Four Sides of a Triangle: An Austen & Cufflinks Novel (The Austen & Cufflinks Series Book 1)

by Heather C. Myers

  “So,” I say, turning to look at her, “how is everything? Did you get the pictures I sent you?”

  I can predict that her face is going to turn pink – and it does – but I’m happy to see her nodding her head.

  “Yes,” she says. “I cannot believe I actually danced that way in public. Oh my goodness, Madeline, I’m really not a… you know…”

  “Please,” I say, rolling my eyes. “Who cares? You were lost in the moment. It was a beautiful scene. And plus, I didn’t hear Ethan complaining about it. Darn, girl. I think Ethan was practically as surprised as I was, watching you move like that. Where did you learn how to dance?”

  “Come on, Madeline,” Jewel says. “I mean, I guess it’s relatively easy to lose yourself when someone like Ethan is holding onto you the way he was holding onto me. He has really big hands, you know.”

  “And we all know what they say about big hands,” I tell her with a wink.

  “I’ve been meaning to talk to you about something,” Jewel says. My ears perk up when I hear the hesitation in her voice. Instead of urging her to continue, I wait until she’s ready to speak for herself. This is a tactic I’ve picked up working for Robert for so long, and like Robert, Jewel doesn’t take long to respond. “Right, well, the thing is, you remember how I talked to you about Henry Samson, the guy from IT? Well, he actually asked me out yesterday. It was really sweet too. Like, I guess he’s been watching me or something because he found out I’m addicted to Jamba Juice smoothies, so he sent me one during lunch with a note attached, inviting me to see Inception again tomorrow.”

  My heart hammers into my head, and it’s not because of the exercise. Okay, this isn’t going quite according to plan… But that’s okay. Pat Benatar did say that love is a battlefield, and as such, it’s not always easy. This whole Ethan-Jewel thing isn’t going to happen overnight, and as with any journey, speed bumps in the form of goth tech guys are practically a guarantee. But if Jewel believes in her feelings for Ethan enough, I know she’ll somehow get through this.

  “Didn’t you already see Inception?” I ask, turning my head so I can look at her profile. I should probably be worried about not tripping over anything in the sand, but I’m pretty confident in my knowledge of Malibu.

  “Well, yeah, but –”

  “Have you answered him?” I ask, cutting her off.

  She shakes her head and I feel a wave of relief come over me.

  “No,” she replies. “No, I told him I would think about it. I wanted to discuss it with you actually, even though I know it’s unprofessional. But I feel that when it comes to romance and love, you seem to know what you’re talking about, and I hope you don’t mind, but I’d really like to hear your opinion about what I should do.”

  “Do not even worry about it,” I tell her, hoping my voice sounds as genuine as I feel. “Who else are you going to talk about this with? HR? Our human resources department wouldn’t even bother, you know? Okay. So you want to know whether or not you should go out with Henry, right?” I catch my breath, buying myself some time to figure out the right words to say. I don’t want to push Jewel in a direction that she doesn’t want to go in, but I also want to make sure she knows that Ethan is perfect for her. “Well, I can’t tell you what to do. That’s your decision and it would be wrong of me to make it for you. Having said that, don’t you think it’s kind of, I don’t know, strange that of all the things you can do in Beverly Hills, he wants to take you to a movie you’ve already seen? I mean, that’s selfish, right? Especially since he’s had all this time to see it after you told him to see it, and he still hasn’t.”

  “Yeah, I’ve been thinking about that too,” Jewel says in a quiet voice. “But, to be fair, Inception is the kind of movie you have to see multiple times to fully grasp the complexity of it.”

  “That might be true,” I continue, my mind racing so fast I need to make sure that my mouth can catch up, “but is a movie really the most ideal place for a first date? Shouldn’t you be able to talk, get to know each other, that sort of thing? And who can argue with staring into someone’s eyes over a candlelit dinner? You can’t do that in a movie theatre.”

  “You’re right,” she says, her eyes on the sand beneath her feet. “So you think I should say no to him, then?”

  “Oh, I can’t tell you what to do,” I repeat. “But I would weigh my options and figure out what I want more: a movie I’ve already seen, or the option of going out to dinner with someone like Ethan McCoy.”

  “Ethan did look good at the club opening, didn’t he?” Jewel asks, her cheeks flushing pink once more.

  “Oh, for sure,” I agree. “He has shoulders I haven’t seen on a man before. Except, of course, Robert, but Robert’s always boxing and doing martial arts and – No, Ethan’s shoulders seem to be au natural. And very yummy looking.”

  We both share a laugh. It’s much easier to do now that I’ve pointed out just what she would be missing if she decided to say yes to Henry Samson. Not that he isn’t sweet or shouldn’t find another girl, perhaps also from IT, to be with. But Jewel is more complex than a movie for a date, and she deserves the absolute best.

  But that’s just my opinion, and she can choose to take it or leave it. Personally, I hope she takes my advice because I really do think Ethan and Jewel would make a wonderful couple.

  I get home about two hours later, and let me tell you, I am in need of a shower. Not that my smell is too noticeable or anything, but I can actually smell myself.

  I have a little hop in my step because after talking to Jewel some more, I truly believe that she’s going to politely reject Henry’s offer and instead try and woo Ethan. Even though Ethan should really do the wooing, but really, we all need a push in the right direction every now and then.

  And Ethan is most definitely the right direction.

  I can see it now. Jewel, the blushing bride, dressed in white satin with her hair curled. Ethan, in his sharp, name brand tuxedo, waiting eagerly for his bride to make her appearance down the aisle. But I suppose it’s a tad too early to start planning a wedding when the two have yet to go out.

  But all in good time.

  I stop short, however, when I see that my apartment is not as vacant as I have left it. If it was anyone else, they probably would be freaking out that they have an intruder, but I am sad to say that I know better. Sitting in my favorite arm chair is none other than Robert Swift himself, his boot-clad feet resting on my coffee table. His clothes, as is his posture, are casual and almost nonchalant. He’s wearing a white wife beater that fits his taut body perfectly – almost to the point of looking painted on, circa Hugh Hefner and his painted ladies – underneath an unbuttoned, pale blue collared shirt with the sleeves rolled up to the elbows. He’s wearing jeans that fit him in all the right places, and his hair is as messy as ever. Because he has small circular imprints around his eyes, I can tell he’s come straight from his lab. The goggles he wears while building things happen to be a tad too tight and always leave this adorable crease on Robert’s face.

  But that’s all beside the point.

  What I’m trying to understand is why Robert is here in the first place.

  “You have an air-conditioned mansion,” I say as I lock my door. “And you’re in my shabby little apartment because…?”

  “Your apartment is not shabby, Maddy,” he tells me, throwing me one of his lopsided smiles. “And I’m here because you happen to not be in my mansion and you weren’t answering your cell phone. I was actually worried that something happened to you, so I hopped in my car to investigate myself.”

  “Yeah, I could see by how you were lounging around you were quite upset,” I drawl before placing my hands on my hips and cocking my head to the side. “So, what’s up? Is everything okay? Oh my God, you don’t want to cancel a bunch of things again, do you?”

  He’s smiling at me, but it’s not amused or mischievous. In fact, it’s something I can’t place. “No,” he says, looking down at his lap as he shak
es his head. “No, I don’t want to cancel a bunch of things.” Suddenly, his nostrils flare up and he inhales sharply. “What is that smell, exactly? It’s putrid, like if an egg sat too long in the sun.”

  “Oh, shut up,” I snap, feeling my face grow crimson at his insinuation that it’s me who smells. And the thing is, it probably is. I don’t have air conditioning unless fans count. And I have yet to shower. “I just got home from a jog, okay? It wasn’t like I was expecting you or anything.”

  “Well that’s true,” he says, sitting up straight. He still has his ankles on the coffee table, however. “I do like to keep you on your toes, Maddy. Make sure things don’t get boring between us.”

  “You know, Robert, I don’t think boring is something you need to worry about,” I tell him.

  “Speaking of which,” he says, immediately dropping his gaze to my torso. “Nice outfit. If I issued casual Friday, would you consider wearing that number?”

  Of course. Of course Robert decides to drop by the day I’m not wearing pants or sweats or something that offers more coverage. Luckily I didn’t opt for that sports bra I was thinking about wearing because he would never let me live that one down.

  “I’m not even going to respond to that,” I say. “Now, is there something else, or can I take a shower?”

  “Actually, now that you’ve mentioned it, there is something I want to tell you,” he says. His eyes are crinkled so I know there must be something up his sleeve and I may or may not like it. “You know your dear friend Jewel? Well, I hope you haven’t sent out the invitations to the wedding I’m sure you’re already planning for her and that douchebag Ethan McCoy, because one of my friends from IT has asked her out and I honestly believe that she is going to say yes.”

  “You mean Henry Samson?” I ask. Now who has the ace? “No, she’s going to say no. I went jogging with her and we decided that it’s probably better if she says no. Not only would things get messy if they break up, considering they work together and everything, but she’s more interested in Ethan.”

  Robert furrows his brow and his lips tug into a frown. Without warning, he stands up so he’s looking at me down his nose and, surprisingly enough, I think he’s mad at me. It is definitely a role reversal that I’m not prepared for.

  “‘We discussed?’” he asks in disbelief. “Or do you mean you so easily gave your opinion and she took it, hook, line, and sinker? Goddammit, Madeline, this isn’t about you. Love isn’t about you unless you are directly involved. Henry Samson and Jewel Baker would work well together. I heard that there is definitely chemistry between them, and that she was smitten with him after they spoke the first time. If she says no, I know you’re behind it.”

  “Okay, so maybe I told her what I thought,” I say. I really can’t believe Robert’s actually yelling at me. And about love, something I thought he didn’t care about. “But it was her decision ultimately, and you can’t blame that on me. And you also can’t blame the fact that Henry asked her to go see a movie she’s already seen, not even taking into consideration that maybe she wants to talk to him on a date rather than watch some movie about dreams.”

  “Let me ask you a question,” he says, taking a step closer so that he’s half a foot from me. “Has Ethan McCoy expressed any actual interest in Jewel Baker at all? Besides the whole dancing thing at Rowling’s opening, I mean, Ethan was drunk after all, and he was dancing with anyone in a skirt, so I’m not sure if his dancing actually means anything.”

  “You’re rich, Robert, really rich. You’re talking about Ethan like you know him, and you know what, maybe you do, because everything you just said could be directly reflected back to you. So you’re saying that someone like Jewel couldn’t be with someone like Ethan? What, is it her looks or her financial status?”

  I don’t know why this means so much to me, but I can feel tears streaming into my eyes. Of course, I refuse to let them fall. I’ve never cried in front of Robert before and I don’t plan on it either.

  “You can’t involve me in this,” Robert says, throwing his arms out. “I’m not the one involved, just like you shouldn’t be involved. But let’s face it; in today’s society, looks are a big deal. Especially in a place like LA. You can’t deny that. And while I think Jewel has more sweetness and more intellect than Ethan has in his pinky fingernail, Jewel isn’t Ethan’s type. And I’m sorry, but neither you nor Cupid is going to change that anytime soon. Until Ethan actually evolves – which will be never – that’s how it’s going to be.” He realizes that he’s speaking louder than he needs to be and quiets his voice. “And Jewel needs to understand that Ethan is a prick. She should have said yes to Henry.”

  “Why?” I ask. “Why should Jewel have to settle?”

  “See, I don’t think she’s settling,” Robert says, giving me a hard look with his dark eyes. “I think you think she’s settling. Which is ridiculous, because she would be happy with Henry. And I don’t understand why you can’t see that.” He takes another step forward and I can feel his chest gently graze my breasts. But surprisingly enough, Robert doesn’t even seem to notice because his eyes are staring so intently into mine and I’m really finding it hard to breathe right now. “Why are you so involved in this, Maddy? Why does this mean so much to you?”

  I take a minute to compose myself, to blink away my tears, to swallow my retorts, and then, as calmly as I can, take a step back. “I didn’t realize being concerned for my friend was a bad thing,” I say, and before he can say anything in response, I take another step back. “I really need to take a shower now. You should probably go.”

  And I spin around and head to my bathroom without looking back. As I turn on the water, I indulge myself and bite my bottom lip, praying to God that he will be gone by the time I got out. Robert and I rarely fight, and when we do, I’m yelling at him over something idiotic he’s done. But now, I feel like he thinks I’ve done something idiotic, which is ridiculous since I just offered my opinion and Jewel could have done whatever she wanted.

  But still, I realize that I don’t particularly like when Robert’s mad at me.

  Chapter 6

  Sunday is a good day for Robert and I to spend apart, get a hold of our emotions, and push them aside because Robert has a very important meeting with potential investors Monday morning. Most people might worry that Robert won’t show up, or if he does, he’ll show up late, hungover, not properly dressed, but those people don’t know Robert. Yes, he can play hard, and yes, he’s ridiculed in the press and seems to revel in being a party-boy womanizer. But when it comes to his business, Robert is professional and dependable. He knows how important his business is to him, especially considering how difficult it was for him to reclaim it once he came out of his respite. Knowing that his father built this company from the ground up and knowing that he’s the one who has to run it now really hit home for him.

  Not that he’s told me any of that, mind you, but I can tell. His family was really important to him. Before the accident.

  As I head into work Monday morning, I can’t help but wonder if Robert wants any kids to take over the company once he’s old and decrepit. It would make sense to keep the business in the family; don’t all businessmen do that? But that would require Robert to like somebody enough to actually want to reproduce, and considering that he’s a struggling alcoholic and can’t seem to be with one girl for a week, commitment isn’t likely to be on his mind. The poor kid wouldn’t stand a chance. However, even I have to admit that while Robert may have a great deal of flaws he needs to work on, he is responsible. I know that if he had a kid, he would take care of it to the best of his abilities. Or, at least, make sure the kid’s provided for for life. Heck, maybe a kid would teach him not to be so darn selfish.

  But, again, that would require Robert to want to share something with someone he probably can’t even remember the name of. Having a child probably isn’t a pressing manner at this juncture in Robert’s life.

  The moment I step into Robert’s office,
he closes the door and grabs my wrist, pulling me close to him so there’s only a small gap between our bodies.

  “What are you doing?” I ask. For whatever reason, I’ve lowered my voice as though the two of us are hiding from the world, and any sound might result in us being found. Which is not something I want to happen, considering just how close Robert and I are.

  “We’re okay, right?” he asks, ignoring my question. His brown eyes are pooling into mine and it’s hard to concentrate for the split second while he’s looking at me that way. “I mean, I know we disagreed on Saturday but that’s over and done with, right?”

  “What?” I close my eyes, trying to process everything, but it’s more difficult to do than I realized. “Of course, Robert. Of course we are fine. We both need to realize that we’re not – are probably never – going to agree on everything, and we should both feel lucky that we can freely express our disagreement and know that our relationship isn’t going to be too affected by it.”

  He looks at me for what feels like a long moment, and then his lips curl into a smile that, once again, is void of the usual amusement and/or mischief. And his eyes are sparkling. Yes, sparkling.

  What is going on here? And why do I feel my face turn red just looking at him look at me that way?

  “Relationship?” he asks, tilting his head forward.

  If I didn’t, at that moment, take a step backwards, his forehead was probably going to rest on mine. I’ve seen Keira Knightley’s Pride and Prejudice at least fifty-five times and I know how intimate forehead grazing can be.

  “Yes, Robert,” I say after I clear my voice with as much subtlety as one can be expected to in my position. “Whether you want to admit it or not, you and I have a relationship. Don’t worry though, because it’s not the kind you have sworn to loathe your entire life or anything. We have a professional relationship that won’t be affected by–”