The Heiress and the Mechanic: San Diego Social Scene Book 5

by Tess Summers

  They were met with the usual questions:

  When’s the big day?

  How did he propose?

  Where are you getting married?

  Has she met Luke?

  Finally, his dear mother asked, “Can we give you a shower?”

  Harper grimaced.

  “This is my second marriage, and we’re already living together… it would feel like a gift grab instead of what a shower is supposed to be—setting up a couple’s new home together.”

  Laura piped up with, “One, not necessarily; it can be an opportunity for people who love the bride and groom to shower them with affection and presents because they want to—again, because they love them. And two, you’re living together?! When did this happen?”

  Ben couldn’t help but smile as his fiancée turned a nice shade of pink, but she didn’t answer right away. He decided he’d take this one.

  “We’ve been together since the night we met, but I started officially moving my things into her place about a week ago.”

  “So what are you going to with your house?”

  Ben stole a glance at Harper. It was still a point of contention between them.

  “We haven’t decided.”

  “Is it available to rent?” his sister asked, her tone hopeful.

  “It might be.”

  “Well, my lease is up, and I don’t want to renew it. Your place is closer to my new job and the daycare I want to put the twins in. I’d be a great tenant—you know you can trust me to take care of your house.”

  “Call me next week, and we’ll see what we can figure out.”

  He needed to talk to Harper, but he liked the idea of putting his sister in his place. Her husband had been killed by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan before Andy and Abbey were even born. Add that to the overprotective tendencies everyone already had toward her because she was the baby of the family, and it meant everyone looked out for Laura and her kids. They were all happy to do it—Ben included. It’d be a win-win for them both; his house wouldn’t sit vacant, and his sister would get a good deal on her rent.

  Harper looked at him sideways, but didn’t say anything. He was sure once he explained the situation, she’d be on board.

  The rest of the evening was spent with his family doting on Harper. He could tell she wasn’t used to holding court, with her subjects hanging on her every word—but ‘hang on her every word’ they did. His family was as enthralled with her as he was—and that made his heart happy.

  When he noticed her stifle a yawn, he stood up immediately.

  “I’ve got to get my bride-to-be home so she can get her beauty sleep; she’s got to work early in the morning.”

  She smiled at him gratefully, and he winked at her in return.

  I’ve got your back, baby girl.

  After long, drawn-out goodbyes with promises to get together again before next month, they were on their way.

  “Well, you were an even bigger hit with my family than you were with Luke and Cassie—and that’s saying something.”

  “I can see how you turned out so wonderful. Your family is lovely.”

  “I’m glad you liked them.”

  “I loved them—they made me feel so welcome. Unlike how my family has treated you…”

  “Your grandparents are great, Scout. It’s just your father who’s the dick. Everyone else in your life has been more than kind.”

  She reached across the cab and squeezed his thigh.

  “How could they not? You’re great. I’m a lucky woman.”

  “I love you, baby girl.”

  “I love you, too, Benji,” she said with a sleepy smile.

  He needed to get her home and put her to bed while she was still tired. He suspected she was going to wake up in the middle of the night, worried about tomorrow.

  Pulling into the driveway, he opened the third-stall garage door, but didn’t pull in, since Eleanor was already parked there. He hopped out and came around to help her down from the cab and escort her in.

  “I can walk just fine, you know.”

  “Watch it, little girl, or I’ll be carrying you over my shoulder.”

  “I’m just saying—”

  He interrupted her protest with, “Will you just let me take care of you? The only thing you need to say is ‘thank you.’”

  She sighed.

  “You’re right—thank you.”

  That was too easy.

  “And ‘I can’t wait to give you another blowjob when I’m not so tired,’” he teased with a grin.

  “I love sucking your cock, baby. You know that.”

  She reached for him and stroked him over his jeans.

  “Mmm, and you do it so well.” He removed her hand. “But you need to get to bed. I kept you out way too late tonight.”

  She didn’t protest—just yawned, nodded her head, and headed toward their bedroom.

  Ben was careful not to mention that she had a big day tomorrow; he just went to his drawer for a new white t-shirt and tossed it to her.

  “Thanks,” she said, and stripped down until she was topless in her panties, making his cock jump up and down in his pants.

  She noticed the bulge in his pants and grinned. “See something you like?”

  “Vixen,” he mumbled as he walked out the bedroom door to put the dogs to bed.

  “I’ll be right here waiting for you—naked!” she called out.

  “Go to bed, woman!” he yelled from down the hall.

  Ben took his time, paying extra attention to the dogs before going to bed. He knew if he waited long enough, she’d be asleep when he returned. As much as he wanted to make love to her tonight, she needed her rest. Tomorrow was going to be taxing on her.

  ****

  Harper

  She pulled his t-shirt over her head, but slipped off her panties, then got into bed and waited for him to return.

  And waited. And waited.

  Annnd, she was asleep.

  She had never stirred when he came to bed, but when she woke up in the middle of the night, his hand was proprietorially planted firmly on her bare ass. She smiled and fell back asleep, not to waken again until her alarm sounded in the morning.

  Harper wished she had more time; she’d love to wake him up with a blowjob. She had been sincere when she told him she loved doing that when he teased her about it last night. The way he always responded to her efforts made her feel sexy and powerful. And she needed to feel powerful today.

  Instead, she did the next best thing—what she’d always done to feel formidable when she was single: She wore her favorite suit, made sure her hair and makeup were done just right, and walked into her office with a strut. If she was on her way out, she was going out in style.

  Ben’s cheerleading texts throughout the morning before she met with Travis helped, as did the dozen roses that were delivered shortly after she arrived.

  “You’ve got a keeper,” Becky said with a smile when she brought the vase into her office.

  The card simply read: I love you. Always. —Ben

  “I certainly do,” she murmured thoughtfully as she looked at the card again.

  Ten minutes later, her heart was in her stomach as she took the elevator to the top floor to Travis’ office. She stepped out and headed down the hall, passing Tristan Burns along the way.

  “Hey, Harper…”

  She turned around with a smile. She liked Tristan, and had a feeling she knew what he wanted.

  “Hi, Mr. Burns.”

  “Please, call me Tristan. I insist.”

  She nodded. “Tristan.”

  “Um, how’s your friend, Lauren?”

  “She’s good. I know she’s been traveling for work a lot lately.”

  “Is she seeing anyone?”

  Harper decided to mess with him. Probably not the smartest move, considering she was walking the green mile to her career’s demise, and he was an equity partner. Or maybe that was why she did it. She had nothing left to lose.


  “I thought she was seeing you?”

  “Me? Why would you—did she say she was seeing me?”

  “She said you two spent the night together… that’s seeing someone, isn’t it? At least it is where I come from.”

  “We did, uh…” He stepped closer and looked around, lowering his voice before he continued. “We did spend the night together, but then she stopped returning my phone calls.”

  She winced.

  “Oh, dear. Maybe you need to step up your game…” She spoke through the side of her mouth to add, “in the bedroom…”

  His shoulders drooped, and his expression fell. He seemed so dejected, she suddenly felt like a jerk. Lauren had said just the opposite about his sexual prowess in the sack. Harper thought it had scared her how much she enjoyed it.

  She put her hand on his forearm.

  “Tristan, I’m just teasing you. I’m sorry—that was mean. She said she had a really good time with you, but she’s not interested in anything serious. I think she believes you want more from her, and she doesn’t want to give you the wrong impression.”

  “So she’s blowing me off because she thinks I want a relationship?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Hell, I just wanted a second date to see where this may lead.”

  “That’s the point. She’s already decided it can’t lead anywhere. And I’ll let you in on a little secret: If she thought there was no chance of it going anywhere, you’d already have had the next date. She’s protecting herself.”

  That made him break into a wide grin; then his expression changed, like he was developing a plan.

  Oh boy. Keep me out of it.

  “Anyway, good luck. I’ve got to run; I’m going to be late for my meeting with Travis.”

  “Thanks, Harper. I’m glad I ran into you.”

  “Don’t you dare tell Lauren I said anything.”

  “Your secret is safe with me.”

  She doubted it—none of her secrets were safe anymore. She’d have to call Lauren later and confess.

  One problem at a time, Harper. Right now, she needed to focus on the issue at hand—what she was going to tell her boss.

  ****

  “Hey, Harper—have a seat.”

  Travis motioned to the chair on the opposite side of his desk instead of the sitting area where he usually liked to talk with her.

  Five years ago, she would have launched into an apology and spilled her guts the second she sat down, but she’d become a bit more shrewd in her old age, and waited for him to speak first.

  “Did you have fun on Saturday?”

  “I did. It was probably the best one yet.”

  “It was, in terms of how much money we raised,” he agreed. “I’m glad you had a good time—despite your father’s presence.”

  Here it comes.

  “Yes, he did dampen things with his accusations and his dislike for my fiancé.”

  Travis nodded his head thoughtfully.

  “How is your health?”

  “You mean, do I have multiple sclerosis like my father said? And is my judgment slipping?”

  She wasn’t sure if he meant his smile to be condescending, but it was when he replied, “I already know you have MS. I meant exactly what I asked: How is your health?”

  Her tone was defensive when she answered, “Other than having MS, my health is fine. Actually, I should have said, even though I have MS, my health is fine. My judgment is fine. My cognition is fine. There’s been no progression.”

  Travis was unfazed at her subtle hostility.

  “And you’re taking care of yourself?”

  “Yes, of course. Wait—how long have you known?”

  Again with the condescending smile.

  “Since before we put you on the junior partner track. We vet our candidates thoroughly, Harper.”

  “And you accessed my medical records? You can’t do that. That’s illegal.”

  Now Travis just looked annoyed, like she should know better.

  “Obviously we didn’t access your medical records. If I remember correctly, it was mentioned in an article your ex-husband did for a racing magazine.”

  Of course… even though she’d asked Tyler to keep her diagnosis private, she was sure he would have used it if he was looking for sympathy points with some reporter.

  “So you’ve known all this time? And you promoted me anyway?”

  “Why would that have precluded you from making junior partner?”

  “I don’t know… I just thought if you knew, you’d see me as a liability.”

  “You’ve never been viewed as anything but an asset to this firm. That’s why we think it’s important that you’re taking care of your health and taking the time off that you need, as you need it.”

  Suddenly, it hit her—the paid vacation and time off she’d just been awarded.

  “Is that why you gave me the vacation bonus?” Then another thought hit her. “Wait—is that why my latest contract has so many more vacation and sick days than I had before?”

  He answered unapologetically, “Yes, and yes.”

  “So I’m getting special treatment?”

  He furrowed his brow like she’d insulted him.

  “You received a contract and a bonus that was tailored to what we believed best suited your, and our, needs. Just like every employee here does. There is no cookie-cutter contract in this firm. And just like every employee, you had the option to negotiate—which, if I recall correctly, you did. Quite well, as a matter of fact.”

  “So you’ve known this whole time… Why haven’t you mentioned it?”

  “It wasn’t my place to bring it up first.”

  “But you’ve been making decisions about me based on the fact that I have the disease.”

  He was careful with next his choice of words.

  “We’ve been making decisions based on what we felt was best for you and, therefore, us.”

  “Have you kept cases from me because you thought I wouldn’t be able to handle them?”

  “Because of your diagnosis? No. Because of your experience and expertise? Yes.”

  That was fair.

  “So now that it’s out in the open—what happens?”

  He tilted his head with a confused look.

  “Nothing? What did you expect would happen?”

  “I don’t know…” Her voice trailed off.

  He sat up straighter.

  “Actually, this is what happens—this is what we expect. You’ll continue taking on cases while maintaining your health. You’ll take time off between trials, and you’ll delegate what you can to your paralegal team and assistant. You’ll also keep us apprised should a change in your condition occur and you need to modify your contract to shorter days or a shorter week. Or if working from home certain days would be easier for you.”

  “That’s it?”

  “I don’t how else I can explain this to you, Harper. You’re a valued member of our team. We recognize that working you to death isn’t going to benefit us in the long-term.”

  “So I’m not going to be pushed out…?”

  Now he was really insulted.

  “I’m not even going to dignify that with a response. I think our record speaks for itself—as does yours.”

  Harper suddenly felt a million pounds lighter and was oddly starving at the same time.

  “If it weren’t so unprofessional, I’d hug you, Travis. I can’t begin to tell you how much I love working here. I was so scared Saturday night, after my daddy… I thought my career was over.”

  “I wish you would have said something. The last thirty-six hours must have been hell for you.”

  “You have no idea.”

  “Go take a long lunch, compose yourself, and get back here by two this afternoon. We have a new client coming in, and I want to bring you on board as part of his team.”

  “I’ll be here. In your conference room?”

  “I think so. Double check with Kelli—I just go where she t
ells me to, when she tells me to.”

  And with that, their meeting was over.

  Harper felt dumbfounded as she walked toward the elevator. She had been so sure she was going to have to start her career over, it was just hitting her as she pushed the down button that it wasn’t the case. Alone in the elevator, she hit the number for her floor and allowed herself a fist pump after the doors closed.

  Walking back into her office, she flashed a genuine smile at Becky and announced she was going to take a long lunch but would be back before two. Then she drove straight to Ben’s shop, deciding to surprise him instead of letting him know she was coming.

  And surprise him she did.

  Chapter Forty-Two

  Ben

  “Boss, there’s someone here to see you. Some dark-haired chick,” his newest hire said as he poked his head in Ben’s office.

  “Thanks, be right there.”

  His heart sank. There could only be one explanation why Scout would come see him in the middle of the morning. Things did not go well for her with Travis.

  He took a deep breath and stood up from his desk. He needed to put on a brave face for her and show her everything was going to be fine. This setback just meant new opportunities for her down the road. They’d get through this together.

  Except the dark-haired woman waiting for him in the lobby wasn’t Scout.

  “Margo?”

  She looked over to where he stood in the hall doorway and smiled.

  “Hey, Ben.”

  He stepped cautiously toward the counter where she was standing.

  “What’s going on? Everything okay?”

  She shook her head as tears filled her eyes, and he was around the counter in a heartbeat, his hands at her shoulders as he bent his knees and searched her face.

  “Talk to me.”

  “Can we…” she squeaked out, then motioned to the hall where he had just appeared from. She knew his office was that way.

  “Sure, sure. Come on,” and he prodded her at the small of her back to head around the counter and down the hall.

  Margo sat down in the guest chair in front of his desk, and instead of moving around to his office chair, he took the one right next to hers. Leaning forward with his hands folded between his knees, he prompted her again, worry filling his voice. Just because they were no longer together didn’t mean he didn’t care about her.