by Ali Parker
Once again, I didn’t get a chance to explain.
Oliver butted right in. “I was hoping to have dinner with her and persuade her my offer is the best.”
I thought Tawny would fight for me. I was wrong. “You two have to be my guests tonight at the restaurant upstairs. It’s not officially opened but I would love for the two of you to be my very first honored guests.”
“Oh, I couldn’t,” I blurted out.
“We’d love to,” Oliver said at the same time.
“Great, how about seven?” Tawny said.
“I’ll be there. Shall I pick you up?”
I realized he was talking to me. “No, I’ll meet you here,” I said, knowing there was no way out of it.
“Perfect!” Tawny said, clapping her hands together. “It’s a date!”
It wasn’t a date. It was coercion. I watched as she gave Oliver another air kiss goodbye. I offered a wave. I wasn’t going to kiss the man, air or otherwise. He strolled away with his chin high and his chest puffed out.
“I had no idea,” Tawny said with a smile. “Oliver is quite a catch.”
“He’s a nice man,” I said.
“So,” she said, clapping her hands together like she so often did. “What have you been doing this morning?”
“Not much. I wasn’t sure where to start or what you wanted me to do.”
She waved a hand like it wasn’t a big deal. “We’re gearing up for a grand opening, much like what you did for Chase. I want big. I want sleek. I want class.”
I nodded, knowing all that but still not quite understanding what my role was. “Okay, I can put together some ideas and present them to you to see what you like.”
“Perfect.”
“Is there somewhere I should work to do that?”
“Just work from home. I’ll see you tonight. I have a meeting to get to. Take care.”
She rushed away, leaving me standing in front of the fountain feeling like I’d been sideswiped by a train. I watched her leave, my mouth hanging open. I was dismissed. I wasn’t really prepared to work from home. I didn’t actually have a home. The hotel room was small and not exactly a great work environment. I was spoiled and used to my big open work area at Chase’s place.
I needed to get over it. That was in the past and it was time to move forward. I wasn’t working for Chase and I never would. He was my past. I was embarking on my future and looking forward to launching Tawny’s mall.
It would be fun, assuming I could ever get a real plan going. Figuring there wasn’t a lot for me to do except stand around and look at dresses I could never afford, I went back to the long-term hotel I was staying in.
I was planning on getting an apartment. I was just having trouble pulling the trigger. I needed to make a decision soon. I couldn’t afford to pay two rent bills. Either I found something here or I went back to Boulder. I wasn’t sure why I was hesitating.
I could find another job back home. It might not be as good or as prestigious as the one I lost but I could get a job. With Chase’s recommendation, which I was confident he would give, it would erase the black mark on my resume that was lurking after being fired from the department store.
I walked out of the mall and headed for my car. I drove back to the hotel and pulled out my laptop. I felt like I was working in the dark. I didn’t know what kind of budget I was working with and what she really wanted. I had a feeling she didn’t know either, which meant I needed to come up with a broad plan that covered just about every element of marketing. We could narrow it down from there.
I was in over my head. Way over. There was nothing I could do except tread water and hope for a life preserver soon. I would make her talk to me tomorrow. I would corner her and have a list of questions ready to go. I would probably only get a good five minutes before her attention was elsewhere, but I would get something to go on.
I had to.
Chapter 60
Chase
There was another knock on my door. I knew it wasn’t room service. I didn’t order anything. That meant it was either Cori or Jake back to bother me.
Jake would have a stack of things I needed to sign or questions about one thing or another. I still wasn’t in the mood to be downstairs with the living. I was still sulking. Couldn’t a guy just get a good sulk in peace?
I ignored the door, like I had every other time someone knocked on it. Once again, I heard the key slide into the lock and the beep that said it was successful. I was seriously going to take the pass key from the front desk. It was ridiculous I couldn’t get any privacy.
“Go away,” I called, not bothering to turn around and look at the door.
“That’s not very friendly,” I heard Nick say.
I turned around, a little surprised to see him. “What are you doing here and why do you have the key to my suite?”
“Cori gave it to me.”
I rolled my eyes. “I’m going to remind her who the boss is.”
Nick chuckled and slid the key inside his pocket before sitting down on the couch. “You look like shit.”
“Thanks. Why are you here?”
“Because Cori wouldn’t stop pestering me to come and talk to you.”
“She thinks you’re going to be the one that gets me out of here?”
He smiled, shrugging a shoulder. “I suppose she does.”
“I’m fine. I don’t want to go downstairs.”
“So I’ve heard, but don’t you think you’re pushing this a bit far?”
“How? I’m still checking emails and the hotel doesn’t seem to be burning down around us. I have a capable staff and managers to run the place. I don’t plan on being here forever. It’s time for them to show me they can do what I pay them to do.”
“You are a workaholic with a touch of control freak. You always have your hand in everything when you are on site, especially on an opening or reopening. This isn’t like you. Why aren’t you down there bossing people around?”
“Because I don’t want to.”
He whistled loud and long. “This chick must be really important to you.”
“If you’re referring to Harper, yes, she is.”
“Really?” he asked with surprise.
“Yes, really. She’s very important to me. The most important thing in my life. Unfortunately, it doesn’t matter how important she is because I’ve lost her for good.”
He sighed, nodding. “Yeah, I heard that too.”
“What? What did you hear?”
“You fucked up. You didn’t treat her as an equal. You were making all the decisions for her and not letting her be a part of the conversation.”
I frowned at him. I knew Nick and I knew how he talked. Those were not his words. “How much did Cori tell you and why is she talking to you at all?”
“Because she’s my girlfriend and she told me everything.”
I didn’t say anything for several seconds. “She’s your what?”
“You heard me.”
“I thought the two of you were just friends. Didn’t you just tell me you didn’t have time for a girlfriend and that you weren’t interested in anything serious?”
“I did but things changed.”
“Like what?”
“Like the way I feel about her. I’ve always felt that way about her, but I could never act on it. Now I can. I don’t want to hide it anymore. I know you have a problem with that, but it is your problem. Cori and I want to be together. We’re not asking for permission. She’s an adult and she can make her own decisions. We’re happy together, really happy, and I’m not willing to give it up because you don’t like it.”
I felt blindsided. “This isn’t exactly a good time to be dating her.”
“It’s the perfect time.”
“Cori is working for the resort right now. She told me she wasn’t going to be dating anyone while she worked. She can’t afford to be distracted. I can’t afford for her to be distracted.”
He scoffed. “Look around
you, Chase. You’re the one sitting in your room and being very distracted.”
“This isn’t a good time,” I said again.
“It might not be a good time for you, but—and I say this with all the respect and love in the world—this isn’t about you. The world doesn’t revolve around you. This is about me and Cori. This is about the two of us finally getting together after fighting the attraction for a long time. I’m in love with her.”
I almost choked. “What? When the hell did that happen?”
He shrugged. “It’s been happening. I’ve been denying it and Cori sure as hell has been trying to deny me. She couldn’t resist my charming ways.”
“I doubt that.”
“She tried and failed. Trust me. I think she would prefer it if she could have denied me, but I’m irresistible.”
“You didn’t give her a chance to reject you,” I accused. “Every time I turn around, you’re there.”
“I couldn’t stay away from her and I’m not going to stay away from her. Cori has been afraid to tell you, but I’m not. I hope we can remain friends, but if we can’t, I will not give up Cori because you are too immature to handle the two of us being together.”
“Immature?” I spat. “I’ve always been far more mature than the both of you. That’s what worries me about this relationship. Neither of you has ever been very solid. I don’t want either of you to be hurt.”
“That’s our decision to make. I think you need to realize that while you might have everyone’s best interest at heart, we are all capable of making our own decisions. We don’t need you to make them for us.”
“I’m not making your decisions or hers. I just happen to know both of you very well. I’m the guy that has been the shoulder to lean on when you have both gone through breakups. I know how the two of you are when you are in a relationship. I know what the both of you are looking for and what you expect.”
“Then you should know this is what we have both wanted for some time. The other relationships didn’t work because we were both waiting for each other.”
“How long have the two of you been dancing around this?” I asked him.
He grinned. “A long time, Chase. A really long time. I avoided her because I knew how protective you were of her, but I don’t want to ever date another woman. I’ve wasted enough time. Like I said, I hope we can still be friends, but I want to be with Cori, and she wants to be with me. I promise I won’t hurt her. I’m a different man when I’m with her. I’m the man I feel like I’m supposed to be.”
He certainly sounded like a man in love. I knew exactly the feeling he was describing. I felt the same way when I was with Harper. Unfortunately for me, Harper didn’t feel the same about me.
I needed to start listening to the people closest to me. They were all telling me the same thing. My head was truly up my ass, like Cori suggested. I was so used to calling all the shots, I never stopped to ask Harper what she felt. I gave her carte blanche in my business but not in her own personal life.
“All right,” I said after mulling it over.
“All right?” he asked with a skeptical look on his face.
“You and she are clearly happy together. Who am I to say you can’t or shouldn’t be together?”
He grinned, slapping his hand on the couch. “That’s exactly how I feel about it.”
“Don’t fuck with her though please,” I said. “I will kick your ass.”
He laughed, clearly not bothered by my threat. “I’ll keep that in mind. Her heart is safe with me. It’s my heart I’m worried about.”
“You and me both,” I muttered.
“Hey, if it happens, it happens. I know you’re worried about me being the one getting hurt. She told me.”
“It’s true. You both know neither of you has been all that great at relationships.”
“Exactly, because those weren’t the right relationships for us. This one is. I feel it. It’s different. This is right. She feels the same way. I’m in love with your sister and I hope you can be okay with that.”
“I am. I’m happy for you both. But do not get one of those wild hairs up your ass that has you chasing the latest money-making scheme. She wants to be first. She will demand she is first in your life.”
“I will always put her first. I’ve already got my money-making scheme squared away, thanks to you and her.”
“The kids’ fair?”
He nodded with a big grin. “Yep. Sealed the deal.”
I had no idea what he was talking about and didn’t really want to know. “Good for you.”
“Thanks. While I did come here to tell you about me and Cori, it wasn’t really just about that. I know you’re in a rough spot right now, but don’t lose hope. If I can land Cori, miracles are possible.”
I smirked. “I think I’ve used up all the available miracles.”
“Don’t give up. Figure out how to say you’re sorry for being a dominating asshole and don’t do it again.”
“You know, all of you seem to have some big advice now, but where were you all when I was making those mistakes?”
He smiled and shrugged. “None of us knew you guys were hooking up, remember?” he said with a wink, which meant obviously they all knew.
“Thanks for the advice that’s a little too late. I’ll add it to the pile.”
“Get up. Shower for the love of god and get your ass to work. Sulking solves nothing. You need to pull up your big boy panties and do what you do best.”
“What’s that?”
“Boss people around,” he said with a laugh and dashed for the door.
“You’re going to tell me about this money scheme,” I shouted as he walked out.
I didn’t hear his reply, but I was going to ask what he was up to. With Nick, one never knew. I didn’t want Cori getting dragged into one of his wild schemes. Then again, it was none of my business. I needed to remember I wasn’t the ruler of all.
People, namely Cori, needed to make her own mistakes. I couldn’t protect her, and Nick didn’t want my protection.
I should be grateful the people I cared about most in this life were all fine. They didn’t need me hovering. I could focus on my own life and figure out my own problems.
It was kind of nice now that everyone knew I wanted her. It was the worst kept secret and constantly trying to deny my feelings for her was exhausting. I was glad I could be open about it. If I managed to get her back, I hoped like hell she was willing to bring our relationship into the light. I was tired of hiding it. I wanted to take her to dinner and kiss her on the dance floor. I wanted to live with her. I wanted it all.
Sitting on the couch in my sweats with the remote in my hand was not going to get me anything. I got up and headed for the shower. It wasn’t like I was dirty after my sedentary day yesterday, but it would perk me up. I needed to show my face and let my people know I wasn’t withering away. I still needed to put on a strong, authoritative face for them.
Chapter 61
Harper
I stared at the few dresses hanging in the closet of my small room. Everything I had with me had already been worn. I wasn’t trying to impress Oliver, but I didn’t want to look like a chump next to him and his designer wardrobe.
I picked up the black cocktail dress I wore on my date with Chase. It would have to do. My initial dislike of Oliver was softening with every encounter. The guy was definitely different and not my type, but he wasn’t bad, and he wasn’t an ogre.
He could work on his first impression. I was going to give the man the benefit of the doubt. Maybe a nice quiet dinner together would give me the chance to get to know him a little better. If we could get past the general awkwardness, he might not be so bad. He was easy on the eyes and did seem very interesting. I did want to know more about his vast collections.
I was going to go into the date with an open mind. I would forget about my initial judgement of the man and give him a chance to impress me. I got the feeling that was what he really wan
ted to do. It would be crazy to think the two of us could ever actually date, but stranger things happened. Maybe it would turn out to be one of those opposites attract things.
I did my hair and makeup, finding myself trying a little more than I expected myself to. It did me good to date. I needed to get back out there and find a man. That was about the only way I would be able to forget about Chase. It was time to move on.
Satisfied with my appearance, I grabbed my purse and my wool coat and headed out the door. The mall wasn’t far, but it was too cold, and the heels I was wearing were not conducive to navigating an icy sidewalk. I climbed into my car and found myself a parking spot in front of the mall ten minutes later. I climbed out, feeling a little nervous as I walked into the mall.
There was a sign directing diners to the restaurant. I was relieved it wouldn’t be just me and Oliver.
“You look magnificent,” Oliver greeted me from where he stood outside the restaurant.
“Thank you,” I said, feeling more like something to be admired instead of the compliment registering as genuine.
“Our table is waiting,” he announced.
“Is the place open?” I asked with confusion when I saw the other diners.
“It’s a few of her friends and the shop owners,” he answered.
That made sense. I felt like I was out of the loop. I should have known it was the soft opening. It again reminded me my job was still being very loosely defined. Oliver kept his hand on the small of my back as he guided us toward the table that was set apart from the others. It made me think he felt he was above the others and not interested in being seated too close to anyone.
The hostess gave us a wine list and a menu and promised to send our waiter over. Tawny arrived a few seconds later. “Good evening,” she said.
Oliver got to his feet and they went through their usual ritual. “Thank you for this,” I said, gesturing to the table.
“Of course,” she said with a megawatt smile. “You look stunning.”
“Thank you.”
“I’ll leave you to it. Enjoy your dinner.” She scurried away.
