“You were mine,” he growled. “You still are.”
“That was never true. No one owns me.”
“Not even your wealthy boyfriend?”
Was he her boyfriend? She didn’t even know. She twirled the ring on her hand. “Not even him.”
“No one walks away from me.”
“Yeah, they do. Everyone walks away from you, that’s why you’re like this. Pathetic, lazy, greedy. You treat people the way you’ve been treated, like possessions or like garbage. I’m neither. And for the record, neither are you.”
“You don’t know a thing about me.”
“If I were a shrink, I’d say mommy issues.” He lunged for her but she was out of reach. “Whatever. I’m sorry you’re a sad pathetic adult, but I’m even sadder that you must have had a horrible childhood to end up this way.”
“What do you know? You had no one when I met you.”
She thought about that. That’s how she’d felt too, but she’d been wrong. Her mother had saved her. Her mother’s friend and even the cops had been with her. Since she’d come here, she’d had a whole town in her corner, because she’d given them a chance.
“I’ve always had people supporting me, sometimes I just couldn’t see it.”
“You’re nothing. You’ll never be anything.”
She shook her head. This was a waste of time. “Actually, I’m already quite something.”
And she turned and left. She expected to see Tom in the waiting room, but he wasn’t there or outside in the truck. Her heart fell as she walked toward Two Scoops; her phone rang. It was him.
“Hey, are you okay?”
“Yeah. I am. Where are you?”
“On my way back to Maine.”
“Maine?”
“Yeah, you said you needed some space so . . . I have work to do. I need to go back so my folks will go back to Mexico . . .”
“Oh.” Her heart fell.
“I’ll call you later. I’m glad it went well with Viper. The parlor looks great; the window is up. I think you’ll be so busy getting back to business you’ll hardly have time to miss me.”
Somehow she doubted that.
Tom was right about one thing, the next couple of days were crazy-busy. She had a day of getting everything shipshape, and then there was a queue of people out the door when she opened.
“Hey, honey, we missed you.”
“Oh my goodness, how scary this has all been for you.”
“Good heavens, will you look at that rock you’re wearing, that Moose is quite the charmer.”
“Where is your young man, by the way?”
It went like that round and round all day. Chloe was pretty sure after the first few groups had been through she wasn’t even the one answering questions anymore, the other customers were doing it for her. That was good, she could just focus on chai lattes and caramel cappuccinos and maple fudge brownie sundaes and let the people talk.
Midafternoon Marissa came in for a caffeine hit.
“Hey, Chloe, I came past earlier but you were so crowded I went back and made myself a sad old coffee back at the library,” she said, sliding onto an empty stool at the counter.
“It has been manic in here.”
“People missed you, and your coffee. I’ll have a pumpkin spiced latte, thanks. Are you feeling relieved?”
“I guess so. I’m still processing everything.”
“We need to catch up. Girls’ night? I can come to you.”
“You’re on,” she said, handing her friend the coffee. “I’ll cook. I really feel the need to do something normal.”
“Normal is overrated, but if you want to cook for me, I am certainly not going to stop you. I’ll bring the wine.”
“Perfect.”
So it was that Chloe found herself drinking wine in her kitchen with Marissa and rolling meatballs for dinner. The place felt a little less empty at least. The last two nights being home alone the house had felt soulless. She’d never felt that way before, but it was as if the house had a gaping Tom-sized hole in the wall and all the warmth was seeping out.
“So you confronted Viper?”
“Yeah, I needed to see him. He didn’t seem so powerful locked up. Just a bit sad and tragic, really.”
“You do not feel sorry for him, do you?”
“No, he’s despicable, but he’s also clearly never had anyone decent in his corner.”
“Or if he did, he drove them away,” Marissa said, tossing some spinach in a bowl for a salad. “Some people don’t know a good thing when they see it.”
Chloe had a feeling that they weren’t talking about Viper anymore.
“I guess not.”
“So you had a great time at the resort?”
Chloe felt a goofy smile spread across her face at the memory. “It was amazing.”
“Amazing is good,” Marissa agreed.
“It was better than good. The place is beautiful, as you know, and he’s so good at what he does, but mainly I just felt so special.”
“You are special,” Marissa assured her. “And you’re especially special to Moose, if you get my drift.”
“Yeah, but he left.”
“Why did he leave, honey?” Marissa came around and topped up her wine.
“I might have implied I needed some space.” She sighed. “I might have sent him away.”
“Why?” Her voice was gentle and kind. She was so lucky to have found a friend in Marissa.
“I don’t really know. I guess I freaked out and I’m used to doing things alone. I just . . . I don’t know, I guess that felt easier. “
“Easier isn’t always better. I get why you got scared. All the feelings, right?”
“So many feelings,” she said, flopping down in a chair.
“Sometimes you need to practice letting people in in order for that to feel normal.”
“And then what? Can you see me living in that resort?”
“Sure, I can. What about I ask the question differently—can you see your life without Tom in it?”
She definitely could and she didn’t like what she saw at all. “I don’t want to imagine that.”
“Then you need to tell him that. He’s been pretty upfront with you. Maybe it’s your turn now.”
“That sucks.” Chloe took a huge gulp of wine.
“Yeah, but it will be worth it to get the guy.”
Totally worth it.
Chapter 18
Tom was having a very hard time staying away from Chloe. It was possible he’d done more crunches and lifts than Mr. Universe in order to burn off the excessive energy he had. He had talked to her on the phone and texted her. He wasn’t a monster and he didn’t want her to think that, but now he needed to be patient. He was not good at patient at all.
He crossed the lobby to his office only to be waylaid by his mother. And that was another problem. His parents said they were handing over the reins to him. If that wasn’t the case, he may as well be down serving ice cream in New Hampshire, and if it was, he needed to feel they trusted him. Heck, about now, feeling like anyone trusted him would be a huge bonus.
“Darling, come sit with me, I was just about to have a hot chocolate.”
“I really have things to do, Mom.”
“Indulge me, it won’t take long.”
He let out a sigh. He could stand here and argue with her and still probably end up having a drink, or he could give in and get it over with, so he went with that.
“Fifteen minutes, that’s all I’ve got.”
“Of course.” She took his arm and guided him to a corner table near the fire, and two drinks magically appeared. He had the distinct feeling she’d been stalking her prey, and that prey was him.
“So Chloe had a stalker, dear?”
“She did,” he said. He was pretty sure his mother had both an online and an offline subscription to the Ranger’s Crossing newspaper.
“And you didn’t tell us that because?” Her eyebrows were arched and
her lips were pursed and she was not happy.
“Because it wasn’t any of your business, Mom.”
“My future daughter-in-law is being chased by a felon and you don’t think I should know that?”
“Under the circumstances, which you don’t know all of, no, I didn’t think you needed to know. It was under control.”
“You have trust issues, darling.” She leaned over and patted his hand.
He shook his head and gave her a derisive laugh. “You’re hilarious, Mom. You think I have trust issues? What about you?”
“Me?” Her eyes popped as wide as he’d ever seen them.
“Yeah you, and Dad too for that matter. Chloe is my fiancée or my girlfriend, and if you think I’d do anything that put her in danger, then you neither know nor trust me. I would never, ever do that.”
“Of course I do. I know you. I trust you.”
“Mom,” he softened his voice. “I know that you love me, but I’m a big boy, in fact, I’m actually a fully grown man these days, all six foot four of me. I have a business degree and a master’s and I’ve learned this business from the ground up. Other people even look to me for advice and assurance.”
“I know that.” She gave him a fierce stare.
“Right, a friend called and told you I was engaged and you flew all the way back from Mexico to check up on me. You didn’t call and trust I’d fill you in, you just showed up. You guys are supposed to be retiring but you won’t leave me alone long enough to run the place. And now you’re implying that in some way I put Chloe’s safety at risk, when the truth is you showing up probably put her at greater risk than anything.”
His mother recoiled in shock. “I didn’t know . . .”
“I know, Mom, but you have to learn to trust me. I can’t live like this anymore.”
“What does that even mean?”
“It means I have a lot to think about.” He stood and then leaned down to kiss her cheek.
“Where are you going?”
“I’m going to think. You and Dad don’t need me here . . .”
“Honey . . .” he heard her calling to him. He’d never spoken to his parents that way and he’d certainly never walked away, but what was the point of talking when no one was listening? Maybe it was time he gave some thought to what he really wanted and how he could make sure he got it.
Chloe woke up with a start. The bedside clock said it was one in the morning. Why was she awake? Why had she had that last glass of wine?
Hang on, there was pounding on the door. She peeled back the sheet and traipsed down the stairs to see Tom standing disheveled on her doorstep. She swung the door open and he came in with a cool breeze following him.
“Was I expecting you?” she asked, her voice soft with sleep.
“I hope so. Did you think I could stay away?” He stood very still as the door closed behind him.
“I hoped not. I really missed you.”
That was all it took. He pulled her into one of his all-consuming hugs. Her whole body was wrapped in his and she felt like she was finally home.
“I missed you like crazy,” he murmured into her hair. “I think I might stay.”
“Stay?” She needed to process this, so she took a step back and looked at his face. Something was up. She took his hand and led him over to the sofa. “Talk to me.”
He pulled her onto his lap. “That’s better. I can think better when you’re next to me.”
“Okay. What have you been thinking about?”
“You. Me. My life. My goals.”
“So, nothing major?” She smiled at him, and she saw him relax a little.
“Exactly. How about you? How’re you doing?”
“I thought we were talking about you and your life.”
“Honey, you are my life.” Tears pricked her eyes. It was by far the best thing anyone had ever said to her. “So I need to know.”
“I’m so much better now that you’re here. I’m sorry I pushed you away. I’m just not used to having people in my corner.”
“I know. I probably overreacted.”
“No, I told you to go and you went. You’re an excellent listener.” She leaned in and kissed him. She couldn’t wait any longer. “And an excellent kisser. Now be an excellent talker.”
“Okay, I bought the old Post Office in town this afternoon and I’m going to make it into an inn because I want us to be together, and as much as my parents say they’re ready to retire and hand over to me, the truth is they’re not. So I can still do what I do for them and go back and forth until they’re ready, but I need my own thing. This means I have my own thing and it’s here with you.”
Chloe knew she must have had a slack-jawed expression. Her mouth was definitely hanging open. “Just like that.”
“Well, kind of. I’ve had itchy feet for a while, and while I’ve been in town, I’ve been rolling it over. I ran some numbers just for fun.”
“Who runs numbers just for fun, Tom?”
“I do. Anyway, the numbers were solid. There is no decent accommodation in this town, there’s a college up the road, and there are some fun things to do in the area. I’ll get to start something from the ground up, put all that experience into action.”
“If you build it, they will come, huh?”
“Damn straight, and it will be beautiful.”
“Like you,” she said sweetly in his ear. “How will your folks feel about it?”
“I called my dad and told him. I think he was relieved. Honestly, he was probably retiring to make my mom happy. He’s not ready to let go. And anyway, I’m not jumping ship, I’m just expanding my empire. Dad loves that stuff. In fact, I think he’s probably at home running his own numbers.”
“And your mom?”
“Well, she’ll be less thrilled but she’ll come around.”
She gave him a squeeze and let out a yawn. “Okay.”
“Shall we go get some sleep?”
“Is that what we’re really going to do?” she asked, her eyebrows raised.
“Well, it’ll be some of what we do.”
Tom could breathe again. Chloe was asleep in his arms and he had a plan. That was good. Except he wasn’t entirely sure he’d made himself clear to her.
Yes, he’d bought the Post Office as a new business venture but that wasn’t the reason he was back. He was back for her. If the inn hadn’t been available, he’d have come here anyway. The world felt balanced when she was next to him and completely off-kilter otherwise.
She wriggled against him, and as much as he wanted to wake her up and show her how much he loved her one more time, he resisted. She was tired and this week had been a huge strain on her. The break-in, their trip to Maine, and then Viper being captured were all huge without him showing up and announcing he was staying. He hoped she wanted him to stay. He was sure she did, but maybe it was too much for her too soon.
He wanted her to have what she wanted. He didn’t want to stand in the way of her dreams, and the truth was with Viper behind bars she was free to pursue them.
She turned toward him and gave him a sleepy smile. Her eyes stayed closed. “Your thinking is interrupting my sleep.”
“You can’t hear me thinking.”
“You have a tell.”
“A tell, like with poker?”
“Exactly. When you’re thinking, you rub your foot along the sheet. I can hear you thinking then.”
Tom suddenly became aware that he was indeed rubbing his foot up and down. “Oh, sorry, I had no idea.”
“It’s okay.” She opened her eyes and rested her hand on his chest. “What’s up?”
“I was thinking about you.”
“Good things, I hope.”
“Always good things. In fact, you’re the best good thing that’s ever happened to me.”
“That’s good.”
“Yeah, but how do you feel? I tend to charge in, guns blazing.”
“Brandishing a coffee machine and Wi-Fi.”
�
�Exactly.”
“I like your enthusiasm. I like that you get things done. I like you.”
Tom sat up. “I came back for you. Not the inn, the inn is a bonus. I don’t think I made that clear, honey.”
“You did.”
“And are you okay with that? I mean, I don’t have to live with you. I can find a place . . .”
She placed her hands over his lips to silence him and sat up so she was straddling him. “Maybe I didn’t make myself clear. I love you, Tom, this is it for me. You and me, this is what I’ve been waiting my whole life for. I feel like wherever you are then that’s my home. If you hadn’t come here, I was coming to you. You can ask Marissa . . .”
“You love me?” She’d actually said it. “I love you, too, Chloe. I think since that first day I saw you . . .”
“Well, everyone knows the way to a girl’s heart is through a big-ass cappuccino machine.”
He gave her a nod. “See, I thought so.”
He pulled her to his chest and hugged her close. “So, does this mean we’re engaged for real? Should I ask you again?”
“No, you don’t need to ask me again, silly. Yes, Tom, this means we’re engaged for real. And you are stuck with me forever.”
“Okay, but we may need to lose some of the Elvises. I want to make love to my fiancée but I feel like he’s watching me.”
“Performance anxiety?”
“Nah uh, I’m a hunka hunka burning love.”
“I’ll be the judge of that.” He sure hoped so, for the rest of their lives.
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You might also like my other novels
Upper Crust Series
Any Way You Slice It, An Upper Crust Novella
Any Way You Dream It
Any Way You Fight It
Any Way You Plan It
Any Way You Want It, releasing December 2016
Any Way You Build It, releasing February 2017
My stand-alone novels and novellas
Any Way You Want It : An Upper Crust Series Novel (The Upper Crust Series Book 5) Page 17