Perfect Wreckage

by Cowles, Catherine

  Crosby grinned. “You two sounded like someone was torturing a pair of cats.”

  I buried my face in my hands. This wasn’t happening. I didn’t do things like this. I was responsible. I never made a fool of myself. I’d had too many experiences of someone doing that to me. My mother. Grant.

  The bed dipped, and a hint of Crosby’s cologne hit my senses. “Look at me.”

  I gave my head a shake.

  Crosby cupped my face, easing my hands away from where they covered my eyes. “You had fun. You let loose. You and Bell laughed so hard, you cried. Ford’s going to start a karaoke night because of the two of you. The whole bar was into it.”

  My stomach dropped. “How many people saw?” The crowd was all a bit of a blur.

  “Who cares? You were having fun.”

  I shoved his hands away. “You don’t get it. I don’t want anyone to see me that way.”

  “What way?”

  “Not in control.” I had worked tirelessly to prove to everyone that I wasn’t like my mother. To project nothing but a responsible, respectable image. But in one night, I could’ve ruined it all. People would talk, wonder if I was more like my mother than they thought.

  Crosby squeezed my thigh through the blankets on my bed. “It was beautiful to see. And you’ll never be able to control everything.”

  “I know that,” I snapped. I knew better than most how little control we actually had over the big picture of our lives. But that just made me hold tighter to the things I could sway. I took a deep breath. “Thank you for bringing me home, for making sure I was okay…” My words trailed off as I took in what I was wearing, an old high school volleyball t-shirt and not much else. “Did you undress me?”

  Crosby tipped his face heavenward. “I’ve been inside you, felt every inch of that sweet body, I don’t think changing you out of those hot number cruncher clothes should make you bashful.”

  The man had a point. “Fine. You can go now. I need to get ready for work.”

  Crosby gave his head a shake but bent forward to quickly brush his lips against mine. “This isn’t over. I’ll have a new challenge for you soon.”

  Another challenge from Crosby just might kill me.

  * * *

  “You’re late.”

  Chris’s voice bit out from the entrance to his office at the front of our building. He took that one, even though it was smaller than some of the offices at the back because it meant he could snoop. He faced his L-shaped desk with one side towards the parking lot and street so he could see everyone who might enter, and the other side towards the rest of the office so he knew what his employees were up to at all times.

  I fought the groan that wanted to surface. No matter how much coffee and Tylenol I guzzled, my headache wouldn’t go away. And the cab driver’s incessant chatter that I’d had to endure on the ride to work this morning because I’d been without a car hadn’t helped. “It’s eight-thirty, Chris. We don’t open for another thirty minutes.” Only one other person besides the two of us was even in yet.

  He straightened, clearing his throat. “I just meant that you’re usually here a lot earlier. Is everything okay?”

  Chris Woodward wouldn’t care if I had accidentally lit myself on fire, he was simply trying to exert his dominance in the office. He hadn’t taken it too well when a few of his clients had asked to move from him to me, and he did his best to make me pay for it every time he could. That faint dream of opening my firm flitted across my mind, but I pushed it out. Like always.

  “I’m fine. Just had a few things I needed to attend to this morning.” Like trying to cure the hangover from hell.

  Chris gave a nod. “All right. Well, get to it.”

  I said nothing, simply headed for my office at the back of the building. It was quiet there, and away from prying eyes. It allowed me to lose myself in my work. And it was also why I usually arrived when no one else was here. I often got more done in those two hours before we opened than the entire rest of the day.

  I stowed my purse in my filing cabinet and hung my blazer on the hanger on its side, all while sending up a mental plea that this hangover didn’t give me brain fog that swallowed my day whole. My morning went by in fits and starts, spreadsheets and paperwork taking more time than they should’ve. Lunch gave me a little pep, probably because I caved and begged Bell to bring me something greasy from The Catch. But by the time five o’clock rolled around, I was done. I wanted a hot bath and my bed. I didn’t even care about dinner, I only wanted to sleep for a year.

  Chris arched a brow as I passed his office, silent judgment for leaving on time instead of an hour after close. I hoped he stepped on an extra-prickly sea urchin.

  I pushed open the office door, the cool, early evening breeze a calming balm. Maybe I’d sit out on my porch after I took a bath. I was fumbling in my purse for my keys as I walked, not paying attention, so when I looked up just feet from my car, I startled.

  Grant leaned against the hood, all Brooks Brothers business casual and overly coiffed hair. “Kenna.”

  A muscle in my cheek ticked. I didn’t have the time or energy for this. “What do you want?”

  He stood, holding up both hands in surrender. “Just to talk. We got off on the wrong foot.”

  “The wrong foot?” I sounded like a parrot, but I couldn’t help it. The wrong foot was the understatement of the century.

  “Yes. I admit I made some missteps when I was younger. I hurt you, and for that, I’m sorry. Can we start fresh? Let me take you to dinner.”

  I watched in fascination as Grant’s face made all the right expressions, yet none of them rang true. He was simply an actor trying to play a part.

  “I have no interest in going to dinner with you.”

  His eyes hardened a fraction. “We need to talk. My parents returned to Seattle today, and my father left me in charge of the matter.”

  “The matter?”

  “Remedying this whole will and inheritance situation.” Grant waved his hand like a prince greeting his subjects. He looked absolutely ridiculous.

  I took a deep, steadying breath, trying my best to keep my temper in check. “I have no interest in helping you with that.”

  Grant’s gaze narrowed on my face. “I never thought I’d see the day you’d become so heartless. The Gables is important to my father. And if I get it for him, he’ll make me partner at the firm. You know that’s always been my dream. Even if things didn’t work out between us, I’d think you’d still care about me. Don’t you?”

  My jaw fell open. I couldn’t help it. But really, I shouldn’t have been surprised. I’d let Grant get away with everything when we were together. I would’ve given up anything if it meant his happiness. “I stopped caring about you the moment you said losing my child, and almost dying, served me right.”

  Grant’s face reddened. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. You’re obviously just overly emotional about something that has nothing to do with me—”

  “Get off my car, or I’ll call the sheriff and report you for stalking.” I was done with Grant and all of his lies and manipulations.

  His shoulders straightened, chin jutting out. “I’m trying to be a mature adult.”

  I snorted. “Trying, being the operative word. Your chances of being a mature adult are about as good as mine are to pilot a crew to Mars.”

  Grant’s jaw worked. “I can see my parents were correct. There’s no reasoning with someone who can’t act like a respectable adult.” He started towards some fancy car a few spots down.

  “Running to Mommy and Daddy always was your solution. Too bad they can’t save you from being a douchebag.”

  He whirled on me, taking two giant strides in my direction. “You’ll watch what you say if you know what’s good for you.” I instinctively took a step back at the rage in Grant’s eyes but forced myself not to retreat any farther. I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction. “I could destroy you. One piece of your worthless little island life
at a time, Kenna. Remember that.”

  Grant turned on his heel and headed for his car. My heart hammered against my ribs. I couldn’t force myself to move until Grant peeled out of the parking lot, and his vehicle disappeared from sight.

  I laid a hand over my chest, breathing deeply. I was fine. Safe. Grant was just overreacting to me standing up to him. I said the words of comfort over and over in my mind as I drove home, but each one felt like a lie.

  16

  Crosby

  “Delivery,” Penny singsonged as she walked into my office without knocking. “And it looks fancy.” She placed a package with intricate clear wrapping and an over-the-top box on my desk.

  I surveyed the logo beneath the plastic and grinned. My favorite scotch. “Is there a note?”

  Penny extended an envelope, but just before I plucked it from her hand, she pulled it back. “You gonna tell me who sent it?”

  “I’d have to open the note to know that.” It had to be from Kenna. She must’ve asked Ford what my favorite scotch was.

  “I’ll give you the note if you promise to tell me once you open it.”

  “You know that you work for me, right? You’re not allowed to hold correspondence hostage because you’re nosy.”

  Penny sniffed. “Correspondence. Don’t you put on that fancy lawyer vocabulary with me, young man.”

  I grinned. “Hand over the card.”

  She slapped it on my desk. “Fine. See if I care who’s sending you whiskey that probably costs more than my television.”

  I chuckled as she turned and left, tearing open the card. I had the urge to drop it as soon as I saw the artful script on the thick paper.

  Crosby,

  I’m sorry. You’ll never know how much. Just tell me what I need to do to make it up to you. Come back to Boston, where you belong. Your family misses you. I miss you. Please.

  All My Love,

  Alicia

  I groaned. I hadn’t heard from Alicia in a few days. I’d thought I’d finally gotten through to her. Apparently, that wasn’t the case. I shoved the card into the trash and pushed to my feet. I paced back and forth in the small space behind my desk. Back to Boston? Was she insane?

  And she just had to bring my parents into it. She’d learned to use them as a tool early on in our relationship, realizing that their approval and attention meant more to me than it should have. When I’d considered leaving my law firm and taking a job with a non-profit, Alicia had conveniently slipped that information to my father, who had promptly lost his mind at the idea.

  I blew out a harsh breath. As pissed as I was, I really should be thanking Alicia. Her cheating had been the wakeup call I hadn’t known I needed. She’d shown me just how much I was living my life on other people’s terms. Now, I had a life that was mine and mine alone. I wouldn’t give that up for anyone.

  Just the suggestion that I return to that old way of existence had me yearning to stretch my wings and take advantage of my hard-fought freedom. I glanced at my watch, an idea forming in my mind. Four-thirty.

  I snatched the bottle and grabbed my keys from my drawer. I strode out to reception and placed the gift on Penny’s desk. “Ever wanted to try the best scotch you’ll ever taste?”

  Her brows rose as she took in my expression. “Not a fan of the sender I take it?”

  “Not in the least.”

  She tipped the box back to examine the label. “The knitting ladies and I are always up for trying new things. And we can’t let something like this go to waste.”

  “That’s the spirit. I’m taking off for the day. Don’t stay past five. That’s an order.”

  Penny shook her head. “And what if someone calls for you?”

  “Put them through to voicemail and tell them I’ll return on Monday.” It was four-thirty on a Friday, no one should get their panties in a twist that I was gone for the weekend.

  “Sure, leave me to piss them off.”

  “Come on, Pen, you can handle anything. That’s why I hired you.”

  “Sweet-talker.”

  “You know it.” I gave her a wave as I headed out the door. I had two stops to make before five o’clock: my house and the local sporting goods store. If I hurried, I could make both.

  I might have broken a couple of speeding laws, but I was pulling into Cornerstone CPAs at five to five. Employees were already trickling out of the building and heading to their cars, but Kenna’s silver four-door was still in the lot, of course.

  I parked and headed inside. Chris Woodward was in the doorway of his office as I entered the building. “This is quite a few personal office visits this week.”

  I fought the urge to tell him to remove the stick from his ass. “It’s two minutes to five. I’m sure you don’t mind. Right, Chris?”

  I ignored the bitter expression that overtook the man’s face and made my way towards Kenna’s office. I knocked twice. “Come in.”

  I pushed the door open and took in Kenna behind her desk. Her beauty was a sucker punch to the gut, dark hair piled on top of her head in a meticulous bun, cheeks rosy, eyes glowing. “Hey, Brown Eyes.”

  Something flashed in those eyes. “What are you doing here, Crosby?”

  “Are we really going to play this game? I told you I’d be back.” It had only been a few days since I’d seen Kenna, but it felt like weeks.

  She arched a brow. “You do realize that makes you sound like a serial killer, right?”

  I chuckled. “It’s good to have life goals.” Kenna shook her head. “Come on, I have something I want to show you. Do you have your swimsuit here?”

  A healthy dose of skepticism filled Kenna’s expression. “In my car, why?”

  “Got workout gear, too?”

  “Shorts and a running tank. Again, why?”

  I glanced out her office window. We still had a few hours of sun left. “Go grab them and change.”

  “I’m not grabbing anything. I still have reports I need to finish. Except for first thing in the morning, this is the time of day when I get the most done. Everyone else is gone, it’s quiet—”

  I crossed behind the desk and threaded my fingers through Kenna’s hair, tipping her head back. “Maybe I should be the one doing the grabbing then.”

  Her eyes dilated. “And maybe I should be the one kneeing you in the balls.”

  I grinned. “Do you want me to kiss you?”

  Her gaze traveled to my lips. “I guess I could endure it.”

  My lips twitched as I lowered my mouth to hers. I almost groaned at the taste of her, mint and that hint of something else. My tongue stroked hers as I took, drinking her in. When I broke away, her eyes were just a little bit hazy.

  “Did you endure it okay?” I asked.

  She gave a shrug. “I’ll survive.”

  I choked on a laugh. “Glad to hear it. Now, go get changed. I want to show you an alternate view of your new property.”

  “I told you. I don’t have time.”

  “Come on, Kenna. I need this.”

  She paused, taking me in, seeing that hint of desperation on my face that I knew was there. “This view you’re so determined for me to see, it isn’t dangerous, is it? You’re not trying to make me go skydiving, are you?”

  “No throwing yourself out of a plane. I promise.”

  Kenna sighed but pushed to her feet. “Fine. Give me ten minutes.” She started towards the door and then stopped, turning to level her scary stare on me. “Don’t touch anything.”

  I held up both hands. “I’ll be on my best behavior.”

  She rolled her eyes heavenward. “That’s what I’m afraid of.”

  17

  Kenna

  I wobbled slightly as I carried the paddleboard out towards the water. Muttering a curse, I straightened my stance and tightened my ab muscles so I didn’t topple over.

  “I told you I would carry it for you,” Crosby said as he maneuvered his board effortlessly.

  “And I said I could do it.”

 
; “I know you can, but I’m just trying to prevent you from being pissed at me when you trip and skin a knee or sprain an ankle.”

  I narrowed my eyes in his direction and then almost fell on my butt. I paused, took a deep breath, and got a better hold of the death contraption under my arm. “Where did you find me one of these last-minute, anyway?”

  “I bought it for you at Island Sports.”

  I stood dumbfounded and just stared at Crosby. I’d been in the shop on more than one occasion, and knew that these boards could cost as much as three thousand dollars. “Are you insane? Has the Guinness finally pickled your brain?”

  Crosby stopped, turning to face me. “What?”

  “The boards in that shop are ridiculously expensive. We’re going to return this right now. I haven’t used it yet. They’ll take it back.”

  “I threw out the receipt.”

  “I’m sure they’ll remember you, it’s not like you bought it weeks ago.”

  Crosby set his board on the sand and crossed to me. “I’m not returning the paddleboard. It’s a gift. A little something to celebrate your new adventurous life.”

  My lips pressed together in a firm line. “It’s too much.”

  “Brown Eyes, I’m not exactly hurting for cash. It’s no big thing.”

  The words, thrown out so casually, were like a series of bombs detonating in the waters I was desperately trying to keep calm. It felt too familiar, the ease with which he tossed his money around. “Just because you’re fortunate, doesn’t mean you should be frivolous.”

  “Kenna, what’s going on? This is more than your usual shade of prickly.”

  “Nothing’s going on.” I started walking. “Are we going to do this or what?” I carried my board to the edge of the water, placing it carefully on the wet sand. The paddle was taller than I was.

  Crosby thankfully ignored my outburst and began walking me through the basics. I’d been on a board a handful of times, but it had been years, and the refresher was more than needed. Before long, I was pushing out into the little cove just north of The Gables.