Silence bled through the line for several seconds before she finally asked, “Jase, is everything okay?”
And there it was again, that sweet, genuine light of hers. “I’ll be fine. There are some things that have gone down here, recently, and I need to speak with you before I talk to Farah.”
“You need to talk to me?”
Even her bewilderment was cute. “Yeah, sweetheart. Is that okay?”
“Uh . . . yeah. I mean, sure. It’s okay.”
“Great. Then I’ll see you in two days?”
“Yeah, Jase,” she said quietly, the soft cadence of her voice making my skin tight.
“And remember, don’t tell Farah.”
“I won’t. I promise. See you soon.”
“Yeah, soon, Flower. Good night.”
We rang off a moment later, and as I headed inside, I didn’t realize I’d left the glass on the ledge. One short conversation with Poppy, and the need for alcohol to numb everything was long gone.
Chapter Four
Poppy
No, no, no, no, no. This couldn’t be happening. I could feel the burn behind my eyes and the stinging in my sinuses as I worked hard not to cry.
The plumber, Roger, had rambled on and on, listing off all the damage—and there was a lot of it—that the busted main water line had caused the night before, and all I could hear was cha-ching, cha-ching, cha-ching as the cost of repairs racked up. Repairs I couldn’t possibly afford to make.
This was my nightmare.
Sure, insurance would likely pay for some of the damage, but I hadn’t been able to afford a very good policy, so the rest would have to come out of pocket, and currently, my pockets only contained lint.
I’d have to shut down until the pipes could be fixed and the damage to the rooms was repaired, meaning there would be no money coming in. And to make matters worse, the few guests who had been staying at the inn had to be reimbursed for the remainder of their reservations since they were going to have to pack up and go somewhere else.
“Ms. Poppy? You okay?”
Roger’s voice pulled me out of the thoughts I was currently drowning in, and when I turned back to him, there was no missing the sympathy that was etched into the deep crevices on the old man’s weathered face.
“Sorry, I spaced out for a second. What were you saying?”
He offered me a kind smile that deepened the grooves around his eyes and mouth. “I was sayin’, if it works for you, my crew can get started on this straight away.”
I did my best to return his grin, but it felt hard and brittle on my face. “Thanks, Roger, I appreciate that.”
I turned away and started for the main house when he spoke up. “You know, if it helps, we can offer a payment plan. You just say the word, and I’ll make that happen.”
There was something to be said for living in a small town. My business at that very point in time might have been suffering, but the people in Redemption looked out for one another, and that was exactly what Roger was doing for me.
“Thank you,” I said, feeling a bit of the tension loosen in my chest.
The tears I’d been battling for the past hour swelled back to the surface as I stepped through the back door into my beautiful, cozy kitchen.
When Cory and I had first decided to purchase the inn, neither of us had enough to buy it outright, so we’d had to take out a loan, a loan that was solely in my name. At the time he’d suggested we do it that way, I’d been so blissfully in love, living with my head in the clouds that I didn’t think anything of it. Now I understood that it was his way of keeping one foot out the door.
We’d spent a small fortune renovating, not only the rooms for guests, but the main house as well. However, after all that, there was hardly anything left for unforeseen expenses or repairs—such as busted water lines. Or the new roof I’d had to put on three of the rooms last year when a particularly nasty storm blew through.
When he ended us, he left without a single bit of the debt and most of what we’d been stowing away in the savings account. I didn’t even have enough left over to afford what it would cost to take his worthless ass to court to get my money back.
My house might have been beautiful to those who came in and saw all the upgraded features we’d ignorantly had installed, but what they didn’t see was, beneath the surface, I was slowly bleeding dry because of the poor decisions Cory and I had made in the very beginning; decisions I still suffered from years later.
I wanted to blame him for all of it, but the truth was, I’d been the idiot who had gone along with all his harebrained ideas, so at that very moment I was angrier at myself than I was at him. Which was really saying something, because I hated that bastard.
I was standing in the middle of my living room, looking at all the pretty—albeit pricey—renovations we’d made and regretting every single one when the front door opened and a voice called out, “Poppy?”
My eyes went wide and I spun around just as Jase stepped into view. “Oh God, Jase. I’m sorry. I totally forgot you were coming.” I’d been so busy dealing with this latest string of shitty luck that his impending stay had completely slipped my mind.
His brows pulled into a severe frown as he dropped his duffle bag and moved farther into the room, closing the distance between us. “What’s wrong?”
I remained in place, fidgeting awkwardly and batting at the moisture on my cheeks as those golden eyes examined my face closely. Damn it. Of course he would walk in right in the middle of one of my crying jags. And of course I was the world’s ugliest crier, complete with swollen eyes, blotchy cheeks, and a nose that would rival Rudolph.
“I’m so sorry,” I said, choosing to ignore his question. “I should’ve called you sooner, but everything’s been a disaster. I’m afraid I don’t have a room for you at the moment. Again, I’m so, so sorry.”
He closed the last remaining feet between us. “I don’t care about that. I’m more concerned about whatever it is that’s made you cry. Talk to me, Flower. What’s going on?”
I wasn’t sure if it was the genuine worry marring his gorgeous features, or the gentle, soothing voice he was using, but whatever the case, in that very moment, I lost hold of the calm I’d been trying so hard to maintain.
The tears started to come faster as I began to pace. “It’s the stupid, stupid main water line!” I cried, throwing my arms in the air. “It busted last night and flooded most of the rooms, so I’ve spent the better part of the day clearing everyone out, dealing with pissed off guests, and issuing reimbursements. Then there’s Roger.”
“Roger?” he asked, cocking his head to the side as a strange expression flitted across his face.
“The plumber. He’s just the sweetest man ever, and he offered to let me pay in installments, but it doesn’t matter. I was just starting to get my head above water, and now this! The cost of having that line repaired on top of having to fix all the damage to the rooms is gonna bury me. Especially since I’ll have to close down for God-only-knows how long. This has just been the worst day ever. And it’s not even dinner time!”
Jase did something so unexpected then that any words I had left turned to ash in my mouth. Grabbing my arm, he halted my agitated pacing and pulled me into him so my front was pressed flush against his as he wrapped his long, sturdy arms around me. “Shit, Pop. I’m so sorry.”
The scent of suede and cedarwood filled my nose, a pleasant, heady scent I’d come to recognize as being solely Jase’s, and I found myself getting so lost in his warmth and smell that what I’d been so worried about only seconds before quickly faded from my mind.
“I-it’s okay,” I said, reverting back to the same, shy, stammering mess I usually was whenever he was around. Embarrassed by my little meltdown, I quickly pulled away from his arms and took a step back, casting my eyes to the ground as my cheeks flamed. “Sorry for losing it there on you for a second. I’m all right now.”
I felt his fingers beneath my chin, pressing until I had no c
hoice but to look up. “Flower, you can lose it around me any time you need. And you don’t have to pretend to be all right.”
Man! GQ looks and kindness? How the hell was it that this man was still single? At this rate, my humiliating crush wasn’t going to fade any time soon.
“I hate that I’m putting you out,” I admitted quietly. “I should’ve thought to call and tell you I didn’t have any rooms. I’m so sorry. But I’m sure Farah will be more than happy to put you up.”
At that suggestion, he leaned back and started looking around, like he was seeing the room we were standing in for the very first time. “Tell you what,” he said moments later. “How about I crash here?”
“Here?” I squeaked. “Like, in the main house?”
“Sure. I mean, if you have the room.”
I chewed on my bottom lip and shifted from foot to foot as I looked around. While the thought of Jase and me staying under the same roof for however long was more than a little appealing, there was a bigger part of me that worried being in such close quarters with this man would lead to a heart attack. “Well, I guess that could work. I have plenty of rooms. It’s just, none of them have a private bathroom. I mean, other than the master. But I guess I could move my stuff out so you could have that one for a while—”
“That’s not necessary, sweetheart,” he said firmly. “I don’t need a private bathroom. Truth be told, I’m easy going about where I crash. No need for you to go out of your way.”
I looked at him closely, arching a skeptical brow. “You sure?”
“Absolutely. I’ll still pay the full price of one of your rooms, that way you aren’t out an additional guest, and I won’t have to run the risk of listening to my little sister getting the business from her fiancé. It’s a win-win for both of us.”
When he put it like that . . . “I guess . . . if you’re absolutely positive.”
He hit me with a smirk that lit me up from the inside. “I am. Absolutely. So it’s settled then?”
His grin was so infectious I couldn’t help but return it as I took his offered hand, trying not to tremble when his fingers engulfed mine and gave it a sturdy shake. “Well, all right then. Now that that’s done, what is it you wanted to talk to me about?”
The humor that had danced in his eyes only a moment ago quickly drifted away as he asked, “You wouldn’t happen to have any bourbon, would you?”
It was only three in the afternoon, which to me seemed a little early for hard liquor, but judging by the look on his face, it was necessary.
I led him into my pretty kitchen and waved him over to sit at the table while I rummaged in the cabinet for my best bottle.
Pouring him a healthy glass, I placed it on the table and took a seat across from him. He swirled the contents around, watching the rippling liquid like it was the most fascinating thing ever before finally lifting it to his lips and taking a swig. His eyes widened a second later. “Damn, Flower. You pulled out the good stuff.”
“I’m a bit of a whiskey snob,” I replied proudly. “It’s not worth drinking if it isn’t the good stuff.”
Jase gave me an appreciative look that made my belly flip as he took another sip. “Well, not that it matters for anything, but I approve whole-heartedly.”
Ignoring the way that one casually spoken sentence made my whole body light up inside like a firework, I clasped my hands together in my lap and leaned forward. “Okay, so what’s going on?”
He hesitated several beats before downing half his drink. When his gaze finally clashed with mine once more, there was a determination glinting in those gold irises. “I have a business proposition for you.”
My chin jerked back in surprise. “You do?”
As he spoke, his voice took on a tone I imagined he used at work all the time. It was deep and full of authority, all business. And totally sexy. “I’m willing to pay for the cost of all the repairs that need to be done thanks to the broken water line, as well as pay you enough to keep things afloat until you can reopen for business. There just one little thing I need you to do for me in return.”
It was a struggle to pick my jaw up off the floor as my mind tried to wrap itself around everything he’d just said. In a handful of seconds, this man in front of me had basically offered to make all my problems go away . . . and I didn’t understand why. That was a lot of money to offer, and I didn’t think it was possible for me to give him anything of equal value in return. Not even close.
Giving my head a shake to clear the cobwebs that had suddenly formed, I asked, “And what’s that?”
Then he dropped his bomb.
“I need you to marry me.”
Chapter Five
Poppy
I sat there as one minute ticked into the next, my eyes wide and my mouth gaping open before reality came crashing back down and I burst into laughter. “Oh my God,” I wheezed once I was able to speak through the hilarity. “That was funny. You really had me going there.”
“I’m not joking, Poppy.”
All the humor I’d been feeling dried up instantly when I looked at his stony face. “Wait. You’re serious?”
“As a heart attack.”
“But . . . that’s crazy!” I cried a tad hysterically. “I mean, we don’t really know each other, and—”
“We know each other well enough,” he stated firmly. “Look, I know this sounds insane—”
“Ya think?” I yelped loudly. Then for good measure, I reached across the table, snagged his glass, and gulped, relishing the burn as the alcohol went down. I let out an exaggerated aah, once it was drained. “Damn, that really is good stuff.”
A deep rumble drew my attention back across the table, and when I looked at Jase, I could see his chest shaking as he chuckled quietly. “You know, you’re cute as hell when you’re all flustered.”
I refilled the glass and held it aloft in silent cheers. “Well, if that’s what you think, you’re in for a real treat, buddy.”
Before the lip of the glass could reach my mouth, his arm shot across the table, his fingers like a manacle around my wrist. “Kind of need you sober for this conversation, Flower.”
“See, that’s where you’re wrong, because clearly, I’m already drunk. That, or I fell and smacked my head getting out of the shower this morning and am currently lying on my bathroom floor with a gaping head wound, getting blood all over my kickass tile! Those are the only two explanations for what’s happening right now.”
His lips trembled as he struggled to suppress his laughter. “I can assure you, this is very real, and if you’ll give me a chance to explain, everything will make perfect sense. I need you to stick with me. Just for a little while longer.” He lowered his voice, keeping his tone gentle. “Can you do that for me, Poppy?”
Closing my eyes, I pulled in a much-needed breath and worked hard at garnering up as much of my sanity as I could before finally looking at him again and nodding.
He gave me that smile that made me all melty and released my wrist, but even then, I could still feel his touch on my skin like a hot brand. “Thanks, sweetheart.” He pulled in a deep inhale, his solid chest expanding even wider beneath his shirt. “Okay, so here’s the deal. It’s recently come to light that my father’s been embezzling from the company for quite some time, and because of that, he’s been relieved of his position as CEO of Hyland Steel.”
I sucked in a huge lungful of air. My curiosity got the best of me, and I started launching questions. “No way! How much? And what in the hell did he need that money for? Aren’t your parents filthy rich?”
Jase didn’t seem annoyed by my questions as he answered. “Let’s just say, the amount was exorbitant. And he used company finances so he could hide it from my mother.”
“But what would he need—” Jase cut his eyes at me, pulling his face into a grimace, and I knew then just what the elder Hyland had been spending his ill-gotten gains on. “Oh yuck!” I cringed, sticking out my tongue for good measure. “How is it even possibl
e to spend that much on prostitutes?”
“Trust me, Pop, you don’t want to know the answer to that question.”
I was going to throw up, for sure. Grabbing the glass, I shot back more bourbon, hoping the alcohol would blur the pictures I had flitting through my mind and passed it to Jase so he could do the same.
“Anyway,” he started once he’d slugged back a healthy gulp. “Because of his proclivities, the board feels they need some assurance from me before they’ll name me as CEO.”
My eyes bugged out. “Meaning they expect you to get married?”
“Pretty much.”
I huffed out a sigh and flopped back in my chair. “Jeez Jase, it’s like you’re living in a freaking soap opera. Can they really do that?”
“They can and they have,” he replied darkly. “Believe me, if there was any other way . . .” He trailed off with a grunted expletive as he raked a hand through his hair in frustration. “I never had any intention of getting married. It’s the last thing I’d ever want to do, but it’s the only way I can ensure the position is mine.”
A chill skated across my skin as disappointment began to gnaw at me. I never imagined Jase to be the opportunistic sort. It just didn’t mesh with the man I thought I knew. “You really want to be CEO that badly?”
“I don’t give a fuck about being CEO,” he clipped so fervently I jumped in my seat. “It’s just a bullshit title as far as I’m concerned. But if I don’t do this, they’re prepared to put my cousin Titus in the position, and he’s such a fuck-up, he’ll destroy the company. Everyone we employ will lose their jobs. They’re good people. I wouldn’t be able to live with myself.” The ugly feeling that had been swirling around inside me washed away with the realization that I hadn’t been wrong about him after all. “I can’t let that happen, Poppy.”
“I get that, Jase, I do. But . . . why me? I mean, it sounds like I’m the one getting the better deal out of this whole thing.”
Crazy Beautiful: a Redemption novel Page 4