The American Lover (17 page)

Great. Thanks to Seth, Mom was now officially on my case.

“Her name is Faith, and we worked on an assignment together in London recently. I could see she had the potential to be really useful in handling the account transfers from the Royal London office over to our head office here in San Francisco, so in mentoring her, I've just been doing my job in utilising a valuable asset, nothing more. But we have a very tight timeframe to work within, which is why I’m following things up with Faith this weekend. That’s it.” I shrugged, trying my best to down play things.

“You’ve left out the bit about Faith having had a rough deal lately, how she’s been widowed tragically young, and how you want to help her out,” Seth helpfully elaborated. Him and his big mouth - now Mom was going to be really intrigued, wasn’t she?

“Really? The poor girl’s been widowed? Oh, that’s so sad.” Mom shook her head sympathetically.  “I can see how you would feel drawn to help her.”

“Faith’s personal circumstances have nothing to do with the job offer she’s been made. That’s based purely on her abilities and skills.  She’s just a valuable asset the bank would be stupid not to make the most of,” I repeated.

“Sounds like this girl has really gotten to you,” Lucas added his two cents worth next. “And if she does relocate over here, I’m betting you’re gonna find yourself getting even more drawn to her.”

“If Faith does decide to relocate, I would have very little to do with her, actually,” I hastened to correct him.  “Her personal circumstances are only relevant in that they mean she’s less likely to have any ties that would prevent her from taking the job.  Having her in situ would expedite the integration of the two systems, leaving me free to move on to the next project. As I keep telling you all, this is nothing personal, and none of you would be making any comment if this was a male colleague I was mentoring. Now, can we please change the subject and move on to something else?”

“Leave the poor boy alone,” my dad piped up from where he’d been listening to everything in his usual quiet way. His deep amber eyes sparkled with humor as he winked at me. “I'm sure Caleb will tell us in his own good time if and when there’s someone special he’d like for us to know about. Sometimes you have to let things grow in the dark for a while, before exposing them to the full sunlight.”

Mom smiled.

“I guess you're right, Nate. I'd hate for our interest to kill off the first tender shoots of anything promising.”

I rolled my eyes while my brothers snickered. However much they might like to have their little fantasies about me going down the happily ever after route again, that was no longer an option as far as I was concerned.

But before I could become too morose in thinking back to my divorce, I managed to escape to the bathroom to check my cell in private, and was relieved to see I'd finally gotten the text I'd been waiting for.

“Sorry, had phone on silent earlier. Back home safe and sound. F

I could relax. Faith was okay.

Nothing bad had happened to her.  All was well in the world.

W
hen I landed in San Francisco, I could hardly believe I was actually there, especially as it was somewhere that Drew and I had talked about visiting one day. But now I was here on my own, which felt pretty scary if I was being totally honest, especially as everything had happened so quickly once I’d taken the plunge and agreed to come over and find out a bit more about this job I'd been offered. 

That didn't mean I seriously thought I'd actually be relocating, moving to the other side of the world, leaving behind everything I'd ever known, not when my familiar surroundings sometimes felt like the only connection I had left with Drew.

That was why it felt wrong to be heading so far away. Wrong, and yet at the same time undeniably exciting, so it really annoyed me that my mum and sisters seemed to think I was so pathetic that I'd be unable to cope with this new challenge, that even just a weeklong trip away would be too much for me. But all their negative attitude achieved was to make me all the more determined to prove them wrong and show these naysayers that I was perfectly capable of standing on my own two feet.

At least Harry had been supportive.  She was blasé about the whole idea, as she’d been all over the world with her job, and didn't see popping over to the States for a week as such a big deal.

“Of course you should go, Faith.  Just look on it as an all expenses paid trip to California, courtesy of your employer, especially as San Francisco is one of my all-time favourite places. And there’ll be the added bonus of seeing this gorgeous Caleb guy again.  Maybe this time round you’ll be able to arrange a hook up with him,” she’d winked suggestively at me.

I still hadn't told Harry about sleeping with Caleb, thinking it sounded like a typical seedy office affair, which it hadn't been at all, so I preferred not to debase my memories. 

“It would be purely a work trip, Harry. And as Caleb is one of the senior executives over there, I wouldn’t be dealing with him, just his minions. I’d probably hardly see him,” I’d told her.

Professionally, I was well aware that Caleb would be far too senior to baby sit me on my visit. And personally, as great as it had been, I understood that the sex between us had just been a one off, it had only happened thanks to an unusual set of circumstances, and there was no chance of it happening again. He may have kept in touch because he had me in mind for this job, but I had no doubt that Caleb had plenty of other offers in his private life to keep him busy back on his home turf.

And as far as the job offer went, I was savvy enough to realise that in trying to recruit me to solve any potential issues that might arise, they were attempting to get a solution on the cheap, and that was why I shouldn't feel guilty about taking this all expenses paid trip to the States, even though I had no real intention of taking the job.

I took a deep breath as I collected my luggage and then headed through to the arrivals area, where I’d been told there’d be a driver waiting to pick me up. Although I’d never planned to be a career girl, I could get used to this, I thought to myself - flying business class, being met at the airport, staying in quality hotels.

Yep, not too shabby at all.

I scanned the throng of signs being waved around as I made my way out, looking for my designated driver, but instead my heart lurched when I saw a familiar tall, dark haired figure standing there.

Caleb. 

Just as good looking as ever, casually dressed in washed out jeans and a white T shirt, smiling as he raised his hand in greeting and headed on over.

“Caleb! What on earth are you doing here?” I grinned up at him, more pleased than I cared to admit to see his familiar face.

“Thought I'd come and personally welcome you to America, Faith,” he replied in that gorgeous rich voice of his, as he bent down and kissed my cheek. It was just a chaste brotherly kiss, I told myself firmly, even though the brush of his stubbly cheek and his clean masculine smell immediately invoked heady memories of what had gone on between us previously.
Like I hadn't already replayed that scene over and over in my head countless times.
Suddenly, I was glad that I’d tidied my hair and brushed my teeth just before we’d landed, so that at least he didn't find me totally disgusting and repulsive.

“I never expected you to interrupt your weekend to meet me at the airport like this. I’m sure you must have better things to do,” I said.

I’d arrived Sunday morning, which allowed me the rest of the day to settle in, before I was due in at the office on Monday, which I felt sick with nerves about. But I just couldn’t allow myself the luxury of giving into the panic that was threatening to swamp me. Stubborn determination not to prove my family right in their assertion that I couldn’t hack it, would hopefully quell the nauseating butterflies in my stomach.

“Seeing as it was my suggestion you come over, I figured I should make sure you got safely settled into your hotel.  I also wanted to give you the lowdown on places to steer clear of, seeing as you’re a female here on your own,” he explained, and as he scanned my face, I was reminded all over again of how unusual and piercing those amber eyes of his were.

“That’s really sweet of you, but I am used to looking after myself these days you know,” I reminded him, thinking how one of his nice big comforting hugs wouldn’t go amiss right at that moment, but then quickly reminding myself that as we were purely business colleagues, nothing like that would be happening this time round.

“You're used to London, not San Francisco.  Just thought it’d be useful if I gave you the inside track on my home town, that’s all,” he shrugged. I decided it’d be rude and churlish to make a big deal out of his thoughtful gesture to come and meet me, so I let him take my suitcase, and then trotted along behind him as he led the way out of the arrivals hall.

I let out a whistle of admiration when we reached Caleb’s car, a decidedly flashy, blue metallic, two-seater model. He couldn’t hide the note of pride in his voice as he casually informed me that it was a Corvette Stingray. The car was a thing of beauty, and I couldn’t help thinking that Drew would have loved it.
American cars.
Something else he would never get to experience. So bloody unfair.

We drove off with a wonderful throaty roar from the engine, and while I’d got Caleb all to myself, I decided to grab the opportunity to voice my concerns, as I didn't know when I’d get another chance.

“Can I just say something, Caleb?”

“Sure. What’s on your mind, Faith?”

“Well, one of the reasons I never expected you to meet me at the airport was that I assumed you’d want us to keep our distance. Trust me, I understand perfectly that you wouldn’t want what happened between us in London becoming common knowledge, so I just wanted to reassure you that no one will be hearing any gossip or tittle-tattle from me.”

Caleb quirked an eyebrow as he glanced over at me.

“I took that as read, Faith, or you wouldn’t be here. Neither of us is stupid - we both know it wouldn’t do either of us any favours if word got out that we'd slept together.”

“So you regret it then?” I couldn’t help asking, as a pang of hurt shot through me.
No one likes to think of themselves as a mistake, do they?

“No, I have no regrets whatsoever,” he answered without hesitation. “Do you?”

“No, but I still can't help wondering if it’s been a factor in this job offer,” I said. “Maybe because you feel a bit guilty in some way?”

“That is absolutely not the case, Faith. Let me reiterate that it wouldn’t do my professional reputation any good if you were crap at your job after I'd personally recommended you. So trust me, you got this offer purely on your ability.  Nothing whatsoever to do with the fact that we also happened to share some amazing sex during our time together in London,” he grinned, and I felt myself blushing.
So he had thought about it afterwards too?

“Look, Caleb, I just wanted to let you know that I totally understand that what happened between us was a one off,” I stated firmly. 

“Faith, we’re both adults, we both understand we’re gonna be colleagues at work. And I'm sure we both understand it’s never wise to mix business and pleasure, and we both understand how to act professionally at the office.”

As Caleb spelled things out, it dawned on me that this was the real reason he’d come to pick me up. He obviously wanted to clarify how things stood between us, to avoid any potentially embarrassing misunderstandings before we met up at the office.

“Glad to hear we’re thinking along the same lines,” I nodded.

“But that doesn't mean we can't be friends out of the office,” he continued. “Because that’s what I consider us to be, Faith. Friends. So it would be my pleasure to show my friend a little of the city today, if she’s not too jet lagged?” he smiled.

“Well actually, I thought I might just take a nap once I got to my hotel,” I replied, thinking he was just being polite, and truthfully feeling totally knackered.

“That’s probably not the best idea. I’d suggest you try slotting into local time and keep going until this evening if you possibly can.  That’s what I always try to do when I’m travelling through different time zones. However tempting it might seem, if you crash out now, you’ll find yourself wide awake tonight when we’re all heading off to bed. Then you’ll be really jet lagged at the office tomorrow, when I need my English protégé wide awake to impress everyone with how totally brilliant she is.” Another flash of his award winning smile.
Completely irresistible.

“Caleb, I really appreciate that you’ve gone out on a limb in championing me, so I promise I’ll try my hardest not to let you down,” I reassured him, understanding that the last thing he needed was to look a total idiot for recommending me.  This was another reason he’d come to pick me up, to have this little private pep talk with me. I felt better now that I'd worked out his motives, so I relaxed back into the leather seat, and looked out of the window at the San Francisco scenery passing by.

***

Once we’d dropped my things off at the hotel, and Caleb had inspected the room to make sure it met with his approval, we headed off to a little place that he informed me did a great brunch.

“Doesn't look much from the outside, but trust me, the Californian Cafe is the best,” he promised.

“I’ll take your word for it, especially as I'm starving - I didn't really feel like eating on the flight,” I admitted. Nerves always took away what little appetite I had, so even the fancy business class meals hadn't tempted me.

However, I should have realised how ginormous American portions were before I let Caleb order for me, as I ended up gorging myself from a huge selection of great big, fat blueberry pancakes, fresh fruit, bacon, sausages, eggs, juice, and coffee.

As we ate, we quickly slipped into easy conversation about anything and everything, what he’d been doing, what I’d been doing, that kind of thing. I talked about my family; he talked about his.

Maybe it was because Caleb had seen me at my worst and hadn’t turned tail, but I always felt at ease with him, to the point where I actually forgot he was this hot-shot, gorgeous-looking male. He was just so easy to talk to, interesting and funny, and I did think of him as my friend now, just as he’d said.

“So, despite Harry taking you along to some parties, you’ve still not met anyone you’d be interested in dating?” Caleb casually enquired, as he toyed with the spoon in his coffee. He’d made short work of his food, reminding me of the way Drew always used to wolf down anything that was put in front of him.  Did all guys have this thing about practically inhaling their food?

“No, I’ve really only been going along to shut her and my sisters up, because they keep on at me that I ought to get out more, along with trying to push me and Neil together.” I rolled my eyes as I sighed. I knew they meant well, but still, they drove me crazy at times.

“Ah yeah, this guy Neil.  Are you sure you aren’t ruling him out just because of your sisters meddling? I mean, you obviously have history with him, as well as a shared interest in the workshop.  That could be a good starting point for a relationship,” Caleb suggested.

“Don't you start too! I thought you of all people would understand, after you told me about your ex-wife’s sister,” I exclaimed in frustration. Neil was a touchy subject for me, as I knew I couldn't prevaricate much longer, I was going to have to sit down with him at some point soon to discuss the future of the workshop.

“Fair enough, point taken. Just checking to see if there’d be any good reason for you to turn down the job here, if there’d be anything or anyone you’d be reluctant to leave behind,” Caleb explained.

“Well there’s Stan, of course. Luckily, Harry’s around this week to look after him for me, and that cat never minds where his food comes from just as long as he gets fed.  And obviously I'd miss my family, but in all honesty, I’m beginning to wonder if it wouldn’t be such a bad thing
not
to have them peering over my shoulder all the time and checking up on me. Much as I appreciate their support, it can feel pretty suffocating sometimes.”

Whilst mulling over my future plans, I’d come to the conclusion that as my sisters and mum were all teachers, retraining for a teaching career probably wouldn’t be the best option for me, as they’d no doubt be unable to resist taking over and interfering.  No, whatever I ended up doing, I needed to create a little distance and stand on my own two feet, without having to worry what my family were thinking all the time.