Entangled Love

by Jessica Gray

  Having grown up with her, Victor knew all too well how much strain living at her family home had put on her. Throughout the years, Victor had been her confident and go-to guy when she needed advice or had a decision to make. He was always level headed, and didn’t tell her pretty words just to appease her. He always told her the truth, even when it wasn’t what she wanted her to hear.

  She thought back to the time she had needed to let the household staff go. Her father had insisted on a gardener, housekeeper, driver, and cook. Evelyn had modified their hours down until she was forced to start letting them go; the funds to pay their salaries just wasn’t there. She had managed to keep the housekeeper around the longest, but having to use the last of her yearly trust fund allotment to pay her last semester’s tuition, had necessitated some spending cuts and Mrs. Grayson had graciously agreed to retire so that Evelyn wouldn’t have to fire her. She was almost in tears just thinking about the kind grandmotherly woman who had helped to raise her. She had been angry with her father for once again putting her in such a position, but at the time, he was paying off his recent losses at the track and hadn’t given her anger the slightest bit of attention.

  Bringing her thoughts back the current situation, she felt her anger at her father begin to build. His reputation was everything to him. He had managed to keep things together until Evelyn’s seventh grade year, and then his gambling had taken a downhill plunge. He started spending more time at the track, making frequent “business trips” to places like Atlantic City and Las Vegas, and spending less time focused on the business and his family.

  The board of directors had finally had enough and tried to vote him out of the CEO position, but he had managed to retain ownership of enough stock, along with Evelyn’s, to make that impossible. The board had approached Evelyn when she was sixteen, asking if there was anything she could do, and she had promised to support them with her voting shares, as long as they protected her dad’s company and kept it from going under. They had agreed to let him stay CEO in “name only” and had nominated an Operations Manager to oversee the running of the company from day-to-day. Evelyn always hoped for the best where her dad was concerned, and was sure that he would get it together and stop gambling.

  Today was another shining example of the fallacy in that thinking. Her dad was not going to get better without professional help. He had a problem, and once again it was spilling over into her life. What a mess!

  Nearing tears once again, Evelyn grabbed her purse and exited the restaurant. Seeing that the restaurant was only a couple of blocks from her office, she walked back to her car, all the while trying to come up with a different option to her father’s dilemma.

  *****

  When Victor and Michael got back from the deli across the street, they found Evelyn gone. Michael thought it strange that she hadn’t left a note, but then again, neither had they. Michael had been hoping to return with lunch while she was on the phone with her father and save her the need to go out herself. Shrugging his shoulders, he stowed her sandwich in the office fridge and joined Victor at the conference table.

  Looking up as Michael came back in, Victor queried, “No Evelyn?”

  Shaking his head, “I think she might have slipped out. Her car’s still downstairs though, so she should return fairly quickly.”

  Victor finished chewing before stating, “It looks like you finally got her to agree to go out with you, huh?”

  Michael’s shoulders slumped a little, ”Only after you came in. I’ve been trying to get her to go out with me alone for the last five months and she always has some excuse.”

  Victor nodded, “I noticed. She practically jumped on the chance to have me go with you guys this evening.”

  “Thanks for agreeing to do that. I don’t think she would have even considered it if you hadn’t walked in.”

  Victor took a drink of his soda before replying, “Why is she avoiding spending alone time with you. I mean, it’s obvious that there’s chemistry between you to. There always has been. I don’t understand what’s standing in the way.”

  Michael leaned back in his chair, “I’m not positive, but I think she’s scared. She told me a few weeks ago that you and I were her only true friends, and she wasn’t going to do anything to jeopardize that. I think she’s afraid that if she acts on her attraction to me, and things don’t work out, she’ll lose my friendship and then yours.”

  Victor shook his head, “She knows better than that. We’ve been friends for long enough, she knows we would never abandon her like that.”

  Michael nodded, “She should know that. But think about it, she’s never really had a romantic relationship that worked out. The last guy she dated treated her more like an older sister, and the minute another gal gave him any attention; he was gone with a thank you and a handshake.“

  “I for one was glad when he bailed, he never treated Evelyn with the respect she deserves. He was definitely a user and a loser.”

  Michael agreed whole-heartedly, “I enjoyed watching them together. His platonic distance kept me from having to act on the desire to rearrange his face for getting out of line.”

  Victor smirked, “Jealous much?”

  Michael laughed, “You know it. I thought after her graduation party we were finally going to move beyond this friendship thing.” Ruefully shaking his head, Michael emptied his soda can.

  “I saw the two of you in the parking lot you know, she was definitely participating in that kiss.”

  Michael nodded his head and raised his shoulders, “I was there. She wasn’t avoiding me then, but ever since that night, she won’t hang out with me unless you’re there. I know I didn’t imagine her response.”

  Victor thought for a minute before he said, “So, have you tried talking to her about where things could end up?”

  Michael crossed his arms over his chest and sighed, “I’ve tried. She usually shuts me down before we can have too deep of a conversation, though.”

  “So why not take advantage of tonight? I’ll show up so that she loosens her guard, and then before dinner arrives, I’ll make my excuses and leave,” Victor offered.

  “That could work,” Michael started running options through his mind. He would need to make sure she didn’t try to leave with Victor and then make every word count.

  Victor stood up and tossed his trash in the nearest receptacle, “I’ll wait until she excuses herself to the ladies room and then make my escape. Don’t waste this opportunity. You and Evelyn make a good team. Everyone around you can see it. You haven’t even asked the new clerk at the deli out and she would definitely say ‘Yes.’ You need to convince Evelyn that you two have a future together and get on with it. I’m tired of playing chaperone.” With that said, Victor left the conference room, Michael returned to his office and shut down his computer. Heading home a few minutes later, he began making plans for the evening. He was going to knock Miss Evelyn Davenport off her feet.

  *****

  Evelyn didn’t even return to her office after arriving in front of the building. She had lost the battle with her tears a block and a half back; afraid she might run into either Victor or Michael, she got into her car and drove out of the parking lot. She would have loved to gain some friendly advice from Victor along with one of his hugs; they always seemed to make things better in her opinion.

  Thinking about Victor brought thoughts of Michael as well. That’s when the tears started in earnest. She cried for all of the months she had watched him and yearned to be the girl he was spending his personal time with. She cried for the dates she had turned down with him, afraid that she would lose his friendship when things didn’t work out. She cried for the fact that deep down, she really loved him and wanted nothing more than to see where a relationship with him could go.

  After leaving the city, she found herself driving aimlessly towards Michael’s apartment. What she wouldn’t give for the privilege of sharing this burden with him, knowing he would help her find a solution. She knew
he cared for her and since her graduation party, he had been trying to get her to go out with him.

  Her thoughts drifted back to the kiss he had given her in the parking lot. She had lost her balance trying to get her car door open, and Michael had been there to catch her. He had swooped down and kissed her so quickly, she hadn’t even seen it coming. That kiss had led to many more kisses and Evelyn had found herself backed up against the car, her arms around his shoulders, participating in the most delicious kisses of her life.

  She had dated frequently, and had received kisses along the way, but none of them had curled her toes or had her stomach doing backflips. Michael had simply overwhelmed her with his smell, the feel of his lips against hers, the strength and hardness of his shoulders and chest as they pressed her against the car. When his tongue had sought entrance to her mouth, she had shyly given it to him and then been swept away by the feelings his touch created in her body.

  Since that night, she had worked very hard at controlling her reactions to him, and shutting down the desire to throw herself into his arms whenever he walked into a room. He had made things very difficult for her, taking every opportunity to touch her, giving her small hugs throughout the day, placing his hand on her shoulder when he escorted her anywhere… he was driving her crazy.

  As she pulled into a parking spot in front of his upscale apartment, she wiped her tears away and looked around for his car. He was already home. Leaning back into the car seat, Evelyn tried to get control of her emotions and then figure out her next step. Sometime during the car drive, she had already come to terms with her pending nuptials. She didn’t stop to analyze why she was once again placing her life on hold in order to rescue her father from his addiction. It had become a way of life for her, and even though she didn’t like the future he had worked out for her, the good daughter part of her was doing what she always did. Following daddy’s directions and trying to make things better for him.

  Getting out of her vehicle, she headed towards Michael’s door. She needed to cancel their dinner tonight and since she was here, she might as well do it in person. She would also need to call Victor and let him know that she probably wouldn’t be able to be part of the company. Taking a deep breath to stall any further tears, she knocked on the door and waited for Michael to answer.

  Michael had just stepped out of the shower when he heard the knock on the door. Grabbing a towel to wrap around his waist, he grabbed another towel and rubbed it over his head and shoulders as he headed to the front door.

  Throwing the door open, he was shocked to see Evelyn standing on his front step, looking like her world had just collapsed. Taking a closer look, he could see that she had been crying and was doing a poor job of containing the tears that were still needing out.

  “Evelyn, honey, what’s wrong?” Michael reached out, pulled her into the apartment and closed the door.

  “Michael, I’m sorry to interrupt you. I needed to talk to you and since I was already out here, I decided to stop. I’m sorry…I should have called first.” Evelyn dropped her eyes as she noticed all he was wearing was a bath towel.

  Michael was puzzled by how upset she appeared to be and led her over to the couch, urging her to be seated. “Let me grab some clothes and then we can talk. Do you need anything?”

  Evelyn shook her head wordlessly.

  Michael watched her for another moment, and then hurried to his bedroom, throwing on gym shorts and a t-shirt. Re-entering the living area, he observed her sitting in the same position, hands wrapped around her body as if she was physically holding herself together. Anger began to rise within him for whatever or whoever had caused her such grief. He would get to the bottom of this and make it better for her.

  Sitting down next to her on the couch, he reached for her hands and was shocked when she pulled away and scooted to the far corner of the couch. Deciding not to push her too hard until he found out what had her so upset, he let her go and settled back into the opposite corner of the couch. “Evie, tell me what’s wrong.”

  Evelyn took a deep breath and looked up to see Michael studying her from the other end of the couch. “The phone call I got earlier was from my dad.”

  Michael nodded, “I know. So what did your dad want?”

  Evelyn lowered her eyes again; “He wanted to take me to lunch.”

  Michael said nothing for a few seconds. That was uncharacteristic of Mr. Davenport. He never did anything for Evelyn without ulterior motives. Knowing he probably wasn’t going to like what came next, he asked anyway, “And the reason for taking you to lunch was….?”

  Evelyn was quiet for several minutes. Finally, unable to sit still any longer, she rose and started pacing across Michael’s front room. Stopping in front of the stone hearth, she made sure she was facing away from him when she said, “He wanted to inform me that I was getting married on Saturday.” Closing her eyes as she waited for the coming explosion, she wrapped her arms around herself again, despair and sadness overwhelming her.

  Michael was silent for a moment while her words sunk in. Evelyn was getting married on Saturday? No way in hell Evelyn was getting married on Saturday, because he wasn’t getting married on Saturday! What kind of shenanigans was her father pulling now!

  Shoving him to his feet, “What do you mean, you’re getting married on Saturday?” Not one for raising his voice, Michael asked his question calmly and quietly.

  Hearing the quiet reply, Evelyn turned to face him, bracing herself for the explanation that she would have to give. “It seems that my father has lost a considerable amount of money to Brad Taylor…”

  “The Brad Taylor?”

  Evelyn nodded and continued, “It also seems that Mr. Taylor has a son, Henry, who needs to grow up. Mr. Taylor has decided that in order to grow up, he has to get married – to me. “ Seeing Michael start to speak, she raised her hand to stop him and shook her head, “Let me finish, please?” At his slight nod, she continued, “Basically my father let me know that either I marry Henry on Saturday, or his father will have to be paid back with shares of stock in Davenport Shipping. Enough shares that he would then hold a controlling interest in my father’s company. Dad is convinced that if that is allowed to occur, Mr. Taylor will ruin the company and destroy him.”

  Out of breath and hope, Evelyn drew quiet and when Michael didn’t immediately speak, she looked up to see him barely controlling his anger. “You told him to go jump in a lake, of course?”

  Evelyn shook her head, “He didn’t give me a chance to. When I got upset with him, he made me feel as if this was somehow my fault and it was my duty to marry this guy, to save the family. He walked out and left me at the restaurant.”

  Michael took a step towards her, wanting to wrap her in his arms and protect her from the hurt he could see was tearing her apart. “Do you want me to tell him to go jump in a lake? I can call Victor and the two of us can go pay dad a visit.”

  Evelyn shook her head, “You know that wouldn’t solve anything. In fact, it would probably make things worse.”

  Michael finally got close enough to pull her into his chest for a hug, “Evie, don’t worry. We’ll figure something out. You don’t have to marry this guy. Your dad may just have to face the consequences of his actions this time on his own.”

  Hearing Michael’s willingness to let her father fall on his face had her pulling away from him and walking a short distance before saying, “I can’t just sit back and watch this man destroy him? I have to do something.”

  Michael followed her, shaking his head, “No you don’t. How many times have you bailed him out and put your own needs on hold? How many times have you sacrificed to save him, only to watch him gamble it all away again? It has to stop. You don’t have to do this.”

  Evelyn felt the tears begin to slide down her cheeks once again, but didn’t have the strength left to fight them. “I don’t see any other choices at the minute.”

  Michael swallowed the urge to rage at her. Why couldn’t she see that she
was not responsible for her father’s actions? “You do have choices. What about us?”

  Evelyn looked up at him, the hurt rolling through her body making her knees weak. “What us are you talking about?” She was an expert at avoiding the truth, maybe if she could convince Michael they really didn’t have anything beyond friendship, her heart would also believe it.

  Thrusting his hands in the air in frustration, Michael turned away. Turning back a few seconds later, he advanced upon her, “You know the ‘us’ I’m talking about. Do I need to remind you of a certain kiss that I’ve been waiting over five months to repeat?”

  Evelyn walked backwards as he advanced on her. She didn’t have the strength to fight her body’s attraction to him right now. Holding one hand in front of her, she told him, “That was nothing and you know it.”

  “No, I don’t know it. You’re lying to yourself and I think maybe you need a reminder.” Grabbing the hand she held out, he used it to pull her closer and before she could offer more protest, leaned down and kissed her. Not a brotherly, nice kiss. A curl your toes, make your body sing the “Hallelujah Chorus” type of kiss.