The Beginning of Us (309 page)

"Sweet dreams babe!" I say kissing her on the forehead.

Chapter 32

Thursday August 30, 2012

CHAR

I am awakening with the aroma of coffee, bacon, and eggs. It smells delicious, yet it’s next to impossible to open my eyes. God, I am still so tired from the damn drama of last night.

Riley must sense me starting to wake because I hear him chuckle under his breath and the bed is slightly shaking from his body movements.

I know I need to get him to the airport and I need to drop off his Durango and pick up my Jeep all before work. Ugh!

"Damn it! Ok you win I am up. What time is it anyway?" I rant.

"It’s too early to tell you what time it actually is, but if you are a good girl I'll make all of this worth your while when I get back Friday." Riley says while tracing his finger up and down my naked back.

"Well then I guess I better be a good girl and get my ass out of bed." I say with a silent huff.

"Oh but what a fantastic ass it’s Miss Taylor." He says while swatting my behind and heads back to the kitchen. "Hurry up before your food gets cold."

"Yea, yea, yea!" I whine with a smile.

"What was that I hear? You're not whining are you baby? Because that would not be the behavior of a good girl Char."He tells me with a laugh.

"Never, I am always a good girl. Just let me get on some shorts and a tee-shirt. I’ll be right out." I holler.

Riley made a great breakfast, even if it was four o'clock in the morning. We quickly eat, shower, get dressed, and are out the door before five.

We are so efficient together. I barely had to use my own hands to wash myself in the shower. And if our shower escapade wouldn't have lasted the extra 20 minutes we probably could’ve been out the door even sooner.

But oh it was so worth it.

I need to get in my Riley loving now because I won't see him again until Friday night at my parent's house for dinner.

I drop him off at the departure entrance and decide not to wait because I need to do some car swapping at Derrick's place. I’ve only got an hour or so and I still have to get back to my place to change and head to work.

Thank god for Derrick last night. I am glad Riley had him come just in case things would’ve gotten really out of hand. Plus Derrick was good enough to send the Jeep to his house so I wouldn't have to go over to Snides to pick it up today. My Savior!

I am the luckiest girl in the world to have these guys in my life. Not that long ago I wanted to run away from it all. Some days I still do, especially when Chloe and Derrick drive me nuts and crazy ex-boyfriends come back for a visit from Tennessee. But for today I will let all the good soak in and call myself blessed.

I pull into Derrick's driveway and park next to the Jeep. I don't know if he is up or not yet so I lightly knock on the door.

"Shit!"

Well if he was sleeping Manny's bark will get his ass out of bed. I can hear his feet thumping down the stairs and he opens the door.

"Sorry Derrick, I didn't mean to wake you." I say in my sweetest voice.

"It's okay Char. You want to come in?" He asks.

"Nah, just need my keys and then I am off to go home and get ready for work. Riley thought it would be best for me to stay here tonight in case Marc came by my place. Is that okay?" I ask.

"You don't have to ask that, of course. Come over after work and we'll make dinner. We can do our nails and hair, and talk all about Chloe and Riley. It will be so much fun!" He laughs like he’s a little girl.

"You're the best Derrick, see you around six." I give him a quick peck on the cheek and I am back out the door heading toward the Jeep.

I manage to swing by my apartment, get ready, pack a bag, and get out the door before 7:30. Damn, I am on a roll today.

I make my way over to the office and feel anxious for Riley. This is a huge move for him meeting with such big name clients. It’s also a great opportunity for him personally and for the growth of Taylor & Sons in the southeast. I know he has a lot of other things weighing on his mind heading down there and I only wish I could’ve gone with to support him.

He said he would text me when his flight got in so I'll have to keep my phone on my desk. I don't want to miss that call or text.

My morning at work is unproductive because I am worrying about Riley landing in North Carolina safe and sound. I feel like every 10 minutes I’m checking my phone.

Finally, about half past 10 a text alert comes through.

Riley - I made it! Call you later tonight, love you!

I quickly respond.

Char - I am glad, I was thinking of you. Good luck today, love you too :)

Hearing from Riley finally puts my mind at ease. Now it’s time to focus on work; nothing like working numbers and not being able to concentrate.

The rest of the day goes by quickly and I am anxious to have some time with Derrick tonight. It will be nice to catch up and see how things are going between him and Chloe. I can't imagine how hard it is to have the person you love live across the country. I really don't know how they do it.

I guess when you are meant to be together not even thousands of miles can stand in your way

RILEY

The flight down to North Carolina gave me the time to think about how I was going to approach my sister again. It kills me every day knowing that our relationship has been ruined and I miss her like crazy.

Even though Emma and I are 10 years apart, we still were really close growing up. Keith and I were even good pals. The death of my parents took a toll on all of us and I need to try my best to mend our family back together while I am down here.

My flight lands at Piedmont Triad International Airport a little after 10 o’clock and my first call to duty is to find a rental car. I don't need anything fancy, just transportation that will get me to and from the clients and my hotel.

I get myself in a black mid-size car and head over to the Embassy Suites where I’ll be staying the night. My meeting isn't until one o'clock so I figure I will unpack my stuff and try to reach Emma.

I am seriously scared shitless to call my own sister and it really is a joke. We are fucking family for crying aloud. I should not be feeling like this.

I dial her number and to my surprise she actual answers. I am fucking shaking.

"Emma?" I ask.

"Riley!" She replies.

"Hey, um, I um. I am down here in Greensboro on business and really wanted to know if there is any chance I could see you tonight." I tell her holding my breath awaiting her response.

"Riley! It’s so good to hear your voice. The way things were left was absolutely horrible on my part, but you have to understand. I don't think I’ve been in my right mind since Mom and Dad died."

"Emma, you are my sister and no matter what has happened over the past few weeks I’d like nothing more to move past it all with you."

"Oh thank god!" She exclaims. "Where are you staying while you are down here?"

"I am in the Embassy Suites by the airport. Can you come by and meet me for dinner? I’d rather it be just us though for tonight. I want to talk to my sister without distractions and interruptions. To be honest Emma, I really don't think being around Keith is a good idea."

"I understand Riley. I can be over that way around 6:30 tonight."

"Good, thanks Emma. See you then."

I disconnect the line and take in a sharp breath. Well that went better than I thought it would. I am so glad Emma is willing to meet with me and talk things through.

I need to let Char know.

I dial her cell rather than texting. This is way too good of news to send over text.

Thank god she answers.

"Char baby, guess what!" I say with excitement.

I really do feel like a little kid I am so happy.

"Hey babe, what's going on? You sound so happy." She says and I can tell she has a huge smile on her face.

"Well you already know I landed and now I am at the hotel. I had some free time so I built up the nerve and called Emma."

"That's great! Did she answer? Did you talk to her? What did she say? Oh sorry, I am just filled with questions for you." She says with a nervous laugh.

"You are so cute! Well let's see if I can answer all those questions. Yes she answered, yes I talked to her, and she said she would meet me here at the hotel around 6:30. Did I get that all right?" I ask with a laugh.

"Riley this is so great. I wish I could be there for you."

"I need to do this just me and Emma. It will all work out. I can feel it." I tell her in a confident tone.

"Ok, well be sure to call me later tonight. I am going to stay at Derrick's house. We have a nice little bonding night planned; you know the typical girl stuff. We are going to do our nails, hair, and take about our significant others." She giggles.

"Sounds like fun, I'll talk to you later. Oh, and Char. I love you babe!"

"I know. I love you too."

Ah, this is an amazing feeling. I have the girl of my dreams, a great job working for an incredible contracting company, and I am going to get my sister back in my life.

I get myself ready to meet with my client and gather all the plan details I brought with me. This is a larger client who is looking to build three strip malls in the area. It’s a nice size job that will bring in a lot of work for Taylor & Sons Contracting. A job like this is just what we need to get our feet wet in the south.

I make my way from the hotel to the building location. "Here goes nothing Kincaid, you can do this!" I tell myself. A little pep talk never hurt anyone. This job is mine and I am going to knock this out of the park.

I meet with three gentlemen expecting me. We discuss my business with Taylor & Sons and the relationship they have built with Bryce and his family over the years. I tell them that I have vast experience with a prior contracting company and recently relocated up to Boston. The men are pleased with the conversation and begin to inform me of the vision they share for the strip mall.

We walk through the empty lot and head-on into one of the modular’s they have set up along the back property line. I review the plans Roger and Bryce have discussed with them in their last meeting and the plans we can anticipate moving forward.

After a few more moments of conversation the meeting breaks and we go our separate ways. The gentlemen know to expect a final bid by the end of the day and I tell them I look forward to working with them in the future.

I am stoked about the meeting and think it went really well. I head back over to the hotel and give Bryce a call.

I share with him the details of the meeting, the plans and any changes they have adapted to the prior plan and what I can foresee we will need to make this job happen.

Bryce is happy with the results and gives me the go ahead to send out our final details along with the official Taylor & Sons Contracting bid.

Now all I need to do is wait till tomorrow and see if we are the team they choose to build their dream.

Chapter 33

CHAR

I head straight over to Derrick's after I hit the farmer's market. I grab us a few steaks and some fresh veggies to grill along with some wine and beer. I figure a nice relaxing night out on his deck is exactly what we both need.

When I pull up to his house I can see he too is just getting home. He comes over to the Jeep and helps me unload the bags from the market.

We make our way in the house and I tell him what I have planned for dinner. He is all for it, but suggests we get into some comfy clothes first.

I head upstairs to Riley's room and shut the door. Once I’m fully inside, I am hit with the wonderful scent that is Riley. I quickly get changed and hop onto his bed. I’m acting like a teenage girl snuggling into his pillow and breathing in his scent. I am so head over heels for this guy and I can't wait to see him tomorrow.

My thoughts are pulled away from my Riley obsession and I begin to think about what he must be going through right now. In less than a half hour he will be meeting with his sister. I can only hope that the conversation goes well with him and Emma. For his sake I want him to be happy and having Emma back in his life will be amazing.

I hear Derrick tap on the door and I tell him to come in. He laughs when he sees me all curled up on Riley's bed.

"Please don't tell me you are doing what I think you are doing." Derrick says with a laugh.

"Um, well what does it look like I am doing?" I say kind of embarrassed.

"Well it looks like you are all wrapped up in Riley's covers and pillow. You weren't sniffing them were you?" He asks covering his face to fight the laughter.

"Fuck you asshole. I can't help it, I miss him." I say acting all shy.

"You two are made for each other. It’s like neither one of you can stand to be away from the other without acting weird." He says coming into the room and sitting on Riley's desk chair.