Destiny Undone: The Complete Series Box Set (29 page)

What a great meeting I’d had at Sea Crest! Patricia Clark and I had worked out the logistics, but I’d left the details up to her. For Sea Lab’s part, we’d agreed to foot the bill and I had no problems with that—that’s why we’d had the fundraiser. Thankfully, I think we had everything covered.

Dad had offered to pick me up from the airport but I wasn’t that tired. However, just ten minutes after I’d left the terminal, I felt the inevitable jet lag creep up on me, so I cruised through Starbucks for a quick pick-me-up and drove home.

I really wanted to talk to Pepper. I’d left so quickly that I didn’t have time to contact her before my trip. Well, I guess I could have, but things had moved pretty fast between us and I wasn’t sure if that was a good thing for me, or not. I knew I definitely liked her, but I didn’t want to move too fast and ruin everything before it had really gotten started. The ‘
I love you’s
’ had thrown me for a loop, but God knows, I always had a hard time keeping my hands off of her.

I thought again about the weird encounter I’d had with Sophie before I left for California. She’d stopped by the house, apparently to pick up something from Mom and I knew from my earlier conversation with my mother that she and Mom had been chatting about me. I instantly felt uncomfortable about that, but I took her lead and treated her like the friend she’d always been since we were kids.

Sophie had looked a million bucks, of course, and I wondered if she’d ever looked bad even one day in her life? Probably not. She’d worn her dark hair in a bun on top of her head with wisps of hair hanging around her forehead and above her ears. She’d worn a fitted, red dress that looked both professional and sexy, but to me, she’d always be a friend. I’d felt guilty at the time, but I couldn’t hide my feelings. Yes, it was Pepper that I wanted. Not Sophie.

After saying goodbye to my parents, I’d rolled my suitcase out of the house when Sophie had followed me, shouting goodbye to Mom.

“Hey, you need a ride to the airport?”

“No, I think I’ll drive. I’ll only be gone for one night so it’s no bother.”

“Gabe, I don’t mind driving you.”

“I appreciate the offer, but I’m good. I’ve only got about an hour before I have to get there, though, so I need to get going.”

“Oh, I see. Is this how it’s going to be?” Sophie opened her car door and tossed her red purse on the seat.

Did I want to do this right now?
No, but it appeared that I had no choice. “What are you talking about Sophie?”

“This would go much quicker if you cut the bull, Gabe.” She leaned against her car with her arms crossed. “You know I’m talking about me and you.”

“Come on, Sofe. There’s not been a ‘me and you’ in a very long time and even then, it was never a sure thing. I’m not sure what you want from me. Why the sudden interest in me?”

“I thought the wanting was mutual, Gabe, but I guess then there really is nothing to talk about.”

I sighed, “What do you want me to say? I’m not good at guessing games.”

“If you have to guess, then I don’t want you to say anything.” Her sad smile let me know that I’d given her an answer she didn’t want to hear, and then she’d gotten into her car and driven away. I’d headed to the airport, wondering what was going on with her. In all the years Sophie and I had known each other, she hadn’t indicated that she’d held a torch for me and now, all of a sudden, she did? Maybe I’d been that stupid? That was a possibility—understanding women had never been my strong suit. I was much better equipped at understanding the ecology of the Gulf of Mexico. I hoped that I hadn’t lost a friend since I cared about Sophie a lot, just not in the way she wanted.

When I arrived home, I called Pepper again and got her voicemail. I wondered what she’d be doing and I’d honestly missed her. I was happy to find the house empty so I could relax without any conversation. I drug my suitcase upstairs and left it in the middle of the floor then kicked off my shoes and climbed onto bed fully-clothed. I needed a nap.

A few hours later, my eyes opened and I glanced at the clock. It was seven in the evening and the day was shot. My cell phone buzzed on my nightstand and when I checked the screen, I saw it was Bobbie Jo.

“Hey, yeah, I’m home.”

“Must have been quite a trip. I’ve gotten tons of emails from Patricia. They seem excited to share these whales with us.”

“Yes, they are, Bobbie Jo. It’s costing us a pretty penny to move them, but I’m happy you’re happy.” I rolled onto my back and blinked my eyes. They felt sticky and tired.

As usual, she was all business. “Did you order the press release? I’m going to need that ASAP.”

“Yeah, I did it before I left. I’ll call Sophie and see if it’s ready yet…or you could call her yourself? Her number’s on my desk.”

“Oh, no. That’s all you, big guy. I’ve got my hands full here with all the daily stuff. Are you coming in tomorrow or are you taking another day off?” she teased. Bobbie must have felt overwhelmed now that she could see all the details that needed her attention. The biggest problem was locating a regular source of the right food for our two new residents.

“Hey! I wasn’t off today—I just wasn’t there. I’ll be in tomorrow morning so don’t do anything until then, okay? Tell the Sea Crest people you have to wait on me. That should keep them happy for a day, at least.”

“Sounds good. Talk to you then.” She hung up, no doubt happy to leave the problem-solving to me. That was kind of funny, considering how badly she wanted my job. Now it seemed that Bobbie Jo had lost interest in being the boss and sometimes I wondered if she didn’t make a big deal out of small things just so she’d look better for the board, but I wasn’t sure. I didn’t do politics well and believed I’d won the job because I was the better candidate. I wished she’d get over it and simply work with me, but I guess that was never going to happen. In Bobbie Jo’s mind, the decision had been wrong.

I tapped on the phone and called Sophie. I hoped our conversation wouldn’t be as frosty as the last one. “Hey, Sophie, it’s me. Gabe.”

“Hey, Gabe. Good trip?”

“Yes, everything went well. Did you get a chance to finish that press release about our partnership with Sea Crest?”

“Yes, I did. It should be in your inbox.”

“Thank goodness. Bobbie Jo needs it.”

“Would you like me to send a copy to her?”

“Could you? That would be great.”

“I’d be happy to.”

“Thanks, Sophie.”

“No problem. Sending it now. Anything else?”

“Can’t think of anything.”

“Great, have a nice day.” Then she hung up the phone and I just stared at it. No idle chatting this time. No friendship. I read her loud and clear—strictly professional and I breathed a sigh of relief. It was weird, but if that’s the way she wanted it, okay.

I got up and headed into the shower. My eyes still felt sticky but the steam and warm water helped. The plan was to get cleaned up and go see Pepper. She’d gotten some bad news—well, disturbing news anyway—and I wanted to be there for her. I dried off and grabbed some blue jeans and a t-shirt, then I checked my phone—still no call from Pepper so I slid on my shoes and jogged down the stairs. My parents still weren’t home yet and I guessed they were probably socializing at some non-profit fundraiser or volunteer get-together. I was still disappointed in their response to the news that I was dating Pepper and I’d never have dreamed they’d be so judgmental about someone they hadn’t even met. When did that happen? They’d always given everyone the benefit of the doubt, but not this time.

Well, once they’d met her themselves, I was convinced they’d see her as I did—a warm, kind and intelligent woman. I planned to arrange that, maybe have some dinner here at the house, just the four of us.
If I liked her, they would have to, right?

I got back into the car and made the short trip to the Anderson estate. I paused at the gate and spoke briefly to the guard, who wanted to know who I was. That was a new thing as I didn’t remember a guard being there the last time I’d visited. I guessed that meant the paparazzi were hanging around again and when the gates opened, I drove up the circular drive to the front of their mansion. Pepper’s car was in the driveway along with Mills’ new Mercedes, so I parked behind her and walked to the front door.

Mr. Anderson opened the door, saw me standing there and smiled.

“Hey, Gabriel. Good to see you. Please come in.”

“Hi, Doug. Thanks.”

“I noticed you have a guard out front. Something going on?”

“Gabe? What are you doing here?” It was Pepper, her hair mussed and her eyes red.

“Hey, Dolphin Girl. Just came by to see how you were doing.” I smiled and was surprised when Pepper rolled her eyes and walked away without saying another word. Doug watched the two of us then closed the door behind me.

“Okay. Well, I’ll be in my study if anyone needs me.” Then he left me standing there and strolled down the hall. Now, I had a choice—follow Pepper and find out what was going on, or walk out the door. My heart wouldn’t let me leave so I sighed and walked behind her, determined to show her that I cared about her. I surmised that she couldn’t be thinking clearly right now and I had to give her the benefit of the doubt.

“Wait, Pepper! Are you mad at me? Did I do something? Please don’t just walk away. I’m sorry I couldn’t be here, but I had to go California to sign the contract for the whales I told you about. Don’t you remember?”

“Yeah, I remember. I have a brain. Did you and Sophie have a good time?”

“Sophie? What are you talking about?”

“You know what I mean, Gabriel. I may not have letters after my name, but I’m not stupid.” She stomped away again and walked out onto the balcony, but I wasn’t ready to let this go so I followed her outside.

“Hey, will you please stop walking away from me. I have no idea what you’re talking about—not in the least—and I haven’t been anywhere with Sophie. I went to Sea Crest in California to finalize the deal with the whales...on my own.” She didn’t answer me so I kept talking, “Look, I know you’ve been through a lot lately, but I am here for you, believe it or not. Let’s talk.”

She spun around on her bare feet with her blonde hair flying.

“Oh, now you’re here! I don’t need your sympathy, Gabriel Gregory—Mr. Perfect, with his perfect family! Why don’t you go back to Sophie and leave me the hell alone!” She walked back inside, paused in the doorway and yelled again, “And don’t follow me!”

“Pepper!” I called after her, but she’d already gone. I walked back into the house when Doug came walking down the hall from his study.

“Gabe, I think you’d better leave, son. I don’t think Pepper’s in the right frame of mind for visitors right now. She’s been moody all day.”

“I can tell. I’ll call her later. Good to see you, Doug.”

“Gabe,” he replied with a nod.

He saw me to the door and closed it behind me. I looked up to Pepper’s window in case I could see her, but there was no one there. I wasn’t going to beg her to talk to me so I’d let it go for a day or two. She clearly didn’t want me around and I had too much work to do. Hopefully, this would all straighten out—and soon.

Mills sat on the edge of my bed and looked a little put out by my behavior. “What are you doing, Pepper? Why did you send Gabe away?”

“Leave it, Mills. I don’t want to talk about it right now. You wouldn’t understand.”

“Right, because I don’t know anything. I’m just your sister.” It was clear she wasn’t going anywhere by the way she hunkered down on my bed and sat crossed-legged next to me. “You can’t do this, Pepper. Don’t push the people who love you away. It’s not our fault this happened but we’re here for you.”

I smashed the pillow with my fist and buried my face in it. Last night I’d cried for hours, but apparently there was no end to my tear supply. Mills stroked my hair with her petite hand as she tried to comfort me. “You seemed okay yesterday when you got back from Aven’s. What happened since?”

My heart broke inside my chest. How could I explain how I felt about all this? I was an orphan, a ship without a sail. I turned on my side and wiped the tears from my eyes.