Once inside the yard, she unhooked the leashes and watched the Dalmatian named Quade, and Yoyo, the unknown mixed breed, run excitedly around the large play area. She giggled as Quade shuffled through the tunnel while Yoyo hopped on top and then bounced onto the surprised Quade. Her nerves unwound even more as she picked up the doggy bouncy ball and tossed it to the pups. Quade barked and hopped after the ball with Yoyo biting at his tail.
After she’d tossed the ball to her furry friends a few times, they became more interested in fighting with each other, so she slipped her cell out of her back pocket. No calls. Not surprising, though. Ben was probably on a plane crossing the US right now. He couldn’t take her call, but he’d listen to his voicemail the moment he stepped off the plane. She dialed the number.
“Hey there. You’ve reached Ben Maxwell’s voicemail.” His deep voice sent chills over her skin and made her heart swell. She listened to the rest of his greeting and tried to come up with what she wanted to tell him in just the right way. Plain, to the point but without giving away her fear.
When the beep sounded, she said, “Ben, I’m back from the appointment and need to talk to you as soon as possible. Call when you can.”
Tori replaced the phone in her pocket and sat down on the grass, letting her gaze wander to the deep, dark clouds claiming the blue sky. She pulled the coat tighter to shield off some of the crisp air and wondered if snow was in their forecast soon.
Quade and Yoyo took it upon themselves to rush to her, slipping wet tongues over her skin, and in their excitement, knocked her earmuffs off her head. She usually didn’t allow them to lick her, but this time her laugh rang out into the cold air. She might be sick. Or she might not be. She wanted to enjoy the moment and not worry about the future.
* * * *
Ben crushed his balled fists against his closed eyes. Fatigue already weighed on him and the plane hadn’t landed yet. Though he was looking forward to the trip to the warmer temps of Florida, he didn’t want to be there with Jamie Cox. Maybe Tori instead? He dropped his hands to his lap and bit back a groan.
“What’s wrong?” Jamie asked from the seat next to Ben’s.
“Nothing. I’m just a little tired—” Ben cut his sentence short. Damn, he shouldn’t have said that. His muscles tensed.
“If you’re not up for this trip, Ben, I can have Margaret take your place,” Jamie sneered.
Ben snapped his attention to his boss, making immediate eye contact, trying to push away any visible fatigue. “I’m fine. Really.”
“You do look exhausted.” Jamie pointed at Ben’s face. “Why don’t you switch positions with Margaret? She’d love to be my assistant full-time and wouldn’t complain about being so tired. She’s a do-it-all type of woman. I’m not so sure you’re cut out for this position anymore.”
“No, I’m fine,” Ben said with a forced smile.
Three years ago, Ben had thought he’d won the jackpot by the job offer from A-list actor Jamie Cox. Not only had he been offered the full-time position, but Jamie had insisted Ben take a higher wage than he’d requested on his resume, plus an excellent benefit package. But a year later, things had changed for Jamie. His wife had left him after one too many affairs, leaving a bitter and broken Jamie for Ben to take care of. And he had been hell to work for ever since.
He should look for another job. His loyalty to the man who’d taken a chance on a recent graduate had won out so far, but Ben grew closer to leaving every day. One more thing was bound to push him over the edge, sending him out the door. He refused to bail Jamie out of jail again or make up some bullshit story for the press to cover Jamie’s lying ass.
Minutes later, he entered the airport a few steps behind his boss and pulled his phone out. A call from Tori? She knew he was on a plane and she wasn’t one of those insecure clingy women who called fifty times a day. When he told her he’d call her when he landed, she’d wait until he did. Something had to be wrong. And he wanted to call her right now.
Jamie had moved farther ahead and if he stayed preoccupied by the people asking for autographs, Ben might have enough time to slip in a phone call.
“Ben!” Jamie hollered from a few feet away, shredding every hope of talking to Tori until later. “Get off the phone. I need you now.”
A group of people had started gathering around Jamie. Ben scanned the area, looking for the hired bodyguards who should’ve arrived before their plane landed, to meet Jamie and Ben at the gate. None stepped forward, so he rushed over to his boss and thrust the extra ball cap and glasses at the man. “Put these on.”
Jamie slipped the cap and shades on to help shield his identity from any new onlookers as he growled, “Get me out of here.”
Ben grabbed Jamie’s bicep and pulled him forward, saying, “Move out of my way,” and “Excuse us, please,” each step of the way. Most people moved but a few others refused, making Ben shove his way through.
Once settled in the backseat of the Town Car with the driver steering them through the heavy traffic of Miami, Jamie shot Ben a glare. Just great. He’d done something to piss his boss off again. Why did he even try to impress Jamie anymore?
Ben opened the calendar he kept for Jamie on his smartphone. “We have an hour at the hotel and then we need to be on our way to Club Rondue. Your appearance is for three hours. I suggest we head back to our hotel right after, because we have the early morning appearance tomorrow.” And then they’d fly back home and Ben would have some time to spend with Tori. Maybe then he could broach the subject of them being more than friends.
“So everything is fine now?” Jamie snapped, shifting his beady eyes toward the tinted window.
“I don’t understand.” Had Jamie finally lost his mind?
“Pretending to be the perfect assistant after the stunt you pulled at the airport?” He swung his glare back at Ben while the driver glanced with wide eyes at him through the rearview mirror.
“I’m sorry the security I had scheduled didn’t show up, but I did the best I could under the circumstances. I’ll be calling the company as soon as we reach the hotel.”
“Why not at the airport?” Jamie asked, motioning with his hand toward Ben’s phone. “Or right now?”
He’d slipped up at the airport by not inquiring about the absent security guards, but his mind had gotten stuck on Tori and hadn’t let go. But calling the business office in the car was a whole different matter. “You forbade me to make work calls, even on your behalf, while in your presence. Didn’t you say that when I do the scheduling or problem solving in front of you it’s like you were doing it yourself?”
Jamie bit his lower lip and turned back to the window, leaving the rest of the trip to the hotel in silence.
Chapter 2
After they’d arrived at their five-star hotel in Miami, Ben checked them in, steered another crowd away from Jamie, and then tipped both the bellboy and driver. Once Jamie’s room door clicked shut, Ben rushed down the hall to his own room, anxious for a few minutes alone.
He kicked his sneakers into the small alcove used as a closet and padded across the plush carpet to the bed. Welcoming the darkness of the room, he kept the lights off as he lay down on the soft comforter, shoving a pillow under his head as he went. In a heartbeat, his cell was out of his pocket and connecting to Tori’s without even listening to the voicemail she’d left. If something was wrong, she’d be waiting anxiously for his call. He didn’t want her to wait a second longer.
“Ben!” Not the usual gentle hello. “You made it?”
Trying not to worry, he let out a chuckle. “Miss me already? I just left.” He hoped she missed him as much as he missed her. Shit. He could be a block away from the store and he wanted to be there with her. All the time. But their college vow complicated matters.
“Of course, but that isn’t why I needed to talk to you so quickly. I, um—” She sighed. “Like I said in the voicemail, I went to the appointment today.”
“I didn’t listen to the voicemail yet.
You always wait for me to arrive at my destination, so I called you right away.”
The ugly tan phone on the nightstand rang next to him. He glared at the intruder and wished it would stop interrupting this time with Tori. The woman who’d stolen his heart deserved as much.
The phone kept ringing.
“What’s wrong?” Ben asked.
It took her a little while to respond, but she finally said, “I didn’t have a good check-up.”
Something was wrong with Tori? No. She was the stable person he could always count on. Things in her life rarely changed, letting him rely on that stability. “What?”
The phone’s ring seemed louder this time.
“I had to go through some blood tests.” Her voice broke and her explanation was interrupted by a sob. “And I don’t know what’s wrong yet.” The rest of her words blurred together, letting only certain terms through enough to stick in his mind. The tests could prove everything was fine. A lot of blood. Serious enough of a concern for the doctor.
“I’m sure I’ll be home before the results are back, but you can count on me being there. We’ll do this together, okay?” He lowered his voice.
“I’d like that,” she said, with only a hint of a tremble in her voice.
“Do you feel comfortable scheduling your next appointment for when I’m in town?” He didn’t want her to be alone. Not now. Not ever. He wanted his hand entwined hers when the doctor read her results, good or bad. To wipe her tears away when she heard the news.
“Yes. I’d like that. Ben, I just feel so…so…different. I tried to be strong today and it worked for a little—”
Another ring of the phone broke through their conversation.
“Listen, honey,” he said, realizing he’d never called her a pet name before but loved how the easiness of it rolled off his tongue. “Jamie keeps calling me. I understand that you’re worried. So am I, but I need to answer him. I’ll call you first thing in the morning.”
She hiccupped. “Promise?”
“Absolutely.” After a quick goodbye, he switched phones. “Yes, Jamie?” Who else would be calling his room like that?
“What were you doing?” Jamie demanded to know. “I’ve been calling you for like five minutes. You’re my assistant. You answer when I call you.”
“Taking care of business,” Ben lied, pushing himself up from the comfortable spot on his bed. “What’s up?”
“I have a problem that you need to fix.” A blow-dryer sounded in the background, making it almost impossible for Ben to hear.
“Okay. Can your stylist turn the blower off for a minute so you can tell me about it?” Ben strode to the vanity mirror to decide if he needed to spend his last few minutes freshening up. He leaned closer to the mirror, rubbing his fingertips over the bristly hair pricking through his skin. Damn five o’clock shadow. At least he had time to shave.
The blow-dryer didn’t shut off. Instead, Jamie raised his voice. “Don’t worry about that noise. Anyway, I was trying to pick out my outfit for this appearance tonight and tweeted the pictures, hoping for someone to help me decide what to wear. A fan mentioned Club Rondue is a has-been club. You said it was the place to be seen. Maybe you hang out at those types of venues, but I don’t.”
Ben rubbed his eyes with his free hand. Why did they have to go through this now? “I said they were trying to re-establish their popularity. Besides, you’re a has-been celebrity. The purpose for our visit to Miami is to help rebuild your popularity. The club is trying to do the same.”
Jamie gasped. “But I can’t be seen in a place like that. Cancel the appearance. Now!”
Ben shook his head as if his boss could see the reaction through the phone. “You can’t cancel. They paid two hundred grand for you to be there for this special event. Do you want to pay that money back?”
“Well—”
“I didn’t think so. Jamie, finish getting dressed. I’ll be knocking on your door in thirty minutes.” Having been hard enough on his boss, Ben pushed the demanding tone from his voice as he said, “Please be ready.”
Jamie hung up without a reply.
Thirty minutes later, Ben, with the confidence of a GQ model and dressed like one too, stepped up to Jamie’s door. He rapped his knuckles against the wood and waited. The knob didn’t turn; the door didn’t open. What was Jamie up to? Ben knocked again. After checking the time on his Rolex and waiting for another round of knocks to be unanswered, he dug out his keycard that Jamie insisted he carry but rarely used and slipped it quickly into the slot. One beep and a green flickering light later and Ben pushed the door open, letting it bang against the back wall. The sudden sound startled him.
“Jamie?” Ben called through the entryway before stepping into the room.
“Ov-v-er here,” Jamie said, his words slurring.
All of Ben’s hope for the night running smoothly melted like a piece of ice in a martini glass. How would he get a drunken Jamie to the club? And…if he was able to get Jamie there, how would he make Jamie behave? Working for a sober Jamie seemed a lot like babysitting. It was hell on Ben when Jamie decided to get wasted. Ben glanced at his watch again as he rushed through the living room and approached the open bedroom door.
“Benji, my man,” Jamie said. He leaned on a stack of pillows resting against the headboard. His blond hair had been blown-dry in a messy shag style that matched the five o’clock shadow growing on his jawline. Ben expected Jamie to stare at him with the vacant, glassy eyes of a drunk, but this time his eyes were clear as a sky on a summer day.
“We have to go,” Ben said, rounding the corner of the bed, eyeing the half-empty bottle of Vodka on the nightstand. Something just wasn’t right about this situation.
“I can’t.” Jamie slurred again. He motioned to the Vodka bottle. “Have a drink. The glasses are in the other room.”
Ben stepped over to the bed and yanked the glass from Jamie’s fingers, sending clear liquid spilling over the rim and splashing on Jamie’s designer jeans.
“Damn it!” Jamie jumped from the bed. “What the hell, man?”
“How about I try a sip of what you’re drinking?” The crystal glass met his lips. He tipped it back farther to wet his mouth. Just as he’d thought—no booze, only water. He downed the glass.
Jamie’s eyes widened with shock and then lowered to angry slits. “What the fuck?”
The glass clanked against the wood as Ben set it on the nightstand next to the bottle. “Nice try. I’ve seen you drunk so many times that I can tell when you’re faking it.” He clenched his fists against his sides. “Now let’s go. Three hours won’t kill you.”
Jamie pushed himself up from the bed, stuck his chest out and strode past Ben. “I’ve about had it with you,” he said through clenched teeth.
“Fine with me.”
Ben silently followed Jamie down to the car, and Jamie didn’t bother tossing a glance in Ben’s direction. Ben’s muscles were so tense, pain started at the nape of his neck and quickly moved its way up the back of his head. Opening the Lincoln’s black back door for Jamie with one hand, Ben massaged his neck with the other. Ben took his spot on the leather seat next to his boss.
An uncomfortable tension swarmed around them in the backseat. Ben kept his hands in his lap as he switched his attention from the traffic rolling past his window to the scenery that Miami had to offer, all of it nothing but a blur. He wished he could be happy here, knowing he’d get free time at some point in the trip, but he couldn’t. Not with Tori at home, scared and alone. Yes, she had a sister who lived nearby, but they weren’t close. Tori more than likely didn’t feel comfortable with sharing the news with Darcy. She’d wait for his return to get any support.
His phone beeped, indicating an email. He decided to read it, even though Jamie didn’t like him conducting this type of business while they were together. Just another one of Jamie’s oddities.
“What is that?” Jamie asked, leaning a little closer to Ben.
“I i
nquired about appearances and events for you when I booked Club Rondue. These people didn’t respond in time.” He eyed his boss, surprised Jamie wasn’t complaining about doing the work while riding in the car. Ben clicked the email to open it up for a full view.
“What are the details?” Jamie leaned even closer, letting the scent of his cologne, a musty smell, overload Ben’s senses.
Ben coughed as he scooted closer to the door. “Monday and Tuesday. They want you to do a spot on the local news show and then you’d be featured at their charity food drive.”
Jamie slid back to his own side of the seat and returned his attention to the passing palm trees and tall buildings while Ben started his reply to the news station. They’d have to decline with an attempt to reschedule so Ben could be with Tori as soon as possible.
“Confirm the event,” ordered Jamie.
Ben gasped. “What? We have flights scheduled for Sunday evening. There isn’t any way—”
“Take care of the flights and schedule this.” Jamie turned to Ben and for the first time since his divorce, his eyes mirrored some type of emotion other than anger or intoxication. Sincerity? “Please, Ben. I need this to rebuild my acting career.”
Ben stared down at the phone in his hand. Jamie seemed sincere, but Tori needed him there with her. The doctor could call any time after Monday. If he hadn’t arrived home yet, she’d have to go alone.
“Well? Are you going to respond to their email?” When Ben didn’t answer, Jamie sighed. “I understand why you’re hesitant about staying. I’m sorry, Ben. If you agree to stay until Tuesday I’ll give you a bonus. But more importantly, I won’t hassle you a bit.”
Ben had never heard his boss say please or nearly beg for anything. Used to having everything handed to him with merely a glance, Jamie took things and people for granted. This was a nice change. The email to cancel the interview and appearance was complete. His finger hovered over the send button.
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