AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I followed her as she marched toward the nearest café. “I’m sorry if I’ve upset you. I know Auggie gets to you.”
“That’s the problem. He shouldn’t after all these years.”
“Did he do something last night?”
“Besides being wonderful, no,” she spat.
I couldn’t hide my smile. “So, are you going out again?”
She whipped her head my way, her eyes wide. “Absolutely not. There is way too much water under that bridge. And there isn’t a boat big enough to get me to jump in and try to cross it.”
“You’re really passionate about this,” I teased.
“You better believe it. God himself would have to visit me before I ever entertained seeing him again.”
“Now I know what to pray for.” I nudged her and she laughed.
“Don’t you dare. Your father and I are over. Maybe someday we can be friends again for your sake, but he crossed all the lines.”
In my heart I knew that, but it still pricked it. I knew it was silly, but like all kids, I hoped my parents would one day reconcile.
Naomi took my hand. “But it’s not too late for you and your father. He wants to make things right with you. And . . .,” she hesitated. “I’m not sure it’s too late for you and Kane either.”
I stopped dead in my tracks. “Don’t say that.” I rubbed my chest.
“Why? Because the truth hurts, my love?”
“So much.”
She squeezed my hand. “You need to be brave, honey. You can’t run from this. You shouldn’t run from this. Don’t make the same mistake I did and walk away when you’re too angry and hurt to see straight.”
My brow hit my hairline. “You regret divorcing my father?”
She looked up to the clear blue sky. “I regret letting my own pride and anger get in the way. That’s not to say, even if I’d given myself time to step back and breathe, it would have worked out. But now I’ll never know. And I have to live with that. I don’t recommend it.”
“It’s so complicated. We’re fighting for the same job, and he didn’t give me any say when he left.”
“Love is always complicated. And even the best men make mistakes. The best women too.” She winked.
I had no idea what to do. Turmoil ran rampant through my body. My heart and mind were fighting over the best course of action. My heart was all for opening the door to Kane. My head said we should buy a lock. “I think I want some ice cream.”
“Ice cream is a good answer. For now.”
“I know. I have decisions to make.”
“And I know you’ll make the right ones.”
I was glad someone was sure of that.
The Friend Zone
I walked into the executive break room Monday morning to grab a cup of coffee. It had been a late night of research, and I was already fading by midmorning. Still, I was pleased with my progress. Now that I had my mission and vision statements in place, I could focus on strategy and goals. That meant analyzing our current strategies and understanding the blood plasma market in general. Who were our competitors? How do our partners play a role in our success? Are we currently meeting the needs of our customers? It was enough to make my head swim, but I felt like things were beginning to click and a picture was beginning to form in my mind. I wasn’t sure how it would all take shape yet, but it would. It had to.
When I walked in, I no longer needed the caffeine to wake me up. Kane and Jaycie were there, in all their beautiful glory, chatting near the counter filled with pastries and fruit. Suddenly, I was wide awake. Jaycie, in her form-fitting pink dress, was laughing and playfully smacking his chest. Kane looked pleased with himself.
Meanwhile, I wanted to vomit. I hadn’t seen Kane since Saturday when he’d left me with Landon. Though I’d heard him come back late last night while I was working. The first thing he’d done was jump in the shower. Yeah, I’d had a hard time concentrating after that. Lots of visions running through my head, and not visions for the company. I’d thought of all the things I envisioned myself doing with him. It was beautiful torture. Now I wondered if he’d spent the weekend with his secretary. They were awfully cozy with one another.
Kane and I locked eyes before I could walk back out. He immediately cleared his throat and backed away from Jaycie. “Please make sure to give the caterer the final number,” he said, very businesslike.
Jaycie blinked her beautiful big eyes, obviously confused by the abrupt change of subject.
I decided to mind my own business and headed straight for the coffee machine.
“No problem,” I heard her purr. “I can’t wait for the conference on Friday. I hope you’re pleased with the job I’ve done for it.”
