“Jack and I remember yours,” he states, as he grips my hand firmly.
“Well, it was good to see you again,” I let out, as I begin to slide out and head back over to my group.
“Hey, wait a second.”
I stop myself and turn to see if he has anything else to say and then I’m taken back when he begins to say, “Watch yourself, and stay away from that creep a moment ago.”
“Do you know him?”
“Let’s say I know of him and it would make me feel better if you leave here tonight with one of the guys you’re with, okay.”
“Okay,” I answer back with confusion written all over my face. Tonight just keeps getting weirder by the moment.
“I’ll be right back,” I say, as I rush past the guys. I need a moment, and they sure the hell will not allow that.
Thankful for once that this bathroom is only one stall. Bracing myself against the old and dirty countertop, I look into the mirror. “Get it together, Tabitha,” I say to my reflection.
I splash some water on my face and reapply some lip gloss before I head back out. It’s getting late and from all the stress in my life, and at work I finally feel as sleep will come easy tonight. A night of no dreams, no hope of a future I was ready to start with a man who means nothing to me now.
“Guys, I’m out like a kid in dodge ball,” I say, as I pass around hugs to everyone.”
“You good to drive and stuff.”
“No worries here. I’ll call you tomorrow,” I say, to Cory and then look over to my brother, “You and me this weekend. No ifs, ands or butts.”
With a salute, “Got it sis. Take it easy and I’ll see you Saturday.”
****
Carter
When sleep finally takes over your body, you don’t appreciate being woken at two in the morning with your phone ringing in your ear.
“This better be good.”
“Carter, it’s Jack sorry for waking you man, but I have some news.”
I sit up straight in my bed, and stiffen. The way Jack is talking has me on pins and needles. “What happened and tell me she’s okay.”
“Calm down. She’s fine for now, but your cousin showed up and approached her. He’s strung out again, luckily she was with that group of guys she’s always with.”
“Jack, man I don’t trust him and I know he works for Bethany. If he’s hanging around, you need to watch yourself as well. He’s dirty.”
“I know his background, I just thought you needed to be the first to hear this. Nothing will happen to her as long as she’s on my watch. I know she means the world to you, I also know you turned her away.”
“How do you know that?”
“Well, you do pay me to tail her and since she jumped on a plane and ran off to your house. I followed. Speaking of that, she also ran into Bethany but has no idea who she was.”
“Make sure it stays that way,” I inform Jack.
“Will do. I’ll let you know if anything else happens.”
“Thanks,” I say, as I place the phone back on my nightstand. I lay back down, but the thoughts are rolling too fast. I can’t even fathom why Jasper is in California. I do know that whatever the reason, it’s not good.
Chapter Thirty Six:
Tabitha
It’s been six weeks since I’ve stopped for a moment to myself. Angela has been in New York and I’ve been training Jessica. Finally with her up to speed, I feel as if I need a break.
A change of scenery will do me some good. I haven’t heard a thing from Carter since he basically told me to take a hike, and watched me walk away. In time I’ll heal, and dig my feet into my job. I understand now why Angela works as hard as she does.
When you’re unhappy and have no one to share your life with, you find another outlet.
Work is going to be my new escape.
I just found out that my best friend, and her lover are expecting and I’ll be an aunt in a few months. Talk about exciting. I can’t wait to buy up the whole baby store and drive her nuts.
Stepping off the private jet, I look over at my best friend and my heart melts with the glow that surrounds her. I haven’t the slightest idea how she found, Logan Black but I sure the hell hope she keeps him. A girl can get used to flying on private jets and hanging out in New York City.
“Look at you,” I exclaim, as I embrace, Angela.
“Stop fussing over me, you look great as well.”
“I know. You jealous?”
“Not in the slightest.”
Making a point to joke with her about the size of her boobs and ass, I’m ushered into the car so we can head off for some shopping.
Yes, shopping in New York is off the chain amazing. I’ve convinced myself that if I need to shop, I have to come see Angela. Racking up on clothes for myself and the cutest new suitcase, we make sure to load her up with new maternity clothes.
“Are you happy now, Angela?” I ask, before we head down for dinner.
“I am. I was scared to death when I found out we were expecting. I mean look at me and then look at Logan. I still wake up every morning and I’m amazed that I have him.”
I process her words, and a part of me wishes I could find that.
A man that adores the ground I walk on, someone who would lay their life down for me.
A person that I could call the love of my life, and carry his child.
“Everything okay with you, Tabitha. You seem a little off in the distance.”
Waving her off, “Oh I am more than fine. You know me.”
“I do and I know that look. I’ll figure it out.”
“All those new hormones are making you loopy. Let’s go find your man before he sends out the FBI.”
Stepping into the lounge, I take it all in. The place is modern and fits the atmosphere that I always imagined New York would have. I’ve decided that if I ever move, this is the city for me. The energy it puts off, fuels me. It’s a high to be surrounded by the building towering over you as the people race beside you.
Lost in thoughts some throughout dinner, I’m taken back to witness Logan drop down to one knee and propose to Angela. I knew it was coming but it’s still a wow factor.
After hugs and a few tears, I look over towards Logan and wink. He’d marry her yesterday if she’d agree to it.
“You two have some work to get done starting tomorrow,” Logan states.
“Yippee!” I exclaim, as the other customers turn to glare in our direction.
It took some convincing on my part to get Angela to agree to marry him. We have four weeks to throw the best wedding ever. I’ve already warned her that I will take total control and rock it.
“You are not covering everything in sparkles, do you hear me.”
“I have no earthly idea what you are talking about,” I play off, as I see the whole venue in my head.
She would kill me if I do what I’d like, so I turn to comfort her as I explain, “This is your special day and I will let my shine come through. But I do have a few surprises left. Those you will find out about when it’s time, until then we need to get busy.”
Angela shakes her head at me as I watch Logan throw his head back in a fit of laughter.
This is exactly what I need, the perfect distraction from my dysfunctional life.
****
Carter
Six weeks of hell is what I’ve been living in. In that time, Bethany moved into my place as I moved out. As soon as I walked in and saw her bags, I turned right back around. Living in another one of the condos show homes hasn’t been fun. Kelly arranged for my personal things to be moved, and I’m living out of boxes.
Since Bethany has infected my place, I’m looking for a new one to live in permanently. One I plan to not share with her, but Tabitha. The end goal hasn’t changed. I still get updates from Jack and know every move she makes.
Tabitha went to New York and I know she’s protected, so Jack is off until she returns home. He’s done his job and done it well.
We haven’t seen or heard from Jasper since that night in the bar. I can only pray it stays that way.
Jasper is usually so strung out on drugs that he forgets what he’s been assigned to. That’s why it confuses the hell out of me why Bethany hired him in the first place. With any luck he will stay gone, or at least for another few weeks.
Since I never go home anymore, I’ve finished the design of the house I’d like to start building soon. The board has signed off on the suggestions from SHI and we implemented those last week.
Something new to focus on, it keeps me busy and happy. The happy part is that every time I need to review something I get to open that manila folder Tabitha left. I get to read her writing and wonder what else she’s drawn on. I’ll never forget the first day that I saw her on my computer screen and how I strive to be a better person for her. I haven’t got all the answers and don’t know if I ever will.
Hopefully my meeting with Richard goes well today. He’s still using my information and researching it. Which surprised me last night when he phoned telling me he found an out and that we needed to meet.
Walking through the park to meet Richard, I notice a little pep in my step. It’s as if I might be able to move one, I’ll have the ammunition to move on and finally be rid of the Edwards family for good.
Richard’s over twenty minutes late, and it’s not like him. I stand and start to pace the sidewalk as I keep an eye out for him. He’d instructed me to meet him here, and not in his office. Something about not trusting the ears around the place. I don’t blame him, sometimes I feel as my office is bugged.
My phone vibrates in my pocket and I hurry to grab it. Seeing the caller ID shows it’s Bethany, I ignore it and slide it back into my jeans. Today is supposed to be a good day and she will only bring me down.
Sitting down on the bench, I run my hands through my hair and look up to the sky. It’s finally a sunny day and it causes me to smile. Just as I go to stand backup, the phone rings again.
“Can’t you go one day without contacting me?” I throw at her.
“Oh what fun would that be for me?”
“It would be a ton of fun for me. What do you need now?”
“Just calling to say you’re wasting your time, Richard’s not showing up.”
“What do you mean? I’m not meeting him,” I spit out into the phone as, I’m confused to what she’s saying.
“You were going to meet him, but how do I say this. He’s been diverted so to speak, permanently.”
Taken back by her words, I sit back down and lean forward to rest my head into my hands. I have to take a moment before I can ask anything else.
“I expect you will be home this evening, Carter.”
“Go to hell Bethany. That’s not our home. You are in my home and I expect you to be out before sundown. I swear to you, I will prove that you did this. If you didn’t I will prove that you had something to do with this.” I say and click the phone off.
I’m totally screwed at this moment in time. Richard had been working with me for years to bring them down. I knew what he was working on, I just don’t know what he found out. I feel that every time I get to the finish line, someone moves it.
Chapter Thirty Seven:
Tabitha
I’d heard Georgia’s Incorporated lost their company lawyer in some freak car accident. I’ve pushed myself to send a condolence card from SHI, only because we’d do that for any other company. It has nothing to do with who owns the company. I addressed it to Carter, and mailed it off.
Not expecting anything in return, I’m shocked when I arrive at my office today and see the dozen of white roses with a pink trim around them. I reach in for the card and brace myself for his words.
Words that I’ve missed hearing, so today I’ll take what I can get.
Tabby Cat,
I received the card and thank you. He was a great man and confidant to me for many years. I hope you like the roses.
I think of you every day and dream of you each night.
Carter
“I do too. I do too,” I say out loud to the card, as I reach up to pluck one of the roses out of the vase. Bringing it to my nose, I inhale and release the bottled up anger. I haven’t the slightest idea to how he figured it out, but he did. Carter Northwood figured out my flower.
It doesn’t mean a thing that after all this time, I’ve heard from him finally and just because I sent a card. Hell who am I joking, if that man walked into this office right now; I’d jump into his arms and claim him as mine.
Needing to get back to work and focus on my tasks at hand. I have a wedding to help finish plan, a hormonal best friend that has gone mad along with an assistant that’s moody as hell these days.
Oh let’s not forget that Cory is now dating Meredith, and has no time for me, and Seth keeps going MIA. I’m ecstatic for Cory, and have even had dinner a few times with them, but something about being the third wheel causes me to decline the gesture these days.
Opening my calendar, I’ve got to arrange a few details for the wedding and then schedule some of the new clients I’m taking over. Angela has been pretty much on lock down since they found out they are expecting. Logan has her working from an office next to his, and I don’t ask.
It’s her time to shine as an expecting mother, and successful business woman. She deserves everything that Logan gives her. I’m envious of that kind of relationship. After such a short time knowing, Carter I’d had hope. I had fooled myself into thinking that he was the one, the one that would change my life.
****
Carter
Walking on eggshells every day is getting old. I’ve been racking my brain on how Bethany got to Richard. How she might have known what we were up to.
Watching my every move, is what I’ve been doing. As hard as it is to not jump on my bike or a plane to see the one I need. Picturing her hurt, has done things to me that I never imagined I could feel again. I vow to protect her, even if I never can fully make her mine. It’s a simple fact that now since Richard is gone, I might never be free.
I’ll love her from afar, and lay my life down for her.
When the invitation came from Angela Stephens to invite me to what looks to be the wedding of the century. I almost marked decline, instead my heart checked accept. I’ve RSVP’d as one and just hope I’ll have the chance to talk with Tabitha.
Knowing that I should keep my ass here and away from her, this is business. I refuse to allow Bethany to screw that up. She’s doing a swell job with my life, but not my business.
“Carter, I have a package for you,” Kelly announces from the doorway of my office.
Confused as I’m not expecting anything, I extend my hands and take it from her. As I glance down to the writing, I know exactly who it’s from. Throwing my head up to the ceiling, “Thank you,” I say.
“Welcome,” Kelly responds, as she exits my office.
I know she thinks I was thanking her, but in all reality I’m thanking the person who sent this to me. Now I just pray it’s what I need. If it is, it’s an out. Closure will come soon enough, but possibly not as quickly.
Using the scissors to slice the tape, I pull the cardboard back and look down.
All that’s in the box is a brass key with the numbers 9781 and SHB engraved on top.
Chapter Thirty Eight:
Tabitha
I arrive in New York, ready to celebrate one of the happiest days in Angela’s life. I remember the day she married her douche, and I should have locked her in the changing room. I allowed her to make the biggest mistake of her life. But in the end, it’s worked out and her knight has rescued her.
A day full of last minute touches and a much-needed spa treatment, courtesy of Logan Black.
I decided I didn’t have the energy to fix my hair, so I talked Angela into getting the stylist to do it.
Sitting next to my best friend, I glance over and take her in. She’s closed her eyes as she rubs her hands along her swollen belly
. It’s a sight I never expected and my heart pounds against my chest. I want that.
Mentally I convince myself that by this time next year, I will find a way to have that.
“Angela, question.”
“No to whatever you are coming up with over there.”
“Seriously, listen. I need to know if you think this is crazy.”
“Anything from that mouth of yours, it’s crazy, but I’m listening.”
“I’m not getting any younger, you know and I don’t have any willing prospects knocking my door down. I want a baby, and this time next year I’ll have one. I think I’ll go see the doctor and find out about that artificial stuff, you know where they take the turkey baster and shoot you up.”
Laughing she turns towards me as she says, “It’s called artificial insemination and you don’t have a willing person because you close every one off.”
“Do not,” I pout.
“When was the last time you actually went on a date, and enjoyed it?”
“Not long ago, it’s just complicated and it won’t work out.”
“It won’t or you don’t allow it?”
“I don’t know,” I say, as I close my eyes and picture Carter in my head. He’s leaning down rubbing my swollen stomach and my heart constricts from missing him.
“Not everyone is like Robert. You know that right?”
“I do, but how do you trust again? How do you let someone in that could destroy you into a million pieces?”
“That’s why it’s called trust, and you take that unexpected chance you’ll find your true love. You have to kiss the toads before you find your prince, Tabitha. Open up and live. I know you, and I know you’re closed off for certain reasons, but you only have one life to live. So live it and love with all your heart. That fire you have, let it burn. Once you find him, allow him to blow out the flame and hang your torch up.”
I don’t respond right away, as I know who I want to take a chance on, I know who has already blew out my flame. What I don’t know is, does that flame still burn between us?
“I’ll try,” I answer back, as I reach over and squeeze her hand.
Unexpected Chances Page 17