Henry didn’t look up from the box he was packing full of design magazines. A few happened to be Nouveau Design, rewinding Cole’s memory to Shaun’s furniture proposal. “This is being converted into a conference room.” The assistant’s voice was hollow and hesitant, as if he was still processing the information himself.
“But where will Ms. Wright work? Her team is on this floor.”
“Ms. Wright has an office.” Henry met Cole’s eyes with a frosty glare, as if he suspected Cole was the reason for the upheaval. He probably was. She was running away, and he had only himself to blame.
“What about you?”
“I stay on as the assistant to the new manager on this floor.”
“And who might that be?”
“Seriously, you really need to start reading your memos.” Henry pointed to Cole’s door across the hall.
His title had been changed; the nameplate now read SENIOR DESIGN MANAGER. Had this been Shaun’s doing based on his merit or Robert’s doing based on his lies?
Without another word, Cole snatched one of the magazines and left Henry, jogging the short distance to his office. He slammed the door, shutting the assistant and anyone else out. As he dialed his mother with shaky fingers, he pieced together a simple plan to get Shaun alone without any chance of interruption. She had expressed an interest in his work. Well, he would give her what she wanted, but on his terms.
“Hello, dear. Is something wrong? You never call me at this hour.” Cole’s mother had probably just started in on making dinner.
“Sorry, Mom, this won’t be long.” Time his greatest enemy at the moment, Cole maneuvered the conversation to the topic of his workshop in Sweetwater and made sure everything he needed would be at his disposal the coming holiday weekend.
With the necessary arrangements made, Cole maintained a brisk pace toward the elevators, passing Henry still packing up Shaun’s office. He rode up to twelve and spotted the subject of his haste just as the doors opened. Hands filled with files, she strode toward the conference room, listening to Chelsea, who was rattling off information while attempting to keep up with her hurried boss.
“Ms. Wright?”
Both women stopped what they were doing and looked at Cole. His voice lost courage when hit with the severity of Shaun’s expression. She looked far from happy to see him.
“I don’t have time, Cole. I have a meeting right now.” Her tone was sterile and distant.
Cole stepped closer, his glance moving from Shaun to the assistant and back. If Shaun caught on, she ignored him and didn’t bother to ask for privacy. As if he should expect different. Then he remembered the magazine in his hands and the reason why he’d rode up here in the first place.
“I just wanted to let you know that if your proposal still stands, the furnishing one, I would like a shot at it.” He held up the magazine, willing her to say yes even though the last thing he wanted from her was assistance with his furniture business. He only wanted a chance to be near her. Alone. He intended the proposal as a lure, much like her panties. Failure on the aforementioned front had been his doing. He couldn’t afford to squander his opportunity this time.
Shaun remained silent for what seemed like an eternity. Clearly growing impatient, Chelsea started to remind her of the meeting, but Shaun cut her off with an annoyed wave of her hand.
“Aren’t you busy with the restaurant?”
“I sent you an email an hour ago. I’m ahead of schedule, and since the long weekend is coming up, I made arrangements to work on a few things then.”
Shaun glanced at the magazine, a tick working in the muscle of her left cheek. She seemed to be honestly considering giving him a second chance. “I will consult with the client and see if they’re still interested. Is that all?”
Cole sighed with relief and nodded. “Yeah.” He caught the look of curiosity on Chelsea’s face and wondered if having this conversation in front of the assistant was in fact wise. Cole didn’t trust anyone anymore, apart from Violet and, of course, Shaun.
“Well, as I said, I have a meeting.”
“Of course.” Cole took a step backward in the direction of his exit.
Shaun didn’t even say goodbye before she continued toward the conference room, the assistant falling into step as well. The walls were back up and he couldn’t blame her, since he’d practically supplied her with the bricks and mortar. He only hoped she would give him a chance to somehow make it right. And that is exactly what he planned to do. No matter the cost. He owed her that much.
CHAPTER 17
“Is this seat taken?”
Cole glanced up from his BlackBerry and shook his head at the young woman motioning to the bus seat next to him. “Nope.”
He’d sent the email ten minutes ago and had been sitting there like an idiot, wishing for a response ever since.
Robert had been right. He was on a bus back to Sweetwater before the month ended, but certainly not for the reasons his uncle had in mind. It was the Memorial Day weekend, so the office was closed Monday for the holiday, and Shaun had given her team Friday off as well. An extended break, perfect for heading home to detox.
He had started to doubt if Shaun would say yes to his designing the furniture for her loft, since she’d let him hang in limbo for days after he had brought up the proposal again. Understandable, considering everything that had happened between them. But she had, and now he had a chance to make amends. For the plan to come together, he needed her to agree to the suggestion he’d made by email. Cole didn’t get his hopes up too high, though. Taking into account her family, she probably had some extravagant party this weekend that required her attendance. He just prayed for her sake and his that her mother had ceased playing matchmaker and wouldn’t invite Olivia over as well. The idea that she might horrified him.
“Where are you off to?”
Cole turned to face the woman occupying the neighboring seat. He was too on edge for casual chitchat, but from the look she was giving him, he could tell she certainly was up for it. Maybe even more, he thought, stifling a groan.
“Home,” he said, not elaborating further, hoping she would take the hint and go back to reading her book. Given that the cover featured a half-naked couple locked in an erotic dance, Cole figured himself the far more dull option.
“Home where?” Nope.
“Sweetwater. To see my girlfriend,” he replied with a smile. Not necessarily a lie if things went as planned. Shaun was in fact a girl, and certainly an acquaintance of sorts. Cole gave himself a mental fist bump for his reasoning.
“Oh.” The woman shifted in her seat, returning her attention to the book. Cole felt bad, but he didn’t want to spend the whole four-hour, multiple-stop ride talking. Not when his attention remained glued to his inbox. He pulled his iPod from his backpack and tucked the earbuds in their respective ears before pressing play, tuning everything out while closing his eyes.
Four hours and six stops later, Cole stepped off the bus and stretched, his back snap, crackle, popping like a bowl of cereal. He spotted and smiled at his mother, who was waving enthusiastically, his stepfather Carl standing next to her. He peered around for his little sister, but she was absent from the welcoming party.
After retrieving his large duffel from under the bus, he met his mom at half the distance, pulling her tight into his arms once she was close enough. He hadn’t realized how much he had missed her until that very moment. She smelled of cinnamon and nutmeg, letting Cole know there’d most likely be a fresh apple pie waiting for him once they made it home. He loosened his grip and she leaned back, her smart blue eyes searching through him.
“Everything okay, Cole?”
He nodded, tucking a stray strand of gray-brown hair behind her ear. “Yes, feels real good to be home.” He gave her one more tight hug and then a kiss on the cheek.
“Good to have you home, Cole.” Carl reached a palm out, and Cole shook hands with his stepfather.
“Thanks.” Carl grabbed the duffe
l from off Cole’s shoulder and walked ahead, allowing Cole and his mom to continue together toward the waiting SUV arm in arm. “Where’s Lacey?” he asked when he saw no one in the car, slightly disappointed she hadn’t tagged along. He missed the little squirt.
“She’s at Jessica’s for a cheerleading thing. She’ll be home tomorrow.” He could see worry creasing his mom’s forehead. His being away was obviously tough on all of them. Except for college, he had always been there to mediate arguments between his sister and his mom. Lacey was a free spirit and she usually accepted Cole’s opinion over their mother’s, which more often than not was the same. Although too young at the time to truly understand, she had been affected by the death of their father more than she’d let on. The complete opposite of Cole, Lacey seemed hell bent on testing boundaries for any weaknesses to use to her advantage, even more so after their mother had remarried.
“I’ll have a talk with her.”
His mom smiled and cupped his cheek. “Let’s get you home. I’ll heat you up some dinner, and I baked your favorite, apple pie.” She pinched the loose skin at his jawline. “You’re looking too thin.”
Cole laughed and slid into the backseat of the vehicle. His ass vibrated, and he reached into his back pocket. He grinned when he saw the message back from his boss.
Okay. Will fly in for the day to take a look. Send me the address and I will have a car drop me off.
Cole quickly replied, Just send me the flight information when you have it and I will take care of everything. He imagined her reaction to be similar to his when she had offered a car for her parents’ party. On that precedent alone, she had to say yes.
As if she had heard his mental argument, she replied Fine. See you tomorrow. Cole imagined the pout on her beautiful face at having lost this battle. He slipped his phone back into his pocket with a wolfish grin. He’d pick up Shaun from the small local airport. Then he’d convince her to stay the whole weekend, showing her more than just a few choice pieces of furniture from the collection he’d been working on.
“What are you smiling about?” He caught his mom eyeing him suspiciously over her shoulder.
“Oh, nothing.” Her eyebrows nearly touched her hairline; clearly she didn’t believe him. “By the way, I’m having my boss over this weekend. I’ll be showing her some of my stuff. I mean, furniture.” He cleared his throat and heard Carl chuckle from the front seat.
“Her?” His mom smiled wide, pinching his stepfather for laughing.
“Just business, Mom.” For now, he echoed in his mind.
“Mm-hmm.” She faced forward. “I’ll get the guest room ready, then.” Her shameless attempt at fishing did not go unnoticed.
“No need.” Before his mother could turn and inquire further, he added quickly, “I’ll be staying in my old room. I’m giving her the cottage for privacy.”
“Oh.” He caught the slump in his mother’s shoulders. “You know, Christine is home from school.”
Of course she is, he thought. Christine had been his girlfriend in high school and his first year at college. He had broken things off when he’d come home for summer break and realized they didn’t have all that much in common. He was surprised when his mom had told him she was going to a graduate school for chemistry two states away. She’d shown no interest in much of anything when he’d dated her.
“She’ll be at the festival on Sunday.” Christine had been crowned Corn Princess her senior year in high school, and it was customary for the former princesses to attend the yearly festival and honor the new inductees. All the more reason for him to try and get out of going. Not that he’d have a chance with his mother entering the chili contest again this year.
Carl turned the SUV onto the long driveway toward the big house. A house Cole’s father had designed and built himself. Off to the side was a shed his father had used to work on private projects. Cole had converted it into a small cottage for him to live in and work in as well, giving him independence from his mom and Carl while allowing him to still be close.
God, he loved it here. Cole rolled down his window and inhaled the scent of wild hyacinth that lined the gravel path. The floral scent coincidentally reminded him of Shaun’s perfume. No wonder he’d found himself drawn to her at the bar.
“So, bring your bag inside the big house?” Carl asked when he parked the vehicle in front.
“You don’t have to, I can take it,” Cole replied as he exited.
“Don’t be silly, Cole; you’re our guest now,” his mother added.
The title bothered him more than it should. This was his home, not Mason.
But before Cole could rebut, he heard a far-off barking that was growing nearer. From behind the house, a blue merle border collie raced toward him at full speed. Dropping to his knees, Cole opened his arms so the sheep dog could jump into his hold.
“Jester!” The dog licked his face, just as excited to be reunited. “I missed you, furball.” Cole’s heart tugged as everything he touched, smelled, and saw reminded him how out of place he was in Mason, no matter how hard he tried to fit in.
“Come on boys, dinner will only take a few minutes to heat.” His mom held Carl’s hand as they went inside the house. Cole stood and looked up, enjoying the view of the stars in the sky. The very stars Shaun could see from her private perch above the city. She would be here tomorrow, and he hoped he could explain the reason for his involvement once he finally told her the truth about Robert and the bed and breakfast file. That would be if she didn’t end up hating him, of course.
Cole’s butt vibrated once more as he walked with Jester toward the house. He glanced around the property, making sure Jake wasn’t hiding in a bush somewhere. It wouldn’t be the first time his best friend stooped to such lows to scare the shit out of him.
Dude, I can smell you already. You, me, and beers in 10.
Give me 20. My mom made pie.
Bring me some, asswipe.
I’ll think about it.
CHAPTER 18
Charlie’s Pub on South Main was serving many of the usual suspects, but there were also quite a few faces Cole didn’t recognize. The festival always brought an influx of tourists and meant a boost in business for the locals. Even Jacobson’s benefited from the weekend’s planned festivities, since lots of lumber was ordered for exhibitor booths and used to build walkways for corralling crowds toward dodgy carnival rides.
Cole spied his best friend straddling a stool near the pool tables in the far corner of the bar. He studied Jake a moment longer, allowing the restorative feeling of being close to his best friend wash over him. The loud crack of a cue ball announced Cole’s arrival, and Jake looked up to catch him staring.
“What took you so long and where the hell is my pie?” Jake McNeil, standing a good inch taller than Cole, gave him a quick hug. His best friend for as long as he could remember smelled of too much drugstore cologne and beer. He wore his customary Ohio State ball cap with a matching heather-gray t-shirt and jeans. “I ordered for you, but you took so long I helped myself to your pint.”
“Gee, thanks.” They both sat, and Cole signaled for another round.
“No really, where’s my pie?”
“Will you stop with that shit?” Jessie, one of the staff regulars, plopped down two fresh brews in front of them, shaking off the overspill from her hands. “Seriously, he’s been going on and on about some damn piece of pie.” Leaning over the bar, the long-time friend with fire-engine-red hair gave Cole a kiss on the cheek. She had been a couple years behind Cole and Jake in school, but family problems had forced her to drop out, and she’d been working at Charlie’s ever since. “These are on the house. Good to have you back, Cole.” She smiled, and the two hoops in her lower lip looked even more painful than when her mouth stood at rest.
“Thanks,” he replied with a smile, and took a much-needed swig. “Feels good to be back.”
“How come my round wasn’t free?” Jake whined.
“You’ll get a free roun
d when you do us all a favor and actually go away.” Jessie winked at Cole and sauntered off to help two new folks at the opposite end of the bar.
“She wants me,” Jake chimed.
“Sure she does.” Cole added with a chuckle, “Speaking of which, was the Old Spice bath for her or Carmella?” He wheeled around on his stool, beer in hand, and watched the pool games, thinking he’d like to grab a table once one was available.
“What?” Jake lifted his shirt to his nose. “I’ll have you know, I’m wearing department store quality shit, my friend.”
“Is that a fact?”
Jake gave an amused nod. The nearest mall was two towns away, and Jake didn’t venture far from Sweetwater except for the occasional parts pickup in Somers, a good hour south.
“Okay, smart ass. Instead of ragging on me, how about we get down to business.” Jake yanked off his cap and tugged it down backwards over his mop of copper curls. “The doctor is in. Tell me your problems. I’ll even give you a discount this time. Two beers, and not including this one, because your ass didn’t pay for it.” He pointed to his half-empty mug and then set about finishing it.
Cole discarded his empty glass on the bar top, having needed a beer more than he’d originally thought. “What makes you think I have a problem?” Jake raised one furry caterpillar of a brow, a droll look in his eyes. “Okay, okay.” Cole hesitated, thinking about how much he should share with his best friend now they were face to face and Jake could see right through his lies. His friend knew Cole didn’t care much for his uncle and shared a similar sentiment, having dealt with the asshole a few times at the garage in town, where he worked. The same garage maintained all of the Jacobson’s delivery trucks thanks to a long-standing friendship Gus, the owner, had had with Cole’s father.
“Let me help you out. First off, does this sexy boss of yours have a name?”
At least that was a question Cole could handle without working up a cold sweat. “Yes, it’s Shaun. Shaun Wright.”
Drawn Through You Page 15