by Karen Pokras
“I’m here,” she said, not quite sure how to respond to his prior comment.
“I’m glad you took the day off on Friday to rest. You deserved a day to yourself after working so hard. We all need a day off now and again. I always say that.”
He does? When does he always say that? Tessa blinked several times to help process his words. Just what kind of medication was he taking?
“So now that you’ve had a nice three day weekend, I hope you’re feeling refreshed.”
“Um, okay.” She would have said more, but she was at a loss for words. Was this his plan? Make her speechless, then deliver the final blow?
“Anyway, I was calling to see what time you’d be coming in this morning. You’re usually here by now. I was just making sure everything is okay.”
Tessa squinted her eyes as if trying to focus on the words. Maybe they would make more sense that way. It didn’t work. It was time for her to go for a more direct approach. “I’m fine, but I assumed I was fired. I wasn’t planning on coming back.”
“Fired? Don’t be ridiculous.” Mr. Abbott laughed nervously. It was a scary sound she’d never heard come out of her boss before. He gathered himself and continued, “No, no, not at all. Nicholas was very impressed with your work. In fact, he seemed very upset that you ran out. He couldn’t stop talking about what an asset you were to the firm. We met again on Friday, actually, to continue our discussion.”
“Interesting,” she said, examining her nails, while trying to figure out where the conversation was going.
“Tessa,” Mr. Abbott said, clearly struggling to get the words out, “I’ve been going over my books. I’ve had a very good year, thanks in great part to your efforts. I would like to offer you a raise … with a bonus … as a token of my appreciation.”
She stopped what she was doing. Now she knew he was up to something. Token of his appreciation? Since when did her boss—her former boss—show appreciation? Plus, Mr. Abbott didn’t need to go over his books. He was an accountant. He knew exactly what his profit margin was every second of every day, and it was never high enough. Never. He hadn’t ever offered her a raise or a cash bonus. At most, he might bring her out to some fancy dinner, and then complain something was wrong with his entree so the restaurant would give it to him for free. Come to think of it, he’d never taken her out for a meal, either. That scenario, while most likely accurate, was really just all in her head. No, Mr. Abbott did not freely part with money or compliments.
“I thought Mr. Schilling was looking for a new accountant.”
While the topic of a pay increase and bonus certainly intrigued her, she was more interested in digging for further information concerning Nicholas. She cringed as his nervous laugh resurfaced. Holding the phone away from her ear, she waited for the horrid noise to end.
He cleared his throat and continued, “It was all a misunderstanding. It seems he was out of the office most of the time for personal reasons. I was worrying for nothing. He’s more than pleased with our services and might even increase the frequency of our projections.”
“Is that so?” she asked.
“Well, yes. That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you. He’s even agreed to increase my fee as long as you—”
She let out a heavy sigh. So that’s why he was calling. It all made perfect sense now. Nicholas was behind all of this, not Mr. Abbott. He was using his money to buy her.
“—as long as I stay on at Abbott and Associates? I appreciate the offer, sir, but I can’t accept it.”
“But, Tessa, please, hear me out, I’m authorized to pay you—”
She ended the call before she could hear the amount and went inside Ben’s plant to apply for the bookkeeping job, with or without a referral from her former boss.
Chapter 34
Ava volunteered to watch Sophie, yet again, so Tessa could show Ben and Holly her appreciation for helping her get her new job. She wanted to take them out to dinner, but couldn’t afford it. Instead, she offered to cook them dinner at their house, and figured it would be easier if she were kid-free. As always, she felt bad, especially since Max was home for once, but Ava insisted. Securing the bookkeeping job at Ben’s plant was a huge relief … for everyone. She would offer to watch Jenna and Logan for the weekend the next time Max was home. They deserved it, and there was much to thank them for as well.
“Have I told you in the last ten minutes how grateful I am, Ben?” Tessa asked, as they all sat in her oldest sister’s living room.
“Really, it’s not necessary. I told you, I had nothing to do with it other than letting you know the job was open. The rest was all you.”
“I know, but the job wasn’t even advertised. All of the candidates were from within. I wouldn’t have even known about the position if it wasn’t for you. I guess that means I won’t be making any friends there. I imagine there will be a lot of pissed off applicants.”
“Maybe. I don’t get involved in office politics. Well, it’s not entirely by choice. They don’t let the plant workers anywhere near that accounting office, even us manager types, although they do pretend to be slightly nicer to us, but it’s all an act. I’m sure after they talk to me, they go in the restroom to hose off the best they can. You’d think we had the plague or something. You’ll see once you start working there. It’s a them versus us mentality.”
“I thought you ran the place,” Max stated.
“No,” Ben corrected. “I run the plant. The administrative area, which includes bookkeeping, H.R., and all of the other stuff where you don’t get your hands dirty, is totally separate. We’re peons to them.”
“That’s ridiculous,” Tessa stated. “Now I fully intend to mingle with you while I’m there, just to see their reaction.” She rubbed her palms together and smirked. “Maybe I’ll even shake your hand in front of them and wipe it on their desks. You know, since no one will be my friend anyway.”
“You want to keep this new job, don’t you?” Holly asked.
“Oh, okay, I’ll behave,” Tessa muttered, looking like a kid who was just scolded. “You ruin all my fun.”
“Well, I never was the fun sister. Isn’t that what you always say?” Holly flashed a smile and rolled her eyes.
“Hey, would you look at the time,” Tessa said, finishing the water Ava had offered her in a single gulp. “We should get going before I change my mind.” She gave Holly a peck on the cheek and smiled. “Let me go find my daughter. I’ll be right back.”
Giggles and squeals of delight led Tessa directly to Sophie, who was buried under a mound of blankets and pillows in the playroom. Apparently, the tent she and her cousin Logan had tried to build had collapsed on top on them—a result that appeared to be far more fun than the intended plan.
Standing in the doorway for a moment, Tessa just stood listening and watching, her heart smiling at the sounds coming from the room.
Sometimes, friendships end. Kind of like how you don’t really talk to Anna anymore. It doesn’t mean Todd doesn’t care about you, and I promise it wasn’t anything you did wrong. I know you’ll miss him, and that’s okay. I know he misses you, too. The words had been so difficult to say to Sophie the other day, and while she seemed to understand, she hadn’t been her cheerful self since … until this evening.
“Now where are Sophie and Logan?” Tessa asked, pretending not to have a clue as to their whereabouts as she walked into the playroom. “I could have sworn they were in here, but all I see is a pile of pillows.”
Her words only made the two toddlers giggle even louder.
“My, my,” she continued, walking toward the puffed up mound, “these are some very noisy pillows, and they look very comfortable, too.” Stretching her arms out, she yawned a loud, over-exaggerated yawn. “Oh, boy, am I tired. I think I’ll just lie down right here on this nice comfy stack of cushions.” She lightly put her foot on top to add just the slightest amount of pressure.
“No!” Sophie and Logan yelled, still giggling, as their little
bodies sprung out, tossing pillows everywhere.
“Oh, there you are.” Tessa laughed, scooping her daughter up in her arms to sprinkle her nose with tiny kisses. “I’m getting ready to go out. You’ll be good for Aunt Ava and Uncle Max, right?”
“Yes, Mommy.”
She gave Sophie one more kiss, and one to Logan as well before leaving the room.
“I take it everything’s okay in there?” Ava asked when Tessa returned.
“Oh yeah,” she replied, smiling. “They’re just doing a bit of re-decorating for you.”
“Well, you know, it saves me a bundle on hiring a professional. Now go, and enjoy your dinner.”
Tessa thanked her sister and brother-in-law and headed outside where Ben and Holly waited for her by their car.
Chapter 35
Tessa chopped vegetables while soft music played in the background, taking an occasional sip of wine as she worked.
“Are you sure I can’t help you?” her sister asked, pacing the floor of her kitchen.
“Nope. What’s with you anyway? You’re acting strange.”
“Nothing. I’m just not used to having someone else doing the work in my kitchen while I sit and do nothing.”
“Stop looking like I’m torturing you. You should be enjoying this. I’ve got everything under control. In fact,” she said, adding the colorful array of peppers, onions, and mushrooms to the skillet, “this will be ready in another ten minutes or so.”
“I can’t wait. It smells amazing,” Ben said, entering the kitchen. Using his fingers, he picked a tomato out of the salad, and popped it into his mouth. “So how are you doing, Tessa? Feeling okay? Would you like a little more wine?”
“I’m good, thanks.” She turned around to look at him. Now he was acting odd. What was going on?
“Holly?” he asked. “Can I talk to you for a second?”
“Sure.”
Tessa waited until they both left the kitchen before sneaking over to the doorway to where she could hear them whispering:
“When are you going to tell her?”
“I don’t know. I was hoping you would tell her.”
“No, you’re her sister. You should tell her.”
“I know, but she seems to listen to you more. Maybe it should be you.”
“Tell me what?” Tessa asked, entering the dining room. She looked at the table. She had set it earlier with three place settings, but now it was set for only two. “What’s going on?”
Holly looked to Ben before saying to her, “Don’t get mad.”
Tessa glared back at her. Didn’t she realize that when people said don’t get mad, the first instinct they had was to get mad?
“Why would I?” she asked, trying to keep her voice calm.
Why wasn’t Holly answering her? Hesitation was never a good sign. Deciding her sister was taking way too long to respond, she turned around and walked toward the front door. Let them fix their own damn dinner. She swung the door open to leave. That’s when she saw him, one hand up as if about to knock on the door, the other holding a small bouquet of pink daisies. Damn it.
“What are you doing here?” she demanded. Spinning back around, she glared at her sister and brother-in-law, her body filling with rage. Don’t get mad? No, she wasn’t mad, she was fuming. “What is he doing here, Hol?” she demanded again, louder this time.
“Tessa,” Holly said, walking over to her sister. She lightly grabbed her arm and pulled her into her hallway away from the men. “He called Ava,” she said in a whispered tone, “to explain … and plead. He just wants a chance to talk to you and didn’t know how else to make it happen.”
“I’m leaving.” She tried to pull her arm away, but her sister tightened her grasp.
“Look at me. You know Ava would never allow anyone to hurt you or Sophie. None of us would. He’s a good guy, Tess. He just made a bad decision, and he feels horrible about it. Ava talked to him for over an hour. And after they hung up, he called Ben … who gave him hell, by the way. Ava apparently did as well. We’re not saying he didn’t deserve it.”
“Hell yeah, he deserved it,” Tessa said, relaxing her arm a bit. “Why should I listen to him? Just why should I give him a chance to explain?”
“Do remember a few years back, when I thought I couldn’t have Ben?”
She nodded. She remembered it well, like it was yesterday. Holly and Ben had been so in love with each other. Problem was, there was another woman. A woman he didn’t belong with. It broke Holly’s heart. She had no choice but to cut him out of her life completely. She didn’t want to speak, see, or even know of his existence.
“Yes,” she responded.
“And do you remember what you did?” Holly asked.
Tessa sighed. Of course she remembered. She surprised Holly with a meeting between the two of them so they could hash it out. The next thing she knew, they were back together and madly in love.
“Okay,” she agreed, “I’ll hear him out … but only if you and Ben agree to stay close by.”
Holly smiled, bringing her back into the dining room. “We’ll be just over there in the kitchen,” she said.
Tessa nodded.
Leaning in close to give her a kiss on the cheek, Holly whispered, “Consider the favor repaid.” She grabbed Ben’s hand.
Chapter 36
Tessa sat at Holly’s dining room table, arms crossed, waiting as Nicholas gulped water.
“Well?” she finally asked, growing increasingly impatient. “I don’t get it. For days you’ve been calling and texting. You even showed up at my apartment twice begging for a chance to talk to me. I know you’re responsible for Abbott’s odd behavior. That man actually apologized to me. Apologized! He’s never said he’s sorry to anyone ever, and I don’t even want to discuss the raise and bonus you put him up to—which I didn’t accept, as I’m sure you know. And I just found out you called my sister and my brother-in-law, who by the way is one of the finest examples of a man you will ever meet. You should really take lessons from him. Then, you came all the way here, obviously hoping you’d get a chance to talk to me. Well, here I am, and now you’re just going to sit there, say nothing, and drink water?”
“Vodka would work better,” he responded with a half-smile. “Especially since you seem like you’re about to bite my head off. Kind of started actually.”
“Wow, starting right off with a compliment. Smart move.”
“I’m a little nervous. You have that effect on me, you know.
“Why don’t you start by telling me why you lied?” She sat back in her chair, enjoying the fact that she was in control of the conversation. Let him be uncomfortable. She’d hear what he had to say, but she wouldn’t let him get into her heart. Not this time.
“For the record,” Nicholas started, “I never lied. I just never corrected you when—”
“Okay, I’ve heard enough.” She pushed back her chair and started to walk toward the front door.
“Wait, please!” he begged, running after her. He placed his hand on her shoulder, and she reluctantly stopped and faced him. “You’re absolutely, right,” he continued. “I totally lied to you, and it was inexcusable. I’m sincerely sorry. I truly am.”
“That’s a start,” she said.
“Will you come sit back down with me? I just want a chance to explain … why I lied.”
Turning her head toward Ben and Holly, who were now standing in the doorway, she nodded to let them know everything was under control. They disappeared back into the kitchen, and she slowly walked over to the table to return to her seat.
“Thank you,” he said, and sat down as well, looking slightly relieved. “You have to believe me when I tell you it doesn’t change the way I feel about you one bit.” His eyes met hers, pleading with her as he spoke. “I love you, Tessa, and you may think you fell in love with Todd, but you didn’t. Todd is a sixty-seven year old man with high-blood pressure and arthritis in his right knee. I don’t think you’re actually in love with h
im. The guy you fell in love with is sitting across from you right now. I’m still the same guy. My name is just Nicholas. Nick really. I’m a regular guy who went to Forest Hills University and played guitar every Friday night at O’Grady’s just like I told you. I even flipped burgers right out of school. And then, just like I explained on our first date, I was at the right place at the right time. All of that was true. I just didn’t finish the story.”
“You mean the little inconsequential part about how being in the right place at the right time resulted in you becoming the actual multi-millionaire instead of the financial assistant for the multi-millionaire,” Tessa said, twisting her napkin in her lap as she spoke. Luckily it was cloth, or there would be a pile of tiny paper shreds on the floor by now.
Nicholas nodded. “Yes.”
“But why didn’t you tell me who you were when you first came into the office?”
“At first I just assumed you knew who I was.”
“No, I had no idea,” Tessa replied. “To be honest, you looked pretty shady. Remember? I was ready to call the cops on you. You were a mess.”
“Right,” he said, trying desperately to get the last drops of water out of his glass from between the ice cubes, before placing it back down on the table. “I had taken the red-eye back from London that day. And, after I landed, I wanted to catch up on some work before heading home to clean up. My administrative assistant was on leave, and I was worried my office would be in complete shambles. When I got to work that morning my desk was a disaster, but there was a note you’d called and were looking for the statements. I was anxious to have an update from Steve—Mr. Abbott—since we missed our original meeting, so I grabbed what I had and ran the statements over to you. It wasn’t until we were on our date that I realized you had no idea of my true identity.”
“And yet, you never corrected me, even weeks later,” Tessa noted, tossing the napkin on the table in order to pick up her own water glass.