by Donna Alward
Molly’s words came back to him. “You’re like that guy in Pretty Woman. He didn’t build or make anything, either.”
She was right. He didn’t. He bought and discarded just as quickly, making a profit as he went. He could justify it all he wanted, from a business perspective, but the truth was he had never seen anything all the way through. Not even his marriage. His priorities had been upside down for years.
Eric tapped his fingertips on his desk, wondering if he were being absolutely crazy. He pulled up some files, ran some numbers. Grabbed a coffee and played around some more, and then popped out to his assistant’s office. “Hey, Greg? I need to call a meeting.”
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
MOLLY WAITED OUTSIDE the Boylston Street café and tried not to hyperventilate. When Eric had messaged and asked her to meet for lunch during his business trip, she’d agreed. She wanted to see him. Needed to. Maybe this whole thing would be for naught when they were in the real world. It was entirely possible that their affair had been a vacation thing and, when put in the actual context of their lives, would prove to be a nonstarter.
Of course, there was also the chance that she would see him and want to throw herself into his arms because she’d missed him that much.
She figured he was in town about the deal and she wasn’t going to ask him about it. Truthfully, it was none of her business. Just this morning she’d met with the executive director of a local nonprofit and she was hopeful that soon she’d be gainfully employed, after only three weeks at loose ends. It was far less glamorous than her previous position, and the pay was nowhere near close to the same, but it was a start, and she felt as if she might help make a difference in the lives of some underprivileged kids. At least it felt like a worthwhile purpose.
The September day was cool, so for her interview she’d dressed in black leggings with knee-high heeled boots, a tunic-style sweater in china blue and a scarf looped carelessly around her neck. While the outfit was slightly more casual than she’d normally wear, she’d dressed it up with her favorite Coach bag and several silver bangles.
She’d be lying if she said she hadn’t dressed with Eric in mind, too.
She caught sight of him crossing the street and her heart thudded against her ribs. Oh, he looked so good. He was in a suit, the button of his jacket undone, but wearing a tie, and he looked delicious. Their eyes met and there was the initial shock of recognition, and then a smile bloomed on his face, a glorious expression of welcome and happiness. She grinned back and walked toward him, trying to keep her steps measured and calm. When they met in the middle of the sidewalk, there was an awkward moment. She wanted nothing more than to lean in and greet him with a kiss. It felt like the natural thing to do. But there was too much undecided and unsaid, so instead she moved in for a hug.
It seemed he had the same idea because his gaze dropped to her mouth, but then he put his arms around her briefly before stepping back and cradling her face in his hands.
“Damn, but it’s good to see you.”
She couldn’t stop smiling. “You, too.”
He dropped his hands and let out a breath. “I was nervous as hell about that. I wasn’t sure you’d want to see me.”
“I know.” She looked up at him and shrugged, the memory of their last morning together washing over her. “The way we left things...”
“I’m so sorry about that.”
“Me too.”
“I’ve got a lot to tell you. Should we go in?”
The café had, in Molly’s opinion, the best sandwiches in Boston, and that was saying something. She was famished—between the interview and meeting Eric she hadn’t been able to eat a thing all day. They were seated fairly quickly and the drink orders were taken before they had a chance to talk at all. Once their sparkling water arrived, they each took a sip and then met each other’s eyes.
“You look good, Molly.”
“So do you. No yoga pants for me today.”
“How’s the break treating you? You getting some perspective?”
She toyed with her glass. “Actually, I had an interview today. For a nonprofit here in the city. I’ll know in the next few days if it’s a go.”
“Nothing high-profile anymore?” He took another sip and put down his glass.
“No, at least not now. If we’re being honest... I’m pretty set financially, between what I made at the firm and, well, my trust fund. Ugh. That makes me sound like such a spoiled brat. Anyway, the pay cut won’t affect me much. And the hours are decent. I’m still donating my time to the opioid clinic.”
“You sound happier.”
“I am. This new job... The foundation works with underprivileged kids to help them with postsecondary education.” She went on to tell him about some of the initiatives they had in place and the scholarship programs. “Applying felt right,” she said, opening her menu. “When I was doing family law, the custody battles were what used to get me the most. It was always the kids. Maybe now I can help put lives together rather than pulling them apart.”
He nodded. “You like children.”
“I haven’t been around them a whole lot. Being an only child, I have no nieces or nephews. My friends are just getting married or starting families now. But I met families in my job, and the kids always looked so lost or angry.”
“Which is why I’m glad Murielle and I didn’t have children. I didn’t make time for her, you know? So I wouldn’t have with kids, either. But I like them. My brothers’ kids are all in school. One just turned thirteen. He’s really fun. Into video games and all charm, too. If he goes into the dealership, he’ll be a top salesman, no question.”
She laughed a little. It was hard to believe she was actually sitting across from him after over a month apart. “You saw your family, then?”
He nodded. “I did. It’s been good. More than good.”
The waitress came over and took their orders, and they handed over their menus before resuming their conversation.
“Molly, I came here today to tell you that you were right.”
Her lips dropped open in surprise. “Me? Right? How?”
“About my business. About me. It didn’t quite click until I went back home and took a good hard look at my family, my relationships, my business.”
“I don’t quite follow.”
He put his hands on the edge of the table. “As much as I hate to admit it, I’m a runner. Remember what you said to me when I told you what business I was in? You told me that I break things up into parts and sell them. I don’t fix them or rebuild them—the only thing I’ve built is EPC Industries, and really, that’s just the mechanism I use to make money and do business with short-term commitments.”
“I remember.” She wasn’t sure at all where he was going with it, but she was ready to listen. Clearly this was a big thing to him.
“It wasn’t until I talked to my mom that I started to understand and put it all together. I was young when my dad left us. My mom told me she remembers me asking if it was my fault. That if I’d been a better son, my dad would have stayed with us. Of course it wasn’t my fault. I know that now. But at the time, I suppose it made sense that I closed myself off a bit. My mom was devastated. So was I. And if I never allowed myself to get too invested in anything, I’d never be hurt like that again.”
It was a huge revelation to be dropped in the middle of a café, and Molly was prevented from replying by the arrival of their meals. The sandwiches came with fresh-cut house fries, and Molly dipped one in ketchup before biting off the end. It gave her a little more time to consider her response, because right now she was picturing Eric as a hurt little boy, curled up in his mother’s arms. It gave her heart a painful twist to think of him that lost and insecure.
“You know,” she finally said, her voice soft, “I used to see kids like you in my office. Sitting with their moms or dads, wondering wha
t the hell had happened to their secure world. Have you spoken to your father since he left?”
“He sent a letter when each of us graduated. I burned it.”
She nodded. No contact, no child support—Eric’s mom had been truly on her own. “Your mother must be a very strong woman. Three boys would have been a challenge.”
“She’s the best.”
“Which is why it hurt when your relationship got strained.”
He nodded again. “My ego. And my overdeveloped sense of self-preservation. I’m very good at making money. It doesn’t seem like a noble endeavor, but I think it stems from the fact that we never had enough growing up. We barely made rent. Sometimes we turned the heat off to save money. My grandparents gave us food a lot.”
“So you went a little Scarlett O’Hara? I’ll never be hungry again?”
“Yeah. Except I think I went overboard with that ambition and somehow equated that with being, I don’t know, better. My brothers are great men. Family men, running a business and supporting them.” He gave her a soft smile. “I’m starting to see that I can learn a lot from them.”
“That’s a huge deal. Maybe the trip away was good for you on a personal development level, too.”
“I’m a work in progress, what can I say?” He grinned and picked up his sandwich.
She smiled a little. “Aren’t we all? Thank you for telling me, Eric. I’m so glad you and your family are getting along better.”
They each took a bite of their sandwiches, though for Molly it seemed more out of obligation than actual hunger at this point. So far he’d said nothing about their relationship.
Eric dabbed his lips and then put down his napkin. “There’s more,” he said. “About Atlantic Bionics.”
She dipped another fry, trying to stay nonchalant but unbearably curious. “All right. What’s up?”
“I had a meeting this morning. I’m still buying the company, but we’re staying. I mean, we’re not dismantling anything. I’m going to help them fix it. Whether that means expansion or moving the manufacturing arm somewhere else and ramping up R and D, I don’t know. But you were right in the plane that morning. It’s a good company with important work. So EPC is going to invest the time and resources to get it in the black again.”
She nearly dropped her French fry. “Are you serious?”
“Completely.” He smiled at her. “And can I tell you a little secret? It feels really good. I want to see this through. I have you to thank for that.”
So that was his big bombshell for today. He was going all in with the Bionics deal. Apologizing for his reaction in the seaplane. A part of her rejoiced. This was the man who’d been on the trip. Seeing him so happy, so changed...was incredible.
But he hadn’t said anything about them. Nothing about still caring for her or wanting to be with her. When they’d agreed to meet, she hadn’t really known what to expect or what she really wanted. Now that she didn’t have it, she knew what she’d wanted was to be asked for another chance. To give them a try and see if they could make it work.
He hadn’t mentioned any of that. Just that it was good to see her. Thanking her for her “help.”
Her mind darted back to the trip and the nights they’d spent together. It had been transcendent. Maybe the real world was different after all. That was the Eric she wanted back. But it didn’t seem to be what he was offering, and it was hard not to feel disappointed.
“Are you okay? You’ve hardly touched your sandwich.”
She looked down at the lobster roll and felt her appetite disappear. “Oh. It’s fine. I think I’m just hitting post-interview letdown or something. I didn’t sleep much last night.”
Her lack of sleep had had nothing to do with the interview and everything to do with seeing him again.
“I’m sorry. I hope you get it, though. You deserve to be happy, Molly.”
“I’m working my way there, I think.” But her earlier enthusiasm was gone.
“That’s good. Really good.”
The conversation had got stilted, and they ate a respectable amount before Molly pushed back her plate and said she was full, leaving half her sandwich and two-thirds of her fries. “The portions are very big,” she offered and took a drink of her water.
“I should get back, too. I’m staying in Waltham for a few days, working out of a temporary office on site.”
She had nothing on her schedule. Absolutely nothing for the evening. Her empty apartment and a few hours of volunteer work the next day. At this rate she was thinking she’d need to get a cat because she was lonely.
He paid the bill and they walked outside into the September sunshine. It was Molly’s favorite time of year, when the days cooled but the leaves hadn’t really started to turn much yet. The sun seemed to gild everything with a mellow glow. It did a little to pick up her mood, but not much.
“It was really good to see you, Eric,” she said, folding her hands in front of her. “I’m so glad you’re finding your way to being happier.”
“It’s not perfect,” he replied, his dark eyes holding hers. “There are a few pieces missing. But I’m working on it. I hope to have everything in place really soon.”
“I’m sure you’ll figure it out.” She offered her warmest smile, while crying a bit on the inside. This wasn’t the Eric she’d got to know in Canada. This Eric was more reserved. Cautious. Or perhaps, less interested.
“Can I call you again, Molly? I’m going to be in Massachusetts quite often as we get this off the ground.”
“Of course.” What else could she say?
“Okay. Take care, all right? And I’ll be in touch.”
He leaned forward and kissed the crest of her cheek. During the brief contact, she closed her eyes and held her breath, trying to imprint the moment on her memory forever. The feel of his soft lips, the nearness of him, the scent of his cologne. All too soon he stepped back. His eyes were questioning as he looked into her face, but he said nothing.
“Bye, Eric,” she said quietly and turned away.
All it would have taken was one word, one small question, to ask if she still wanted to try. If she cared, or wanted to go on a date, or whatever. But he hadn’t said anything. He’d made all these great and tough changes in his life. Surely he could have said how he felt.
But he’d said nothing, and that said it all.
She gathered her dignity and walked away.
* * *
He’d blown it.
Eric sat in his temporary office in Waltham and put his head into his hands. It had been going so well at lunch, and then he’d watched the shadow fall over her face and she’d completely closed off. Then he hadn’t known what to do. The timing had been all wrong to open up about his feelings, and the more the lunch went on, the more he’d panicked about what to say. In the end he hadn’t said half of what he’d wanted to, but what was the point if Molly wasn’t interested?
He simply didn’t understand. She’d looked so happy to see him, and then in the middle of lunch she’d just looked...disappointed. What had he done wrong?
There was a knock on the frame of his door and one of the office assistants poked her head inside. “Mr. Chambault? There’s a Dr. O’Neill here to see you. He’s a bit early for his appointment.”
“That’s okay. Send him in.”
“Would you like some coffee, sir? I can bring some in.”
“That would be great, Megan. Thank you.”
She beamed, seemingly pleased by the simple fact that he’d remembered her name and been polite. Good heavens. What had their work environment been like before?
When Dr. O’Neill stepped inside Eric’s office, Eric recognized him immediately. He’d wondered why the name sounded familiar—now he knew. He’d been Molly’s date at the benefit. And the one to ask her to work with them to save the facility.
He shouldn’t be jealous, but he was. This man and Molly were friends. Heck, maybe they were more than friends. But he was also one of the top vascular surgeons in the country. He cared a lot about the future of Atlantic Bionics and had a wealth of knowledge to share.
“Come in, Dr. O’Neill. Megan’s coming back with some coffee. Is there anything else you’d like?”
They shook hands—a good firm handshake—and then O’Neill shook his head. “No, I’m fine. I got off shift a while ago and grabbed a bite at the hospital. I see you’re settling in.”
“I am. I head back to Montreal at the first of the week, but I’m going to keep an office here, too, so I can be hands-on now and again. This is all new territory to me.”
“So I gather. We were surprised to hear you were going to stick it out, to be honest.”
“No more surprised than me,” he admitted, gesturing toward a plush seating area. “But sometimes life throws us curveballs. Good ones.”
“Like Molly Quinn?”
Eric stilled, but O’Neill took a seat in one of the chairs and crossed his ankle over his knee.
Eric followed suit, relaxing his face into an easy smile. He’d been in business too long to let his weaknesses show. “Of course. Molly’s great. And she was right about this place.”
“Eric... Can I call you Eric? And you can call me Ryan. I didn’t come to see you about the business. Not today, anyway.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Ryan, if this is about Molly... I’m not about to talk about my personal life. If you want to talk about the consultancy...”
Ryan waved a hand and wrinkled his brow, looking annoyed. “Yeah, yeah. You know I’ll help with that. This place has potential that has never been fully realized. It needs your business acumen and my medical expertise. Or others like me. You might not want me after I say what I’ve come to say.”
Megan picked that moment to interrupt with coffee. She put the tray down on the coffee table and quietly left. Both men picked up their cups and sipped, leaving their coffee black.
