The awkwardness evaporated as they launched into a conversation about Jack as a teenager, how he’d hated dressing up formally, his graduation with a first class business degree, shopping for a new suit for his first day on the team at The Diamond Touch.
‘I always wondered whether Jackson would do something entirely different,’ said Nicole.
‘You mean not work at the family business?’ Kent looked surprised. ‘Why wouldn’t he? He’s a natural.’
Indeed, he was, but Nicole had seen moments of doubt in Jackson’s eyes even before he started on the team. She’d never seen him look that way throughout his college years, despite the stress of coursework, the impending exams. He’d always been the life and soul of any social gathering with his friends, always chatted so freely, but the moment he’d stepped up to take on the family legacy something inside him had flickered, like a candle about to burn out if the draught got too much.
‘The business needs Jack,’ Kent concluded. ‘He’s family and he’ll inherit it all eventually. The more we build it up now, the better.’
‘I suppose you’re right.’
Maggie brought in a pot of tea and two cups with a side plate of coffee cake, and although she was hungry, Nicole couldn’t eat a thing. She accepted the cup of tea, and when the heat came through the china and warmed her hands, she said, ‘I’m sorry about what happened.’ When she looked at Kent she knew he’d cast his mind back to the night in question.
‘I think it’s me who should be apologising.’ He offered her a slice of cake, but she shook her head.
‘No, it was wrong of me to have someone on your property without permission, and it was wrong of me to give away food and the blanket without asking first.’
Kent set his tea and cake aside. ‘Was she homeless?’
‘Yes, and very scared.’ She hesitated, and then, ‘She never asked for my help. Believe me, it took a lot of convincing to get her to accept anything in the way of handouts. She’s been through a lot … I’m not sure what exactly, but I do know she’s a good girl. Eventually, with my help, we got her started in a job and she was offered an apprenticeship.’
‘And did she live with you?’
‘Of course, she needed a start.’
‘So you took her in as your own?’
‘She lived with me for a while—’ Nicole stopped talking when Kent stood and moved over to the fireplace. She watched him rest one hand on the mantelpiece, unable to look at her. In years gone by she’d seen him do this many a time, but she’d never been the cause.
Nicole continued. ‘Once she was settled with her job, Evie found her own apartment.’
‘She saw you coming, didn’t she?’ His eyes followed the flickering flames.
Nicole slammed her cup onto the coffee table. ‘She’s a genuine girl, one of a kind, and I won’t hear a word against her. I wouldn’t back then, and I certainly won’t now.’
Kent’s face softened as he turned to look at Nicole. At over six foot, he towered above her and she saw the strong man he was, but couldn’t ignore the words that had come from him. She’d always thought of him as mellow when he was at home, away from the fight and hunger of his business, but today he looked different. He reminded her of the man who’d sent her away.
‘You were special to me, and to Jack,’ he explained. He gestured for Nicole to sit down, and again he sat at the opposite end of the couch. Neither of them touched the drinks or the food. ‘When you left there was a void, and just because we weren’t in contact doesn’t mean we didn’t think about you or worry.’
‘Jackson did try to contact me.’ From Kent’s face she knew this was news to him. ‘But I turned him away. I didn’t answer calls or letters, and eventually he stopped. I didn’t want to come between you both.’ Her voice faltered. ‘It was only when I bumped into Jackson that I realised none of us should’ve left it this long.’
‘You’re right.’ He looked deep into her eyes. ‘But I’m sorry too, for what happened. I didn’t need to fire you. My actions that night were completely over the top. I know Jack thinks so.’
She warmed at the thought of Jackson on her side. ‘I need you to know that Evie never took advantage of me.’
‘But you gave her money.’
‘I did. How else can anyone ever get off the streets and start over? She deserved a chance and, yes, I was the person who gave that to her.’
‘So she’s moved on now?’
‘She no longer lives with me, but we’re close. And she’s a wonderful girl. She’s become like a daughter to me.’
She didn’t miss the way Kent bristled. Unable to sit still, he went back to the fireplace once again, next to the flames that licked against the throat of the chimney.
‘Why do you see things so black and white?’ she asked.
He turned around. ‘I see things the way they are. I know when something is right and when it isn’t.’
