by Syndi Powell
“All I did was walk into my office.”
“With your head up and shoulders back. You looked like a conquering warrior returning home from the battle.” Dalvin grinned and clapped his hands. “Leslie will be eating her words. She’s been saying a lot about you while you were gone.”
That was one thing he hadn’t missed about being away from the office. Work gossip tended to sour his stomach, and he usually left the room when it started. He placed his messenger bag on his desk and began to remove his laptop and check his phone. “Any updates that I need to know?”
“I’ve been calling your clients to make sure they’re aware that you’re back. You’ll want to check in with Ramos and Jackson.”
“I already called them both this morning. Can you put Jackson’s follow-up with his doctor on my appointment calendar for Thursday afternoon?” He plugged his computer in and started it up. “Ramos is in Phoenix for spring training. Get me the number of the place he’s staying. I’d like to send him a gift to welcome him to the majors.”
Dalvin typed the information into his cell phone. He sighed and walked around the desk to give Zach a hug. “I’m so glad you’re back. How’s your mom?”
Zach patted Dalvin’s back. “She’s going to be okay. I’ll need to leave early tomorrow afternoon to meet with her doctors. I already told Mike about it.”
Dalvin stepped back and typed that into his cell phone. “I’ll update your schedule and send it to your computer and phone.” He paused and smiled. “We’re all pulling for your mom.”
“Thanks.”
Dalvin left the office, and Zach turned to his computer to work through his email. By the time he’d returned the calls and messages during his absence, his stomach grumbled, telling him it was time for a break. He saved an early draft of a document he’d been reviewing and looked up to find Mike standing in his doorway. “Have lunch plans, Zach?”
“Um...”
“Good. We can go to this sports bar down the street. My treat.”
Zach knew better than to refuse, so he grabbed his cell phone and shrugged into his sports coat. They walked the few blocks rather than taking a car since parking was at a premium. It was dark inside the pub, and televisions around the room blared different sports channels. They took a seat at an empty high-top table. Mike looked around and waved at a man in a corner booth. “Be right back. I see a buddy of mine.”
A server came, and Zach ordered them glasses of ice water and a basket of bacon and cheese fries to share, knowing how much his boss enjoyed anything fried covered in more fat. Mike returned to the table and drank half the water in his glass. “Zach, you know how much I admire you.”
This didn’t sound like the start of a good conversation. “Sir, are you firing me?”
“What? No.” Mike loosened his tie and peered at Zach. “I know that the decision to put your mom into a nursing home wasn’t an easy one. But you did what you had to. It was the smart move...a necessary one.”
He shifted uneasily in his seat, not feeling as if he warranted such admiration. “Thank you, sir. I think.”
“That’s not why I asked you to lunch, though.”
The server came with the basket of fries, and they ordered lunch while Zach tried to figure out his boss’s agenda. He wasn’t getting fired, so why would it be important for them to meet outside of the office? What was he about to say that couldn’t be said there?
Mike took a few fries and stuffed them into his mouth. “Speaking of tough decisions being made lately, I wanted you to be the first to know. I’m selling the agency.”
Zach frowned, a French fry paused in midair. “I’m sorry, did you say you’re quitting?”
“More like retirement. I’ve been in this business long enough to know that I’ve lost my killer instinct. Our agency isn’t as competitive as it used to be. Sure, you and Leslie are my go-getters, but I’m tired. I’m old. And the wife wants to spend half the year in Florida when the snow flies.” Mike gave him a shrug. “We’re on top, so why not go out that way?”
“But what about the agents? And all the assistants? What about our clientele?”
“Like I said, I’m interested in selling the agency and all of its assets. Are you interested in buying?”
Zach choked. “Why me?”
“You have a proven track record. Sure, the last few months were patchy, but you’ve got that solved now. You’re free and independent. And I know how well I pay you. You could do this in your sleep.”
Zach put down the fry and tried to comprehend what he was being offered. He’d played with the idea of someday owning his own agency, but that was much farther down the road. He was barely thirty. He didn’t have the experience yet to be able to lead, did he? “I don’t know, Mike. This is coming out of nowhere. I’m just coming off a suspension because I couldn’t handle both my personal life and my clients’ business.”
“But you’ve solved that now.”
“Not quite.”
“What is it that’s stopping you from taking me up on my once-in-a-lifetime offer? Is it the money? Because we can work out a buyout deal. Is it Leslie? She can handle it. What’s keeping you back? Tell me.”
“I don’t know if I can manage an agency and my own roster of clients. I’m already stretched further beyond what I’m comfortable with.”
“So you slowly move your clients to another agent. I had to stop being an agent after a while when I started the company.” He gave a shrug as if it didn’t matter. “You get to be your own boss and do your own thing.”
It was too much to think about at the moment. His worries about his mother were uppermost in his mind, so anything else still came second. And then there was April. He wanted to pursue something with her, but he’d have to focus on the business if he bought the agency from Mike. On the other hand, being the boss sounded nice. He could lead the agency in the direction he wanted. Could fashion the office to reflect what he believed in, focusing on integrity and honesty rather than just the money. He could make his own name in this business.
“It’s tempting, Mike. But I’ll have to pass.”
“Great. I’ll have my lawyer draft the paperwork.”
Zach frowned at his boss’s satisfied smile. “I’m turning you down, Mike. I can’t even consider this properly right now. You know what’s going on in my life. It’s too much.”
Mike nodded. “I can wait. By September, you’ll be begging to buy it from me.”
Zach wasn’t sure that he would be. His mom was still his priority. Then clients. Then the agency. And, he hoped, he’d be able to find a place for April in there, too.
* * *
SATURDAY MORNING STARTED out cloudy with a forecast of rain. April sipped her coffee as she stood at the kitchen sink, looking out into the backyard at the grass that had started to spring up from the winter-ravaged ground. She hoped that the rain would hold off until after the bike tour. She’d take her raincoat with her, just in case.
When she’d been sick and going through treatment, she’d never expected to be here at this moment in her life. Part of her had wondered if she’d survive. Another, stronger part pushed her to endure and come out stronger. Most days, she felt blessed that she’d gotten to enjoy her life. That was the point of the second-chance list. To savor times like this, a crisp morning, relishing a cup of coffee and the contentment that warmed her from the inside out.
She checked the clock on the microwave, then finished her coffee in one gulp. Didn’t want to be late for the beginning of the tour. They kept to a strict timetable that she’d been told about when she’d signed up herself and Zach. The group would leave if you didn’t show up by ten.
She put her cornflower blue rain slicker on over her lemon yellow T-shirt and jeans. Tucked her cell phone in one of her front jeans pockets, her ID and some money in the other. Scrutinized her reflection in the mirror one last time
, tried to smooth down some of the flyaway curls, but then gave up and left the house.
She retrieved her bike from her garage and walked it to the end of the driveway. Kicking off, she rode past the hospital and toward the park where the tour was to begin. She breathed deeply, enjoying the earthy scent that signaled spring was on its way. Soon, the tulips, lilies and daffodils would push through the dirt and bloom. To April, those flowers represented a beginning more than any others. They heralded the start of friendlier temperatures and more time spent outdoors. Of longer, brighter days. A chance to start again.
The group at the park gathered near the swing set that currently had no swings. Once the weather improved and kids started to fill the park, the city employees would hang the swings back up. For now, the space looked barren. She nodded to several people and checked in with the woman holding a clipboard. “I’m April Sprader. I don’t see my friend Zach just yet.”
The organizer looked at her watch. “He’s got six minutes.”
April nodded and returned to her bike. She took out her phone, certain there’d be a message from Zach. Nothing. She sent off a quick text to Page, asking her how she was feeling. The response came immediately. Fine. Leave me alone. Aren’t you supposed to be touring?
Waiting for Zach. It’s a beautiful day.
I’ll watch it from the window.
A car pulled up in the parking lot and April hoped it was Zach. A family with kids got out instead and joined the group with their bicycles. April turned back to her phone. You on your way? Not that he would stand her up, but he wasn’t known for being prompt the few times they’d gone out. And she’d texted him the directions and start time last night. The tour leaves in three minutes.
She waited but didn’t get a response. He had to be riding his bike to the park and couldn’t reply.
The three minutes passed and April approached the tour guide. “My friend isn’t here yet. Is there any way we could wait a few more minutes? He might be stuck in traffic.”
“We don’t wait for anyone.”
April glanced around the park but didn’t see him. “What’s your first stop? Maybe we could catch up with you.”
The tour guide gave her a list of places they’d be seeing. “And we don’t give refunds.”
April nodded and stepped back as the organizer called the group together and gave the agenda for the tour. She listened as best she could, but was really straining to hear Zach’s car or bike, and missed most of what she said. Zach had to be on his way. Maybe he wasn’t sure where the park was. She got out her phone and sent him a quick message. The tour is leaving. Are you close?
Again, no response. The tour group left, some of them waving to April. She propped her bike against a tree and took a seat on the bench of a picnic table. She checked her voice mail to see if he’d called her. Read through her email. Even logged on to Facebook to see if there were any messages from him saying he would be late.
It started to rain about fifteen minutes after the tour group had left. More like a sprinkle or fine mist rather than large raindrops. Still, it was enough for April to pull up her hood and lean over the table in an attempt to stay dry. She wiped the moisture off the screen of her cell phone and dialed Zach’s phone number. The call went straight to voice mail. She took a deep breath. “Hey, Zach. It’s me, April. We were supposed to meet about twenty minutes ago for the tour. I’m still waiting for you at the park. Please call me so I know that you’re okay. Talk to you soon.”
She called Page’s number. “What?”
“Do you always have to answer your phone that way?”
“It’s easier. What do you want? I thought you were on that bike tour thing.”
April frowned and scanned the empty park. “Zach hasn’t shown up yet, and I’m sitting alone in the park, and it’s raining. How long am I required to stay here before I give up on him?”
“He stood you up?”
“No, he’s running late. He’s like someone else I know.”
“I’m not always late. You’re just always early.”
April smiled at this. “You don’t think he’s changed his mind about me, do you?”
“Not possible. Something probably came up. Give him another ten minutes. Though you might want to wait somewhere that’s dry.”
April ended the call and stood. The trees hadn’t started to leaf yet, so huddling under one of them wouldn’t give her much protection. The rain had started to fall harder with bigger drops. She peered up at the sky, feeling the water drip down her face and into the crook of her neck. If she didn’t find somewhere that had a roof or at least some kind of covering, she risked hypothermia.
The park had a restroom with an eave that jutted over the cement sidewalk. It was better than nothing. She sprinted to it and shivered underneath it. She still had a good view of the parking lot in case he showed. He had to show. He wouldn’t stand her up and make her wait in the rain for nothing. Page was right. Something had come up.
The longer she waited, the colder she got. She tried calling and texting him, but didn’t hear a word. Forty minutes after the tour group had left, she walked to her bike and straddled it. She could wait at home for him to call.
Riding her bike in the rain wasn’t as much fun. She reached her house and dumped the bike in the garage, then ran from it to the front door. She hung up her drenched raincoat and rushed to the bathroom, where she grabbed a towel to dry her hair. The rain slicker had kept her clothes dry at least. Well, mostly dry.
In the living room, she glanced at her phone again. No calls. No texts. Nothing from Zach. This was her last Saturday off before the shift change at the hospital, and she wanted to enjoy it. She was done with waiting. She’d make her own plans.
* * *
THE PLANE TOUCHED down in Phoenix with a bump, and Zach’s heart restarted as they taxied to the terminal. He hated flying, but when Chris had called about a problem with spring training he had dropped everything and gotten a flight. As people started to collect their things and leave, he turned his phone back on and raised his eyebrows at the number of calls and texts he’d missed. He hustled off the plane with his carry-on bag over one shoulder as he listened to his voice mails.
April. He closed his eyes and groaned. He’d forgotten about the bike tour when he’d heard Chris’s panicked call. He regretted it badly—not calling her after he’d booked his ticket—but he’d been so intent on getting to Arizona that it had slipped his mind. He slowed and dialed April’s number. “I’m so sorry. I had to leave town on a moment’s notice.”
“It’s fine.”
But the tone of her voice didn’t sound like she was fine. It sounded controlled and clipped. “A client called and needed me.”
“A client needed you? I see.”
Her words and tone reminded him of the fights he’d had with Marissa before the divorce. “Do you?”
“Actually, I’m getting a very clear picture.” She paused on the other end. “Goodbye, Zach.”
The words sounded so final that they made his chest ache. “Wait, I’m sorry I didn’t call, but that’s no reason for the two of us to be over so soon.”
“Zach, we never got started. Not really. It’s better that we end things now rather than drag it out.”
“April, let me explain.” He couldn’t let her go. Not like this. He needed to try to fix it. “I screwed up, I know. I should have called, but I forgot.”
“You wouldn’t have forgotten if I was your mom. Or your client.”
“That’s not true.”
She took a deep breath. “I love how you take care of your mom. And I love how you treat your clients with respect and take their needs seriously.” She paused. “I love you, Zach, but I can’t be with you. I can’t be a second thought. Or a third. Or even a fourth.”
She loved him? The thought made his heart soar. Made him want to tell ever
yone who walked by that an amazing woman loved him. But at the same time, he was about to lose her. “April, let’s not do this over the phone. Let’s think about this, and we can get together when I’m home in a few days. Please wait for me.”
“The thing is, I’m done with waiting.”
“April...”
“I’m making a point of living and enjoying my life now. Not waiting for the perfect time. Or the perfect guy.”
“You know I’m not perfect.”
“No, but I thought you might be perfect for me.” She paused, then sighed. “Guess I was wrong.” It sounded like she was teary. “I wish you all the best.”
And then she was gone. He stared at his phone. Tried calling her back, but she refused to answer and it went to voice mail. Someone jostled him, and his carry-on bag fell to the floor. He stooped to pick it up, slung it over his shoulder and found the line of taxis. He’d fix the problem with Chris, then he’d fix his relationship with April.
He knew how to fix things with people because he gave them what they wanted and squelched his own needs. The problem was, April wanted to be without him. And even if he wanted to be with her, he’d give that up to make her happy.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
APRIL GRABBED ANOTHER tissue from the box and blew her nose. Sherri was rubbing her back while Page scowled from the sofa.
“He doesn’t deserve you. I’m going to call him and give him a piece of my mind. No one ditches my best friend,” Page all but growled. She propped herself up on her elbow and started to reach for her cell phone.
April hauled Page back to the sofa. “I was the one who broke up with him.” This brought a fresh batch of tears, and she plucked another tissue from the box. “Why did I do that?”
Sherri leaned in and April felt Sherri’s hand gently guiding her head to Sherri’s shoulder. “That is a great question,” Sherri said. “I thought you liked him.”
“I love him. But he loves his mother. He should. The thing is, she and his clients will always come first. He bends over backward for them. I admire him for it. But where does that leave me?”