By Private Invitation

by Stephanie Julian

  Belle smiled and rose. “No problem. I’ll be in the main shop.”

  No snark, no snit.

  He answered the phone, shaking his head. “Dude, you’re killing me. What’s so im—”

  “You need to get home. Now.” Tyler’s tired sigh echoed through the phone line, making a cold shiver run though Jared’s body. “Mom’s having an episode and we can’t get her calmed down. She keeps asking for you and I’m afraid we’re going to have to hospitalize her if we can’t get her to take the meds. Damn it, Jed, you know how she gets when she’s like this.”

  Yeah, he knew. And he knew why she usually got like this. “What’d the bastard do this time?”

  Tyler sighed again, his frustration coming through loud and clear. “Jed, she needs you.”

  And that was really all that mattered, wasn’t it? No matter what he wanted. “I’ll be there in an hour. Can she hold it together until then?”

  “If I tell her you’re coming, I think so, yeah.”

  “I’m leaving now.”

  He disconnected the call and shoved the phone back on his hip. Emotion lay heavy in his gut. Fear and concern for his mom.

  Rage…

  His goddamn father. Fury began to overtake the fear and concern. Anger at whatever it was he’d done to make his mom have an attack bad enough for Tyler to have to call him home.

  It didn’t happen often and she hadn’t had an episode like this for years.

  He had to leave. Right now. Just get in his car and go.

  He couldn’t stop to think about Belle. Not now. He’d be back tomorrow. It wasn’t like they were married. Or even that they had an emotional attachment. Sure, the sex was great. But that’s all it was.

  Just sex.

  He walked out into the main shop, where Belle sat on the counter, watching him approach.

  “Jared, are you okay?”

  He forced a smile. “I’m fine. But I need to head back to Philly. Something’s come up at the hotel and Tyler needs me.”

  He stopped in front of her, knowing his smile didn’t reach his eyes. Not caring if she noticed.

  Her eyes narrowed as her head tilted to the side.

  He stepped in close and kissed her with a finesse he’d never used on her. A slickness that always served him well with women. Most couldn’t tell it was all technique and no emotion.

  He stepped back and knew Belle had noticed.

  He smiled again, but he knew this time it was more like a grimace. He needed to get out of here. Now.

  “I’ll call you, Belle. Good night. And thanks for dinner.”

  He turned and walked out the door.

  “So he just walked out? Without any explanation?”

  On Wednesday morning, Annabelle had a copy of Jared’s layout in front of her on the kitchen table while she drank hot chocolate and waited for the pan of Pillsbury cinnamon rolls to hurry and bake already.

  Sometimes a girl needed more than Special K with Red Berries in the morning. This qualified as one of those mornings.

  Kate sat at the other end of the table, both hands around her mug. She didn’t start work until noon on Wednesdays and they had a standing date for breakfast.

  Except Kate had called this morning to make sure she wouldn’t be interrupting anything. Annabelle had assured her she wouldn’t be and Kate had rushed over.

  Now, Annabelle figured Kate’s shocked expression echoed hers from last night.

  “He said he had to get back to the hotel. That something had come up.”

  And she was trying really hard to believe that. But the look on his face…

  “But you don’t believe him?”

  Finally, Annabelle looked up at Kate. “No, I think something happened but…he just didn’t want to tell me about it. He shut me out like he’d slammed a door in my face.”

  “That doesn’t sound like Jared.” Kate’s frown narrowed her eyes to slits of glittering black.

  Annabelle huffed as she dropped her gaze back to the layout in front of her. “Really? Because we know him so well, right?”

  Kate paused. “Hey, did something else happen last night?”

  Annabelle sighed and shook her head. “Not a blessed thing. Except he gave me this nice little layout for my shop. Needs some work but at least he gave it a little effort before he skipped town.”

  “Oh, Annabelle. I’m sorry.”

  Shit. She hadn’t wanted to sound that…hurt. Because she wasn’t. “No, forget I said that. We had an agreement, not a relationship. Hell, we had three nights of sex, Kate. I didn’t fall for the guy.”

  She forced a smile as the oven timer dinged. Getting up, she pushed Jared’s rough draft and her own more detailed sketch toward Kate. “So tell me what you think.”

  Annabelle got the pan out of the oven and dropped the rolls onto a plate. She considered just scooping out the icing with her finger and lathering it on the rolls but that might smack of desperation. And hurt. She grabbed a knife instead.

  Kate was still staring at her when she turned back to the table.

  “Annabelle…”

  She dropped the plate on the table with a clatter and held up her hand to stop anything else Kate may have said. She didn’t want to talk about him anymore.

  “I have plans to make, a carpenter to contact, and a shop to run. I really like his ideas and I’m going to move ahead. I’m going to call Henry today, see if I can get him out here to at least look over the space sometime this week.”

  Kate snorted. “I’m sure he’ll be able to fit you in. Henry’s been crushing on you for years.”

  “Shit, I forgot about that.” Christ, just what she needed. Sweet, handsome Henry Schmidt hitting on her all day. Maybe she should contact another carpenter.

  “You know,” Kate said, “Henry is a real sweetheart.”

  Annabelle nearly stuck her fingers in her ears like a two-year-old and stomped her feet. “Oh, no. Don’t even go there. Guys are no longer on my to-do list. Hell, I’ll date Teddy before I get wrapped up with anyone else.”

  Kate nearly choked on her roll dripping with two hundred calories of icing. “And if you ever date Teddy, I’ll know it’s time to put you out of your misery.”

  Misery? She was not miserable. Jared hadn’t broken up with her. Hell, they hadn’t had a relationship to break up. Just sex. Hot sex. Great sex.

  But just sex.

  “Jared had said he’d be back. And if he doesn’t return…Well, then that’s fine too.”

  “Jared, are you leaving?”

  With his hand on the front door knob of his parents’ home, Jared paused for a moment to wipe his face of all emotion before turning to face his father.

  It was just after three in the afternoon. He’d caught a few hours of sleep after his mother had finally closed her eyes this morning.

  “I have a business to run. I’m needed there.”

  His father nodded, his mouth twisting into a slight grimace. As if he couldn’t be allowed a full one. “Then I appreciate you coming. I know how difficult this is for you and Tyler.”

  Jared felt the rage start to bubble like lava in his stomach. His hand clenched around the cut-glass knob, so tightly he felt the fine edges nearly pierce his skin. If he didn’t get out of here soon…“Yes, it is.”

  He didn’t say anything else, just waited for his father to say whatever it was he wanted to say.

  “I just want you to know…how much we especially appreciate your time.”

  Staring into his father’s eyes, the exact same shade of blue as his own, Jared had a momentary flash of the man as Jared had seen him fifteen years ago—gleaming smile, hearty laugh, and carefree attitude. With his hand on another woman’s breast and his mouth on her neck.

  Only minutes before he’d caught his father in that affair, Jared hadn’t known how much of a farce his parents’ marriage had become.

  He’d known they no longer shared the same room and barely spoke to each other. He’d also known, since he’d been at least eight an
d maybe even before, that his mom was mentally unstable.

  She’d have incredible highs, days when she’d keep him and Tyler home from school to go skiing in the Poconos or to New York for a show. A few times they’d flown to Florida to spend time on the beach.

  Of course, the incredible lows had followed with screaming fits, crying jags, and a trashed bedroom.

  She’d had a “personal assistant” since Tyler’s birth. Jared had realized sometime in his teens that the “personal assistant” was really a registered nurse. He remembered three. He also remembered how each time there’d been a new one, the transition had been difficult. Especially when Jared knew his father had had an affair with the last one, which was what had caused her to leave.

  Jared’s eyes narrowed. “She’s my mother and I love her.” He tried hard not to emphasize the “I” in that statement. His father knew how he felt. “Do you know what triggered this one?”

  His father’s back straightened, as if preparing for battle. “No. She’s been fine. She hasn’t had an episode like that for more than a year. The medication has made a marked improvement in her control.” His father’s gaze unfocused. “Things have almost been back to the way they were when we first met.”

  Jared heard something in his father’s tone, something that sounded almost wistful, and he had to work hard to keep the sneer off his lips. He didn’t want to get into a potential knock-down drag-out with his dad. Not now.

  Last night had been exhausting. He’d sat with his mom all night. For some reason, she hadn’t wanted Tyler. Sometimes that happened. They had no idea why. And when Helena started to come down, when the meds did their job, no one wanted to talk about it, much less ask questions.

  She had a psychiatrist for that. Jared was no psychiatrist.

  And though he wasn’t a doctor, he’d done more than enough reading to know his mother’s bipolar disorder would never be cured. She could only manage it with treatment and drugs.

  Some days were better than others. Sometimes she went for months without an episode like last night. But then she’d think she was getting better and would forget to take her meds. Or refuse to take them.

  It was a vicious cycle, one they were all trapped in.

  She was his mother and he loved her. He’d do anything for her.

  But now he wanted to get the hell back to Annabelle.

  He owed her an explanation for his abrupt departure last night. He’d promised her his assistance and he wasn’t going to leave her high and dry.

  “Then I’m glad I could help.” He turned the knob after giving his father a nod. “I’ll see you later.”

  Thirteen

  “I want floating walls and I’ve got the paint color already picked out. On the ceiling, I want a track lighting system that can be adjusted depending on the number of pieces I have on the walls at any given time.”

  As he’d done Monday, when this had all started, Jared entered the shop unnoticed. This time, though, the passionate dancer had transformed into a focused business woman.

  “I’m also going to need you to install a ramp at the outside entrance into the basement to offload furniture.”

  From the front room, he saw her consulting with a lanky man who towered over her inside the storage room where she was going to expand her gallery.

  Standing with her back to the front room, she couldn’t see him and he could only see the back of her. She had her beautiful hair pulled back into a severe braid and wore baggy jeans and an oversize white shirt that hit her mid-thigh, covering what he knew to be a perfect ass.

  Desire made his skin heat and his hands clench with the urge to touch her.

  He watched her hands move as she described how she wanted the gallery to look. He wanted those hands on his body. He wanted his hands on her breasts, on her ass, on her thighs, holding her open—

  Well, shit. Now he had a hard-on.

  Tearing his gaze away from Belle, he looked at the man standing with her, hanging on her every word. Jared didn’t think the guy would notice if a bomb dropped next to him. From the expression on his face, Jared could tell the guy had the serious hots for Belle.

  And his blood began a slow boil.

  He caught himself before he barged in and laid claim to her, like a goddamn caveman. Put his arm around her shoulders and draw her into his side. Better yet, press a kiss to her delicate, sensitive nape. She’d shiver and her eyes would flutter closed.

  The other man, standing with his hands shoved in his pockets, would know she was off-limits. His.

  Which was ridiculous. He didn’t do possessive jealousy. Hell, he actually liked to share.

  Delayed reaction to last night. That’s all.

  Taking a deep breath, he merely watched.

  She was a woman with a mission, and it was the sexiest thing Jared had ever seen. He could stand here and listen to her talk all day.

  “So, you’ll have an estimate for me by the end of next week, Henry?”

  “Absolutely, Annie. I’ll bring it by myself. Should have one worked up for you in about three days.”

  Jared barely bit back a snort. Of course Henry would return with the estimate himself. He’d do anything to get in Belle’s good graces and her baggy jeans. The fool would probably work it up tonight and bring it by tomorrow.

  Belle gave the obviously smitten Henry a huge grin and a squeeze on the arm. “Thanks so much. I knew I could count on you for this. Tell your mom and dad I said hi and that I’m still looking for that missing piece to your mom’s china pattern. I’ve finally got a lead. I’m hoping this one pans out.”

  “Well now, I know Mom’ll be glad to hear that. She’ll want you to come to dinner, you know, so she can show it off.”

  “I look forward to it. Your mom makes the best schnitz und knepp.” With one more smile for the smitten contractor, Belle turned to walk the man out but froze as soon as she caught sight of Jared.

  Her eyes widened and her lips parted like she was going to say something. Then she gave him a bland smile and led Henry to the door.

  The contractor gave him a once-over before Belle thanked him again for coming over on short notice and closed the door behind him.

  Then she flicked the lock on the door and leaned back against it, watching him.

  “I take it you’re moving ahead with plans for the gallery.”

  She nodded. “It’s a good idea. I’m surprised to see you back so soon.”

  “The problem was resolved faster than I anticipated. Are you finished for the night? Would you like to go to dinner?”

  Damn, he really hoped that didn’t sound as desperate as he thought it had. A pain he’d thought was heartburn had been building in his chest since he’d left his parents’ home. But he hadn’t eaten anything in hours.

  And the feeling was more like something cracking apart. He clamped down on the urge to rub at his sternum.

  “Actually, I made plans to meet Kate and her fiancé for dinner.” She paused again, just long enough for that ache to crank up the intensity a notch, before she continued. “Would you like to join us?”

  No, he wanted her all to himself. He wanted to crook his finger and have her come to him. Wanted to tear the shirt over her head, put his mouth on hers, and lose himself in the sweetness of her, in the heat he knew he could elicit from her. The heat that would ease the tight knot in his chest.

  He wanted her spread out beneath him, screaming his name as he made her come.

  He forced a natural-looking smile. “I’d love to, if you think your friends won’t mind.”

  Annabelle’s smile certainly looked more natural than his felt. “Kate will be happy to see you again and Arnie wants whatever Kate wants.”

  “Sounds like true love.” Which really sucked for Tyler. His brother had asked about Kate again this morning.

  Annabelle finally pushed away from the door and walked over to him. “I’m sure he loves her. I just…” She shook her head. “Anyway, I hope you don’t mind pizza.”

&n
bsp; He couldn’t care less what they ate as long as they did it together. “Love pizza.” Then because he couldn’t help himself, he said, “That man has a thing for you.”

  Belle’s brows lifted in surprise and she smiled, just a slight tilt of her lips. “Henry? He’s a nice guy and a good friend. He and his father helped Granddad with the original renovation of the building. When Bud, Henry’s dad, had a heart attack last year, Henry took over the business.”

  He let his gaze roam over her features, the wide eyes and mouth, the freckles sprinkled on her adorable nose and cheeks. He wanted to lick them. “Do you know everyone in town?”

  When she shrugged, he followed the movement of her shoulders, barely visible beneath that oversize shirt. For a man used to women who dressed in designer clothes to walk their yappy little dogs, he shouldn’t be as turned on by a man’s white button-down dress shirt and a pair of baggy carpenter jeans, the pockets filled with pencils, business cards, and at least two small objects he figured were tape measures.

  “It’s a small town. Everyone knows everyone else. I take it the problem at the hotel wasn’t too severe?”

  The tone of her voice was steady but her gaze searched his. “No, not too severe.”

  The need to talk to Belle about his home situation, about his mom, shocked the hell out of him. He never talked about that, not to anyone but Tyler.

  He’d never had any desire to talk to his friends about it. Most had known his mother all their lives. They’d treat her differently if they knew how severe her problem was.

  They’d want to pity him. And he couldn’t stand that. He didn’t need pity.

  Belle’s eyes narrowed, as if trying to read between the lines. Then she sighed, as if giving trying to figure him out. He couldn’t decide if that was good or bad.

  “You know, I don’t expect you to stay here continuously.” She tilted her head to the side. “I understand you have other, more important obligations in your life.”

  Other? Yes. More important? He couldn’t think of any. His mother’s episode had passed. And now he just wanted to forget everything else for a few hours and spend time with her. “I have the time to spare. You’re open Sunday, right? I’d like to see what weekend traffic is like around here.”