“Did you just run away from me?” Annika asked from the other side of the door.
“I retreated with dignity,” Thom said and she laughed again.
She opened the door, considering him through the crack. “Come watch a movie with me.”
“No.”
“Why not? It’s just a movie.”
“Not a chance.”
Her eyes narrowed. “What’s the issue?”
“It would be a mistake of epic proportions.”
“Why?”
Thom sighed. “Because women are how they are, that’s why, and you’re not going to convince me that you’re different.”
Annika pushed open the door, propping one hand on her hip. She had a glint in her eye that Thom knew better than to trust. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Just that I know how it will go.”
“Tell me.” It was hard to believe that such a soft and sexy woman could sound like steel.
Thom went to the door so they were standing toe-to-toe. It was a bit of a risk because he could feel the heat of her skin and she was close enough to touch, but he wanted to make sure she heard every word he said. “Women always try to make more out of less,” he said. “You can’t just watch a movie together. You can’t just have dinner together. You can’t even just have sex. Everything has to be the next step on a journey that always leads to the same place.”
“Where’s that?”
“Marriage. Happily-ever-after.”
“Big assumption,” she said. “All women aren’t the same.”
“I’ve never yet met one who could live in the moment, at least not for long.”
“People have hook-ups and many of them are women.”
“But if the other party is still there in the morning, then it’s not a hook-up anymore. It’s a beginning.”
She surveyed him, her eyes narrowed. “So, you’re afraid of commitment?”
“Not at all. I have a dog.”
“You’re afraid of marriage?”
“I’m not afraid of anything. I just don’t believe that anything stays the same forever.”
“How so?”
He flung out a hand. “People change. And they should. They should grow and learn things and gradually, in an ideal universe, become better people. The whole idea of a couple remaining in love and faithful to each other for decades, until they die, is wildly improbable. It’s even more improbable if they haven’t known each other long.”
“Why are you only eloquent when you’re explaining why I’m wrong?”
“Maybe your assumptions piss me off.” He turned and headed back to the bed. Cerberus was watching them and when he approached, she flopped her head down and rolled to her back, inviting a belly rub. Thom, as always, gave her one. He pretended to be unaware that Annika was still standing in the doorway, watching him, but he felt the weight of her gaze as surely as a touch.
“You’re never going to get married?” she asked finally. “You’re never going to be in a relationship that becomes permanent?”
“It hasn’t happened yet.”
“Is it out of the question?”
“You see?” he said, turning to her again. “You’re doing it. You’re assessing the future potential before anything has even happened.”
She flushed. “No, I’m just curious. I’ve never met anyone who didn’t believe in finding a partner.”
“You should get out more,” Thom replied before he wished he hadn’t.
Right. She’d only ever been with Leo.
She lifted her chin and her lips tightened. “Maybe I will,” she said, then shut the door firmly behind herself. Thom heard her march across the floor and turn on the television.
He felt like an asshole.
Again.
He wanted to go and apologize to her, but he knew what would happen after that. It was safer for Annika to be mad at him.
He crashed on the bed with Cerberus, who loved that, put in his earplugs and played some music while he checked the sites for vintage motorcycle parts again.
It was going to be a long two weeks.
Annika jammed in the DVD, forcing herself to take a breath before she broke something. If she’d had any lack of confidence, the past few hours might have laid her flat. First, Leo—her fiancé—was AWOL, as if he was ducking her. Then, he butt-dialed her while he was doing someone else, someone named Cerise. Worse, his roommate wouldn’t even watch a movie with her when she was feeling lonely and vulnerable.
Worst of all, he did it because he said women were all the same. That really got to Annika. She wasn’t the same as other women. She wasn’t a romantic and she wasn’t clingy. She didn’t always think of forever, and she didn’t assume that finding her soulmate meant there was no need for compromise. She was prepared to work to make a relationship great.
If Leo had arrived and apologized, given her a reasonable explanation of why he’d done what he’d done and said he still loved her, Annika would have worked it out with him. She could totally understand the need for sexual satisfaction and how it might drive a person to make uncharacteristic choices.
The thing was that it sounded like Leo’s choices were right in character.
Could she believe Thom? He certainly wasn’t trying to get her into bed with him.
She thought he had a strong moral code and she liked that. A lot.
The thing was that she was becoming more and more sure that she didn’t love Leo as much as the idea of Leo. How could she not have known that he was going from partner to partner here in New York, while she was trying out for the celibacy Olympics in Portland?
How could she not have known he was lying to her?
Annika was a principled person. She never cheated or cut corners. She never lied to anyone. Deceit just wasn’t in her nature. She had a reputation at work for being direct—and was often given the task of delivering unwelcome news as a result. What a person saw was what they got. Leo had said he loved that about her.
Annika did not love that Leo wasn’t on the same proverbial page.
What had he told this Cerise person about her? She’d guess nothing. He was fond of omitting details and evading questions. He’d done that to her already this weekend. Maybe she wasn’t asking the right questions.
No. His infidelity wasn’t her fault.
It was Leo’s problem, and it would be his problem to confront alone. They were done. If he bothered to call her, she’d tell him that. If not, she’d just forget about him and move on.
She got Percival out of his cage and put on his harness, pulling the duvet into a little nest in front of herself. He must have been tired because he curled up and went to sleep as she stroked him gently and watched the movie.
Titanic. In the back of her mind, she reviewed the technical flaws they’d discussed in one of her engineering courses. This movie wasn’t going to end well, but it was a romance. The couple would end up together, conquering the odds. She could do with a bit of that kind of reassurance, especially given Thom’s emphatic argument against commitment.
She wasn’t going to consider that this might be the beginning of the new pattern of her life—an endless stream of nights alone with romantic movies and a sleepy ferret. No. Annika was going to discover all the things she’d been missing. She was going to get out there, mix and mingle, face new challenges and meet new people. She would fall in love, but next time, it would be with someone who loved her in return.
She just wasn’t going to start tonight.
She reached for her phone and cancelled her reservation to fly back to Portland, since the big plan of leaving Percival with Leo wasn’t going to work. She booked the train instead and reminded herself that it was a good thing she hadn’t given up her apartment just yet.
But still, it felt as if she was abandoning an adventure before it even started.
Thom wasn’t particularly surprised that he had no luck at all in the great parts search that night. His hunt was starting to feel like the quest for the Holy Grail and he wondered whether these last few parts even existed. If he hadn’t loved that bike so much, he would have given it up, sold the bike and bought another that ran. But he wouldn’t get much for it without it running—everyone who knew about that bike knew about the challenges of rebuilding it.
Maybe he should compromise. Settle for a recreated part, even though it probably wouldn’t fit right. Maybe he’d go talk to that mechanic in New Jersey again and ask for suggestions.
It was dark outside when he gave it up. He took out his earplugs and plugged in his phone, leaving it to charge. Cerberus lifted her head with curiosity, and he beckoned to her. That was enough for her to get to her feet and shake.
“One last trip to the park tonight,” he said and she went to the door, tail wagging.
It was only when Thom opened the bedroom door that he heard Annika crying.
There was proof positive that he was a jerk. He’d kicked her while she was down. He could have declined more gently. But it was too late.
He cringed at the sound, wishing he could make her stop by sheer force of will.
For a moment, he thought that might succeed. She hiccupped and blew her nose noisily, then took a gulping breath. He crossed his fingers but she started to cry even harder.
Damn.
Percival was in his hamster wheel, which made Cerberus’ ears perk up. Thom grabbed the dog’s collar before she could get ideas. There was no way to take Cerberus out without Annika seeing him.
Then she’d want to talk.
He really didn’t want to hear the whole story of how much she loved that loser.
The credits were rolling on the movie she’d been watching and she was bundled up on the couch, her hair in a tangled cloud over her shoulders. She was probably wearing that nightgown. He could see an empty tub of ice cream on the coffee table and the case from the DVD.
Thom braced himself for the worst and strode into the main room, trying to ignore the sound of her unhappiness.
“Got to take Cerberus out,” he said matter-of-factly. “Sorry to interrupt.” He kept his head down, clipped the leash on Cerberus’ collar and grabbed his jacket.
“Oh, Thom,” Annika said, her voice wavering. “Jack died!”
Who was Jack?
Thom glanced over his shoulder. She was watching him, an appeal in her eyes. Cerberus, ever helpful, wagged her tail. “Jack?”
“In the movie. They fell in love against the odds but he died. How can that be? Now she has to go through her life without him. What kind of shitty romance is that?” The tears overwhelmed her again and she buried her face in a tissue.
Thom eased closer to read the title on the DVD box, then looked at her. “You expected a movie called Titanic to end well?”
“Everyone said it was romantic!”
“Some people think tragic endings are romantic, I guess.”
“Do you?”
“No.”
She peeked over the tissue. “You don’t believe in happily-ever-after?”
He heard the hope in her voice. “Happy for now is good enough for me.”
She wiped her tears and looked at him. “Living in the moment.”
“Pretty much. Enjoy what you have, instead of worrying about what you don’t.”
“They don’t make many movies about that.”
“Maybe they should. Change the tide of expectation.” He perched on one kitchen chair, keeping his distance but not wanting to leave her alone.
She pulled up her knees and wrapped her arms around them, watching him. Her hair was loose and her feet were bare, her eyes dark. “What do you think is romantic?”
He bristled but she raised a hand.
“It’s not a forever question. I need some more possible answers than the ones I have.”
Thom chose to believe her. “Looking out for each other.”
She smiled a little. “When crossing the street?”
“Well, maybe that too. I think it’s romantic when a couple pay attention to each other.”
“Remembering birthdays and anniversaries?”
“Yes, but not the obvious ones. My parents, for example, aren’t demonstrative, but my mom was devastated when her mom died. My dad remembers the day, every year, and brings her flowers.”
“That’s sweet.”
“And she makes one of his favorite meals when he’s dealing with challenges at work, then they sit and talk together.”
“What does he do?”
“He’s a supervisor at a plant that fabricates metal parts. They get these big jobs that always have to be done in record time. Very stressful for him.”
She smiled a little. “You get your sense of responsibility from him.”
“Maybe.” Thom shrugged. “My dad gives my mom foot rubs at night when she’s worked a double shift. They watch some old movie together if she’s had a hard day, because she loves the old black-and-white classics. He doesn’t care about them, but he sits with her.”
“What does she do?”
“Nurse. In the ER these days. She changes it up every few years. She says more than one death per shift shakes her tree.”
“I can imagine.” Annika paused to consider what he’d said. “They take care of each other.”
“Yes.”
“Which means that being thoughtful is romantic to you.”
“Yes.” He eyed her. “Why does that seem like the wrong answer?”
“It’s not very showy. No roses or dropping to one knee to propose in a public place.”
“Haven’t you had enough of that?” he asked then hurried on when her smile disappeared. “I trust in sincerity. When guys do that public proposal thing, it feels like a show for everyone but the lady in question, at least to me.”
She pleated the comforter, watching her hands. “If we were together and I’d come to New York to stay with you, how would it have been different?”
“I would have been excited that you were coming. I’d want you to know that.”
“How would I?” She looked up.
“I would have met your train.”
“With a bouquet of roses?”
“No! That would have been something more to carry and you had plenty.”
Annika laughed, surprised into it.
“I would have carried your stuff and navigated the transit system, maybe even splashed out for a cab.”
“You would have been there for me,” she said softly.
“Of course.” He pushed to his feet, feeling uncomfortable with the direction of the conversation. “But you didn’t come to meet me and you never will.”
“Exactly,” she said softly, and much to his relief. She looked around the apartment as if she’d never seen it before. “This is not what I expected,” she said quietly, as if speaking her thoughts aloud.
“I guess not,” Thom said, searching for the bright side. “But now you know the truth.”
“I had Leo,” she said as if he hadn’t spoken.
Shit. Was it important that the actor who had played Jack was named Leo? Was it important that the chick in the movie was alone without her true love, just like Annika was now? Thom knew he was in emotional territory and he’d never had a map to this place.
He’d run for the border if he’d known where to find it.
“And now you have freedom,” he said, wishing he knew what she actually wanted.
“There is that,” she said with a thoughtful nod. “It’s just weird.”
That wouldn’t have been Thom’s choice of word. He waited.
“I used to be so grateful when I was out with my friends, listening to their dating woes and what the most recent jerk did. I used to feel a bit smug, actually, having all that solved and squared away.” She shrugged. “I guess the joke was on me.”
“It’s not a joke to be betrayed by someone you trust.”
“No, it’s not. But losing Leo isn’t as much of a tragedy as I would have expected it to be.” She looked up at him. “In a way, it’s kind of a relief.”
“Then you must have suspected.”
She nodded. “Yes. I think I did.”
“And that’s why you’re crying?”
“No! I’m crying because the movie was sad.” She got up from the couch and shook out the comforter that had been wrapped around her, her tone practical. “And I’m mad at myself for not adding up the clues to figure out what was really going on.” She gave him another hard look. “It takes two to trick someone.”
“One to be deceptive and one to be gullible.”
“Exactly. And I’m done with being gullible.” She looked both fierce and adorable and it was hard for Thom to turn away.
“Well, good.” He headed for the door.
“Can we have sex when you get back?”
Thom froze, then glanced over his shoulder. Annika appeared to be perfectly serious. He couldn’t think of one thing to say.
“You’ve told me all your assumptions about women, which just happen to be wrong in this case.”
“Is that so?” Thom studied her, wondering whether he was the gullible one now.
“I took this job so I could see Leo so we could have sex. Lots of sex. But that’s not going to happen.” She moved closer. “And I think you’re hot, and I’ve noticed you looking, and I thought maybe we could do something about that.”
“I told you I’m not a consolation prize.”
“Of course not.” She smiled. “But I’m thinking that sex with you might be exactly the therapy I need tonight.” She raised her hands. “It could be celebratory. My new start.”
There had to be a trick in this somewhere that Thom couldn’t work out because he was too busy imagining what it would be like to have Annika wrapped around him. “I’m not a rebound…”
“Oh, quit making so much of it,” she said with impatience. “I’m talking about living in the moment. I’m talking about having sex and remembering what’s so great about it.” She wrinkled her nose. “Unless you don’t like women.”
“I like women just fine,” Thom managed to say.
“Well? If I promise not to start rhapsodizing about forever and commitment, can we just do each other until we’re dizzy?”
Thom opened his mouth. He shut it again, tried to gather his objections, and couldn’t find them. It couldn’t possibly be that easy. Women weren’t like that.
“I never thought I’d have to argue so much with any guy to convince him to have sex,” Annika said, watching him closely. “I thought you were all ready for it, all the time. I thought that was why men and women couldn’t be friends.”
“I’m not like Leo.”
“But presumably you like it.”
“Of course.”
“And so do I, such as it’s been.”
“What does that mean?”
She glanced toward her phone on the kitchen table. “No one ever shouted that they were bringing it home.” She wrinkled her nose and looked adorable. “I feel like I’m missing something.”
“Sounds like you are.”
She raised her hands, smiling as she invited his agreement. “I promise not to go commitment crazy on you. Maybe we’ll both learn something, and I’m always up for more educational experiences.” Her eyes were twinkling as if she was messing with him.
Thom wasn’t sure what to expect from her.
And that was—interesting.
But he knew his limits. And this could just be part of a game.
“No,” he said flatly.
“You’re turning me down?”
“This is already a shit show,” he said, gesturing to the apartment. “And that would only make it worse. We’re not going there because I’m not going there. Afterward, you would have regrets like nobody’s business.”
“And you?”
He shook his head. “I never regret sex.”
Her eyes flashed and he thought she might smack him. Instead, she took a step back and glared at him, her eyes simmering that witchy green. “Fine,” she said, biting off the word.
“Fine,” Thom said, much more calmly, then took the dog out for her final walk of the day. He took his time, running with the dog to numb his desire before he went back. He was fully prepared to find the door locked against him when he returned an hour later.
But Annika was asleep, her cheek on her hand, her russet lashes splayed on her cheeks. She looked so fragile and innocent that Thom wanted to gather her up to keep her safe.
She wasn’t his to protect. He tucked the comforter over her and turned out the lights, then went to the bedroom. He closed the door, putting a chair behind it so he’d have a warning if she opened it during the night.
It took a long time for him to go to sleep.
Maybe it was because for the third time in just over twenty-four hours, he felt like an asshole.
They met in the kitchen the next morning like two strangers at a coffee bar. Annika had gotten up early to shower and dress before Thom, not wanting to hog the bathroom. She couldn’t decide whether it would be more awkward or less if they’d actually done it the night before. She was a bit embarrassed that she’d come on to him, but glad that she’d said outright what she wanted. Even if she hadn’t gotten it, that was new and better. She’d always waited for Leo to initiate things between them but she was done with that.
She was sipping her tea when Thom came back from his walk with Cerberus and she felt a definite surge of satisfaction at his appreciative survey of her. Percival was on his harness, running laps around the apartment, and the dog immediately noticed that the ferret was out of his cage.
So did Thom. He seized Cerberus’ collar and told her to sit.
Then he looked at Annika again. “You’re ready to go already.”
“I figured with two sisters, you were used to being cheated of bathroom time.”
He smiled and Annika was relieved that they were apparently going to continue as if she hadn’t propositioned him the night before. “You’re determined to challenge my assumptions.”
“Can you blame me?”
“I have the feeling I shouldn’t be surprised. Do you know how to get to wherever you’re going?”
“I think so.”
“Good.” He hung up his jacket and took another slow look.
“Boss lady day,” Annika explained and he nodded.
“You’ve nailed it,” was all he said before he headed into the bathroom.
Annika found herself smiling with pleasure at just three gruff words from this man. She’d bought the tweed pant suit particularly for this job. It was a silk blend in shades of ginger and pumpkin with dashes of black. She preferred pants to a skirt at work, not just because flats looked better with them. She tended to work with men and didn’t want to trouble with heels—she also liked that pants and a turtleneck sweater ensured no one got a glimpse of something she didn’t want to share. She’d braided and coiled her hair tightly so that it was sleek and smooth—that took some effort but it tended to stay put. Her big briefcase was more like a pilot’s bag but it was packed with all she needed for the day. She had a small purse and the inevitable raincoat and thought she’d planned pretty well for her first visit to the city. Thom’s praise convinced her that she had it right.
She’d thought a lot about Leo during the night and she’d shed more than a few tears. There was something about a sunny morning, though, that filled her with purpose. It worked every time, but on this Monday, Annika was ready to conquer the world and never look back.
Thom was right: it was Leo’s loss, and Annika would find someone who appreciated her better. She planned to tell her older sister first and would call her after work. Margritte had never liked Leo so she’d be on Annika’s side.
Plus Annika owed her an apology.
Thom was quicker than she’d expected and Percival was still out when he let the dog out of the bedroom. Cerberus lunged for the ferret, tail wagging and Annika feared the worst. She pulled on the leash, but Percival dug his nails into the floor and wouldn’t move. Cerberus had stopped about three feet away from the ferret and the pair were staring at each other.
“See if they work it out,” Thom said quietly. He stood at the kitchen counter with the bag of dog food, watching and ready to intervene.
Annika let out a little more of the leash so Percival could run if he wanted to. She hardly dared to breathe as Cerberus took a step closer. She looked friendly and curious, but she was enormous compared to the ferret. The tail never stopped. She took another step and then another, as Percival stared at her.
Then she barked and bowed, dropping her chest to the floor. Percival arched his back and hissed, but he didn’t run. The dog’s sniffing was audible as she stretched a little closer. To Annika’s amazement, Percival took a step closer, raising his own nose. She held her breath. They sniffed. They eased closer to each other and the tension could have been cut with a knife. Thom moved slowly to take a position behind Cerberus.
The dog edged closer. The ferret wriggled closer.
Their noses were a finger’s breadth apart when they both recoiled in surprise.
Cerberus growled, making some commentary on the situation, and eased closer again. Percival chattered a little to himself, then stretched out to sniff again. This time, their noses touched.
It must have tickled because Cerberus sneezed mightily.
Percival bolted, running around the couch then making a beeline for his cage. Annika dropped the leash and removed his harness, securing the door before she untangled the leash from the furniture. Cerberus collapsed beside the cage with a sigh and stared at the ferret, who peered right back.
“It’s like they’re in love,” Annika said with a laugh.
“Warming up to each other at least,” Thom said. He poured out the dog food, but had to whistle to Cerberus to get her to come. “Do you have your route sorted out?” he asked.
“Yes. I was going to leave in twenty minutes.”
“We can go together, if you want.”
Annika was surprised by this offer, but Thom shrugged.
“I don’t have a spare set of keys so I need to leave last and lock up. Leo kept his. I’m sorry I didn’t think of it yesterday, but I’ll get a set cut for you today.”
“You shouldn’t have to do that.”
“But I have the keys.” He dangled them. “And I’m only working a part day today. I’m off at three.”
“I have a full day today. Nine to five, at least.”
“So, I’ll be here when you get back, then you’ll have your own keys.”
“Ferret in the bathroom, dog in the living room?” she asked.
“Sounds like a plan.” Thom said with a nod. Cerberus was cleaning her bowl and Thom was making a bagel disappear. Once the dog had eaten, he headed for the bedroom to dress. “If you don’t want to wait for me, that’s all good, too.”
“No, I’ll wait. I need to buy a pass for the subway and you can show me where they sell them.”
“No problem. Give me five.”
“Thom?” she said and he glanced back. “Thank you, again.”
“You would have figured out the subway.”
“No, I mean for being sensible last night and not making me feel like a jerk.”
He smiled, just a little, a sight that made her hot to her toes. “No problem.”
“You really are nice, you know,” she said lightly. “Maybe I should fix you up with someone.”
“Don’t start sounding like my sisters,” he growled, giving her the glare she’d expected.
When she laughed, he just shook his head and retreated into the bedroom. Annika smiled and finished her tea.
It was unusual for Thom to need to be at the club first thing, but this was the week that the installation on the rock climbing wall at Flatiron Five Fitness would begin. He was totally invested in this project and didn’t want to miss the construction. Annika, of course, had to be at her job by nine. By the time he came back with Cerberus, she was dressed and he almost didn’t recognize her.
Her hair was pulled back and wound up into a tight bun, which made him miss the sight of it flying free around her shoulders. Her freckles seemed to be more subdued so he guessed she was wearing make-up—her eyelashes were longer and darker, too, and her lips were a little more rosy. Instead of her funky look, she was wearing a tweed suit, jacket and pants, in a blend of caramel and black. She wore a black turtleneck underneath and black shoes with flat heels. She had a black raincoat, a small caramel leather purse and a huge black briefcase. Amber earrings dangled from her earlobes, the perfect feminine touch.
It was interesting to watch the dog and the ferret make their first contact, and he wished it hadn’t been necessary to go to work.
Thom walked with Annika to the subway and explained the various passes, then headed to work when she said she had it all figured out.
He took his usual route, not paying much attention, until Annika dashed down the platform and got onto the same train at the last minute. She was at the other end of the car and didn’t spot him right away. When she did, her eyes widened in surprise. He waved and she smiled.
She changed trains at the same station, which wasn’t a big deal since a lot of people changed there. But when she appeared on the platform where he was waiting for his train, Thom wondered.
Was Annika following him?
Women and their need to know!
Thom felt his mouth settle into a grim line even as he tried to keep the past from shadowing the future. He’d had a girlfriend once who had followed him, determined to discover his secrets. Confronted, she’d confessed that she thought he was seeing someone else, that another woman was the reason he couldn’t—or wouldn’t—commit. Thom didn’t remember the girlfriend much, but he remembered his anger that she’d believed that he would be both unfaithful and lie about it.
He got off at the stop closest to Flatiron Five Fitness and didn’t look back until he was at the base of the stairs to the street. Sure enough, Annika was marching toward him, taking the same path, swinging that massive bag. It looked as if she was used to schlepping such a load. He considered the merit of offering her a hand but her expression hinted that she wouldn’t welcome it.
Thom wasn’t really surprised when he heard her steps on the sidewalk behind him. He glanced back when he stopped for a red light and saw her in the back of the pack of pedestrians waiting for the light to change. She switched the big briefcase to the other hand and tipped her head back, looking up at the buildings with an appreciative smile.
She was thirty feet behind him, every step of the way.
He held the door of Flatiron Five Fitness as Annika caught up with him. She hesitated and he saw that she was puzzled to find them in the same place.
She wasn’t following him, after all. No, she was going to work.
She glanced up at the sign then back at him with a slight frown. “You work here, at Flatiron Five Fitness?”
And then Thom knew.
“You’re A. March, consulting engineer for Radical Rock Wall Installations,” he guessed.
Her eyes lit as she made the connection, then she laughed. He loved the bright green sparkle of her eyes. “And you’re T. Foley, lead contact for Flatiron Five Fitness on the installation of the new custom rock wall.”
“Pleased to meet you,” he said, and shook her hand. He offered to take the briefcase, but she shook her head.
“Thanks, but I carry it myself. Principle, you know.”
“Fair enough.” They entered the lobby together and Thom felt his familiar rush of pleasure at the sight of the club. No detail had been overlooked and even the lobby was impressive.
It was going to be ten times more impressive when the rock wall was installed.
The glass wall had already been built on the exterior of the building, one that would expose the view of the climbing wall to passersby. The raw space extended eight floors from the lobby floor and it looked imposing even before the installation began.
Annika stopped and stared, her expression echoing Thom’s own awe. “It goes there,” she guessed softly, eying the construction space.
Thom just nodded.
“It’s so big,” she whispered. “I mean, I know the dimensions from the plans, but it looks so much bigger in real life.”
Thom nodded agreement. “It’s going to be awesome.”
“We called you Mr. More, you know,” she said finally, not looking at him.
“Why?”
“Because no matter what we presented or suggested, no matter how high it was or how complicated it was, T. Foley always wanted more.”
Thom always wanted more, but in that moment, he wasn’t thinking about the rock wall. He looked down at Annika and forcibly dragged his thoughts back to the moment. “Do you know why?”
“You like a challenge?”
“I’ll tell you a story.”
“Ooo,” she said, eyes dancing. “Lots of words in a row. I feel special.”
She was, but he wasn’t going to be the one to say it.
Thom cleared his throat. “When the partners decided to install this wall, they asked me to help to define the specs. They knew I liked to climb and they probably thought I’d just give them a dozen suggestions.”
“Not you,” Annika guessed.
“I made a list of top climbing walls within a hundred-mile radius and I visited every one of them. Every weekend I went to a different one, climbed it, talked to patrons there about what they liked and didn’t like about it, and brought back my notes.”
“Another lecture series,” she teased. “I don’t understand why you’d work so hard at it. You said you work here part-time.”
“But this is Flatiron Five Fitness. This is the best club in Manhattan and the wall has to be the best place to climb anywhere near here. It has to bring people to the club and they have to be able to climb it every weekend for a year, discovering something new about it each time. That’s what will make them become members.” Thom considered the space, with the enclosing glass wall that would let everyone see the climbers, day or night. “It has to be epic.”
“It will be with these specs, and only because of you, T. Foley,” Annika teased. “We’ve never installed one this big.”
“Everything has to be epic here.”
“Everything?”
“Everything. No compromises. Only the best will do.”
“Then it’s a good thing I’m here.” Annika opened her briefcase and Thom saw why it was so big when she removed a hard hat. She put it on with a gesture of familiarity, then pulled out rolls of plans. She shoved her purse into the briefcase then strode toward the site, plans under her arm. The construction team turned to look at her and Thom saw that the partners had all gathered to meet her. He would have introduced her, but Tyler stepped out of the group and offered his hand.
“You must be Ms. March. We’re very glad you’ve made the trip to oversee the installation.”
“It’s got to be exactly right,” Annika said and Ty nodded agreement.
“I see you’ve met Thom Foley, who has shared so much of his experience in helping to design the wall.”
“We have met,” Annika said crisply, giving nothing away.
Thom felt an interesting mix of relief and annoyance, one that he wasn’t going to explore.
“My partners,” Ty said, gesturing. “Kyle Stuyvesant, Damon Perez, Cassie Wilson and Theo Tremblay.” Annika shook hands all around and Thom knew he shouldn’t have been annoyed that Kyle smiled at her so broadly. “The foreman on the installation team, Bruno Cassitas, and the lead inspector from the city, Vince Fiordino.”
“I’ll just be dropping in at intervals,” Vince said as he shook her hand. He was an older man, balding with a little extra padding around the middle. He had an aura of competence that made him seem trustworthy. He reminded Thom of his dad.
Bruno, meanwhile, needed to get his tongue back in his mouth. He was about the same age as Thom, but was looking at Annika as if he’d never seen a woman before.
“I’ll be glad to talk to you whenever you do,” Annika said to Vince, her tone crisp. “At the firm, we were thinking this wall would be a showpiece project, but I see it will be more of one than we’d realized.” She gestured to the glass with a smile. “The whole city will be watching, so let’s build this with precision.”
“That’s what we do,” Bruno said and she smiled.
“Excellent. I’m glad to have your team on this then. Let’s get started.”
Annika was smaller than all of them, but undaunted and coolly professional. She asked to have her briefcase placed somewhere secure and Cassie took it, then she approached the site with her plans, the foreman and the inspector close on her heels. Kyle was still trying to flirt with her, but she went right to work. She checked out the steel that had been delivered, referring to the plans, while she talked technical details with the team.
She knew what she was doing and in about three seconds, the team all recognized that truth. Thom was impressed, but he had to get to work, too.