“Come on,” Morgan said, jumping off the wall. “Let’s go shopping. I know a boutique that is perfect for you. Plus, if we’re here any longer, Mrs. Polson will probably have the BPPD drive by just to make sure I’m okay.”
Indi laughed. “What do you mean by ‘perfect for me’?”
“Look at you.”
Indi stared down at her ankle boots, jeans, and Aztec-print poncho. “Yeah?”
“You have this genuine boho chic vibe. Exotic, ethereal, but strong. You’d overpower a beige silk sheath. We need to find a dress that’s worthy of you.” She bumped Indi’s shoulder with her own. “One that will make Mike’s eyes bulge out of his head.”
“There’s nothing between your brother and me!”
That’s it, baby. Come for me. Show me how good it feels.
“You keep telling yourself that.”
Chapter Eighteen
WHEN SKYLAR’S PICTURE flashed across Mike’s cell phone screen during golf on Saturday morning, relief lightened the ever-present cache of tension hugging his shoulders. He hadn’t stopped reaching out to her since the picture of him and Indi went viral, but she hadn’t answered his texts or returned his calls. There was the possibility her distance could be explained by a hectic work schedule, but he knew that wasn’t the reason.
She’d been hurt by what she’d seen and he couldn’t blame her. That’s why they needed to talk.
But it didn’t mean he looked forward to doing what had to be done.
He waved off Robert and the other members of their foursome and—ignoring his father’s pinched expression—answered the phone.
“Who is she?” Skylar’s voice was cool and direct.
He shouldn’t have expected anything less.
He wouldn’t insult her intelligence—or his—by pretending not to know to whom she was referring. He strode away from the midmorning crowd converging on the clubhouse’s patio and headed to a private gazebo bordered by a small pond. It was a breathtaking location, seen in photos of hundreds of weddings the club had hosted over the years.
Ironic.
“She’s Chelsea’s sister. Her name is India Shaw.”
“Did you meet her at the wedding?”
“No. I met her for the first time at their engagement party.”
“But you’ve slept together?”
He stroked his brow, wishing it was that easy to smooth over this situation. He owed Skylar this discussion, but he didn’t intend to get into salacious details.
“You and I weren’t together when it happened.”
“But we’re together now.” For the first time, a note of ire spiced her tone.
He shoved a hand into his pocket. “We don’t need to do this over the phone. We can talk when you get back.”
“We need to settle this. I have another week of meetings here in New York and this picture and the questions it invokes are an unwelcome distraction. Are you still involved with her?”
“Not in the way you’re probably envisioning, but yes.”
“I don’t need to imagine anything. I saw the picture.”
Had he done this before, broken off a relationship? He must have and yet he couldn’t remember it being this difficult, though he knew he was doing the right thing. He dropped onto the bench, removed his sunglasses, and inserted the stem into the collar of his shirt.
“This isn’t going to work out, is it?” Skylar quietly asked.
“No.” If there were a silver lining, it would be that he hadn’t proposed to her. Breaking an engagement would’ve been worse.
“That’s a shame. I think we would’ve made a hell of a team.”
He agreed and that was the problem. They’d both approached their relationship as another business opportunity. They’d taken turns canceling their dates if more pressing work matters came up. And when they did get together, they’d been strategic in choosing the right venues, to maximize the benefits to their respective companies.
Nothing about Indi’s arrival into his life had been convenient and yet he’d made time for her. Being with her emphasized the enjoyment, the happiness, and the fun that had been missing with Skylar.
“You don’t need me to tell you this: you’re a fantastic woman. You’re smart, beautiful, successful. The perfect catch, just not for me.”
“You’re right, I don’t need you to tell me.” A slight pause. “But it’s nice to hear.”
His gaze darted over the golf course, noting the contrasting light and dark green lines mowed into the fairway from the tee to the putting green. Now the question he needed to ask, but, considering what he’d just done . . .
Ah, hell.
However, before the universe could brand him a grade-A son of a bitch, she said, “I’ll talk to Dad about the OTTo deal.”
“Are you going to support the deal or advise against it?”
He was prepared for either outcome. If Skylar and her father decided not to proceed with the deal Mike had offered, he’d simply explore other options. The noncompete clause in the contract Franklin Thompson had signed when they’d toured the Industrial Design Lab applied only to TTL approaching another tech company. It had no effect on Computronix’s ability to seek out an alternate cable media conglomerate.
“Would it change the status of our relationship?” she asked.
What the fuck? He’d considered the notion she’d reject the idea of them working together, but to use the deal to force him to remain in the relationship? “No.”
“That’s what I figured.” She sighed. “Your offer is a good one and I’m excited about the prospect of being first in this new arena. He may be reluctant because of the change in our situation, but I’ll advise him to accept it.”
Something she said bothered him, but the billow of gratitude filling his chest engulfed that small displeasure. He exhaled. “Thank you.”
“Give me a few weeks to complete our work here and put together the team who’ll be working on the project. We’ll be in touch.”
His company would assemble its own group whose job it would be to work with their TTL counterpart on the logistics of the project and bring it to fruition. From start to finish, it could be a couple of years before Computronix and TTL were ready to announce the joint venture. Hopefully, enough time would have passed that when he and Skylar needed to interact, they could do so without tension.
“Good-bye, Mike.”
“Skylar, wait,” he called out, identifying the comment that chafed like clothing against a newly acquired sunburn. “You said you ‘figured.’ Figured what? That I wouldn’t change my mind? Knowing how important this deal was to me, why did you make that assumption?”
“Because in all the time we dated, you never looked at me the way you’re looking at her in that picture.”
When the call ended, he placed his cell on the bench beside him and released a huge breath. It was done. For the first time since Indi had reappeared in his life, the weight of juggling multiple expectations had been lifted from him. He was no longer torn between what he wanted and his responsibilities. He was free to pursue Indi with no barriers or pretense between them.
It was the reason he’d pulled away from her this morning. Wrapped around her body as she’d moaned in pleasure from his kisses and caresses, he’d been a heartbeat away from sliding his throbbing cock into her warm, wet heat and satisfying the gnawing hunger that had been building since their weekend together all those months ago. But in the end, he couldn’t go through with it. He hadn’t wanted to taint the possibility of their future together with accusations of infidelity. Both women deserved more than that.
He grabbed his phone. And now . . .
“Go ahead and draft the TTL contracts,” Mike said several moments later when he’d connected with Sully.
The calendar may proclaim it a Saturday morning, but Mike knew
he’d find the attorney in his office, hard at work.
“The deal’s going through?”
“Probably. I want to be ready in case it does.”
Sully whistled. “I’d assumed flowers were played out. Nice to know going old-school can yield dividends.”
Mike frowned. “What are you talking about?”
“The bouquet you ordered for Skylar.”
He realized he’d need to be prepared to answer queries about their breakup. Something simple and discreet that would leave no doubt about the status of their association but wouldn’t feed the cheap gossips.
“Skylar and I ended our relationship.”
That worked. And when delivered with his the-matter-is-closed tone, it should be enough to stunt any further questions.
“She broke up with you?”
Except, he was talking to Sully. A man who’d fight a junkyard dog for a bone he wanted . . . and win. The downside of working with men he respected and liked enough to consider friends. Although Adam would never have asked. Not because he didn’t care, but because he’d have assumed Mike would talk further about it if he wanted to.
“It was a mutual decision.”
“I’d call ‘bullshit’ but if the deal’s alive it must be true. Scorned women aren’t known for being generous toward those who’ve spurned them. What does this mean for you and India?”
“It means I’m going for it.”
“Good. Meeting with Kenneth DeRosen is a good start.”
This had nothing to do with issues of custody regarding the baby. The unresolved nature of his relationship with Skylar had been bothering him, not because of concerns about the deal, but because he knew he couldn’t move forward with Indi until things with Skylar were settled. Now that they were and he’d admitted to himself what he wanted, there was nothing standing in the way.
“Not just the baby, Sully. All of it. The baby, Indi, and me. I’m going for it all.”
“Dude, you’re the steadiest guy I know but in the span of a week and a half you’ve been . . . unpredictable.”
“Is that a bad thing?”
Not that Sully’s opinion would change what he felt, but it’d be nice to know his friend supported his decision.
“Are you sure? Is there a chance you’re confusing your feelings for her with what you feel for the baby?”
It was a good question. He thought back to their weekend together, to how she’d evoked feelings in him he hadn’t experienced before, how charged he’d been to see where it could lead.
And the absolute rage he’d felt when he’d awakened to find her gone.
No, his feelings for Indi had been engaged long before he’d known about the baby.
“I appreciate your having my back, but I’m not confused about anything.”
“Then congratulations. I’m happy for you. I’ll get started on the contracts.”
Mike disconnected the call.
What to do now?
He knew what he wanted. But Indi seemed set on believing their involvement was a short-term proposition. Even if she agreed to give him Nugget, she still seemed to think she’d be leaving him after she had the baby. He knew he had an effect on her, that his feelings weren’t one-sided. He also knew she could connect to another person; after all, there was her deep love for Chelsea.
He just needed Indi to see that Chelsea wasn’t the only person to whom she could entrust her heart.
“HI THERE, MIKE,” a voice called out. “You waiting to get a manicure or a pedicure?”
He straightened from his spot reclining on the wooden bench outside the local day spa and smiled at one of his mother’s friends when she and her dog stopped to chat. “Neither, Mrs. Stone.”
“Barbara got her nails done on Thursday, so you can’t be waiting for her. I heard Morgan was in town. She’s probably getting something outrageous done for your father’s gala. You know how the kids are these days.”
He bent down to pet her cocker spaniel and nodded noncommittally, seeing no reason to disabuse her of her incorrect notion.
“The new People magazine came out yesterday. Your partner and his new wife were on the cover. They even had pictures inside of the ceremony.” Mrs. Stone winked at him. “You looked very handsome.”
His new smile was forced, though he doubted the other woman could tell the difference. “Thank you.”
He’d forgotten about the release of the issue with Adam and Chelsea on the cover. He hadn’t heard anything from Anya. He wondered if anyone had put two and two together and verified the woman in the picture with him from the Youth Alliance event was Chelsea’s sister.
“I’m looking forward to tomorrow night. My daughter’s in town and she’ll be attending with me.” Mrs. Stone wiggled her fingers in farewell. “Maybe I’ll tell her to save you a dance?”
He waved as she continued down the street. He pulled his phone out to check the time, then shifted on the bench. It shouldn’t be much longer now.
As soon as he’d finished his call with Sully, he’d begged off lunch and drinks at the country club. He’d intended to spend the rest of the day with Indi and that required some special planning on his part.
He wasn’t above bribery. If letting her experience the perks of being with someone in his position and seeing that he was willing and more than able to provide for a family is what it took to convince her they could raise Nugget together, as a family, then that’s what he’d do. Fuck stoicism. He’d plan and scheme like a general taking a pivotal hill in battle if it got him what he wanted in the end.
And what he wanted was Indi and their baby. More than he’d ever wanted anything in his life.
The door next to him opened and Indi stepped from the building, her face shining, her eyes bright. When she caught sight of him, uncertainty eclipsed her features and she faltered for a fraction of an instant, before heading over to him.
He stood. “Did you have a good time?”
“The massage was fantastic.” She looked away and fingered a braid, before swinging her gaze back to him. “Thank you.”
Delicate bubbles of satisfaction rose in his chest. “I’m glad you enjoyed it. When I mentioned your nausea they suggested an aromatherapy session.”
“I was worried at first—aromatherapy can involve some concentrated, intense scents—but the technician said they had a delicate blend that worked well for a lot of their pregnant clients.” She held up a little black satchel adorned with the spa’s logo. “They gave me a sample to take home.”
If it managed to mitigate her queasiness, he’d ask his mother to pick up a larger order for Indi and ship it to him.
“When Morgan dropped me off after shopping and lunch, I didn’t expect anyone to pick me up. I could’ve made my way back to the house.”
“I didn’t mind waiting.” Come on, Mike. Be real. “Actually, I wanted to.”
She studied him, her manner slightly cautious. “It’s a beautiful spa. And really popular. When did you have time to make the reservation?”
“This morning after golf.”
“And they managed to fit me in on such short notice?”
He nodded. An appointment opened up . . . after he’d dropped his name.
She bit her lower lip. “Why?”
He almost groaned. That lush bottom lip would be his undoing. “Why what?”
“The massage, your waiting for me. They’re sweet gestures, but . . . I mean, after this morning, why are you doing this?”
He knew she wasn’t ready to hear the lengths he’d go to in order to make them a family, but there was one thing he could tell her that was long overdue.
“To apologize.” He reached for her hand, his fingers sliding against her palm. “For forcing you to come and deal with my family when you could’ve stayed back in San Francisco and for putting you in an a
wkward position by acting on my interest in you while still being with Skylar. I’m sorry.”
She inhaled sharply and stared down at their joined hands. “I accept your apology.” She smiled. “As funny as it sounds, I’m glad I came. Your mother is a sweetheart and I even enjoyed spending time with Morgan.”
“How was shopping with her?”
“Well, the beginning wasn’t a walk in the park, although we were in a courtyard of sorts . . .”
He laughed, glad that she was talking to him again. “But it turned out well?”
“Yeah. We had a long talk.”
“I hope it helped.”
Between her desire to leave school and her outburst at him during their conversation last night, it was hard to ignore that his little sister had acquired a bit of an edge.
“She’s growing up and trying to find her place in the world. It’s hard to know how far you can go when you don’t know where you’re starting from,” Indi said, in a voice that hinted the words were more than a slogan on a framed wall hanging.
That didn’t make any sense to him. They were Morgan’s family. She came from right there in Barton Point. She’d had a privileged upbringing, just as he had. She could go far. It was expected that she go far.
But the last thing he wanted to do this afternoon was to get into a discussion about adoption. Even if they were only discussing Morgan, he didn’t want Indi to equate his sister’s situation with Nugget’s. Instead he wanted to focus on him and Indi as a couple, and soon, with Nugget’s birth, a family.
“Would you like to go for a walk before dinner?”
“What about your family? Shouldn’t you spend time with them?”
“My mother will be finishing her checklist for the gala tomorrow night and my father . . .” He shrugged. He didn’t really care what his father would be doing.
He continued to hold her hand as they strolled along parts of the downtown area. When they passed certain places, his subconscious would call up memories from his childhood and hanging out with his friends. He’d never anticipated moving back to Barton Point, but there were areas around the Computronix campus that possessed a similar small-town vibe. Maybe they should consider making Palo Alto their permanent home base. Provide Nugget an upbringing similar to his own.
Along Came Love Page 21