Brianne smiled. “I like that we can do that for Daddy.”
“Me too,” I admitted. “What else do you want to do for him on that day?”
“Cake, cake caaaaaaake,” Amelia sang, focusing on her picture.
“Of course.”
“We want you there too Rissa,” Brianne said softly.
“It’s a family thing Bri. Your Uncle Ian will be there. You guys will have fun! I will help plan and get it all ready, but I am not your family.”
She frowned at me. “Yes you are family.” She set down her crayon. Her blues lifted to me. “You have to be at Daddy’s birthday.”
I didn’t want to upset her. I knew it was best to just smile. “We’ll see,” I said gently, but made no promises. I nodded to the table. “Are you done with that?”
She smiled and shook her head, getting back to work.
“We’ll talk to Mary today about birthday dinner and the cake! We’ll make it ourselves! I know he rarely goes into the kitchen but I bet Stewart can keep him out! Maybe he an Ian can go for a ride?”
“Daddy will work on his birthday. He always does.”
I looked to the six year old. She couldn’t possibly remember many of his birthdays so she must be repeating something she had heard. “Your Uncle Ian say that?” I nodded when she nodded. “Well, maybe we can change that tradition!”
Amelia smiled and did a little jig in her chair.
“Okay,” Brianne agreed.
“Do you do lessons on your birthday?”
She shook her head.
“Then he can take a day off.”
“That’s Sunday,” Amelia chirped, coloring away. “Only Sundays.”
I rose to my feet when I heard my phone going off. The number was unfamiliar but I figured if they had this number they must be meant to have it. “Hello?”
“Nerissa? It’s Wendy! Ian’s friend? I have your selection completed…the one you liked best! If you’d like to come take a look and make sure it’s to your liking…”
“I’d love that!”
I glanced to the girls. “But I can’t get away now.”
“No problem! I can call Ian…have him bring it over for you to look through? If you don’t like you can add some post its and I can tweak things. If it is to your liking then I can just complete and have to you by Sunday! I know you have your hands full with the little ones!”
I had a feeling she wouldn’t mind having Ian stop by to see her at all. My smile couldn’t be helped. “Let me talk to him. I will see if he will drop by after work.”
“You have your guitar lessons this evening?”
I laughed. “You know about my guitar lessons?”
Wendy seemed embarrassed that she revealed this. “Ian said…well, we went to dinner the other night…and he mentioned your lessons.” Her voice trailed off before she could say more.
My mouth dropped open.
“I…I hope that’s okay! I didn’t know if you guys were…and with the gift you were doing for his brother, I thought….I thought it would be okay if we had dinner.”
I laughed, cutting her off. “No, I think that’s wonderful! I just…he just never said anything. No, Ian and I are friends…very good friends…so you can imagine my shock that he didn’t tell me!” I was grinning now, ear to ear. I couldn’t wait to talk to Ian! “Thanks Wendy…I will be in touch! I really appreciate the work you’ve put into this!”
“Oh you are welcome…just have Ian call if he’s…”
“Oh I will I will,” I cut her off. “Talk to you later!”
I couldn’t dial Ian fast enough. I knew he was at work…I knew there was a chance he wouldn’t answer and I knew I would be on pins and needles until he called back. So I did an Amelia jig when he answered. “Ian Byrne you have been keeping things from me!”
He chuckled. “Why whatever are you talking about Rissa?” His voice was low, as if he were whispering into the phone.
There was chatter in the background.
“Are you in a meeting?”
“Yeah, nothing big going on. Liam is just on a conference call.”
“You’re with Liam?”
“Yeah…his office…he generally does conference…”
“You’re here?”
“On the business floor, yes…I do have a job. Sometimes it’s here sometimes it’s there.”
“I’m sorry,” I whispered.
“Why are you whispering?” His voice was full of humor.
“I don’t know…it seemed like the right thing to do! I’m going to get you in trouble! Go back to your meeting,” I insisted.
“I’m already in trouble.”
“Get off the phone then,” I growled.
“Well, you had a reason for calling me and I want to hear it…so Liam can take care of business. Come meet me halfway. I’ll be on the stair.”
I heard him getting up by the way his voice adjusted.
“I have the girls. Don’t get up! Ian, don’t upset Liam…making him jealous is not important right now.”
“Nerissa…meet me half way,” he said a little louder.
“Ian!”
“Nerissa,” he threw back at me in the same tone.
There was a pause in the chatter in the background.
I held my breath.
“Is there something more important you need to attend to brother?” It was Liam’s voice I heard and he did not sound one bit happy. It was that all business tone that would make me quake in my boots if it was aimed at me. That no nonsense, sit your ass in the chair and listen to me kind of voice.
“Say no,” I growled. “We will talk later. This is not about making him jealous now. Please…not now.” My memory flashed to a night cuddled against Liam spilling my heart out. I couldn’t even share this with Ian!
“The call is on hold,” Liam continued. “Is Nerissa okay? The girls?” The business tone dropped a little and there was a soft concern behind the edge.
Ian cleared his throat. “Yes…yes, she’s fine. I guess I’m more anxious to see her than she is to see me,” he chuckled.
“Then make it short. Mr. Camp is very important in this deal and your chatter is not helping. If the girl is not interested, let her get back to her work!”
I smiled and bit my lip. “You heard him Ian…if the girl is not interested leave a girl to her work.”
“You know what this means?” Ian’s words were directed at me.
“He knows that I’m just not that into you?”
Ian barked a laugh. “But thinks quite the opposite of me! Why is that? Who is keeping secrets now Rissa?” The later part he whispered.
It was my turn to laugh.
“Can I have lunch with you and my nieces?”
“I would love that…and I have a favor to ask of you.”
“Anything for you,” he promised, and ended the call.
I smiled and turned back to the girls, still busy at work. “Uncle Ian is having lunch with us! Do you want to let him in on the dinner plans for your Dad’s birthday?” The looks on their faces told me they certainly did! “Now remember…it’s a secret!”
“He won’t take a day off,” Ian scoffed. “No matter how hard you try. No matter if it’s his birthday! Now Christmas…Thanksgiving….Easter, even the Fourth of July he will make allotment for, but not his birthday.” He leaned back on the stool by the counter and stole one of Amelia’s goldfish from her tomato soup causing the little one to giggle and protest.
Mary smacked his hand and handed him his own bowl and his very own grilled cheese.
I smacked at his hand before he reached for the greasy sandwich and helped him from his Armani jacket, laying it carefully over a chair. I gave him a sweet smile.
“May I eat now mothers?”
Both Mary and I nodded.
He dipped his sandwich in his soup and managed to not get anything on his shirt.
“We have to convince him to take it off,” I sighed.
“He takes Sundays off,” Ian
argued.
“Well then you have to distract him while we do his cake and dinner. At least get him to take the afternoon for a ride, since we can’t get him to leave the premises!”
“He won’t come into the kitchen,” Ian promised. “Work will keep him busy.”
“And he will be all stressed. We want him to have a nice birthday!”
“We?” Ian’s brows lifted. He took a big bite of his sandwich.
“Don’t look at me,” I laughed lightly. “This is a family affair. I just want to see it go nicely for you guys!”
“You are family Riss,” Ian sighed.
“See?” Brianne laughed. “Even Uncle Ian says so! So you have to come to Daddy’s birthday Rissa! Daddy would want it.”
“Oh yes, Daddy would,” Ian teased. “You want it too.”
I wanted to give him a smack but knew that would not be a good example in front of the girls. I did give him a glare though.
Mary chuckled softly at her post by the stove. So, was there no one who didn’t know what I felt for Liam Byrne?
“So, besides your ploy to get Liam to have a day off…you said you had a favor to ask of me?” Ian finished his grilled cheese and drank down his soup. Such a boy!
Before he could wipe his mouth with the back of his sleeve I handed him a napkin. “It’s private.”
He grinned. “Mary, would you mind watching the girls for a minute?” He grabbed his jacket, kissed the tops of the girl’s heads and grabbed my arm. ”I’m stealing Rissa for a bit,” he announced.
Brianne protested, but was ignored as I was ushered out.
“We have another call in a bit,” he started in, as we walked toward the stair. “I told Liam I’d be quick.”
“Has he eaten?” I glanced up the stairs.
“Mary is here isn’t she?” He smiled. “Yeah, he had a protein shake delivered just as I headed down. He will survive! You will get to see his lovely self again one of these days.”
I blushed.
“What’s your favor?”
“Wendy called me.” My brows lifted as he frowned.
“Oh?”
“Yes, and she said my gift for Liam is ready to be looked over for final approval.”
“Oh,” he sighed relief.
“Can you pick it up for me? I would but with the girls…”
“Mary would watch them for a bit.”
I poked him in the chest. “And she asked about my guitar lesson this evening!”
Ian groaned.
“Ian, you dog! Why didn’t you tell me you were taking her out? I knew she was into you but when she told me you had taken her to dinner I….”
“It’s not serious Rissa,” he cut in. “I’m not seeing her again.”
I frowned.
“It was fine…we had a good time, but…”
“I don’t understand. She’s adorable Ian! She’s sweet…talented and she has her own business! She seems to really like you.”
He grimaced. “Yeah, yeah she was fine…it was fine. We had a good time, but that was all that it was it was a good time…” He shook his head at me. “Don’t look at me like that.”
“Like what?” I tried to keep the disappointment from my voice.
“I told you how I was…what I did…”
“You took her home?”
Ian sighed and ran a hand through his hair. “You don’t understand…”
“No…you are not going to be a pig,” I growled. “I refuse to believe you could be like that!”
“Pig?” His blue eyes narrowed.
“You used her?”
His mouth opened slightly is shock. “Listen, I don’t think you have the right to call me a…a pig.” His voice broke a little and he scowled. “Really Nerissa?”
I bit my lip to keep it from trembling.
“Is that what you think of me?”
“It’s what I don’t want to think of you Ian,” I said softly. “I’m just really disappointed right now, that’s all.”
“And what about the woman who goes out with me knowing that’s who I am? Everyone knows Ian Byrne is a player. I use women for my own pleasure and then toss them aside. It’s who I am.”
“That’s not who you are.”
“Obviously it’s what you are picturing me as right now…I see it in your face.” He shoved his hands in his pockets. “You know Nerissa…don’t do me any favors by trying to tell me who I am with your mouth and believing another thing. Just accept the truth like everyone else. It’s a lot easier.”
I shook my head. “I didn’t know you could be so unfeeling.”
The usual happy blue eyes were dark with hurt. “Well, get used to it. Because I can be. I had fun with her and now I’m done. Simple as that! Now I have a meeting to attend Miss Meadows,” he growled. He wouldn’t even look me in the eye as he bid me farewell.
I looked after him in shock. This was not the Ian I knew! I wiped my eyes quickly and hurried back to the kitchen.
“Mary…I…I have to go pick something up. Could you watch the girls for a bit? I won’t be long.”
Mary nodded. “Sure, just let Stewart know you are leaving.”
I kissed the girls and called Stewart. I just had to get out of that place before I burst. I was in complete shock over Ian. I kept running over in my head his words.
As I drove through the gates, I called Wendy and let her know I had found time and would be personally picking up the gift myself. She kept a professional cheer in her voice but I knew it was not the news she had wanted to hear! The poor girl!
When I got there, I decided I would have to make up to Ian once I got over my disgust just to thank him for leading me to Wendy. The work she had done was phenomenal! She had managed to put together an album of the many photos I had taken in the short period of time. The editing of the photos and the layout was flawless. I knew Liam would love…even if some had his scared hands. It was a chance I was willing to take. Each photo choked me up.
“So you like? We can make changes!” Wendy cut into my thoughts.
I shook my head and looked into her expectant pixie face. She was so adorable with her short hair and her bright eyes. Again I felt the stab of Ian’s piggishness. “It’s perfect! I don’t want to change a thing!”
She smiled. “I’m glad! I’ve never worked on a case like this…it is truly a beautiful thing you are doing for Liam,” she said gently.
I smiled and handed her the book back. She would be cleaning it up and sealing the pages. I would get it back in time for his birthday as promised.
“He deserves such a kindness. He’s a good man.”
“All the Byrne’s are,” she announced, laying the album on her stack of work.
I wanted to cringe.
“So you and Ian…”
“He was wonderful the other night,” she sighed. “I can’t believe he hasn’t been scooped up! He’s beautiful and sweet and so devoted to his family! I just know he’s going to make a wonderful family man one day,” she gushed.
I chewed my lip. “About that…”
She turned to be expectantly.
“I don’t know if I would expect a date number two.”
Her smile dropped and then she tilted her head at me. “Well, no…no, especially not after how the last one ended.” She shook her head at me.
It was my turn to let my face fall. “What do you mean?”
“My ex showed up,” she said with a grimace. “Kind of put a damper on the whole night. Though, I have to admit, I don’t think things were going that way anyway. Ian was super sweet…but he was very distracted.”
I frowned. “He didn’t take you home with him?”
She smiled. “I would have remembered that I am sure!” She shook her head. “No…I sort of made up with Brinley…I ended going home with him.”
I swallowed hard. Oh shoot!
“That was why I was hoping Ian would drop by. I was wanting to apologize to him about how it all went down. I hope his feelings weren’t hurt!”<
br />
I again chewed my lip and shook my head. “No, not by you,” I said softly. Oh, Lord I had put my foot in my mouth!
I had called my friend a pig…and he had been the one who had been hurt! I felt like the lowest kind of person.
“Nerissa are you okay?” Wendy smiled with concern.
“Fine…fine…I’m just anxious to get home to the girls! Thank you so much for the beautiful work! I will pick this all up on Sunday! His birthday is Tuesday so it’s perfect! Just call me if there is any issue!” I shrugged into my coat and grabbed my keys.
Wendy smiled again. “And if you see Ian, please tell him I’m sorry!”
I nodded and started for the door.
“He really holds you in high esteem Nerissa…as his friend! I have known Ian for a long time. He doesn’t talk about many people the way he talks about you. You have a sure friend there!”
I stopped short and drew in a breath. “Thank you,’ I whispered quickly, and then slipped out the door and practically ran for my car. I was dialing his number before I even had my door open. He didn’t answer.
I started the car and headed for home.
“Ian, please call me!” I hung up after leaving this message and called back…went right to voice mail. He was ignoring my calls now!
I called the house and got Stewart.
“I need to speak to Ian,” I insisted.
“He and Liam are in a meeting Miss Nerissa,” he said gently.
“Please interrupt!”
“I can’t”
“Tell them it’s an emergency!”
“I can’t lie!”
“Fine!” I hung up with him and called Ian two more times, getting the same treatment. I knew I wouldn’t see him tonight. He would not be making it to our guitar lesson. I had really hurt him and I deserved to be ignored! But I did not want him continuing on with this day thinking I felt that way about him!
I drew in a breath, pulled over the car and bit the bullet. I dialed Liam’s number. I held my breath. And then sighed relief when an answer came. It wasn’t Liam who answered. It was Ian.
“I don’t want to speak to you.”
“Well, I called Liam’s phone,” I teased. “I don’t want to talk to you either!”
“Nerissa…”
“I’m sorry Ian! I’m so sorry! I was wrong! But you are the one that put all those ideas in my head that that was how things were with you! I never would have imagined such! I…I just…I’m sorry! You are not a pig! I wish I could take it all back and I can’t! I feel…wretched!”
More than Scars Page 20