“Oh Bill,” she sighed and he reached over and captured her hand, still not looking her in the eye.
“We can meet with a marriage therapist, have a weekly date night, make sure we get away a couple of times a year for a vacation, just the two of us.”
She withdrew her hand and held it over her heart because she hurt for him. “Who did you really buy that ring for, Bill?”
He got that disgruntled look on his face that he always got whenever he didn’t get his way. He shoved to his feet and tucked his hands into the front of his trousers pockets. Maybe he hadn’t changed quite as much as he believed it of himself.
Or maybe he was really in love with someone else.
“So what do I do now?”
“You could patch things up with Trudy.”
He shuffled his feet, clearly uncomfortable with the direction of their conversation. “She’s different.”
Marla pushed to her feet. “We’re all different now.”
“She reminds me of the old you. The one that worked long hours and didn’t want to start a family until she was established.” His expression elongated. “The one that didn’t need me. Ever.”
She touched his arm. “Oh, I needed you all right, just not the way you thought I should.”
His brow scrunched. “What do you mean?”
“Well, for starters, I didn’t need you to bring home the bacon.” At his confused look, she sighed. “I mean the paycheck.”
“So what did you need?”
“Your support, no matter what I chose to do.” She hooked a thumb toward the door. “I’ll bet that’s all Trudy wants too. To know that she has your support at home and at the office.”
She could practically see a lightbulb go off in his head. It lightened his eyes, removed the shadows from his face, and made him stand straighter than she’d seen him stand since before they’d married.
More proof that right from the start, they’d been totally wrong for each other.
He snapped the ring box shut and shoved it into the pocket of his pants. “So do you think…if I ask her…you don’t think she’ll turn me down, do you?”
As Marla bent down to retrieve her purse from the bottom drawer of her desk, she said, “If I’ve discovered anything in the last two days, Bill, it’s that you’ll just have to put yourself out there and take a chance with your heart.” Purse in hand, she straightened and headed for the outer office, opening the door and approaching Trudy. Behind her, Bill disappeared down the hallway and quietly shut his office door. “I have something I need to take care of today. Will you please tell Paul that I might not be back?”
Trudy glanced at the clock on the wall and in a quiet voice said, “Mr. Readner doesn’t like us to leave early.”
“Maybe he won’t mind. Maybe our boss has changed too.” With a certainty she didn’t have a week ago, she headed for the exit. “Hang in there, honey. Even Bill is capable of change.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
For what had felt like an eternity, Trudy stared down the hallways and wondered what Bill was doing behind the closed door.
He’d effectively shut her out…like he’d been doing ever since their return to work.
Huffing out a sad sigh, she dragged her attention to the other closed door in the office.
Mr. Readner’s door had been closed all morning long. In fact, ever since they’d returned to Serendipity Island, he’d been distant and distracted…and probably a bunch more “d” words that Trudy couldn’t think of right now.
Listlessly, she clicked the mouse on the screen, pulled up the postage tracking spreadsheet, and stared at it.
Somewhere during the past few days, she’d changed and grown up. Yeah, she was still only twenty-one, but now she trusted in herself enough to know that she could do better than the reception job. Glancing over her shoulder at the closed office doors, she switched the screen to the Serendipity Island job ads, and started to browse.
There was an opening at the coffee shop for a barista. A job at the Heavenly Estates Retirement Resort for cleaning staff. And the newest shop in town, a bridal shop, was looking for a sales girl.
Behind her, a door opened and she quickly minimized the screen.
Mr. Readner’s voice boomed through the silent office. “Trudy, may I have a private word with you?”
Afraid he planned to fire her for being forthright and honest about the condition of his marriage, she jumped to her feet, grabbed her tablet in case she needed to take notes, and hurried into his office.
His head was bowed to the paper in his hands. “Please close the door and have a seat.”
Silent, Trudy shut the door and sat down. She tried to quiet her nerves, but her stomach was attempting to jump up her throat through her mouth. “Is everything okay, Mr. Readner?”
He set aside the paper, leaned back against his chair, folded his hands over his softly rounded belly, and regarded her. “How long have you been with the firm?”
She frowned because he knew exactly how long she’d been there. Mr. Readner never missed a single employee anniversary, and it wasn’t only because she reminded him about them. She had no choice but to play along to see where he was headed. “Two years, nine months, and twelve days.”
He smiled at her, that warm fatherly smile that chased away the sternness from his face, and lit his eyes with a warmth that she felt all the way to her toes. “You know you’re like a daughter to me, don’t you? You and Marla both.”
“Thank you, Sir,” she whispered as she clasped her hands together on her lap and forced herself to be professional and not jump up and hug him. Being put in the same category as the boss lady was almost as good as winning the lottery.
He slid the paper on his desk across to her. “Which is why I’m holding true to my promise. This is confirmation of your new position as Junior Accountant at an increase in salary, of course. As well, for all of your dedication and hard work, I’m giving you a sizable bonus. I hope you’ll take the money and invest it wisely. Beachfront property is always a good choice.”
Something deflated in her. Without looking at the paper, she shook her head. “Mr. Readner—”
“Paul.”
She hesitated and finally said Paul even though it felt funny coming out of her mouth. It made her almost feel like his equal. “Paul, I don’t want the Junior Accountant promotion because of our relationship. I want to earn it on my own merits. I want to prove that I’m smart enough and capable enough to do the job.”
His gaze dropped to the paper, and picking up his pen, he slid the paper back in front of him. He wrote something on it, then slid it back in front of her, and raised his serious gaze to her face. “I would never do this unless I had complete faith in your abilities and your future here.”
Barely able to breathe, Trudy slid forward on the chair till she was sitting on the edge, put her index finger on the page to slide it closer, and read his messy scrawl. She looked up at him, and when he simply crossed his arms over his massive chest and smiled, she lowered her gaze to the document and began to read from the top of the page.
By the time she reached his signature, her heart was pounding so hard, she thought she might pass out from lack of oxygen.
A pen held by a steady hand appeared under her nose. “All you have to do is sign at the bottom to make it official.”
Clasping her hands tighter on her lap for fear she’d grab the pen and grab this opportunity without thinking of everyone concerned, she dragged her gaze from the contract and eyed the man in charge. “What about Bill and Marla?”
“Marla is the one who recommended you for the partnership.”
“She did?” Her voice came out all squeaky and breathless, and she felt her face get hot.
“And the time on the island helped me see that neither Bill nor Marla will work out in this position. I’ve already spoken to them both and told them that the Partner position will remain empty until I find the right person.” He waved his hand at the document and smil
ed. “As you can see, I just have.”
Taking the pen without a word, and with the shakiest hand she’d ever had, she signed and dated the document. Then she raised her gaze and handed him back the pen.
“Thank you,” she breathed.
His smile grew wider. “You earned this fair and square.”
She pushed to her feet and held out her hand.
Paul followed her up, took her hand in both of his, and smiled warmly. “Congratulations, Partner-in-Training. Your first assignment will be to put an ad in the local paper for a new receptionist. I want you to handle the initial interviews, and when you have it narrowed down to two candidates, we’ll meet with them together and then we’ll make the selection as a team. If you have any questions about the interview process, Marla can help you out.”
“Yes, Sir.” Her voice and hands and body were shaking so hard, she wasn’t sure that she’d be able to walk out of the office. As he let go of her hand, she whispered, “Thank you, Sir, for taking this chance on me.”
“Trust in yourself, Trudy, and you’ll do fine.” He picked up the paper and handed it to her. “You know the drill. Copy for yourself, original in my files.”
Gripping the paper in her sweaty hands, she turned and walked out of his office in a daze, and somehow make her way to the reception desk. When she plopped down at her seat, she set the document on the desk before she sweated all over it, took a deep breath, and pinched herself.
She jumped.
Yep, it was for real.
A big goofy grin hijacked her mouth.
Not only had Paul changed her title to Partner-in-Training—he’d stroked out the Junior Accountant title, then initialed it and made it all legal and stuff—but he’d also raised the original bonus from ten thousand to fifty thousand, which gave her enough to get the breast reduction and put a nice downpayment on a beach house…just like he’d recommended.
As quickly as the grin had come, it vanished, replaced by worry. She chewed on her bottom lip, and wondered what Marla really thought of his decision, and if the boss lady had merely thought she was being supportive when she recommended Trudy for the position.
And Bill—
She was suddenly sorry she’d signed the paper without considering the consequences to everyone around her.
Well, too late. Decision made. She’d have to live with it, even if it meant everyone hated her.
A door down the hall squeaked open and Bill stepped into view. His gaze went past Mr. Readner’s—Paul’s—closed office door, then laser focused in on her. Trudy stopped breathing, stopped thinking, and prayed he wouldn’t continue to ignore her for too much longer.
After all, what was the point of reaching the top if she didn’t have someone to share it with?
With his hands in his pockets, he kept his gaze steady on her face. “May I have a private word with you?”
She glanced at Marla’s empty office, at Paul’s—she still couldn’t believe he’d told her to call him by his first name—closed door, and said, “I can’t leave the phone unattended.”
He reached over the reception desk countertop and pushed the button that switched the phones to night service.
This was it, the moment she’d been anticipating since that last day on the island. Bill was going to officially dump her sorry ass. She needed to take the break-up like a man…or at least like a grown up girl.
Without a word, she pushed to her feet and followed him into the conference room that overlooked the harbor. She felt a momentary pang for that tiny island, when her biggest concern had been everyone’s happiness but her own. She knew that Bill was going to ask her to make a choice, and she realized she’d made it when she signed the contract.
She turned her back on the floor to ceiling windows and the peaceful view of the harbor, and head held high, faced the man she loved.
Unflinching, but barely breathing.
Bill grabbed for the knot of his tie, only he wasn’t wearing a tie. “Paul told me he was going to offer you the Junior Accountant position. I hope you said yes.”
She blinked at him. The Partner-in-Training position had been a last minute decision on Paul’s part. Which meant Bill didn’t know anything about it.
As she stood there, wondering what to say—tell him the truth or chicken out and let him hear it from Paul—
Bill frowned. “Don’t tell me you turned it down?” He turned his profile to her and scraped his hand over his face.
The rasp of whiskers was loud in the silence of the room, and Trudy realized that she had to be the one to tell him the truth. She didn’t want him to hear it from Paul…even if it meant she’d never feel the roughness of his whiskers brush against her bare skin ever again.
Trudy opened her mouth, but before she could say a word, he turned back to her and raked his fingers through his hair. “Trudy, babe, you have to go in there right now and tell him you’ll accept the position. Don’t let what I said on the island ruin your career and your future. I was an ass.”
She took a single step forward and right before she launched herself against his body, she caught herself. “Bill, he offered me the Partner-in-Training position. I accepted.”
Stunned silence greeted her words, and she knew that was it. They were done, finished, over, no longer a couple. Tears burned at the back of her eyes and her throat felt raw.
But then Bill pressed his hands against his heart and breathed, “Thank God.”
Confused, Trudy blinked. “You’re happy?”
“Yes.” He closed the distance between them, dropped to his one knee, and grabbed both of her hands in his. “Trudy, babe, I love you. I know I’ve been an ass. I know it took me way longer to figure out that I want you in my life for the rest of it. Please, please, please marry me and have my children.”
She tried to pull her hands free, but his hands stuck like glue, and she finally gave up and let him cling. “Bill, I’m going to be a Partner. I won’t have time for marriage or a family or—”
You.
The mere thought nearly sent her back to her desk to rip up the contract. But she held her ground. She needed time to think, maybe discuss this decision with Marla.
Apparently Bill wasn’t done yet, and he rushed on, his eyes bright with determination. “I’ve gone as far in my career as I’m interested in going. Last night when Paul told me that I wasn’t getting the partnership or the bonus, I realized that I don’t want the responsibility of the firm. But if you do—if that’s what you really, truly want—I vow to support you two-hundred-percent.”
“Bill, I’m—”
“I’ll take on the cooking and the housework and whatever else needs doing so that you can concentrate on your classes and your job.” He let go of one of her hands, reached into his pocket, and pulled out something shiny, something that looked suspiciously like—and turned out to be!—a diamond engagement ring. “Marry me, and when you decide it’s time for kids, I’ll be the stay-at-home-dad so that you can focus on your career. Please, babe, I’ll do anything to keep you in my life and I’ll be happy to do it.”
He remained on one knee, holding her hand while he held the ring poised to slip on to her finger. As much as Trudy wanted to drop to her knees and scream YES, she knew that she had to tell him the rest of her decision.
She pulled her hand free, certain this would finish off their relationship forever. “Bill, I’m getting a breast reduction.”
He blinked and stared at her, that precious pleading grin slowly fading from his face. As his gaze dropped to her chest, she took a step back.
Yep, they were done for.
Kaput.
Finito.
Bill was a breast man, first and foremost.
“So you see,” she said, her smile wobbly but determined. “Marriage to me wouldn’t be in your best interests.”
He came to his feet, all six-feet-two inches of Hugh Jackmanship, and a part of her sighed while the rest of her braced for his rejection. And then to her surprise, he grabbed
her left hand and slipped the ringer onto her third finger.
“Honey,” he said, which surprised her because he’d only ever called her babe. “Tits are a dime a dozen, but there’s only one of you and I chose you.” He stared into her eyes. “Please, make me the happiest man alive and I promise you, I’ll spend the rest of my life not only as your husband and lover, but as your friend and partner and equal.”
She felt a smile stretch across her mouth. “Bill, lock the door.”
Confusion clouded his gaze. “What?”
She patted the table behind her. “Have you ever made it on the conference room table?”
She wasn’t sure she wanted to hear his answer, but truthfully, it didn’t matter. His past was the past, and from here on out, he was hers and she was his.
CHAPTER THIRTY
For two days, Reed snarled his way through the salvage of the yacht while they gathered all the items still floating in the water.
During the days they’d been shipwrecked, he’d reconnected with his family, and been happy to while away the boredom of the days with a game of chess, a swim to the boat for supplies, a quiet moment to watch the sun set on the horizon.
Because Marla had always been at his side.
But ever since he’d watched her sail away from the island, knowing full well that their future plans were at opposite ends of the spectrum, he’d been lonely, at every turn expecting to see her beautiful smile.
He stared down at the yacht listing in the water, at Travis connecting the tow rope, and wondered…if he left without wrapping up this part of his life, would he regret it for the rest of his days?
Caught Between a Rock and a Hunka Man (Caught Between Romance Book 3) Page 18
