by Ali Parker
Paisley ran back to me, her hand reaching up for mine. I tried to smile, but it felt wrong, so I just wrapped my fingers around hers and turned us toward home.
“Daddy?” Paisley asked.
“Yes?”
“Are you sad?”
I froze. Staring down at her, I realized that no matter what happened with Candice, I had to be strong for my daughter.
“No.” I squeezed her hand. “How could I be sad? I get to spend the whole day with you.”
Chapter 34
Candice
I pulled my hair back into a low ponytail and threw my purse over my shoulder. With my phone in one hand, I stepped through my front door and pulled it closed behind me. My legs ached as I locked the door and slowly made my way down the hall.
Saturday mornings hadn’t always meant work. There was a time when I relished in the early morning sunshine from my balcony that overlooked the city. Back then, sipping coffee was something I did for enjoyment, not a caffeine jolt.
Those days were gone.
I stepped into the elevator alongside my neighbor. Smiling politely, I pressed the ground floor button and slid into the corner.
My legs ached painfully from exhaustion. I hadn’t slept more than five minutes the night before and just being on my feet was too exerting. By the time the elevator doors opened and bright sunlight burned across my eyes, I wished I could just go back to bed.
Instead, I walked the four blocks to the Smart Cosmetics building and hurried across the lobby. Only a few security guards stood between me and my office. They all waved, nodding their heads out of respect without stopping to engage me in conversation.
Everyone knew what my arrival meant, especially on a Saturday.
Gone were the days of sitting mindlessly on my balcony with a hot cup of coffee pressed between my palms. Enjoyment was something I’d given up years ago. Until I met Ryan.
I was almost to my office when his name stopped me short.
Leaning back against the wall, I closed my eyes and let my weakness overwhelm me.
Ryan’s face flashed in my mind. His green eyes danced with curiosity and amusement. His dirty-blond hair caught the sunlight as he ran his fingers through the strands. And my stomach tightened, as it always did when I saw his face.
With a sharp inhale, I forced myself off the wall. My high heels clanked heavily against the floor as I tapped my way down the hall, disappearing inside my office, ready for another day of work.
I’d barely sat down when my cell phone rang, sending vibrations through my palm and up my arm. Without looking at the screen, I knew who it was.
“Les,” I said, pressing the phone to my ear. “For the last time, I’m fine. You can stop calling.”
“Wow,” Leslie scoffed. “Self-centered, much? Maybe I’m calling to talk about me, did you ever think of that?”
“Are you?”
Leslie paused. “Well, no.”
“That’s what I thought.”
“But I could have been!” She sighed deeply. “Anyway, you caught me. I’m worried about you.”
My sister had been calling me three times a day since the truth about Ryan came out. Her fear for my sanity had been touching for the first two days, but now, I was ready to jump through the phone and strangle her.
“You don’t need to be. I’m fine.”
“What are you doing today?” Leslie asked suspiciously.
“Working,” I said simply.
She groaned. “No.”
“Yes.”
“Candi, it’s Saturday,” she whined. “Please, go do something. Anything.”
“I am,” I argued. “I’m getting a jump on the fall line. Now that our summer ad campaign is finalized, I want to make sure everything is in order for—”
“Do you hear yourself?”
Sighing, I leaned back in my chair and tilted my chin toward the ceiling. My eyes scanned the smooth surface before they fluttered closed.
“I don’t know what else to do, Leslie,” I said. “Work is all I have now.”
“That’s not true.” I could hear the mischievous smile in her voice. “You have me. And me is taking you out tonight.”
I sat up, shaking my head so hard, I was sure she could feel it through the phone.
“Before you say no,” she said quickly. “Do it for me. If you don’t come out, I’ll have to go alone. No one wants that.”
“What about Heather?” I demanded. “Or Mischa?”
“Busy.”
“So am I.”
“No,” Leslie said firmly. “You’re hiding.”
Everything inside of me wanted to argue, but as I opened my mouth, I realized there was nothing to say. Leslie was right.
“What time?”
“I’ll pick you up at eight.”
***
Staring in front of my full-length mirror, I felt my legs tremble from something other than exhaustion. The sight of myself in a sequined dress was something my brain couldn’t quite comprehend. My eyes saw it. My hands touched it. But the reality stopped there.
“You look incredible.” Leslie peered over my shoulder, her gray eyes twinkling in the mirror.
“I look like a drag queen.”
I shook my head and turned around. My fingers trailed down the dress nervously. Leslie rolled her eyes and spun me back around to face the mirror.
“Look,” she demanded. “Just take a second and look at yourself.”
My eyes returned to the mirror, and my legs trembled again. What I saw was a too-tight dress on a woman in her early-thirties who had no business wearing something so short and alluring. I saw material that hugged curves I wished I didn’t have, and sequins that made me look like I was trying too hard.
“Look,” Leslie said again.
She held me in front of the mirror, her fingers digging into my shoulders.
I inhaled slowly through my nose and raked my eyes over my body. The green sequins shimmered in the light of my bedroom, making my brown hair appear somehow brighter. My usually dark eyes had specks of gold that I’d never noticed before.
The curves of my hips so often drew my attention, but this time, I didn’t shy away from them. I ran my hands over the dress and let myself appreciate the way it pressed against my skin.
“See?” Leslie asked softly. “You’re gorgeous.”
“I wouldn’t go that far.” I laughed.
“I would.” Leslie hugged me quickly. Pulling away, she slapped my ass and added, “Now, let’s go get you laid.”
***
Sub Zero was the last place I wanted to be. The music was too loud, the lights too bright. Sweat and alcohol mingled in the air to form a disgusting stench. Just standing on the dance floor made me feel like I needed a shower.
But I was dancing.
Bouncing up and down, holding my drink steady in my hands, my dark hair flew all over my face as the bright lights caught the sequins on my dress. Out on that dance floor, surrounded by complete strangers, I sparkled.
I downed the last of my drink in one gulp. Running my fingers through my hair, I embraced the sweat pouring down my body. Droplets fell from my face and landed on my cleavage. When I looked down, I saw that my sequins weren’t the only thing that glowed.
My skin shone in the club lights. With a glance around, I saw that everyone was shining. Drunken smiles and loose bodies flew around me, spinning in me a circle of blissful oblivion.
“Having fun?” Leslie screamed in my ear.
I closed my eyes and nodded, my hips rocking in rhythm with the music. I was five drinks in, and my brain was a blur of drunken thoughts.
“Forgot about Ryan yet?” Leslie asked.
“No!” I shook my head and danced harder. “But I will soon!”
“We need to get you laid!” Leslie yelled. “Pick a guy, Candi. A one-night stand is exactly what you need right now!”
“You’re fucking insane!” I rolled my eyes and danced away from her.
Leslie tried t
o follow, but a crowd of drunken people formed between us. I reached my hand out for her to take. Fingers fell into my palm, but they didn’t belong to Leslie. Jerking my hand back, I blinked up to see a man staring down at me.
His cheeks were bright red, and his eyes swam as they struggled to stay on my face.
“Hey, baby!” he slurred and stumbled against me. I almost fell over backward, but a strong pair of arms grabbed my waist and lifted me off my feet.
In a blur of lights and confusion, I glided through the air before being set back on my feet. Two hands rested on my hips, steadying me.
“You okay?” a voice asked.
I blinked and squinted. Above me, a tall man with dark black hair and piercing, icy blue eyes stared down at me.
“I’m good.” I stepped back. “Thanks for the save.”
“Anytime.” He grinned and extended his hand. “I’m Kason.”
I shook his hand. “Candice.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Candice.”
Kason smiled and glanced around us. The drunken masses were pressed in on either side, bumping into us and pushing our bodies closer to together.
“Do you want to dance?” Kason asked.
“Actually.” I shook my head. “I should find my sister. We got separated.”
“I can help,” Kason offered.
“Sure.” I shrugged. “Why the hell not?”
Kason took my hand and led me back into the throng of dancing bodies. We were shoved back and forth, pushed against each other, and then pulled apart as we stumbled toward the center of the club.
My eyes swam as I searched for Leslie.
“Does she look like you?” Kason yelled over the music.
I shook my head. “Kind of! But younger and prettier!”
“Is that possible?” Kason winked and tightened his hold on my hand.
I rolled my eyes but didn’t pull away. We moved further into the crowd, and finally, I saw Leslie dancing with a guy off to the side.
“There!” I called out.
Kason nodded and pulled me over to Leslie. I dropped his hand and reached for my sister. Her gray eyes fell on my face and then flicked to Kason.
“Holy shit!” she screamed. “You found one!”
“What?” I glanced at Kason and then shook my head. “No! He was just helping me find you!”
“He’s fucking hot!” Leslie laughed. “Get out of here!”
The “no” was poised on the tip of my tongue, but Leslie reached for Kason before I could speak. She grabbed his arm and yanked him forward.
“Do me a favor!” she yelled in his ear. “Take my sister home for the night. Show her a good time but be a fucking gentleman! Understand?”
Kason chuckled to himself. When he turned to me, his blue eyes searched my face.
“Not a chance in hell!” I called out. “Les, come on. Time to go home.”
With that, I grabbed Leslie and spun on my heel. I pulled her along behind me as we slipped back through the crowd. I was panting by the time we made it outside.
The cool night air whipped across my face. Alcohol and sweat filled the air even outside the club. I took a few deep breaths, my hands on my knees and my head spinning wildly.
“Hey, there.” I jumped. Kason held his hands up and took a step back. “Whoa! It’s just me.”
“You followed us?”
“Well, yes.” He shrugged. “I just wanted to make sure you were okay.”
“I’m great,” I scoffed. “My little sister just tried to make a complete stranger have sex with me, but I’m just dandy.”
“For what it’s worth,” Kason said, “it would be an honor.”
My stomach rolled. I didn’t know if it was from the alcohol or Kason. Shaking my head, I took a step away from him and turned around.
“Look.” He darted in front of me. “I’m not trying to be creepy, okay?”
“Well, you’re failing then.”
Kason laughed and tucked his hands into his pockets. He reminded me of someone, but I couldn’t place it.
“Can I get your number?” he asked innocently. “Maybe we can grab dinner or something. Somewhere a little quieter.”
My eyes scanned the street around us. A cab pulled up to the curb, and I leaped forward, Leslie stumbling drunkenly behind me.
“No thanks,” I called over my shoulder.
“Oh, come on—”
Kason’s complaint was drowned out by the slam of the cab door closing behind us. Turning to the driver, I pointed down the street.
“Just get us out of here,” I said. “Please.”
Chapter 35
Ryan
When Beatrice arrived at the Romeo Rebound office on Monday morning, I was leaning against the door.
“You’re here early.” She didn’t look at me as I moved aside. She unlocked the door and pushed it open.
I followed her without a word. B’s heels clapped against the floor, but I stepped around her and headed straight for the espresso machine. I could feel her eyes on me all the way across the room.
With a flick of the on switch, the espresso machine whirred to life. When it was ready, I quickly made B’s usual drink, a dry cappuccino, unsweetened.
“For you.” I spun around with a flourish.
She stared suspiciously at the drink in my hand. When her sharp eyes lifted to my own, she sighed and gestured for me to follow.
“My office,” she said simply. “Whatever you want, I’d rather not be overheard when the rest of the boys arrive.”
I followed her through the door and set her cappuccino on her desk. She slid onto her chair and shook a cigarette loose from her pack. Lighting it, she placed it between her lips and sucked in a long drag. Her eyes met mine through the cloud of smoke as she exhaled.
“Go ahead, baby,” she said. “I’m listening.”
“I spent all weekend thinking about the Smart account,” I said, choosing my words carefully. “And I know how I can get Candice to take me to that banquet.”
B shook her head and sucked in another drag. “No,” she breathed. “You’re off the account. I thought I made myself clear.”
“You did,” I said quickly. “All due respect, B, but you made a mistake.”
Her eyes narrowed. It wasn’t often that a Romeo was bold enough to call B on her shit, but I didn’t have a choice. Candice was slipping further away from me every day.
“Kason can’t handle this job.” I pressed on. “He’s great, but Candice isn’t just some client. She didn’t ask us for help. She doesn’t need someone to swoop in and rebuild her confidence. It’s already there, stronger and more resilient than anything else about her. This woman knows what she wants, and she’ll take it no matter what. Everything else be damned.”
“Well,” B said, shrugging. “You’re certainly right about that.”
For a split second, I was sure my ears had betrayed me. My head fell to the side as a wicked smirk crossed B’s face.
“What does that mean?” I finally asked.
“I told you I put Kason on the job,” B said simply. “He delivered.”
“Already?” I demanded.
B nodded. She wrapped her red lips around the cigarette, her beady eyes never leaving me. Amusement danced across her face.
“He says they have a date set up,” B said. “Apparently, they really hit it off when they bumped into each other at Sub Zero on Saturday night.”
“Bumped into each other,” I scoffed. “Right.”
“This is how things work, Ryan,” B snapped. “Or have you forgotten?”
“Excuse me if I thought your business was actually about helping people,” I fired back. “Not manipulating them.”
After everything that happened, B was seconds away from firing me, and I knew it. A silent challenge charged the air between us.
“You have a date tonight,” B said, breaking the silence with a snap.
“I can’t,” I lied. “I don’t have a sitter for Paisley. You know I
need more notice.”
The challenge was back. B stared me down, but I didn’t blink. I may not have been able to take back Candice’s account, but that didn’t mean I was going to roll over like one of B’s loyal little dogs.
“I understand you’re hurting right now,” B said, her voice determinedly soft. “But business can’t stop for your broken heart.”
“It’s not about Candice,” I said without emotion. “It’s about my daughter, which you knew about when you hired me.”
B’s eyes flashed, but she held her tongue. Taking a steady breath, she stamped out her cigarette and pressed herself against the back of her chair.
Her eyes roamed over my face as if she were trying to read my mind. I stared back, refusing to give anything away.
“Have a sitter ready for every night this week,” she finally said. “Now that you’re done with Candice, you’re back on my rotation.”
“Yes, ma’am,” I said, snark seeping uncontrolled into my voice.
Without another word, I rose to my feet and stormed out of the office. B’s anger pushed me across the lobby and out onto the street, but my own kept me walking until I made it across town.
Deep down, I knew it wasn’t B’s fault that things with Candice had imploded. She was just doing her job, running a successful business the only way she knew how. B wasn’t my enemy, and yet, I couldn’t help but feel like I was waging war against her with every step I took.
When I reached the Smart Cosmetics building, a triumphant ring echoed in my ears. A defiant energy washed over my body as I hurried across the lobby and got into an empty elevator. No clue where the security guys were.
The hum of the elevator vibrated through my feet, sending waves of nervous excitement shooting through me. I’d never been to Candice’s office before, but I rode the elevator to the top floor and stepped off with more confidence than I deserved.
The top floor of Smart Cosmetics was made up of two hallways. One led to the left, and the other trailed a path directly in front of me. At the end was a series of windows leading to a deserted conference room. I turned to the left and took a determined step forward.
At the end of the hall, I came face to face with a skittish secretary. Her eyes darted up to my face, and she jumped to her feet.