Boyfriend for Hire (33 page)

“Mom, I’m sorry for not telling you and Dad the full story.” She walked over and held her mom in a tight hug. “I was honestly afraid of what Daddy and George would do to him, and I didn’t want either to end up in jail.”

Her mother patted Tawny’s back. “You need to have faith in us, to believe that we will do the right thing and know what is best for you. Like Ivan. He is a good man, with good family values, and he can protect you from people like your boss. You should give him a chance.”

“Mom, I’m not interested in Ivan. See, this is why I don’t tell you what’s going on in my life. I told you at the party, and what did you do? You gave him your blessing to court me. This is not the 1800s. You need to have faith in me, that I know what is best for me and I’ll do the right thing.” Tawny dropped to the couch. This so wasn’t the time for this conversation.

“You mean like you did with the bank manager who assaulted your friend today?”

Tawny fell back against the back of the couch as her mother turned, grabbed her purse and stomped back out.

Dear God, if you’d like to strike me with the lightning bolt, now would be fine. At least my head wouldn’t hurt and I’d stop disappointing my mother. Thanks, Tawny
.

Much to her dismay, lightning didn’t strike. Her head pounded with the ferocity of a prisoner behind locked doors. Worst of all, she couldn’t get the look of regret, frustration, and dissatisfaction in her mom’s eyes out of her head. Life had been so much easier when she’d had her plan to follow.

Grabbing her now-lukewarm washcloth, Tawny flopped back down on the couch and covered her eyes. First things first, she had to get rid of the throbbing in her head, then she’d be able to think of a way to fix her relationship with her mom. A nap sounded great. If she could just sleep for a few hours, clear her head, she’d be able to figure out what to do.

A new life plan—the idea popped into her head the moment she tried to clear her thoughts away. This was why she stunk at meditation. Information superhighway open for business—that was her brain. Everything in her life was great; well, not great, but moving along nicely when she had a plan to follow. Then she’d agreed to give David’s idea a chance.
Let life happen
. Fat lot of good that did for her.

Once again the doorbell pealed through the house, hammering a spike into her right temple. Tawny dragged herself up and stumbled to the door, muttering she needed a Do Not Disturb sign. She threw open the door, took one look, and swung it shut. A thud followed by heavy, booted footsteps behind her didn’t stop Tawny from dropping back to the couch and closing her eyes.

“Go away,” she said.

“Are you okay? I called your office when you didn’t answer your cell and Stacy said you went home sick,” David asked quietly.

“Headache.”
Go away, I don’t have the energy to deal with you
, her mind whispered. She kept the thought to herself, afraid if she voiced it, he’d stay and want to talk, and she really didn’t think she could take the heartache of officially breaking up on top of everything else.

“Can I get you anything?”

“Peace and quiet?”

“Did you take anything for it?”

Did she need a neon sign for him to get a clue? “David, what are you doing here?”

She finally opened her eyes. He stood in the same spot on the edge of the rug as her mother had done, hands shoved deep into his front jeans pockets, shoulders hunched forward in his black Valentine Rehab tee. He looked like he did every day, except the mischievous twinkle in his eyes and his playful smile were absent.

“I wanted to make sure you were okay.”

“I would be if I could get some rest so this headache will pass,” she ground out through clenched teeth. Why did he have to be so nice?

He turned to leave, stopping with his hand on the doorknob. “When you’re feeling better, you might want to call your friend Emma from the bank.”

“Yeah, I heard there was an incident. My mother was not exactly thrilled with me when she stopped by and filled me in on the details.” She leaned forward so she could see him. “How could you betray my trust like that? I mean the thing with Jody, I get it, but you swore you wouldn’t say a thing about why I quit.”

He walked back into the living room, to that magical spot on the carpet, before responding. “I didn’t mean to break my word. It was out before I realized your mom was standing in the crowd watching. And what about Jody?”

So not in the mental shape to multitask, she ignored his question and focused on one thing at a time. “Oh, so it was okay to repeat something I told you in private to perfect strangers?” She rubbed at her temple trying to make the pain go away.

“No, that’s not what I meant. My temper got the better of me. When I heard what Leduc said to Emma and knowing what he did to you, it slipped out. I was just trying to help her.”

“Of course you were, because you’re David Farber, everybody’s hero. Did Jody need your help too . . . in the tree house?”

“Yes, she did.”

“And you just couldn’t help running to her rescue, could you?”

His head jerked back. “What is that supposed to mean?”

She fought the tears back. “Exactly what it sounds like.” She wanted to stand, to meet him on his level, but she knew with the way her head throbbed and the way her vision blurred, she’d probably fall, or even worse, pass out. “You know what your problem is, David? You have a hero complex. You can’t help but be the one to step up and help anyone and everyone out. Don’t get me wrong. I appreciate what you did for me, but let’s be honest. I’m no longer in need of a knight in shining armor. I can take things from here, so you’re free to return to your player lifestyle and move on to the next damsel in distress.”

“That’s good to know,” he said, his voice tight and low. “I’d give you my permission to move on to the next guy on your list, but I hear I’m a little late to the party.”

She shot to her feet, swaying from the sudden movement. “And what is that supposed to mean?”

He crossed his arms over his chest and stared at her. “Your romantic dinner last night with Ivan—”

“Was business.”

“Candlelight, wine, holding hands. Sounds like an interesting benefit package your employer is providing these days. Or maybe you’ve hired Ivan to be your boyfriend to up your cred at work or to make your mom happy?”

Ouch. Okay, she deserved some of that. “I don’t know who your spy is, but you should know not to believe everything you hear.”

“And you should know not to believe everything you see.”

She walked over to stand in front of him, the pain and pressure in her head radiating to her chest. “You know what? We should probably stop now before one of us says something that will completely ruin our friendship or put a strain on our friends.”

“Yeah, we wouldn’t want that.” He stepped around her and headed out the door.

Tawny walked up to the door, peered out the window, and watched his truck pull away. Then she turned around, put her back against the cool wood, and sank to the floor, letting the floodgates holding back her tears open.

Chapter Twenty

A
s if the week hadn’t been crappy enough, the sun had to shine, the birds sing their annoying songs, and Tawny was surrounded by happy, laughing people. The bride glowed in her flowing white gown like an angel dropped from the heavens. You’d think at least the groom could show a little decorum and be nervous and anxious and wish he were at the bar down the street. But, no, he couldn’t stop grinning from ear to ear.

Some days it didn’t pay to get out of bed.

Today was clearly one of those days. One of the few in the last few weeks where Tawny wished she were still at the bank, where she wouldn’t be surrounded by cheerful, happy, I-want-to-break-out-into-song people. Probably if she looked at it from the bride’s point of view, it was a good thing. For Tawny, who had admitted three days ago when Dave walked out her door that she had fallen in love with the sweet, helpful jerk, today was purgatory. And she’d have to repeat it all over again in a couple of weeks when her best friend got married. And she’d be standing opposite Dave at the altar. And she’d have to live with him in her life forever, knowing he didn’t love her.

“Tawny, the MOB needs you to send the photographer up to the bridal suite now,” Kerri said through the earpiece Tawny wore.

“Will do. On my way to check on the flower arrangements.” At least that would keep her and her sour mood away from the beautiful people for a while.

Outside the florists were busy making last-minute adjustments to the centerpieces, tweaking a lily here, repositioning baby’s breath, small touches that made a difference. Tawny stood to the side, out of their way and observed the worker bees. The place looked amazing and romantic and perfect already with the rose and white linens, the intertwining heart ice sculpture, and the arbor the couple would walk through to begin their life together. Yet it was the small touches the staff fussed with. Scattering rose petals on tables, setting out small dishes of candies and nuts, or positioning chairs to make sure each person had enough room without feeling as if they had been squeezed into a sardine can.

The guest would barely register these thoughtful acts. Instead they would take them for granted and focus on the bigger items on the agenda (cake, flower tossing, dancing). The bride, oh, she would scan every table, inspect every arrangement, and gaze upon the faces of her guests to make sure they were all happy and everything was perfect.

Tawny got it. Take Dave, for example. Pretending to be her boyfriend was a huge undertaking. Way above and beyond the boundaries of friendship and she appreciated it. It wasn’t what made her fall for him, though. Nope, it was all those small moments, the thoughtful things he did. Staying by her side, bringing her cupcakes (not that her hips were happy), checking on her when he found out she was sick and sticking up for her friend.

Why did he have to be such a great guy? Maybe if he weren’t then all the women wouldn’t swoon over him. Oh, whom was she kidding? The guy could be a Class A Jerk, a real bad boy, and women would still line up to toss their panties at him. Maybe then she could actually hate him too.

“Hey Tawny.” Felicity joined her in the shade of the building. “Everything inside is all set. The groom is pacing and groaning about getting the show on the road, and Kerri said the bride is doing the same upstairs. How’s everything out here?”

Tawny leaned back against the building and took a quick peek at her checklist before checking her watch. “All set. We should start to direct the guests to their seats.”

Felicity let out a dreamy sigh. “The only day more special than my wedding day was when my son was born. You know what I mean? Of course not, but you will when it’s yours and Dave’s turn. I bet that man looks good in a tux.”

“Yeah, about that—”

Felicity put one finger to her ear and held the other up. “Oops, got to run and greet the JP.”

Drats. It would have been so easy to slip the breakup information to Felicity and then let the news spread like wildfire. Not that her colleague was a gossip, but she did like to talk. No big. Not really the time or place to discuss her wretch of a love life. Monday would be soon enough to break their hearts when she told them David wouldn’t be stopping by work anymore. Poor Stacy. The girl would be devastated.

“Tawny, glad I caught you alone.” Phil (now she remembered his name) blocked her from entering the building.

“What’s up,” Tawny asked.

He stared off in the distance, not responding for several very long, long seconds. “I know we don’t know each other well, and what you do with your life isn’t my business. Dave’s my friend.” He paused again, scratched his chin, and sighed.

“Okay, great for you and talking to you and all, but Kerri just buzzed me that she wants the guests seated now. The bride is ready.”

He didn’t budge. “Look, I think it’s rotten you stepping out on Dave. He’s a great guy. You were lucky to have found him and I don’t think you’re going to find better.” Phil turned without another word and headed around the side of the building.

Oh, that’s precious.
Phil the Pill didn’t approve of her cheating on David, even though she didn’t do it. What about him messing around with another woman on her?
How does Phil even know?
And then it hit her. He was David’s spy, the person who saw her with Ivan and misinterpreted the scene in the retelling. Wait! What did he mean by he didn’t think she’d find better? Did he think David would find better? And what was that crack about her being lucky? Whatever; as Phil admitted himself, he didn’t really know Tawny.

Quickly and quietly Tawny rounded up the guests and asked them to take their seats. She didn’t have time to analyze Phil’s comments or think about David, except she couldn’t keep the guy out of her mind.

Kerri buzzed her through her earpiece to check on the progress of the guests. “Give me another thirty seconds and they’ll all be in place. Phil can send out the guys and the JP.”

Tawny approached the last two couples chitchatting and let them know the wedding was about to start. As soon as all of the guests were seated she slipped inside to check on the moms. She slipped a small package of Kleenex into each of their hands, assured them they looked fabulous, and sent them to their seats on the arms of two very handsome groomsmen. The groom and the JP walked down the aisle next, passed under the arbor, and came to stand under another trellis fully decked out in roses of every color. She hadn’t been in on the planning for this event, but she’d guess they’d spent easily over twenty thousand on the florist alone.

They could have bought a car and had it a lot longer.

“Okay, checked on the caterer and they are all set and ready to go. What a relief this day has been. Some weddings have everything go wrong from the start. Almost like a sign from the heavens above that the marriage wasn’t to be. You know what I mean?” Felicity had slipped into place next to Tawny inside the venue hallway where they could help out of sight of the guests. “And then some, like this one, everything goes perfect and you just have to think they’re going to have a great life together.”