Unexpected Changes (18 page)

“Look to see if they have another one open. If so, let me know. You deserve it.”

“Oh, Carter, no, I’ll find something on my own. This place is too big for me.”

“Tabitha’s will be available soon. I’ll ask her about it. You’d love her closet,” I say with a laugh as I walk back out towards my truck.

Satisfied with our day, I drive Kelly back home and head to the empty apartment. I should be used to not having anyone around, but now I can’t stand it. It won’t be soon enough before Tabitha can return to me.

Tabitha

I AM
BORED OUT OF
my mind. This is one of the downfalls to my job—people walking around, pointing to this and that as they go about with just plain crazy talk. My grandfather walks faster than this guy, and I actually think at one point I mentally dozed off. Somewhere deep inside, I find the will to continue as I listen, but in all reality, I can’t wait to catch my plane.

Last night I tossed and turned, and it wasn’t until I scooted to the other side of the bed that I found sleep. Here I was, thinking I finally had a night on my regular side, but nope, joke was on me. I propped the pillows up to act as if I was lying next to Carter. As soon as I’d done that, I was out into another universe.

“Any questions?” Mr. Johnson asks, bringing me back to the conversation.

“No sir, I think I have all I need,” I respond as I plaster a huge smile on my face.

“Very well, then. I expect to have a full report by the end of next week. Do you feel that will be possible?”

“I don’t see where there will be a problem. I should be able to have it to you before then.”

“It was a pleasure to meet you. I hope you have a safe flight home,” Mr. Johnson says as he extends his hand.

Taking his hand into mine, I notice it’s a very firm grip. “Pleased to meet you, too, sir. Thank you and you’ll hear from us soon.”

With that, he’s off, leaving me to stand in the middle of the empty banquet room. I take a moment to look around at the vast area. It’s nice, but cold. I can’t fathom walking into a space such as this and envisioning my wedding. Nothing’s in here, no tables, dance floor, or plants—just bare.

I head out shaking my head, thankful this is over. The concierge has my luggage waiting and has been notified to call the driver. Looking at my watch, I have just enough time to get to the airport and through security.

All I can focus on is getting back home and preparing Carter for the family barbecue. I’m not sure he understands it’s not just Mom, Dad, and Seth. A few cousins, Cory, Jason, Mitch, Ben, and—oh well heck, the whole world. It’s usually a blast, but for some reason I feel this will end up a ‘tell all’ kind of an event. Angela, Logan, and Graham are due to arrive tomorrow and I have to say, I’m excited.

I hate that they live so far and I don’t get to see my best friend much. Cory picks on me since Angela always traveled before,
“What’s different? She was always gone, Firecracker. Now she’s gone and you still talk all the time.”
Of course he’s right, it’s just … different. Jessica and I have become closer than before, which is nice since I can’t hang with guys all the time. I mean, I’m a girl, and require a certain amount of ‘girl talk’.

Should I prep Carter for my family? Or allow him to figure it out on his own? This is what I ask myself during the entire flight. As I step off the plane, I’ve come to the conclusion that I will have him suck it up. He needs to be put to the test by my family. It’s surprising that Seth gave up so easily on him. Pretty sure if he didn’t have his drama, Carter would have been put through hell.

When I reach the parking lot to my apartment, I allow a smile to break out. My heart speeds up as I stride towards the door. Just as I reach out to turn the knob, the door opens itself and I am face to face with the man that has stolen my heart.

Carter Northwood has definitely weaseled himself into my life. This time, I hope it’s forever.

Carter

Knowing she landed a little over forty-five minutes ago, you could say I’m stalking the window. It’s been a little over twenty-four hours since the last time I held her. In my opinion, that’s twenty-three hours too long.

I open the door and catch her off guard, but the smile that’s displayed on her face is worth it.

Reaching out to grab Tabitha by the arm, I pull her inside and shut the door. Once I have her locked in my arms, I take what I need.

My mouth seeks hers, and in return she gives back just as much. Slowly, I back her into the door and run my fingers up to the nape of her neck. She lets out a little groan from within her throat, only fueling my need for her.

Breaking away to look into her eyes, it’s as if I need to see them to reassure myself that she’s mine. Tabitha is here with me and this is where she wants to be. No goodbye, no pain, just love.

“I missed you,” I announce as I brace the sides of her face in my hands.

She turns her face to the side and places a gentle kiss on the inside of my wrist and responds as she looks up. “Missed you.”

“Did you have a safe flight?” I whisper as I lean my head to hers.

“I did, but I’m glad to be home.”

“Home … I like when you say that.”

“Okay … You’re being weird.”

“No, I just didn’t think I’d miss you this much. It’s never been a problem before, but you changed me, Tabitha.”

“Same here, and I have no idea what we’re doing.”

“What we’re doing is loving each other. Learning to let each other in and bare our souls to one another.”

“Too deep, Carter. Remember, slowly.”

“Not possible. I have some news though. Let me take your things into the room and you get comfortable.”

“Just put my bags in the closet. I’ll unpack this weekend.”

I hear her explain where to put her luggage as I head off towards the back of the apartment. As I reach the room, I pray she’s still welcoming after I explain everything.

Easing into the living room I notice Tabitha has made herself comfortable.

“Need anything?” I ask.

“Nope, just tell me the news so I can relax,” she says, leaning her head back to glance up at me.

Sitting down, I pull her to me as I have the need to hold her against my chest. Before I start, I take a brief moment to soak in my surroundings and her. “I have news of the office.”

“That’s great, Carter. Where?”

“Across the street from SHI. It’s the old real estate office. Kelly and I signed the paperwork today. Once she has furniture delivered, we’re back open.”

“That’s fast. Are you excited?” She beams up at me.

“I am and nervous. Still have some things to work out. My license is not good here, yet. I need to file all the paperwork and then we can get started. Plus, I still have all the property in Seattle.”

“True, but I know you’ll figure it out. Things will work out for you.”

“I have something else. You ready for it?”

“Spill, mister.”

“I found us a place and we can move in whenever you’d like.”

“What! How could you pick out a place and not let me see where I’ll be living? I thought we were going to do this together. You know, work on the couple thing, instead of you being all demanding and stuff,” she exclaims while pushing off my chest to stare me down the way she does.

I put my phone in front of her and say, “Just take a look and then you can finish yelling at me.”

Watching her flip through the pictures, I notice the tiny hint of a smile. She’s so cute when she tries to hide it. It’s just a little upward lift on one side, but her eyes glow.

Tabitha looks up at me, trying to hide her excitement and points to the phone. “It’s all closet. Where’s the rest? I mean, what does the bathroom look like, and the kitchen?”

With a deadpanned look, I ask, “You’re really worried about the kitchen? I told Kelly I needed to take pictures of the whole place. Don’t worry, Tabby Cat, I’ll call tomorrow and cancel the contract. I already informed them you had final say,” I explain, and it’s then that I have her.

“Oh, well you know … We could make it work, I guess.”

“I thought so. Now come here.”

Leaning back on my side, I wrap my arm around her. I take a deep breath and hope she doesn’t blow her lid when I explain the email from Bethany. We promised no more secrets and I still have one to explain.

“I have one other thing I need to tell you. But first … you need to listen before you get upset, okay?”

“Okay, but I will not promise to not yell when you’re done.”

“I’ll take it and I’ll just jump right into it. The last time I left here, I saw Bethany in the airport. She’s the one who told me everything about the board members.” Just as I finish that sentence, Tabitha leans up and sits sideways to examine my face. She’s pulled her lip in as she does, to bite the inside.

I take her in and continue, “She also needed money. Tabitha, when I married Bethany, her family gave me money to set up my company. I placed it in our bank account back then. After I graduated, I knew I had to find a way out, but also had to protect myself at the same time. Robert wasn’t only my lawyer, but an investor in Georgia’s Inc., just as Jack is. Robert helped me set up a separate account, and we made it look as if I used that money for the startup. In reality, it was saved for a rainy day. I knew a day would come that I’d need it, deciding to not strap myself. I waited for the right time. It was blood money to me, nothing else, and I wanted no part of it. Bethany needing me for something, it felt good. Kelly transferred all the money to a new account and we closed the one I had it sitting in. No harm done and now the Edwards family has it back.” I stop for a brief moment, to remember my dear friend and thank him for being smarter than I was. As I go back in time, I wish he was here now. Just so he can see that all the years of hard work finally paid off. I’m free.

“So how do they all fit in? I don’t understand.”

“Jack and Robert were silent partners, it wasn’t until a few years ago that I was able to buy them out. Bethany was never worried about the company. To her it looked good in the public’s eye. Same with her father. If you have the right people, Tabitha, you can cover it all. The money was never mine. It was almost as if her father knew one day it would end this way. They have cut her off completely and she’s back in Monaco. I received an email from her and she’s happy, and finally found love.”

“Wow … Anything else?” she asks scrunching up her nose.

“No, I just felt like you needed to know. If you care to read her email, I’d be happy to show you. I told you, no more lies, and I don’t want to hide anything from you.”

“Why do I feel a ‘but’ is about to show up?” she asks.

“Other than she’s in love with my cousin, nothing. That’s not even a worry on my radar. She can date and marry whomever she cares to. As long as she stays out of my life, I’m happy for her.”

“How can you be happy with someone who ruined your life? She took years from you.”

“Simple, Tabitha, it wasn’t until I met you that I wanted to fight it. All those years, we prepared for the day to come, but in reality, I never thought I’d find you. It was also a pipe dream. So yes, I am happy in multiple ways. Do I feel the need to shout it from the roof top? No. The only person I need to express it to, is right in front of me.”

“You, Carter Northwood, have a way with words.”

“I’m no poet, just me,” I respond sarcastically.

“Since we’re being honest and all, I need to warn you about the barbecue.”

“By all means, continue.”

“Angela, Logan, Graham, Cory, Seth, Mitch, Jason, Ben, and … yeah my whole family will be at my parents’. If you don’t want to meet them all, you don’t have to come. They’re going to question you about everything.”

“Don’t worry about me. I haven’t been to a family affair in years.”

“Really? I can’t imagine not having them. If Mom doesn’t have a thing for her charities, it’s this.”

“And like I said, I’m excited to meet your family. I’m not going anywhere, so they might as well get to know me.”

“Are you ever afraid of anything? Nothing throws you off?”

“One thing now scares me, and that’s losing you. I left my life behind to start fresh. That’s what we’re doing.”

Tabitha leans back to me and whispers into my chest, “I’m tired.”

“Come on, let’s go to bed. Guess I’m not getting lucky tonight,” I joke.

“Carter Northwood with a one track mind. No you are not, not until I see my doctor. Bases are closed. You understand me?” she exclaims while doing this crazy thing with her arms. I can’t even respond to her. Tabitha was calm and relaxed, and now, she’s acting as if she’s an umpire in a baseball game. One thing guaranteed is that my life will never be boring. Not with her next to me.