“I’m here now, Sharma. Don’t mind Doug. You know him, he gets bored and feels the need to counsel anyone who calls. You should’ve heard him yesterday when Trent called.”
“Oh, that must’ve gone over well.” Trent hated being questioned. Sharma could only picture how being analyzed went.
Rose’s laugh was a wonderful sound. “You sure know my big brother. But you know what was strange? Doug said Trent called, asking about you. And today you call. Don’t you find that odd?”
“Trent is asking about me? Was he checking again on when I’m going to return to Marpe-Agape?”
“Doug wouldn’t say.”
Sharma had no idea why Trent would ask about her otherwise. She would give him a call after work to find out. But for now she needed to get back to why she called Rose in the first place. The coffee line wasn’t going to last forever and soon she’d be at work. There was no way could she have this conversation there.
“Rose, I met someone, and I’m not sure what to do.”
“Really? Tell more. Who is he? Where did you meet?”
Sharma could hear Rose’s excitement. It was almost too funny. She must be full of new mother hormones. “Okay. Nothing has happened. We only met a few days ago.”
“Well, you sound like you want something to happen.”
Sharma wasn’t sure calling was such a good idea anymore. She wanted advice, not someone telling her what she already knew. “Rose, it’s not about that. He’s amazing. I really like him. Besides being absolutely gorgeous, he makes me laugh, and he’s romantic and kind and protective.”
“Well, what’s the problem then?”
“I’m not sure I’m ready for a relationship again.”
“Sharma, it’s been seven years since your husband died. It’s okay to find someone, find love again.”
“I know it’s crazy, but there is something scary about starting over. Hold please while I order.” She approached the speaker to place her order. “Hi, can I have a hot coffee, extra cream and extra sugar. And, oh, one of your jelly and whip cream filled donuts.” Some people went to ice cream or cake. Sharma needed that donut.
“Sorry, but we’re all out of those donuts today.”
Well, that’s not the way to start my day. “I might have to settle for a good cry.” Sharma couldn’t believe she said that out loud. She pulled her car forward, waiting in line to pick up her coffee.
“Are you okay, Sharma? Cause that was just a donut.”
“Not just a donut. I mean this donut is amazing. I call it my ‘better than sex’ donut.”
Rose laughed. “I don’t think they make a donut that good.”
Sharma had to chuckle. “Rose, I haven’t had sex since my husband died.”
“You mean no sex in seven years?”
“When you say it like that it sounds so . . . long.” This was a lot more sharing than she expected to do this morning. All she wanted was some advice on what to do about Cole. Not how to handle her sexual frustration. At least this conversation was only between the two of them.
“No wonder you need that donut.”
“That donut is amazing, but it’s been seven long lonely years without sex, and I’m telling you, Rose, when I do have sex again it sure as heck better blow away this donut.” Sharma got to the window and the cashier had tears rolling down her cheeks. “Miss, are you okay?”
The woman nodded, wiped her face, and held her stomach. “I’m fine,” she choked out between gasps for air.
There was another girl behind this cashier. She was grinning from ear to ear and seemed to be trying to get a good look at Sharma. “Is there a problem?”
“Not one we can fix,” the first woman said, practically doubling over.
The second woman said, “Sorry. We heard you.”
Heard me? There was no way that happened. She wasn’t near the microphone at all when she shared those embarrassing details about her personal life. “From when?”
“When you said you could cry because we didn’t have your donut.”
That’s so bad. “Oh okay. I really like that donut.”
“And I think you really need that donut too,” the first woman said, tears now pouring down her face. “Seven years? Really? Why?”
Sharma wanted to die. The most private thing in her life just got announced on the speaker at her favorite donut shop. This is worse than throwing ice down your pants to cool things off. Way to go, Sharma.
She reached out and took her coffee. Then pulled out two twenty dollar bills and handed them to the woman.
“What is this?”
Sharma, still beet red in the face, said, “Call it hush money because I really love coming here.”
The woman tried to hand the money back saying, “You brightened my day. And from now on, I’ll hold a jelly and whip cream donut to the side just for you.”
Sharma put the car in gear and drove away. Not only did she feel like an outsider here, now she felt like a desperate one too. I need to move. “Oh God, I could die.”
“Well, there is a way to fix this.”
She’d forgotten all about Rose being on the phone. Really? Can it get any worse? “And how is that?”
“I think you need to call your new friend.”
She absolutely loved Rose and her positive energy. Everything seemed to be so easy for her. That’s not the way it was for Sharma. “Cole’s gone away on business.”
“When he picks up the phone, tell him how much you miss him and you know, flirt. Show him you’re interested in being more than just friends.”
She’d tried that last night. He wasn’t buying it. Maybe all he wanted was a casual date, nothing more. But he kissed me like he was giving me a taste of what could be, and that’s what got me all hot and bothered. “We haven’t known each other that long.”
“But?”
Darn her. She’s using my tactics. “But I really like him a lot. From the minute I saw him, it was like I knew him. He was so familiar, yet I don’t even know his last name. How can I even consider taking him to my bed when I don’t know what he does for a living? What if he’s a criminal or something?”
“Do you really think that’s possible?”
“No.” Deep inside she could feel he was a good man.
“I’m glad you’re talking to me and not to Doug or the others. They’d be hounding you and probably send a chopper to snatch you and bring you to Marpe-Agape.”
Sharma didn’t doubt that for a minute. “And you wouldn’t? Why?”
“Sharma, you were right about Doug and me. I’d been filled with so much doubt and fear, and you helped me see that love trumps them all. So now I challenge you to take your own advice. Look at this man not through your eyes, but through your soul. If he truly is the one for you, you’ll know it. And embrace it.”
“But that’s not what I had planned for my future.”
Rose laughed. “Your future can be rewritten. You’re a registered nurse. I know you wanted to come back to Marpe-Agape and work here. But that might not be the journey you’re meant for. Open your heart to new possibilities. You might be surprised at what you find.”
Sharma pulled into the hospital parking lot. The emergency room sign flashed as always. She knew this wasn’t where she wanted to be, but could Rose be right? Was there someplace other than Marpe-Agape waiting for her? Guess there’s only one way to find out.
“Thanks Rose. I really needed to talk to you this morning.”
“Sounds like you need more than just a talking to, but I’m glad I could be some help. Now call that man before you chicken out. Love you.”
“Love you too, Rose.”
She sat in the parking lot for a few minutes, debating if she should call Cole. That would be too awkward, and she knew he was away on business. If he was in a meeting she’d hate to disturb him with something stupid. Texting is good. Quick and easy.
Pulling up his number, she typed: “Missing you.” Short, sweet, and to the point. She couldn’t help
but wish for an instant reply. The words “miss you too” would make her day. But nothing came. She looked at the clock and realized she was late for work. This was the first time ever. She got out of her car and slowly made her way inside. She had absolutely no motivation. Rose had given her more than she bargained for. Instead of going right to the time clock to punch in, she headed to human resources. Once inside she spoke to the manager and gave her two weeks’ notice. He seemed surprised but took her resignation. When she left the office, she felt a weight lift off her shoulders. She did her job well but didn’t belong here. She’d saved enough money to support herself until she found what was right.
Before she started her shift she pulled her phone out of her pocket one last time. Her heart sank as her messages were still blank. Trust and believe. This will all work out.
Cole was on his jet when he received her text message. He wanted to tell the pilot to turn around and head back, but he was almost at his destination. After holding her in his arms and kissing her last night, he couldn’t sleep. So he did what he thought best and took off long before the sun rose.
He had to admit, knowing she was missing him made him feel good. They were simple words he’d received from numerous women before. But those meant they were missing what he could give them. Money and luxury. Sharma wasn’t about either. Hell, he swore she thought he rented that limo. When he looked in her eyes he saw something so pure it scared him. She was the real deal. So was he, but not in a good way. All the goodness and kindness within her was matched by his hard, cold heart.
That’s why he couldn’t take what she was offering him last night. If he had, she’d only hate him when she found out who he was. The man who everyone in Quinton hates. No matter how he was drawn to her, there was no way he was going to walk away from a multi-million-dollar deal just to put a smile on her face.
Therein laid his problem. If he was there and she asked him, he wasn’t so sure he could refuse. He knew he was a tyrant, yet the sound of her voice or the look in her eyes calmed him. When the parking attendant became smart-mouthed, Cole not only would’ve ripped him a new one, he also would’ve had him fired in the blink of an eye. It’s who I am. I’m like Trent Davis before he got married and had a family. I don’t want to lose my edge like he did.
He hated thinking of her in that light. But she was able to mess with him in a way no one else could. Even the fact that he didn’t leave yesterday just so he could keep their date showed the power she held. And she probably doesn’t have a clue.
That’s the way he wanted to leave it. Sharma could go on with her life and he with his. The next time he set foot in Quinton it would be for the grand opening of the casino and not a moment before.
The plane touched down, and the pilot let him know he could remove his seatbelt. When Cole stood up his cell phone flipped from his lap and crashed to the floor. When he picked it up her text message was lit up on the screen. Missing you. It was the last thing he wanted to think about, but the truth was she was all he’d been thinking of since they met a few days earlier. Fuck.
The door opened and the stairs were there. All he needed to do was depart the jet. Looking at her message one more time he thought about what tomorrow would be like. It was easy. It’d be like it always had been. He’d work hard and spend his time with women who meant nothing to him. The conversations would hold no interest, and the next day would be a replay with someone new.
The pilot stood by the door and asked, “Is there something you need, Mr. Wright?”
So much was running through his mind. He had an appointment to meet with a lawyer regarding a new deal. It should’ve taken place yesterday. Blowing it off again today would be a major mistake. Deals like this didn’t come along every day.
Cole slipped the phone in the breast pocket of his coat. “I need you to fuel up and head back to Quinton.”
“Now?” the pilot asked with a surprised look on his face.
“Yes.” Cole walked back to his seat in the cabin. It was done. He’d made his decision and hopefully when he saw her again he could make her understand why he did what he did. Like not going into her place and why she didn’t even seem upset when he didn’t. If she chose not to forgive him, he’d have to accept that. But I’m not giving up without a fight.
He couldn’t let this location slip through his fingers like that. Jeffery was neck deep in the current project. Cole knew time was of the essence and someone else was going to scoop it up if he didn’t act quickly.
Pulling his phone back out, he called Trent for the second time that week. If he was going to walk away from this, he wanted it to go to someone who’d see the potential like he did. The next hour was spent on the phone with Trent and their lawyers. Overall, it was a good business decision. It was going to take some time to iron out the final details.
If only the rest of his day would run as smoothly, he’d be happy. He still needed to figure out how he was going to explain to Sharma why he never told her why he was in Quinton. Somehow that seemed to be a lot more difficult than that call with Trent. Maybe because she’s the once in a lifetime.
Chapter Five
Sharma had been able to avoid personal conversations with everyone until Tina came on her shift. “You’re not leaving right away, are you?”
“I was hoping to, why?”
“Because there are a few things I think we need to talk about.”
Sharma wasn’t in the mood to hear any more complaints about the new casino. That was old news as far as she was concerned. “Tina, it was a rough shift today, and I’m really tired. Maybe we can talk another time?”
Tina grabbed Sharma by the arm and pulled her into an empty examination room. “It can’t wait.”
Obviously. She could tell Tina was aggravated about something. She knew the news about her leaving the hospital had spread quickly, but no one had blinked an eye. Not even the human resource department. She would’ve liked someone to say she’d be missed even a little bit, but that wasn’t the case. From the look on Tina’s face those weren’t the words that were about to be said either.
“Okay. What is so darn important?”
“Like you don’t know.” Tina stood with her arms crossed. “How could you do this to me? To us?”
“Tina, you know I don’t belong here. I didn’t think you or anyone else would care if I left.”
“Trust me, they don’t. I kind of do. Or at least did till last night.”
Last night? That made no sense. Sharma hadn’t even thought about giving her resignation until the ride into work. “It might be exhaustion, but I’m not following you.”
“Yeah, I’m sure you’re tired after being out all night long with the enemy.”
“What on earth are you talking about? I was out on a date, not that it’s any of your business.”
“And how long have you been seeing him?” Tina glared at her and Sharma was really sick and tired of this game.
“My personal life is none of your business,” Sharma warned in a sharp tone that even surprised her.
“There is nothing personal when it comes to Mr. Wright.”
“And what exactly does he have to do with me?”
Tina arched a brow. “Oh please. Don’t even pretend you didn’t feed him information about what actions we were taking to prevent his building the casino.”
“I thought you were for the casino.”
“I am. I mean I was until I saw you. Then all I felt was pissed. I felt betrayed by you. You come across as such a wonderful caring person. The truth is, you lied and manipulated us. You’re worse than some of the riffraff that get brought in here.”
Wow. That’s harsh. That blew her mind. She knew she needed to calm Tina down a bit to get to the bottom of her irrational accusations. “Tina, I care about you and all the staff here. If you choose to question that, I can’t defend myself. However I am not nor ever have been a liar.”
“Then how do you explain being all over him last night.”
“
You mean Cole?”
“Yes Cole. Or is there more than one that you are. . . .involved with?”
“As I said before, my personal life is none of your business.” She was embarrassed that her public display had been witnessed by a coworker. But then again she was more heartbroken that Cole never responded to her. “What I do and with whom on my own time should not concern you or anyone else. Now I’m going home.” Alone.
She brushed passed Tina and walked out of the ER. Sharma wasn’t truly looking forward to being in her apartment tonight either, and a walk in the park was only going to remind her of Cole. There didn’t seem to be any running away from her feelings, her attraction to him. She’d done everything she could to show him she was interested.
When she walked into her apartment she stripped off her uniform and hopped into a hot shower. She hadn’t been lying to Tina when she said it had been a difficult day in the ER. There was a man who’d been stung by a nest of yellow jackets while apple picking in a local orchard. No one had known, including his family, that he was deathly allergic. They did everything they could, but it was too late. He was gone. The look on his wife’s face when the doctor called time of death still shook her. It was something you never got used to.
The hot water beat down on her arching bones but did nothing to ease the pain in her heart. Every cell in her body was crying out to be held. Not just by anyone, but by Cole. He’d touched her heart, made her feel again in a way she never thought possible. She wanted to call him, hear his voice, and tell him she needed him. It wouldn’t matter. He’d never replied to her text, why believe he’d pick up her call? Cole, what did I do to make you not talk to me?
It’d be easier if he’d told her last night he didn’t feel anything for her. Ghosting her like this wasn’t cool. Actually it hurt even more. Tears started to stream down her cheeks. It’s hard when the only person who can make you feel better is also the reason you cry.
She could hear her cell phone ringing and her heart leaped. Cole? Getting out quickly she wrapped a towel around herself and picked it up without even looking at the caller ID. “Hello.”
The Billionaires Treat: Betting On You Series Novella: Book 7 Page 5