“I can’t believe Nash is letting her go there by herself,” Janna said, knowing how overprotective her brother-in-law could be.
“Trust me, it wasn’t easy. She had to remind him that she’s an adult now. But enough about Tania. Let’s talk about you and that photo.”
“Go ahead. Get it out your system. Let me have it,” she said to her sister. “I knew it was only a matter of time before I heard from you.” Janna glanced at her watch.
“It is such a small world,” Iris said. “I had no idea you knew Austin Reynolds.”
“What are you talking about? I told you and Macy about Austin years ago. He’s the one who gave me the promise ring.” She glanced down at her hand. Iris was eight years older than her and Macy was ten years older. Both had gone off to college before Janna made it to high school.
“That was him?” Iris’s voice rose. “I can’t believe Austin Reynolds gave you a promise ring. I didn’t even realize he grew up in New Jersey.”
“You act as if he’s someone famous.” Janna had done a little research on him after the disaster at the fundraiser. She wasn’t surprised to learn that he was the CFO of his family’s business and had won Atlanta’s businessman of the year award a couple of years ago, making him the youngest recipient in the history of the award. She’d always known he would be successful at whatever he set his mind to.
“He might not be famous, but if you’re serious about changing your image, you kissed the right person Saturday night.”
Apparently, Macy had filled Iris in on some of the details of what happened.
“I didn’t kiss him with some ulterior motive, except... I guess I sorta did. I was trying to dissuade this other guy’s advances and I went too far. But there is no way I would use Austin.”
“I’m not saying you’re trying to use him. I guess what I should have said is that Austin is Atlanta’s golden child.”
“What do you mean?”
“It started when Austin was attending Morehouse. He stopped a mugger from getting away with a city councilwoman’s handbag. She dubbed him a hero and shared the story with anyone who would listen. During his college years, he had also spearheaded some major community projects, raising most of the money on his own.” Iris filled her in on one instance after another, including how, a year ago, he had donated a four-story building to an organization that worked with the homeless.
“Okay, okay, you’re right. He’s a saint. And now thanks to me, he’s in the paper in a less-than-favorable manner. God, I feel awful.” Janna rubbed her temples. He’d already hated her. There probably wasn’t a word that could describe what he thought of her now. “So how do you know so much about him?” she asked Iris.
“His company has done a lot of work for Nash over the years, and now he’s good friends with Austin and his family.”
“I can’t believe what I did to him.”
“Janna, I think you’re being too hard on yourself. There’s not a guy alive who wouldn’t have killed to be in Austin’s shoes Saturday night. If anything, you’ve made him the most envied man in town.”
“Yeah, but Austin doesn’t like attention, especially not that type. I had hoped that while I was in Atlanta I could make things right between us. I’m sure his feelings for me aren’t what they used to be back in New Jersey, but I wanted to, to...oh, hell, I don’t know what I was hoping for.”
“You were hoping he still had feelings for you the way you clearly still care for him,” Iris said without missing a beat.
Janna more than cared for Austin. There hadn’t been a day that went by that she didn’t think about him. She had written him a letter prior to leaving the country but never heard from him. Of course he would have been disappointed that she was putting a modeling opportunity before their relationship, but she had hoped that he would have at least acknowledged the letter. Now she would never get the chance to find out why he’d never responded.
* * *
“I heard you let some young punks beat you on the basketball court last week,” Austin said to Nash Dupree and took a long gulp of his sweet tea. They were lounging in Nash’s office discussing the budget for his latest project. As the owner of several nightclubs in Atlanta, Nash had contracted Austin’s company to build an addition onto one of his buildings.
“I’m not going to even ask where you heard that, or maybe I should say who you heard it from. I’m sure it was Big Mouth Nigel who’s spreading those vicious rumors.”
Austin laughed. “I can’t reveal my sources, but just so you know, it’s more than just rumor. There’s a video.”
Nash groaned. “Damn. I need to find the person who is responsible for having cameras on these damn cell phones. Is nothing private these days?”
Austin’s grin slowly slipped from his lips. He’d wondered the same thing, thinking about the photo of him and Janna. Days after the searing kiss, it was as if he could still feel her lips against his.
“You know I have to ask, don’t you?”
Austin cocked an eyebrow. “Ask what?”
“How do you know Janna Morgan?”
“Man, not you, too.” Austin set his almost empty glass on the coaster in front of him and stood, rubbing the back of his neck.
“Hey, I’m not trying to get all in your business. I was just wondering because she’s my sister-in-law.”
Austin whirled around. “What?”
Nash grinned and walked around to the front of his desk, sitting on the edge of it. He folded his arms across his chest.
“Yep.”
Austin’s mind took him back to when he and Janna dated. She had often mentioned having two sisters, but he had never met them.
“So Iris is her sister?”
Nash nodded.
“I had no idea. Damn. Talk about a small world.”
“It sure is. Imagine my surprise when Iris showed me the article in the newspaper. We didn’t know you and Janna knew each other. And by the looks of the picture, I’d say you guys know each other very well.”
He and Nash had associated outside of business, but the subject of him being related to a supermodel had never come up.
“We went to school together,” Austin finally said.
“So do you kiss all of your old classmates like that?”
Austin shook his head and chuckled. Hell, no were the first words that came to mind. As a matter of fact, he hadn’t even experienced a kiss like that with his ex-fiancée. A kiss that had rocked his world and turned it on its axis.
“No. Janna and I dated for a couple of years in high school. Until this past week, I hadn’t seen her in almost ten years.”
“Well, damn, man. If that’s how you two say, hello, long time no see, I don’t want to think about how you guys greeted each other back then.”
“Let’s just say your sister-in-law is as unpredictable as I remember. That kiss was definitely not something I planned.”
He told Nash about how Timothy had been coming on to her and how she initiated the kiss.
Nash stood and stuffed his hands into his pockets. “Actually, that sounds like Janna. We knew each other before I met Iris.”
Unease traveled through Austin’s body. There was a time when Nash had been considered one of the country’s most eligible bachelors, as well as a man who had his pick of women. The thought of him and Janna together didn’t sit well with Austin.
“Hold up, man,” Nash said as if reading Austin’s mind. “Before you let your imagination get carried away, nothing happened between us.”
“I didn’t say anything.”
“You didn’t have to. The daggers shooting from your eyes said it all. Janna and I attended a few movie premieres together. Each time was business and always platonic.”
“Hey, you don’t have to explain anything to me. I have no clai
ms on her. What we had was a long time ago.”
Nash gave him a look as if to say he didn’t believe him. “All right, man. If you say so.” He moved to the other side of the desk when his cell phone chirped.
Austin glanced at his watch, noting that it was after six. He hadn’t planned on staying as long as he had.
“If you need to take that call, I can head out. We’ve covered everything regarding the club in Midtown.”
“Actually, it’s just a text. Give me a second.” Nash typed something quickly and set the phone down. “Okay, sorry about that. As for the Midtown location, I know this is going to jack up the cost, but I think I want that back room sectioned off. And instead of all carpet in that space, I want travertine floors on the other side of the sitting area.”
They talked for minutes longer and Austin added a few notes on his iPad, promising to forward the information to the supervisor assigned to the job.
“I’ll work the numbers and get back to you next week,” Austin told him, preparing to leave.
“That’ll be good.”
Someone knocked on Nash’s office door.
“Come in,” he called out.
The door swung open and Austin’s breath caught in his throat. His surprise quickly turned to anger.
“Are you stalking me?” he said between clenched teeth.
“What?” Janna’s hands flew to her narrow hips and she glared at him.
“You heard me. Why is it that everywhere I go, you show up?” Austin wasn’t sure what to think. Part of him wanted to be anywhere she wasn’t, but another part of him came alive whenever she was near.
“You know what, Austin?” Janna started.
Nash cleared his throat. “I think I need to check on something downstairs.” He left them standing in the middle of the room, glaring at each other.
“Stop looking at me like that! I’m not stalking you. I came to talk to Nash about something. Had I known you’d be here, I would have stopped by another time.”
He studied her. Her ponytail rested over her shoulder, reminding him of their high school days. He liked it hanging off to the side the way it was now. It made her look cute and carefree, like the girl he’d fallen in love with all those years ago.
His gaze went to her full lips, painted a mauve-like color. He couldn’t help but remember their softness and how good they felt against his.
Apparently he was a glutton for punishment, because damn if he didn’t want to kiss her again.
Chapter 5
“Look, Austin. I can’t apologize enough for Saturday night. I would never intentionally put you in that type of situation. You were right. I’m still impulsive. Unfortunately, that’s probably never going to change.”
Austin turned from Janna and ran his hand over his head, letting it slide down to the back of his neck. One of his biggest regrets about Saturday night was how he had spoken to her.
He turned back to her and their eyes met. “I’m sorry, too. I shouldn’t have talked to you the way I did.”
Though he’d meant what he said, he hated the way he’d said it. Even if they were no longer a couple, he wouldn’t want anyone to treat her the way he had that night.
Austin’s gaze followed her every move, appreciating how good she looked in a simple multicolored sundress that tied behind her neck and sky-high sandals that matched the color of her lips.
She glided the short distance to Nash’s leather sofa and set her large purse down on the table in front of it. She turned in time to catch him staring. He couldn’t look away even if he wanted. Longing rocked his entire being. There was just something about her. Something about the way the air shifted when she stepped into a room. Something about the way his body hummed whenever she was near. Something about the way his heart rate kicked up whenever she looked at him with those big, bright, sexy eyes, the way she was doing now.
He mentally shook himself and forced his gaze away.
“In regards to your accusation about me stalking you, I had no idea you were here. But you have to admit, our meeting like this must be fate. We’ve run into each other three times within a week.”
Austin chanced a glance at her. He wasn’t sure if it were fate or just bad luck.
“Can we call a truce long enough to talk about what happened years ago? And before you say no, think about how many times you’ve seen me this week and the disasters that followed. Do you really want to risk running into me again before I leave town?”
The left side of her mouth lifted, and it was as if someone had their hands wrapped around his neck, cutting off his air supply. With a spicy smile like that, she could probably get anything she wanted from him and any other man with a pulse.
He sighed in resignation. For years he’d wanted to know why she’d left without telling him. He wanted—no, needed—to hear what she had to say regarding her departure back then, but was he ready?
“We were once very close. I don’t want us to continue having this tension between us. Maybe you can let me take you to dinner.”
Austin shoved his hands into the front pockets of his pants. It was time for him to deal with his issues with Janna instead of allowing her betrayal to continue eating at him.
“I can’t let you buy me dinner.”
She shrugged. “Even better! You can treat me to dinner.” Her lips twitched, trying to hide a grin.
Austin couldn’t help but chuckle. Her bubbly personality, which he’d missed, was shining through. He’d always been more serious than most, almost brooding, where Janna had always been like a breath of fresh air with a ready smile for anyone she came in contact with.
The office door swung open, catching their attention. Nash stood in the doorway. Instead of walking into the room, he just looked from one to the other.
“Is it safe to come in?”
“Funny,” Janna said. “It’s all good, especially since Austin is insisting on taking me out to dinner.”
Nash lifted an eyebrow at Austin before he walked farther into the office. All Austin could do was shake his head and shrug. The thought of spending time with Janna, just the two of them, put him on edge. Not because he thought the discussion would get heated. No, it had more to do with the lust coursing through his veins. In the past, he’d had very little self-control when it came to her. Even considering their situation, he knew it would be much the same.
“Well, since you have a dinner date, I suppose you want to postpone our meeting,” Nash said to Janna.
“Why don’t I wait outside while you two talk?” Austin headed to the door.
“You don’t have to leave.” Janna touched his shoulder, sending a bolt of electricity racing to the tips of his fingers. “I’d like for you to stay.”
Nash folded his arms across his chest as they all stood near each other. “Actually, Janna, I’m not sure if you know this, but Austin is a financial guru. Since he’s insisting on taking you out to dinner, maybe he can give you some suggestions on how best to deal with your situation.”
Why does it feel like I’ve been set up?
“That would be great.” Janna looked up at him with those beautiful doe eyes. How could she even think about getting his help, considering the way things stood between them?
Without giving him a chance to say yea or nay, she explained the situation regarding the financial management firm and one of their accountants.
Austin was wealthy and oversaw the finances for Reynolds Development, but he had no doubt that Janna’s wealth exceeded anything he had ever managed.
“Though I’m sure Austin will have some recommendations, I’ll give you the information for the accountant I use,” Nash said and pulled the contact information up on his cell phone before jotting it down on the pad of paper on his desk.
Austin and Janna stared at each other,
both lost in their own thoughts. He couldn’t believe he was actually planning to help her. He couldn’t help it. Despite whatever had prompted their relationship to fall apart and what he’d felt for her over the last couple of years, there was still nothing he wouldn’t do to help her.
Nash cleared his throat. “Well, look at the time.” He gathered his cell phone and his keys. “I need to pick up my boys, but if you guys want to hang out here longer, not a problem. Just let my manager know once you leave and he’ll lock up the office.”
“Actually, if it’s okay with you,” Austin said to Janna, “maybe we can head out, too.”
“Sounds good.” Janna lifted her large handbag. “I’m ready when you are.”
A half an hour later, Austin escorted Janna into a popular restaurant in Midtown Atlanta. She was an attention magnet without trying. He would have preferred to cook dinner for her. At least if he’d taken her to his place, he wouldn’t have to worry about pictures in newspapers. Then again, on his own turf, it would be just the two of them. And with the desire he’d seen in her eyes and the lust fluttering around in his gut, taking her home with him probably wouldn’t have been the best idea.
Heads turned the moment they walked into the restaurant. Maybe it was because they were two unusually tall people, but then the murmurs started. They walked past a table with a group of guys and Austin moved closer to her and placed a hand at the small of her back. How she managed to deal with the attention without it fazing her was a mystery to him.
“Thank you,” she said when he pulled out a chair for her and took the seat next to her. In light of the conversation they needed to have, he had requested that they be seated in the back of the restaurant. On the ride over, the initial tension between them had thawed, but Austin wasn’t sure how their long overdue talk was going to go. He wanted to understand what had happened all those years ago in hopes of finding some closure. He just hoped he was ready for whatever she had to say.
* * *
“I don’t know how you do it,” Austin said after their server took their drink order.
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