by Harloe Rae
They exchange a sneaky smile that sends a pang of longing through me. True love at its finest. It’s no wonder I grew up to become a hopeless romantic.
Mama Simons rubs my arm, knocking me from the random musings. “It makes me very happy that you’re resolving this rift.”
“Me too.” I nod just as my stomach rumbles. With a flinch, I slap a palm over the noise. It occurs to me that I forgot to eat breakfast with all the nerves jumbling my gut.
My father lifts a brow. “Can you stay for lunch?”
With a sigh, I rest my head on his shoulder. “I was really hoping you were going to offer.”
“As if we’d ever kick you out. Speaking of, do you want to move home?”
I wag a finger at him. “All I’m interested in is food. No lodging necessary.”
“Never hurts to double-check.” He kisses my hair, reminding me of brighter days that I thought were long lost.
After a quiet breath, my parents dive into a highlight reel of their favorite Vannah moments. It’s a soothing balm on my cracked spirit. If only every break was this effortless to repair.
A chirpy ping announces my arrival at Brogen Realty. I stride from the elevator with a solitary mission. The crowded floor is challenging enough to maneuver when my brain refuses to function properly. Vannah will speak to me, even if I need to drag her to a private room. I’m prepared to make a scene if necessary. The roar in my blood is hounding her and refuses to be ignored. This is unfamiliar terrain, but I’m not letting her go without a fight. She can kick and scream as I hoist her over my shoulder. At least that way, a slap to her ass will be called for.
People stare at me as I pass, but they all merge into a blur. I turn the corner leading to Vannah’s sorry excuse for a workstation. My steps falter as I approach. Her desk is completely empty and she’s nowhere in sight. There’s a blonde at the neighboring cube with her baby blues glued to the general vicinity of my dick.
I grind my molars while reining in the frenzy that’s chasing me. “Where’s Savannah?”
The woman twirls a golden curl around her finger. “Vannah doesn’t work here anymore. I’ll be taking care of your needs from now on.”
“The fuck you will.” My glare silences her indignant huffing.
With fire licking my heels, I stomp toward Vince’s office at a fast clip. That chick resumes her complaining behind me, but the pitchy whines fade into static. I keep my narrow gaze locked on the damn door. The chaos simmering in my veins is likely to cause an explosion if I don’t find a proper outlet. Without knocking, I barge in and survey the scene. Two people are sitting in front of Vince, all eyes on me.
I point at the hallway. “Get out.”
They scramble to follow my order. I don’t blame them. There’s probably steam spewing from my ears.
Vince stands from his chair. “Mr. Winters—”
“Where’s Savannah?” My shoes pound across the carpet as I cross the wide space.
He tosses his arms up. “She quit.”
“When? I was just here yesterday.” This joker better not be responsible, or we’ll have bigger problems.
“She left shortly after you did,” he informs me.
“You let her go?” If this has anything to do with our altercation in the conference room, my task might be far larger than I anticipated.
Vince grips the back of his neck. “She didn’t give me much choice. I hope this doesn’t impact your account with us.”
I grunt at the whimpering audacity in his tone. “You bet your ass it does. This changes everything. Savannah is the only reason I stuck around.”
His face puckers. “I’m aware you formed a personal relationship with Ms. Simons—”
“I highly doubt you want to finish that statement.” I watch him choke on a gulp. Keeping a lid on my temper is becoming more difficult the longer I’m away from her. Vince’s sniveling excuses only stoke that irritation. The burn in my chest blazes hotter. “Is that why she left?”
He nods. “She was no longer eligible for the promotion.”
I shake my head while backpedaling to the exit. “That was a really stupid decision.”
“What about your contracts?” His bellow follows me into the common area.
“You’ll be hearing from my lawyer,” I call over my shoulder.
After a quick Google search, I discover that Vannah’s condo isn’t a far drive. Her home address is splashed all over the internet. She should protect her identity better. We’ll need to chat about that, after everything else.
She probably chose the Uptown location to be near her job, which is no longer a selling point based on the conversation I just left. The implications of her unemployment begin slamming into me. There’s no guessing where her next steps will lead. She might not have any, if the choice to quit was as impulsive as Vince made it seem. I walk faster with those unknowns spurring me on.
With a flick of my wrist, I unlock the car and slide behind the wheel. Navigating city streets is nothing new for me. The traffic in downtown Minneapolis is nonexistent compared to Chicago, allowing me to take advantage of the Aston Martin’s speed and agility. A nine-minute commute is just enough to create a plan without extra lag to stew over.
The robot woman from my dash barks at me to turn left into a paved lot beside what appears to be new residential developments. The concrete structure is styled with wood accents and chrome fixtures. Industrial cables tether a looping walkway to the second and third stories for a floating effect. Vannah’s building is set so each unit has an entrance accessible from the outside. She probably paid a hefty tag for this property, not that her commission can’t afford it. I climb the front stairs to reach the second landing and hang a right. Cream blinds cover the large bay window, stealing my ability to peek inside.
I raise my fist to knock, the thick wood muffling the sound. A sliding deadbolt alerts me to her proximity. The creak from her door confirms it. Through that small opening, a fierce green gaze threatens to scorch me where I stand.
I hold my hands up in surrender. “I didn’t come here to fight.”
Vannah props a cocked hip against the metal framing. “Since when?”
“Since I realized we belong together.” That blunt confession streams from me without permission. The croak in my tone conveys as much. I’d hoped to inch my way into her good graces before making a big reveal. This is what I get for being impulsive.
“No.” She grips the door, preparing to slam it in my face.
I slap a palm to the wood, keeping it propped open. “Just hear me out. Please, Vannah.”
My use of her preferred name gets a reaction. For a single second, her guard wavers with a hitched breath. Then she skewers me with a fiery glare. Regardless of her outward fury, she eases the force on the barrier between us.
Vannah gaze cuts a downward path along my casual attire. “You’re wearing jeans.”
I glance at the faded denim that’s apparently offensive, based on her scowl. “Good observation skills, sugar. Did you notice my shoes?”
Her eyes narrow on my sneakers. “Are you going for a run?”
“Wasn’t sure if I’d have to chase you.” I bounce on my toes.
She gives me another once-over. “What’re you playing at?”
A lazy smirk is my initial response. “I’m making changes.”
“Why?”
“Being an angry asshole sucks. I also miss you. Just wanted to slide that in.”
“As previously stated.” She quirks a brow.
“You don’t believe me?”
“Don’t act surprised after what you had planned. My suspicions are warranted.” She purses her lips.
“So is the added sass,” I provide with a wink.
Her exhale pumps textured frustration into the space separating us. That rasp needles my skin before disappearing into the atmosphere. “What do you want, Landon?”
“Just to talk. Can I come in? I won’t overstay my welcome. My car is parked right there, ready
for me to drive off after you hear me out.” I dangle the keys for her to see.
A dent creases the smooth skin on her forehead. “You drove?”
I shrug. “Desperate times. You can toss me to the curb whenever the mood strikes.”
Vannah crosses her arms. “Like right now?”
I ignore the plummeting in my gut. “You shouldn’t be too hasty. My words might hold some value.”
“We’ll see about that.” She swings the door wide, ushering me in with a sweeping gesture. “By all means, invade the last spot that isn’t already tainted from your presence.”
The way she’s looking at me as I enter her domain makes my guts shrivel, rotting me to the core. Vannah is acting like I’m a black stain on her beige carpet. My gears grind as I try to recall the last instance anyone dared to show me such open disdain. I’ve been blinded by my drive for redemption, striving to prove myself beyond the shadow of my father. Right now, I feel more disgusting than the grime beneath his bones. It’s enough to make a man forfeit the war.
But I’ve been fighting for the wrong side.
I’m no longer interested in fighting against her. From this point forward, my goal is to win her affections and be worthy of them. Walking away unscathed isn’t an option. Not that I’m going anywhere.
I steal a moment to admire Vannah while she’s not noticeably cursing my existence. She’s wearing gym shorts and a ratty shirt with her hair in a sloppy braid. I’ve never been more attracted to her. The molten heat rushing south is proof I’m not trying to put on a display. Popping a boner in her face is the last thing I need. She’d probably file a restraining order.
As if hearing my wheels veering off course, Vannah’s glare resurfaces. “I’m tired of this ride we’re on, Landon. It was fun until we took things too far. We should cut our losses and go our separate ways.”
“You’ve grown bored?”
“Sure, let’s call it that.” The sheen glittering in her eyes states otherwise.
“You’re not convincing anyone. Least of all, me.” The metaphorical clock is ticking loud enough to make me sweat. I shove my fists into my pockets and fix her with an unflinching stare. “I’ve been a shitty human for too many years, sugar. It’s damn time I own up to it. There are bullshit excuses from my childhood that I can throw at you. My father was verbally abusive, among other atrocities I’d rather not reminisce about. Long story short, I could never falter or be caught doing less than he saw fit. I’ve come to terms with that, so digging deep into my feelings isn’t necessary. My overpriced therapist heard plenty, trust me. I talked his ear off for years growing up.”
She’s rooted in place, gazing at me with wide eyes. “Somehow, I find that hard to believe.”
The temperature spikes several degrees from the impact of her undivided attention. “All right, fine. You caught me. I compartmentalized all the shit my dad did and blew off the shrink. He tried to crush me, but I escaped relatively unscathed. I turned out all right, considering.”
“Yeah, I guess so.” Vannah is trying to hold her snark in place, but that soft reply betrays her.
I release the breath I’d been holding. “I’m not telling you this to get your pity.”
“Good”—she sniffs and looks away—“because I wasn’t giving you any.”
My pulse is booming, nearing deafening levels, but there’s no quitting now. “The fact of the matter is that I allowed his influence to dictate the person I am today. I’ve denied that for damn near a decade, but it’s the truth. It took you constantly butting heads with me, you questioning me, you demanding more from me, you never letting me get the final word, and you walking away from me to finally break loose from the mold. It took you, Vannah. If nothing else comes from this, I need to thank you for giving me that freedom.”
She tucks her chin, stealing those bottomless green pools from me. “That’s a very sweet speech, and I’m not sure how to respond. Coming from you, these sentiments are confusing. I’m glad you’re having this epiphany nonetheless.”
I nod while clearing the dryness from my throat. “That’s fair and completely understandable. I haven’t been kind to you these past two months.”
“No shit.” Her mutter is flat, but the corner of her lip twerks.
I keep my hands buried to stop from reaching for her. “Life really fucking sucks without you, sugar. My days are boring, and the nights are worse. I have no right to ask you for another chance, because I didn’t earn one in the first place. What I’m hoping to do is build a bridge and get over our shit.”
“Eloquent as always.”
“I’m not mincing words with you unless we’re bickering like an old married couple.”
“That’s a pleasant image.”
“Glad you agree.”
A laugh bounces her rigid posture, but it lacks any genuine warmth. “I really wasn’t.”
“We’ll work on that. I’m aware it doesn’t come naturally for us.”
Vannah snorts. “Don’t hold your breath. That will require patience we don’t possess.”
With a jut of my chin, I dismiss her retort. “I plan to grovel for however long it takes.”
She bites her bottom lip. “I hope you packed adequate padding for your knees.”
“There’s my snarky girl.”
“I’m not your anything.”
“Not officially. You just need to agree.”
“I’ll think about it.” She tilts her head to the side. “Maybe.”
The sliver she previously gave me splits into a gaping hole wide enough to walk through. I step toward her. “Give me a chance to prove that I’m worthy.”
“Of what?”
“Your love.”
She scoffs. “You assume that’s up for grabs.”
“If it’s not already, it will be soon. I’m going to charm your panties off.”
“How romantic.” Her tone suggests the opposite, but I’m not deterred.
“I’ll be good to you, Savannah.”
“While pretending we’re a couple,” she adds.
I swat that shit away with an open palm. “No, I want the real deal. The platinum version. Dates, cuddling, sleepovers, and kisses with morning breath.”
Vannah squints at me. “That’s really sappy.”
I snap my fingers and point at her. “Oh, breakfast in bed can go on the list. Pancakes in the shape of a heart? I’ll give you extra syrup.”
She rests a hand on her forehead. “What has gotten into you?”
“Feelings. A lot of them. Probably too many, if I’m being truthful. It’s all pouring out at once. I just needed the right motivation to release them. Having a worthy opponent accept the sloppy mess would be nice, but I’m not pushing my luck.”
“Landon.” She sighs, her shoulders slumping. I steel myself against her rejection. She wouldn’t be the girl I’m falling for without refusing my initial attempts to win her back. “If only I could trust you. I’m not able to believe that your intentions are honorable.”
“And that doubt is justified. Revenge is best served with a bulletproof vest, sugar. If not, you’ll be shot in the heart.” I tap my chest. “Turns out you got me. It took breaking us for me to discover that you own my ass. There are no refunds.”
“I’d like to speak with your manager.” She flattens her mouth into a flat line, but there’s a sparkle in her gaze.
Honking from the street interrupts our fierce standoff. I take it as a hint. “You can’t get rid of me. One day, you’ll accept that, and I’ll be here waiting.”
“Persistent as ever,” she drawls.
I erase another step between us—and one more for good measure. “Wasn’t it your plan to have me fall for you? Well, you win.”
“You’re nuts, Landon Winters.”
“About you, yes. That’s what I’ve been saying for going on thirty minutes.”
“I’m not even sure how to feel about you. We’ve been at each other’s throats since day one.”
“It’s okay to
admit that you like me.”
“And if I don’t?”
I clutch my chest. “Damn, Savannah. I’ve been pouring my soul out and you’re stomping on the defenseless pulp.”
She stabs me with a scowl. “You can’t make me feel guilty for that.”
“Well, I’m not going anywhere.” I reiterate for my sake just as much as hers.
“You’ll have to leave eventually. Chicago needs you.”
I suck in a deep breath, inhaling fresh laundry and flowers. Beneath that are subtle hints from a slate being wiped clean with blossoming possibilities to soon follow. Her home smells like the start of something I want to be nearby for. “That brings up my next item on the agenda.”
Tension replaces the irritation in her features. “Ulterior motives?”
“Just a slight pivot while you consider cradling my heart in a gentle palm.”
“How many romance flicks did you watch prior to coming over here?”
“This is all me. Although to be fair, you’re responsible for initiating this emotional diarrhea.”
She clutches her temples. “You’re certifiable.”
“Thank you.” I smooth a palm across my jaw.
Vannah glances at the wall where several framed photographs are hanging. One picture is a candid of Vannah laughing with her friends. If I strain my ears, I can almost imagine the savory tune. She’s never lowered her guard enough for me to see her so carefree. I want that. Badly.
Her eyes flick back in my direction. “Just get on with what you want to say.”
“I’m opening a new headquarters for Global Winters in Minneapolis.” A smirk wiggles its way onto my mouth.
Vannah blinks in slow succession. “What?”
“My company is expanding and I’m leading the project.” I couldn’t care less where I set up shop so long as it’s in her general vicinity.
“You’re staying in Minnesota?” There’s a severe furrow pinching her expression. It’s unclear if she’s terrified or elated by this news. I’m choosing to believe it’s the latter.
“That’s correct.”
“And that involves me how? Not sure if you noticed, but I’m unemployed.”
“This will change that. I have a proposition for you.”