“Bye,” she said softly. There was something in her voice . . . He couldn’t put his finger on it, but he almost changed his mind and stayed. Would have if he didn’t think a little time on her own might be exactly what she needed.
Plus, he hated to abandon Linc completely. A couple of hours of catching up and he could be back at the house. He’d stop and pick up Chinese takeout. They both likedChinese. Open a good bottle of wine and they’d make it a celebration. After everything they’d been through, they deserved a little fun.
He was smiling as he backed the Ferrari out of the garage and headed down the road. It was crazy, but he and Cassidy had spent so much time together, by the time he reached the office, he was already missing her.
There was a mountain of work on his desk when he arrived. The first thing he did was check his calendar. He sat back in surprise when he discovered it was Valentine’s Day.
Perfect, he thought, smiling again. He’d like nothing better than to buy Cassidy a gift. Something pretty and feminine. A necklace, maybe, with a heart-shaped diamond pendant. No, she might take that the wrong way.
Maybe a bracelet. Something elegant. Emeralds would match her pretty green eyes. Didn’t matter how much it cost. He called a jeweler friend, the owner of the Cartier store in the NorthPark Center, and told the man what he had in mind.
His friend said he had something he was sure Beau would like. It would be ready for him to pick up on his way home.
Beau returned to his schedule, made note of a couple of important client meetings, then planned some necessary staff updates. He managed to concentrate, but he was eager to give Cassidy her special Valentine’s gift. She was special to him in every way, and he wanted her to know it.
Three hours after he’d arrived at the office, he left for home. Instead of Chinese, he’d ordered a gourmet dinner from Piero’s, an Italian restaurant he and Linc favored, and had it delivered to the office.
He loaded the meal into the car, then stopped at the flower shop to pick up a bouquet of pink roses he had ordered and had waiting. Not red, that came too close to the L word, though he’d considered it for a while.
From the flower shop, he drove to Cartier to pick up his gift, a diamond and emerald tennis bracelet. He hoped she would like it.
He was smiling as he rolled up the driveway, clicked the opener, and drove into the garage. Unfortunately, Cassidy’s little Honda wasn’t parked in the Lamborghini’s spot, where it had been moved. He wondered if maybe she’d had the same idea and gone after a gift for him. They thought so much alike it wouldn’t surprise him.
Emptying the car, he carried everything into the house, which seemed strangely quiet without her there. The cleaning crew had moved a few things. He figured that was probably it.
He was heading for the wine cellar for a bottle of champagne to chill when he spotted the note on the kitchen table. It was from Cassidy, he saw, glancing at the signature at the bottom. He picked up the note and began to read.
My dearest Beau,
I know you’re probably surprised to find me gone. But now that your name has been cleared and neither of us is in danger, it’s time for me to move on. I want you to know that aside from some of the bad things that happened, I don’t regret a single moment I spent with you.
That’s the problem. I fell in love with you, Beau. I didn’t plan it. It just happened. I know you can never love me back. I know you’re still in love with Sarah and that isn’t going to change. You were honest about that from the start.
I had to leave, Beau. I need a man who can love me with his whole heart, love me the way you love Sarah. I deserve that, and I won’t settle for less.
Please don’t call or try to get in touch in any way.I hope you remember me fondly as I will always remember you. Have a good life, Beau.
Your friend,
Cassidy
Beau sank down in one of the kitchen chairs. His stomach felt hollow. A hard knot centered in his chest. He read the note again. Cassidy loved him. And she was gone.
He knew without a shred of doubt she wouldn’t be returning. She was right. She deserved a man who loved her with all his heart. Cassidy was special. The most special woman he had ever known.
Beau swallowed. His hand shook as he set the note back down on the table. He rubbed his eyes, scrubbed a hand over his face. He felt like he’d been hit with a brick.
He looked at the delicious meal he’d brought home, but the smell of food made him nauseous. His mouth felt dry as he reached into his jacket pocket, pulled out the blue velvet box and flipped it open. Beautiful emeralds winked up at him, reminding him of Cassidy’s eyes. He wished he’d had a chance to give it to her.
He wished for a lot of things, but none of them were going to happen.
Leaving the food on the table next to the box, he walked out of the house and climbed into the Ferrari. He needed to clear his head, get some fresh air, put things back in perspective. What had happened was for the best. It would have happened sooner or later.
He had known their relationship would eventually come to an end. He just hadn’t known it would hurt so badly.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Three days after she moved out of Beau’s house, Cassidy drove to Houston. She hadn’t seen her dad in what felt like ages. Talking on the phone just wasn’t the same.
