“I want you to come back home so we can discuss this. You didn’t take that job yet, did you?”
“Yes, I started today. I’m the new senior vice president of sales. I have a wonderful corner office with a fabulous lake view, and a healthy paycheck to go along with it.” She spoke with more defiance than the situation warranted.
“I’m back doing what I do best, Grant. Maybe you didn’t hear, but I bombed in that cooking competition. Let’s face it. I’m no caterer. So here I am—back in business.”
“What about us?”
“There is no us,” she scoffed. “We’re done.”
At his stony silence, her voice lost some of its confidence. “Obviously, it was not meant to be. I don’t know if you’re telling me the truth now, or if you ever did. The fact is, I don’t trust men—and with good reason.”
“I never gave you any reason not to trust me.”
“Maybe not, but how do I know if you really had this West Nile virus or if you’re just yanking my chain?”
She could hear a noise, as if he’d slammed his hand against a wall.
“That’s it!” he shouted. “I told you the truth. I’ve told you I want to share my life with you. You refuse to believe me.”
“That’s right, so that’s it then. I’m no longer interested in pursuing a relationship with you, or with anyone else for that matter.”
“Jenna, what about wanting children? Was that just a passing phase? I’ve just come back from that orphanage where all those children don’t have parents or anyone to love. It’s really made me think. They need a home.” His voice softened, and he continued in a tone meant to get under her skin. “You should see them. It would break your heart.”
She bit her lip, angry that he was bringing this up. He wasn’t fighting fair. “Yes, well, I did think of that.” She clutched at the phone until her fingers felt bruised. “But now I’ve decided to hold off for a while. Maybe next year when I get this new job running like an oiled machine—maybe then I’ll be able to adopt a baby and give him, or her, a good home.”
“Jenna, you don’t have to wait. I’ve realized through this experience that I would like to have another child.”
“Well, that’s very nice. Good luck with that.”
“With you, dammit!”
“Not going to happen.”
“Why are you so stubborn?”
When she didn’t answer, he spoke in a calm, reasonable tone of voice. “I’m not giving up on you, Jenna, or on us.”
His words sent a little thrill down her spine. “Well, I’m sorry to hear that because you are there and I am here. So, it’s going to be a long distance, one-sided love affair.”
“Jenna. Don’t make me come and get you. I’ll be very grumpy if you make me get back on another plane this soon.”
“I’d just send you packing, so save yourself the trip. ’Bye, Grant.” This time she did hang up.
She wasn’t at all sure if he was trustworthy or not. But as far as she was concerned, it didn’t matter. Her mind had been made up.
She refused to give her heart to anyone again. It was under lock and key—behind her armored tailored suits. Even if they didn’t fit just right.
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
The following day flowers were delivered to Jenna’s office—a huge, elaborate bouquet that had everyone smirking when they passed her office. Damn flowers. How could she be taken seriously with a three-foot high arrangement on her desk?
She called her administrative assistant and asked her to remove them. Shannon was all smiles. “Oh, they are so beautiful. Are you sure you want me to take them away?” At Jenna’s cold look, the smile left her face. “I’m sorry, Ms. Cassali, I’ll get rid of them for you.”
“Thank you. Take them home with you, if you like.” Jenna turned to the files on her desk. “I’m going to be busy for a while. Could you please hold my calls? And I would love a strong cup of tea. Just lemon, please.”
“Of course. Would you like a biscuit with your tea?”
“No, thank you. My waistband is tight as it is.”
Shannon eyed her. “You’re kidding, right? You’re so slender…and that suit looks handmade for you. Did you buy it here?”
“Yes.” Jenna smiled. “I did. I don’t know…I’m just not comfortable today.”
“Would you like me to turn up the air? Or lower it? The sun can be very strong coming through the windows.” Shannon walked over to the blinds and began to adjust them. “I can lower them halfway if you like.”
“No, no. I enjoy the view. I’m not sure what my problem is. I’m sure it’s simply the newness of the job. I’ll settle in soon enough.” Jenna couldn’t believe she was telling her secretary this. She would never have confessed so much personal information to one of her employees before.
Perhaps the time with Cindy’s kids had made her less inhibited. That wasn’t a good thing. The moment her employees thought of her as a friend, she’d lose their respect. She could have no friends. Hell, if I want a pal, I can always go out and buy a little ball of fluff.
During her walk the other day, she’d seen the cutest Maltese in a pet store. When she had stopped to have a look, the dog had tried to jump in her arms. Jenna had never particularly liked dogs, but she’d had difficulty leaving the sweet puppy in the window.
Maybe after work today, she could go by that place again. If the pup was still there, she might ask them to put him on hold. She could pick him up next week, once she had a place of her own.
Money had a way of talking, and she was pretty sure for the right amount of cash, the dog would be hers—if he wasn’t already taken. The thought made her heart squeeze. What if somebody had already bought her puppy?
She jumped out of her chair, grabbed her jacket, and marched past her secretary. “Forget the tea, Shannon. I have an important meeting that can’t possibly wait. If anyone asks, I’ll be back in an hour.”
Jenna practically ran to the pet store. The Maltese was still there. “Oh, sweetie pie.” The clerk walked over, and she asked if she could hold the pup for a minute.
“You are so adorable. Would you like to come home with me?”
She walked to the counter. “I would like to buy this little guy, but I’m staying at a hotel. Can I put him on hold?”
The girl laughed. “Sorry. It doesn’t work like that. You either buy the dog or you don’t.”
“But I’ll be moving in a week or two. Couldn’t I just pay for the dog and come back to pick him up when I’ve moved out of the hotel?”
“Uh. Sorry. No.” The girl started filing her nails, which really irked Jenna.
“Come on. Cut me some slack here. I’ll pay you double whatever the dog is worth, if you’ll keep him for me.”
“I don’t think so. The owner is out, but I’ll ask him when he gets back. If you leave me your number, I’ll call you when he returns.”
Reluctantly, she gave the girl her name and cell phone number. “I’ll be available all day. Be sure to call me, okay? And don’t sell him to anyone else.” She kissed the pup’s wet nose. “He’s mine, right?”
The girl shrugged, not saying anything.
Jenna returned to her office and called Shannon in. “I have a personal problem, and a huge favor to ask of you.” She knew—if her secretary agreed to the arrangement—that as long as Jenna remained VP, Shannon’s job security would be guaranteed.
“I tried to put a puppy on hold down at a pet store, and the girl there didn’t think it could be done. I’m still looking for an apartment to rent, and I wondered if you’d be able to keep the puppy until I can provide him a permanent home?”
“Well, I think I could,” she said with a warm smile, “but only for a short time, right?”
“Right. Thank you, Shannon. I’m not sure if I’ll need your help, but I thought I would ask as a backup plan.”
Jenna tackled the files on her desk, later deciding she would have to take some of them back to the hotel with her. It wouldn’t bothe
r her if she worked until midnight. She had nothing better to do.
A year ago if someone had told her she’d be goo-goo-eyed over a dog…or a man…or a baby, she’d have laughed herself silly. The irony was not lost on her. Cindy’s accident had opened her eyes to a new way of life.
For a short while, she’d been a part of a real family, with kids, a huge, slobbering mutt of a dog, and the prerequisite weird relatives. The big surprise was that she’d liked it.
* * *
Jenna wasn’t surprised when Grant called her again that evening. In all honesty, she’d been looking forward to it. She still wanted to torture him a little.
She might be a changed woman, but that didn’t mean she trusted him completely—or at all. The jury was still out. He’d have to prove to her beyond a shadow of a doubt that he’d been innocent in Honduras, that he was not a player, and that he deserved her trust.
“Why are you calling me?” she said in greeting.
“To ask you when you’re coming home. You opened up a can of worms and I can’t get the lid back on.”
“What are you talking about?” She stretched and yawned.
“I’m talking about babies,” Grant said, “adoption, you and me.”
“Grant, now I’m confused. Those four things don’t go together.”
“You can be totally wretched, can’t you?”
She laughed. “I suppose you could say that. I’m sure it wouldn’t be hard to find a lot of people who agree with you.”
She thought about the puppy she’d bought. After paying double, they decided she could keep him at the store for a week. “No one here, though. I’m very popular in Chicago.”
She couldn’t see Grant, but she could just imagine storm clouds gathering on his face. She’d only seen him pissed off once or twice.
“Oh, you are, are you?” he snapped. “And who the hell are you popular with?”
“Muffin. He likes me.”
“Who’s Muffin?” He sounded less ticked off.
“My new puppy.”
“You have a puppy? You don’t even like dogs, and you don’t have a place to keep one.”
“I do now. Like them…I mean. And I’ll be looking for a place to live that allows pets. I’ve changed, Grant. I like things I didn’t like before. I like puppies and babies, and my new secretary—sorry, I meant—administrative assistant.”
She could practically hear him grinding his teeth. “Are you serious about staying in Chicago, Jenna? You’re not willing to give us a chance?”
Jenna’s playfulness ended. Her heart felt a tug of fear. Was she willing to lose him? Deep down, she knew he was such a wonderful guy. Had she ever really doubted it?
Maybe when she’d seen him lying there naked in bed. That Melrose bitch had been very quick to mislead her and drive her away. And she had fallen for it.
How had Catherine known she would? Was her lack of faith in men so obvious? If so, she’d better work on it. She needed to create a better image, starting from the inside out.
She still hadn’t answered his question. What did she want to say to him? Did she really want to put her heart on the line? Hadn’t she promised herself to keep it safely guarded?
Loving meant risk. It also meant losing control, and she liked being in control of her emotions, her decisions, her life. Why would she want to relinquish that?
If she wanted to adopt a baby, she wouldn’t have to ask permission. If she wanted to go hiking in Nepal, she could without question.
“Would you ever go to Nepal?” she asked him.
“Probably not. Why?”
“No particular reason. Just asking.” Her heart was thumping, but she refused to give in.
She’d come to Chicago to do a job, and so far had no complaints. The executive staff was courteous and helpful, but respected her enough to leave her alone and let her settle in. If the first couple of days were an indication, she’d enjoy working for this company. She had her answer.
“I like it here.” She took a deep breath and felt it shudder right through her. “I think Chicago might be a very nice place to live.”
“I see,” he said tightly. “Well, I guess there isn’t much to say to that, is there?”
She didn’t reply. She wanted him to say a lot of things. Like he loved her and couldn’t live without her. Romantic words and promises, like in a sappy movie. But her life had never been about romance. Why should she expect it now?
“Jenna?”
“Yes?” She held her breath.
“Good-bye.” The phone went dead in her hands.
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
The following day Jenna sat in her big, beautiful office. She waited for the phone to ring or flowers to arrive. The hours ticked by. She didn’t hear a word from Grant.
So that was it then. He’d said good-bye. Just like everyone else in her life.
No one had ever stuck around long enough to find out if she’d make it worth their while. She shouldn’t have expected more from Grant.
Quite honestly, she couldn’t blame him. He’d tried, and she’d rejected him—many times. He had every right to give up.
So why did it hurt? Why did she feel as though a speeding train had whizzed by and laid her out flat? It had been her choice, hadn’t it?
Her eyes burned and her head hurt. Opening her purse, she found some pain medication and shook out a couple of pills. She tossed them back with a sip of water, then rested her head on the leather chair, willing the headache to disappear.
Less than a minute later a commotion outside her door had her sitting upright.
“You can’t go in there,” she heard Shannon say.
The door opened, and Jenna’s eyes widened. Grant had pushed his way past Shannon and strode into her office.
Oh, what joy! She was out of the chair and on her feet. “What…? Grant? What are you doing here?”
“I came to see if I could change your mind.”
She sat down, fighting the urge to throw her arms around him and hang on tight. “No, you can’t. This is a great job and I’m not a quitter.”
“Yes, you are. You’re quitting on us.” He moved around the desk and stood inches from her. She stared at his feet.
“I’ve had a candid conversation with Catherine,” he said quietly. “I told her that her behavior was cruel and unacceptable. After she told me ‘to get over it’ I walked out. She’s out of my life for good, Jenna.”
Jenna’s heart did a little congo beat. She wanted to punch her fist in the air. Instead, she pushed herself up from the chair so that she stood eye to eye with Grant—close enough to feel the heat emanating from him.
The scent of his aftershave made her head swim. She closed her eyes, breathing him in. Without realizing it, she swayed in his direction.
“You okay?”
Her eyes opened. “Why wouldn’t I be?”
“You looked like you were going to swoon or something.”
She frowned and shifted her body to be better balanced and not leaning toward him. “I don’t swoon.”
“Right.” He smiled. His dimple flashed. He was the handsome, hot, confident man who’d caught her eye the first time they met.
“I’m sorry. Why did you say you were here again?”
“You know why.” Grant took one step closer, and Jenna took one step back.
Her mouth opened and then closed again. What was she going to say? That she was so happy to see him, she didn’t know if she should laugh or cry?
It was agony standing there waiting for him to say something meaningful, when all she wanted was to throw herself at him and jump into his arms.
She wanted words of love. She wanted romance. She wanted to be swept off her feet by this gorgeous man.
Her eyes locked with Grant’s, and she saw them change. They became dark with emotion, and grew soft around the edges.
Her limbs began to melt. Her breathing hitched a little, and excitement rose from the pit of her stomach.
“Jenna
?”
“Yes?” Oh, please say it. Say it, please.
“I love you, Jenna, and I’m hoping that you feel the same about me. I want us to have a life together. I want to have children with you.”
His hands were on her shoulders now. She could feel the warmth of his breath on her cheek. “I want us to have it all. I don’t want to be safe anymore.”
He lowered his head, his mouth a bare inch from hers. “Will you, Jenna? Will you please take a chance with me?”
Yes, yes, yes! Her arms went around his neck so tightly, he wouldn’t have been able to get away if he’d tried—which he didn’t.
Jenna kissed him deeply, with enough heat to set a summer record in Chicago. She put everything into that one kiss—all the love and longing that had been secreted away in some lonely part of her for most of her life.
When he could draw a breath, he laughed and whispered, “Is that a ‘yes’?”
“It is.”
Shannon was standing in the doorway, smiling. She gave a thumbs up, and then quietly closed the door.
Grant kissed her this time, and it was sweeter than anything Jenna had ever known before.
When the kiss broke off, Jenna pushed his chest lightly so she could move away. “I’ll be right back.”
“What…” His eyes looked confused and vulnerable. “Are you still with me?”
Jenna was about to begin a new journey, one with risks and adventures, and good times and bad. Her heart felt light, and years of mistrust slipped off her shoulders like a discarded coat.
“I’m still with you. For now, and for always.” She smiled. Her eyes were full of love.
“I’m just going to tell the CEO that I won’t be able to take this job after all. That I’ve had a better offer.”
Champagne for Two
Patrice Wilton
Dedication
I wish to thank Pamela Ahearn for representing this book, and my valued critique partners for their continued guidance and support.
Love to my darling, Ralph, for his patience when I hole up and write for hours everyday, and to my daughter, Kristina, and my son Rhys. Hugs and kisses to my beautiful grandbabies, Caelan, Blake, Bryn and Andrea.
ESCAPE INTO ROMANCE- 4 Book Bundle Page 46