. “I guess this is it.”

  “Finally.” Meagan slipped a gold barrette from the pocket of her cream slacks and pulled back her hair. She plucked her matching silk blouse away from her and fanned herself. “Is it like a sauna in here, or is it just me?” An assistant passed her a bottled water. She took a sip and handed it to Sophie. “Drink. Neither one of us is passing out and missing this.”

  The speech of appreciation Sophie had prepared to give to Meagan caught in her throat. The night of the gala had changed her life in so many ways. It was hard not to have King in her life, but she’d achieved her dreams. Her own jewelry line. She had new friends and a business partner she could count on. It all meant so much.

  Tears pricked in Sophie’s eyes. “Thank you.”

  Meagan blinked as if holding back her own. “No. Thank you.” She squeezed Sophie’s hand. “Come on. Let’s do this.”

  twenty-nine

  THE LAST MODEL to strut down the catwalk drew Sophie and Meagan center stage.

  Sophie’s heart pounded as she waved at the cheering audience and joined Meagan in a bow.

  The sunflower charms on her bracelet glimmered in the camera flashes. What would her mom say? Would she be proud?

  Backstage, someone popped a bottle of champagne.

  A glass was put into Sophie’s hand. It splashed her fingers. Multiple hugs and kisses later, she finally took a sip. Time had flown by so fast. Was it truly the end of everything, or was it the start of an exciting beginning as her friends had predicted? A tingle moving down her spine urged her to turn around.

  King stared at her from across the room.

  Her knees weakened. Why was he there? How had he gotten in? Robin had made it clear he wasn’t welcome, and she’d heard Meagan had kicked him out of the boutique.

  Meagan gripped her arm. “There are a ton of people who want to meet you, including the mayor’s sister-in-law. She’s one of the most fashion-forward women in town.”

  “What’s he doing here?”

  Meagan followed her gaze across the room. “King never was good at taking orders. I told him to wait until things had settled down.”

  “You invited him?”

  “No.” Meagan studied her rhinestone sandals for a moment. “Robin did. She gave him her boyfriend’s ticket so he could attend the show.”

  Robin had lied about her boyfriend not being able to attend the show? She and Meagan were behind this? She thought they were on her side. Sophie’s head swam and the blood drained to her toes. She swayed. “How could you do this to me?”

  Meagan slipped the glass from her hand and led her off to the side. “I know you said you didn’t want to see him, but Robin and I think you should. He’s hurting. You are too.”

  Sophie batted her hair from her eye and shrugged. “No, I’m not. I’m fine. In fact, I’m better than fine since I left him. His being here is a joke. He didn’t take me making jewelry seriously. He didn’t want me to succeed.”

  “Remember the anonymous benefactor who invested in the show? That was him.”

  “Well, it was either out of guilt, or it’s one of his famous manipulation tactics. He wants something, and I want no part of it. I’m going to the office. Come get me when he’s gone?”

  Meagan held up her arm. “It’s not a manipulation tactic. You were never supposed to know. He just wanted to help you succeed.”

  “He did?”

  “Yes.” Meagan gave her a pleading look. “He’s promised to leave without a fuss if you refuse to talk to him, but why not hear him out? You can meet in the office. Go. I’ll send him to you.” Meagan nudged her.

  Sophie hesitated. She could slip out the back. Her leaving would give him a plain enough answer. But she wasn’t a coward. Letting Robin and Meagan speak for her had left the door open for this. Sophie walked down the temporary corridor created with white fabric barriers. She’d thank him for his investment, then stress that her new life as an entrepreneur didn’t include him.

  Inside the office, she rummaged through the desk and found a roll of Tums. She popped two. Sophie slipped off her pumps. What was taking him so long?

  The air conditioner kicked on.

  Her jewelry drawings, along with ones of Meagan’s fashion designs, drifted up from where they were pinned on the corkboard wall.

  The one depicting the red jeweled and crystal bracelet she’d worn on the boat with King hung askew. If only they could have continued to share the good that had existed in that weekend. Accomplishment, togetherness, laughter. Love.

  A knock sounded at the door. She took a deep breath. “Come in.”

  King entered and shut the door behind him. The snowy white shirt he’d worn with his navy suit highlighted his face, which was bronzed from the sun.

  He approached her. “Congratulations.” His low, husky voice filled the room. “It was a great show.”

  “Thank you.” The intensity in King’s gaze drove hers to his tie. Cobalt. Whenever he wore blue, it made his eyes appear fathomless, and she always wanted to fall into them. Not this time. “I heard we have you to thank for that.”

  “I wish Meagan hadn’t told you.”

  “Why?” She looked up at him, and her heart stuttered.

  “I didn’t want there to be any strings attached. I just wanted the best for you.”

  “I overheard you talking to Aiden before I left. You wanted to make sure I didn’t leave Kingman Partners. Putting my life on hold so you can succeed—is that what you call wanting the best for me?”

  “No. Never.” He stepped into her space.

  His warmth and the scent of his cologne surrounded her. An aching for him to hold her betrayed her anger and resolve to send him away. “Then why did you say it?”

  “Because I was too afraid to tell you what I really wanted with you.”

  “What? Another couple of weeks of hooking up? A month, maybe?”

  He shut his eyes for a moment. “I deserved that. You know my history, and I can’t deny it.” King cupped her cheek, stalling her from backing away. “But with you, for the first time, I couldn’t see an end date.” He moved closer. “And I didn’t want one.”

  The low hum of attraction flowed through her. She couldn’t stop from turning her cheek into his palm. “What’s the point of telling me this? Why are you here?”

  “I’ve changed.”

  “That’s easy to say.”

  “Then let me show you.” He cradled her face. “I’ve missed you, Sophie, and I’m not talking about the office.”

  King was usually an expert at shadowing his emotions, but now a rawness emanated from him that she’d never encountered before.

  Sophie backed up and turned to the window.

  A light rain pelted the glass.

  A moment later, King’s warmth radiated into her back. “I know the things I’ve said and done to you make it hard for you to believe me, but I can’t undo them. I can only promise a different future.” He moved closer. “Please—give me another chance.”

  His words formed reasonable-sounding sentences, but she’d wrongly interpreted his intentions more than once.

  “Getting Sophie’s Originals firmly off the ground is important to me. I won’t give it up.”

  “And I’d never ask you to.” He brought her back against him. “Yes, I do think I know everything, and there will be plenty of days when I piss you off with my opinions about business. But what I can promise is that I’ll never get in the way of your happiness and what you want again.”

  A young, attractively dressed couple strolled out of the building across the street.

  The guy opened an umbrella.

  Sophie caught a glimpse of the design on top of it before he held it over him and the woman. Sunflowers? Her breath caught. Tears pricked. A sign?

  King kissed her temple. “Before you left, I said you shouldn’t jump blindly into things. You told me that when it’s important, you
should. You’re right. I never believed in happily ever after, but now I’m willing to take a blind leap to explore a future with that possibility. But only with you. Take a leap with me, Sophie.”

  The couple walked down the street with arms wrapped around each other.

  Sophie flattened her palm to the window. She wanted that. She wanted a standing-under-an-umbrella, supporting-each-other’s-dreams, moving-past-each-other’s-imperfections, knowing-that-they-could-handle-whatever-rained-down type of love. Forever. Could she have that with King?

  He held her tighter. “Please say something.”

  Sophie’s heart drummed in her chest. Was he offering her forever?

  She turned and rested her hands on his chest. “Stop negotiating and ask me what you want properly.”

  “Properly? I can do that.” Sincerity added warmth and depth to his blue eyes. “Be mine, Sophie, and let me be yours. Girlfriend and boyfriend, significant other, I don’t care what you call it. I just want us to grow together, be there for each other, and build something special, knowing that when we’re ready, we’ll share even more.” King lifted her left hand. He stroked his thumb over her ring finger, where an engagement ring would sit if she had one. He tenderly kissed the same spot. “I love you, Sophie. Let me back in. Say you’ll give us a chance.”

  The possibility of more with King, the man she loved? Happiness grew inside of her. Too much to contain in her heart. How could she not accept? “I love you too.” Sophie wrapped her arms around him. “My answer is yes.”

  King’s exhale of relief blew over her cheeks as he captured her lips. She opened to him and he explored every hollow and curve of her mouth. Sophie pressed herself closer and King moaned. He cupped her face and the kiss gentled. Her heart raced and beats echoed in her ears as he coaxed, seduced, and conveyed his need for her.