Romance Me (Boxed Set)

by Susan Hatler

  He closed the laptop and directed his attention to Adam. “Mr. Parez, you do realize it’s the middle of the night. If you weren’t an old friend, I’d have thrown you out.”

  “If I wasn’t an old friend, I wouldn’t warn you.”

  “Warn me of what?” Eric turned on the lights and sat at his desk chair.

  “That you’ve got it bad.” He motioned to the laptop. “Who’s got you all twisted up like a lunatic? I’ve never seen you so…mushy before.”

  “Oh, please. I don’t do mushy. I’m a lawyer,” Eric protested.

  “You might be a lawyer, and a darn good one, too,” Adam said, “but you have a big heart. I’m not sure how you’ve survived this long in this business.”

  “If you doubt my lawyer abilities, what are you doing here?”

  Adam rolled his eyes. “I don’t doubt your abilities, man. You’re the only shark I’ll trust. I’m just saying, whoever that girl is, sign a pre-nup because you’re too in love to see straight.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  The all too familiar ring of Skype sounded from Lisa’s computer. Leaning over the desk, she minimized the spreadsheet Judy had created, highlighting their already impressive profit margin, and clicked the video icon.

  Eric’s handsome face appeared, his blue shirt accentuating his bright eyes, which gleamed next to the dark background of his hotel room. “Hi, there,” he said, his baritone voice drawing her complete attention.

  She fluffed her hair and wished she’d dabbed on some lipstick before answering. “Hi, you. How was your day?”

  “Terrible, full of arguing and impossible people, and none of them were as beautiful as you are.” He winked.

  Even through the internet, he caused her knees to feel weak. She scooped her laptop into her arms and shuffled to the bed. “You’re still in Paris, right?”

  “Yes. I’m sorry. I thought I’d be back by now, but this case is taking longer than I’d thought.”

  “For the client that came to your room last night?”

  Eric nodded. “Yeah. His divorce and child custody case is being settled in the US, but he wanted me to come hold his hand through the negotiation process. He’s not very tech savvy, so video conference calls freak him out. If it wasn’t for the fact the income he generates keeps my Sweetwater practice afloat right now, I’d refuse.”

  “Well, I have a feeling you’re there for more than the money. He’s an old friend, isn’t he?”

  “How did you know that?” Eric asked.

  “Women’s intuition.” Lisa flicked her wrist as if she possessed magical powers.

  “Oh, really?” he teased. “Well, what does your intuition say about me getting home soon?” He rolled his sleeves up to his elbows, as though prepping for heavy lifting, and his strong forearms drew her attention for a moment. The man was muscular for a lawyer.

  “I don’t know, but I hope you’re taking lots of pictures for me,” she nudged, her desire to see Paris nearly oozing from her pores. It was a place where dreams came true in her fantasy world.

  His lips quirked up on the right side, the way it did when he was about to tease her about something. “No, I don’t think I’ll take pictures for you.”

  She gasped with exaggeration. “Why?”

  “You want to see Paris, you’ll have to agree to come back with me. We don’t even have to wait until summer. I’m sure I’ll have to return again in the near future. The antique shop should be settled in another four to six months. I’m sure Mom will let you out on good behavior.”

  Four to six months? By that point, I’ll be about ready to pop.

  “So, you better get to work if you want to take that trip with me. Did you finish unpacking everything at your house yet?” He narrowed his eyes, looking past her and shifting his gaze high and low. “I don’t see any boxes.”

  She chuckled. “Well, I’m sitting on my bed, complete with a comforter and sheets now. So, no more sleeping on the couch.” She fixed her pillows behind her and propped the laptop on her thighs. Just then a swoosh fluttered in her belly and she thought her entire stomach rolled inside out.

  “What’s wrong? You feeling okay?”

  She slipped her hand from her abdomen and nodded. “Yes.” Except, I think the baby I’m carrying by another man just moved for the first time and I want to share it with someone, but I can’t share it with you because you don’t even know I’m pregnant!

  “You sure? Mom’s not working you too hard, is she? She can be a real workhorse. Trust me, I know.” His brows furrowed.

  “No, it’s not that at all.”

  He scrubbed his chin. “Then what is it?”

  She sucked in a long breath and steadied herself. It was wrong to tell him over Skype. It was an in-person kind of conversation for sure, but she couldn’t hold it in any longer. The last two weeks, talking every day, seeing him on Skype every night, learning about his family and friends, work and interests…“Eric…I need to tell you something.” Her hands and legs began to tremble.

  “No way. Remember our deal? Nothing serious until I get home.” He sighed. “Listen, it can’t be that bad. We both know we have some deep dark secret we need to share, but I’m glad we’ve had this time to learn more about each other. Mom told me we had a lot in common, but I didn’t realize it until we started talking about literature, travel, our favorite movies. That’s the kind of stuff that should start a relationship. I didn’t want to lead with baggage from the past. This way, we’ll know if the challenge ahead is worth the effort.”

  Could Judy be right? Is Eric the type of man that would stick around even after learning the truth? “You make a valid argument, Attorney Gaylord. I guess I know who I’ll hire in the future,” she teased.

  “Let’s hope you never need my services. Being a family attorney, all I see are divorce and child custody cases. Neither of which I want anything to do with in my own life.”

  His words seared her heart until it felt cold and dark, all hope burned away. “I, uh, better get some sleep. I’m opening the shop in the morning.” She fought the rising lump in her throat and tears forming in her eyes. Why did she keep hoping? When would she learn? How insane was she to believe a man would want her after he discovered she was pregnant. It didn’t matter, though. She’d already promised herself she’d be the kind of mother who put her child first, above everyone and everything.

  “Lisa?”

  “Yes?” she choked out, fighting back the tears threatening to spill down her cheeks.

  “Whatever it is, you can trust me. It won’t send me running, I promise.”

  She didn’t want to do this. She was stronger than this. Yet, all she could do was nod.

  He leaned toward the screen, “I wish I was there to hold you right now. I’d hold you all night if you wanted me to.”

  Her lungs constricted, and she fought to find her breath. She wanted to tell him how much she’d love to fall asleep in his arms. How he was the most loving, giving, amazing man she’d ever known. A man with a family, a job, a kind heart, and a sexy smile. But she couldn’t because when he returned and discovered the truth, he’d be gone.

  He leaned back and crossed his arms. “I hope you’ll think about it, because I’ll be home on Friday.”

  “What?” Lisa bolted up, nearly toppling the laptop from her legs. “I thought you were there until the end of next week.”

  “I was supposed to be, but I think you need a hug. If I could, I’d be there tonight.” His gaze held hers through the screen. “Listen, Mom says you’re scared to tell me the truth. Well, you know what? I’m scared to tell you the truth, too. But if we’re going to continue forward, we need to get everything out on the table. And Lisa, I want to continue forward. Whatever happened back in New York, leave it behind. Don’t let it poison you here. You’re safe with me.”

  He still thinks I’m some abuse victim that had to run away.

  “If you don’t believe me, then just ask Mom. She knows best after all.” He winked. “At
least she always thinks she does.” He chuckled then pressed two fingers to his lips and held them out to her. “I’ll see you soon.”

  “Goodnight,” Lisa replied and slid her mouse over the button to terminate the conversation. The fantasy world of Paris and Eric Gaylord disappeared and she was left alone in her rented house.

  Sliding the laptop to the floor, she rolled over and held her belly, curling into a ball. “It’s okay, I’m not alone. I have you.”

  Chapter Seventeen

  Eric Gaylord swirled cream into his coffee, dulling the bitter roast. A secretary with long legs and a thick French accent poured another cup of steaming brew and handed it to Adam.

  Adam cleared his throat. “You got some place better to be?”

  “What?” Eric slipped the cuff of his suit sleeve back over his watch and shook his head. “Um, no.”

  Adam nodded to his secretary, dismissing her, then hiked his pant legs up and sat in one of the office’s leather armchairs. “Seriously?” He gave Eric a skeptical look. “Let’s be honest here, Eric. You and I have been through a lot together, and you probably know every dirty little secret I have. So…” He took a sip of his coffee, steam fogging his designer glasses. Slipping them off, Adam pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and cleaned the lenses.“…I’ve got a confession to make.”

  Eric set his mug down on the coffee table between them and leaned back in his chair, studying his old friend and client. “What’s that?”

  “I don’t need you to babysit me anymore. I know how to run the intercom-thingy, and even if I didn’t, I have secretaries that do.”

  Eric laced his fingers together. “Then why keep me here in Paris for so long?” His temper was beginning to rear its ugly head, probably more from lack of sleep and jet lag than from the situation.

  “Do you hear yourself?” Adam tried to look appalled but failed. “I forced you to stay in Paris? I’ve invited you out every night to see the sights, and…mingle.” He winked. “But all you do is race back to your room to chat with that chick on your computer.” He took another sip. “If you ask me, you’ve got it bad, man. Here I thought I’d persuade you to come work for me. Be my own personal attorney. We’d party every night and jet around the world, free and single.”

  Eric thought about the fast life he’d had in New York. Okay, it was more business dinners and social events than nightclubs and parties. Still, it was exhausting and unfulfilling. “Not interested,” he replied.

  “Wait. Now, hear me out.” Adam held up a hand. “Killer bonuses, great hours, awesome pay, and… fringe benefits. Did I mention the awesome pay?”

  “Adam, maybe a few years ago I would’ve jumped at the chance, but now…I don’t know. I guess I’m happy being closer to home at this stage of my life.”

  “You mean closer to that woman,” Adam scoffed. “Fine, I get it. Besides, I think you’ve lost your edge. That big wig New York attorney that would stop at nothing to reach his goal has disappeared.” He took a swig of his coffee.

  “You’re right. I’m not that person anymore. I work within the parameters of the law, not that I ever broke them before.”

  “No, but you bent plenty. And boy, could you bluff.” A hint of admiration shone in his friend’s eyes.

  He cringed at the memory of his ruthless nature. “I’ll never be that person again. Nothing could make me bend the rules so far again.”

  “Don’t lie to yourself,” Adam said casually. “Everyone has a price.”

  Eric opened his mouth to protest, but Adam quickly lifted his hand to stop him. “Don’t even bother arguing. We both know it’s true, even if you refuse to admit it.” He rubbed his hand through his hair and Eric noticed he still wore his wedding ring even though his divorce proceedings were in full swing.

  “You don’t really want that life either, do you?” Eric asked. Eric studied his friend for a moment. “I don’t get it. Why aren’t you back home, trying to work things out instead of here?”

  Adam chuckled and shook his head sadly. “I came here hoping to woo her. To give her the attention I didn’t for the past ten years. I thought if I brought her here, to this city, she’d, I don’t know, feel something again.”

  “Oh.” The regret and loneliness Eric could see in Adam’s eyes made him see his friend in a different light than he had the last couple of weeks. Adam wasn’t the confident, suave, womanizing businessman he’d thought, but a broken divorcee. Something inside Eric stirred, his desire to go home stronger than he’d ever felt.

  “If you’ve got something special with this girl,” Adam said, “then don’t screw it up. Don’t do what I did. I spent more time on acquisitions and sales than I did with my wife, and now she’s hooked up with some writer want-a-be. He’s passionate and giving.” Adam made quotation marks in the air with his fingers, something Eric never thought he’d see in his life. “Even my money wasn’t enough to keep her with me.”

  “I’m sorry, man.” Eric thought for a moment, trying to find the right words. “Perhaps she’s going through something, too. I’ve seen more than one marriage where the wife looked for something she wasn’t getting at home, only to discover it was no better.”

  “Really?” Adam’s face lit up. “Yeah, I mean, not like some writer is going to keep her happy. She doesn’t even like to read.”

  Eric smiled at his friend’s newfound hope. “Can I give you some advice?”

  “Sure.” Adam leaned forward eagerly, resting his elbows on his knees.

  “Go home. It’s going to be tough to see her with this other guy, but if you want to fight for her, you can’t do it from here. Love isn’t about the location. It’s about your actions.”

  “I guess all those years in school actually taught you something.” Adam reached across the coffee table and slugged Eric’s arm. “Now, it’s my turn. Can I ask you a question, without you running from the room?”

  “Sure.” Eric took a tentative sip of his coffee, trying not to gag on the secretary’s idea of a medium roast.

  “You ready?” Adam ran a finger around the rim of his mug. “I’ve never pried, but I know how destroyed you were after Mary Lynn’s death. You know, it wasn’t your fault, man. She had issues. You tried to help, but marrying the girl wouldn’t have saved her. You need to let go of the guilt.”

  Eric’s lungs clenched tight. Even her name caused him gut-wrenching pain. “It’s not so much the guilt.”

  Adam’s brows furrowed. “Then what is it? Why have you avoided women like the plague ever since the accident?”

  “You sure I won’t lose my man card for this one?” Eric joked, trying to ease the tension and threat of crumbling in front of his old friend and business partner.

  “You’re safe.” Adam smiled.

  “I’m scared. If it hurt that bad to lose someone I cared about, and a little one I didn’t even know about, what if I have a wife and child and lose them? I still have night terrors, images of her in the car, the blood, the doctor telling me the baby was dead.” Eric’s voice broke. “Sorry, man. Never spoke about this aloud, to anyone. You best not judge.”

  “Eric.” Adam gave him a sympathetic look. “It makes perfect sense. Perhaps a year ago I wouldn’t have understood what you’re saying, but today I do. I know it’s not the same, but losing my heart has turned me inside out. It’s all I can do to get out of bed and get dressed in the morning. Life hurts sometimes, in an I-want-to-punch-everyone’s-lights-out sort of way, but that doesn’t mean we stop trying. If you love this woman—”

  “I just met her.”

  Adam laughed. “I knew I loved my wife by our second date, when she told me point blank to get over myself. She was the perfect balance of spunk and beauty. You’ve talked to this woman for weeks, every night you could. Trust me, man. You love her. So, get your sorry ass on a plane and go tell her how you feel.”

  Eric took in a jagged breath. “Okay, on one condition.”

  “What’s that?” Adam asked.

  “You get your sorry a
ss on a plane and go tell your wife how you really feel.” Eric stood and offered his hand to his old friend.

  “Deal.” Adam gripped his hand and tugged him in for a half-hug over the coffee table. Then he retreated to his desk. “Olivia, make a reservation for Eric Gaylord on the next flight to Nashville, Tennessee and call for a car to take him to the airport. Then book a flight for me.” He lifted his finger off the button and the speaker cut out, only to cut back on.

  “Where to, Mr. Parez?” Olivia asked.

  “Home. I want to go home.”

  Chapter Eighteen

  “Hi, Mrs. Mortan.” Dr. Hendricks gripped her hand in both of his in a gentle handshake then ushered her to a seat in his office.

  “It’s Miss Mortan,” she replied shyly. Feeling like the town tramp, she fixed her eyes to the floor at her feet.

  “Miss Mortan. May I ask a personal question?” Dr. Hendricks asked.

  “Yes, of course.”

  “Do you plan on continuing with the pregnancy?”

  She knew this was coming, but still it hurt. “Trust me, if I didn’t have an abortion yet, I’m not going to.” She dragged her eyes from the floor and met his gaze. “I’ll be a good mother. Anything and everything my baby needs, it’ll have. There’s no other option to me than being the best mother I can be. I realize the baby will be born without a father, but I’ll do my best.” Her gaze dropped to the floor again. “I, uh, thought about adoption, but it’s not for me.”

  Dr. Hendricks took out a prescription pad and started scribbling on it. “I only ask so I’ll know how to properly care for you.” He set the pen and pad down. “I’ve delivered many babies to families with both a mother and a father, and trust me when I say, it isn’t always the best situation. Being a single mother has its challenges, but as long as you love your child, it makes it all worth it.”

  Lisa lifted her chin. “Thank you.”

  He smiled, his thick silver hair falling over his brow, and he smoothed it back. “Now, your job as a mother has already begun.” He opened her chart. “Your blood pressure is elevated. Are you under any undue stress? Is the antique store proving too taxing on you?”