The Teacher's Billionaire (24 page)

So far the media hadn't lost interest in her even though it'd been over two weeks since Warren's announcement. Where is a celebrity scandal when you need it, Callie wondered as she sipped coffee Tuesday morning. Both Warren and Elizabeth assured her that the media would back off once she wasn't the latest news. The sooner that happened the better. She needed her life to return to normal. It'd never be as it was before learning the truth, but something more normal than this would be nice.

Maybe I should just suck it up and go home, she thought gazing off in the distance. The morning sky was cloudless and from the balcony off her room she had a spectacular view of the ocean. She'd told Warren she'd stay till at least Thursday. And she would. After that though she'd probably head home. Mainly because she couldn't hide forever, but also because she was getting lonely. Jake left Saturday night. Warren and Elizabeth followed him early Monday morning. While the house was full of staff, they weren't much for talking. At least not talking to her. They were friendly in a polite sort of way yet that was it. They all kept their distance. For the most part they only interacted with her when she approached them first.

Her father told her to treat the place like home and invite friends to visit if she wanted. She wasn't comfortable with that. This wasn't her home. It was her father's private sanctuary. It didn't seem right to have outsiders invade it.

Finishing her coffee Callie checked her watch. Eight thirty. “Lucky will think I forgot about him.” Everyday since arriving she went down to the kennel to take him for a morning and afternoon walk. Though there was someone on hand that could do it, Callie preferred to do it herself. Taking her dog for a walk was so normal. She needed that. Nothing else felt normal anymore. It felt more like she was living someone else life, and it wasn't a life she was enjoying. What she wouldn't give to turn the clock back to before Helen's visit. If she'd known then what a mess talking with Helen was going to make of her life, she would've pretended not to be home the day she visited. And she certainly never would've opened the door for Dylan the afternoon he showed up on her doorstep.

Hindsight is a glorious thing. To bad it never helps anyone.
“Stop feeling sorry for yourself. It could be worse,” Callie ordered herself as she walked towards the kennel. How it could be worse though, she didn't have a clue.

***

Drumming his fingers on his leg in impatience, Dylan wished the guy across from him would just sign the final documents. Instead, Steven Macy, the CEO of the hotel chain that Sherbrooke Enterprises was swallowing up, kept talking to him and the attorneys present as if they were long lost buddies.

I don't have time for this. I've got more important things to do.
His fingers stilled. Work was always his first priority. Yet right now he could care less about it. The only thing that mattered was getting to Callie and convincing her to give him another chance. He had everything planned. Dylan just hoped it worked.

“Bill is everything in order?” he asked one of Sherbrooke Enterprises' attorneys not caring that he'd interrupted Steven Macy in mid-sentence.

Bill gave him a look as if to say thank you for shutting him up. “It's a done deal. We are all set.”

Coming to his feet Dylan announced, “Then we're done here gentlemen.” Normally, he had more finesse. He'd casually bring the conservation to an end so that Steven Macy didn't feel as if he was being tossed out of the office. Today he just didn't care. Right now the only thing he cared about was getting out of the city and to Cliff House.

Dylan used the short plane ride to Rhode Island to clear up any other business that might interfere with his weekend. He didn't want any distractions from the outside world. As arranged a car was waiting for him at the airport in Newport.

“Straight to Cliff House tonight, sir?” the driver asked getting behind the wheel of the Town Car.

After replying
yes
he pulled out his cell phone and dialed Jake's number. He'd arrived in Newport the previous evening at Dylan's request. Though he hated to admit it, Dylan needed his brother's help to carry off his plan.

Jake had two responsibilities. One to keep Callie busy so she wouldn't see Dylan arrive. And two, to make sure she showed up at the Tea House that evening.

“Everything ready?” Dylan asked once his brother answered the phone.

“Just waiting for you. Everything is just the way you wanted it. And Callie has no idea anything is up. We've been gone all day.”

“Thanks.” Dylan hoped his brother knew he was thanking him for more than just his help today.

“Don't mention it. Good luck.”

I'm going to need it.
Dylan returned the cell phone to his pocket.

***

Flopping onto the king sized bed, Callie wished she could lay down and go to sleep. She was exhausted. The night before she'd been up way to late talking with Jake, who had unexpectedly shown up around lunchtime. When she'd finally gone to bed she hadn't fallen asleep right away. Instead she'd starred at the ceiling for hours only falling asleep when the first rays of sunlight came through the window.

Never one to waste the day lounging around in bed, she'd still gotten up around seven. Then after returning from her morning walk with Lucky, Jake took her sailing.

Just a quick dinner then bed.
She forced herself into a sitting position. Normally if she felt this tired she would get into some comfortable pjs, grab something simple like cereal for dinner and plop down with a good book.

Can't do that here.
At least not with Jake expecting her to join him downstairs.
Another hour or two body, then you can get some rest. Promise.

Before heading downstairs, Callie combed her hair out and pulled it back in a simple ponytail. A day on the open water destroyed the French braid she'd fashioned that morning and she didn't feel like taking the time to re-do it.

Downstairs Jake stood with one arm resting on the marble banister waiting for her. “Thought we'd eat down in the Tea House. It's a perfect night for it.”

“Can't we just eat here. It must be a pain for the staff to get food down there. Then they only have to bring everything back afterward. I'm fine with eating here.”

Jake didn't immediately reply. Rather he seemed to considered her words as if he'd never given it any thought before. “They already set things up.”

She came down the last few steps. “Whatever, I guess.”

Jake threw an arm across her shoulders. “Don't sound so enthused,” he said with amusement. “Trust me you'll be glad I suggested it.”

Callie wasn't sure if it was what he said or rather how he said it, but she got the distinct feeling he wasn't talking about dinner anymore. “Lead the way.”

It truly was a gorgeous evening. While the thermometer still read 85 degrees a cool refreshing breeze rolled up from the ocean. There wasn't a cloud in the star studded sky, and the moon was nearly full.

This is what summer in New England is all about.

As they crossed the large expanse of lawn separating the mansion from the Tea House, Jake kept up a steady conversation.

“
What did you think of your first time sailing?”

“Loved it. It was so different from the ferries and pontoon boats I've been on. I can see why you like doing it so much.”

“Glad you enjoyed it. Maybe we can go again before I leave. If you want I can teach you.” Reaching for the door to the Tea House, he started to pull it open but stopped. “Damn. I forgot to tell Maria to bring down some of her special Sangria.” Jake let go of the door handle. “Go on in and get started without me. I'll be right back.” With that statement he gently nudged her up the steps before heading back towards the main house.

“Whatever,” Callie muttered to herself somewhat confused. There was a phone inside that could be used to call the main house. She saw Warren use it the day they ate lunch in there. Why didn't Jake just call the kitchen, she wondered as she pulled open the door. She took one step inside, then stopped dead. The Tea House was full of red and white roses and calla lilies. The only other place she'd seen this many flowers was inside a florist shop. And what had to be hundreds of candles lit the room casting a warm romantic glow. Standing in the center of it all was Dylan dressed in Dockers and a polo shirt. Despite everything her heart leaped at the sight of him.
Traitor.

He'd obviously orchestrated this, but for what purpose. Was his conscious feeling so guilty that he felt he had to go to such extremes to apologize.

Might as well get this over with. You were going to have to face him sooner or later.
She crossed her arms protectively around herself, then moved a few more steps into the room. “I didn't know you were coming,” she said in lieu of a greeting. It wasn't like she was going to say nice to see you.

Dylan didn't move. “I came to see you.”

“Did you buy out every flower shop in the state?” she asked refusing to acknowledge his statement.

“If that's what it takes I will.” He started to move closer but stopped when Callie took a step back toward the door. She was determined to keep some space between them.

She swallowed hoping to dislodge the lump of emotion in her throat. It was threatening to choke her.
Don't cry in front of him. He's not worth it.

Callie struggled to hold back the tears. “What do you want from me, Dylan?” Her voice was low not much louder than a whisper.

He moved forward again, this time not stopping until he stood mere inches away. “A second chance.” She almost didn't recognize his voice it was so thick with emotion.

Callie chewed on her bottom lip, questions swirling around in her head. A second chance? At what being friends? Being lovers? Did she dare ask?

“That doesn't really answer my question, Dylan. And you know it.”

Dylan reached out and wiped a tear from her cheek. She jerked her head back slightly but didn't move away from him. “I know you think everything between us was an act,” he began. It sounded as if he was choosing his words carefully. “It wasn't, Callie.”

More than anything she wanted to believe him. But could she take that risk? The conversation she'd overheard hadn't been a dream. It had been very real. And Dylan had never once tried to deny his agreement with Phillips when he'd shown up at her apartment that night. He wasn't trying to deny it now either. Yet right now he seemed so sincere, and this whole set up had taken some planning. Would someone who had just been acting gone through so much trouble? She just didn't know.

Damn, I should have rehearsed this earlier
. Now wasn't the time to figure it out. “I was attracted to you from the beginning, long before Phillips asked me to keep an eye on you.”

“But you didn't trust me.” It was more a statement than a question. One filled with a combination of anger and sadness. Both of which pulled at his heart.

He wiped another few tears from her face. This time she didn't pull away. “That wasn't an issue. I knew you weren't a threat to Warren by then.”

Dylan specifically said he knew she wasn't a threat to Warren rather than saying he trusted her. Because while he had trusted her in terms of his stepfather, deep down on some level he hadn't trusted her in regards to himself. He hadn't even realized that was the case until Jake gave him a kick in the ass. Now that he'd dealt with those fears keeping him from trusting her, Dylan knew it hadn't been Callie he didn't really trust but himself.

“I couldn't convince Phillips. If I didn't go along with him, he was going to hire someone.” He wondered if he was getting through to her. Since she hadn't bolted, he assumed she was at least willing to listen. “I couldn't allow that.”

“What a world you live in,” Callie said sounding amazed. “Did it ever occur to you to tell me what was going on?”

“There was more to it,” Dylan admitted. He had to tell her everything if he had any chance of her forgiving him.

Callie groaned and for a minute he thought she planned on leaving. “Honestly Dylan I'm not sure I want to know anymore. Maybe it's better if we just leave things the way they are.”

It's now or never, Talbot. She's going to bolt soon.
“Did you know I was engaged once? Francesca and I meet at a party in London.” He didn't give Callie a chance to respond. Instead he plowed on. “She was from Connecticut but visiting friends in England. I thought she was the perfect woman until I walked in on her and an old buddy of mine from college one day. A friend that I introduced her to.”

Looking confused Callie shook her head. “What does that have to do with me.”

“I haven't had a real relationship since then. Haven't meet anyone I wanted to be in one with. Not till you anyway,” Dylan answered dreading the next words he knew he had to say. “I didn't realize it till after that night in New York but I've been scared. Scared that I would make the same mistake again that I made with Francesca.”