by Coleen Kwan
Eleni let out an unhappy sniffle.
“Let’s calm down, everyone,” Amber said, hating the dissent that was pulling them apart. “I have to admit that the offer is generous, and I don’t blame any of you for wanting to accept. You could all find alternate locations in town and have a tidy nest egg.”
“Except for you. We won’t abandon you, Amber.” Peggy shot a glare at Martin, who was fanning himself with the letter. “Some of us still know what loyalty is.”
Guilt burned in Amber’s throat. God, what would Peggy say if she knew Amber was sleeping with the enemy? How had she ended up in this situation? Why couldn’t she keep away from Logan’s bed? She had no right to her neighbors’ support.
“I’m sorry, Amber.” Martin sent her an imploring look that only made her feel worse. “I don’t want us to fall out over money.”
“You don’t need to apologize,” she said. “Tell you what. The planning committee meeting is next Monday evening. Can you hold off until then before accepting the offer?”
“Of course,” he said, looking relieved. “And I’ll still support you at the meeting.”
“Thank you, Martin. I’m hoping the opposition will be so overwhelming the committee will have no choice but to turn down the mega center.”
Eleni reached out and squeezed her hand. “You can do it. I know you can.”
But when her neighbors left, Amber slumped into a chair and let her shoulders droop. Logan was a smart operative. He knew how to turn the screws on his opposition. With James and now Martin willing to sell, it was only a matter of time before Eleni or Peggy changed their minds. Maybe she should bow to the inevitable and let them cash in their bonanzas. It was selfish of her to stand in their way.
That was precisely what Logan Wright wanted her to think. Divide and conquer, that was his strategy. Well, he might win in the end, but she wasn’t going to make it easy for him. She stood up, pulled her shoulders back, and walked through her store, reminding herself of how much she had at stake. She wouldn’t cave in, and she wouldn’t let Logan see how well his tactics were working, either. No, the next time they met she would behave as if nothing was wrong, that she was still powering on with her opposition. No way would she let him see that she was worried.
…
On Friday afternoon, Bennett’s Home Center was surprisingly busy. Customers hunted for screws, flipped through color charts at the paint counter, and chatted about their weekend home repairs. Logan paused in the doorway to take in the scene, reminded of his visits when he was a boy.
A thin young man, Amber’s hired help, manned the main service counter. Logan walked around the store and found Amber helping a customer choose a drill.
“This one’s perfect for most of your general chores like drilling into wood or plasterboard,” she said. “Why don’t you give it a try?”
The man tentatively tried out the cordless drill. “Uh, yeah, feels all right. Maybe I’ll take it, only…” He glanced about furtively, as if he didn’t feel like he belonged in the store.
“If you like, I can come by your house sometime and give you a few pointers,” Amber said.
“Would you? That’d be awesome.” Relief flooded the guy’s face. “I know it’s a lot to ask.”
“No, I’d be happy to do it. It’s not hard once you get the hang of it. How about sometime next week after work?”
“Thanks, Amber. I don’t know much about this handyman stuff, but I want to learn. Maybe I’ll even get around to putting up those shelves for Megan.”
“No worries, Colin. I’m sure we can manage that. You can pay for the drill at the main counter.”
As the satisfied customer ambled away, Amber turned to Logan, her expression unsmiling.
“We all got our letters this morning. You must be ten percent more desperate to get our properties,” she said, her voice cool and challenging.
That’s what he’d always liked about her; she was no pushover. “Not desperate. Pragmatic.” He lifted an eyebrow. “So how did it go down with the other business owners?”
She quirked an eyebrow in reply. “Like a lead balloon.”
He smiled, knowing she wouldn’t reveal anything. “Anyway, seems the extra ten percent is in order, seeing that your store’s this busy and it’s not even the weekend.”
“For your information, your offer didn’t tempt me at all, but I don’t blame you for trying.”
“So no hard feelings?”
She shrugged, rearranging the power drills. “None at all. Is that why you dropped in? To check if I was rattled by your new tactic?”
“Actually, I came by to deliver something to you.” He reached into the inner pocket of his jacket and drew out a square envelope.
“What’s this?” She opened the envelope, slightly suspicious, and pulled out the card it contained. “A ticket to a fundraiser? Why are you giving me this?”
“It’s from Ryan. Sunshine Kids is holding their annual fundraiser on Sunday, and he gave me two tickets, one for me, one for you. It’s short notice, but he wants us to come along and inspire everyone else to donate.”
“He gave these to you? When?”
“Today.” Logan hesitated before adding, “We had lunch together.” Could she sense he wasn’t telling her the whole truth? In reality he’d bumped into Ryan at the country club after his round of golf with Jed Winston, and they did have a meal together, but of course he couldn’t tell Amber the full story. She nodded, accepting his lie by omission, and the small knot of guilt in him grew larger.
She set the invitation down. “I don’t know. It’s not my kind of thing.”
“Why?” He felt unusually let down by her reaction. “You like dancing, don’t you?”
“Yeah, but all those swanky people with their diamonds and tiaras. I’ll feel like an ugly duckling.”
“Don’t tell me you’re intimidated by these ‘swanky’ folks?”
“I didn’t say I was intimidated.” She glared at him. “But why give them a chance to make fun of me?”
“Aren’t you being a little prejudiced now?”
“I’m being realistic.”
“Maybe you’re just afraid.”
“Nope, I’m not falling for that trick.”
He spread his hands. “Look, Ryan gave us these tickets as a thank you. It would be rude not to accept.” He saw her hesitating, recalibrating, and decided to push his advantage. “Emily Claybourne is going.”
It was the wrong thing to say. Amber tipped back her head, laughter rippling out of her. “Is that supposed to make me jealous?”
“Okay, you got me. I don’t even know if she’s going,” he admitted, feeling sheepish.
She picked up the invitation again and chewed on her lip. “I suppose I’d have to dress up. I don’t have any diamonds or tiaras, and the function’s this Sunday, so I don’t have much time to go shopping.”
“You’d look good in anything,” he said with full sincerity.
“Spoken like a typical man.”
“No one wears tiaras anyway.”
“How would you know? You’d never notice that kind of thing.”
“No one expects you to wear a tiara.”
She sighed, but he could tell she was already more than half convinced.
“Okay, I’ll go,” she said reluctantly. “But only because I like Ryan.”
His sudden relief surprised him. “Great. I’ll pick you up at seven, then.”
“No. I’ll get myself there.”
“Fine. I won’t argue.” He had already won, anyway, by getting Amber to go.
“Huh. You’re finally learning, then.”
Her lips twitched, and Logan was visited by an overwhelming urge to put his arms around her waist and draw her in for a long, hot kiss. She must have picked up on this, because her eyes darted from side to side, checking who was in the aisle as she moistened her lips with the tip of her tongue. It seemed the increased offer for her store hadn’t doused the fire between them. Emboldened, he h
ooked his thumb through a loop in her jeans, ready to pull her closer.
“C’mere.”
She slapped his hand away. “Are you crazy? Someone might see us.”
His head was too filled with Amber to care what anyone else thought. He stepped closer, inhaling her scent as he backed her up against the shelf. “Eight tonight. My place.”
Her bold eyes ate him up, her parted lips betraying her need. She shook her head. “Make it ten thirty.”
Because she’d be campaigning against him this evening. He didn’t mind as long as the night ended with them in the same bed.
“You got it, babe.”
…
Amber twirled in the middle of the room, silk whispering against her legs.
“Well?’ She raised an eyebrow at Hannah, who was sitting on the couch. “What do you think?”
“Wow.” Hannah set down her coffee mug. “Logan’s going to have a heart attack when he sees you in that.”
Amber glanced down at her dress, doubt crowding in. She didn’t know what had got into her. She’d actually taken a day off work—a Sunday, no less—and left Greg in charge while she drove all the way to Sacramento in search of a dress to wear to the fundraiser. Why on earth had she even said yes to attending?
When she’d tried on the dress in the boutique, she’d thought it looked great. But now she wasn’t so sure. It was the kind of slinky, sexy dress she usually loved to wear, and the cut and fabric were exquisite. She’d spent far more than she should have out of some buried need to see Logan’s eyes light up with admiration. The soft silk clung to her, molding to her curves, its green tones bringing out the fire in her hair.
Amber tugged at the scalloped hem that floated several inches above her knees. “You don’t think it’s too…y’know, slutty?”
Her friend spluttered. “What? Of course not. You have an incredible figure, and that dress shows it off.”
“Yeah, but this is a charity event.” Amber plucked at the low neckline. “I don’t want to flash too much boobage and embarrass Logan.”
Hannah chuckled. “He’ll be too busy staring at your ‘boobage’ to worry about being embarrassed.”
“You know what some people are like. I just don’t want them gossiping and saying horrible things. I mean, if it was just me, that would be okay, but I don’t want him hearing them.”
Hannah was quiet for a while. “You care what he thinks, don’t you?” she said softly.
Instead of answering, Amber walked to the coffee table and picked up her own mug. She perched on the couch next to her friend and groaned.
“What am I doing? Logan is threatening my entire existence, and yet I’m sleeping with him. In a few hours I’ll be meeting him at a frigging charity event, and I’ve spent more than I should have on this dress just to impress him. I must be really screwed up.”
“No, you’re not,” Hannah said.
“But I’m the reason my neighbors can’t sell their stores for a stack of money. And everyone’s been helping me mobilize objections against the mega center. You, Derek, Caleb. Especially Caleb. He’s helped me so much. I feel like I’m betraying his friendship, and yours, and everyone else’s, too.”
Hannah shifted closer and clasped Amber’s hand. “Honey, I’m your friend, no matter what, and that goes for Caleb, too. We’re here to help you.”
“But I can’t have it both ways. I shouldn’t have anything to do with Logan.”
“Well, normally I’d agree, but love is a powerful force. Sometimes it’s very difficult to resist despite our best intentions.”
Amber withdrew her hand. “Love? Who said anything about love? I’m not in love with Logan. Whatever’s between us, it’s just physical, nothing else. You know what I’m like with men. I date them, but I never fall in love.”
Looking thoughtful, Hannah sipped her coffee. “I don’t know, honey. Sure, you’ve dated and dumped quite a few men in the past, but Logan…well, you’re different with him.”
“Different? How?”
“You’re softer, brighter…happier. Yes, that’s what it is. Logan makes you happy.”
Amber tried to snort, but it got stuck in her throat. “Yeah, the sex is awesome, that’s why I’m happy.”
“No, it’s not just the sex.”
“Oh, stop it. Just because you and Derek are disgustingly in love doesn’t mean you can infect everyone else.”
Hannah gurgled with laughter. “Does that mean you’re not going to the charity thing?”
Yes, Amber wanted to say. If she had any sense, she would call Logan right now and tell him. But the soft silk whispered against her skin, making her feel beautiful, glamorous, feminine. For the past few weeks Logan had only ever seen her in work clothes. Just once she wanted to dress up and make herself pretty for him. No one knew they were sleeping together; they’d been invited because of the playhouses they’d built, and they were going to the fundraiser separately, not as a couple. For one night she could be Cinderella and go to the ball. Just one night. And she didn’t expect Logan to turn into her Prince Charming.
She smoothed down her dress. “I’ll go, because Ryan invited me, and it might be good to do some networking.”
“Huh, right. Networking. I suppose you’ll be doing a lot of networking back at Logan’s house.”
Amber raised her eyebrows, feigning surprise. “And you used to be such a nice girl.”
“That was before I married Derek.” Hannah winked.
Amber laughed and was about to say something more when her cell phone rang. It was her uncle.
“Hey, Amber, is your mom with you?” TJ asked without his usual chatty preamble.
“No, she’s not.” At his flustered tone, a trickle of unease started down her spine. “I haven’t seen her since yesterday.”
“She was supposed to drop by for a visit this afternoon, but she didn’t show up. I’ve been calling her cell, but she’s not answering.”
“I’ll go check on her right now,” Amber said abruptly, rising to her feet.
“Would you? I’d go myself, but I can’t leave the bar.”
“No, that’s all right, TJ. I’ll call you when I know more.”
She clicked off her phone to see Hannah also standing, a look of concern on her face. “Your mom?”
Nodding, Amber hurried to her bedroom to get changed. “TJ can’t reach her, so I’m going to her place. I’m sure it’s nothing,” she added, realizing she was trying to reassure herself.
“Want me to come with you?”
“No, thanks for offering, but I’ll be fine.”
“Call me and let me know about your mom.” Hannah gave her a quick hug before leaving the apartment.
Amber drove to the trailer park, trying to calm her jitters. It wasn’t like her mom to turn off her cell phone or miss hanging out with her brother. What could have happened to her?
At the entrance to the trailer park, the manager, Gus, a corpulent man in a bright red Hawaiian shirt, stopped her.
“Yer ma’s hiding,” he huffed, jerking a thumb toward Cristal’s locked trailer. “I know she’s inside, but she won’t answer the door. That ain’t gonna help her none when the sheriff comes knocking on eviction day.”
A cold ball of dread formed in Amber’s stomach. “Eviction day? What are you talking about?”
Gus mopped his sweating brow with a big white handkerchief. “She ain’t been paying her rent, that’s what. She’s six months behind.”
“Six months? But that can’t be…”
“And she’s behind on the utilities, too. I been telling her for weeks she needs to pay up, but she always gives me some excuse.”
“She’s been busy fighting cancer!” She glared at Gus.
“Yeah, and I’m real sorry about that, but I’m only trying to do my job. I’m just the manager around here. Ain’t my fault the new owners jacked up the rents. If I don’t collect the money, I’m gonna be out of a job myself.” He flapped his hanky in the direction of Cristal’s trailer.
“Just go talk to your ma, will ya? Pretending she’s not home ain’t gonna make the problem go away.”
Amber couldn’t disagree with that. She parked her truck outside her mom’s trailer and used her spare key to open the sliding door.
“Mom, it’s me,” she called out as she stepped into the hot, stuffy trailer.
A scuffling noise from the far end drew her attention. She walked into the main bedroom. The blinds were drawn, intensifying the oppressive atmosphere. She clicked on the light to find Cristal perched on the bed, blinking at her.
“Is Gus with you?” her mom asked, craning her neck to look past Amber.
“No.” Amber dropped onto the bed next to her mom, relief seeping through her. At least Cristal wasn’t physically injured.
“Oh, that’s a small mercy. The man’s been pestering me all week. I had to hole up in here and pretend I was out.”
“Is that why you turned off your phone?” When her mom nodded, Amber added, “TJ called me because he was getting worried. He couldn’t get a hold of you.”
“Yeah, I couldn’t leave to go to TJ’s because of Gus. Can you believe the nerve of that man?”
“He told me you’re about to be evicted because you haven’t been paying your rent or utilities. Is that true?”
Waving a hand, Cristal shifted to the foot of the bed, where a small shelf held a mirror and boxes of makeup. She picked up a comb and began tidying her hair. “Gus is always on my case about one thing or another. I’ll talk to him in the morning. He’s sweet on me, y’know. He’ll give me another extension.”
“So it’s true? You are behind on your rent and utilities?”
“So he says.” Cristal patted her hair, admiring her reflection. “Sometimes I think he just uses it as an excuse to visit me.”
“Mom, this sounds serious.”
“Oh, Peanut, you know I don’t like talking about money. It’s so dreary and depressing, and at this point in my life I need the exact opposite of that.”
“Look, Mom, I know you don’t like discussing finances—”
“Always gives me a headache.”
“—but you must have some paperwork. Bills, letters of demand, that sort of thing.”
Cristal shrugged. “Yeah, maybe.”
