Walk on the Wild Side

by Donna Kauffman

  Thirty minutes and six phone calls later she came up for air again. She had two hours before the meeting with the corporate heads and her grandfather had requested a phone conference to discuss strategy beforehand. She glanced at her calendar and picked up the phone to call Nick, then realized he would be in the middle of his weekly staff meeting and put the phone down.

  She massaged her temples, letting her mind stray to dangerous territory. Nick. She missed him terribly. As she did the rest of the D’Angelo family. Haddon Hall had never felt colder. Which was why she put in sixteen-hour days at Chandler’s. It wasn’t family here, unless you called minnows and sharks a family, but here she could stay busy enough to not have to think about Nick. And the choices she had to make.

  She missed him. She wanted him as much if not more than she had the day she left D’Angelos. She had known time off would be a rare commodity, and they’d discussed that. Nick had been more understanding than she might have been if their situations were reversed, and yet he’d given every indication that he was still interested in pursuing their relationship. He didn’t pressure her…and maybe a part of her wished he would. But there was another part of her that was relieved. And that was precisely what she’d been trying to ignore.

  She’d expected the immense workload, the loneliness. What she hadn’t counted on was that, except for that last part…she liked it. No. She had to be honest. She loved it. Thrived on it. As much as it pained her to admit it—to herself and to her grandparents—they’d been right. She was cut out for this.

  But how could she tell Nick?

  This wasn’t going to be a short-term thing where her work schedule would let up after the merger. If anything, it would get busier. The challenge energized her like nothing in her life ever had. Except perhaps her feelings for Nick.

  So, what was she going to do? She couldn’t expect Nick to wait around for the crumbs of time she could give him, nor would she want him to. But she didn’t want him to leave, either. The very idea of never seeing him again was too painful to imagine. She wanted—

  What did she want?

  She knew what she wanted. She wanted it all. And, as of right now, she had not one clue how she could make that happen. Which was why she’d focused on work instead.

  Her intercom buzzed, startling her out of her troubled thoughts. She pressed the button. “Yes, Peggy?”

  “Mrs. Chandler here to see you, ma’am.”

  Grandmother? Sunny hadn’t worked here long, but she had lived at Haddon Hall almost her entire life, and as far as she knew, Frances ruled the roost there and let Edwin rule his empire here. The twain rarely met.

  “Send her in.”

  She automatically smoothed her hair and winced as she shoved her toes into her shoes. She was halfway to the door when Frances entered. Sunny faltered before continuing.

  “Grandmother, what a nice surprise.” Sunny didn’t have to look very hard to see the lines of fatigue and worry in her grandmother’s normally calm and collected expression.

  “Can I get you some tea?”

  “No, thank you, Susan. I need to discuss something with you.”

  Sunny gave her grandmother a peck on the cheek and a light hug, something she’d been making Frances endure ever since her return from D’Angelos, but the older woman smoothly bypassed Sunny and crossed to the small grouping of stuffed leather chairs that fronted a monstrosity of a fireplace opposite her desk.

  Frances sat, her bearing as regal as a queen’s, awaiting Sunny’s compliance with her forthcoming decree.

  Suppressing a sigh of disappointment, Sunny crossed the room and sat in the chair opposite her grandmother. “What do you need to discuss with me?” she inquired politely. She was too tired to press her own agenda. She’d play Frances’s way this time around.

  “The gala we’re having with the Madison people.”

  Sunny nodded, though she was baffled why Frances was mentioning this, much less making the trip to do it in person. Chandler was hosting the function so that the corporate heads of both merging companies could meet on a social level. The hope, of course, was that some of the more delicate kinks in the business deal could be worked out over hors d’oeuvres and champagne.

  “I’m not sure what it is I can do to help. Is it the guest list?”

  “Heavens, no. That was taken care of months ago.”

  Sunny waited, but Frances was silent. Sunny had no idea what she was expected to say. “Are you certain I can’t get you some tea?” Rule number one in polite society—when in doubt, serve something.

  “Perhaps I will. Thank you.”

  Sunny went to her desk, her mind rifling through all the possible reasons for her grandmother being here. She discreetly buzzed for Peggy to bring them tea. As soon as she sat down again, the answer hit her like a ton of bricks.

  “Grandfather. Has something happened?”

  For the first time in possibly Frances’s entire life, certainly for as long as Sunny had been alive, Frances’s expression crumpled. Sunny was out of her seat in a shot, kneeling in front of her grandmother, taking her hands. They were icy and tight with tension.

  “What’s happened?” She rubbed her grandmother’s hands, hoping to give her some warmth and comfort. “Is he all right?”

  Frances struggled to compose herself, but even though she regained control of her facial expression, her eyes mirrored abject fear. “He’s had…another setback.” Her voice was shaky, and Sunny was afraid she was going to cry.

  She’d never understood just how much she relied on her grandmother to be an anchor, perpetually composed in the face of every obstacle. In that moment, she felt petty and horribly selfish for wanting Frances to be all that and warm and loving, too. She’d never realized how much of her strength and balance she’d gotten from the woman whose hands she was clinging to.

  “He’s back in the hospital. They say he’ll be fine, but—” Her voice caught, and Sunny watched her fierce struggle for control. She could only guess at how mortifying this was for Frances, and immediately did what she could to preserve what was left of her grandmother’s dignity.

  Sunny stood and returned to her desk, punching the button for Peggy. “Have them bring Mrs. Chandler’s car around to the private entrance, please. Thank you, Peggy.”

  She turned to her grandmother, who was standing, but looking a bit lost. “Susan—”

  “I want you to go be with Grandfather. Just tell me who I need to talk to about the gala and I’ll make certain all the details are taken care of.”

  Her grandmother nodded, then her shoulders straightened and she crossed to the door, gloves and purse in hand. She turned. “I’ll leave the list with your secretary.”

  “Good.”

  Frances started to open the door, then stopped and looked at Sunny. There was a fine tremor in her voice when she spoke. “Thank you, Susan. We’re very proud of you, Edwin and I. You’ve grown into such a fine, accomplished woman. We always knew we could count on you to do the right thing. And you’ve done it very well.”

  On a whisper of silk, she was gone.

  Stunned, Sunny sat on her desk and burst into tears.

  15

  SUNNY PACED the Haddon Hall ballroom, the click of her heels echoing on the inlaid wood floor. She tried to focus on the upcoming gala event and the myriad details she was responsible for. However, the solution to her biggest problem was due to arrive any minute, and that was all she could think about.

  Nick.

  She hadn’t seen him in two weeks. Had barely talked to him in the past five days. The deeper she sank into the chaotic, exciting affairs of Chandler Enterprises, the more she worried that her relationship with Nick was over.

  Until she was given what she hoped was a reprieve. Now came the hard part. She had to find out if he still wanted to make it work as badly as she did. She no longer had any idea. She thought back to their last night together. The festival seemed so long ago…and just like yesterday, all at the same time. She remembered t
hat look in his eyes, both on the dance floor and after they’d made love. She’d tortured herself with it many times. Had he intended to tell her he loved her? Had her insecurities kept him from saying it? And now…despite telling her he didn’t want to end it, was he glad he’d never said those words?

  Vincent, the Chandlers’ houseman, stepped quietly into the room. “Your guest has arrived, miss.”

  “Show him in, Vincent.”

  “It’s a her, miss. Madame D’Angelo.”

  Sunny’s heart sank. She missed Nick’s sisters terribly, but she thought they’d understand just how disappointed she was at that moment. But it was Mama Bennie who stepped into the ballroom. She was using her cane, and made her way slowly into the room.

  “Mama Bennie, what a nice surprise.”

  “I know you were expecting Niccolo, but there was a problem with Carlo that he had to see to personally, so I decided to come for him.” She looked around. “Quite the dance hall you have here.”

  Sunny grinned. “We’re party animals, us Chandlers.” She was terribly disappointed that Nick wasn’t coming, but when Mama Bennie folded her into her arms for a warm hug and kiss, Sunny felt tears spring to her eyes. “I’ve missed you,” she said emotionally.

  “We all miss you, too, Sunny. When are you coming home?”

  Well, nothing like getting to the heart of the matter. Sunny took a breath and gestured toward the arrangement of chairs in the corner near the French doors. “Why don’t we have a seat.”

  “I understand you need some help.”

  Sunny settled into her chair, knowing Bennie hadn’t forgotten her last question, but grateful she was going to be given a reprieve. For the moment anyway. “My grandfather has taken a turn for the worse. He’ll be fine, but he’s back in the hospital. Frances is being pulled in too many directions and so I agreed to take on helping with the big gala she is organizing to celebrate the merger going through.”

  “I’m sorry to hear about Edwin, dear,” Bennie said, reaching over to pat her hand.

  Sunny must be more stressed than she’d thought. All Bennie had to do was touch her and the waterworks threatened. It was all she could do not to fling herself at Bennie and sob about how badly she’d missed them all and beg her to help her find a solution to all her problems with her relationship with Nick.

  Calling on all of Frances’s formidable training, she managed to smile calmly instead. “Thank you.”

  “What do you need us for?”

  Everything. She almost said it out loud. How had she survived without their loving warmth these past two weeks? The answer was—barely.

  “We’ve used the same caterer for years and had retained them for this function, as well,” Sunny said, “but I found out this morning that the head chef has quit and run off with the owner’s wife.”

  Bennie’s eyes twinkled. “Interesting turn of events.”

  Sunny felt a little stress leave her. “Yes. And as much as I hate to impose on you, I need some help.”

  For the first time since coming in the room, Bennie frowned. “You’re like family to us, Sunny. We’d be hurt if you went elsewhere. I take it you need someone to cater this little event of yours.”

  “It’s a gala. Two hundred people. In two weeks.” She winced, waiting.

  Bennie simply smiled. “We’ve handled worse.” She shifted in her seat. “Have you told your grandmother?”

  Sunny didn’t have to ask what she meant. D’Angelos might have been the number-one choice to cater weddings, communions, wakes and the like in their own neighborhood, but it was quite a different matter here. She held Bennie’s gaze and said, “Frances left me in charge of this shindig. I’ll handle things as I see fit, and she’ll just have to deal with it. If she doesn’t like how I’ve taken care of things, then she’ll find someone else next time.”

  Bennie tapped her cane on the floor and smiled. “That’s our Sunny.” She reached over and patted Sunny’s knee. “We’ll take care of it.”

  She blew out a sigh of relief. “Thank you, Mama Bennie. You don’t know what this means to me.”

  “It means you know who to ask when you need help. Now, why don’t you ask me about Niccolo.”

  Sunny sputtered for a moment, caught off guard. The twinkle in Bennie’s eyes told her that was exactly what she’d meant to do.

  “The boy mopes and pouts and is horribly short-tempered with the kitchen help.”

  Sunny laughed even as her heart skipped a beat or two. “He’s not. He’s the most patient man I know.”

  Bennie’s gaze steadied on hers. “He won’t wait forever, Sunny.”

  Sunny’s heart tightened inside her chest. “I’m not asking him to.”

  “Well, what are you asking him to do, then?”

  She honestly didn’t know what to say.

  Bennie shifted forward in her seat and took Sunny’s hand. “I might be an old woman, Sunny, but I know true love when I see it. Don’t let him get away from you. You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to him.” She squeezed her hand. “And we’re the best thing that’s ever happened to you.” She released Sunny’s hand and stood with surprising ease. “Don’t you forget that. Now, who do I talk to in this museum about the guest lists and all that?”

  Sunny managed to get to her feet and press the button to page Vincent, but he was ever so efficiently there before she could say anything.

  “Yes, miss?”

  “Could you show Mrs. D’Angelo to Mary Anne’s office?” She turned to Bennie and impulsively threw her arms around her and hugged her. “You are the best thing, Mama Bennie,” she whispered in her ear. “You all are. And I won’t ever forget all that you’ve done for me. All that you’ve been for me.”

  Sunny ignored Vincent’s disapproving expression as he crossed the room to escort Bennie to Frances’s assistant’s office. “If there are any questions, please just call me.”

  But Bennie was already talking to Vincent, asking about his family and where he was from. Sunny sat in her chair. Once again a family matriarch had left her reeling.

  TWO WEEKS. Nick paced the serving hall. It had been two weeks since Sunny had contracted D’Angelos to cater their gala. Two weeks of rushed phone calls and increasing frustration at the direction their relationship was taking. Most of the details for the event had been handled by Frances’s personal assistant, so even that hadn’t brought them closer together. Mama Bennie had had nothing but glowing things to say about Sunny and how she’d come to family when she needed them.

  Nick wished like hell she’d come to him. He sure as hell needed her. She might as well be on another continent. He knew she was swamped, knew just how overwhelmed she was. And if she’d sounded excited and energized by the whole ordeal…well, Nick was trying not to think about that part too hard. The fact was, he’d been busier than normal, too. Carlo had told him he was going to retire at the end of the summer, and Nick had no idea how he was going to replace him. B.J. was having some complications with the impending birth of her twins and was at the doctor every other day, it seemed. He felt like he was being yanked in ten different directions.

  He should have been glad that Sunny was so busy, taking the pressure off him having to work hard at maintaining a relationship with her, as well. The truth was, it was the exact opposite. He’d needed her. More than ever. The more stress he found himself under, the more he needed to talk things over with her, lean on her a little, draw comfort from her. It should have shocked him more, this neediness. Instead it frustrated him. Frustrated him because he didn’t know how to fulfill it.

  He hadn’t told Sunny about what was going on with Carlo or B.J. She had enough on her plate. And he assumed, knowing her like he did, that she was doing the same with him, not telling him all.

  God, he hoped so. Because he’d come to a decision.

  After the gala tonight, he was going to find her, and he wasn’t about to accept no for an answer. They were going to spend the rest of this night together. He was going to tel
l her he loved her. And, if he had his way, he was going to find some way to spend the rest of their lives together, too.

  There had to be a solution. Living like this, without her, was just not working.

  “Please God,” he prayed beneath his breath as he watched the guests begin to file into the ballroom. “Let her feel the same way.”

  FOUR HOURS LATER, Nick was ready to admit defeat. He hadn’t had a chance to talk to Sunny, but he’d certainly had plenty of chances to see her. She looked stunning. Her hair was swept back and up, showing off the elegant line of her neck and jaw. Her dress was a strapless number, ice blue, and it fitted her like it had been made just for her. Which, probably, it had. She’d smiled, danced and charmed everyone in the room. The men all wanted to talk to her, the women wanted to be her. She was in her element.

  He’d tried to tell himself that she was merely doing her familial duty until he’d overheard her talking shop in the midst of a clutch of penguin-suited gentlemen. Her eyes sparkled. Her voice was passionate. Her every breath made it clear that she was completely engaged by what she was doing, by her commitment to Chandler Enterprises. She loved it, thrived on it, if seeing was believing. She’d finally found her passion.

  And even though his heart was taking a bit of a beating as he watched her, there was no doubting the other emotion swamping him. Pride. Fierce pride. That was his Sunny conquering this roomful of stuffed shirts, his Sunny who had them eating out of the palm of her manicured and expensively lotioned hands. His Sunny.

  Their Sunny.

  Chandler Enterprises had just lucked into its greatest fortune ever. She belonged right here, in this room, with these people, doing what she was born to do. Not because she was supposed to do it, but because she loved it.