Winter's Magic (Music City Hearts Series) (15 page)

He couldn’t believe he was even thinking the L-word. He understood how love made people do crazy things—changed a person’s life almost instantly. He couldn’t deny that he’d fallen for her that night in his grandfather’s study. Suddenly, things that used to be important held no meaning. The only thing that mattered was being with the one person that made everything in his life complete.

He knew he had at least one serious issue to work on. He needed to control his jealousy, or at least learn to hide it. But with Beth, rationale seemed to slide out the door, replaced by a possessiveness he’d never felt before.

The confrontation with Troy had been his undoing. Just knowing that she’d been in love with him. Been engaged to him. The fact that he hadn’t known her then didn’t matter. He couldn’t stand thinking about the two of them being together.

The flutter of Beth’s eyelashes against his neck brought him back from his thoughts. He felt her lips and tongue take a delicate stroll across his collarbone. Stirring inside of her, he became achingly hard almost immediately. He should be exhausted. Would be in the morning. For now, he just wanted more. He’d promised to love her all night, after all.

And she had that twinkle in her eye.

“You’re going to be late for the office.” Beth zipped her suitcase shut. After sleeping until noon on Sunday, Nick had taken her out for lunch and spent most of the afternoon running errands. They’d chosen to stay the rest of the weekend at her place since she still needed to pack for this morning’s trip to Atlanta.

“I’m the boss.” He wrapped her in his arms for the second time and kissed her until her knees buckled. She’d forgotten to set the alarm, causing them to oversleep. Even then, Nick hadn’t let her out of bed before he’d thoroughly ravished her one last time. And the way he kissed her now . . . Well, he wasn’t in any hurry to get to work.

“Don’t leave me.” He nibbled on her lower lip and tugged her hips into his. The man definitely knew how to thwart her good intentions. He was a hot-blooded, Grade A distraction she found increasingly hard to say no to.

But, today she didn’t have a choice. Her first appointment was at two and she needed to be on the road. “I have to go or I’m going to be late. I’ll be back Wednesday by noon, though.” She stepped out of his arms, slid the suitcase off the bed, and lifted the handle.

“Come by the office when you get in.”

Beth laughed, not sure if she’d ever get over that spontaneous afternoon. “I don’t think that’s a good idea. What if I cook dinner and you can come over when you leave work?”

“You win. This time. I’ll take off early.”

The four-hour drive flew by faster than Beth expected. Partially due to her cruise control being set on eighty. Mostly because her thoughts were consumed with Nick. She was becoming spoiled, waking up next to him. Felt lonely on days when she didn’t.

She’d sat by the fire all evening, piled up on her big leather sofa, wrapped in Nick’s arms as they talked for hours. She told him stories about Jenny and Sara. How they’d become best friends their first day on the Lexington campus.

“As roommates, it didn’t take long to realize how different we were.”

“I don’t know about that. You and Jenny are both neat, organized, and like to cook.”

“True. But Jenny and Sara are both true optimists at heart, where I don’t trust anything.”

“The cynical one.” He smiled.

“Sara believes anyone can change for the good. That’s why she stayed with her husband for so many years. Lord knows it’s the only reason I can come up with. After ten years of controlling her every move and the emotional abuse, I’m just glad she had enough self-esteem left to throw him out.”

“Is she all right? Ten years is a long time.”

“I talked to her a few days ago. She said she’s doing fine. I’m not sure, though. Jenny and I are planning to go see her after Christmas.”

“So, what’s made you such a cynic?” Nick asked.

She hadn’t answered at first. Lying down with her back against his chest, his arms tightened their hold. She knew she didn’t have to answer. Nick was like that—never pushing further than she wanted to go. Then she found herself wanting to tell him the truth.

“It’s rare that you meet someone without an agenda, that’s all. I think the three of us make such good friends because that’s all we want from each other. There’s a comfortable trust when you know the person doesn’t have anything to gain. They just like you for who you are.”

“That’s why Brandon and I are so close. Why I trust him as a business partner.” He paused. “Look at me.”

Beth turned her head and peered up into hesitant eyes.

“Do you trust me?”

“Of course I do. I haven’t always, but somehow you broke through all of my defenses.” She gave him a reassuring smile.

“My natural charm,” he said.

“You definitely have that. In fact, I’m probably number one hundred and one in the Nick Chester line of admirers.” She tried to sound casual, though she didn’t like the feelings that erupted when she thought about Nick with someone else.

“The line is short, I assure you. I’ve gone out with very few women more than once. Thanks to Brandon, I’ve had more blind dates and setups than I can count. Even when I say never again, I always seem to get roped into going out with the next friend-of-a-friend. I still haven’t forgiven him for the last one about six months ago.”

By the time Nick finished telling the story, Beth had forgotten about agendas and natural charm and thought she might fall off the couch.

“I bet your ego took a month to heal. Any woman who could spend the entire dinner texting on her Blackberry, instead of paying attention to you . . .”

“Good thing we were on a double date. Brandon’s girlfriend had to send her a text to find out if she wanted dessert.”

“You’re exaggerating now.”

“Not at all. Ask Brandon next time you see him at the office.”

“Was she blind or just self-consumed?”

“I didn’t ask. Just paid the bill and left the restaurant. Alone.”

“With me in your life, at least you don’t have to worry about blind dates. You seem to have recovered quite nicely.”

“Partially. I still feel bruised sometimes when I think about it.” He winked.

She would console him all the way to her bedroom, where he’d taken advantage of her sympathy for several hours.

As soon as she arrived in Atlanta, Beth went straight to the first salon, where she had an appointment for a facial and massage. According to her resume, Jennifer had graduated from beauty school eight years ago and been working at an upscale salon in Buckhead for six. Her husband recently accepted a transfer to the Nashville area.

“Hello. I have a reservation with Jennifer. I’m Amy Reynolds.” Beth never gave her real name when evaluating a potential new employee. Anonymity gave her the benefit of a blind first interview, testing their skills in a non-stress environment. If she liked what she saw, she could quickly set up an official interview to discuss an actual job offer. If she didn’t, the awkwardness of not hiring the applicant evaporated.

“Ms. Reynolds. Please follow me.”

For the next two hours, Beth indulged in a luxurious pampering that rivaled the quality of her own salon’s services. Jennifer was an expert and pure professional. She would be an excellent asset.

“Jennifer,” she said before going back to her dressing room. “I should tell you that my real name is Beth Sergeant. You sent a resume to La Bella Vita in Nashville last week.”

The woman’s face turned white as she stared back, speechless. The shock quickly turned to a smile as Beth continued. “Would you have time tomorrow evening to meet me for dinner? I’d like to discuss you coming to work for me.”

“Ms. Sergeant. I . . . I don’t know what to say.” She paused and then frowned. “I work late tomorrow. Is there any other time?”

“What time do you get off tonight? I’m staying at the InterContinental. We could have dinner later this evening.”

“I leave at six. I can be there by six-thirty if that works for you.”

“Perfect. I’ll meet you in the lobby.”

One down, one to go, Beth thought as she gave her keys to the valet and entered the hotel through the large circling doors. Hopefully, Sherri’s haircut and color tomorrow would be just as satisfying. She was taking a risk, but could always drive home with a baseball cap and she had faith in her own stylist to fix anything that could possibly go wrong.

The next evening, Beth returned to the hotel just fifteen minutes before the dinner reservation she needed to cancel. Plans had changed and she would be meeting Sherri, her second new employee, in the morning to finalize employment details and sign the contract. Waiting in line at the concierge, she phoned Nick. When her call went directly to voice mail, she remembered him mentioning a late meeting, followed by dinner with his grandfather.

“Beth.”

Pulled from her thoughts, Beth turned to find Troy standing just two feet away.
And to think her day had gone so well.

“I know I’m probably the last person on earth you wanted to run into,” he said.

“Close.” She didn’t hold back the sarcasm she felt. After their confrontation at the ball, Troy had dropped even further down her respectability list.

“I’m sorry about Saturday night. I had too much to drink. I was rude. I just wanted to talk to you for a minute.”

Beth didn’t know how to handle an apology from Troy. He wasn’t the type to admit he’d ever done anything wrong. She eyed him, trying to read his face.

Nothing.

What was he doing here? Her curiosity and radar flared.

“I have a few minutes. I was just getting ready to cancel reservations at Au Pied De Cochon. We can get a cup of coffee or a drink in the lounge.” Beth tried to keep her tone matter-of-fact. The cynic inside rarely believed in coincidences.

“Keep the reservation. Let me buy you dinner.”

“Troy . . .” Dinner was a far cry from just listening for curiosity’s sake.

“Please. I promise. Just friends having dinner. You don’t have any other plans for the evening, do you?”

She let out a resigned exhale. Having dinner with him was against her better judgment, but he was right–she didn’t have anything else to do. “All right. I buy my own dinner. And I’m not so sure we’re friends.”

Troy held up his hands and laughed. “Agreed.”

Nick’s stomach twisted as he answered the door. “Lauren. What are you doing here? I’m on my way out.”

“I know I should have called first. I needed to see you and after our last conversation—”

“You’re right.” He cut her off. “I probably wouldn’t have answered. So you thought showing up unannounced would be better?”

Irritation flooded him. It was just like Lauren to circumvent everyone else’s feelings and do exactly what she wanted. Showing up on his doorstep crossed the line.

He suddenly paused in his thoughts as Lauren moved further into the porch light. The red rims of her eyes were a stark contrast against the paleness of her cheeks. Even her hands betrayed a slight quiver. Startled, he stepped back and held open the door.

“Come in. You look awful.” Still irritated, but tempered by her demeanor, he resigned himself to the situation. And for the first time in two days, he was relieved Beth wasn’t here with him. This impromptu visit would be hard to explain.

Lauren sniffed and blotted her eyes with a Kleenex as she passed by him and continued to the living room. He couldn’t help staring as she sat down on the leather sofa and made herself comfortable. She kept her gaze lowered to her hands. How odd, having her back in his home. Everything felt wrong. She didn’t fit.

“I don’t want to rush you, but I’m expected for dinner.”

“I’m sorry.” She sniffed again. “I didn’t want to intrude. I just didn’t have a choice. I couldn’t go back to your office but I had to see you.”

“Why?” He hated to sound so abrupt, yet if this was going to be a repeat of their last conversation, she needed to leave.

She glanced up with pleading eyes full of unshed tears. A formidable difference from the Lauren everyone knew. The self-assured,
eat the dust off my shoes
, attitude she was known for had been replaced with a brokenness that began to nudge at his conscience.

“I’m pregnant, Nick.”

He felt his legs go numb as he sat in a chair across from her. His vision blurred. He could barely breathe against the vise squeezing his chest. His mind raced between ‘this can’t be happening’ and the tears streaming down her face he now knew were real.

They had always been careful. Even though she’d insisted that her birth control was enough, he’d always used protection. And they’d only been together a few times before breaking up just over a month ago.

He didn’t know where to begin. Eventually, he asked the question. “How far along are you?”

“About eight weeks.”

“There’s no doubt?”

“I took two different tests. And before you ask, I know the baby’s yours.”

She watched him expectantly. He had no idea what to say. She’d read his mind, but he wouldn’t apologize for the thought.

“Have you seen a doctor?”

“I have an appointment Tuesday afternoon.” Her words were almost a whisper as the tears began to flow faster.

“I’m going with you.”

Lauren shook her head. “It’s just a preliminary—”

“If I’m the father, I’m going to be there.” He wouldn’t give in on this one.

He went to the kitchen and returned with a box of tissues. Sitting next to her on the couch, he tried to blot the corner of one eye.

“I’m so scared, Nick.”

“Shh.” He put his arm around her. “Everything’s going to be all right. We’ll figure this out.”

“I need you. Daddy’s barely spoken to me since we broke up. He knows it was all my fault. And now this.”

Lauren leaned into his shoulder, his shirt soaking up the tears that continued to fall.

“Who knows about the baby?”

“Nobody, except my family.”

“Let’s keep this between us until Tuesday, then. We’ll figure out what to say after we make sure everything is okay and we know more.”

“I’m sorry, Nick.” Lauren hiccupped and lifted her head to blow her nose. “I love you. If you can just forgive me and give us another chance?”

Hearing the doorbell, Beth laid down the mixer and hurried to the front door. She couldn’t wait to throw herself into Nick’s arms. Leaving another voice mail after dinner and again this morning, she didn’t know what time to expect him. He was busy, but he must have missed her, too, because he was early.

She flew open the door, then caught herself. “Oh!” “Ms. Sergeant?” the young woman asked. Her nametag read Mary from Main Street Florists.