Blue Roses (Reunited Series)

by Sharon C. Cooper

  “Do you love him?”

  “Who? Tyler?”

  “Of course, Tyler! Do you love him?”

  Dallas released a frustrated breath. “Yeah, more than he’ll ever know.”

  “Then why haven’t you talked to him? If you truly love him, tell him everything about your past. Tell him about your dysfunctional family growing up, your marriage to Mark, everything Dallas. Are you trying to lose him?”

  “I’ve already lost him.” She sat up and ran her hands through her untamed hair. “He’ll never forgive me for the things I said to him the other night. Heck, I don’t even know if I can forgive myself.”

  “You have to talk to him Dallas. We all have things in our past that we’re not proud of, but we deal with it. You remember everything Tim and I went through before we got it together. My delusional mother, Tim’s baby momma drama, and don’t even get me started on his and Tyler’s lunatic brother, Kenny.”

  Dallas remembered all too well. If they could survive all the challenges they endured, she wanted to believe she and Tyler could to.

  “I know the memories are painful,” Simone continued, “but you need to face them. Once you talk about them out loud, they won’t have the same control over you as they do now.”

  Dallas listened to her friend, who was closer than a sister, and knew she was right. Besides talking to a therapist years ago, as well as Simone, she’d never shared what had happened between her and Mark with anyone. “He probably won’t take my call.”

  “He might, but you’ll never know if you don’t call him. Now how are you doing physically? Are you sure you should be at home by yourself?”

  “I’m okay. I’ve been over compensating for my broken leg and now my hip has been killing me, but I’m sure it’ll be better in a few days.”

  “Well, try not to overdo it. I’d come and hang out with you if I could, but my doctor said no more traveling until the baby is born.”

  “Stay put, I’ll be fine. The cast comes off in a couple of weeks, and then I’ll be back to normal.”

  “Oh, God, I hope not.” Simone chuckled. “Normal for you would mean working 60 hours a week and living only on bread and water. That’s one of the reasons why I wanted you to stay with Tyler. I knew he’d take care of you.”

  Dallas reached for a tissue to catch the tears streaming down her face, surprised that there were any tears left. She thought back on the first couple of weeks at Tyler’s house and how they bumped heads at every turn. Her desire to get back to work right away and her lack of food intake practically drove him crazy. God she missed him.

  ****

  It had been months since he’d played the piano, but for the past few days since Dallas’s departure, Tyler had done little else. He had people in place to run his businesses and decided it was finally time to use them.

  His fingers traveled effortlessly over the ivory keys as he closed his eyes and played the old classic, Stardust, by Hoagy Carmichael. He let the melody seep into his tattered soul. Between sleepless nights and trying to keep his mind off of Dallas, some days he didn’t know if he was coming or going.

  “When are you going to stop sulking and go after her?” Skylar sat on the bench next to him, interrupting the piece he’d been playing when she pecked on a few keys. “It’s been three days. Have you called to make sure she’s okay?”

  Tyler stopped and stared into eyes identical to his. “Why would I do that? She’s the one who left.”

  “If it’ll make you feel any better, it didn’t look like it was easy for her to leave. She loves you Tyler. Why she’s fighting it, I’m not sure. But I can tell she cares.”

  He went back to playing, but talked over the music. “Maybe, but I can’t do this anymore. Whenever we start to get close, she clams up or bolts. Then I’m the one looking stupid with my heart in my hands. And don’t even get me started about the fact she has an ex-husband who she never mentioned.”

  Moments passed before Skylar spoke. She put her hands over his to stop him from playing. “I remember when Hadrian tried courting me,” she said of her military husband. “I wouldn’t give him the time of day, because I knew his plans of going into the Marines. I didn’t want to be a part of a military family where he’s home one week and shipped out the next.”

  “So what made you give in?”

  Skylar chuckled. “He wouldn’t give up. He was there at every turn. Not like a stalker, but he integrated himself into my life like a bee to honey. He was adamant about us getting together, telling me how much he loved me and how he needed me in his life. I eventually fell in love with him, partly because of his determination to make me his.”

  “Well, my hat goes off to Hadrian, but I’m not going after Dallas again.”

  “For weeks you said the two of you belong together, and you couldn’t imagine your life without her. Why are you giving up?”

  “Because she doesn’t want me. I feel like I’m swimming upstream in shark infested water. The harder I try to reach my goal, the more it feels like sharp teeth taking out chunks of my ass. I’m fighting against something that’s stronger than me. Dallas will have to come to grips with her past before she can let me in.”

  “Do you still love her?”

  “Of course I do.”

  “Then don’t give up. Give her time to get herself together, but not too much time. Dallas is a beautiful woman. If you don’t pursue her, someone else will.”

  Tyler grimaced at the thought. Even though he couldn’t have her, he didn’t want her with anyone else. Still, he listened to his sister, but he wasn’t ready to talk to Dallas. If she didn’t know how much he loved her by now, she never would.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Mark looked intently at the picture in his hand. During his internship, he and Dallas had posed for it at his company’s holiday party. Everyone thought they were the perfect couple, destined for great things. The partners at his company made it no secret that family was very important, which made it important to him.

  He and Dallas were going to have it all: the big house, fancy cars and three kids, two boys and a girl. But Dallas didn’t stick to the plan. Mark had it mapped out. He’d get his career started with one of the top engineering firms, and she’d stay home and raise their children. If only she’d kept her end of the deal.

  He stared at the picture. Her kissable lips smiling back at him. After seeing her in Milwaukee, he realized the old photo didn’t do her justice. The years had been good to her. She was more stunning than he’d remembered. Seeing her also reminded him of one of the biggest mistakes he’d ever made - letting her go. He knew she wouldn’t be happy to see him, but he had no idea she’d react the way she had. I’m not the monster you think I am.

  Upon arriving in Chicago, he’d read an article featuring the Weisman and Cohen Group. Dallas was one of their top investment managers. Mark remembered she’d always been good at investing, probably because she lived and breathed her work.

  “We could’ve had it all, Dallas,” he said to the photo.

  He jumped at the sudden knock at the door, and shoved the picture into his desk drawer. “Come in.”

  “Hey, Mark, sorry to disturb you, but this just came.” His secretary handed him a large white envelope.

  “Thanks. I’ve been waiting for this information. Oh, and can you cancel my ten o’clock appointment with David Weisman, for tomorrow? I’ll need to reschedule it for sometime early next week.”

  “Sure, no problem. Anything else?”

  “No, that’s it, thanks.” Mark waited until she closed the door and pulled papers from the envelope. His lips curled into a wide smile. Just what I needed.

  ****

  Dallas felt like a stranger in her office. She ran her hand slowly across the mahogany desk and let her fingers stop at the hideous paperweight that Tyler had given her as a gag gift over a year ago. Toying with the ceramic one-eyed frog, a slight smile graced her lips. She remembered the gorgeous box it had arrived in, a true contrast to the act
ual gift.

  Shutting out the memory, she glanced around the rest of the office. Surprisingly, she hadn’t missed being there. During the four weeks she’d been away, Tyler had served as more than her protector. He was also a wonderful distraction, and being with him reminded her of the importance of creating a balance between work and play.

  “Boy I’m glad you’re back.” Bianca said, and walked into Dallas’s office, closing the door behind her. “How do you feel?” she asked and moved around the desk to give Dallas a hug.

  “I feel okay. I’m looking forward to getting this stupid cast off though.”

  “I bet.” Bianca sat in one of the chairs in front of the desk. “This place wasn’t the same without you. Everyone has been on edge, and David has been on a warpath.”

  Dallas frowned. “Why?”

  “I’m not sure, but about a week ago, I was leaving for the day, and he stopped to ask me about your client files. I thought it was strange because he asked for them after you were already back to work on those files.”

  “Did he say why he wanted them?”

  Bianca shook her head. “When he found out you had them, Dallas, I thought he was having a heart attack. His face turned beet red. He was perspiring real bad and you know the one vein in his forehead that usually pops out when he’s angry?”

  Dallas nodded.

  “It showed up. I wasn’t sure whether to call 911 or just get the heck out of here. He eventually calmed down, and said he’d talk to you when you returned. And then he left.”

  “Did you tell him I was coming back this week?”

  “I gave the message to his secretary. I know she gave it to him, but the other day she told me he called and said he’d be out of the office this week. Call me crazy, but I think he’s hiding something. He’s been acting weirder than usual.”

  Dallas rocked back in her office chair, twirling a pencil between her fingers. “Well, you’re not crazy, ‘cause I think something strange is going on, too. I even thought you had sent me the papers that had the handwritten notes on them intentionally.” Dallas leaned forward and studied her assistant’s reaction. When Bianca’s gaze dropped to the floor, Dallas had her answer. “Bianca, I’m going to need your help in digging into this a little deeper, but promise me you won’t say anything to anyone.”

  Several hours later, Dallas glanced at the clock and realized she had missed lunch. She’d been there since six in the morning and it was now after two and she couldn’t believe how fast the time had gone.

  She propped her elbows on her desk and rubbed her tired eyes. She’d read the same material over and over for the past thirty minutes and didn’t have a clue about what she’d read. She needed to talk to Tyler. Apparently that was the only way for her to get any real work done. If he’d forgive her, she’d tell him everything.

  With her hand on the telephone, she recalled how he’d catered to her every need, wiped away many tears, and changed his schedule to accommodate her. And how did she repay him? She declared them just friends and stomped out of his life. When she knew good and well they were much more than that.

  Dallas groaned and removed her hand from the receiver. I can’t call him. I’m the last person he’d want to talk to. She folded her arms on top of her desk and dropped her head. What am I going to do? I need him. I want him back.

  “Dallas?”

  Dallas’s head flew up. “Yes?”

  “Are you okay?” her assistant asked.

  Dallas straightened in her chair. “Oh, yeah, I’m fine, just resting my brain. What can I do for you?”

  I need to make a run, but should be back in about thirty minutes. Do you need anything while I’m out? Maybe lunch, since you skipped it?”

  “Nope, I’m good. I’m not really hungry, so take your time.”

  Five minutes after Bianca left, someone knocked on Dallas’s door. “Come in.” She stood and began to hobble around her desk when David flew in.

  “Hey, Dallas. Welcome back. You look good.” He rounded the desk and captured her in an awkward hug. “We’ve missed you around here.”

  Dallas backed away and reclaimed her seat. “Uh, thanks, Dave. It’s good to be back.”

  He plastered a fake smile on his chubby face. She couldn’t believe how different he was from William, the other partner. Throughout her time away, William often called to check on her, encouraged her to take as much time as she needed, and had offered to lighten her work load. David, on the other hand, had done none of those things. Outside of the flowers he’d sent on her first day telecommuting, she hadn’t heard from him.

  He took a seat in one of the chairs facing her desk and crossed his right ankle over his left knee. “I know you’re probably busy, so I’ll make this quick.”

  It was no secret she and David only tolerated one another because they had to work together. Dallas found him to be shallow, selfish, and extremely arrogant. All the qualities she hated in a man. Her face burned as her thoughts went to Mark, who possessed similar qualities.

  “Looks like William will be out of the country for another two to three weeks.”

  “Yes, I talked with him today. He told me his brother’s surgery went well, but that he’d planned to stay a little longer.”

  “Yeah, I told him to take as long as he needed. Also, I’m not sure if Bianca mentioned to you, but I misplaced some papers that I might’ve left in one of your client’s files. I was so busy working on several things at once I think I might have misfiled them.”

  I just bet you did. “Yes, she did mention it to me. I looked through the files the other day, and I didn’t notice anything out of place. But you’re welcome to go through them yourself. They’re on the table over there.” She pointed to the round meeting table in the corner of the spacious office. When Dallas looked back at David, she noticed him fidgeting in his seat and beads of sweat laced his eyebrows. He pulled on the collar of his shirt and loosened his tie. “Dave, are you okay? You don’t look so good.”

  He placed his feet on the floor and stood. “I’m fine.” He snapped. “I’ll take the files and go through them. I should have them back to you in a couple of hours.”

  “No problem. I won’t need them for the rest of the day.” Dallas watched him gather the files and make a hasty exit.

  David, I know you’re up to something, and I’m going to find out what.

  ****

  Fourplay, one of Tyler’s favorite jazz groups played through the speakers of his favorite barbershop. The ten-chair establishment held a professional vibe that appealed to a vast clientele, including players from the Milwaukee Bucks. Unlike some shops, offensive rap music would never be heard in this place. The owner, one of his best friends, favored jazz and at times, some old school R & B, which often had the barbers and customers singing along to familiar favorites. Though Tyler kept busy with all aspects of real estate, as well as other ventures, he often made time to stop by and hang out with the fellas at the shop.

  “You want a shave today?” Craig asked.

  “Nah, I’m good. I need to head out after you finish my cut.”

  “Okay, but do you have time for us to talk? Remember I told you about a business idea I wanted to run by you?”

  “Oh yeah, I do.”

  “Well I was hoping we could do it today. It’ll only take about fifteen or twenty minutes, tops.”

  “No problem. Sorry it’s taken me so long to get back with you on that. I’m curious to hear your idea.”

  Even with the music bumping, Tyler heard the door chime, announcing that someone had just entered the shop. He glanced at the door as the barber finished lining him up, and his surprised expression quickly surrendered to rage. The last person he wanted to see walked over to the chair like he owned the place.

  “What do you want?” Tyler barked.

  Mark seemed unfazed by Tyler’s rude greeting. “What’s up Hollister?” he asked before giving his attention to the person cutting Tyler’s hair. “I was told this is the best place to come f
or a haircut. Can you squeeze me in?”

  Tyler turned in his seat and made eye contact with the barber.

  “Sorry, man. I’m booked for the rest of the day,” Craig said.

  Mark shrugged and directed his attention back to Tyler. “Hollister, can I talk to you when you’re done?”

  “We don’t have anything to talk about.”

  With the cockiness Tyler had grown to hate, Mark said, “Actually we do. It’ll probably be better if we talk outside.”

  Tyler wondered what they could possibly have to talk about, but noticed the attention they were getting from the barbers and some of the patrons. His coldness towards Mark hadn’t gone unnoticed. The fellas and their customers who knew him were probably shocked at the way he had spoken to Mark, but Tyler didn’t like the guy and had no intention of pretending he did.

  He waited until Craig removed the cape from around his neck and brushed him off.

  “You a’right Ty?” Craig asked.

  “I’m cool. Be right back.” His long strides carried him outside and away from the shop windows. In case he decided to punch Mark, he didn’t want any witnesses. “Okay, what do you want?”

  “Dallas,” Mark said without hesitation.

  Tyler stared the man down. He had Mark by at least four inches and easily thirty pounds, but apparently Mark wasn’t intimidated by that fact. Maybe he was just arrogant, no, stupid would be more like it. What else could he call a man, bold enough to step to another man, and tell him he wanted the woman he loved more than life?

  Tyler closed in on him and in a hard, ruthless voice asked, “What makes you think you can have her?” It took everything he had not to wipe the smug, condescending look off Mark’s face.

  Mark put some distance between them and for the first time since arriving looked uncomfortable, but not defeated.

  “Hey, I’m gonna be straight with you. Since I found out you and Dallas aren’t married, I figured; why not go after what I want? We were once very good together and I’m sure it wouldn’t be hard to pick up where we left—”