“I think her plan was to get a permanent type of situation, the kind where she wouldn’t have to work, if you catch my drift.”
He smiled at me wryly. He knew I was right. “You don’t need to worry about Alexa anymore. Just know I never cared for her, and her advances were unwelcome.”
I could tell that was his final word on the subject. That was fine with me. I never wanted to think about her again.
That night after dinner, as we sat on the couch, he was desperately trying to get me to commit fully to the whole second-chance thing. I still wasn’t sure, but every kiss on my neck moved me more to giving in to him.
“We’ll take it as slow or as fast as you’re comfortable with,” he promised over and over. Then he pulled out a piece of paper and placed it in my lap. “We need to talk about this list.”
I pulled up the paper, looked at it, and laughed. It was my husband list I had stuck to the refrigerator.
Top Ten Husband Qualities (in no particular order)
1. Gainfully employed.
2. Good kisser.
3. Must want children.
4. A non-yes man.
5. Handsome and well groomed.
6. Must adore me.
7. Someone that challenges me to be better.
8. Preferably never married.
9. Minimal baggage. See number 8.
10. Above all faithful to me.
He took the list back went down each number, one by one. “Number one, no problem.”
He kissed me and smiled. “I’ve got two covered.”
“Uh, don’t you think I should be the judge of that?”
He smiled sexily. “Believe me, I can tell you agree with me.”
I just shook my head. It was so true.
“Number three, yes.”
I don’t know why, but the thought that Ian wanted children, and perhaps with me, made me blush, but I didn’t say anything. I just let him continue.
“Number four, for sure as well as five.”
I just rolled my eyes at his arrogance.
“Number six.” He smiled. “I completely adore you.”
“Number seven and ten are not problems, but we need to talk about number eight and nine.”
I’ll admit his past made me wary, and it was a sticky point in my mind.
“Do you still love her?” I asked.
He sighed. “The question you should ask is if I ever did.”
“That’s kind of worse in my mind. Why would you marry someone you didn’t love?”
He took my hands in his and rubbed them nervously. He wouldn’t even look at me. “I’ve made mistakes, and I’ve done things I’m not proud of. Remember when I told you that I tried to forget about you and that’s where I went wrong?”
“I remember you saying there was a woman.”
He looked at me and shook his head. “In my pursuit to get over you, I made some very poor choices, Marissa being one of them. But in my defense, she didn’t really love me either.”
“I just don’t know if I could be with someone that takes marriage so lightly. And how long will this legal battle with her go on?”
His faced dropped and he frowned. “Kelli, I don’t take marriage lightly, and I didn’t take it lightly. Love and marriage don’t always go hand-in-hand. Of course, that’s the best way and the way I would prefer it, but I was faithful to the vows I made, and I only divorced her because she decided being unfaithful was ok. Don’t get me wrong, I regret marrying her, but don’t think for a second I did it lightly. And to answer your question, the litigation should be done within the month, hopefully.”
I sat stunned at his rebuke, but he smiled sweetly at me. “So do you think you could possibly ever get over the fact that I’m divorced?”
I smiled evilly. “Dating my divorced boss who broke my heart when he left me? It sounds so tempting.”
He let go of my hands and smoothed my brow, minus the stitches, as his eyes blazed. “How about dating a man that’s learned from his mistakes and that’s still crazy in love with you?”
My eyes widened at his declaration of love. I wasn’t expecting that at all, especially because I couldn’t return the sentiment this time. “It’s a tempting offer,” was all I could get out.
He drew me close to him, and I rested against his chest and slept there until he left around midnight. He had offered to stay again, but there really wasn’t a need, and I needed time alone to figure out what I should do. More than anything, I wanted to talk it over with Amanda, but it was way too late in Florida. I hoped she wouldn’t mind the intrusion tomorrow.
Sunday actually started with a phone call from Ian telling me he had a surprise for me and that he would be by with it around one in the afternoon. He also wanted to make sure I didn’t need anything before then. I told him I was ok, and oddly, I was. I hadn’t felt this calm in weeks.
It wasn’t much later when I received a call from Delfia. I could tell immediately she had some juicy news to share. Of course she tried to show decorum by checking on me. “How are you doing? We’re all worried at the office.”
“I’m more than a little sore, but I’m ok.”
As soon as she knew I was on the mend, she jumped right in. “I’ve been dying to tell you this all weekend,” she started out. “I wish you could have been here, or I wished I would have thought to record it, because it was fabulous.”
“What?” I asked anxiously.
“Friday, when Mr. Greyson came back to the office after the accident, he walked in with this look of pure disdain on his face. He didn’t even greet me, he just asked directly where Ms. Manselle was. I was honestly a little terrified by him, so I just pointed to the bathroom. I watched him walk over there and wait outside.”
I had never heard her so giddy, and that was saying a lot, so I knew this must be good.
“As soon as that little wench came out, he let her have it. It was amazing!”
“What did he say?”
“He told her she was classless, that she would never work for him again, that he wanted her to pack up her belongings, and she should consider her advance final payment as he would never use her designs. He said that the fact that she even thought for a moment he was interested in her was laughable. But the best part was when she asked if this was about you and he told her that if she ever spoke your name in any way that was degrading or defamatory, he would personally make sure she never worked again.”
“Really?”
“Kelli, seriously it was the best.”
“I’m sorry I missed it, especially since I was lying in a hospital bed.”
“Speaking of that, when will you be back in the office?”
“I’ll probably just work from home this coming week. I feel pretty wretched, and I look worse.”
“I’m sure you look gorgeous as always, but I do hope you feel better soon.”
“Thank you.”
From there, we said our goodbyes. I hung up with her, feeling even calmer. I was so happy I didn’t have to go back to that bimbo in the office. I just wondered why Ian hadn’t said anything about firing the contractor; he just said he just said he handled it. I guess I would have to ask him about it later. First I needed to talk to Manda.
She picked up on the first ring. “Are you ok?”
I laughed. “Of course. How’s Disney World?”
“You know, it’s lost a lot of the appeal it used to have when we were kids, but the girls are having a great time, so it makes it all worth it.”
I smiled to myself. Amanda was such a good mom.
“So tell me how you are. I mean, of course, Ian has been keeping us updated, but I’ve been worried about you.”
Why didn’t it surprise me that Ian had been giving them updates?
“Really sis, I’m on the mend, but I wanted to talk to you about Ian. Do you have a moment?”
She eagerly responded in the affirmative, and I proceeded to spill my proverbial guts. I don’t know how many times she stopped to r
elay information to Zane and how many “I told you so’s” I heard, but afterward, I just wanted her to tell me what to do. “So what do you think I should do?”
“Oh honey, only you can answer that, and I think you know what to do, you’re just afraid … and rightly so. But I will say this: ever since he’s come back, I see that spark in your eye that I haven’t seen in a very long time. And for what it’s worth, Zane really likes him.”
“Well that cinches it.”
She laughed. “I’m glad your sass is still alive and well.”
“I love you.”
“I know, honey, and I love you too.”
I leaned back on the pillows on my bed and just let a slow breath out as I contemplated what to do. I thought about making a pros and cons list, but he would probably find it and talk me out of all the cons.
I spent the rest of the morning slowly getting ready for the day. Slow motion was the only speed I could go that didn’t cause major aches and pains. Today was also the day I was supposed to start exercising my right arm and shoulder. I’m not going to lie, it hurt like heck, but at least I could move it and lightly use it. It made bathing and doing my hair and make-up so much easier, although I’m not sure why I bothered with make-up; half of my face still looked like Sam and Court’s old finger painting pictures.
Ian had kept sweetly kissing that side of my face as if that would make it all better (if only). I knew he was still blaming himself, although it was clearly the truck driver’s fault. He was the one that ran the red light. Ian kept saying if he hadn’t been so distracted, which I reminded him was partially my fault as we were both arguing, this wouldn’t have happened. He wouldn’t hear of letting me take any blame; I had a feeling he blamed Ms. Manselle and that was why he was so harsh with her. I’ll admit, I was ok with that, especially because she was just playing him, not to mention she was a terrible designer. It made me wonder if I should show him my designs now.
After I was done getting ready, I felt exhausted, which was just sad, but they told me it would take my body a while to heal. I was supposed to take it easy, so that’s what I did. I sat on the couch with Charlie and read a mystery novel my sister had given me a few months ago and waited anxiously for Ian to arrive. Was it pathetic to admit I missed him? Maybe the better question would be, was it pathetic that I was even willing to consider letting him back into my heart? The heart he tore apart and that never fully mended?
And what about the fact he was my boss? It’s not that I had never had a relationship with someone I worked with, but dating the boss’ son is a tad different than dating the boss. Ian insisted it wouldn’t be an issue as long as we kept our professional and personal relationships separate. To me, that was easier said than done, especially since I wasn’t good at compartmentalizing like he was.
I only got a few chapters in before there was a knock on my door. I extricated myself from Charlie and got up to answer the door with a little flutter in my heart. With anticipation, I opened the door, expecting to see Ian, which I did, but he had a surprise with him who was more than surprising. She didn’t hesitate a second, she just threw her arms around me, which hurt more than a little bit (I couldn’t help but moan), but it didn’t matter, I was so happy to see his sister that it made up for the pain she was causing me.
“Kelli!” she yelled.
“What are you doing here, Noelle?” I said through gritted teeth and her vice-like hug.
Thankfully Ian came to my rescue. “Noelle, her whole right side is bruised.”
She quickly backed off and apologized, but I waved it off; I was so happy to see her. I immediately invited them in. Once I was comfortably settled on my couch again, with Noelle by my side and Ian in front of me on the floor holding my hand, Noelle explained to me why she was here. “My dear big brother was so worried about you that he asked me to come for the week to take care of you while he’s at the office.”
I think that embarrassed Ian, though I don’t know why; it was extremely thoughtful. “I know you can take care of yourself, but I just thought you might like the company and someone that could drive you around when I’m not available,” he muttered.
Noelle was Noelle. “Whatever, Ian. I’ve never heard you so worried.”
I just kept staring at her. I couldn’t believe she was there. I hadn’t seen her in almost thirteen years, and there she was, looking different, but I still recognized the mischievous glint she always had in her eye. And when I say different, I mean in a good way. She had let her boy-short hair grow out, and it wasn’t dyed crazy colors anymore; instead, it was her natural dark hair that was similar in color to Ian’s. She just looked more settled. I was assuming motherhood had added that layer. I just couldn’t believe she was married and had a baby before me. She was the one that had always said she was above such nonsense, but I guess meeting Sean had changed all that. I was happy for her.
We spent the most pleasant day together talking and catching up like old friends do. We even reminisced about the past, and I found it didn’t hurt as much as it used to, to talk about it. Of course Thanksgiving was brought up, and we all decided it was one of the best. I watched Ian carefully during our conversations, and he looked thoughtful and hopeful. He also never let go of me unless he was making dinner or we were eating. He was either holding my hand or he had his arm around me. I found myself very comfortable with him.
The day and evening passed so quickly. I was sad to see them leave late that night, but I knew Noelle needed to get settled, and I knew Ian was returning to work the next day. Before they left, Ian took me up in his arms after asking his sister to wait outside for him, of course.
He kissed me gently on my lips and then worked his way over to my ear. “I don’t want you to think about work this week, just relax and get well,” he whispered.
I made to protest, but he kissed me again. “Boss’ orders.”
Then he said goodnight, and he left me feeling all sorts of weird, but this time I recognized it; it was the way he had always made me feel. It wasn’t really weird, it was wonderful. I think it had just been so long since I had felt that way with anyone that it felt foreign to me.
I lay in bed that night thinking about what kind of man flies his sister in to keep me company all week when my own sister wasn’t available, and to top it off, he cooked and cleaned for me all weekend. I guess he was the same kind of man that helped me not only pass calculus, but pass it with flying colors, or the same man that always took time out of his busy school and work schedule to see me every day, even if it was just to kiss me and tell me he was crazy about me. And he was the same man who was doing everything he could to make sure my baby took off. So what was thirteen years apart?
Thankfully I was too tired to have those thoughts and questions keep me up.
Chapter 19
Noelle was at my disposal until Friday. I still couldn’t believe she was here. In fact, I felt a little guilty about it as she had to leave her son, Jax, and her husband behind.
“It’s good for Sean, and I deserve a week off,” she said, but she was quick to show me hundreds of pictures of her little guy on her phone. He was adorable, with wispy brown hair and big blue eyes that had a hint of mischief in them. I bet he was going to give his parents a run for their money.
The first day we really just spent talking without the listening ears of her brother around. It made talking about him so much easier. Of course Noelle had to throw in her two cents worth about what she thought about Ian and me getting back together. She first teased, like a good sister, that I would be a fool to date her brother again, but when she was being sincere, she practically begged me to give him a second chance.
She had quite the interesting stories to tell of how upset and depressed Ian was for a long period after we broke up.
“Then why do you think he didn’t contact me, or better yet, why did he wait so many years?”
“Those are good questions, but you know Ian. He doesn’t talk much about his feelings. From what h
e did say, I think he was afraid that after what he did, you would never take him back. Then he became so focused on making IAG work that it became his life. But I remember the day last year when he called me to tell me he had found out where you worked and that you had moved back to Nashville. It was the first time in years he sounded happy. I encouraged him to come out here, but I didn’t need to. I think that was his plan from the second he found out.”
Of course we caught up on her life as a wife and mother and editor. She edited textbooks at home part-time.
But what I really wanted to know was, “What made you change your mind about marriage?”
She smiled wide and her eyes brightened. “Have you ever had one of those moments when, in an instant, your whole life changes?”
I smiled and shook my head yes. I couldn’t help but think about walking into a library almost fourteen years ago.
“Well for me, that moment came in Starbucks almost five years ago. Some idiot man who wasn’t paying attention at all spilled hot coffee all over the front of my shirt, and he didn’t even pause to say he was sorry, but then this guy who was standing behind me in line grabbed a hold of him and made him apologize to me and give me money for dry cleaning as well as for coffee. No one had ever been that chivalrous to me, and I had never put that much stock into it until that moment. Maybe the pink and purple hair was a turn off.”
She laughed, and I laughed too. “But that didn’t matter to Sean. He saw past the hair and into my soul.”
I wasn’t sure I had ever heard her speak in such tones. I really was happy for her, but the reverent tones didn’t last long as we moved to the topic of her ex-sister-in-law, whom she despised. The way she talked about her made me almost feel sorry for Ian, almost. She sounded like a real prima donna that cared more about appearances and keeping up with the Joneses. I guess she even refused to have any holidays at the Greyson’s; they all had to be at her Dad’s mansion in Cherry Creek. She had no idea what she was missing out on—holidays with the Greyson’s were the best.
Professional Boundaries Page 19
