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Chapter One
Nathan
I glance up as Karen knocks on my office door. Since I’m not getting any work done anyway, I wave her in with a warm smile. Of course, I would have had her join me anyway; we’ve been friends for years.
“You look like you have a world of trouble on your mind,” she says, taking the seat on the other side of my desk and offering me a warm, though strained, smile.
“Now that my brother is married off and having kids, they’re pushing me to do the same. You know how parents are.” I have no plan to get married. I hate the idea of getting married and then stay with someone for the rest of my life.
I lift a shoulder, aware she’s not here to listen to me complain about my life. “What’s going on with you?” Her eyes are seeming sadder than usual and her shoulders have the beaten-down look of a woman pushed to the brink.
“Same stuff, different day.” She scans my office, taking in the clean modern lines of the concrete and glass room. My minimal touch isn’t designed to make the room feel warm or welcoming – I’m not that kind of boss.
But Karen doesn’t work for me and I know her tastes and mine are similar. Which makes her interest in Lewis all the more strange. He’s old-school and loves heavy wood, Victorian architecture complete with heavily masculine rooms designed for men to smoke cigars in a bygone era.
Not that I mind one old friend having feelings for another. I like Karen, but I have zero romantic interest in her and she has none for me, thankfully.
“Lewis still playing hard to catch?” I ask, planting my elbows on my desk and steepling my fingers.
Karen’s eyes crinkle at the corners before she lets out a short chuckle. “Something like that.”
“He’s a good friend to you.” I want to remind her that even if he's not romantically interested, he's still a friend she doesn't want to lose.
“You have no idea.” Karen leans back and sighs, looking off into the distance through the window behind me.
“It’ll get better." I reach out and pat her hand before standing up and walking toward my window to look out over the people far below going about their day to day lives.
Karen sighs. “Yeah, I’m sure it will.”
When I glance back, her eyes are closed and I shift, uncomfortable with her sadness. I hate how much of a toll this whole will he or won't he relationship struggle is putting on her.
“So you doing anything special this weekend?” I ask, trying to change the subject and bring her mood up.
“Actually, I’m going to try and take Lewis and Kevin to my aunt's horse ranch. Kevin might enjoy being a cowboy for a weekend." Karen shrugs, but I know she's really looking for a chance to get closer to Lewis.
Involving his son is a smart way to go, but I have a feeling her romantic attempt won't work. Lewis has been dodging her every step of the way and I think I know why. After losing his wife, he’s been… resistant to dating again.
"I'm sure he would.” Still, I know Lewis's son is a little too much like his father. “And that sounds like fun.”
We’re both quiet for a few moments before I speak up again. "I might try to get away for a day or two also."
Her worried glance tells me she knows exactly why. "Parents really got to you, huh?"
I nod. "They picked out a woman for me to marry." Even saying the words out loud just feels wrong. I know this is a totally acceptable way some people and certain cultures marry off their children, but it’s not for me, personally.
I half expect to see her burst out laughing and I could use that release, but instead she looks at me soberly. "Someone you don't like.”
“Hell no! I really like her – she's smart and funny and beautiful but I don't love her and I think she deserves someone who does love her.” I lift my shoulders, feeling as helpless now as when I'd first heard the news.
"And you think you can't love her because...?" Karen lifts her brows as if waiting for me to list reasons. And I do. I’ve already spent one sleepless night worrying about this.
"I just don't feel it. No spark, no connection... she's nice. Pretty. Smart. I just don't feel anything for her but admiration and that's not enough."
"And respect," Karen says softly.
Well, that's a given.
"So are you going to marry a woman you don't love or disappoint your parents?” She sounds more unconcerned and curious than I feel.
