Sunday (Timeless Series #7) (6 page)

Work

Rose

I went back to the office because it was too difficult to stay home alone. The place no longer had Kyle’s smell so it was depressing. I returned to restless nights and lack of sleep.

The office was safe because Kyle had only visited once—when we first started talking. His presence hadn’t stained the place and the air was still clean. It was one of the few places I could be without being haunted by his ghost.

The door to the office opened and a tall man walked inside. He was six-two with a powerful body that hinted at his strength. He wore a black suit with a gray tie, looking like a successful executive. His eyes were startling blue, similar to Kyle’s. He had dark hair and a light covering of facial hair.

He was good-looking, to say the least
.

He wore a black wedding ring on his left hand, and I couldn’t help but think how lucky his wife was.

He approached my desk with perfect posture, his eyes glued to my face in an intense way. The moment he walked inside he brought dark clouds with him. The place suddenly became very cold. “Hawke—nice to meet you.” He extended his hand.

“Hi…” I shook it then quickly pulled my hand away. “Rose.”

He took a seat in the armchair and rested his ankle on the opposite knee. “I’m building a new office just a block over. I have some ideas in mind and I’m looking for an architect to bring my design to life. Are you available?”

Actually, things were pretty slow at the moment. I hadn’t been directing much traffic to my business since I’d been under the weather. A lot of things had hit me at once. “I am. But I’d like to understand the scope of the project first.”

“Well, it’s going to be a third story building. I wanted it designed with elegant architecture—not the modern look. I want beautiful ornate windows along with delicate frescos.”

“What kind of business do you run?”

“Investment company.”

“I understand.” He wanted his business to reek of money, to smell like success. Every person who walked into his office needed to know just how well that business was doing. If they believed in the company, they would throw more money at it.

“So, are you the person for the job?”

“I think so.”

“Great.” He immediately rose to his feet like he was in a hurry. “My lawyer and I will meet you at the site tomorrow, if you’re free.”

Why did he need his lawyer present?

“Also…” He pulled out his checkbook and scribbled a number. “Consider this my deposit.”

“That’s not necessary—”

“I insist.” He set the check on the desk. “I want this done as quickly and efficiently as possible. I can’t afford any sudden drawbacks.” He buttoned the front of his jacket and walked out. “I’ll give you the address tomorrow.”

“Alright. Thank you.”

He waved then disappeared.

That was the easiest job I’ve ever gotten. Hawke knew exactly what he wanted and knew he wanted me for the job. I wish all my conversations were that simple.

Showtime

Kyle

I was nervous this would blow up in my face.

Hawke sat beside me in the coffee shop across the street from the lot where the building would go. Hawke already acquired the lot as well as the permission to build, so now he just needed the architect to begin. He sipped his coffee slowly with a bored look on his face.

“I’m not sure if this is a good idea.”

“It’ll be fine. When she gets here I’ll step out with an important phone call from my wife.”

“Even then…”

“I already gave her the deposit. She’s stuck.”

She could just rip it up.

“And she’s already cashed it.”

Even then, she could just give it back.

“Pretend you had no idea,” Hawke said. “That’s not too hard to do.”

“Lying isn’t too hard to do?” I asked incredulously.

“When the love of your life is on the line, you say and do whatever is necessary to keep her around. So put on your gear and get ready.”

“Why are you doing this for me?” He didn’t owe me anything, and I almost took Francesca away from him.

He shrugged. “Whatever is important to Francesca is important to me.”

“But you’re actually letting Rose build your office. That’s a big sacrifice.”

“All the architects are the same. It’s my vision. She’s just drawing it out.”

“Even then…”

“It sounds like she knows what she’s doing. From what I read on her site she’s worked on a significant number of landmarks.”

“She has.”

“So, I’m sure she’s fine.” He sipped his coffee again.

I watched him, eyeing the watch on his wrist. “You don’t hate me?”

“Why would I hate you?” He pressed his lips tightly together as he rubbed away the coffee stain from his mouth.

“I was with Francesca for nearly a year…” I wasn’t just an ex-boyfriend. I was going to marry her at some point. I never received confirmation for it, but I suspected Hawke knew about my proposal. Axel must have told him. Why else would he swoop in and ask Francesca to marry him first?

“I know. And you were good to her. So I have no reason to hate you.”

“It’s still awkward…”

“Not really,” he said. “After we got married our lives started over. It doesn’t seem like there was ever anything before us. It’s hard to understand, but trust me, you’ll get it someday.”

Maybe I would. But I probably wouldn’t.

“What is it about this woman?”

I shrugged. “What is it about Francesca?”

“Touché.” He held up his mug. “She and I are going to start trying again.”

“For another baby?” I asked in surprise.

“Yeah. The doctor said everything is ready to go.”

“Wow…congratulations.” They just had one kid. I couldn’t imagine trying to take care of two.

“Thanks. We want them close in age.”

“Do you want a boy this time?”

“Actually, no.” He said it like the revelation surprised even himself. “Now that I have Suzie I want another little girl. She’s just so cute…and looks just like Francesca.”

I smiled. “Suzie does look just like Francesca.”

“I wanted to name her Francesca so we could call her Little Frankie but she didn’t go for it.”

“Suzie Taylor is pretty good.”

“Everything goes great with my last name.” He gave an arrogant smile.

I eyed the window and waited for her to arrive. A moment later her figure came into the window. She carried her big purse so she could fit her iPad and paperwork inside.

She walked inside and scanned the tables to search for Hawke. When she found him she immediately walked over. It took a moment for her to recognize me, and when she did she stopped in her tracks.

I did my best to look surprised.

She gripped her purse then stared at Hawke with accusation.

“Sorry, do you two know each other?” Hawke asked, eyeing us back and forth.

I kept up my confusion, trying to make it seem as sincere as possible. “Uh…we’ve worked together before.”

Rose took a moment to recover from the shock. I was obviously the last person she expected to see that afternoon.

Hawke eyed her, keeping up with the charade. “Would you like to sit down so we can get to work?”

She eyed the chair before she slowly sat down, her defenses high.

“Kyle is my legal expert on the matter. He’s going to be my legal representation for the company.” Hawke casually lied out of his ass, doing a remarkable job. “In my line of work you can never be too careful.”

“Business isn’t good?” She pulled everything out of her bag and didn’t make eye contact with either of us.

I knew the question was meant for me. “He gave me an offer I couldn’t refuse.”

“I see…” She pulled out all of her supplies then got ready to take notes. “So, let’s talk about your plans.”

Hawke’s phone rang right on cue. “Hey, Muffin. I’m at a meeting right now.” He listened to Francesca talk over the phone. “Baby, are you alright? Yeah, I’ll be there in a second. Love you.” He hung up and rose to his feet. “I’m so sorry, Rose. My wife is at the hospital with our newborn daughter. I have to go.”

“Oh…” Rose stiffened in her seat. “Is your daughter okay?”

“I’m not sure,” he said. “Something about an infection. But Kyle can take over.”

“We can just reschedule,” Rose argued. “You have enough on your plate—”

“It’s really okay.” He patted her shoulder and walked out. “Kyle has my full confidence.”

When he was gone she turned back to me, the surprise still heavy in her eyes.

I stared back at her, longing to see her like I never had before. Her auburn brown hair looked softer than usual, and her green eyes were brighter than a lit firework. Those lips were full—ready to be kissed.

God, I missed her.

All the anger burning inside my body disappeared in that moment. Love conquered fury, and I was left with nothing but desperation. Despite my feelings I had to keep it cool. Right now, I was supposed to be astonished she was there.

She gripped her pencil so tightly it might break in half.

I had to remain indifferent, not to mention the relationship at all if I were going to succeed. “Well, shall we begin?”

She clearly wasn’t expecting me to say that. “What?”

“With the design? Hawke and I have discussed it extensively and I know exactly what he wants.”

She spun the pencil between her fingers, what she usually did when she was thinking. “Did you arrange this?”

“Arrange what, exactly?”

“This.” She pointed between us.

I tried to sound as sarcastic as possible. “Yes…I convinced a random guy to pay you to design a building he doesn’t even want.”

That wiped the suspicion off her face. “Why are you working for him?”

“He offered me a lot of money to do very little.”

“But you don’t need money.”

“But I could use a break from the office.” After what I went through with Audrey’s trial no one would question that.

She stopped spinning her pen, convinced.

“I’m sorry this is an awkward situation. I don’t want to be here anymore than you do. But we’re both adults and we can get this done.”

Rose’s face suddenly turned pale, as if all the blood shifted to a different part of her body. Her normally beautiful green eyes no longer seemed quite as bright. Her gaze shifted to the table before they returned to my face because she was taken aback by what I said.

If I stopped chasing her, maybe she would come to me.

“You’re right…” She opened her notebook and unlocked her iPad.

“Should I sit beside you?” I kept my voice indifferent, like being beside her didn’t give me any kind of pleasure whatsoever.

“Yeah, that’d probably be best.”

I left the chair then glanced at the counter. “I think I’m going to get a coffee. You want anything?”

“Uh, a blueberry scone please. Thanks.”

“You got it.” I got in line then ordered my coffee. Then I hovered near the pick-up counter and waited for my name to be called. I busied myself on my phone to keep up my image of indifference.

“Kyle?”

I looked up to see my former secretary. She worked in my office for a few years before she started law school. I hadn’t seen her in years. “Hey, long time no see.”

She moved into my chest and hugged me with a smile on her face.

I suddenly took advantage of the situation, trying to make Rose jealous. It was an immature thing to do, but I was desperate to get her back. I let the touch linger a little longer than I normally would in the hope Rose would notice. “How’s lawyer life treating you?”

“Well, I’m not a lawyer yet.” She chuckled and pulled away. She had long blonde hair and typical blue eyes. She would definitely win some cases with looks like that.

“Give it time. And when you are a lawyer, you’ll quickly start to hate it.” I smiled so she knew I was joking.

“Thanks. What’s new with you?”

“You know, just saving the world.”

She had a naturally beautiful smile that made it seem like she was happy all the time. “Where’s your cape?”

“Stuffed in my back pocket.”

The barista called my name and announced my coffee was ready.

“Well, I’ll let you get back to your coffee,” she said. “It was nice seeing you.”

“You too.” I pulled her in for another hug even though I wouldn’t have normally done that. “Take care. You know you have a job at Steele and Steele whenever you’re finished.”

“You’ll be the first person I call on graduation day.” She gave me a quick hug before she walked out, smiling at me the entire time.

Not once did I look at Rose, trying to seem as infatuated as possible with a different woman. Then I grabbed my coffee and added a splash of cinnamon before I returned to the table, pretending like nothing just happened.

Rose’s gaze was glued to the table so hard it was obvious she was forcing it.

Maybe she would try to get me back now that she knew I wouldn’t always be available. “You ready to start?” I eyed my watch on my wrist. “I have plans later tonight.” I didn’t tell her what those plans were, letting her imagination run wild.

***

She was exceptionally quiet for the rest of the meeting. She didn’t say anything unless she had to, and she didn’t make eye contact with me either. Her heels crunched against the dirt ground as she walked further into the empty lot. Patches of grass and weeds were dispersed in random places.

She held the notebook in her hand and scribbled a few notes.

I walked around the lot and examined the two buildings adjacent on either side. The place was a good location, but the dimensions of the lot might make the design of the building a little difficult. I suspected Hawke paid a lot of money for the land—a fortune. I was glad he was reaching new levels of wealth. Not for his sake, but for Francesca’s. If she wanted to quit her job and sell the bakery, she’d have that opportunity. She could stay home and raise their two kids. I suspected she would never do that, but it was nice to have the option.

Rose halted in the center of the lot and kept making notes. She wore dark jeans and a loose blouse. Her hair was done in curls and her make up was done. She looked exceptional, like always. Just a week ago we slept together in the same bed, but now it seemed like we were a world apart.

I stayed quiet so I wouldn’t disrupt her artistic thoughts. She was probably mapping out the entire place in her head, using that abnormally gifted brain of hers. She made a few more notes before she closed her notebook. “I think I have everything I need.”

“Great.” I walked with my hands in my pockets, appearing as casual as possible. “Just give one of us a call when you’re ready to discuss your progress.”

“I will.”

We walked to the sidewalk. Fortunately, there wasn’t any foot traffic in the area. I could feel the awkwardness rest on my shoulders. Naturally, I wanted to say something. I wanted to invite her to dinner or tell her I missed her. I wanted to convince her she was my soul mate, the one person I wanted to spend my life with. But I had to act like I didn’t care. It was the only approach I hadn’t tried. “Well, I guess I’ll see you around.” I nodded my head slightly in her direction then quickly turned around. It took all my strength to keep up the act, to pretend she didn’t mean a damn thing to me.

“Kyle.”

I turned around and kept up my poker face. “What’s up?”

She held the notebook to her chest, a fight going on deep inside her. “Are you still mad at me?”

It was the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard her say. Was I having a conversation with a high school girl? “Why would I be mad at you?”

“The way we left things…”

“Rose, I’m over it. I’m not going to keep fighting for someone who doesn’t want me. You’ve made your decision and I accept that. I worked my ass off to win that case for you, and I was the gentlest and most caring boyfriend the world has ever seen—but it wasn’t enough for you. I’m not going to keep wasting my time on someone who doesn’t deserve it.” I kept my gaze cold, freezing her skin and everything beneath. Then I turned around and walked away without looking back. It was heartbreaking to act this way, to give her the cold shoulder in such a rude manner. But she didn’t leave me any other choice. Either this would work or I would lose her altogether.