Authors: MK Harkins
This was the first part of my plan. I wanted Laurel to see what a good, healthy relationship looks like. I also wanted her to see for herself that I’m completely over my relationship with Mattie.
I’ve been over to Mattie and Jeremy’s house for a lot of gatherings, and it always feels like a home should be. Today is Colton’s first birthday, so I thought I’d bring Laurel. I’m rethinking my plan as I pull up in the driveway.
“This is my errand. We’re kinda going to a birthday party.” I remove the present from the backseat and get out of the car.
Laurel gets out and stomps over to my side. “Cade, I’m not going to a birthday party with you. What are you thinking? I’ll leave you here and go back to the hotel.”
“Please, Laurel. I don’t ask a lot from you. Can you please just come with me? This won’t take long. All the guys are here.”
“Give me the keys.”
“No.”
“Fine.” She stomps her foot and makes her way to the front door.
I catch up to her as Mattie opens it for us to enter. She looks at Laurel, eyes wide. She’s probably surprised. I’ve never brought anyone over before.
Jeremy appears. He also eyes Laurel with a big smile. “Hey Cade. You go and get yourself a girlfriend?”
Damn, she won’t like this question.
We both say, “No!” in unison. I try to hide my smile, but she catches a glimpse of it and narrows her eyes.
I introduce Laurel as my music agent, and we’re invited inside. Mattie looks back and forth between Laurel and I, trying to decipher if there is more to our relationship. Oh, there is so much more.
Laurel immediately goes over to Scott and starts a conversation with him. At least she’s talking to someone. I have a few hours, hopefully, to get to the bottom of what’s troubling her. We’ve grown so close lately. I can’t imagine it has something to do with me. If she’s having a bad day, I would hope she’d feel comfortable talking to me about it.
Laurel
This is the worst day ever. The only good part of it is Colton. He has to be the cutest child I’ve ever seen. It makes me wish— I stop the thought from forming. I am so far from that, I can’t even contemplate it. I guess if I had to admit it, Mattie and Jeremy are great together. They seem so connected, finishing each other’s sentences as everyone laughs. It’s almost painful to watch though, knowing I’ll never have anything like it. I thought I might with… Oh hell, I need to get out of here. I glance for the hundredth time at Cade. My stomach takes a dive again. I need to get back to California, where I can get some distance and perspective on my feelings about Cade having a girlfriend. I wasn’t expecting this to happen, and I need to process everything
before I do something stupid – like slapping Cade again, or telling him off. I’ve held back so far, but my self-control is waning.
I slip into the bathroom and call a taxi. I don’t have it in me to keep smiling and pretending anymore. I’m bound to do something emotional and reckless. This party is so happy, so sweet. I don’t want to say or do anything to ruin it.
I catch Mattie in the kitchen. “Mattie, thank you so much for the lovely party. I really appreciate you welcoming a virtual stranger into your home.”
Her face falls. “You’re not leaving? That Cade! He’s not making his escape so soon!”
I laugh. “No, don’t worry. I had something come up at the office, so I’ve called a taxi. Cade’s staying, but I’ll be leaving in a few minutes.”
“But I want you to stay, too. I haven’t had a chance to get to know you yet.” She lowers her voice. “Cade’s never brought anyone to our home before.” She nods at me, encouraging me to tell her more. Do I disappoint her? Should I let her know he has a girlfriend, but it isn’t me? No, I decide. That’ll be up to Cade.
“We’re just friends, actually more like business associates.” I
felt like we were friends, but what type of friend doesn’t tell the other about important things in their lives? No, we weren’t as close as I’d hoped.
“Really?” Mattie inquires. “That’s not what it looks like to me.”
What?
I wonder what she meant by that. I really don’t want to be rude and argue with her about it, so I decide to let it go. This day just keeps getting worse. I make a quick subject change.
“I have to say, Colton is the most adorable child I’ve ever seen.”
That does the trick. Mattie’s face lights up and she giggles. “He is, isn’t he?”
We laugh together as I hear a knock at the door. That’s my cue. Time to go. I say good-by to Mattie and make a quick escape.
Chapter 20
Laurel
Sophie and I flew out of Seattle a few hours after Colton’s birthday party. I knew Cade probably wondered where I went. Hopefully, Mattie filled him in. I needed to get home. I couldn’t get back fast enough.
The plane ride was long and draining. It wasn’t for the typical reason. Actually, the opposite. This time, it was Sophie taking care of me. She actually forgot her fear of flying and spent the entire trip trying to soothe me. She still recited the Hail Mary, but she said it was for Cade because she plans to kill him. I didn’t think anyone or anything could make me laugh today, but my dear friend and supporter managed to pull off the impossible.
Even with her calming skills, I still can’t manage to stop the tears tracking down my face. I’m grieving almost as if someone had died. Well, I guess a dream died last night. A very vivid, heart-felt, lovely dream.
Cade’s image intrudes into my thoughts. Damn him for being
so good looking. It just isn’t fair. I can picture clearly those penetrating, crystal blue eyes, boring into mine, always questioning, curious. His incredibly toned body, wavy, messy hair, and lopsided smile are going to haunt me for a long time. What I’m going to miss most, though, is the person beneath the handsome packaging. Cade. He’s incredibly smart, has a great sense of humor, loyal, giving, and a great friend. Okay, I’m going to have to rethink the friend part, but everything else about him I know I’ll miss.
Sophie and I make our way to the nearest taxi. We both run the short distance from the overhang at the airport to the waiting car. It doesn’t matter. No amount of running will prevent us from being totally drenched. Sophie is swearing loudly, as only she can, about her hair and make-up getting messed up. You could put Sophie in the middle of a hurricane, but she’d still be stunning. I think about telling her, but she’s in no mood. I love that she’s so protective of me. Now I just need to convince her I’ll be okay before the taxi drops her off.
“Don’t be grouchy. You know I’ll be fine,” I reassure.
“You’re always fine, Laurel. I know that. I also know how strong you are. I’m just so angry! I wanted this for you. I really did.” She puts her hands up to her face and bursts out crying.
“Sophie! What’s wrong? Did something else happen?” My heart starts beating rapidly. Did I miss something?
“You deserve happiness, Laurel. After everything you’ve had to endure growing up. You’ve lost your dad, and your mom might as well be dead.” She stops suddenly, putting her hand over her mouth. “Laurel, that just slipped out. I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have said that.”
I nod in agreement. “Don’t worry about it, Sophie, really. I know exactly what you meant. My mom hasn’t been there for me in such a long time, it doesn’t even bother me anymore.” And it doesn’t. But the fact it doesn’t bother me actually starts to bother me. What a mess. I think about the shock of seeing Cade with his new girlfriend, the disastrous party at Jeremy and Mattie’s house, the long flight home, the drenching rain, the fact I haven’t seen or talked to my mom in almost a year – and I start to laugh. Really laugh. It feels good to release the stress, but I think I’ve scared Sophie. She’s looking at me like I’ve gone crazy. She’d be partially correct, but mostly I’ve found that, when all else fails – laugh.
Through my giggles, I manage to get out, “I was going to try to convince you I’m okay, but I’m not doing a very good job, am I?”
She shakes her head, reaches over, and clasps my hand. “I’m
coming home with you tonight.”
“No, you aren’t. We’re almost to your condo. I told you, Sophie, I’ll be fine.” I suppress the giggles that are trying to escape. “See, I’ve got this. You know I like to laugh when things go wrong. It’s a coping mechanism. Really. It’s healthy.”
She lets out a long breath. “You promise you’ll call me if you need me?”
“Promise.”
The taxi drops off Sophie, and I start to give the driver my address. I change my mind and give him another one from memory. I need to visit Douglas. I think he’s exactly who I need to be with right now.
Kelly Ricci
“Did you hear the news? It looks like there’s trouble in paradise.” Rodney gloats.
“What do you mean?” I ask. I’ve had a horrible day. I don’t need Rodney being his usual cryptic self.
“A little birdie told me there’s a rift between Cade and Laurel. Apparently, she doesn’t want anything to do with him.”
I try to cover my excitement. “Oh yeah? Why would you say that?”
“I have my sources. My talents span a wide range of areas,” he brags.
“Okay, so what do your ‘sources’ say?”
“Laurel and her assistant Sophie flew to Seattle a few days ago. Apparently, Cade has a girlfriend or something and didn’t bother to tell Laurel. You remember the incident with them in the storage
closet? I think it was one sided. Laurel had feelings for Cade, and he wasn’t interested. Anyway, she found out and left Seattle in a hurry. It’s been a year, so the contract will expire soon. I say we head back up to Seattle and catch them while they’re at odds.”
Chapter 21
Laurel
I stand on the familiar porch, trying to talk myself into knocking. What am I doing here? Douglas and I have kept in contact, exchanging emails and texts from time to time, but what will he think about me showing up on his doorstep.
I look down at my wet, now wrinkled clothing. I don’t have a mirror, but I’d bet my mascara hasn’t survived the downpour. I’ve just about talked myself into leaving when the door opens suddenly. Now it’s too late. This is uncomfortable.
Douglas has his phone to his ear, a surprised look on his face. He tells the person on the phone, “Hey, let me call you back. I have a visitor.” He smiles and motions me in.
I say quietly, “Douglas, I can come back. I don’t want to interrupt.”
He shakes his head and covers the phone. “I’m just wrapping up a business call. You aren’t interrupting at all. It’s great to see you.” He takes a longer look at me. “You’re wet! Hurry up. You’re going to
catch a cold out there.”
I walk hesitantly into the foyer of his home. I’ve always loved his house. It’s located in one of the old neighborhoods built around the turn of the century, with coved ceilings, built in bookcases, window seats, and hardwood floors. They don’t build houses like this anymore.
Douglas is still trying to end his call. He looks at me apologetically and attempts to take my coat with one hand. I laugh and move away so I can do it.
“Tell you what. I’ll call you tomorrow with the report. But it looks like everything went as planned, and we got the return we wanted from our advertising campaign.”
He takes me by the hand and leads me into the kitchen. He’s remodeled it since the last time I’ve been here. It’s done in the same period to match the style of his home. The cabinets are distressed white with stainless steel appliances.
Douglas nods his head, smiling at me. I remember how driven he was about his job, working countless hours of overtime. It looks like things haven’t changed.
“Yes. I know what to do.” He takes the tea kettle sitting on the stove and starts to pour water into it. He mouths to me, “Hot
chocolate?”
I smile and nod.
“You didn’t think the contest would pay off, and it did. So you need to let me do my job.”
He lights the stove and goes to the other end of the kitchen where his pantry is. He offers two different types of hot chocolate, one milk and one dark. I point to the dark. I laugh as his multi-tasking continues.
“I really do have to go now. We can discuss the merger tomorrow. I don’t have time for this now. Goodbye.” He clicks off. “Finally! That was my boss. I’m so sorry. He likes to micromanage. It’s so good to see you.” He takes me in for a good, long hug.
I was right to come here. This feels really good.
“I’m sorry to drop in like this. It was spur of the moment. I feel bad interrupting your call with your boss. Is everything okay?” It sounded like there was tension between him and his boss. I hope I didn’t add to it.
“To tell you the truth, I’ve been offered a job at another bank. Every time I come up with a new, innovative idea, it gets either shot down or picked apart. I really need to be in an environment where I’m
able to grow. Do you remember my dream, to start my own investment firm?”
“Yes, I do. Are you getting closer?”
“I’m about a year out. I’m really excited about it. Everything is coming together.”
“That’s great news, Douglas! I’m so happy for you.”
We stand in his kitchen, looking at each other, smiling. He looks good, really good. I remember him as exceedingly handsome, but, dressed in sweats with his beard growing in, he looks casual, in a very good way.
He breaks the silence. “You look great, Laurel.”
I raise a brow.
“Well, except for the fact that you’re a little wet, you still look wonderful.”
I laugh. “I think that’s an overstatement, but thank you. I can’t believe this weather!”
“Soooo,” he gestures to me in a
what happened to you
kinda way.
“Oh, um, well, I’ve had a bad day. Actually, a bad couple days. Sorry for barging in like this.”
“No worries. I’ll get you some dry clothes, and we can order a pizza and watch a movie. Does that sound good?”
I nod, relieved.
He leans over and kisses my cheek. “You can tell me all about your bad days when you’re ready.”
Why did I break up with Douglas anyway? For the life of me, I can’t remember.
Cade
“You bastard!” Sophie shouts into the phone.
What the hell?
“And I would be a bastard because…” I try to ask calmly, but I’m anything but calm.