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She peers over her shoulder “I don’t know. It feels like everything is falling apart when it should be the opposite. We’re finally together.”
She pulls off her coat and drops it, right there on the floor. To be expected, Jordan prances over, kneads the wool, and then plunks down onto it. The cat is at home as if the jacket was put there just for him.
“Hey, things are rough right now, but the good thing is, we’re still together.” I pull her into my side and she rests her head in the crook of my neck.
I’m not sure the idea of us together brings much comfort when I seem to bring so much anguish and pain along for the ride. It’s because of me that she’s facing all of this. Yet the warmth of her breath and her familiar scent help to settle the storm brewing within me. I can only hope I do half as much for her.
When Jack told me in greater detail what the couple had said about Wren at the bakery, I wanted a do-over. I had been too calm and rational with the big-mouthed jerk, and now more than ever I wish I’d punched him.
All day I’d had a similar reception with jeers and whispers from people around town. I hadn’t stopped to think Wren would be subjected to the same. I’d done this. I’d brought this spite and trouble into her life.
“I love you.” I grab both of her hands. “I’ll fix this.”
“I love you too, but I don’t see how you can. Whether alone or together, everywhere we go, someone feels it’s their right to cast a disparaging look or comment. It’s only going to get worse once you get the Nest and word gets out that I’ve been fired. They’ll say how horrible you are for treating Dot like that and that I got what I deserved.”
“No. That isn’t true.” I dip my head to meet her eyes. “We did nothing wrong.”
“I know that. That’s what hurts the most. Everyone is so quick to believe all of Dot’s lies.” She looks lost and discouraged.
How do I tell her the Mercury deal fell through and about the customers I’ve lost? It’ll only reinforce what she’s thinking and add to how terrible she already feels.
Once I’ve unloaded everything that happened today, she worries her bottom lip and stares up at me, eyes glassy. “Oliver, what are you going to do? The Netherlands job was your way of getting around the noncompete and more importantly, getting the money to buy the Nest.”
I nod and bring her by the hand to sit next to me on the couch in the living room. “Yeah. While Eddie’s still willing to loan me the money to buy her out, it looks like I’ll have to take Dot to court for ownership of the Nest.”
“How did Dot even find out about the deal?”
“You’re never going to believe it. Apart from physically being at the Nest when I came up with my designs, sent a few emails or took a call or two, I went to great lengths to keep this deal from her. I didn’t use any of the Nest’s equipment or materials. The laptop, phone, and anything else were all my personal stuff or I paid out of my own pocket. I didn’t even build the samples at the workshop. I rented space because I didn’t want to risk Dot finding out or saying that because I did things using the Nest’s resources, the job was hers too. And none of it mattered in the end, the owners of Mercury sent the contract to the Nest’s email in error. That’s how she found out.”
“Oh no. What a mess.” She slumps back into the sofa.
I turn toward her and our knees brush as I take her hands in mine. She stares at where we are joined, refusing to look at me. It hurts but I get it. This is all a lot.
“Listen, I’ve been thinking.” My thumbs rub tiny circles on the top of her hands, gently massaging, needing to soothe her in any way possible. “Well, more than thinking about Bright Horizons, and well, I kind of did something that I think you’ll be okay with…”
“What?”
“I called Jett Kincaide today about his offer to support the program.”
Her brows knit together and climb. “What? You did?”
“Yeah. He’d already heard rumblings of what’s going on with us and the program.”
Her slight buoyancy from a moment ago quickly deflates. “Oh my God, we’re never going to be able to get away from this.”
“Hang on now. We are and we will. Jett didn’t care about any of that. He doesn’t believe it. In fact, we spoke today and he has something he wants to share with you.”
“He does? What?”
“Well, let’s call him.” I take out my phone and hit redial on Jett’s number.
When I’d gone to the library earlier today, I had planned on telling Wren the good news then. But I didn’t, not wanting to intrude any more than I already had on Jack’s good intentions.
Jett had been waiting for our phone call, and I texted him to move our conversation to later today. During our earlier call, I’d offered him the opportunity to tell Wren the good news. It only seemed fair given he was injecting a second life into the program. He surprised me and said let’s do it together.
“Hey, Winslow, is Wren with you?” Jett’s voice booms through my phone speaker.
“Hi, Jett. Yes, I have Wren with me and I told her you’ve got news.”
