‘You’re telling me you don’t love her?’
‘I didn’t say that,’ he said.
‘Step one is admitting it to yourself.’ Maya lifted her eyes to the ceiling and shook her head. ‘No one thinks about love. It smacks into you like a train.’ She clapped her hands together for emphasis, startling Carrie sipping from her coffee.
Maya’s assistant tossed her an annoyed look as she mopped up the few spots from her desk with a napkin.
‘I have a good feeling about this,’ Maya said, turning back to Nick.
‘Nick!’ Quinn called from his office.
Nick winced. ‘I’ll let you know.’
‘Don’t think about it too much.’ Her stern expression haunted him as he walked toward his father’s office. She was counting on him to do the right thing. But other than what he had tried with Angie, what else could he do to convince her of his feelings?
‘Close the door,’ Quinn said the moment Nick arrived.
This was his opportunity for answers, but he couldn’t get the idea of seeing Angie out of his mind. Would she think he had tricked her or was it best to leave it alone?
‘Jared informed me that Ivy is seeing someone else. It’s sad when your son doesn’t even confide in you about something so important.’
‘Her life isn’t my business, and I doubt it’s yours either.’
‘It’s because you were having a fling with that other woman.’
‘It wasn’t a fling. I care about her.’ His chest filled with an emptiness he had only experienced when he was with Angie. He did still care about her, and he had to know if she felt the same too.
Quinn let out a grunt and shook his head. ‘How can you care for her that much when you barely know her?’
‘I know enough. I wanted to get to know her even more before you interfered.’
‘I did what was best for you.’
‘Best for me?’ It was Nick’s turn to scoff. ‘You set up a scheme to get Ivy and me together to work on a development. This was never about a real relationship for you.’
Quinn blinked, caught in his own lie. He must not have expected Ivy to confide in Nick. Well, it was time to put him in his place. Quinn’s arrogance only went so far with Nick. If they were going to work together long-term, he had to prove he wasn’t a pushover.
‘Why did you need me involved anyway?’ Nick asked.
Quinn walked over to the windows and peered outside. Nick waited. It was all he could do until his father decided to speak.
When he finally spoke, his voice was low and filled with emotion. More than Nick had heard in a long time. ‘I thought the project would entice you to stick around for the long haul.’
‘I’m not leaving, Dad. Why did you think that?’
‘David has been around a lot lately. You and I have been butting heads as well. I thought with Angie’s influence you would leave too.’
‘Dad, I’m not David. I like my job. You’re difficult to work with at times, but I’m not leaving.’
Quinn swallowed and turned to him. ‘You mean that?’
‘Of course. But I don’t want to butt heads with you. We were working together fine before you introduced me to Ivy. I appreciate her as a family friend, and that’s all.’
Quinn shoved his hands in his pockets and stared at Nick as if he didn’t believe him.
Nick sighed. ‘As much as I love David, I’m not him. He never wanted this job. I do. It took me a while to realize it, but you need to trust me. No more schemes to keep me around.’
Quinn cleared his throat. Nick had never seen him so nervous. ‘I know I work a lot. But it’s a trait my father pushed for me. You’re a great asset to the company with the way you handle the business, but it wouldn’t hurt to see you settle with someone who thinks the same way.’
How could Dad care so much about Nick starting a life with Ivy, when he couldn’t even bother to make peace with his eldest son and his family? He had two amazing grandsons and the kindest daughter-in-law. His judgment was off, and Nick was tired of it.
‘There’s an entire family on David’s side. You could always make up with them.’
‘This again?’ Quinn let out a sardonic laugh. ‘It’s not happening.’
For a moment, Nick thought he had sliced through his father’s rough exterior. He had what he wanted now, a promise from Nick he was going to stay. But he couldn’t have all of Nick. Not when he treated David, Theresa, and the boys as outcasts.
‘You can’t have it all. I’m going to stay here, but you’re never going to feel fulfilled unless you forgive David for living his own life. There’s nothing wrong with that, and you’re punishing his family for your own stubbornness.’
‘Nick—’
‘No,’ Nick interrupted. ‘You have the opportunity to make things right, and you’re standing here in your ivory tower letting life pass you by.’
‘It’s too late anyway,’ Quinn said, the tops of his ears reddening.
It reminded Nick of the last time he saw David and Quinn in the same room. The blowout had taken place in the office, after hours, and they all ended up changed.
‘It’s never too late.’
‘You sound like David,’ Quinn said. For once, his son’s name didn’t come out of his mouth like a curse.
‘I have to go,’ Nick said, realizing what he had to do. He had to make it right with Angie, the way his father would never do with David. When you cared about someone, you tried as hard as you could to keep them in your life. Nick understood her feelings about what he had done and how he should have been honest with her from the start.
Nick stormed down the hallway toward Maya’s desk. ‘I’ll be there, tomorrow.’
Maya grinned at Nick. ‘I knew you’d change your mind. You do love her.’
‘Why do you care about this so much anyway? I thought you two weren’t friends.’
‘People change,’ Maya said.
Anyone could change. Nick only wished his dad had received that memo. He had tried to get his father to see his mistakes with David, but he wasn’t as enlightened as Maya. The best he could do was hope.
***
The next morning, Nick woke with a renewed sense of purpose. During his run with Charlie, she clung to his side as if giving him the confidence to push through his apology to Angie. Since it was Christmas Eve, the only meeting he had today was the press conference. He wasn’t going to the office at all. He dressed in slacks and an olive-green sweater. It was a mix of professional and holiday attire. He wanted to look good for Angie and prove to her that he was serious about them. Butterflies flitted around his stomach, but he was more excited than nervous. His plan to get her back had to work. Opening himself up to her was a strange feeling, but he hoped it would pay off.
The conference would take place at a smaller events space across the street to the homeless shelter. When Nick reached the parking lot outside the shelter, he couldn’t spot Angie’s car. He wanted to wait for her, but also wasn’t sure if she wanted to see him right away. No doubt she’d know he was coming to the press conference and would already regret her choice to be there.
Instead of forcing his side of the story again, he walked inside and hoped that inspiration would strike when he saw her.
A flash of movement caught his eye. Outside, Angie’s grandparents’ car pulled into the parking lot, and Nick’s heart raced. Angie parked in the closest spot to the exit and stepped out.
He watched her cross the lot, and his breathing slowed. It had only been a few days since he saw her, but he realized at that moment how much he missed her. He couldn’t let her go that easy. She had changed him, and he would never be the same.
Nick inhaled sharply, prepared to take on the challenge to fight for love.
Chapter 25
The morning of the press conference at the shelter, Angie dressed in one of her better planning outfits. Slipping on the black skirt and dress jacket over a white button-down shirt transported her back to her job in California
. Over the last few weeks, she’d appreciated going to work at the mall dressing the way she wanted. She wasn’t sure what was expected of her at the conference since Maya had been vague on the details. But if the camera panned in her direction, she wanted to look her best.
After meeting little Grace, Angie’s excitement for the holidays had returned. She couldn’t wait to get to the stores to buy more gifts for the new baby. She wasn’t ready to go back to the mall yet, but she hoped after Christmas there were enough sales at other local shops that she could spoil her niece.
In the time Angie visited the hospital, Grace opened her eyes, cried, and filled Angie with the most incredible happiness. The highlight of her time was watching Jeremy figure out how to move the newborn while changing her diaper. Reese took many pictures, Angie assumed for blackmail. With the incision from the C-section, Reese couldn’t move from the bed easily, and the nurses recommended they stay in the hospital through Christmas.
After the conference, Angie planned to head over there for another visit. She was proud to be one of the few guests allowed at the hospital other than blood relatives.
When Angie came out of the guest room ready for the day, Maria waved her into the kitchen.
‘You look great, Angela,’ Maria said.
‘Thank you. I’m a little nervous.’
‘You shouldn’t be,’ Maria said. ‘You did a wonderful thing. You should feel proud of your accomplishments.’
Angie was proud of making money for the shelter, but she was more nervous about seeing Nick. Ivy would probably be there by his side, making the situation even more awkward than the almost run-in at Nick’s office. ‘I hope it doesn’t take too long.’
‘Is Nick going?’
‘I think so,’ Angie said quickly, avoiding her Mom’s watchful eyes. Any flicker of emotion would elicit a flurry of questions her way. ‘I’m sure all the corporate people are. Well, at least his father.’
‘That man who yelled at you? He deserves a talking to.’
Angie touched her mom’s shoulder. ‘Not by you.’
Maria waved her hands in the air as if dispelling steam from a boiling pot of water. ‘Well, don’t let that man lessen anything you’ve done for those people. He probably has that amount of money in his wallet, while they would appreciate it and put it to good use.’
Angie had no idea what Mr Bower’s finances were like, but she knew she couldn’t get into it with her mom, or she’d be there all day. ‘I need to go. Love you.’
‘Be sure to be back here for three,’ Maria said. ‘Nonno will probably pass out in the chair before dinner if we do it any later. You’d think he believed in Santa Claus from the early hour they go to bed.’
Angie’s mouth fell open. ‘There’s no Santa?’
Maria shook her head, tsking her daughter. ‘Bye, Angela.’
Outside, Angie shivered and zipped her coat to the top. The temperatures were supposed to drop significantly tonight. She still held out hope for a white Christmas. It was the one thing she wanted to make up for the most dramatic Christmas season of her life.
***
Downtown, the traffic was a mess. As much as Angie wanted to avoid the mall, it was the quickest route to the conference. She supposed it was a good thing there wasn’t snow in the forecast to cause any accidents on the roads. The shelter was on the corner of the street next to a small lot. She parked across the street from the warehouse, which had been converted to a shelter almost a decade ago. Angie had passed the crumbling brick building many times in her visit without knowing what it represented for Hazel.
Since she had only seen Nick in David’s truck, she had no idea if his car was there or not. But it was only a matter of time before she saw him. Through the front door of the building, Angie played with the hem of her jacket while she sauntered down a long hallway. She wasn’t sure what to expect, but she followed the sounds of chattering people inside a room at the end.
There were already more than a dozen people inside the room. At the back corner there was a small stage with a blue curtain behind it. The podium and microphone sat in front of it. Official-looking men in suits stood toward the corner of the room, speaking to who she assumed were journalists.
A breath stole from Angie’s chest when she spotted Nick and his father. Nick was the only one not in a suit, and he looked great as usual. Her insides quivered. At least she had dressed the part. She took off her jacket and folded it over a nearby folding chair.
As if he had a radar for her, Nick caught her eye and gave her a quick smile while continuing to speak to the journalist. He had work to do today. She understood that more than most. She scanned the room again and realized Ivy wasn’t there. At least that was one small miracle.
Angie walked toward the table of coffee and bagels. She wasn’t in the mood to eat, but she needed to do something with her hands. Ginger was there, spreading cream cheese on a bagel. Angie grabbed a cup to fill with coffee from the carafe. ‘Morning.’
‘Hi, Angie. It’s good to see you. Maya told me about your resignation.’
‘I got another job,’ she said.
‘That’s great. We’re going to miss you,’ Ginger said, biting into her bagel. ‘Hey, Nick.’
Angie stiffened and her entire body broke out in a wave of goose bumps as she turned to Nick. Ginger abandoned her by walking away with her breakfast toward the journalists.
‘Hi, Angie,’ Nick said. ‘Thanks for coming.’
His voice struck her. Their nearness reminded her of their kiss and all the times they walked together hand-in-hand.
‘No problem.’ She inhaled sharply. Nick’s scent overwhelmed her and brought back all the memories of their time together.
‘Are you ready for this?’ he asked.
Angie nodded. ‘It’s for a worthy cause.’
‘I meant the speech,’ he said.
Her hands tightened around the cup. ‘I have to give a speech?’
Nick’s lips quirked into a smile. ‘No, I was trying to make a joke. To lighten the mood.’
She breathed a relieved sigh. ‘Very funny.’
Nick pressed his lips together.
‘What?’ she asked.
‘I’ve never seen you so nervous before.’
‘I’m an event planner, remember? I don’t like to be the center of attention.’
‘I hope you didn’t mind Maya calling you. I wouldn’t have forced you to come if you didn’t want to. She thought you should be here to see what you have done for all those people.’
‘Maya set this up?’ Angie couldn’t believe Maya was still messing with her after all these years. As much as she wanted to be mad at her high school rival, Nick standing in front of her proved that her feelings hadn’t gone away. Not even a little bit. But though she had told him she wanted to move on, she wondered if there was still any hope for them.
‘I’m glad she called you,’ he said.
Swirling hope surged through her. ‘You are?’
‘Mr Bower,’ a tinkling woman’s voice said from behind Nick. She wore a red and green sweater with dancing reindeer across the chest. ‘Ms Martinelli. I’m so glad you’re both here. I’m Katherine Banks. It’s such a pleasure to meet you in person.’ She was younger than Angie expected from their phone call, maybe in her late thirties. Curly brown hair stuck out from all angles around her loosely tied bun. Pink lipstick stained her smiling lips. This woman had dedicated her life to these people, and Angie was starstruck.
Angie felt the urge to talk to Nick more, but that wasn’t what they were there for. ‘I’m thrilled to have you here today,’ Katherine said. ‘We’re so thankful for your support.’
‘She’s an excellent wrapper too,’ Nick said. ‘I used her services for my own gift.’
Angie recalled the small box she wrapped for him. At first, she’d thought it was for his mother or sister-in-law. But it was the perfect size for a bracelet or necklace for Ivy. Her smile wavered, but she was able to hold onto it for the rest of the co
nversation. It wasn’t Katherine’s fault that there was awkwardness between her and Nick.
‘We’re going to do it again next year,’ Nick said. ‘We would like to make this an annual event. We can branch out to the soup kitchen as well, as you have contacts there as we discussed.’
Angie tilted her head regarding him. She supposed making the wrapping station a yearly event made sense, but she had no idea of the planning Nick had done behind the scenes.
Katherine spoke animatedly to him about her work and the possibilities of a partnership.
Angie was painfully aware of his closeness. In their time together, she hadn’t seen Nick fully ‘on’ when it came to his job. He was as charismatic around Katherine as he had been the entire time she knew him. His smile was infectious, and with each passing minute, she returned to the conversation, unable to tear her eyes away from him.
Angie sensed the same heaviness in the air hovering over Nick as well. They hadn’t finished their conversation, and she wondered if Nick would say he missed her or that he had moved on with Ivy. Imagining them together made Angie want to run out of the room and never look back. It was too hard, and she had quit for a reason. Maya had played one last trick on her, and she wasn’t going to stay to let it play out longer than necessary.
Angie’s feelings for Nick couldn’t matter anymore if Ivy was involved. But if she wasn’t, then it was Angie holding herself back. She wanted to forgive him, but most of all, push past her issues. Reese’s insistence on Nick’s betrayal made Angie believe she was falling into another trap with a guy too soon for her own good.
Katherine touched Nick’s arm before pointing to the stage. ‘I think we’re getting started. Excuse me.’
Nick stepped closer to Angie. He opened his mouth to speak, but his father called him over. He tossed a glance at his dad and then back to Angie. ‘I want to talk to you after this. Do you have time?’
‘Sure,’ she croaked out.
He brushed his hand over her arm before walking toward the stage.
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