Beautiful Ties (15 page)

“I bet!” I agreed. “I can see how their egos might get in the way of having an actual relationship.”

“True,” she huffed. Then, she perked her brows at me. “So, what about you and Jason? Do you like working with him?” she added with a snicker.

My cheeks flushed, and Gail laughed.

“That’s an understatement.” I chortled. “He single-handedly ripped out all the carpet at the building on Lakeview Avenue. The man is a machine. He’s always taking his shirt off.” I shook my head, envisioning his sculptured shoulders that I now had the privilege of caressing beneath my fingertips. The feeling was forever seared in my mind. “It’s a distraction but a welcomed one nevertheless.”

“Mmm…there should be a warning sign in front of a hot and sweaty man at work,” Gail said.

I took a sip of my drink and chuckled into my glass.

“I think it’s about time you filled me in on all the details you’ve been hiding from me.”

“It’s been an amazing week.” I smiled. “He’s fun and sexy, very kind and caring, and compassionate. Not to mention, he’s always making me laugh. He’s the total package. He even took me to my favorite dock on Saturday.”

Gail’s eyes widened in shock. “Whoa, that must be serious. You hardly take anyone to the dock.”

I shook my head. “That’s just it. I didn’t take him. He remembered the painting from the second time we met at the art gallery, and he surprised me on our date yesterday by taking me there.”

Gail’s expression looked thoughtful. “Whoa,” she repeated.

“You said that already.” I chuckled.

“That’s because you stunned the words right out of me.” She suddenly righted herself, tucking her feet beneath her, and she lifted one hand to cup her ear. “What’s that noise?” she asked with somber eyes.

I sat up slightly, too, as I carefully listened, but I couldn’t hear anything. “What are you talking about?”

“Shh…I hear it again,” she said with a serious expression.

I listened again, still not hearing the faintest noise. I was beginning to think she was losing her mind. I raised my brow at her. “What do you hear?” I probed.

“Wedding bells,” Gail said with a goofy grin plastered on her face.

My mouth dropped open, and I gasped. I lifted a pillow at my side, wanting to chuck it at her. I would have if she didn’t have a wine glass in her hand while she was sitting on my couch. That had disaster written all over it.

“Are you crazy? I’ve only known him for a couple of weeks!” I exclaimed. “I think all that wine is going straight to your head!”

Gail tipped her head back, her body shaking with laughter. “Sorry!” She snorted. “Once the thought entered my mind, I had to say it out loud!”

“Well, I think you’ve lost your mind. Besides, as much as I feel drawn to him, it’s all happened so fast. I can’t help but feel worried that it might not last for the long haul.”

“What makes you say that?” she asked with a puzzled expression.

“You ever get that feeling that it’s too good to be true?” I asked, answering her question with another one.

“Yes.”

“That’s how I feel,” I said, knowing I could tell Gail my innermost thoughts without apprehension. She was my best friend, and she wouldn’t judge me.

She shook her head from side to side. “Abbey, life is too short to live your life by what-ifs.” She paused, observing me with sincere eyes. “Do you like him? I mean, really like him.”

“Of course.”

“Then, I say go for it. Block out those persistent qualms of yours, and give him an honest chance,” she said before maneuvering herself to grab the bottle of wine off my coffee table. She refilled her glass and mine before setting the bottle back down. Then, she plopped back into her former spot.

Gail always had a way of putting things into perspective for me. She was one of those people who always knew what she wanted without reservations. I respected her ability to make quick decisions before taking charge and striving forward.

“You’re right.” I sighed and lifted my hand to rake it through my hair. “If I let myself, I can picture a future with him. But today, that vision was rattled by Pearl. I just don’t know what to do.”

“Pearl?” she asked. Then, her eyes softened when recognition must have dawned on her. “Oh, the little neighbor girl who comes to visit you?”

“Yeah, and this morning things took a dramatic turn.”

“How so?”

“Remember when I told you a while back that I was worried she came from a bad home?” I asked inquisitively.

“Yes, you’ve always been concerned about her.”

I nodded in acknowledgment. “But something was different about this week,” I said, recalling how Pearl had looked each time I’d seen her. “She appeared broken or defeated, and she was definitely unhappy in her current home environment.”

Her expression filled with compassion and a little bit of uncertainty. “Abbey…” she murmured my name in warning.

I exhaled a lung full of air, allowing the idea to cross my mind. “I want to help her.”

“How do you plan to do that?” she questioned.

I shook my head and let out an exasperated sigh. “I don’t know, but I have to, Gail. She seems so unhappy and lonely in her life.”

She smiled affectionately at me. “Abbey, don’t you see you’re already doing that by spending time with her?”

“I do, but sometimes, I feel like it’s not enough. What if I’m not home one day when she needs me the most? Or what if something happens to her while she’s out roaming the streets?” I pushed the awful thoughts from my mind, wanting to believe that Pearl was invincible.

Gail let out a deep breath. “Abbey, you can’t think like that. She’s not your responsibility. All you can do is be there for her when you are here. The rest is out of your control.”

“Yeah, I guess so,” I murmured in agreement.

I stared down into my wine glass as I ran my thumb across the rim, not knowing what to think or believe. All I knew was that I was in deep, and I had made a promise to a little girl that I could not break. Now, I just had to find a way to make a difference in her life.

At six in the morning, I shut off my alarm and crawled out of bed, dragging my feet along the way. After an emotionally happy and draining weekend, I felt like I had not slept a wink last night. I showered and then hurriedly got dressed since Jason would be here to pick me up at our regular time.

I smiled, hoping he’d show up with another cup from Starbucks. Right about now, I was in dire need of coffee paired with his gorgeous smile. My phone chimed on my dresser, and I ambled over to it to see a text from Kyle. Surprised, I slid my hand across the screen to read it.

You awake?

I texted him back a quick reply, knowing Jason would be here soon, and I still had to finish getting ready for work.

Yep. What’s got you up so early? Everything okay?

With my cell in hand, I strode back to the bathroom to throw my hair up into a ponytail. My phone beeped with Kyle’s response.

Yep. All is great here. The CEO from Blackborough Incorporated just phoned me. He finally wants to close the deal at our first agreed price—today. Can you possibly make a road trip to Sacramento by 1 p.m.?

I inwardly cringed.

The CEO of Blackborough, Frederick Adams, had been a total asshat the last time I met him. Right before closing our deal, the lowballer had tried to cut our agreed price by twenty-five thousand. I’d felt terrible that Kyle had to step in to help me right before his wedding. It had been a complete mess.

It would be a fairly long drive from Lake Tahoe, but going to Sacramento sounded way better than removing more wallpaper in the Lakeview building. I texted my brother back.

Sure. Just send me the address, and I’ll use the original contract since the price is the same. I’ll ask Jason if he wants to make the drive with me.

Kyle’s response was fast.

Okay. And about that, I hear you and Jason have a thing going on?

I blushed at my phone. Talking about the man in my life with my brother felt really awkward. I contemplated my response before texting.

Uh…I can neither confirm nor deny. ;)

I chuckled while hitting Send, and Kyle responded immediately.

That always means yes with you. Ha-ha. Seriously, I’m happy for you, Abbey.

The
happy
part threw me off. It was very unlike Kyle. I had expected his brotherly side to pop out. But then, a second text from him came through.

Just let me know if and when I need to kick his ass. I’ll text you the address as soon Frederick forwards it to me.

I laughed at the first sentence, and I couldn’t refrain from rolling my eyes.
There’s the Kyle I know and love…most of the time.
I fired off a reply.

For a minute, you had me worried that you’d lost your—as Lily says—overbearing ways. LOL. Enjoy your honeymoon!

I set down my phone and flew into my closet to change into business attire. I selected a white blouse and a knee-length black skirt. I slipped on a pair of black high heels to match appropriately. Then, I reentered the bathroom to style my hair and apply my makeup.

The doorbell rang just as I finished. My heels clinked across the floor with each step. Jason grinned when I opened the door. Then, his eyes appreciatively ran up and down the length of my body, filling with heat.

“Damn,” he breathed in a low and throaty tone, sauntering toward me.

His body moved with a masculine grace that should be illegal. It stirred my insides with yearning to feel those hands on me again. He stopped in front of me and gathered me in his arms. My body melted into his without hesitation.

“You should wear skirts like this every day,” he added.

“Thank you,” I responded, coyly beaming up at him. Then, I shot him a saucy grin. “I usually do when I’m not stripping down wallpaper with my bare hands.”

His eyes gleamed with playfulness. “Then, from now on, I’ll do the dirty work if you promise to stand there in that sexy outfit of yours,” he coaxed in a suggestive tone.

He sealed his mouth over mine for a scorching kiss, and I flung my arms around him, thoroughly matching his fervor before drawing back.

“Somehow, I seriously doubt you’d get any work done,” I retorted teasingly, knowing that I hadn’t accomplished much last week with him shirtless and glistening with sweat.

“Probably not.” He laughed. “So, speaking of your outfit, I assume you aren’t working with me today?”

“Actually, plans have changed. I have to make a business trip. I was hoping you’d want to join me. You could even come into the meeting with me.” I thought that if Jason was going to be partners with Kyle, I might as well start showing him the ropes.

His brows rose in surprise while he was still holding me close. “Sure. Where to?” he asked, caressing his thumb in circular motions along the small of my back.

“Sacramento. I have to close a deal with the CEO of Blackborough Incorporated at one this afternoon.”

“Uh…you do realize that’s about a two-hour drive from here, right?” he asked, checking his watch.

“Yep. I thought maybe we could make a day trip out of it and then spend a few hours sightseeing afterward. We could head back by nightfall,” I offered.

Jason shook his head from side to side. “Ah, negative. If you’re going to make me drive that far one way, I demand an all-nighter,” he said, revealing a sexy grin.

I tipped my head back, laughing, before meeting his gaze again. “All right, I can work with that.” I gave him a quick peck on his lips. “I have to pack a bag before we head out, and then we can stop by your place, too. I’ll be right back.”

As I went to take a backward step, Jason tugged me forward and kissed me once more. “There…” He smiled, pulling away. His eyes were shining with happiness and anticipation. “Now, you can go.”

I shook my head while spinning around, and I dashed into my bedroom as fast as my feet would carry me. I speedily packed an overnight bag—tossing in two outfits, pajamas, sexy undergarments, and my glasses—and then I ran to my bathroom to pack my toiletries. Then, I grabbed my briefcase, containing the contract for Blackborough that I needed for my meeting later today, off my desk. I reemerged into my foyer to see Jason patiently waiting.

“Ready?” he asked.

“Yep,” I answered while grabbing my purse, keys, and phone off the counter. “Do you mind if I drive?”

“Sure, if you want to,” he responded, opening the door.

After locking up, we walked outside, and I led him to my private parking garage. I entered my key code, and my garage door opened, revealing my most treasured beauty—my fully loaded red-hot Chevy Camaro.