by Mary Beesley
Anxiety coiled in Tempest as Jo looked at her with eager eyes.
“That sounds amazing. And I’m here with my sister. I’ll tell her about it. She’ll be thrilled too. Yes. She can go anytime. She not working right now.”
Tempest tossed the salad too hard, and lettuce flew onto the counter.
“Oh, New Year’s makes it easy. Thanks for doing this, Silvia. Let me know how we can help. It’s going to be so fun. Okay. Talk soon. Bye.” Jo set the phone down and smiled grandly.
Blair came in, Hunter and Hannah in her wake. She picked up a chunk of cheese and popped it in her mouth.
Tempest didn’t need to ask Jo what the call was about. Her sister was already taking a massive inhale in preparation for some big reveal.
Benji walked in the back door. “Two-minute warning.”
“We’re going on a trip with the stepfamily.”
“What?” Benji asked.
Tempest stilled, her mind and heart warring.
“Silvia just called,” Jo said to Benji. “They’re planning everything. She wants to start the new year off right, together as a new family. On the thirtieth, we’ll spend one night camping outside San Diego, and then we’ll move to a hotel on the beach for New Year’s Eve.”
“I’m not buying four tickets for our family to fly to California for the holiday weekend,” Benji said. “That’s a long flight too.”
“I’m sure it will be just fine on Leo’s private jet.” Jo actually squeaked.
Tempest thought her sister might turn to a puddle of drool right here on her kitchen floor. Tempest caught Blair’s raised eyebrow and her best friend’s sly grin.
“How romantic,” Blair said, her gaze trained on Tempest.
“Oh, gross,” Jo said. “The parents better not try any funny business while we’re together.”
The parents. How had Jo accepted all of this so quickly?
Blair grinned as she lifted an olive to her mouth. “And New Year’s together. That’s powerful stuff right there. But who is Tempest going to kiss at midnight? It’s only the most defining moment of the year.”
Tempest rolled her eyes.
“Too bad Leo is gay,” Jo said.
Blair’s eyes nearly popped out of her head. Tempest stifled a laugh.
“But he’s family now. Would have been off-limits anyway.” Jo moved the knife away from the edge when Hannah reached for a piece of cheese.
“He’s not blood,” Blair said.
“They are not family yet.” Tempest’s tone came out sharper than she intended.
“Better hurry, then.” Blair winked.
Tempest almost threw a mini pumpkin at Blair’s smug face.
“A private jet!” Jo turned dreamy, uncharacteristically oblivious to the subtle drama right under her nose.
“I’m not a big camper.” Tempest folded her arms.
“What a great opportunity for you to get to know Leo.” Blair picked up an olive. “And Zena—of course.”
“That’s what Silvia said.” Jo opened the oven and pulled out a tray of stuffing. “She wants us kids to bond.”
“Interesting.” Blair managed to make her voice even lower and more seductive. “Bonding sounds so fun.”
Blood warmed Tempest’s cheeks. She narrowed her eyes at her friend, but she couldn’t stop her lips curving up slightly at the thought of a weekend with Leo.
****
Mom answered her phone after the first ring.
“New Year’s?” Leo’s voice rose in pitch, and Dean looked up from his desk just beyond the glass doors. Leo swiveled to face the back windows of his office and lowered his voice. “We did not discuss New Year’s.”
“I’m sorry, honey. I thought it was perfect because it’s a holiday for everyone. No one would have to adjust their schedule. Did you have something planned? Do you have a special woman I don’t know about?”
He rubbed the space between his eyebrows. “No. It’s fine. But I thought we agreed on one night camping, nothing fancy or showy…the Fairmont?”
Through the phone, her voice came out soft. “I changed my mind. I want it to be a nice trip. I think they’ll enjoy the Fairmont.”
“Who doesn’t?”
“We’re still going camping one night like you suggested.”
He didn’t want to go camping. How had that become his idea?
“Is this hesitation because of the Swan women? Are they that hard to be around?”
“No, Mom,” he lied, feeling guilty for again being rude and strangling her joy. “It sounds like a great trip. I’ll schedule the plane. Anything else?”
“Do you want to golf while we’re there?”
He loved golfing, and that course was awesome, but he didn’t want to spend five hours alone with anyone in their party. Except Tempest. The chance she’d magically end up in his twosome was zero. Maybe Benji would golf with him. But he had three kids to take care of. Could he get away that long? Leo did not want to go with Christopher. “No, thanks, I’m good. It’s only one night, and with the young kids, they’ll probably want to hang at the pool.”
“Zena made a spa appointment for right after check-in.”
Of course she did.
“I’m going to stay with Christopher’s family the whole time. I don’t want to ditch them. Seems a bit rude. But do you want a massage?” Mom asked.
“When you put it like that.”
“Maybe I should book Tempest and Jo a treatment.”
“I don’t know, Mom.”
“Yeah. Maybe too complicated. How should we do the rooms?”
“I don’t know, Mom.”
“Should I put Zena and Tempest together? Is that too much too soon?”
All of this was much too much, much too soon.
“And you don’t think his daughters will feel weird about Christopher and me sharing a room, do you?”
Leo felt weird. He itched at his chest. His collar felt like it was choking him. “I don’t know, Mom.”
“Okay, thanks, honey. Love you.”
“Love you.” He disconnected the call and sank into his chair, the custom contours failing to bring their usual comfort. He cursed for a while, and when that didn’t help, he stood and walked out the doors to Dean’s desk. “Schedule the plane on December thirtieth at ten thirty a.m. to fly to San Diego.”
Dean jotted down notes.
“There will be nine passengers and an infant.”
Dean cocked a questioning brow.
“Have Rachelle come to my office in fifteen minutes to talk about her Kentucky issue. If Travis still wants me to look over his new marketing plan, I can meet with him after that. Actually, go ahead and open up my entire evening to anyone who wants to meet with me…about anything.”
Dean’s jaw loosened.
“I can stay late.” Leo would work until he couldn’t see straight. That’s how he’d solved his problems before.
“Are you okay?”
Leo turned back to his office. “Never ask me that again.”
Chapter Eight
The Christmas Season
Southern Methodist University Catering hired Tempest for the holiday season. Tonight was her third event. It wasn’t a terrible job—well, the pay was—and she didn’t like having to small talk with strangers and replace napkins and refill drinks and clean up spills. Were people always this sloppy? But she loved working with Blair. Her friend smiled, laughed, and sampled this and that as she worked.
Tonight’s event was for the Lyle School of Engineering alumni. Maybe Tempest should have studied engineering instead of math. These people looked prosperous and employable. The event was certainly costly. Twelve decorated pine trees dotted the expansive hall. Each table had fresh flowers and glittery ribbon. The entree tonight was prime rib. They’d hired four caterers whose sole purpose was to serve alcohol. Engineering was where it was at. Who knew?
“What have you got there?” A man in a red sweater blocked her path.
“Good evening, sir
,” she said.
He looked like he’d just graduated high school, but his name tag boasted of much greater accomplishments. It read Ethan Hillberg, Founder of Hillberg Robotics.
“I have bacon-wrapped dates. Would you like one?” She held the tray steady at he took two. She barely refrained from asking if he was hiring. She had the same problem with the next two guests—the CEO of Hector Labs and the vice president of Alloquil. The lighter her tray, the heavier her heart. She couldn’t let all this potential slip away, could she? This was an opportunity, but she wasn’t sure how to grab it. She was working as a servant here. She couldn’t strike up a conversation as if she were a guest. Shoulders drooping, she headed for the kitchens to restock.
“One left, lucky me.”
His voice stopped her just before the service door. She glanced up through her lashes, dread and excitement clashing. Leo looked from the lonely appetizer on the tray to her face. His eyes went wide. His jaw tensed as he scanned her black-and-white catering uniform. He wore a tailored blue suit with a white shirt unbuttoned at the collar. No nametag. He looked older in his suit. Sophisticated and smart. His light-brown hair was brushed and styled off his forehead, making it appear thicker on top. He looked like he belonged at this party. At any party. She lowered the tray and held it out.
“It’s all yours, sir.”
“Sir?” He frowned and didn’t reach for the appetizer.
“You look nice.” Her voice came out slightly on the warm side of professional.
He blinked, looking her over again. Her hair was in a short pony to keep it out of the food, but chunks had fallen loose around her face, and a remnant of frosting smeared her waist from the piping incident during setup.
“What are you doing here?”
“Working.”
“Why?”
Her eyes tightened, and she opened her mouth, but he held up a hand.
“No. I know. I did not mean it like that. You don’t need to remind me I cost you your other job. Just hold up.”
“There is nothing wrong with working as a server.”
“I know that. You surprised me is all.”
“The feeling is mutual. What are you doing here? You didn’t go to this school.”
“And yet they still invited me.” He said it with an arrogance that sent her blood boiling.
She was not in the mood. Face set in hard lines, she turned on a heel and took a step away.
“Tempest, wait.”
Against her better judgment and all the warning bells in her head, she stopped and turned.
He smiled. “You still owe me that date.”
Was he trying to be cute? He was definitely trying to be cute. She had forgotten about their bowling bet. She owed him a date, and she always paid her debts. She picked up the last bacon-wrapped Medjool date and handed it to him. “Perfect. Because here is your date.”
He chuckled. Her frown remained. He sobered and popped the bite in his mouth.
She watched him chew it. Why was she still standing here with him?
He swallowed. “That was weirdly good.”
“I didn’t make it.”
A silent pause. “Well, congratulations on your new job.”
“Thank you.”
“If you ever want to consider another career path, I know some people at Red Rocco, and they’re always looking for hires with your potential.”
She froze. He froze. Had he meant to say that? By the tension in his face, she guessed not. Could she work at his company? Why not? He had destroyed her last job. It was cosmic balance. Karma coming back around. “Are you serious?”
He hesitated, and his next words came out a bit strained. “Yes, of course. You’d be a great fit at Red Rocco.” He tugged at his collar.
Working with him and joining families. It was too much, and that didn’t include any of that other stuff she wanted to be doing with him.
After she’d stared at him for several long seconds, he said, “Come to the office on Monday, and we’ll talk.”
A beautiful woman approached. She had long blond hair and a tight dress that left no doubt of the voluptuousness of her body. Her neck was bare, revealing tanned skin. “Leo, there you are.” She draped an arm over his shoulder. In her heels, she was inches taller than he. Like a super-model praying mantis.
The cold bite of rejection ate through Tempest’s belly. Leo had moved on, and the next thing was this. Heat prickled behind her eyes. She welcomed the pain—may it help me move forward.
“You are in big trouble for leaving me with that stodgy woman,” his date said. “I don’t know a thing about soil technology.”
He looked her in the face and said, “Oh.”
She chuckled as if he’d made a charming joke, but it was a little forced. She looked at Tempest and over the empty tray.
“Sorry, ma’am.” Tempest took satisfaction in the woman’s tiny flinch at the word ma’am. She didn’t look older than twenty-five. “Nothing left for you here.”
Leo sent Tempest a warning glare. She returned it with a syrupy sweet smile.
The woman put a hand on her waist. “I can’t really eat in this dress anyway.”
“What fun,” Tempest said.
The woman looked confused, as if she weren’t sure whether Tempest was insulting her or complimenting her. It didn’t help that Leo tried to stifle a laugh but ended up snorting. The woman looked appalled. He sucked his lips in, forcing a straight face. Her nostrils flared as she turned back to Tempest.
“Could you at least bring me a drink?”
“Yes, ma’am,” Tempest said at the same time Leo said, “No.”
He and his date shared another heated glance. Tempest bit down hard on her tongue. She didn’t usually have this much trouble controlling her amusement. This woman really did need to loosen her corset. Or unclench a few areas.
“What can I get you?” Tempest asked with another saccharine grin.
She opened her lacquered red lips, but Leo said, “I’ll get it from the bar.” He pointed to the setup along the other wall, then looked at Tempest. “I’m sure you have another round of dates to give out to poor unsuspecting fellows.”
“You clearly don’t need one.” Hopefully the cutting edge to her voice was sharp enough to hide her hurt.
The woman put her hands on her cinched waist. “Do you two know each other?”
“No,” Tempest said.
“Yes,” Leo said.
Tempest cocked her chin and tilted her mouth into a casual smile. “He knows me, but I’ve only just met him.”
Leo flinched.
“I don’t see.” The woman looked between them, clearly not liking what she did see.
“Interesting.” Tempest voice was deadpan.
The woman’s mouth dropped open. She must have figured out Tempest wasn’t complimenting her.
Leo bit his lips, but the corners of his mouth rose, and Tempest flushed with satisfaction at the sight. He might be on a date with Sexy Spandex, but he was still talking to the caterer in the corner and looking at Tempest like she was dessert.
She reeled in the thoughts. Oh no, she could not wander down that fantasy. Clearly he was over her. She bowed slightly. It felt like the thing to do in the moment. “I’ve got to get back to work. They don’t pay me to stand and chitchat. Enjoy your evening. I’m sure you’ll be crowned king and queen.”
She showed them her back before they could respond, but she heard the woman ask, “Like prom? Do they do that here?”
Leo’s low chuckle chased Tempest through the service door.
****
He got to work early on Monday. Was Tempest going to show up, or was she going to spare them all and pretend like he hadn’t invited her in for a job interview? Or had he already offered her a job?
Saturday had been a fiasco. Michelle had been mostly sweet, except for the weird conversation with Tempest, and exceptionally sexy, until she decided to consume only alcohol for three hours. No food. She’d barely made i
t through her front door before she passed out on his shoulder. He’d dragged her to her bed. She was heavier than she looked. He wasn’t even sure he’d put her in the right room. It could have been her roommate’s. He’d dated Michelle for three months last year and never been inside her house before. He couldn’t ignore the dirty kitchen, laundry on the floor, or water marks on the mirror. This was why he always had women over to his house. After he heaved her onto the bed, her breathing had turned squeaky and shallow. He’d been so afraid of her suffocating in her sleep that he partly unzipped the back of her skintight dress before leaving. That flash of back flesh was the most action he’d gotten in weeks. But it hadn’t been Michelle he thought about when he went home horny.
He rubbed the skin between his eyes. How had he run into Tempest with Michelle on his arm? He was trying to move on. Trying to forget the pleasure of kissing Tempest. Forget how well she could deliver a joke, her jaw straight but her eyes twinkling. He was trying to forget how much he liked eating Indian food at his kitchen table with her. Forget how she looked in only a T-shirt. Or just in her bra. He nearly groaned out loud.
Tempest had looked so betrayed when Michelle put her arm over his shoulder like a territorial animal. But it was nothing compared to what he’d felt seeing her working as a part-time server after he’d cost her not only a great job, but a career.
He had eighty-two emails to respond to this morning. He didn’t get to a single one. He looked through the company department directories. Where would be a good place for her? He’d already spent all yesterday thinking about this and had decided to put her with Steven Lith in research and development. Who better to have testing the product than a skilled underwriter? Assuming she was skilled. Which he very much did. She had that vibe.
He stayed in the office at lunch. Just in case. But it wasn’t until four thirteen in the afternoon that he looked up and saw through the glass her stunning face on the far side of the office. His heart lurched. She’d come.
Dean’s head popped through the door, his face full of surprise and the rush that came from a little office drama. “Were you expecting Tempest?”
