But she’d been so close. She’d seen what it was like to fall for someone. The high was so sweet and vast. The low, on the other hand, was pure devastation. She wanted so much to experience the high again, but that meant the low would always be a possibility.
A knock at her bedroom door took her from her thoughts. She wiped her face against her soggy pillow, moist with tears and snot from her crying sessions.
“Scott?” Tara opened the door. “Are you okay?”
“Yes.” She cried again, hugging her pillow. God, she needed to stop this. It wasn’t like she’d lost her life. Well, it kind of was that way, in a dramatic sense.
“Oh, Scottie.” Tara went to her and sat on her bed. She patted Scottie’s back. “Why are you doing this?”
“What do you mean?” She peered up at Tara from the pillow.
“Torturing yourself.”
“I’m getting over a breakup.” She wiped her eyes and sat up. “This really sucks. I’ve never done this before.”
“Yeah. Breakups suck,” said Tara. She shook her head, and Scottie remembered she’d broken up with Brett a week ago.
“I guess we’re in the same boat,” said Scottie. She stared at her friend, who seemed totally okay. “How are you handling it so well?”
“Because Brett is a complete jackass.” Tara’s forehead creased, her lips pressed together in a line.
Scottie crossed her arms over her chest. “Why are men such jackasses?”
“They aren’t.” Tara leaned back on her arm, rubbing her stomach.
Scottie scoffed. “Name one.” Would she ever meet a man who wanted to stay? Who wanted to be loyal and not sleep around? Did that man even exist?
“Konrad.”
Her eyes snapped to Tara’s, who was not going to retract her statement. “Umm. What?”
“Konrad is not a jackass.” Tara lifted her eyebrows. “I kind of think you’re the jackass in this scenario.”
Scottie felt like her friend had hit her in the face with a dodge ball. “Excuse me? Did you not pay attention? Did you not understand I was seventh on a hookup list for September?”
“Yeah, yeah. I know. You were seventh. I heard.” Tara rolled her eyes. What had gotten into her? Scottie didn’t know whether to kick her out in anger or cry more.
This wasn’t fair. None of it.
“He’s a player. You were right.” Scottie’s temperature rose. “And now you’re saying this? What the hell?”
Tara shrugged. “I cringed to see that man beg you for forgiveness.”
“As he should!” Scottie wasn’t wrong here.
“No.” She shook her head. “He didn’t have to do any of it. Come over. Beg you at our door. Offer you your grandmother’s brooch and then basically get on his hands and knees and beg again at his own surprise birthday party—in front of his friends, no less.”
Scottie dropped her gaze to her pillow. She couldn’t look at Tara. She couldn’t allow herself to see it from that perspective. He had bared himself. Painfully. And she had rejected him harshly. But she’d been hurt, devastated. What else could she have done to protect herself?
“Do you have any idea how many men would say ‘oh, well’ and move on without another thought?” asked Tara. She glanced at her hand. “Do you know how many men would ghost out, never to be heard from again?”
Scottie knew this from some extent by watching her mother’s struggles. There were times her mother had been too depressed to cook because of a breakup. Why wouldn’t Scottie want to stay alone after witnessing her mother’s pain?
“I don’t think I know a guy who would give up a Mercedes for me, Scottie.”
Scottie wanted to cry again.
“I know it’s hard for you, because of your jackass dad who basically abandoned you, but Konrad isn’t him. He didn’t abandon you. I think you abandoned him.”
But it hurt too much, and Scottie was so scared to admit she might have been wrong. What if he ultimately couldn’t be loyal? Could she really take that chance again with him?
“Look…” Tara sighed. “I’m only telling you this because I know what it’s like to have no loyalty from a man. I know what it’s like to be in love and be a slave to that love and to wonder if he feels the same. But you … you didn’t have to worry about that. Konrad is in love with you. Everyone in that room could see it. I don’t think any of us can say that wasn’t love. I know I can’t.”
Oh, God. Scottie brought her hands to her face, sighing heavily in them.
“I’m telling you this because…” She trailed off. Scottie looked at her. “Because, I’m pregnant.”
“What?” Scottie leaped on to Tara, hugging her. “Are you serious?”
Tara nodded, her face in Scottie’s hair. Now Tara was crying, her words muffled in Scottie’s hair. “I’m pregnant, and Brett doesn’t want anything to do with it.”
“No!” Scottie pulled back, looking into her friend’s face, anger filling her up where the sadness had been moments ago. “Are you kidding me?”
Tara’s eyes watered.
Scottie wanted to wring Brett’s neck. Her hate for him came to full fruition. “I’ve never liked him. I always thought he was such a loser. He didn’t deserve you at all.” Scottie’s words spilled like water from a faucet no longer denied to run free. “You deserved so much better than him, the dumbass! I can’t believe he would just walk away like this! From you and his unborn child!”
The pain of Scottie’s childhood came back. She’d been the result of a one-night stand. Like Brett, her father hadn’t wanted anything to do with a child. Her parents had both been only twenty years old and from very different worlds. Thank God her grandmother had stayed in touch.
“Scott?” Tara’s voice brought her back to the present. “This is what I’m trying to tell you…”
Scottie shook her head, not understanding anything. Or understanding and refusing to acknowledge it. “What?”
Sighing deeply, Tara grabbed Scottie’s hand and held it tight. “Good men are few and far between. God, I hate that saying. My mom always said that. But, really, I think Konrad is one of the few good ones.”
“But—”
“I know what he did, and I know what he was. I mean, he was a total playboy. Check social media. A lot of women wanted a chance at him. But what he did … the way he basically laid himself at your feet not once, but twice, and in front of people … he’s a good one.” Tara released Scottie’s hand. “Don’t forget that just because of your hurt pride. Which really is what? Nothing. It’s your way to protect yourself from getting hurt. But you can’t. Not if you want to fall in love and get married. I know you do.”
“The list…”
“Screw the list! Who cares about that list? You know why? You were last on it, right?” Scottie nodded as Tara continued. “You were last on that list, and I don’t think there has been anyone else since you.”
Scottie was beside herself. “I don’t know…” It was more than she could emotionally handle.
Tara stood, looking as frustrated as Scottie felt. “Whatever. I just wanted to let you know that.”
Scottie slumped back down on the bed, pulling her phone from under the pillow once Tara was gone and she was alone again. She scrolled through Konrad’s last text messages.
Konrad: I’m coming for you. I hope you are ready for me.
Konrad: Scottie, please answer the phone. I need to talk to you.
Konrad: Baby, I know why you are mad. Can you please talk?
Konrad: Scottine, I’m sorry. Hear me out.
Konrad: Please let me explain. I love you.
The last message was from last night, after the party fiasco.
Konrad: I’m sorry I disappointed you. But you also disappointed me.
Her gaze moved up one, to the last text from Thursday night. Please let me explain. I love you. How did that message get lost in everything else? Too late now.
****
Two weeks later October had come around finally,
and Scottie browsed the Internet for jobs. It was Monday, prime time for job searching. She had been unemployed since Korr Properties and just couldn’t go back to the agency. She’d lied to them anyway.
So many things she’d do differently. She felt as if she’d aged two years and not two weeks. She hadn’t really been unemployed, though. She’d helped Tara with the catering business by booking appointments, invoicing, doing inventory, and the like. She’d also still helped serve and prepare the menu several times since Konrad’s surprise birthday party. Tara’s business was really taking off, which was wonderful. The plan was to work until the baby came in seven months.
“You should just work for me.” Tara’s voice came from behind.
“No. Thanks, though.” Scottie wasn’t a good assistant. She needed a job where she could make decisions and have a role with authority.
“Or…” Tara paused, pulling out a chair across the dining table from Scottie, who continued to scan openings. “You can be my partner? I mean, you have a business degree. You can manage the business side of things.”
Scottie looked up. “Really? Your partner?”
Tara beamed. “Yeah. You’ve been so good with the money part of Decadent Chick. I don’t think I would be getting this successful if it wasn’t for you.”
What a compliment! Scottie’s eyes moved to the computer screen again. Why not? It seemed like the next logical step. And she loved working with Tara, despite everything. She could help build the catering business for Tara and the baby. It could be their legacy.
Just as she was about to give Tara an ecstatic yes, her gaze moved over an ad that caught her attention.
ASSISTANT BREWERS WANTED
New microbrewery now hiring. Inquire on-site.
Scottie read the address listed. The EaDo property. Konrad had sold the property to the Bayou Sling!
Oh, God.
Scottie stood from the chair, knocking a stack of catering invoices to the floor. She couldn’t explain the rush inside her to act. It was primal. It was what she needed. Nothing could stop her, not her pride or her stupid what-ifs, from taking the plunge. And for the first time, she wasn’t afraid of where she would land.
Chapter Thirty-Five
Konrad held the Renee Lalique brooch. He’d not sold it back to Space City Pawn and didn’t want to. He knew, however, that he couldn’t keep it. How would he get it back to Scottie? He didn’t think he could see her again. It was too painful.
It was Monday, and his new temp had started his second week with him. It was a guy just out of college. Fine with him. Konrad decided he was off women for a while. A long while. He still tasted Scottie on his lips. No one could replace the flavor. If this was love, it was truly the worst thing that could happen to a man.
Konrad set the box back in the drawer he’d kept it in since his birthday disaster. Actually, “disaster” was too mild a word for what had happened. He was sure his friends were keeping an eye on him, just in case he was contemplating jumping off the Korr Corp building.
They were too dramatic. Why hadn’t any of those wankers coddled Fabian when he thought he’d lost Antonia to Stephan? This would not make Konrad weak. This would make him strong—stronger for the next time.
Whenever that would be.
A knock on his door took him from his reverie. Good. He needed to think about something else for a while. He looked up from his desk. Groaning, he saw Jeff on the other side of the door, looking in like a lost puppy. What the hell did he want?
Konrad waved him in, watching as he eased in with that feigned casualness he always had around Konrad. “Jeff. Fancy seeing you here on the twenty-fifth floor.”
He walked with caution to Konrad’s colossal desk. “I thought I’d ask about getting a temp for the software team while I interview candidates. We are totally back-logged with data entry and debugging.”
Konrad steepled his fingers, pressing the point into his chin. “You know I don’t get involved with human resource affairs for Properties or Solutions.”
Jeff looked uncomfortable.
“Sit down. You look like something’s on your mind. And it’s not about a new temp, is it?” Konrad watched him. He might know what was on his mind.
“Scottie left the job so quickly, I didn’t know if something was wrong with her.”
There it was. Konrad did his best not to move a muscle or make a sound. He didn’t want to show how much he missed her. How much her absence affected him.
“She moved on. It’s not unusual for temps to leave, Jeff.” His voice shook a bit, but no one would notice. He hoped.
Jeff shook his head. “Right.”
He was silent for too long, long enough for it to get awkward. Konrad released his hands to the desk, done with the conversation. “Is there anything else?”
“I saw you.” Jeff’s eyes caught Konrad’s. They were defiant, filled with loathing.
“Pardon?” Konrad’s body sparked with energy. This might end badly. He needed to be careful.
“At H Bar. I saw you and Scottie in the hall by the bathrooms.” His stare grew more intense, more knowing, and Konrad got it. Jeff obviously thought Konrad had crossed a line. Used her and made her leave.
“I don’t know what you’re suggesting, Jeff—”
“You sexually harassed her, didn’t you? And that’s why she left.” He spat out the words in disgust.
Rage filled Konrad. If he wasn’t at risk of losing everything, he’d reach over the desk and take Jeff by the throat. He’d already been emotionally charged, and this was a slap in the face. His own employee thought this about him? That he was capable of sexually harassing another employee? That was the one line he’d never cross. Ever. Scottie was different. Scottie was a woman he wanted to keep and not just have a dalliance with. And she wasn’t his employee.
Konrad turned to his phone. “Perhaps we need to get legal and human resources in here so they can hear your accusation? Because there has never once been such a claim made since I began Korr Corporation.”
The glass door burst open hard enough that Konrad thought the whole damn wall would come down in shards. He jumped up from his chair, as did Jeff.
Scottie.
She stood, her chest heaving, her eyes wild as she stood in the doorway. Dressed in jeans and a t-shirt, she looked as if she’d just rolled out of bed. Konrad didn’t know what to say. What to think. There were too many thoughts and too many feelings churning inside him.
“You said you loved me in that text,” she began in a surprisingly steady voice, considering the condition she was in. One step in front of the other, she made her way across his office, completely ignoring the fact that Jeff had been there too. “Did you mean it?”
Konrad’s heart pounded in his chest, and he was back at his fateful party. He was back at the place where he was on his knees for her, and she had rejected him callously. Yes, he loved her, dammit, but he didn’t love this. He didn’t love her intrusion on him when he was trying to get on. In his office. His bread and butter. She had no right to come in and make him beg for her again.
“Jeff, please leave now.” Konrad didn’t want another scene. He was tired of them. Exhausted of them.
“Now you want some privacy?” Her eyes blazed, challenging him.
“Jeff,” Konrad said again, stronger. He wasn’t asking. He was demanding. Jeff didn’t move though. “Get out, Jeff!”
With that final demand, Jeff leaped to the door, getting out of their way. The door snapped shut, and Konrad could see from his periphery that Susan and other employees were standing outside. Another crowd.
“You can’t come into my office demanding me, Scottie,” he said coolly, but his heart was melting. She had tears in her eyes.
“I know you sold the EaDo property to Bayou Sling.”
“So?” How much he wanted to go to her, to take her in his arms. Kiss her again. It had been too long since his lips had touched hers, but he could practically feel them as she stood there, watching her mout
h.
“Why?” Her voice quivered, as did her lips.
He shrugged. “I had a change of heart.” Did you? He wanted to ask her but couldn’t. He didn’t want to know.
“So easy?” She choked on her question.
He choked on his answer. “No.”
“Then why?” She wasn’t going to let it go, and he just wanted her to leave. Her presence affected him too much. He couldn’t be rejected by her again.
He scrubbed his face. “I don’t see why this is important for you to know.”
“I see why. Tell me. Why did you sell the EaDo property to Bayou Sling?”
He lifted his clenched fists in exasperation. “Because you were right. Because it wasn’t about profit. It was about community, about building something long-term. About doing the right thing. Okay? Is that what you want me to admit?”
He couldn’t look at her anymore.
He dropped his gaze to the floor. “Why are you here, Scottie? It’s over, remember?”
The air grew thick, tense. He thought he’d suffocate if the silence lasted any longer.
“I’ve never understood love from a man, not from a young age. My dad didn’t want anything to do with me. I don’t know where he is. I never really knew. When I saw that hook-up list, I felt like I was my mother, and I always told myself I would never be like her. I would never let a man hurt me. Because that was my childhood. I couldn’t believe you because I was afraid of giving you my love and you destroying it because of who I thought you were. Maybe I destroyed myself instead. But you have to tell me, did you mean what you said in that text?”
“Scottie,” Konrad said on a sigh, his heart so full it weighed him down. “Stop this.”
Her tears fell then. “I love you, Konrad. And I came to see if you still love me. And I’m not afraid of your answer.”
“Jesus, Scottie,” he said, his voice gaining more strength.
“Just say it. Just tell me once and for all, so I can put this behind me.”
Playboy Boss Page 20