by MINK
I look down as my eyes begin to water. They’re both using me to get control over the company. I have a feeling Mike was being used for the same reason. My father picked someone close to him to try to set me up with so that he could control me. I’m sure they have some deal worked out already, but I hadn't fallen for it. I’d stayed away from Mike. Liam, though, that one worked.
“It’s not like that,” Liam says.
I try to step away from his hold, but he doesn't release me.
“Let. Go.” I’m surprised by the heat in my own voice.
“Sunshine.”
“I said let go.” This time I’m louder. Now everyone is turning to look. It doesn’t help that we’re in the center of the dance floor. Liam has to peel his arm from me. I can tell that it takes all of his control to do it.
“Sunshine, look at me.”
I can’t help myself. I look up into his eyes.
“You were right,” I tell him. “You really did give me something to cry about.”
He sucks in a breath. I take another step back.
“I’ll take you home.” Mike reaches for me.
“Don’t touch her,” Liam snaps.
I back away from all of them. I’m not going home with anyone.
“Come on.” Mike reaches for me again.
Liam moves fast. In one shot, he nails Mike right in the jaw. I’m momentarily shocked, but I know this is my moment. My one chance. Everyone rushes over to try and break up the fight. I run, pushing through the people. When I break free of the building and down the stairs, I find Carter there leaning up against the car.
“Please take me home.” I can’t stop the tears rolling down my cheeks.
“Mr. Baxter?” he asks and looks behind me.
I shake my head.
“Get in.” He opens the door for me. Seconds later, he pulls away from the curb.
“Thank you.” I didn't think he was going to do it. Liam is his boss, after all.
“You probably don’t want to hear this, because I’m guessing you’re hurt and pissed at him right now. Don’t know why and I’m not going to pry.” My eyes meet his in the rearview mirror. “But Mr. Baxter gave strict instructions that your safety and needs come first. You can thank me but I’m only doing my job. I’m following his instructions and doing my job.”
Carter's words give me a glimmer of hope, but it’s hard to hold on to. It could be just another part of his ploy to control me. So many times in my life I always look to the positive. Try to find the good. To smile. But this time, even though I try to dig deep, the sadness and disappointment put a damper on my mood. The only person that never lets me down is Mr. Grumpy Pants. He’s going to hear all about this when I get home. It’s times like this that I wish July was around or at least a phone call away to talk this through. I sigh, looking out the window, telling myself I’ll be okay.
17
Liam
When I run out of the gala, my driver is gone, so I get a cab. I call Georgia, but she sends me to voicemail each time. Fuck. I should’ve told her the truth about my initial intentions when it came to hiring her.
I’ve screwed up so, so badly. The hurt in her eyes was like a dagger through me. I call again and again, and offer the driver double his fare if he can just get me to her apartment building as fast as possible.
When I finally arrive, I run inside and press her apartment buzzer. She doesn’t answer it, so I keep my finger on it until it cuts out and her voice comes through.
“Go away.” She sounds so broken.
I did that. I’m the man who finally wiped that sweet smile off her face, and the shame of it filters through me. “Please, Georgia. Let me up.”
“No. You lied to me.”
“I did.” I press my forehead against the cool wall. “I paid someone to hack your computer so that you’d see my job opening and apply for it. I wanted you to work for me to get to your father.”
“You hacked me?” At least now she sounds more aghast than sad. I’ll take that.
“Yes. And I had him get me your information, history, all of it. He even went through to see who you talked to on your phone most often--July. And he noticed you’d blocked that Mike guy.” I keep my tone as even as possible even though I want to punch that shithead again. “I did all those things. But the moment you walked in my doors--without knocking--all of that changed.”
“Why did you do those things? Just to get my father's business? That’s what I am to you. Just business. He was right. You are just like him.”
“No, listen. Your father dated my mother for a while last year. When he left, he stole her cosmetics company out from under her and left her broken-hearted.” I bounce my forehead on the wall. “That’s not an excuse for my behavior. It’s just an explanation. The reason I’ve done all this is because he hurt her so badly, used her, and then tossed her aside. I’ve been on a mission to break him ever since.”
She sniffles. “But you broke me instead.”
“Please, sunshine. Please let me come up.”
A loud meow comes through the speaker. I can’t exactly tell, but Mr. Grumpy Pants doesn’t seem too happy.
“No. You should go.” Her last word gets caught on a sob, but she continues, “You got what you wanted. I’m going to take my half of his business and give it to my mom. He treated her the same as he did your mother. So you’ve won. He’ll be livid, and his company will no longer be just his.”
“I haven’t won. Not until I have you. I love you, Georgia. I know it’s too soon and sudden and maybe even cliché, but it’s true. I’ve loved you from the moment you walked in without knocking. My life was a dark, windowless room until you showed up to brighten it. I need you, sunshine. I love you.”
Her crying rips my heart to shreds. I want to bust through the doors and take the stairs two at a time to her apartment, but I can’t. The power is hers. It always has been. I live and die on a word from her lips.
“Please, sunshine. Let me show you I mean every word.”
She sniffles again, her breath shuddering through the speaker. “No. I need to think. Just go.”
My stomach sinks, and I stand there for a few more minutes, hoping to hear the door buzz. Hell, I’d love for someone to walk in so I could follow them to the elevator and pretend I live here, but no one appears, the door remains locked, and my sunshine hasn’t said another word.
I take a deep breath and turn, then walk out to the building’s entrance. Dropping to the stairs, I sit and lean against the building. A faint drizzle begins to fall, turning the skyscraper lights into glowing orbs in the distance. But the rain doesn’t bother me. I’ll sit here in my tux as long as I have to. My devotion isn’t going to change with a few drops of rain or odd looks from passersby. I’m here, and I’ll always be here for Georgia. She deserves nothing less.
So I settle in against the concrete at my back and wait for my sun to rise.
18
Georgia
My heart hurts. The ache in my chest is so painful it makes it hard to breathe. This is why I always try to be so happy. I know what can lie on the other side. I wipe the tears that stream down my face. Mr. Grumpy Pants circles my feet, weaving in and out of them. I try to stop the crying because it’s upsetting him but I can’t. I wait for my phone to ring again or the door buzzer to go off again but neither of those things happen. Did he really leave? I know I told him to but…I don’t know. I’m so confused. Even though he hurt me, the sadness in his voice tells me that he’s sorry.
A knock sounds at my door. “I told you to leave!” I shout. A small amount of relief fills me that he’s still here. I really am a mess. I want him to leave, but him leaving actually feels more upsetting.
“It’s me, you little cry baby.”
“Mrs. Wilson?” I walk to the door and peek out.
It’s her. She’s never knocked on my door. Not even to return one of the Tupperware containers that I’d given her filled with baked goods. Her hands are empty, so that’s not the
reason she’s here. When I open the door, she gives me a once-over.
“Will you stop all that crying? I’m trying to watch my stories.” She attempts to give me her normal stern look but I can see it in her eyes. She’s not here to scold me. Not really.
“I’m trying.” I sniffle.
She pushes on the door, letting herself in. I step back, because, honestly, I could use someone to talk to about all of this. I never bring this sort of stuff to my mom because she’d worry and, most of all, she’s been through enough.
“You got any more of those brownies?”
I shake my head. I’d given them all to her. I could use one myself right now.
“I can make you some more.” I start to head toward the kitchen.
Maybe baking will take my mind off Liam. I should keep busy. Mrs. Wilson is a genius for thinking of this. Before I can get very far, I feel her hand on my arm. I turn around to face her.
“Sit down, Georgia.” She motions toward the sofa. “I wanna know why you’re crying and why there is a man in a tux sitting outside in the rain waiting for someone to open the door so he can try and sneak in.”
“He’s--” I hiccup. “He’s still out there?” I look toward the windows and it is indeed raining.
“I thought I would need to be tough with you. Some people need me to be stern to get through whatever it is that they’re dealing with and some need sweet.” To my surprise she wraps an arm around me, pulling me close to her. She smells like some sort of heavy duty face cream and Rolaids. I inhale the granny scent to soothe my soul.
“Men don’t sit out in the rain for a girl unless they’re in love.” She pats my back gently.
“In love with getting his hands on my father’s company,” I snip back and let the betrayal I feel out into the universe instead of holding it inside where it’s eating me alive. How could he have lied to me and led me on? My heart begins to race with all the moments we shared together, wondering if any of them were real. Yet, deep inside of me, I know the answer to that.
“I heard you yell. You said you’re giving it to your mom. Still, he sits.” The little crotchety, kind of nice old lady has a point. I think back to when he pleaded over the intercom for me to forgive him. The pain in his voice wasn’t rehearsed or acted, it was genuine. My heart broke more hearing him in pain. The first day I saw him I told myself that I was going to bring sunshine into his life. I’d become his sunshine, and now I’ve taken it away.
“Did I mention how hot he is?”
My mouth falls open. “Mrs. Wilson!”
“I’m old, not dead,” she snaps back. I smile, unable to help myself. I think I like it more when she’s grumpy.
“Well, he’s mine.” I wipe my face.
“You’re going down in those kitten pajamas, aren't you?” Her eyes roam over me. Mr. Grumpy Pants sits on the coffee table giving Mrs. Wilson the stare-down.
“I should get myself one.” She points at him. He jumps off the coffee table and struts to his cat house. He wouldn’t let me take his suit off, so he still looks fancy.
“Let me pick one for you,” I offer as I stand. She needs a cat that’s extra sweet, I think. I’d love to see her rolling around with one of the darling yet snotty ragdoll kittens. That would be adorable. We all need some balance in our lives. I’m seeing that more now.
She stands with me, and I open the door for her, following her out. “Thank you,” I tell her as she reaches her door.
“You’re too sweet to cry.”
“Your being sweet is going to make me cry,” I admit.
She actually gives me a smile.
“Only I get to give you shit.” She shrugs before entering her apartment and letting the door close without a goodbye.
I hear the lock click into place. I turn and look down the stairs, making my mind up as I walk down them. My gut tells me Liam isn't lying. Still, it doesn't make it okay that he’d planned on using me. Did he plan to marry me and then take the company? Become friends with me and then talk me into it? Either way, both were manipulative on his part.
I can understand wanting to hurt someone who hurt your mom. It’s relatable, but not something that I have inside me to do. My mom also told me to let it go. I’ve tried, but tonight sealed my father’s fate with how I feel about him. His own mother knew how he was. Nana, rest her soul, left that company partially to me, and I’m going to do the right thing. With my head high and my shoulders back, I pull the door handle to the main floor. I barely get it open before Liam is pushing me back inside.
“It’s cold and rainy out.” His eyebrows draw together. “You shouldn’t be out here dressed like this.”
Me? He’s soaked from head to toe. I grab his cold hand and lead him up the stairs into my apartment as apologies fall from his slightly blue lips.
“Were you trying to marry me?” I ask.
That’s what I really need to be answered, because that would be messed up. It’s one thing to try and talk me into selling my part of the company, but another to try to get his hands on it because we were married. Honestly, I’m still shocked that I even have a part of the company. But I’m not surprised my father hid that important detail from me. There were so many times in my life that I’d wished my father would have been around more or spent more time with me. I realize now that I’m lucky he wasn’t around, because he’s a selfish human being who’s going to end up alone and miserable. I don’t want that for my life.
Turning to Liam, I let his hand go. “Answer the question.”
“Was I trying to marry you?” he asks. “I’m going to need you to be more clear.” He clenches his hands at his sides, and I know he wants to reach out and grab me but he’s trying to control himself.
“What do you mean? How can I be more clear?” I throw my hands up. I want answers that will unbreak my heart. That will, at least, make some of the hurt go away and lift the dark cloud that seems to hover over me.
He takes a deep breath, though it has a shiver to it. “Do you mean when I started this plan or after I met you?”
I think his words over. “Before,” I half whisper, getting a feeling I know what he means. My heart starts to pound.
“No.” He gives one shake of his head.
My ears start to tingle, my mind going fuzzy. “And now?”
“Yes.” He takes a step toward me. “All I want is you now. I hate your father but fuck me if he didn't give me you. I have to be thankful to him for that.” His words melt the last of my restraint, and I’m not willing to give my father the satisfaction of ruining this. I believe Liam. I know deep down inside he’s telling the truth.
He takes my hands in his. “I want to marry you, sunshine. Not so that I can take your company but because I’ve fallen in love with you. I’ll understand if you can’t forgive me or if you need time. But know that my days will be dark without you to light them.” He reaches up to wipe a lone tear from my cheek. “I need you. You can save me. Only you.” He leans down to kiss me, and I return it, knowing that he’s speaking the truth not just of our past, but of our future.
I may be his sunshine, but he’s my silver lining.
Epilogue
Liam
“Mr. Baxter?”
I turn to the officiant. “Yes?”
“I think we’re ready to begin.” He smiles and motions toward the church doors at the rear.
They open, and Mr. Grumpy Pants is escorted down the aisle by Georgia’s friend, July. He walks well on his lead and arrives with a curious look up at me.
July hands the lead to Bradley and takes her place opposite us.
It’s a small ceremony, but all of the most important people in our lives are here. Georgia insisted on inviting everyone from the office, so her side of the aisle has swelled and poured over into my sparser set of pews. Georgia’s mom is here, too, and she beams at Mr. Grumpy Pants for doing his part as a grooms-kitty. It only took her a couple of days to train him.
Bradley leans over. “You think that July chi
ck is into me?”
I glance at the maid of honor. “If she is, she’s a fool.”
“Right on.” He laughs and elbows me as she raises a brow.
I can’t be bothered with his tomfoolery at the moment, not when the doors are about to open up and reveal my greatest treasure. Scanning the crowd once more, I see that Duncan has refused to come. I knew he wouldn’t show up, not after Georgia signed over her half of the business to her mother. Duncan had a fit, but Georgia’s mother had him thrown out of their first board meeting together and has taken the reins. She ran her pet grooming business with an admirable acumen, and it seems she’s doing the same for the Lavine Assets holdings. She even appointed my mother CEO of the cosmetics company Duncan had stolen from her. If he wasn’t already livid, that sent him over the edge. So, no, he won’t be making an appearance. I didn’t want to invite him, but hope springs eternal with my sunshine, so she mailed him the invitation.
“You invited Jim from the mailroom?” Bradley jerks his head to the back row.
“Of course not.”
“And Kurt just waltzed in with a pair of brunettes. Nice.” Bradley nods.
He’s just talking to keep my nerves at bay. But he doesn’t have to. I’m not nervous. I’m brimming with anticipation. Georgia didn’t let me see the dress, and when I tried to get her to open up before the ceremony so I could get a taste of her, she refused. That’s earned her a spanking, which I believe was her intention. I rub my hands together.
The string quartet begins to play a beautiful rendition of “At Last,” and I smile at the selection. Georgia always has the perfect touch.
The doors finally open, and Georgia appears.
My heart can’t seem to beat fast enough as she walks toward me, her eyes bright. She couldn’t be more beautiful. Her white dress with the lace at the top and the satin skirt was made for her--literally. It hugs every curve, caressing her soft skin and anointing her a goddess.
