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Blanching, she folds her arms over her waist in a protective gesture, and something pinches at the center of my chest. Does she feel like she needs protection from me?
I can’t blame her if she does. All of this, all of these problems are because of me, and I’ve dragged her into this. And why? All because she wants to be with me. That may be how she feels now, but for how long?
As if settling in for something long or drawn out, she bends her knees and sits on one of the steps. “Oliver, tell me.”
I sit beside her, and she abruptly stands then strides a few feet away. Her departure, cold and steadfast, settles into the dark recesses of my body.
I shiver. “We both know that having Dot as an enemy isn’t smart. I’m trying to avoid that. Dot wants to take the Nest from me. She’s co-owner and there’s a noncompete clause that prevents either of us from starting our own custom furniture business within North America.”
This is why the international deal with the Netherlands is so important. It would solve all this. I’d have money to buy her out or worst case, a chance at another company without violating the noncompete clause.
“What? North America? And for how long?”
“Yes and forever. Joint ownership was her father’s idea, and I couldn’t object at the time since he was putting up the money. My lawyer, Kendall, insisted on the noncompete given I was the talent behind the Nest. My plan was always to buy her out. We weren’t going to be together forever.” Suddenly bile surges up my throat. “Shit, Wren, I’m such an idiot to let this happen. I never loved Dot. That right there should have been my first clue that I was making the biggest mistake of my life.”
Her expression softens but she maintains her distance. Piercing brown eyes entreat me to go on.
“The noncompete was the other reason why I planned to leave town. I found a loophole. A way to either get the money to buy her out or start my own business while sticking to the terms of our business agreement. I figured if I wasn’t in Winslow Grove, there was less chance of her catching wind of what I was up to.”
“A loophole?”
“There’s a company in the Netherlands interested in hiring me for a large job. If things weren’t like this, it would be a huge opportunity to expand the Nest internationally. But now, because I might have to give the Nest to Dot, this account would open the door for me to work in Europe and maybe elsewhere. All of our discussions have been about hiring me, no mention of the business. They have two months before they need to decide on a contractor. So I have about a month to deliver a few sample pieces before they make their decision. They have another business that they’ll go with if they don’t like what I produce or if I can’t meet the terms of their agreement.”
“And if you got this job, you’d use the money to buy out Dot? Or if she won’t sell, then you’ll start another company that sells outside of North America?”
“Yep.”
“Would you have to move?”
“No. The client meetings are virtual or on the phone, and all orders come in online. I might have to travel once in a while, but I could stay here. That’s if you still want me to.”
“Oliver, of course I want you to stay. And even if we weren’t together, this is your home.” She takes a tentative step closer. “This is good news. I hate that you could lose the Nest, but you have options.”
“Yeah.”
“And I don’t want Dot or Mayor Malone or anyone to change the name of the town. I hate that she has you where she wants you. If you can’t say anything about the baby or the breakup, what does this mean for us?”
“Um…” I hadn’t thought this far ahead. It’s a good question.
She inches closer. “Until Dot sets things straight or the truth comes out another way, people think you are the father, and that means we can’t see each other.”
Dread sinks into my blood and bones at the reality of what Wren says. She fidgets with her hands and looks down at me. “You can’t stay at my house. Can you imagine the gossip? What people will say?”
Her words are a blow, and I’m thankful that I’m sitting down. “Fuck.” My fingers weave through my hair and pull. “I fucking hate this, but you’re right. There’s no way we can be seen together. Not while everyone thinks the baby is mine.”
Before Wren can react or retreat once more, I grab her hand and stare up at her. “I can’tnotsee you. This isn’t fair of me to ask. Can we keep our relationship on the down low?”
She tugs on my hand and I reluctantly release her. I can’t stand the actual distance between us or the anguish marring her beautiful face.
I get to my feet and rush to add, as if this will make everything better, “It would only be for a little bit. I need time to figure out how to take away Dot’s power, kill her threat to change the town name.”
“How?” Wren cuts in.
There’s an eagerness to her tone, and it buoys my belief that she isn’t going anywhere.
“I’m not sure. Maybe I could talk to the city council and other influential members of the town.”
“I suppose that could work, but you couldn’t risk Dot or the mayor finding out.”
