Kissing Her Enemy

by Coleen Kwan

  An idea began to pound in his head. What if Amber worked with him to make the mega center a success? She had already turned Bennett’s into a thriving business. Who knew what she could achieve on a bigger scale? He didn’t doubt her ability or her commitment, and as for his dad, he’d find a way to convince him. If she agreed, he knew she would be amazing and he would be lucky to have her. But then an image of her scornful face intruded on his thoughts. Yeah, right. She hated his guts. As if she’d want to work with the enemy.

  But was it such an outrageous idea? She might go for it if he sold it to her the right way. And if she said yes, then he’d see her every day and have a chance to show her how much he loved her, and maybe, just maybe, she might eventually return his feelings. His throat seized up at that idea.

  They were coming into Pine Falls, and the municipal building was just up ahead. The parking lot was overflowing with cars; clearly dozens of people had turned up. Amber was there. Perspiration prickled Logan’s back. He pushed an unsteady hand over his disheveled hair, feeling like he was walking into a volcano.

  “I don’t know what to tell you, buddy,” Ryan said as he drew the Jeep to a halt outside the entrance to the building. “Just go in there and do your best.”

  Logan nodded. He would go in there and try to put his crazy idea to Amber, but would it be enough?

  Chapter Thirteen

  The crush in the room was overwhelming. Even with all the windows and doors flung open the air was oppressively hot. Amber fanned herself with a brochure she’d found under her seat. According to the usher, the monthly Monday night meeting of the planning committee was usually attended by at most a dozen people, but this evening almost forty citizens had turned up, and the meeting room was woefully inadequate.

  Mrs. Keneally, one of Amber’s most loyal customers, was addressing the three men of the planning committee.

  “…Colfax Road will be a traffic nightmare every Saturday and Sunday. Is this what we want in Pine Falls—traffic, pollution, noise, and litter every weekend?”

  “No!” half the crowd responded.

  “And that’s why I strongly object to the Wrights’ proposal,” Mrs. Keneally concluded before sitting down to enthusiastic applause.

  Jed Winston, the chair of the committee, didn’t have a gavel, so he used his large fist to hammer on the table. “Order, order!”

  Hannah, sitting next to Amber, gently squeezed her hand. “That was a great speech by Mrs. Keneally. I think she really got to the committee.”

  Amber could only nod. Her throat was so tight she could scarcely breathe, and the stuffy atmosphere didn’t help to ease her nerves, either. The meeting had started forty minutes ago. She had been the first to speak, followed by six others, all opposed to the plan. She hadn’t expected such a big turnout, and for that she had Caleb, sitting on her other side, to thank. He’d listened fervently to every speech and clapped the loudest, even whistling, until Jed Winston had threatened to toss him out if he didn’t “curb his enthusiasm.”

  Jed Winston cast his eagle-eyed gaze over the sweaty, restless crowd. “Does anyone else want to address the committee?”

  Along with everyone else, Amber craned her neck, her stomach knotting as she searched in vain for any sign of Logan. With so many bodies crammed into the room, she didn’t have a good view, and she assumed he was standing at the back. Surely he would step forward now?

  Someone did push through the crowd. Amber’s breath caught in her throat. This had to be Logan. Her skin prickled, and she realized that she was longing to see him again. Even though he was here to crush her dreams. Ugh, how pathetic could she be?

  But then she saw it wasn’t him, it was his father, and disappointment squeezed her heart.

  Blaine Wright, dressed in a formal suit, walked up to the table where the committee sat and stood next to them to address the crowd.

  “Good evening, I’m Blaine Wright, and I’m here to tell you what a great thing we’re doing for this town.”

  Immediately a murmur of dissent rippled through the crowd, but Logan’s father didn’t seem to notice it.

  “My family has always contributed to the community. Look at those playhouses my son just built for three daycare centers. Wasn’t that generous of him?”

  Another murmur arose.

  Jed Winston spoke up, “Yes, Blaine, but Ms. Miller helped build them, too, so I’d say you’re equal on that score.”

  Thank heavens for Ryan, Amber thought. He’d made sure the committee knew about her contribution.

  Blaine puffed out his chest. “Fine. Now, there are always going to be naysayers who want to hold back progress, but let’s face facts. This town needs all the investment it can get, and my family is willing to put millions of dollars into this center. Millions. We could easily go somewhere else. Plenty of small towns would be happy to welcome us. So count yourselves lucky that we want to sink our money here.”

  Boos and hisses rang out.

  “Go somewhere else! We don’t need your stinking money!”

  Blaine seemed startled at the hostile reception. He started to argue but the booing grew louder and so did the insults. Amber chewed on her lip. The man was autocratic, but that didn’t invalidate what he’d tried to say.

  Blaine’s hands were shaking, and a sheen of perspiration gleamed on his wrinkled forehead. Logan’s father was past his prime, and he had health problems. And then she recalled what he’d said to her earlier today. There’s more at stake here than just your puny little store. Hundreds of people rely on us. If we don’t build this mega center they might all lose their jobs. Could the Wright business empire be in more trouble than anyone realized? Her mind returned to the afternoon she’d taken Logan to TJ’s bar and the workers laid off from the lumber mill because of something to do with the Wrights. At the time she hadn’t thought much of it, but now pieces of the puzzle were falling into place. Logan’s father was right. There was more at stake that just her store. Why hadn’t Logan told her? Because he wanted to protect his father, just like she had always protected her mom.

  The crowd was growing rowdier. As she looked at the people yelling at Blaine, her dismay rose. She had caused this outpouring of vitriol and abuse; she had to stop it. She jumped to her feet and pushed her way to the front of the room where Jed was still banging on the table.

  “Listen, everyone!” She held up her hands, waiting until the crowd fell silent. “We may not agree with Mr. Wright, but he’s still entitled to say his piece.” She sensed Blaine’s surprise, and continued, “And though he’s managed to insult us all, there is some truth in what he says. This town does need investment, and it does need jobs. I can’t deny that.”

  From the table, Jed interrupted, “But you spoke against it, Ms. Miller. What are you trying to say now?”

  She licked her dry lips. “I guess I want a balanced discussion. I mean, I know that I’ll be directly affected. If this mega center goes ahead, I—I’ll lose my business, my income, my home, but…but I suppose it’s selfish to only think of myself.”

  “That’s very magnanimous of you,” Jed said, his bushy eyebrows raised in surprise. “Very few people in your position would be so generous. But others here have raised valid objections—traffic, pollution, noise, lack of service, poor access, destroying the small town atmosphere.” He aimed a censorious look at Blaine. “I don’t understand why the chief architect of this proposal didn’t see fit to attend tonight’s meeting. If he—”

  “I’m sorry for the delay,” a very familiar voice spoke from the back of the room. “I got here as soon as I could.”

  Amber’s throat dried as Logan made his way to the front of the room. Her heart quailed as she set eyes on him for the first time since she’d recognized her true feelings for him. Was this love? This raw, naked feeling as if all her emotions were stripped bare to him and him alone? This shaky longing to touch him, coupled with nausea at the fear of rejection? Crap, if this was love, then it felt like hell.

  His gaze was
pinned on her, and then, as he neared, it slid away, as if he was embarrassed. A hot fist closed around her heart. Of course he was embarrassed to be seen with her in front of all these people, including his father. He hadn’t forgiven her for what she’d done at the charity event. Dejection engulfed her. She stepped back, wanting to slink away, but somehow she’d become trapped between the table and Logan’s father. She stood still, hoping not to draw any attention to herself.

  Logan turned to the crowd. He wore business pants and a white shirt, but his hair was messy, his shirt was sticking to his back, and his tie was missing. He looked like he’d had a tough day.

  “I’d like to address some of your concerns, and hopefully, through a meaningful discussion, we can come to an agreement. Now, about the increased traffic. Yes, I acknowledge there will be more cars, but here’s how I propose to deal with it.”

  He proceeded to outline his plans to widen roads, increase parking, and direct traffic away from residential areas. Moving on to address other potential problems, he spoke confidently but reasonably, without any of the arrogance his father had displayed, and the crowd appeared to respond to his attitude. The atmosphere became less heated, more rational, although there were still some truculent objectors.

  “But what about service?” Mrs. Keneally grumpily interrupted. “I’ve tried shopping at one of these big-box stores, and it’s hopeless. The store’s too big, the staff don’t help, and the layout’s confusing. No one wants to know us older folk.”

  “Yes, no one cares about us except for Amber.” Giovanni leaped up from his chair and pointed a knobby finger at Amber. “She knows us. She goes out of her way to help us, even when we can’t pay. She is the reason why we go to Bennett’s. How will you ever replace her?”

  All eyes swiveled onto Amber. She had never been shy, but now she felt painfully self-conscious. No one is irreplaceable, she wanted to say, but Logan got in first.

  “You’re right,” he said to Giovanni. “Amber is irreplaceable, but I have a plan for that.” He paused, glancing at Amber.

  “Well? What is it?” Giovanni asked.

  A trace of color touched Logan’s cheekbones. “Uh, I should probably discuss this with Amber first.”

  She stared at him. Was he actually flustered? He couldn’t be, not Logan.

  “No, go on,” Mrs. Keneally barked. “We don’t want any secret deals. Everything should be out in the open. If you’ve got something to propose to Amber, then do it now.”

  A murmur of assent went through the crowd. Logan pushed a hand through his hair. “Fine.” He turned to Amber. “I’d like to offer you the position of general manager for the mega center. You’d assist in the building phase, and when it’s open, you’d be in charge of everything, from dealing with suppliers to hiring and firing employees.”

  Blaine Wright made a choking sound, but Logan ignored him. “You’d be working with me and our consultants on things like marketing and branding, but essentially you’d have a free hand in running the business. We can discuss the details of your remuneration in private, but it would include a company car and sign-on and performance bonuses.” He paused, looking earnest, almost nervous. “Would you be interested?”

  Before she could reply, Blaine burst out, “Are you insane? She has zero experience in a general manager’s position.”

  “I disagree,” Logan smoothly answered. “Amber’s turning a profit since she took over Bennett’s, because she knows what her customers want. I think she’d be perfect for the role.” He returned his attention to her. “Well? What do you think?”

  Amber could scarcely breathe let alone think. The muggy room, the restless crowd, the shock of Logan’s offer. It was all too much. She wanted to run away, but Logan was waiting for her answer, everyone was waiting. What was she to say?

  “No,” she heard herself say, and a shock ran through her. No? Was that what she meant to say? “Thank you, but no.”

  Logan’s brow creased in bewilderment. “No?”

  “No,” she said, louder this time. Emotion overwhelmed her. She had to get out of this stifling room, had to get away from Logan, before she broke down and revealed the truth.

  “Excuse me,” she mumbled, turning away. She pushed her way through the crowd, blind and desperate to escape. Somehow she made it out the door and hurried down the empty corridor.

  A hand embraced her arm, the familiar touch sending a shiver of longing through her. “Amber, wait.”

  Reluctant, she turned to find Logan, his face scrunched up as if he were in pain. He let go of her, and she caught a glimpse of his hands shaking before he shoved them into the pockets of his trousers. Why were Logan’s hands trembling? Why did he look so tormented? Was he still worried about his mega center?

  “I figured it out,” she blurted out before she could help it.

  “Figured what out?”

  “Your family empire, Wright Inc. It’s not doing as well as everyone thinks. That’s why you need your mega center. To save the rest of your businesses. Isn’t that right?”

  His expression grew wary. “Has someone been blabbing?”

  “Your father might’ve let something slip, but that’s beside the point. It’s true, isn’t it?” He didn’t reply, but the creases on his brow were answer enough. “You’ll get your mega center. I’ll go back in there and withdraw my objections.”

  His eyes widened. “You’d do that?”

  “It’s a good proposal, especially if you address all the drawbacks. You’ll get it through, and I’ll sell my store. You don’t have to bribe me with a job.”

  “Bribe you! Is that what you think I was doing?”

  “Well, wasn’t it?”

  “No, of course not! I meant every word I said. I can’t think of anyone more qualified for the job.”

  “Your father doesn’t think so.”

  “My father…” Logan swiped a hand across his brow. “You’re right about the family empire being on shaky legs. We need this mega center to turn our fortunes around. But my father was out of line telling you that we’d cut you out. He doesn’t know you like I do. He doesn’t know that you, more than anything else, hold the key to our success. I mean that, Amber. With you in charge, I know we’ll succeed. You know your customers. I’ve seen that. They aren’t just customers to you; they’re people. You care about them, and that’s invaluable.”

  “But I’ve never run such a huge business before. I’m sure I’d make mistakes.”

  “Everyone makes mistakes, but it’s what you learn from them that’s important. And you won’t be on your own. You’ll have me and the support of my management team.” He paused. “I need you, Amber.”

  His low voice seduced her, but she hardened her heart against it. He needed her for his store, but not himself. She was a means to an end.

  She drew in a painful breath. “Sorry, but my answer’s still no.”

  Still avoiding his eye, she edged past him, and once she was free she started to stride down the corridor, desperate to get out of the municipal building and far away from him.

  Footsteps pounded after her. Logan dashed past, skidded to a halt and turned to face her.

  “Stop.”

  She risked a glance at his face. Perspiration gleamed on his brow, and there was a wild look in his eyes. He wiped the back of his hand across his upper lip. He looked so endearingly anxious that she almost thought he was distressed about her.

  “Amber, I’m an idiot. I’m a brain-dead fool.”

  She blinked at him. “O-kay…”

  “I got everything backward. I shouldn’t have offered you the job.”

  Her heart drooped. “It doesn’t matter—”

  “If you want me to, I won’t go ahead with the mega center. Not here in Pine Falls. I’ll look for another location that won’t affect you.”

  She heard his words but couldn’t understand them. “I’m sorry? Is this some kind of joke?”

  “No, I’m dead serious. Just say the word, and I’ll go back into tha
t meeting room and withdraw my plans.”

  Her head was swirling. Nothing made sense. “Why…what…No, you can’t do that!”

  “Of course I can.”

  “But…you’ve bought half the block and invested so much already. If you relocate, that’s going to cost you more money and time, and in the meantime your whole business might go under. Why on earth would you risk everything?”

  Logan met her stare. “Why do you think, Amber?”

  Silence except for the whooshing of her heart. The way he looked at her, the way he said her name, soft and hesitant…and tender, it almost seemed like…No, it can’t be true.

  “You—you’re trying to trick me.”

  “How?”

  “You’re trying to make me look like…like I’m the bad guy or something.”

  “There’s no trick, Amber.”

  “But—but there must be, because otherwise…” She gulped. “There’s only one other explanation, and—and it can’t be that.”

  He swallowed, too, and she saw that he was as anxious and fearful as she. “There’s no other explanation. I—I have feelings—no, dammit, I’m in love with you, Amber.” His voice firmed. “I love you, babe. I love your fierceness, your determination, your never-say-die attitude. I love every damn thing about you, and the thought that I’m the one stomping on your dreams is killing me. Killing me. So I’m willing to move the mega center. For you.” He pushed a shaking hand through his hair. “I’m sorry if me being in love with you creeps you out. It’s kinda freaking me out, too. But I want you to know that my offer stands with no strings attached.”

  All her words seemed to be jammed in her throat. She could only stare at him, stunned beyond belief.

  A muscle ticked in Logan’s jaw. As her silence continued, his brows drew together. “Okay, I can see you’re horrified, so I’ll just go and—”

  “No, wait. You—you can’t just tell a girl you love her and—and then run off. I mean, I never dreamed you’d fall for me, so—so just give me a minute to soak it all in, will you?” The words tumbled out without filter, straight from her heart, and she had no control over them. “I love you, too, Logan. I do. I thought I hated you for what you were trying to do, but I can’t fight it anymore. I love you, with everything in my heart.”