“Hey. You gonna talk? What happened while you were there?”
“Just shut up and drive.”
I look over and see the look on his face. I didn’t mean to snap at him, but I haven’t slept since walking out of the mansion, and I’m going on fifty-five hours awake with only an hour and a half of sleep a day and a half ago.
I just haven’t been able to get her out of my head ever since I left. I kept hoping that she would show up on the flight, that she’d sit down next to me in the first-class seat and we’d have a chance to talk. That maybe I’d get her to listen to what I told her, make her believe me when I said that I do care about her. That I love her.
I look over, shaking my head. “Sorry. I didn't mean to snap at you. I just don’t want to talk about it right now, Tony.”
“All right,” he says, surprising me. Usually, when he knows I don’t want to talk about something, he pushes the issue even more. The thought makes my throat tighten again, and I turn away, looking out the passenger window as Tony pulls out. He gets to the airport exit and hangs a left, heading toward the highway back home.
“Mom has been a lot better,” he says, changing the subject. “Her ankle’s all healed up, and she’s already told her boss she’s going to go back to work tomorrow.”
“Well, that’s good,” I reply, glad to have at least some good news.
Anthony laughs. “Yeah, well, my social life is going to enjoy it too. I’m ready to handle my business. Oh, speaking about business, Martha and I found the perfect property for you.”
“Oh yeah?” I ask, being pulled into the conversation. “What property is that?”
“Remember the ones she was supposed to look at? She’s been holding down the fort really well, I think. She spent all week going around, then she put down a retainer deposit on two of them. She took me to both of them, and I’ve gotta say, you’ve got to see the one down by the university. It’s awesome. We have an appointment to see it in two days.”
“What was it?” I ask, leaning back. “University’s a crowded area. It can’t be cheap.”
“Yeah, but it’s a steal, man. I ran the numbers, and it’s good. Used to be a Chinese restaurant.”
“Chinese, huh?” I reply. “Too many of those around.”
“Yeah, well, the place might smell a lot like moo goo gai pan, but hey, I’ve got a lot of good memories of moo goo gai pan,” he says with a lift of his eyebrow, trying unsuccessfully to lighten my mood.
Good memories. I’d like to have good memories again.
“Everything’s good,” Gavin says, leaning back in the deck chair. I really should have checked in with him a few days ago, but I had to spend the last two days just getting some rest.
“That’s good,” I reply, leaning back in my own chair and sipping at an iced coffee. “You look like a man who’s having a good streak.”
“Yeah, well, I’m not gonna risk the money again,” Gavin says with a chuckle. “You know, it’s a shame things didn’t work out between you and Mindy. I had hopes.”
“She’s a remarkable woman,” I say, “but sometimes, stuff happens. You know how it is. I had fun, at least.”
“That’s a shame,” Gavin replies with a sigh. “She’s back in town at the coffee shop, by the way.”
“Oh, yeah?” I ask, surprised. “I feel like six feet of warmed over leftovers. How in the hell did she do that?”
“Good question. Bri and I tried to insist that she take a few more days off, but she walked into the shop Wednesday and went right to work. She’s not having much fun, I hear. She and Brianna have been talking every day. She’s even been taking Rafe with her, hoping that Rafe would cheer Mindy up. Trust me, that could totally boomerang on us. Mindy sometimes doesn’t have much of a filter, and Rafe is . . .”
“A tape recorder?” I ask, and Gavin nods. Even though I’m still depressed, I have to laugh at that. “Yeah, I bet. And I know what you mean. Most of her family’s that way. It was surprising, but I liked it. They’re real.”
Gavin laughs. “Yeah, I can imagine. So the rest of her family’s the same?”
I nod, laughing for a moment. “You should meet her little sister. Roxy’s a total trip. The time she took us to the club and . . .”
Memories flood me, not only of the fun times but the way Roxy sang for us, and I clam up, draining the rest of my coffee and looking out at Gavin’s backyard. “Anyway, it was what it was.”
“I can imagine,” Gavin says quietly. “You know, Oliver, sometimes things get weird. If you asked me three years ago, I’d have told you that I’d be riding out the biggest contract of my career. I wouldn’t have guessed I’d be retired and a family man.”
“Why’d you do it?” I ask him, turning and looking him in the eye. “Not giving up football and all that. I get that. Why’d you put that money on the line for Mindy? Hell, until the last card, I had your ass.”
Gavin looks back at me, and I know he’s measuring something in me. Finally, he answers. “If it hadn’t been for Mindy, I’d have never had a chance with Brianna. She’s a wiseass, but she’s also totally amazing, and I was hoping . . . well, I was kinda hoping that she’d find the same happiness that she gave me and Bri.”
I nod, getting up and grabbing my empty cup. “I hope so too, Gavin. I really do. Thanks for the coffee.”
“No problem,” Gavin says, getting up. We shake hands, and he walks me around the house to my car. Just as I’m about to get in, he stops me. “Oli, one more thing.”
“Yeah?”
“Don’t walk away.”
“Looks like the property is yours,” the agent says, shaking hands with me. “I mean, I still need to run this by City Hall to get the title transfer registered, but I’ll have that to you by Monday afternoon.”
“No rush,” I say, looking around the huge space. Two floors and a basement, with the upper floor being the former owner’s apartment and storage area. And Anthony was right, it was a steal. “I’ll get the contractors in here starting tomorrow though.”
“Of course, Mr. Steele,” the agent says. “If you want, I can give you the number of a guy I know who does good work.”
“I’d appreciate it. Martha, what do you think?”
Martha looks around. “It’s a great property, Oliver. If anything, it’s overkill for what you need.”
“About that,” I say, then look at the agent. “If you don’t mind?”
“Of course not,” the real estate agent says, taking my contracts and putting them in his briefcase. He takes out two sets of keys and hands them to me. “I had the locksmith make a backup set, just in case. Enjoy your new place, Mr. Steele.”
He leaves, and Martha gives me an inquisitive look. “What’s up?”
“I’ve got a change of plans,” I tell her. “I’m not using the first floor or the basement.”
Martha lifts an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”
“Follow me,” I say, walking down the stairs to the basement where the kitchen is. “Look at all that. What do you see?”
“About ten thousand dollars in renovations. Unless you want to make fried rice,” Martha says. “Why, what do you see?”
“I see a working kitchen, and I see people working here,” I reply, walking around. “Look at this, a working walk-in fridge, plenty of storage space, and lots of room to expand. And upstairs, that can be converted into your office.”
“My office? What about yours?” she asks. “You’re confusing the hell out of me.”
“Change of plans,” I repeat. “I’ll fill you in on the details, but I’m going to need you busting your ass for me over the next week. Then, Steele Security Solutions isn’t going to happen. Instead, I’ve got a new job for you.”
“What? And what are you going to be doing?” Martha asks. “You’ve got the world in your palm, Oliver. Steele Security Solutions has at least a half-dozen clients lined up. What’re you doing?”
The world in my palm. She’s right, I could have everything in the world. But
the one thing I want isn’t here.
Yet.
“I’m not walking away,” I tell her, smiling. “Come on, I’ll tell you the details on the way to dinner. I’m buying.”
Chapter 27
Mindy
“I had to leave paradise to come back to this shit,” I mutter under my breath, looking around at the chaos of the Beangal’s Den. Two weeks back, and I’m missing the mansion already.
It’s not any busier or more chaotic than normal, the logical side of my mind insists. In fact, for a Saturday mid-morning, it’s slightly less insane than normal. The line’s not out the door, and if someone wanted a table, they could get one.
Still, the customers are driving me up a wall. Cassie’s doing better, but Sarah’s off today. I’ve got a new part-timer, a college girl named Nancy. She’s learning, but I’m too frustrated to be a very good mentor, manager, or leader to her right now. Hell, I can barely believe I’m keeping myself together.
“Hey! Where the hell is my coffee?” someone yells, and I look up to see the same lady from before. Great. Why’s she even coming back if she always seems to have a problem?
“Cassie, can you please?” I order, pointing in the customer’s direction. If I have to deal with her, I’m going to have to make sure the sharp knives are as far from me as humanly possible.
“On it, boss,” Cassie says, and I’m somewhat glad. She’s improving. Unfortunately for her, though, the bitch seems to be in a particularly foul mood.
“I just want my fucking coffee, not more excuses.”
That’s enough. I look up from the latte that I’m mixing and step over to the customer, patting Cassie on the shoulder. “Go finish that. Let me handle this, Cass.”
“Sure, boss.”
Cassie leaves, and I stare at the customer, who’s wearing the same faux fur trimming from last time. “Look, I told you last time that we don’t tolerate that sort of behavior here. Please stop with the swearing or you can leave.”
Sticking her nose in the air, she sniffs at me, not backing down. “This is three weeks in a row I’ve had a problem here. Last week, they couldn't even get my order right after writing it on the damn cup. Besides, I know who runs this place, and I’m tired of your bullshit. They serve better coffee on the other side of town.”
“You said that last time too,” I half growl, just holding onto my temper. “If you’re so dissatisfied with the service here, please give the owner a call.”
She shakes her head. “Yeah, you can’t say shit because you know you’re horrible.”
“Listen. Please leave now. If you don’t, I’m going to have to call security,” I say as calmly as I can, barely keeping my thoughts about her fake fur and bitchy attitude to myself.
“Whatever, you guys fucking suck!” she yells loudly, grabbing her Louis Vuitton knockoff purse and storming out the door. “Bitch!”
I let out a sigh. I never in my life thought I’d say this, but I’m sick of working here. I know it’s not just because of the customers. It’s because . . .
I hate to admit it, but I hurt. Every morning, I wake up and my body aches, my arms are empty, and my eyes burn from crying in my sleep. I haven’t been exercising, although I’ve still lost weight because I’m barely eating.
I keep telling myself to not think about him. Whenever Brianna tries to tell me anything about him, I tell her to shut up. She’s pretty much given up on the whole thing, which just makes it hurt more.
I feel a buzz at my side, and I step into the back, checking my phone. I’ve got a text message . . . Roxy.
Mindy-girl, I just had a feeling that you needed a hug from home. I hope you’re feeling better today. I know you left feeling like shit, and I know I got on your case again. I’m sorry. You’re my sister. I love you. Gimme a call?
A sad smile touches my lips. Last Wednesday, after I left the mansion and came home, she called me. There were a few tense words in there, but the bond we have is maybe the strongest thing in the world, and soon, we were telling each other how sorry we were as we cried over the phone. Roxy admitted that she’d been pressuring me too and apologized, saying that she’d get over it and that she was coming out to visit me as soon as she got free time away from her singing gigs. She said she wanted to see if there are more Olivers out here. I didn’t have the heart to tell her that Oliver’s one of a kind and that I doubt even I’m going to find him again.
“What’s happening?”
I look toward the employee entrance, sticking my phone back in my apron pocket as I see Brianna with a tired but still awake Rafe on her hip. Seeing him brightens me a little, but he can't push it all away.
“Nothing much, just slaving away as usual. Hey, thanks for covering a few shifts when I was gone. How’s my little Rafey doing?”
“Firsty,” Rafe says, perking up a little as I tickle his ribs. I walk with them back out into the cafe area and start mixing Rafe an iced chocolate milk while Bri checks out the menu.
Brianna looks over the menu. “So why don’t I see you serving the unicorn frappe yet?”
I laugh. I know she’s just joking. “Do I look like a freakin’ leprechaun? Besides, that’s the guys across town.”
Brianna bursts into laughter, and I’m grateful I caught my tongue just in time as Rafe starts chanting. “Lep-a-chan! Lep-a-chan!”
“Aye, top o’ the mornin’ to you,” I reply in the fakest accent ever, handing Rafe his chocolate milk while Bri chuckles. “What? I’m not Irish enough?”
Bri shakes her head. “You’re a lot of things, but no. Thank you, though. That was good. First joke I’ve heard you crack in a week.”
I shrug, rinsing the milk blender while Rafe finds a stool and Bri hangs out where we can talk. She knows everything, and I need someone to help me process all that happened. Being my best friend, she’s been positive. She’s even gone so far as to suggest there’s still a chance for us.
Of course, she’s out of her mind. I haven’t seen the man in two weeks. If he wanted to get in contact with me, he could’ve. Despite telling him to go away, I started missing him even as he walked out the door, and that hasn’t let up at all. But I get it. If I were in his shoes, the way I treated him at the end there, I’d swear off coffee forever and switch to smoothies.
But I’ve waited, hoping to hear something, anything, Even if it was from Brianna that he’d given Gavin a call and said something about me. For the past two weeks, I’ve spent almost every hour by my phone, hoping to hear something. I never have.
Bri gives me a soft smile. “You sleeping yet?”
“What do you mean?” I ask. “I got a whole three hours last night!”
Brianna rolls her eyes and looks over her shoulder at Rafe. “If you don’t get seven hours of sleep tonight, I’m sending Gavin in to cover your shift tomorrow and getting your ass falling down, sleep the morning away on my sofa drunk. Got it?”
“I’ll slam espressos all night just to see Gavin in one of the shirts and aprons,” I joke, and Brianna grins. I go back to work, Bri stepping behind the counter to help out a little with the wash-ups as the crowd rolls in and Rafe finishes his tiny little drink. We small talk the whole time, nothing important, and when Rafe’s done, I take his glass and give him a hug. “You take care of your Mommy, okay?”
He smiles, waving his hands around.
“Love you, kiddo,” I say, standing up to give Bri a hug. “I promise you, ten espressos tonight.”
“Girl, bye,” Bri says with a chuckle. “I’ll have Gavin ready. See you tomorrow.”
Bri leaves, and I watch her go for a moment before I get caught up in work again. It’s so busy, and I jump in to help Cassie with clearing tables as the lunch crowd settles in. I’m tired and not watching where I’m going when I turn with a blender cup and bump into Nancy, who’s got a tray full of empties. “Oh!”
Thankfully, she doesn’t drop her tray. I jerk back enough that I bounce my hip off the counter and drop my blender cup. The polycarbonate cup hits the floo
r, making a hell of a racket but not breaking into a million pieces, and I give a deep sigh of thanks. “You okay, Nancy?”
“Yes, Miss Price,” she says, probably afraid I’ll bite her damn head off. Instead, I take a deep breath, calming myself. I squat down, checking the blender cup. It’s okay.
“So . . . got the new unicorn frappe yet?” says a deep recognizable voice, and I rocket to my feet, staring in shock. My heart jumps in my chest when I see him leaning against the counter in a light blue dress shirt, his eyes twinkling and his smile warming my chest. Where the hell did he come from?
“Hey,” I say awkwardly. “Oliver.”
His familiar grin nearly melts my heart, and he leans a little bit more over the counter, dropping his voice to that sexy purring growl that I’ve dreamed about for two weeks. “Miss me, Princess?”
Did I ever. Not that I’m going to tell him about the number of times I’ve typed him texts and emails and then deleted them over the past two weeks. “A little.”
“A little?” he asks with a raised eyebrow.
“Listen, about sending you—” I start, but Oliver reaches across the counter and puts a single finger on my lips, stopping me as my body thrills at just the single touch of his skin on mine again.
“Shh, you don’t have to explain. I know it all. I only left to give you time to reflect. I always intended to come back to show you that I truly cared.”
His words fill my heart with something that I haven't felt since coming home, flowing from him like cooling waters on the agonizing burn within me. It’s unbelievable after how I pushed him away, but he’s here, and his eyes are calm, amused . . . and loving. They also tell me the truth. Everything isn’t going to be sunshine and lollipops right away. There’s a lot to work on, but I take joy from a very simple fact—he didn’t give up on me.
“Why’d you wait so long?” I ask him directly, back in my element.
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