One Unforgettable Favor

by Nicole Vidal

  “Hi. I didn’t know how to answer. I think I hung up on you. I apologize.”

  “No problem. The grocery delivery is here. Would you like me to send it up?”

  “Yes, thank you.”

  After accepting and putting away the groceries, I head back outside to work on my resume. As I make the updates, I consider my options for opening my own center. It would be a dream come true. How much compromise will it take to have him and my career? Is it even possible? The sound of my ringtone pulls me out of my head.

  “Hello.”

  “Miss Barnett, this is Georgia Waller. Thank you for returning my call.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  “I’m reaching out for a few reasons. I want to apologize for my daughter’s behavior. She was never able to handle Mason’s disability well. I read your proposal to assist Mason with his developmental delays. I’m impressed. I would like to meet with you to discuss implementing your ideas.”

  “Mrs. Waller, thank you for the call. An apology isn’t necessary. Did you say ‘was’?”

  “Yes, my daughter died of an aneurysm about a week ago.”

  Holy fuck! She must have sent the withdrawal papers just before she died. I wasn’t a fan of Mrs. Sanfilippo’s handling of her son’s disability or her temperament, but I never wished her ill will.

  “I’m sorry for your loss.”

  “Thank you. I would like to set up a teleconference with you to discuss how I can help Mason.”

  “Do you live in New York?”

  “Yes, why?”

  “It’s a long story, but I’m in New York right now as well. Would you prefer to meet in person?”

  “That would be lovely. Does tomorrow at ten in the morning work for you?”

  “Yes, that’s fine.”

  Mrs. Waller gives me her address, and we end the call. I have no idea what this opportunity entails, but I’m intrigued. I finish the edits to my resume and change into my bathing suit to catch some rays while waiting for Cash to get home.

  31

  Cassius

  I’m not a clock watcher, never had reason to be, yet I’m mentally ticking off the seconds until it’s a reasonable time to rush home to her. My day wasn’t overly taxing. Stacy presented me with two options. One is absolutely not a sound deal; the second might be a maybe. Noelle and I need to talk more in depth.

  After a brief chat with Arthur, I ride up to my home. As the doors open, I notice it’s eerily quiet, as if she isn’t home. I love thinking of this as her home. For me, she is my home. Tugging off my tie, I scan the kitchen and find pork in a water-filled bowl in the sink. I step into the bedroom finding jeans and a blouse on the bed. My pulse starts to race imagining water running over her lush breasts, down her smooth belly to…. The shower is off.

  Setting my tie and jacket on the bed with her clothes, I glance outside. Holy mother of… Noelle is lying on the chaise in a teeny red bikini. The curve of her breasts is barely contained by the triangles of fabric that should be secured at her neck—they aren’t. My gaze follows her taut abdomen to another scrap of fabric, which—in my opinion—also fails to cover enough of her. Never once have I been this protective and possessive of a woman. My woman. Even as I slide the door open, she doesn’t stir.

  “You will not wear that anywhere else,” I order, stepping beside the chair,

  effectively blocking the sunlight.

  “You aren’t the boss of me.” She opens her hazel eyes wide.

  “Try harder. One of your students could create a better retort than that.”

  A flicker of sadness creeps into her eyes, but just as quickly it’s gone. “Are you just going to gawk or kiss me?”

  Straddling the chair, I lift her legs, setting them on the deck. Lowering myself to the chair, I lean forward and press my mouth to her hip and travel upward to her lips, pausing to properly savor her nipples.

  “Can we do this every day?” she murmurs against my lips.

  “Yes, I want to come home to you every day. But my earlier statement stands; you will not wear this bikini anywhere but here.”

  “A tad possessive, don’t you think?” There is a slight hitch in her voice.

  “It’s not possessive when you’re already mine. It’s protective.”

  “Yours, huh?”

  “Yes, mine.” I explore her mouth to bolster my statement with necessary evidence before savoring her from head to toe on my terrace. After an orgasm or two, I follow her naked curves to my bed and lose myself in her. I would happily stay here tangled with her between my sheets except for the fact I’m starving. Almost two hours after I arrive home, we start cooking dinner.

  “I got a call from the flight manager today. Mrs. Waller cancelled her flights to California going forward. I wonder what happened?” I chop veggies for our stir-fry.

  “Her daughter died last weekend.” I pause to look at Noelle’s expression to verify I heard her correctly.

  “Yet you still lost your job.”

  Noelle nods. “She must have sent the paperwork before she died. Mrs. Waller said she died of an aneurysm. She didn’t pinpoint when though, and I didn’t press. Either way, Sheila said she was going to let me go. Mrs. Waller just bought me a few days.”

  “What did she want?”

  “She wants to talk about how she can help Mason. Mason lives here now. Apparently, Mrs. Sanfilippo was a single mother. Mrs. Waller reviewed the plan I created for Mason, and she was impressed. She wants to discuss ways she can implement it.”

  “That’s fantastic! When are you meeting her?” I lean forward, kissing her before throwing the meat into the pan.

  “Tomorrow at ten. Do you always walk to work?”

  “Always is a strong word, but often. Why?”

  “I just don’t want to take your car if you need it.”

  “Take whichever one you want, or I can buy you something that suits you better.”

  “What do you mean whichever one?”

  I thought I told her that both vehicles were mine. “The black SUV in the adjacent spot is mine too. Or I can buy you a smaller car if you want.”

  “No, I don’t need a car. I have a car, just not here.”

  Noted, don’t buy anything extravagant, especially if she already has one. That won’t stop me from buying her gifts, but I wouldn’t buy a car without her input anyway.

  “I can’t wait to hear about your meeting tomorrow.”

  We chat more about Mrs. Waller and Mason, but I don’t really know anything useful. I only know her flight schedule—at least, I did. While I plate our food, Noelle grabs two waters, silverware, and napkins. We settle at the outdoor dining table.

  “What did Stacy have to say?” She takes her first bite. “This is really tasty, Cash.”

  “Thanks. So far he found two potential options for us.”

  She didn’t flinch or correct me when I said “us,” nor did she blanche when I called her mine earlier. I want to wake up with her in my arms for the rest of my life.

  “The first one is in Alaska. It’s a much smaller opportunity than I would like. There are limited flights, and the location isn’t the best. The second option is in Los Angeles. It’s a much better deal, a better opportunity, but it’s a big city, which we don’t want.”

  “I gather there isn’t a database where Stacy can look to find these deals; it takes a bunch of phone calls and finding the right person to ask to find what a particular client is looking for, in this case you.”

  “No, there isn’t. I chose Stacy because he has contacts in the aviation industry because that’s his former profession.”

  She nods. “I’ve been giving what you suggested more thought, but I have reservations and concerns. Will you explain how a potential deal would work, one specifically for me?”

  “Of course, what are your reservations?”

  She pauses a bit too long for my taste. Noelle is thoughtful and careful with her words. I wait for her to speak again.

  “Mainly, I fee
l like I shouldn’t rush headlong into anything. Right now, I’m free to go wherever I want and do whatever I want. I would have never considered my own center as an option until I met you. I don’t want to make a choice that could jeopardize what you are able to choose. It’s unfair for me to suggest you chase your passion, but then make it difficult for you to do it.” Slowly, she lifts her eyes to mine.

  “Tesoro, I have the same reservations about choosing an opportunity for myself.”

  “Please don’t. You need to choose the best option for you. Let’s assume I didn’t lose my job and you still decided to shift careers. What would be different?”

  “I wouldn’t be sharing my home with a gorgeous woman who I see a future with.”

  She opens her mouth to speak, but words fail her.

  Yes to every thought crashing through your mind right now. I want you. I want to build a life with you. There will be hardships along the way, but with you, I can handle it all. “The parameters I gave Stacy are the same as they would have been if you were still working.”

  “I’m confused. You said the Los Angeles deal was better but not what we want. If I still worked there, wouldn’t it be perfect?”

  “In the short-term, maybe as far as proximity to you. In the long-term, it isn’t. We don’t want to live in a big city. Did I misunderstand?”

  “No. You didn’t misunderstand. I don’t want to live in a big city, but I will if it’s what you need.”

  That response is precisely why she’s perfect. She wants her career, a family, and me, but she’s willing to give it up for me as I would for her.

  “Tesoro, that’s the beauty of being able to search for the right opportunity. I don’t have to take one that isn’t perfect for us.” I lean across the table and press my lips to her forehead. We finish our meal in silence—the type of silence that provides comfort. After cleaning up, we cuddle on the couch as I explain the process of how finding her center would work with investors from business plan to opening the doors.

  32

  Noelle

  My commute to work with Mason this afternoon has been awful. There has been traffic at every turn. I’ve considered taking the subway a few times, but Cash nixed the idea swiftly. He’s concerned that photographers will hound me if I’m alone, and I’m wholly against having security every single day.

  Working with Mason has been wonderful for both of us. I’ve been able to see him grow and develop. Over the course of the last few weeks, I learned that Mrs. Waller was a teacher for thirty years before retiring. She was impressed with the plan I created for Mason and asked what my plans are for the future. She and I discussed my ideas for a center for students like Mason, but that is about as far as it went.

  I agreed to tutor Mason through the summer. Since his mother’s death, Mason and I work together every day from nine to one. Mrs. Waller is looking for a home outside of the city within driving distance to a preschool that is willing to work with a private tutor provided by Mrs. Waller to make sure Mason continues to thrive.

  Cash turned down three opportunities that Stacy found so far. Alaska, LA, and one last week located near an air force base in Texas for various reasons. I just hope he doesn’t get frustrated waiting for the perfect deal. Is it even out there?

  I’ve started working on a business plan for my center, but I keep getting stuck on the location aspect. I can’t make that decision until Cash finds his opportunity. For now, I’m just looking forward to a quiet weekend with Cash at home. Other than dinner with his sister tonight, and a date night out tomorrow, we have no plans. Last weekend, I spent the entire time alone in the house. While I missed Cash, the quiet and peace of his home is glorious. I slept in and relaxed, reading two Claire Kingsley novels. I also made major inroads on my business plan. The more information I have, the easier it will be to research the location. As I park, my phone chimes.

  Kate: How are you? I miss your face.

  Me: I’m well. What about you? How is Keyton?

  Kate: I’m good. Keyton is amazing! When are you coming home?

  Me: I don’t know if I am. Why don’t you come here for a long weekend?

  Kate: I’ll think about it. Are you getting your mail?

  Me: Yes, thank you. Do you want my condo?

  Kate: I can’t buy it, but I could rent it from you. I’ll think about it.

  Me: I miss your face too. Love you.

  Kate: Love you too.

  I smile and step out of the car. There is an older man standing near the elevator. I’ve never seen him before. I scurry around him to ride upstairs. The moment I step inside, the intercom is ringing.

  “I have a Mr. Warren Morgan to see you, miss.”

  “I don’t know who he is. He’ll have to visit when Cash is home.” I text Cash to see where he is.

  “He insists he wants to speak with you.”

  Me: I think your father is here. He wants to talk to me.

  Cash: I’m on my way. Please have Arthur keep him in the lobby.

  Me: Okay.

  “Arthur, Cash will be home in a little bit. Please ask Mr. Morgan to wait until he arrives.”

  “Thank you, miss. I’ll let him know.” Once I hang up, I consider making it look like I haven’t been living here but decide against it. I don’t care what Cash’s father thinks.

  Less than thirty minutes later, Cash and the man come through the door. Cash follows his normal routine, tugging off his tie and jacket on his way to kiss me hello. Today’s is a bit more brief than usual, likely due to our unannounced guest.

  “Noelle, please meet my father, Warren Morgan.”

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you.” I extend my hand to him. He shakes it firmly. After he releases my hand, Cash slides his arm around me. It’s comforting and disconcerting at the same time. Why is he concerned about his father being here? Cash defined their relationship as strained, but he’s clearly concerned for my safety, or maybe it’s possessiveness.

  “What do you need, Father?”

  “The rumor mill—aka your mother—has been spinning out of control lately. Her stories range from you’re engaged or married to having a baby in the next few months. Judging by her appearance, the latter isn’t true. I needed to check on you personally.”

  “Noelle and I are fine and none of your business. Is there something else? I’m sure you didn’t come down here to ask about my relationship status.”

  “I’m concerned about your choice to change careers with regards to your trust as well as your younger brother’s foolish plan to open a restaurant. Does he realize the failure rate?”

  I hide my reaction to his questions well. What is he talking about Cash’s trust? Mr. Morgan glances over at me to gauge my response. I clearly passed because he seems impressed with my poker face. Cash moves his arm from around me and threads his fingers with mine as he answers.

  “Nothing I have set into motion goes against the terms of my trust. Even if it did, I would make the change anyway,” Cash replies with conviction. There are apparently more layers to his family drama than I’m aware of.

  “I see. What about August?”

  “Father, you agreed to give him access to his trust to chase his dream of opening a restaurant. That also means you have to be willing to let him fail as well.”

  I just fell a little deeper in love with Cassius Morgan. Not only is he standing up for himself but his brother as well, just as he supported his sister after her accident. His protection of his siblings and fierce loyalty reminds me of me and mine.

  “Have you spoken to your sister?” Mr. Morgan asks, as if reading my mind.

  “As with every other time you inquire, Mina is fine. That’s the only information you are getting from me, Sam, or Auggie. Leave her alone. She has made her position crystal clear. Whether she decides to let you and Mother back into her life is solely up to her. I will not be a middleman. I’m surprised she allows us to share even that much.”

  I’m sure Cash is trying to hurry his father out of here s
o he doesn’t run into Mina when she arrives.

  Mr. Morgan nods. “It was a pleasure meeting you, Noelle. I hope to see you at the gala.”

  “Nice to meet you, Mr. Morgan.”

  “Son.”

  “Have a nice evening, Father.”

  Mr. Morgan exits the door. The moment it closes, Cash whips out his phone to check on Mina’s arrival. After furiously tapping and reading her response, he lets out a deep breath.

  “Thank you for coming home so quickly. I wasn’t sure what to do,” I confess.

  “I will always come for you.” Cash presses his lips to mine, kissing me breathless.

  “How is Mason?”

  “He’s well. Making progress. I’m working with the director of his new daycare center to make sure he has the support he needs in the fall when they move to their new home.”

  “That’s fantastic! I’m so happy for him and for you!”

  “How was work? Do you want to change before your sister arrives?”

  “Fine, boring. Yes.” He guides me to the bedroom so he can change.

  Billie arrives near six with two garment bags. After greeting Cash, she turns to me. “It’s so great to see you again. I have your gown for you to try and something my brother requested.” She yanks me into the bedroom to show me my dress for the gala.

  Oh, Cash. What have you done this time?

  Billie pulls the dress for the gala out of the garment bag. She took what I asked for and turned it into the perfect gown.

  “It’s gorgeous. Thank you so much!”

  “Try it on.”

  I step into the bathroom and pull on the dress. It fits perfectly. I step out to show Billie.

  “Holy crap! You look stunning! Is anything pulling or tight?”

  “It’s flawless.”

  “Take this one with you and try it on too.” The second bag has a navy sheath dress with split straps and a low-cut back.

  “Gorgeous,” Billie says when I return to the bedroom.

  “Thanks. Do you know what he’s up to?” I slip back into the bathroom and change out of the dress.

  “No. I just know he asked for a second dress for you. What was in the box he gave you in Maine?”