No Ordinary Bloke (37 page)

“Yes. I do. It’s no big deal. If he knows he’s going to be working late at home, she runs by Lark and picks up some food and drops it by his place.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “It doesn’t happen that often.”

“Only twice a week, every week.”

“Who told you this? Angus?”

“He’d be a pretty good source, don’t you think?” I could see her mind was working to see if anything of what I’d said was possibly true, so I continued, “Go to his house tonight. See for yourself. If I’m wrong, I’m sorry. Never speak to me again. If I’m right, I’m sorry and you still don’t have to speak to me again. I’m not trying to get the girl here. I just don’t want to see you hurt again, especially by an arse like him.”

“You really hate him.”

“No, I love you.”

Her spine straightened. “Thanks for looking out for me, if indeed that’s what you’re doing, but you realize you’ve just put me in a horrible position. I can’t just ignore what you’ve accused him of. It’s my job to have something like this investigated, but I’m caught up in it too because Trey and I have been involved in the past. I can be accused of being a jealous ex.”

“I know. I’m sorry. I’ve known about this for a long time, but I didn’t say anything because I didn’t want you to get sacked.”

“Somehow that doesn’t make me feel better,” she spat at me.

“I didn’t expect it would.”

For a moment, she stared at me with utter contempt, but soon she hung her head down, like I’d just put the weight of the world on her shoulders. “You should leave now. I have to think this through.”

“I understand. I’ll leave, but I have one more thing to say.”

“I really think you should go.”

I would leave, but not until she heard me out. I didn’t want anything left to misinterpretation, so I leaned over and lifted her chin. Oh, how I wanted to give her a kiss, but she was mad. The bird might’ve even bit me, so I just smiled. “Listen to me. I know you’re angry and annoyed with me right now. I understand. I would be too. But I want to let you know that I’ve spent the last five months in counseling to deal with my temper, and I’m not finished.”

The anger in her face began to creep away as her mouth gaped. “You have? Really?”

“I have. It’s been useful, but I’m nowhere near done. I still have a lot to learn, but one thing I know for sure is how much I love you.”

“Oh, David…” Her voice was so quiet. “I’m happy to hear it.”

“I don’t expect this to change anything between us. I’d like for it to, but I understand. But you should know you may be able to find someone you like better or who doesn’t have a temper or who has never beat a man within an inch of his life or one who doesn’t have crazy ex-girlfriends or someone who isn’t just an ordinary bloke like me, but you’ll never find anyone who feels for you as much I love you.”

She sat motionless, like a stunned, frightened animal. Leaning further, I kissed her forehead. “I love you, Allison. Remember that.”

Without another word or glance backward, I left the room.

Y
es, I’d told Allison I had no expectations from her, and I knew walking out of her office that I may never see her again. But could you blame a bloke for hoping? Since I’d left New York, I let the first week pass without too much thought. After all, if the shit was hitting the fan, she’d be busy. As the second week went on, I began to think that if I might have a chance, now would be the time she reached out to me. My hopes lifted higher when Declan poked his head into my office.

“Got a second for some gossip?” he said.

“Of course,” I said, turning in my chair toward the door. “Who doesn’t have time for that?”

“This is good too,” Declan said eagerly. “Trey Chabot has been sacked.”

“Really?” I kept my face so placid I should’ve won a bloody Oscar.

“Yup. He was screwing his assistant. You know, the cute one.” He leaned further into my office. “The one with the great tits.”

“Thanks for the reminder. I remember her.” I smiled. “You know, I never really liked Trey.”

“Me neither.”

I didn’t want to gloat too much, at least not publicly, so I brought the subject back to work. “So who is going to take over his accounts?”

“Dunno.” He snickered. “Probably another American arsehole.”

“Probably.”

When Declan left, I leaned back in my chair and stared out my window onto the street life below. Trey was gone, so now what happened to Allison? I could’ve called the offices to ask for her, but that seemed stalker-like. It was also emotionally unhealthy if I’d supposedly let the woman go. So I went another week hoping I might hear something, but nothing. After three weeks passed, Dr. Green’s advice finally sank in. I really needed to move on.

One unusually bright Saturday in London, twenty-three days since I’d last seen Allison, I was gathering my things to spend a few hours at the workshop working on a chair for Little V. My hands were full when someone buzzed my flat from the building’s front door. “Bugger,” I said aloud at the thought of opening the door. So I ignored it. It was most likely some of those missionaries who for some reason thought West London a land in need of evangelism.

When there was a knock on my front door, I grumbled again, though this time I knew it was someone persistent and maybe a friend. I put down my keys and drink, but kept my bag on my shoulder as I answered the door. The red hair was the first surprise, but then her smile was the second. “Allison,” I said almost without a breath.

“Hi. I’m sorry to come unannounced.” She looked sheepish and pointed to the bag hanging from my shoulder. “It looks like you’re leaving. I can come back later. I just—”

“No, no, no. Stay here.” I took her arm and dragged her inside like I was a fucking caveman claiming my mate from the rest of the world. Closing the door behind me, I said, “I’m so happy you came.”

She shrugged and looked down. “I owe you a few apologies, including one for not coming sooner.”

“You don’t owe me anything.”

“But I do.”

“No.” I shook my head. I was so stunned that she was here with me in my flat alone that I forgot myself for a moment as I stared into her gorgeous eyes. Finally, I remembered what should happen next. “Let’s go sit down,” I said, pointing into the living room.

“Aren’t you leaving?”

“I was just going to the workshop to finish a chair I’m doing for Little V. It can wait,” I said, dropping my bag in the hallway.

She smiled. “Doesn’t she need a chair?”

“I have time. It’s a present for her when her little baby brother or sister arrives. You know, so she has something special that day, too.”

“Adam and Nicki are having another baby? That’s great.”

“It is. I’m chuffed for them.” I nodded to her leather jacket. “Let me take you coat.”

She glanced down at the buttoned jacket. When she didn’t answer me, I feared she didn’t want to take it off because she wanted to make a quick exit. Bracing myself for that possibility, I said, “Or don’t, if you won’t be here long.”

I held my breath as she bit her lip, seeming completely indecisive. After a moment, she began to slowly unbutton the coat and said, “I don’t know how long I’ll be here.”

“What do you mean?”

Raising her eyes to me, she gave me another uneasy smile, but said nothing.

“What?” I asked.

“I feel a little foolish.”

“Why?”

“Isn’t it obvious?”

Trying not to ogle her, my eyes had been on her face while she took off the coat. When I looked down, the distinctive red shirt made me grin. “You’re wearing a Liverpool jersey. How could that ever be foolish?”

She let out a dark chuckle. “Depending on your reaction, it could be very foolish.”

“I think it’s brilliant.”

“Not over the top?”

“Not at all.”

Despite my reassurance, she was still apprehensive as she rambled, “I wanted to do something to show you, but I was worried what you might think. It’s a silly gesture. I know…”

“I don’t think it’s silly, love. You might even be prettier in a Liverpool jersey.” As my heart exploded with hope, I took her hand and led her toward the sofa. “Please, sit. Can I get you anything to drink or eat?”

“A glass of water would be great.” She smoothed down her jeans, which fit her distractingly well.

“Just give a minute then.”

I used the time to fetch her water as an opportunity to gather my thoughts and calm the fuck down. When I walked back to where she sat on the sofa, I handed her the glass and smiled. “Thanks for coming. This is a wonderful surprise.”

“I’m sorry to barge in.”

I took a seat beside her, while leaving her some personal space. I looked straight into her eyes, hoping she’d see how happy I was. “It’s all right. You knew you’d be welcome.”

“I didn’t know.” She shook her head. “I only hoped.”

My heart started beating double time, and I needed a distraction or I’d blow it in front of her. Glancing at her ponytail resting on her back, I noticed something was different. “Why is your hair wet? Have you been playing footie with Angus? Is that why you’re in a football jersey?”

“No.” She smirked. “I’ve been playing footsie with Angus.”

“Hey, you know Angus, and that’s not funny.”

“Yes, it was.” Laughing, she touched her ponytail and then let it rest again. “I’m joking though. I arrived earlier this morning, so I checked into my hotel early and took a shower.”

My eyes shifted around the room, as I parsed the few facts I’d heard from her together. “Why are you traveling for work on a Saturday?”

“This isn’t work travel.”

“It isn’t?”

“No, I came to see you,” she said, looking up at me through her eyelashes as she sipped her water. “And then maybe I’ll visit Paris or Prague. I’m not sure.”

“Paris? Don’t you have to work?”

“Nope. Not anymore.”

“What happened?” I laughed and gave her arm a bit of a push. “Tell me.”

“There’s not much to tell. You were right. I was wrong. I quit. I went back to Iowa for a while to try to figure out my life.” She shrugged. “I think I need a change from New York, so I’m traveling for a while until I decide where I want to live next.”

“As happy as I am that you’re here, I’m sorry that I was right.”

“Yeah, it sucked.” She shook her head. “I didn’t do as you suggested though. I didn’t go over to his place and cause a big scene.”

“That’s not really your way.”

“No. Not at all.”

“So what happened?”

“I guess I should start at the beginning,” she said, leaning back on the sofa. “So you left, and I was pissed and heartbroken at the same time.” She gave me a dirty look. “Thanks for that.”

“Sorry. I wasn’t happy either.”

“I know, and I figured as much. The fact that you made a special trip really weighed on me, so I did what I thought was right. I went to my boss—the vice president for human resources for all of Greystone. I told her that I’d heard a rumor that Trey was romantically involved with his direct report, Melanie, but that given my relationship with Trey, I wanted to take a leave of absence until any investigation was completed. She agreed and put me on administrative leave.”

“How long did that last?”