Sleepless in Manhattan

by Sarah Morgan

“It’s so good to see you.” Matilda hugged her tightly, knocking her champagne glass into the fountain in the process.

  Chase rescued it without comment. “I gather I’m responsible for the fact that you lost your jobs.” He set the glass down out of range of Matilda. “I won’t apologize for pulling my business because the way they treated Matilda was unacceptable, but I am sorry you were collateral damage.” His gaze was direct and Paige shook her head, appreciating his honesty.

  “You did us a favor. It’s because of you that we’re doing this. And you’re right about what happened to Matilda. It was unacceptable.” The thought of it mortified her even though she hadn’t had the ability to change what had happened. “I tried to find her that night and—”

  “I know.” He smiled, and the smile made him infinitely more approachable. “She’s told me all about it. And about Urban Genie. How’s it going? The market is pretty tough.”

  She decided honesty deserved honesty. “It’s been a slow start, but we’re hoping that after tonight things will pick up.”

  Matilda tugged at his hand. “Chase—”

  He turned to her, instantly attentive. “Sweetheart—?”

  “Will you do something for me?”

  “You know I will.” His voice was soft. Intimate. “Name it.”

  “Will you tell all your friends to use Urban Genie? Paige is brilliant.”

  Paige wondered how a man like Chase would react to being told how to run his business, but if anything he seemed amused.

  “Of course. I was going to do that anyway.” He turned back to Paige, his gaze sharp and assessing. “Can you handle the business if it comes your way?”

  “Yes.” She didn’t hesitate. “We’re building up a list of preferred vendors and suppliers. We can handle anything.”

  “Good. In that case I can guarantee you’re going to be busy.”

  Matilda hugged him impulsively. “You’re the best.”

  Chase kissed the top of her head. “More champagne?”

  “I had a full glass a moment ago. I have no idea what happened to it—” Matilda looked around, confused, and Chase laughed.

  “It landed in the fountain. It’s fine. Jake Romano can afford to lose a little champagne. And talking of Jake, I should introduce you to him. Good meeting you.” He nodded to Paige. “If you need anything at all, call me.”

  He and Matilda strolled away, and moments later Eva and Frankie joined Paige.

  “Well?” Frankie’s tone was sharp. “Is he good enough for her?”

  Paige stared after them, feeling a tug of envy. “Yes.”

  “That,” Eva said dreamily, “is what love looks like. Frankie, how can that not melt that stone in your chest you call your heart?”

  “I’m not in a melting mood. He’d better not mess her around, that’s all.”

  Eva gave her an exasperated look. “He’s not going to mess her around. Did you see the way he looked at her? And the way he calmly rescued her glass of champagne. He adores her. He fired Star Events because of the way they treated her. What more does the guy have to do to convince you? I love him to bits already.”

  “You love everyone to bits.” But Frankie’s voice was softer than usual. “Yeah, okay, I admit they were cute. And I liked the fact he seemed to find her clumsiness adorable.”

  “And for once she was wearing heels because he’s even taller than her. I’m so excited she’s back in New York. It means we’ll see more of her.” Eva danced off across the terrace and Frankie stared after her in disbelief.

  “She thinks life is a fairy tale.”

  “No, she doesn’t.” Paige watched as Eva circulated, serving food and beaming smiles in equal measure. “She knows how to make the most of the moment. She believes in love. She knows bad things happen. She was devastated when her grandmother died, but she got out of bed every day and went to work. And even when she’s feeling low she still tries to find the positive in every day. It’s true that she’s a dreamer, but she’s also fiercely loyal and her loyalty is real. When Eva loves, she loves forever. I guess that makes us lucky.”

  Frankie stirred. “I guess it does. Friend-love I believe in.”

  “Me, too. Friends are the best thing. Thank you.” Impulsively Paige hugged Frankie. “Thank you for doing this with me, for taking the risk. I know how big a risk it was for you. I love you.”

  “Hey—enough.” Frankie’s voice was gruff but she hugged Paige back before stepping away. “Don’t you get all emotional, too. It’s enough coping with Eva. People are leaving. I’ll go and do farewell duty. Goodbye is my favorite word after a long night.”

  Paige stood for a moment, thinking how unpredictable life was.

  Who would have thought that getting fired would have been the best thing that could have happened to Matilda?

  Who would have thought that her, Eva and Frankie losing their jobs would have turned out so well?

  Urban Genie existed only because life had laid a twist in her path.

  Change had been forced on her, but it had proved to be a good thing.

  Instead of fighting it, she should embrace it.

  What had Jake said?

  Sometimes you have to let life happen.

  Maybe she should try and do that a bit more.

  She needed to find time to date other men and hope that one day she found someone that made her look the way Matilda did when she smiled at Chase.

  And maybe one day she’d look back and realize that not being with Jake was the best thing that could have happened because if she’d been with Jake she wouldn’t have met—

  Who?

  Would she ever meet someone who made her feel the way Jake did?

  She stood, leaning on the railing, gazing at the city she loved.

  The lights of Manhattan sparkled like a thousand stars against a midnight sky, and now, finally, as the last of the guests made their way to the elevators she allowed herself a moment to enjoy it.

  “Time to relax and celebrate I think.” Jake’s voice came from behind her and she turned to find him holding two glasses of champagne. He handed her one. “To Urban Genie.”

  “I don’t drink while I’m working.” And while Jake was present, this was definitely still work.

  She knew better than to lower her guard a second time.

  “The guests have gone. You’re no longer working. Your job is done.”

  “I’m not off duty until the clear-up has finished.” And then tomorrow was the follow-up, the post mortem. Discussions on what they could have done differently. They’d unpick every part of the event and put it back together again. By the time they finished they’d have found every weak spot and strengthened it.

  “I don’t think one glass of champagne is going to impair your ability to supervise that. Congratulations.” He tapped his glass against hers. “Spectacular. Any new business leads?”

  “Plenty. First up is a baby shower next week. Not much time to prepare, but it’s a good event.”

  He winced. “A baby shower is good?”

  “Yes, partly because the woman throwing it for her pregnant colleague is CEO of a fashion importer. But all business is good.”

  “Chase Adams is impressed. By tomorrow, word will get around that Urban Genie is the best event concierge company in Manhattan. Prepare to be busy.”

  “I’m prepared.”

  His praise warmed her. Her heart lifted.

  He stood next to her and the brush of his sleeve against her bare arm made her shiver.

  His gaze collided briefly with hers, and she thought she saw a blaze of heat, but then he looked away and she did, too, her face burning.

  She was doing it again. Imagining things.

  And it had to stop.

  It had to stop right now.

  No more embarrassing herself. No more embarrassing him.

  She turned her head to look at him but he was staring straight forward, his handsome face blank of expression.

  “Thank you,” she said.
<
br />   “For what?”

  “For asking us to do this. For giving us free rein and no budget constraints. For trusting us. For inviting influential people and decision makers. For making Urban Genie happen.” She realized how much she owed him. “I hate accepting help—”

  “I know, but that isn’t what happened here. You did it yourself, Paige.”

  “But I wouldn’t have been able to do it without you. I’m grateful. If you hadn’t suggested it, pushed me that night on the terrace, I wouldn’t have done it.” She breathed. Now was as good a time as any to say everything that needed to be said. And if she said it aloud, maybe it would help both of them. “There’s something else—” She saw him tense and felt a flash of guilt that he felt the need to be defensive around her. Definitely time to clear the air. “I owe you an apology.”

  “For what?”

  “For misreading the situation the other night. For making things awkward between us. I was—” She hesitated, trying to find the right words. “I guess you could say I was doing an Eva. I was looking for things that weren’t there. I was close to panic and you were trying to distract me. I understand that now. I don’t want you feeling that you have to avoid me, or be careful around me. I—”

  “Don’t. Don’t apologize.” He gripped the railing and she noticed his knuckles were white.

  “I wanted to clear it up, that’s all. It was a kiss. Didn’t mean anything. Two people trapped in an elevator, one of whom was feeling vulnerable.” Shut up right now, Paige. “I know I’m not your type. I know you don’t have those feelings. I’m like your little sister. I get that, so—”

  “Oh for—seriously?” He interrupted her with a low growl and finally turned to face her. “After what happened the other night you really think I see you as a little sister? You think I could kiss you that way if I felt like that about you?”

  She stared at him, her heart drumming a rhythm against her chest. “I thought—you said—I thought you saw me that way.”

  “Yeah, well, I tried.” He gave a humorless laugh and drained his champagne in one mouthful. “God knows, I tried. I’ve done everything short of asking Matt for a baby photo of you and sticking that to my wall. Nothing works. And do you know why? Because I do have feelings, you’re not little and you’re not my fucking sister.”

  Shock struck her like a bolt of lightning.

  They were the only two people left on the terrace. Just them and the twinkling lights of Manhattan. The buildings rose around them, dark shapes enveloping them in intimate shadows and the shimmer of light.

  The storm clouds were gathering, creating ominous shapes in the dark sky.

  The sudden lick of wind held the promise of rain.

  Paige was oblivious. The sky could have come crashing down and she wouldn’t have noticed.

  Her mouth was so dry she could hardly form the words. “But if you feel that way—if—you do have feelings, why do you keep saying—” She stumbled, confused. “Why haven’t you ever done anything about it?”

  “Why do you think?” There was a cynical, bitter edge to Jake’s tone that didn’t fit the nature of the conversation. None of the pieces fit. She couldn’t think. Everything about her had ceased to function.

  “Because of Matt?”

  “Partly. He’d kick my butt and I wouldn’t blame him.” He stared down at his hands, as if they were something that didn’t belong to him. As if he was worried about what they might do.

  “Because you’re not interested in relationships—or complications as you call them.”

  “Exactly.”

  “But sex doesn’t have to be a relationship. It can just be sex. You said so yourself.”

  “Not with you.” His tone was harsh and she took a step back, shocked. They’d often argued, baited each other, but she’d never heard that edge of steel in his voice before.

  “Why? What’s different about me?”

  “I’m not going to screw you and walk away, Paige. That’s not going to happen.”

  “Because of our friendship? Because you’re worried it would be awkward?”

  “Yeah, that too.”

  “Too? What else?” She stared at him, bemused.

  He was silent.

  “Jake? What else?”

  He swore under his breath. “Because I care about you. I don’t want to hurt you. There’s already been enough damage to your heart. You don’t need more.”

  The first raindrops started to fall.

  Paige was oblivious.

  Her head spun with questions. Where? What? Why? How much? “So you—wait—” She struggled to make sense of it. “You’re saying that you’ve been protecting me? No. That can’t be true. You’re the only one who doesn’t protect me. When everyone else is wrapping me in cotton wool, you handle me like you’re throwing the first pitch at the game.” He didn’t protect her. He didn’t. Not Jake.

  She waited for him to agree with her, to confirm that he didn’t protect her.

  He was silent.

  There was a throbbing in her head. She lifted her fingers to her forehead and rubbed. The storm was closing in—she could feel it, and not just in the sky above her.

  “I know you don’t protect me.” She tried to focus, tried to examine the information and shook her head. “Just the other night, when we found out we’d lost our jobs, Matt was sympathetic, but you were brutal. I was ready to cry, but you made me so angry and—” She stared at him, understanding. She felt the color drain from her face. “You did it on purpose. You made me angry on purpose.”

  “You get more done when you’re angry,” he said flatly. “And you needed to get things done.”

  No denial.

  He’d goaded her. Galvanized her into action.

  “You challenge every idea I have.” She felt dizzy. “We fight. All the time. If I say something is black, you say it’s white.”

  He stood in silence, not bothering to deny it, and she shook her head in disbelief.

  “You make me angry. You do that on purpose because if I’m angry with you then I’m not—” She’d been blind. She breathed, adjusting to this new picture of their relationship. The first boom of thunder split the air but she ignored it. “How long? How long, Jake?”

  “How long, what?” He yanked at his bow tie with impatient fingers. His gaze shifted from hers. He looked like a man who wanted to be anywhere but with her.

  “How long have you cared? How long have you been protecting me?” She stumbled over the word, and the thought.

  He ran his hand over his jaw. “Since I walked through the door of that damn hospital room and saw you sitting on the bed in your Snoopy T-shirt, with that enormous smile on your face. You were so brave. The most frightened brave person I’d ever seen. And you tried so hard not to let anyone see it. I have always protected you, Paige. Except for the other night when I let my guard down.”

  But he’d been protecting her then, too. He’d been taking care of her when she was so terrified she hadn’t known what to do.

  “So you thought I was brave, but not strong. Not strong enough to cope alone without protection. I don’t understand. I thought you weren’t interested—that you didn’t want this, and now I discover—” It was a struggle to process it. “So this whole time you did care about me. You do.”

  Rain was falling steadily now, landing in droplets on his jacket and her hair.

  “Paige—”

  “The kiss the other night—”

  “Was a mistake.”

  “But it was real. It wasn’t anything to do with my shoes or the color of my lipstick. All these days, months, years I’ve been telling myself you didn’t feel anything. All the time I’ve been confused because my instincts were so wrong and I couldn’t understand why, but now I do. They weren’t wrong. I wasn’t wrong.”

  “Maybe you weren’t.”

  “So why let me think that?”

  “Because it was easier.”

  “Easier than what? Telling me the truth? News flash, and,
by the way, I thought you knew this—I don’t want to be protected. I want to live my life. You’re the one who’s always telling me to take more risks.”

  “Yeah, well, that proves you shouldn’t listen to anything I tell you. We should go inside before you catch pneumonia.” He eased away from the railings and she caught his arm.

  “I’ll go inside when I decide to go inside.” The rain was soaking her skin. “What happens now?”

  “Nothing. I know you don’t want to be protected, but that’s tough, Paige, because that’s what I’m doing. I’m not what you’re looking for, and I never have been. We don’t want the same thing. There’s a car waiting downstairs to take you and the other two home. Make sure you use it.” Without giving her a chance to respond, Jake strode away from her toward the bank of elevators and left her standing there, alone in the glittering cityscape, watching the entire shape of her life change. Another twist. Another turn. The unexpected.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  Life is too short to wait for a man to make the first move.

  —Paige

  JAKE RIPPED OFF his jacket and flung it across the bed.

  How had he got himself pulled into that conversation? How? He’d dropped his guard for a moment, that was all, and Paige had sneaked under it with her baby blues and disarming honesty.

  Beyond his windows, lightning split the night sky but all he could think of was Paige apologizing for “misreading” a situation she’d read perfectly.

  He should have shut her right down. Instead, he’d dished out some honesty himself. Way too much honesty.

  There was a hammering at his door, and he swore under his breath, knowing it meant only one thing.

  He dragged it open, ready with his excuses.

  Paige stood there, her dark hair wet from the rain and her eyelashes gleaming with raindrops.

  Jake stared at her as if she were a drug he shouldn’t touch, torn between slamming the door between them and hauling her inside. Before he could make his choice she stalked past him into the apartment.

  Shit.

  His brain and reflexes functioning in slow motion, he closed the door and turned to look at her.

  He didn’t know what it was about her that sent his senses into overdrive, but he knew he needed to get her out of his apartment.