Promises of Forever

by Celya Bowers

  “Who’s looking out for you? You’re looking out for everyone else, who’s got your back?”

  CHAPTER 19

  “Are you sure about staying a few more weeks? I mean, I wouldn’t ask you to stay at my house unless it was absolutely necessary.”

  Kayleigh shifted in the passenger seat and set those pretty eyes on him. “Yes, I’m sure. If you think there’s a threat, then there’s a threat. I don’t think he’d come after me.”

  They were on their way to his house for a quick dinner, and then he was taking her to class later. He breathed a sigh of relief. He thought this was going to be hard. Kayleigh agreed with no hesitation. She didn’t even ask why.

  But he had to tell her the truth. “I should explain my past and you’ll understand.”

  “Okay.”

  He took a deep breath, kept his eyes on the road and began his story. “About ten years ago, I was at a trading company and one of my clients lost some money. Not millions like Harry has, but enough to change his lifestyle. He was very adamant about his loss and wanted me to get his money back. I didn’t see the problem. I thought he was just blowing hot smoke up my butt. So I ignored the signs. He threatened to harm my wife, my house, and me. We didn’t really think anything was wrong until one day, her car was vandalized and she was mugged. The real hint was when I was attacked.”

  “Oh, my,” she gasped. “Were you hurt?”

  “Few broken ribs, but otherwise my pride was hurt the most. See, my address was on public record and my home number was listed, so I was a sitting duck,” Finn said, remembering the terrible incident.

  “What happened after that?”

  “I moved here. I thought a scenery change was needed.” He didn’t mention that scenery change almost caused a divorce.

  “No, what happened to the guy?” She wiped her eyes.

  “He committed suicide. Now, I don’t keep anything on public record. My home address is not known to anyone but a few select people. The only number my clients have is a cell number that’s buried so deep that no one would ever know that I owned the number.”

  “Wow, those are a lot of precautions, Finn. But I understand why you’re so nervous about this guy coming after you.”

  “I don’t want him hurting you. I don’t think I could bear it if you were harmed.”

  He turned into his subdivision, waved at the guard, and headed to the house. Once they were inside, Finn fixed dinner as Kayleigh went upstairs to retrieve her books.

  He didn’t think she should go to class tonight. She looked so drained, and the events with Harry hadn’t helped the matter any. He knew better than to announce his opinion of her not attending class tonight.

  By the time he’d heated up dinner, she’d changed into jeans, a T-shirt and sandals. She looked like a hot college student as she carried her backpack and plopped it in a chair.

  “I feel awful leaving you with all that’s happened today.” She looked at the plate of meatloaf, mashed potatoes and broccoli. “You’re trying to tell me you had this in the freezer?”

  He smiled, sitting down across from her. “Yes, that’s exactly what I’m telling you. I told you I like to cook. Some days I just want to come home and heat something up. That’s why I always make so much when I cook. Well, that and being from a big family.”

  She shrugged and started to eat. “This is good, Finn.”

  “Thank you.” He watched in satisfaction as she gobbled up food. She didn’t have to know the meal was high in all the things she needed—protein, fiber, and carbs. “There’s plenty if you want more.” He glanced at his watch. “It’s almost time to leave for your class.”

  She nodded as she took another bite. “I know.” She stared through him. “Are you going to be all right?”

  Her expression was cutting right through him and heading straight for his heart. Damn. It wasn’t supposed to feel like a comforter keeping him warm on a cold day. He wasn’t supposed to feel this much for a woman he’d barely known a month, but the proof was right before him, looking at him with those eyes that drove him wild with lust. “Yes, I’m going to be fine.”

  * * *

  “I think it’s sweet,” Harley said, walking into the English class. “He wants to make sure you’re safe. It says a lot about his character.” Harley plopped down in her favorite seat near the back of the large classroom.

  “Harley, he asked me to stay with him for two more weeks. I know this is for my own good, but I feel like I’m letting some of me slip away.” Kayleigh took her seat next to her friend.

  “Quit looking for a loophole. There’s not one. I thought it was nice he told Manny and me, so you’d never be alone.”

  Okay, it was nice of him to include her friends in their dilemma, but she didn’t want to be this dependent on him. What happened when all this was over and he went back to his life and she back to hers? How could she go back to her life? “You know he fixed dinner when we got to his house while I changed for class?”

  Harley nodded, getting out her notebook for lecture. “That’s what couples do. You help each other. While you’re busy he cooks, and while he’s busy you can make him coffee or something. You act as a team. You’re a couple, deal with it.”

  Even faced with cold hard facts, she still had to fight that little fact. Sure, she was feeling in love with him, but it was much too soon to think in terms of coupling. “We’re just two people cohabitating for a few weeks. It’s just sex.”

  “Have you had sex since that night?”

  Damn. She hated when Harley was right. “No.”

  “Well, hon, this is about being in a relationship, not a booty call. Here’s comes Professor Long,” Harley warned. “You know, we haven’t had a quiz in two weeks. I hope it’s not tonight.”

  Kayleigh sighed. That was all she needed after missing a week’s worth of classes. She’d barely had time to catch up on all the work she missed the previous week. Professor Long walked down her aisle and stopped at her desk. A really bad sign.

  “Hello, Ms. Hardy, I hope you’re feeling better. Harley had mentioned you were ill last week. You came back just in time to hear about our next test.”

  “Yes, Professor, I’m feeling much better,” Kayleigh answered politely.

  “Good,” he said, continuing walking to his desk. He spoke to the class. “As you heard me tell Kayleigh, we’ll be having our test next week. Consider it my Easter present to you.”

  Kayleigh didn’t think it was a gift. She didn’t groan like the rest of the class, but it definitely put a crimp in her plans for the next week.

  * * *

  After class was over, Harley and Kayleigh stood outside the building waiting for Finn to arrive. “I can’t believe I have to spend the next weekend studying for a test. At least it’s over something I like, Shakespeare.”

  “Yeah, nothing says loving like old English. I can’t believe you’re all into those old plays, but I guess that says how much you really love English. How are you coming with your paper?”

  She didn’t want to admit that since Finn popped into her life, her mind hadn’t been on her paper. In fact, since the time he’d accompanied her to the library, she hadn’t thought about the paper once. “Pretty good. It’s not due for a few more weeks. As soon as we get back from the coast, I’ll go back to working on it.”

  “I’m going to start on mine this week.” Harley liked the looming feeling of an impending deadline to get her juices flowing. Or at least that’s what she told Kayleigh. Harley always managed to get high grades on her papers.

  But she was one of those people who had to work long and hard on her paper to get a good grade. She didn’t mind, she really loved writing papers.

  “Hey, I think that’s his truck,” Harley said. “He’s pretty punctual, considering we got out of class a little early.”

  Kayleigh noticed the black Lincoln truck as he drove through the parking lot. He stopped in front of the building. “See you at work.” She walked to the truck and got in. Onc
e inside, something came over her. She didn’t know where the urge came from, but she couldn’t fight it. She leaned over and kissed him.

  “Hey,” he said. “I missed you.”

  “Me, too.” She waved at Harley.

  “Where’s Harley’s car?”

  Kayleigh looked around the parking lot. Normally they parked by each other, but since life had done the fool on her, that wasn’t an option. “It’s that black Camry parked by the light.”

  “Parked next to the red Boxster?”

  “Yeah, that’s Manny’s car.” She waved at him as he joined Harley. “We usually go have coffee or something after class.”

  “Did you want to go with them?”

  “No, I’d rather be with you.” And she actually meant it. Not even her two best friends could compare to Finn. “How are you feeling?” She secured the seatbelt and looked at him.

  “You don’t have to worry about me,” Finn promised. “I won’t let Harry get the best of me.” But still he didn’t pull away from the curb.

  “What are you waiting on?”

  “Manny and Harley to get to their cars.” He took a deep breath. “I hate to admit this, but I’m jealous of Manny. I know he’s your friend, and so is Harley, so now I consider them my friends as well and I don’t want anything to happen to them.”

  If she wasn’t in already in love with him, she was now. “Thank you, Finn. That means a lot to me.” She swallowed the three words hanging in the back of her throat.

  Her mind told her it was much to say to utter those three words. Those words would mean her dreams would somehow end up secondary and she wouldn’t get her degree. She couldn’t let that happen.

  Finn cleared his throat, trying to get her attention. “As I was saying, we’ll leave next Friday morning and get back late Sunday night, if that’s okay.”

  Like he needed her approval. Getting to the Gulf Coast would take at least five or six hours. They’d really only have Saturday to do anything, since Sunday would be lost to the drive back to Arlington.

  “Kayleigh, are you all right? You keep zoning in and out. Granted, talking about stocks and funds is probably boring as a Shakespeare play is to me.”

  They were complete opposites, but still something about him made her want to explore whatever he was offering. “Yes, Finn, I guess I have a lot on my mind. I have an English test on one of Shakespeare’s plays next week.”

  “I can help you study,” he offered. “Just because I think Shakespeare is boring doesn’t mean I don’t know anything about him.”

  She knew he was talking about more than just the test. He was talking about them. Yes, they were opposites, but they were both willing to explore each other’s likes, just because they wanted to please each other.

  Kayleigh sighed. Love was getting rather complicated quickly. It seemed like their lives were already coming together as one, which scared her to death.

  CHAPTER 20

  The next morning, after he’d kissed her good-bye near the elevator, Finn made plans for the holiday weekend. He knew getting there wouldn’t be a problem, and neither would the condo. But the clothes, that would be a problem.

  He’d given her misinformation on purpose. Confessing that the coast he’d had in mind was the California coast and not the Texas one would only send her mind into a tailspin, and practicality would win.

  Besides, the minute those brown eyes saw the plane, she’d know and the jig would be up. Harley was probably his best bet. He’d done background checks on both Kayleigh’s friends, just to be on the safe side. They both were clean. That report also told him that Harley was an assistant supervisor and her email address at work. Unfortunately, since Kayleigh and Harley were such good friends, there was the chance of Harley spilling the beans before he was ready.

  “You look like you’re in a quandary.” Sarah walked inside the office and sat down. “I’ve never seen you like this over a woman.”

  “I know. I was trying to get some plans together, but I need her clothes size. I want it to be a complete surprise.”

  “I didn’t take you for a romantic.” Sarah scribbled on her note pad.

  “I’m not. Usually.” He knew circumstances in Kayleigh’s life made her unromantic. She didn’t have a romantic bone in her body. He wanted to change all that. He wanted her to enjoy her life and not worry so much about her classes, work, or anything else that Lupus might rob her of later. “This is probably just an isolated incident, but I need a diversion right now.”

  Sarah nodded as if he sounded logical, which he knew he didn’t. “Finn, you do need a diversion. Perhaps this will get you back on track.”

  “Any idea how I can find out her size without giving the game away?”

  “You could ask me.”

  With all craziness that had became his life in the last week, he’d forgotten Sarah was a fashion design student. She attended classes at night. “What size do you think she is?”

  Sarah leaned back in her seat, thinking of a good answer. “She has a slender bone structure, and she’s about twenty pounds underweight. I’d say about a six. If she was her normal weight, I’d say an eight or a ten.”

  He knew she wasn’t eating right, but had no idea she was that underweight. He thought of the women in his family. The Callahan women came into this world sturdy, with large frames. “Thank you, Sarah.”

  She rose and headed for the door. “You’ve got a full docket today. There’s no room for a Harry appearance.”

  “I have a restraining order filed against him in case anything should happen. I want to go on record about all the trouble he’s been causing.”

  She left the room without another word. The scene with Harry seemed so long ago. He wished he could just block it out of his memory, but that wasn’t an option.

  Finn leaned back in his chair, fighting the urge to call Kayleigh. He just wanted to hear her voice. He wanted to see how her day was going. It had to be better than his morning. He laughed as she picked it up on the first ring.

  “Accounting, this is Kayleigh.”

  He felt like a teenager with his first girlfriend. “Hey, just wanted to see how your day was going.”

  Kayleigh laughed at his lame opening line. “Is that the best you can do? I’m really hurt you didn’t put more thought into it.”

  He knew she was teasing. Sometimes he enjoyed being pushed, sometimes he liked doing the pushing. She was one of the few women who knew when to push and when to give in to him.

  “Finn, is something wrong? Would you like to me come to your office? I can take an early break.”

  “No, that’s okay. I just wanted to hear your voice.” He wanted nothing more than for her to come visit him, but he had to be a man about this. Him appearing to be that needy was not cool. It wasn’t the Callahan way. Besides, if he wasn’t strong enough, she might run to Manny for support. That was one thing he couldn’t live with.

  “Oh,” she said, and disappointment tinged her voice. “What about lunch today?”

  “Sorry, baby, I’m booked all day. I’m having to order lunch in today. How about lunch tomorrow?”

  “I’m having lunch with Manny.” There was no room for discussion and no invitation to join them.

  “Oh.” Now it was Finn’s turn to sound disappointed. He didn’t like it. “I could move some things around today.” Why was he giving in to her? Where was his brain?

  She laughed. “You have nothing to fear with Manny. I told you we’re just friends. You have a responsibility to your clients.”

  It was the logical answer. They both had things to do, just not with each other. “Okay, I’ll see you at five.”

  “Yes, you will.”

  Finn hung up the phone and took a deep breath. He almost said it out loud, to her, on the phone. He’d almost told Kayleigh he loved her. He had to get a grip or Kayleigh would have him in a really bad place—by the short hairs.

  His office intercom buzzed and Sarah announced his first client had arrived. Finn took a
deep breath, stood and went to greet his client.

  * * *

  “What do you mean I can’t sue him?” Harry bellowed at his attorney. “Somebody owes me some money, and I want it back.”

  Ted looked at his old friend and sighed. “Just like I said. You have no grounds for a lawsuit. A flimsy one, yes. If you want more publicity on an already embarrassing matter, then go for it. But I’ll not represent you.”

  Harry rose from his seat and began to pace the length of Ted’s office. “I don’t understand why I can’t sue him. He supposed to be my advisor. He didn’t advise me correctly. He should have insisted that I not invest in that stock.”

  Ted hated when clients didn’t want to take responsibility for any wrongdoing on their part. He’d knew Harry wasn’t being totally honest with him. “So you’re telling me that Finn told you to buy the stock even though as your advisor he wouldn’t broker the deal.”

  Harry thought for a minute. “Yeah, he didn’t tell not to do it.”

  “Harry, take responsibility for your actions. You know the whole scenario was reported to Fort Worth Financial. It’s on record Finn didn’t do the deal and was suspicious of the company’s holding and told you so. You made the decision to put your money in it anyway.”

  “This is all her fault.”

  “Whose fault?” Ted hadn’t talk to Finn since setting up the appointment for Kayleigh. The last Ted heard, Finn was taking a vacation from women. Had his little plan starting working already?

  “Some black woman. She works in this building. I’ve seen her before.”

  “Before what?”

  “Before I saw them kissing! Finn should have been working on getting my money back, not trying to get a piece of some working-class woman.”

  “Why don’t you just stop talking, Harry?” Ted tried to calm his own voice. “You’re going to say something you’re going to regret. That working-class woman is my goddaughter.”

  “What?”

  “She’s my goddaughter. Finn is my friend and we both know what a stickler he is for SEC regulations. I also know he checks out any hot tips coming across his desk with a very discerning eye. I told you Flower Bug Electronics sounded very volatile, and it was. You lost $3 million, don’t lose the rest of your money trying to sue Finn. You’re going to lose.”