Caught Up In You

by Jules Bennett

  She also wanted to know how Braxton was acting. He was obviously hurting if he was being a jerk. And if he was hurting, why didn’t he talk to her so they could work this out?

  “I’ll go first,” Macy chimed in. “I’ll keep it short and simple. I’ve been interested in a guy for a while—”

  “Liam,” Sophie interrupted. “Don’t be so veiled about it. Carry on.”

  A spoon clanged against the side of a bowl and Cora dug in for another bite herself. So Macy had a thing for the quiet, mysterious Monroe brother. Interesting. Those men were something, that was for sure. And right now, Sophie seemed to be the only one who was happy with one of the frustrating men—granted she’d had to struggle through a decade of heartache to get to this point. Cora didn’t think she had the energy to fight that long.

  “He refuses to give me the time of day,” Macy went on, not denying the fact she had a thing for Liam. “So I go on with my life, because I’m not sitting around and waiting for him to wake up. So this guy I’ve dated a couple times lately ends up being a total control freak. We were set to go out tonight and when he showed up to get me, he told me to change. Told me, not asked. Of course, if he’d asked I still would’ve said no.”

  “Why did he want you to change?” Cora asked around a bite of gooey marshmallow.

  “He claimed other guys would look at me because my top was too revealing.”

  “Men look at boobs through a turtleneck,” Sophie replied. “They see a woman, they zero in on boobs. It doesn’t matter what you wear.”

  “Yeah, well, I told him I didn’t feel like going out tonight and that I didn’t think it would work out.”

  Cora scraped her spoon around her bowl, sad to find she’d already eaten the last bite. “I’m going to need more ice cream before I get into my mess.”

  “I’ll get it,” Sophie said as she scooted her chair against the wood floor. “So, Macy, now that you’re done with this guy, are you going to make a play for Liam?”

  “I’ve tried to talk to him, tried to flirt even, but he just pushes me away. He doesn’t even act like we’re friends sometimes.”

  The pain in Macy’s voice hurt Cora. It was clear this woman had feelings for Liam, but why was he keeping her at a distance?

  “I’m new here, so I don’t know all of the logistics here, but did you and Liam date in the past? I mean, if he’s purposely keeping you at a distance, it sounds like he has feelings but he doesn’t want them. Does that make sense?”

  Macy laughed. “Oh, does it ever make sense. We never dated. I was interested in him in school, but I was so tied up with softball and then I got a scholarship and went away to college. When he was in the accident with Zach and Sophie, that was about the time I had to come home because my mom died unexpectedly.”

  Cora’s bowl clanged on the table in front of her. “Double serving this time,” Sophie whispered.

  “After my mom’s death, I stayed and helped Dad with the store. I tried to visit Liam, but he didn’t want to see me and then he moved to Atlanta. Over the past several years he rarely came home, until Chelsea’s death and the renovating of the estate.”

  “He’s going to be here for a while,” Sophie added. “He’s going to be the chef at Bella Vous since ours quit.”

  “What?” Macy’s question came out as a gasp. “He’s staying? But, he’s avoided this town for so long and . . . oh, no.”

  “What?” Cora asked.

  A loud sigh filled the room. “He texted me about renting the room above the hardware store. I didn’t know it would be for him, but if he’s coming back, then I guess that’s who it would be for.”

  “Looks like you may get that opportunity after all,” Sophie said softly, a smile and a little naughty to her tone.

  “I can’t even think about him being that close to me. He’ll ignore me and that will only hurt more. Damn it. I’m going to need a double serving, too, Soph.”

  “Coming right up.”

  “I can’t discuss Liam anymore. You want to go, Cora, or should we just finish off this carton of ice cream and discuss something neutral like the weather or the holidays?”

  Cora attempted a smile, but she just wasn’t feeling happy. “Honestly, if Braxton is angry or not acting right it’s completely my fault. I kept something from him, but it was personal. I didn’t expect to be so swept away by him. Everything happened so fast and I just went along for the ride.”

  “You don’t have to tell us what it is,” Sophie stated, setting back down at the table. “But I’m sure you know he was lied to by his ex-fiancée, right?”

  Cora nodded, the lump of guilt growing thicker in her throat. “Yeah, he told me all about her. Which is why I know I hurt him. But I had my reasons and he doesn’t believe they were completely innocent.”

  “If you want to tell us what happened, it won’t leave this room,” Macy promised. “But if it’s too personal, then we understand.”

  Cora chewed her ice cream and contemplated how to even begin her story. There was so much that happened in such a short time, she was still spinning. She gave them the shortened version of her life before she came to Haven, then went on to explain her need for freedom, to break away from the corporate world and the lifestyle molded just for her. She expressed her concerns about getting involved with Braxton, but the man was impossible to resist.

  “So, you’re seriously an heiress to a chocolate company?” Macy asked. “You are honestly the coolest person I know.”

  “I find that only slightly offensive,” Sophie chimed in. “But since that is pretty damn cool, I’m going to agree.”

  Cora shook her head and pushed her bowl away. “I promise, that life isn’t eating chocolate and sipping wine all day. It’s hard work and your life revolves around business meetings, traveling, marketing, spreadsheets, quarterly reports. The boring list is absolutely endless.”

  “So when you lost your sight, your parents thought you needed a keeper?” Macy asked.

  “Pretty much. I wasn’t in love with Eric to begin with, we were more compatible in the boardroom and looked good on paper. But after the accident, when we knew blindness was inevitable, all of a sudden Eric wanted a ring on my finger and so did my parents. That’s when I realized I’d been living for them all along and everything in my life was theirs. I had nothing of my own. Not one aspect of my life was happy because I hadn’t chosen a thing.”

  Silence filled the room and Cora wasn’t sure what the other ladies were thinking.

  “I really hope I didn’t come across as a spoiled brat,” she went on, suddenly nervous. “I know I have everything at my disposal, but money truly can’t buy happiness. I don’t even care about the money, not with what all comes with it.”

  “I’m still processing all of this,” Sophie said. “It’s hard to like you when you have all the money and chocolate a woman could ever want, but I love you so I’m trying to see your struggle.”

  Cora laughed, she couldn’t help it. “Thanks, I think.”

  “I admire you,” Macy said. “I gave up everything I wanted for my family, but I wouldn’t change it. You’ve put your entire life on hold for your family and you’re finally going after what you want. I think you’re making the right move.”

  For some reason Macy’s words comforted Cora. She hadn’t realized how much she wanted someone to see her point of view, how much she wanted someone to understand that this wasn’t an easy decision for her.

  “Has Braxton . . . you know, has he said anything?”

  Could she sound any more like a high school girl trying to find the dirt on her ex? But she couldn’t resist asking, she was human. She was brokenhearted and sick that she’d hurt someone she cared so deeply for . . . someone she’d come to love.

  “I almost hate to tell you, but he hasn’t said anything.” Sophie delivered the words with regret in her voice and almost a sadness. “He’s been quiet, keeping to himself more than I’ve seen from him.”

  Cora swallowed, hating the quest
ion she was about to ask, but she couldn’t resist. “Was he like this after his breakup with Anna?”

  “He was angry,” Sophie replied. “He was flat-out mad and suddenly he was acting completely unlike himself. He started drinking, nothing major but definitely more than the norm. Then he’d go missing for a day or two at a time. We figured out he was . . . um . . .”

  Cora offered a smile. “I know what he was doing. He told me what happened after Anna.”

  Heidi’s fur brushed against the side of Cora’s leg. Cora reached down to pat her faithful friend, loving how the dog sensed the emotional pain.

  “That time he was angry because he felt like he’d been played for a fool,” Sophie added. “But this time he’s like an injured animal slinking away to lick his wounds.”

  Cora closed her eyes and blew out a breath. “Is all the ice cream gone?”

  “Yeah. We pounded that carton in about ten minutes.”

  Flattening her hands on the table, Cora pushed away. “Then let’s go have a movie marathon. You guys up for it?”

  Silence and then she realized how that had sounded.

  “I still enjoy movies,” she laughed. “I just listen to them. And if they’re ones I’ve already seen, then I already know what’s happening.”

  “Are you sure?” Macy asked. “I feel like we steamrolled right into your house.”

  “Please, I was getting so sick of hearing myself whine and my Christmas shopping is done so I’ve been online shopping for myself. I need a break from me.”

  When an arm slid around her shoulders, Cora jumped.

  “Sorry,” Sophie said, still hugging her from the side. “I just wanted to tell you that Braxton will come around. He just needs some time to process how special you are and how you didn’t mean to deceive him. He was just blindsided, that’s all.”

  Cora nodded, willing the burn in her throat to go away. She didn’t deserve to cry, not when she’d done this to herself.

  “Let’s go watch something ridiculous and funny,” she said.

  “Sounds good.” Macy’s chair scooted against the floor. “So, would you happen to have any chocolate around here anywhere?”

  “Macy,” Sophie scolded at the same time Cora groaned.

  “What? It’s a legitimate question.”

  Cora shook her head. “No, sorry. I’ve had my fill for a while. I have potato chips and popcorn. Will any of that work? Oh, and I have wine.”

  “Yes,” Macy replied.

  “Yes to which one?”

  “All of it,” Macy laughed. “Bring it all. Let’s binge on crap food and funny movies.”

  “I’m game,” Cora replied, suddenly thrilled that these two crashed her pity party.

  “What about you, Sophie?” Macy asked. “You’re in a disgustingly happy relationship. You able to stick around?”

  “I can always use some girl time,” Sophie replied. “I think Brock and Zach are having some male-bonding time tonight anyway. Zach’s been trying to kiss and make up to Brock since the car accident when he overreacted.”

  “Then let’s grab the necessities and head into the living room,” Cora suggested. “I have nothing to do tomorrow. Stay as late as you like.”

  Maybe then her house wouldn’t feel so lonely. Braxton had only been in it a handful of times, but she still hated being here without him now. He’d filled every room. When she smelled the tree she instantly thought of his kindness, when she went into her bedroom . . . well, that was impossible not to picture him there.

  He was everywhere. Now she just had to figure out how to fix the damage she’d done. She hadn’t come this far in her journey to give up the one amazing thing that had happened to her.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Braxton sipped his drink and half listened to Zach. The open house was set to start in an hour and everything was in place. Christmas trees were lit up in every room, fresh garland was wrapped around the thick banister curving up the steps, wreaths were on every single window, and a few even hung on mirrors on the inside. Classy white candles on pewter candlesticks adorned the mantel in the main living area. There wasn’t a stationary item that didn’t have a decoration of some sort. But instead of being tacky, the place looked like something from a magazine. Sophie had seriously outdone herself and Zach owed her a huge apology for doubting her and giving her a hard time. If all of this had been left up to Liam, Zach, and Braxton, they may have thrown a tree in the living area and called it a day.

  The food, though, was definitely something that was going to be a huge hit. Liam wouldn’t settle for anything less than the best. He was currently setting out an insane assortment of finger foods and pastries. Everything was magical and perfect and exactly how Chelsea would’ve wanted it.

  But Braxton couldn’t take his eyes off Cora, who had entered the room exactly three minutes ago. For the last three minutes Zach had sounded like the teacher from The Peanuts.

  “And then I won the lottery.”

  Braxton jerked around. “What the hell?”

  Zach almost cracked a smile. “I’ve been saying shit since you spotted Cora and the lottery got your attention. I also told you I had a sex change, so apparently that isn’t as exciting for you.”

  Braxton took another sip of his bourbon. “You’re an ass. What do you want?”

  “For you to go talk to her or quit sulking. We have a lot riding on this and the last thing people need to see when coming in the door is your pissy face.”

  Braxton downed the rest of the bourbon, welcoming the burn. “I’ll talk to her when I’m ready and it’s none of your concern. Don’t you have a fiancée to annoy?”

  “I like her,” Zach stated with a shrug. “Even if she did make me wear a suit. I’d rather annoy you.”

  Across the room Cora moved gracefully, elegantly. That upbringing of hers was embedded so deep within her. She was a damn millionaire, yet here she was wanting to work as a masseuse and live on her own, out from under the thumb of her controlling parents.

  Braxton wished like hell he knew what to do with all of these emotions. When Anna had cheated on him and informed him she was calling off the engagement, Braxton had hated how he’d been played and how foolish he looked being the second guy in her life. He’d vowed from that moment on to never be a fool again.

  Yet here he stood, staring at the one woman whom he actually loved, the woman he couldn’t get out of his mind. She’d wedged herself so deep, he knew she would be part of him forever.

  But she hadn’t trusted him enough to say who she was initially. There had been ample time to come clean. Had she been embarrassed by him? Had she thought her parents wouldn’t approve? Just because she wanted to start a new life didn’t mean she wouldn’t revert back to her old one. She may want to work now, but what about six months from now, a year? Would she find it so easy to be out on her own, away from the only life she’d known?

  “Either talk to her or get outside for some air and cool off before guests arrive.” Zach snatched the empty glass from Braxton’s hand. “Do it now or Liam and I will kick your ass.”

  “You and Liam teaming up together? Not likely.”

  Zach muttered and walked away, but Braxton’s eyes were still on Cora. The fitted sapphire-blue dress was stunning. With her long, auburn hair tumbling down her back, Braxton fisted his hands at his side and tried to rein in his emotions. His control had been utterly shredded and he had no clue how to piece it all back together.

  All he knew right this minute was that he couldn’t keep his hands off her another second. With his sight set on her, he marched across the room. She was talking with the new beautician, laughing and totally oblivious to his presence, which pissed him off. How could she be so happy when he was so . . . not?

  And how selfish did that make him that he wanted her to be unhappy simply because he was? Damn it, this love thing seriously screwed with all common sense.

  “Excuse me,” he interrupted. He patted Heidi on the head and shot a smile at the newest staff
member who had only been hired last week. “Would you excuse us for a moment?”

  Haley nodded and returned his smile. “Of course.”

  Apparently, she wasn’t picking up on the tension as she turned on her heel and walked away.

  Cora blinked in his direction, her knuckles tightening on Heidi’s collar. “Braxton.”

  He reached for her arm, careful not to grip too tight. “Come with me.”

  When he started to move away, he was met with resistance.

  “I’m fine here,” she told him, stubborn chin lifted in defiance.

  “I want to talk before people arrive and I want privacy.”

  Turning her head slightly, Cora sniffed. “Well, you could’ve stopped by my house any day in the last week since you left. Plenty of privacy there.”

  Raking a hand through his hair and keeping his hold on her, Braxton blew out a breath and attempted to count backward from twenty . . . he made it to nineteen. Why did this have to be so damn complicated? Couldn’t he want a woman who was passive, smiled and nodded, went along with everything he said, and was completely honest? No, he’d chosen the woman who had the ability to crush him in ways he’d never known possible and he wanted more.

  “We’re talking now. You want to do it where everyone can hear?”

  The muscle clenched in her jaw and he knew she was biting back her words. “Fine.”

  He led her from the room, ignoring the glances from Zach and Sophie. Whatever they thought was none of his concern and he honestly didn’t give a damn. All he wanted was to . . . hell, he didn’t know. He knew he wanted to be with her, touch her, taste her. It had been too damn long. The time gap between them had seemed like an eternity and for once in many months, he didn’t even think of another woman. There was nobody else. Yes, she’d lied to him. Yes, he was furious. But damn if he didn’t still want her. There was no shutting off that emotion or desire. If anything, the absence only made him ache more.

  “Where are we going?” she asked as they traveled through the hallway.

  He didn’t say a word as he led her into her own room where she’d be working. Once inside, he pulled the double doors closed. The click of the lock sliding home seemed to echo through the room.