She had an issue she needed to discuss with him, but she would wait until she saw his project. She didn’t want her questions and potential fight to get in the way of whatever great job he was starting because he’d seemed truly enthusiastic on the phone.
He pulled his work truck against the curb of a quaint little brick building. Wooden benches sat on either side of the glass door and old lettering was peeling off the door and windows.
“Here we are,” he announced, killing the engine. “Come on inside.”
She hopped out of the truck and waited until he unlocked the front door and ushered her inside. The place was dark, save for the light streaming in the front two windows and door. The linoleum had lifted and some of the fake tiles were all askew. The space was wide and deep and she had no clue what he had in mind, but she knew Dylan and he was a master at fixing things.
“It needs work, but I’m pretty excited about my next adventure.”
She turned in a circle and saw him behind her, grinning from ear to ear. “And what is your next venture?”
“I’m thinking of turning this into a bakery. I just have to find the right person to take it over.”
Cori glanced around the worn building and could easily see how Dylan’s talents could turn this place into something magical for customers.
A twinge of guilt ate at her because more than likely she wouldn’t be here to see this finished, unless she came home to visit often.
“Do you have a buyer in mind?” she asked.
He nodded. “I think so. But first I want to get this place fixed up before I approach anyone with a business offer. It’ll be my first and I’m going to be investing a lot of money so I want to take this slow.”
She crossed her arms over her chest. “Speaking of a lot of money, I spoke with Mary at the therapy center today.”
When he continued to stare at her without a word, Corinne wanted to scream. “You know what I’m about to say. Anything you want to fess up to?”
The infuriating man shrugged and shook his head. “Nothing I can think of.”
“When were you going to tell me you’d paid my mother’s bill for the next month?”
“Who says I paid it?”
She tilted her head and rolled her eyes. “Do you think anyone else I know would concern themself with my finances and my parents?”
Again he shrugged and started walking around the building as if inspecting it and making mental notes.
“I don’t want you paying my way,” she all but yelled. “I can take care of my parents.”
“You were looking for a temporary job and I knew you hadn’t found one.” He ran a hand along the seam of the window sill. “I paid for one month, Cori. Chill.”
“Chill?” she repeated. “I can’t chill, Dylan. You aren’t in charge of my parents and I don’t know when I can repay you.”
Dylan turned from the window, crossed the bare space and took her trembling shoulders in his hands. “I don’t want to be paid back, Cori. If I didn’t want to help, I wouldn’t have done it. And I didn’t do it out of guilt or because I pity you or whatever other crazy idea you have in that head of yours. I care about you, I care about your parents. End of story. Don’t make this into something it’s not.”
When he explained it like that she felt like a child throwing a tantrum. He’d been totally awesome, stepping up to the plate without being asked, without expecting anything in return. And how could she ever repay him?
Cori tipped her head and held his gaze. “Just how prosperous is this business of yours, Dylan? You drop a chunk for my mother’s care, you buy this building.”
He grinned. “I could retire today and be comfortable. But I love my job. I’ve made a name for myself and had some good investments.”
Corinne reached up, stroked his face. “You’re such a good man, Dylan. What am I ever going to do when I leave here?”
He grasped her hands, kissed both palms and held on to her. “Let’s hope we don’t have to find out.”
Corinne juggled the heavy tote filled with food and a casserole in a traveling case as she entered the therapy center. She’d promised her mother a home-cooked meal once she returned from Miami and she’d yet to follow through on her promise.
Unfortunately, before she could head down the hall toward her parents’ room, Mary called her name.
Corinne turned, pasted a smile on her face even though she wasn’t quite a big fan of the new owner and the food she carried was killing her arms.
“So glad I caught you,” Mary said as she crossed the open lobby area. “I spoke with your mother’s doctor just a few moments ago on the phone. He’ll be calling you soon too. We both believe that your mother is ready to leave with at-home care, if you are comfortable with that.”
Oh wow. It would be great to get her mother home where she belonged. But how could she afford that immediate care?
“That’s wonderful,” Corinne replied. “Thank you so much.”
Mary nodded. “Oh, have you seen Dylan?”
“Earlier today. Why?”
“He mentioned coming to my house to give me an estimate, just curious when he’d be by.”
Corinne shrugged. “Not sure. He hasn’t mentioned it to me.”
“And you two are…close still?”
Corinne had had enough of this woman. She’d tried to be civil for the sake of her mother’s care, but really?
“That was pretty rude, Mary.” Corinne shifted her load and glared the owner in the eyes. “Dylan and I have been friends for years. Yes, we’re close. I’ll tell him you asked about the project. The rest is up to him.”
Corinne marched down the hallway toward her mother’s room and tapped on the door with her foot. She couldn’t wait to get her mother home and out of this facility. Granted, the place was nice for therapy and they allowed her father to stay, but the old hag who’d bought the place only a few months ago was seriously getting on Corinne’s last nerve.
Her father opened the door and smiled wide. “Well, if this isn’t service. Come on in, sweetheart. Here, let me take something.”
She handed over the casserole and finally reached up to take the heavy tote from her shoulder. Now blood could flow back into her arm.
“Wh-what do you…”
Corinne smiled at her mother who couldn’t complete the question.
“I brought a few new recipes for you all to try,” she said, pulling one dish out at a time. “I have a meatloaf for Dad because it’s his favorite, but I made some special noodles in a creamy sauce because I know you love your pasta, Mom. I baked homemade bread. Yes, I let the dough rise yesterday and it’s all from scratch.”
Her father lifted the lid from the casserole. “I’ve died. This smells amazing, Cori. But you didn’t have to go to any trouble.”
“No trouble.” She pulled out the heavy paper plates she’d brought with her and started making her mother a plate. “I tried a new cupcake recipe. S’mores cupcakes. They don’t look as pretty as I wanted them to, but hopefully they’ll taste okay.”
“My stomach doesn’t care what things look like,” her father laughed. “And they sound amazing.”
Corinne got her mother settled with a tray and her food and water bottle, before turning to draw her dad to the side of the open room.
“I ran into Mary outside. She claims Doctor Spurlock says Mom is well enough to go home with the proper care.”
Her father nodded. “I had a feeling. She’s been back here a few days and she was making such great strides before that ministroke. I actually want to talk to the doctor. I believe with you and me, we could help her without hiring the aide to come in.”
Corinne swallowed. Now was not the time to tell them she’d more than likely be leaving sooner than she’d thought. But as she looked over at her mother who was trying to eat with her left hand because her right was still so weak, Corinne knew she wasn’t going anywhere.
At least not yet.
“Have you talked with Dylan an
y more about—”
“No,” Corinne cut him off. “I haven’t and I don’t plan to.”
“I think you’re making a mistake.”
Corinne shrugged. “Obviously not the first one in my life.”
“I’ll never understand why young people are so stubborn,” he muttered.
“I’m not stubborn,” she countered between gritted teeth. “But, I will sacrifice my happiness over someone I care about any day, without question.”
His eyes searched hers and he finally nodded. “I may not agree with your decision, but I will support you, no matter what, Cori. I love you so much.”
Her father embraced her in a warm, familiar hug and all those memories of her childhood came rushing back. Her parents’ arms were always so welcoming, so comforting. No matter what was going on in her life, those arms were always there, waiting, ready to open wide and let her seek shelter, without questions and without judgment.
How could she let the people down who loved her the most? But how could she start a life here if she couldn’t have one with Dylan?
Sometimes being an adult honestly and truly sucked. There was no right answer to any situation. There were only answers that would move you on to the next dilemma.
So now she had to decide to stay, take care of her mom and face her past, or leave, take charge of her career and leave her mother’s health solely in the care of her father. No matter her decision, Dylan was a major factor. Could she bear to leave and lose him again?
Yeah. There was no right answer. But there was a better choice, even if it was the hardest.
Chapter Sixteen
Corinne knew the time had come. She was going to have to tell Dylan the truth. Or at least a portion of it.
And bribery was the absolute best tool she could think of.
Dylan had told her he had to go give an estimate for another project, not Mary’s house, and he’d be gone for several hours since the potential client lived a couple counties over.
A few hours were all she needed to put her plan into motion—and allow even more nerves to sink in.
She took a deep breath and pulled the jalapeño pepper appetizers from the oven. So far, the meal was looking beautiful. She’d made all of Dylan’s favorites and even a new dessert she’d never tried before, but it was chocolate and that was all that mattered to the man.
Smoothing a hand down her short designer dress, she laughed. She really was going all out, considering she’d even worn Dylan’s favorite color of green. Why was she so nervous? She wasn’t telling him the most damning of secrets, she was only telling him the reason she’d left so long ago.
Corinne rested her palms on the edge of the smooth granite counter. She knew he wouldn’t understand the full extent of her parents’ worry for sending her away, but hopefully he would let the rest go because she’d opened up about…something.
Keys jangled in the door, jerking her attention toward the front of the house. She moved to the kitchen doorway so she could see him as soon as he stepped foot inside.
Showtime.
“Hey,” he said, smiling as he came in and shut the door behind him. “Are you the cause of that amazing smell? I could smell something from the porch.”
“That would be dinner,” she told him. “Hope you don’t mind. I used the hidden key for the back door and just let myself in.”
He moved across the room, his eyes raking over her before landing on her face. “I absolutely don’t mind if it means you’re in here cooking. Or naked. Or both at the same time.”
Corinne smacked at his chest when he hauled her against him. “You’re incorrigible.”
Dylan nuzzled her neck, making goose bumps pop up all over her body. “I’m hungry, and now that I’ve seen you wearing this hot little dress, I’m horny.”
Corinne wrapped her arms around him and for the briefest of moments closed her eyes, reveling in the fact this man loved her. Oh, he’d never said the words, but his actions spoke volumes. Not to mention he’d asked her to stay, not return to Miami or her previous life and career. The choice was so tempting and maybe after today, after she came clean with why she’d left so long ago, he’d still feel the same. Because if he could move forward with what she was about to reveal, then maybe, just maybe, she could stick around and see where this led.
A piece of her wanted to believe a relationship could be built on a half truth, but the realistic side of her knew that was more than likely a recipe for disaster.
Dylan eased back. “Not that I’m not extremely thankful, but why the dinner and the gorgeous woman waiting for me? I could get used to this.”
Yeah, so could she.
Corinne’s heart clenched at the unknowns that surrounded her and Dylan. Why couldn’t love be easy? Why couldn’t it just settle between two people and cure all their problems, past and present?
“I have some things to talk to you about,” she told him. “But let’s eat first. I made all your favorites.”
Dylan grabbed hold of her arms before she could turn back toward the kitchen. “You got a job offer already?”
“No.”
His eyes searched hers. “Your mother is worse?”
“No, Dylan. Let’s just eat. Okay? I promise to answer all your questions after.”
Okay, so maybe not all, but a good portion of them. There was no way he would know to ask her about one aspect so she technically, probably, could answer all his questions.
Corinne had no doubt Dylan would never think to tie her leaving that night with the untimely death of his parents.
Corinne picked up her plate and reached for Dylan’s after they’d finished eating.
“No,” he told her, placing a hand on her wrist. “They’ll keep. Let’s go into the living room and you can tell me what was so important that you went to all this trouble.”
She searched his face and nodded, setting her plate back down on the table. “Fair enough.”
Now the nerves were in full swing and dancing all around in her stomach. She’d never spoken of that night, except just recently to her father. Even when she’d gone to live with his cousin in New York, she was never asked about it and she knew her parents had made it that way. Even at that great of a distance, they were keeping her safe and secure.
Dylan took a seat on the leather sectional sofa he’d recently purchased. Unable to sit, Corinne went to the window and glanced out to the sky as the setting sun sent a fiery orange glow spreading across the horizon.
“You’re pregnant.”
Corinne glanced over her shoulder with a smile. “No.”
His face dropped, almost as if he was disappointed with her answer. Babies were certainly nothing she’d thought of at this point in her life. And now that he’d made that simple statement, she couldn’t help but add another layer to the what-if game she’d been playing with herself for the past month.
“Cori. Whatever it is, you can trust me with it. There’s nothing you could tell me that would change how I feel about you. I love you.”
Instant tears clogged her throat as she turned, sagged back against the cool glass and closed her eyes. “I knew it. I knew you did, but hearing you say the words, knowing you mean them… God, Dylan, it means everything to me.”
“I’m more than a little nervous here.” He rubbed his palms across his thighs and laughed. “I want to stay over here, give you the space you so obviously need to get this out in the open, but I’m having a hard time when I just want to come over there and hold you, protect you, and say forget about whatever this secret is.”
Corinne rested her hands at her sides against the edge of the windowsill and met his gaze from across the room.
“That’s what this is all about. Isn’t it?” he asked. “The secret you’ve been keeping?”
She nodded, took a deep breath and jumped headfirst into her past.
“My life was in danger the night I left. My parents were certain that if they didn’t send me somewhere safe, my father would taken me.”
“Carl and Inez are my aunt and uncle, Dylan.” She paused, waiting for the firing of questions, waiting for the confusion to settle between them. “My biological mother was killed when I was two…at the hands of my abusive father. June was Inez’s sister and they were awarded custody of me.”
“My God, Cori,” Dylan whispered, eyes fixed on her. “When did you find this out?”
“That night I left town. My father had been released from prison that day and showed up here wanting to see his little girl. Only I wasn’t little anymore.”
Unable to lean against the window any longer, Corinne stood and crossed her arms over her chest as she paced across the new plush carpeting.
“I heard him at the door,” Corinne went on as she moved to the end of the sectional and eased down onto the arm. “I heard my father yelling and I came out of my bedroom. I squatted down upstairs by the landing and listened. I peeked around the corner once and saw this man—I didn’t know who he was. When I heard him say something about me being his daughter, I was really confused.”
“You saw your biological father?” Dylan asked, keeping his eyes locked on hers.
Corinne nodded. “I did. He didn’t see me. He was too busy telling Carl to get out of his damn way and the choice should be up to me if I wanted to see him.”
“Did you?”
She shrugged, coming back to her feet. “At the time, no. I could tell he’d been drinking. Even though I was only a teenager, I could tell his words were slurred and he was angry. Just his demeanor scared me.”
Dylan stood, coming to stand in front of her. “Did Carl call the cops or anything? He was your legal guardian, right?”
Corinne nodded. “He threatened to call the cops. Several times, actually. My biological father laughed each time, saying he could get to me anytime, anywhere, and they weren’t going to keep him away.”
Secrets from Her Past: Scandalous, Book 2 Page 13