Redesigning Happiness

  “Based off what you said yesterday, if it weren’t for extenuating circumstances things between you and him would have been different.”

  “Those circumstances don’t matter anymore. We’ve both moved on. I made a promise to you.”

  His smile was sweet, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “I can understand why you were thrown off by his offer. I just wish you would have told me immediately.”

  He stood and paced in front of the couch. Yvonne jumped up and stopped him from pacing by tugging on the front of his shirt. “Hey, I had to get a handle on things before I brought him up.”

  Nathan shifted from foot to foot; he ran a hand through his hair before he finally looked at her. “We’re supposed to be a team. We’re going to be a team. No more keeping secrets from me.”

  “I won’t.”

  He brushed the back of his hand over her cheek then tunneled his fingers in her hair. “As long as he’s good to you and Jacob then we’ll work this out. I won’t stand by and watch him hurt you.”

  She shook her head. “You won’t have to.” She’d eviscerate Richard if he hurt Jacob. She wouldn’t let him get close enough to hurt her again.

  Relief filled Nathan’s eyes. The love and adoration returned. “Good.” He pulled her forward and covered her mouth with his. She kissed him back and tried to forget about how to make the mismatched things in her life work together.

  Chapter 7

  Yvonne turned her cell phone over in her hand. Richard’s business card sat stark and white in the middle of her desk. She glanced at the card, the closed door of her office, then back at the card. She’d had a day to think about it, weigh the pros and cons, toss out visceral emotions to view the situation logically, and had come to one conclusion. She had to find out what he wanted. If he really hadn’t known about the payoff, or Jacob, could she trust him with her son? She couldn’t ignore him, and if she remembered anything about Richard it was that when his mind was made up, he was an immovable force.

  She picked up the card and dialed his cell number before she put it off any longer.

  “Richard Barrington.” The deep, self-assured tone sent ripples of nostalgia through her.

  She let out a soft laugh despite herself. “You still answer your cell phone like you’re working at a receptionist desk.”

  She’d always teased him about that. How he was so stiff and serious on the phone. He’d laugh that deep sexy laugh of his that would make her body like a kitten’s, soft and warm.

  A beat passed before he replied. “And you still make me smile when you tease me about that.”

  Another laugh tried to escape. Yvonne coughed and cleared her throat. No, she was not about to pretend as if no time had passed and they were still cool with each other. “I’m free tomorrow at three.” She made her tone icy, just as stiff as his had been when he first answered.

  “And my son?” Her frosty reply didn’t chill the warmth in his voice.

  “We need to clear the air before we bring him in.” She needed to make sure he was legit before agreeing to bring him into Jacob’s life.

  He was silent again. She could see him clearly in her mind’s eye. The pinching of the bridge of his nose. The steady breaths as he tried to control his frustration. Richard was always about control. He was an arrogant businessman used to getting his way, and damn if his I’m the boss attitude used to make her want to straddle his waist and melt his cold exterior.

  “Why are you stalling?” The frustration in his voice was barely there, but she heard it.

  “Because, Richard, you barge into my life after six years and a payoff, demanding things I didn’t think you wanted.”

  “Yvonne—”

  “Look, Jacob is the most important thing to me. I’d rather us not be at each other’s throats the first time he meets you. We have to lay down some ground rules, put the past behind us, before we bring him into this.”

  “His name is Jacob?” Wonder and disbelief filled his voice.

  Yvonne’s heart constricted. Richard’s middle name. The only tie she’d allowed her son to have with his father. One day, when Jacob was older, she would have told him about Richard. That was more than her mom had done for her. Yvonne only knew her biological father’s last name. Jones. Yeah, only about a thousand of those just in one Atlanta suburb. Good luck nailing down her real dad with those odds.

  “Yes,” Yvonne said to answer Richard’s question.

  “Yvonne—”

  “Will three o’clock work?” she said in a no-nonsense voice. She heard the plea in his voice. Pain sliced through her chest like a hot knife. She didn’t want to acknowledge his feelings. His feelings weren’t important. Six years separated them. Six years that could never be made up. What happened between them was collateral damage. Jacob was the main priority.

  “I’ll clear my schedule for any time you want to meet and talk with me about this. Family is the most important thing to me.”

  “I know. You always choose your family.”

  “Jacob is my family. You’re his mother and that makes you my family.” He’d gone back to his authoritative confident voice. The voice that used to say he meant what he said and dared anyone to challenge him.

  “I’m just your kid’s mother.”

  “Why would you say that?” A thin layer of irritation coated his voice.

  Good. He deserved to feel irritated. He was a big irritation in her life. She wouldn’t make this easy for him. Not after everything between them. “Because there’s no reason to make this anything deeper.”

  “Yvonne, it’s much deeper than you just being the mother of my son.”

  “No, Richard, it’s not. Until I know you have Jacob’s best interests at heart I don’t want you seeing him.”

  “You can’t hide him from me.”

  “And right now, you’re not on the birth certificate and you aren’t listed as any type of relative on any paperwork at his school. You show up making demands, and I’ll let them know to call the police if a strange man pops up asking to see Jacob.”

  “You wouldn’t dare.”

  “Try me.” She stood and paced to the window. “Meet with me first. Then with me and Nathan.”

  “What the hell does Nathan have to do with this?”

  “Everything.” She wouldn’t leave Nathan in the cold where this was concerned. She didn’t care what her mom said. Leaving Nathan out would only make him believe he had to be worried about Richard’s return. Which he didn’t.

  “I’ll meet with you. We’ll come to terms with what’s best for our son. Then we’ll figure out what to do about my network purchasing your and Nathan’s show.”

  “We didn’t agree to your deal.”

  “You won’t get a better deal.” His self-assuredness made her wish he was close, so she could knock off the smug look she was sure was all over his face.

  “Why do you have to purchase our show? Is this to force me to let you see Jacob? If that’s the case it won’t work. I’ll view this as blackmail.”

  “I want your show because the concept is good. And as much as I don’t want to admit it, your chemistry with Nathan on camera is also good. Our network is the best place to launch and you know that. Before I realized you were the Vonne in Nate and Vonne, I’d already heard enough from the programming directors to be interested in purchasing. It just so happened I found out about you . . . and Jacob around the same time.”

  She didn’t want to believe him, but she remembered Judy saying there was quick and early interest from W.E.W. Her life had already been on track to reconnect with Richard. She just hadn’t known it.

  “I didn’t know you owned a network.”

  “My father purchased the network a few years ago. I stayed out of it and focused on our other holdings. It wasn’t until the last year I became more involved.”

  The reminder of his father made her stomach churn. She could still see the older Richard Barrington sneering at her from across a gleaming wood table. Telling her she wa
s just a fun pastime. The side piece. That his son was marrying someone better. To take the money and leave, because that’s all she’d get from them.

  “Tomorrow at three,” she said quickly. Wanting this conversation over. “I’ll text you the address. Goodbye.” She hung up before he could reply. She’d spent enough time today focusing on Richard.

  * * *

  Yvonne left the office a few hours early and headed to Nathan’s place. She’d texted to see how his afternoon was going, and when he said he was leaving his job site early and heading home she’d been surprised. Nathan typically didn’t leave a job early, but she took this as a sign. She’d wanted to talk to him about her meeting with Richard without her son’s sharp hearing within earshot.

  Nathan lived in a renovated craftsman bungalow near Ansley Park. Every time she pulled up to his place she smiled and thought his home looked like the perfect place for a guy who loved to renovate homes. Large front porch, hardwood floors, and plantation shutters. The blue and beige colors on the outside along with the cozy landscaping gave the place a warm, welcoming feel.

  Yvonne parked behind Nathan’s dark grey double cab pickup truck. A bright blue Volkswagen Beetle was parked next to it. Cassidy’s vehicle.

  Yvonne liked Nathan’s stepsister. The bubbly redhead had been quick to welcome Yvonne into the fold after she and Nathan began dating and had cheered along with the rest of the crowd when Nathan proposed. That didn’t stop the kernel of annoyance from digging into Yvonne’s side at the sight of Cassidy’s car. She’d hoped to have this conversation with Nathan alone.

  She would typically let herself in when Nathan knew she was on her way over. Whenever Cassidy was over, she preferred ringing the bell. Cassidy made Nathan’s space her space, and Yvonne felt more like a visitor whenever Nathan’s stepsister was at his place.

  She rang the doorbell with the afternoon sun warm on her back. A few seconds later the sound of Nathan’s heavy footfalls against the floor preceded him opening the door.

  His grin made her feel like she was delivering him a prize. He always looked so happy when he saw her. As if he couldn’t believe he’d gotten so lucky. It had been so long since a man had looked at her as if she were the greatest gift in his life. Richard used to look at her that way.

  Nathan pulled her into the comfort of his embrace. She breathed in his scent, wood and the musk of his cologne. She let everything about Nathan chase away the memory of the way Richard once gave her a similar look whenever she was near.

  “I’m glad you stopped by,” Nathan said. “Cassidy is here. She was excited when I told her you were coming over.”

  She slipped out of his embrace and followed him into the house. She grabbed his arm to stop him before he could lead her to the kitchen. Where Cassidy probably waited.

  “Hey, wait a second,” she said.

  Nathan stopped, faced her and frowned. “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing. Not really. I just wanted to give you an update on that situation . . . with the show and Jacob.”

  Nathan’s face clouded for the briefest second. Then he hid whatever his thoughts were about Richard behind a mask of I’m-here-for-you support. “Did you talk to Richard?”

  “Yes. I called him this morning. I’m meeting him at three tomorrow.”

  Nathan immediately cupped her shoulders in his hands as if she’d fall over with a fit of vapors at just the idea of meeting with her ex.

  “Do you want me there?” he asked.

  She did, but not as support. She wanted Nathan there as a buffer. Tomorrow’s meeting wouldn’t be easy. She and Richard sparked off each other. Electricity arching through them like exposed wires. She needed someone else there to dampen the effect. Not leave her to accept all of Richard full blast. Saying so out loud would make it seem like she was afraid to be alone with him. Which she wasn’t.

  She shook her head. “No. I can handle this first time.”

  Nathan’s shoulders slumped. His eyes slid away. Had she upset him?

  She slipped her hand onto his waist. “I did tell him any decisions about Jacob had to include you.”

  Nathan’s eyes brightened. The confidence back in his gaze. “You did?” He squeezed her shoulders.

  She nodded feeling a tightness lift out of her chest. Nathan could not feel left out in this situation. Doing so would make it seem as if she and Richard were pushing him to the sidelines. Richard needed to know straight up that he was the sideline player. Not even that. He was just a viewer. A member of the studio audience. Standing out in the cold looking in. She and Nathan were in charge.

  “Yes. You are going to be my family. I want him to understand that right from the start.”

  He tugged on her hand, wrapped her in his arms, and kissed her. Warmth spread through her midsection. Soft and warm like a kitten brushing against her leg. Safe and comforting.

  “Come on you two. Save that for later.”

  Cassidy interrupted them. Yvonne smiled and broke away from Nathan. Cassidy’s long red hair was twisted in a sloppy knot on the top of her head. Her blue-green eyes sparkled with mischief and her hands were propped on her curvy hips.

  “I can’t help it. Your brother is irresistible.”

  Cassidy waved her hands in front of her as if fighting a bee. “Don’t go there. I’d tell you to get a room, but it would just be a waste.”

  Nathan draped his arm around Yvonne’s shoulder. “Why is that?”

  “Because you’re being old-fashioned and waiting.” Everything about Cassidy’s tone said she thought their idea was stupid.

  “It’s romantic!” Yvonne said, even though she agreed with Cassidy. She was tired of waiting, but she wasn’t going to throw herself at Nathan.

  He had principles. He wanted to make their first time special. She had a vibrator and an endless supply of batteries.

  “I don’t know how you do it,” Cassidy said shaking her head. “If I want a guy and he wants me, I’m going for it.”

  “There’s nothing wrong with being traditional,” Nathan said.

  Cassidy rolled her eyes. “Traditional is boring. If you love someone and only want that person what’s wrong with having sex with them?”

  Nathan’s body stiffened. His arm around Yvonne’s shoulders tightened. “Cassidy let’s not start that again.” There was a warning in his voice.

  Yvonne looked at them both. “Start what?” Had she missed the first half of this argument?

  “Nothing but dear brother.” Yvonne pointed at Nathan. “Seems to think I’m too liberal in my thinking when it comes to who I can and can’t sleep with.”

  “Who do you want to sleep with?”

  Cassidy crossed her arms and raised a brow. Nathan’s nostrils flared. Yvonne stepped out of his embrace.

  “She just met this guy.” Nathan finally spit out.

  Cassidy threw up her hands. “And for now, he’s the guy who wants to sleep with me.”

  Nathan dragged his hands through his hair. He looked as if he’d rather be fighting hyenas than having this conversation. “Damn, Cassidy stop.”

  “Fine. You stop acting holier than the pope. Let go of all those rules. Go for what you want.” Cassidy shot back.

  Yvonne stepped between them and held up her hands. “Okay, let’s say it’s okay for Nathan to wait and for Cassidy to be with whomever she chooses.”

  This was also why she wasn’t as comfortable at Nathan’s place when Cassidy was around. She and Nathan eventually ended up at each others’ throats. He disapproved of her choices. She told him to take out the rod shoved up his behind.

  Personally, Yvonne agreed with Cassidy. Nathan’s insistence on holding out until their wedding night was sweet and romantic, but he tended to project his beliefs on his stepsister. She wondered what he would say if he knew she thought he was being an asshole. That Cassidy could go out and sleep with whomever she wanted if no one was hurt. That he should worry less about who Cassidy was sleeping with and more about getting his fiancée in bed. />
  “This is why you’re great,” Cassidy said in a conciliatory tone. “You can deal with his old school ways.”

  “He’s old school but not stuffy or a prude,” she reminded herself. She knew what was waiting for her on her wedding night. Another reason she really had hoped to find Nathan alone. A part of her wanted, no needed, to be reminded of the heat they could generate. What she couldn’t compromise in the upcoming weeks.

  Nathan kissed her cheeks. “Thank you, baby.”

  Cassidy twisted some of her hair that escaped the bun. “Good to know he didn’t lose everything.”

  Nathan cut his eyes at Cassidy before focusing on Yvonne. “If you’re sure you don’t need me tomorrow then I’d like for you to call me as soon as you’re done.”

  Yvonne nodded, happy to move on to another topic. Even if the situation with Richard was just as volatile. “I will.”

  “I mean it. The second you leave him. I’ll stop whatever I’m doing,” he said insistently. “I want to make sure he doesn’t hurt you.”

  “He won’t hurt me.” Infuriate her. Annoy her. Possibly remind her of what they once were while simultaneously making her want to cover him in honey and push him into a fire ant hill? All of that, yes, but Richard would never hurt her.

  “You mean your ex who showed up out of nowhere?” Cassidy asked.

  Yvonne’s gaze jumped to Nathan. He’d told her? Of course, he’d told her. He’d probably gone straight to Cassidy’s place after Yvonne spilled the beans about Richard.

  “She’s meeting him tomorrow at three,” Nathan said.

  “Are you going?” Cassidy asked.

  Nathan shook his head. They exchanged a look. A look that asked why he wasn’t going and answered I have no idea.

  Yvonne started to repeat herself. She wasn’t afraid of Richard and didn’t need back up. Then she realized she didn’t owe Cassidy any type of explanation. If Nathan had further questions or wanted to know anything else, then he could ask her his damn self.

  “No, I’m going alone,” she said. Her voice dared Cassidy to question her.

  Taking the hint, Cassidy shrugged then smiled. “I was just finishing dinner. Come on in and eat.”