Ah hell.
Liam ran after her, but before he reached the hallway, the bathroom door slammed. This was why he preferred listening over talking, especially when he spoke before thinking. Why couldn’t he have kept his thoughts to himself?
“Charlee, open the door.” When she didn’t respond, and he didn’t hear any movement, he checked the doorknob and found the door unlocked. “I’m coming in,” he said as he eased the door open.
She was sitting on the cushioned bench, her head down and a crumpled tissue in her hand. Charlee wasn’t an overly sensitive woman, which meant he had really screwed up. How did he keep getting into these situations? He didn’t go around hurting women. Yet, in a matter of forty-eight hours, he’d managed to do just that with two women he cared deeply for.
He snatched a couple of tissues from the Kleenex box on the vanity and sat next to her, hoping the bench could hold them both. He swapped out her used tissue for the clean ones, tossing the crumbled ones in the nearby trash can.
“Thank you.” She dabbed at her eyes.
“Listen, I’m sorry for what I said. I’m an insensitive idiot.”
“I agree, but I know you can’t help it.”
A slow smile spread across Liam’s mouth and he shook his head. He meant it when he’d told her that he missed her. His life was more balanced and exciting when she was in it. He also didn’t have as many restless nights and frustrated days.
But this woman…
This woman had the ability to turn his life upside down and inside out, and if he wasn’t careful, he’d end up right where he’d been almost two years ago. There were too many times with her that he acted out of character, doing and saying things that he wouldn’t normally do.
Liam cringed inside as a few of those memories came to the forefront in his mind. Like the time when they were out of town at a night club and a guy who’d had too much to drink got handsy with her. Liam punched him, breaking his nose. Or the time they were waiting to board a flight out of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta airport, and she dared him to tell the world that he loved her. He had talked airport personnel into letting him announce his love for Charlee over the loudspeaker.
Liam leaned forward, his elbows on his thighs. There were times he didn’t recognize himself where Charlee was concerned. Yet, he liked how he was when they were together. She loosened him up, forced him to step out of the carefully constructed wall he’d built around himself, and challenged him to live out loud. Left up to him, he’d be totally comfortable alone on a deserted island as long as he could sketch and watch sports. Charlee, on the other hand, loved life, people, and was always up for an adventure.
And he loved her.
Last night he had finally admitted it to himself. He was still in love with Charlee. Even knowing that though, he would never let her take advantage of him or his love again. But he had to find some happy medium regarding his feelings for her.
“What I should’ve said in the kitchen was that, though we can’t go back and fix or redo the past, I’d like for us to at least be friends.”
Charlee lifted her head and narrowed her red eyes. “Really? You want to be friends…with me? Even though I took you for granted? Even though I didn’t fight for you…for us?”
He grinned and bumped shoulders with her. “Yeah, even with all of that. To be honest, it wasn’t all on you. I could’ve done a better job communicating.”
She nodded and stared down at the floor. “Would’ve, should’ve, could’ve. That’s how life goes. Well, I’m glad we talked and got a few things out in the open.”
Yeah, some things were out in the open, but Liam wasn’t ready to tell her how he felt about her. Heck, he was still trying to come to grips with that knowledge himself.
What did it mean to still be in love with her? Could he take a chance on getting involved with her again? Was he just a glutton for punishment? Or could he ignore his strong feelings for her, keep his distance, and live the rest of his life wondering what could have been?
Good thing he was heading out of town in a couple of days. It was the perfect opportunity to get away and get his head on straight. Maybe by the time he returned, he’d know what to do about Charlee. He meant what he said about them not being able to pick up where they left off, but that didn’t mean that they couldn’t start fresh.
“I should probably get going.” She stood, tossing the tissue in the trash. “I hope I didn’t ruin your day.”
“You didn’t.” Liam reached for her hand. “Come here.”
She stepped into his embrace without hesitation. Kissing the side of her head, Liam held her close, breathing in her fresh scent and reveling in the feel of her being in his arms again. He really had missed her, and if he was truly honest with himself, he wanted her back in his life.
“I didn’t mean to make you cry,” he said close to her ear.
“I know. I won’t hold it against you, especially since you said I make you crazy.”
A chuckle vibrated inside of him. He missed her humor. “But even so, just know that I care about you. I never want to say or do anything to hurt you. Okay?”
“Okay.”
Liam wasn’t sure how long they stood there holding each other. Even when he heard his cell phone ringing, he didn’t let her go.
Charlee lifted her head and looked up at him. Her mouth was only inches from his and Liam wanted more than anything to kiss her again, but he wouldn’t. At least not yet. Not until he came to grips with what he felt for her.
“Are you going to answer that?” she asked. His cell phone was ringing again.
“No, but I should let you get going.” He reluctantly dropped his arms, and they made their way out of the bathroom. When they were near the front door, Liam snapped his finger. “Almost forgot. Let me go grab your lasagna.” When he returned, he handed her the bag.
“Thank you, and thanks for last night,” she said with a grin, her voice husky, her words suggestive.
Liam shook his head and returned her smile. “I would say anytime, but no more driving when you’re that tired, and definitely no sleeping in your car. If you come by again, even if you think I have company, ring the doorbell.”
She nodded. “I’ll remember that. Now that I know I drive you crazy—”
“I’m already sorry I ever told you that.” Liam opened the door and leaned his shoulder against it.
“I’m not. As a matter of fact, instead of heading home and getting ready for a new work week, I should stick around and see how much crazier I can make you.” She strolled out the door. “Maybe another day?”
Liam laughed. “Yeah, sure, why not? Until then.”
She smiled and gave a small wave. “Until then.”
*
Humming along with the song flowing through her computer speakers, Charlee signed the documents that had been left on her desk. Rarely did she use her personal days, but after her eventful weekend, she had taken Monday and Tuesday off. She couldn’t stop thinking about Liam. Listening to him Saturday, she understood better just how much she had hurt him.
Charlee tossed her pen down and leaned back against her chair.
“What am I going to do? I want him back,” she mumbled, wishing he’d give them another chance. He’d had every right to break off their engagement. Liam loved hard, and like with everything, he gave one-hundred percent to their relationship. Getting married and having a family of his own was what he wanted. He’d made that clear early on and she had wanted that, too.
Then what happened? Why couldn’t she get it right?
If only he would’ve given her time to figure out how to juggle him and her crazy schedule back then. No matter how she tried to assure him that he meant everything to her, it hadn’t been enough. According to him, those had been just words. Her actions spoke louder.
If given another chance, she would definitely do things differently. Her work didn’t keep her warm at night or fill that lonely void in her heart. If only she had known that back then.
When you know better, you do better, she thought, placing the signed documents in her outgoing tray for her assistant. All she needed was a chance to show him that she wasn’t the same person.
Charlee placed her hands palms down on her desk, determined to focus on work. “Okay. I need to get something done today.”
She glanced at her schedule and zoned in on the word presentation written in big, bold letters. Her trip to New York to present to the Richardson group was coming up quick and there was so much riding on her proposal. She had to bring home a win.
She pressed the intercom button.
“Yes?” her assistant said.
“Emery, can you hold my calls?”
“Of course.”
“Thank you.”
For the next hour, Charlee made changes to her PowerPoint presentation. Trying to convince the Richardson group to use Fenlon as their exclusive vendor wasn’t going to be easy, but she had a deal for them they wouldn’t be able to resist.
Her cell phone chimed, signaling a text message. She pulled the device from the side pocket of her handbag and glanced at the message.
Liam: Hi
Charlee couldn’t stop the grin from spreading across her face as giddiness blossomed inside of her. Surprised to hear from him, she couldn’t type her reply fast enough.
Charlee: Hi yourself!
When seconds ticked by and he didn’t respond, she typed another message.
Charlee: WYD?
She hit send, but then thought about who she was talking to. Would Liam know that WYD meant—What you doing? He barely talked on the phone. She doubted he texted often. Seconds ticked by before he responded.
Liam: Nothing
Charlee shook her head. Why’d he text her if he didn’t have anything to say? Then again, giving her a shout out was a sweet gesture and meant a lot coming from him.
Charlee: How’s your day going?
Liam: Fine
Charlee: We really need to work on you talking more. Or in this case, responding with more than one-word answers.
Liam: Okay
Charlee burst out laughing.
Charlee: That’s it? That’s all you have to say?
Liam: Yes
Charlee: LOL. Now you’re just messing with me.
Liam: Maybe.
Charlee: SMH. Well, it’s good hearing from you.
Again, seconds ticked by without a response. Charlee tried not to read too much into the delay, but she had to tread lightly with Liam. He might’ve agreed to the truce, but that didn’t mean that he wanted to reunite.
Liam: Dinner. You and me. Soon
She stared at the screen in shock. Dinner? This was huge. She didn’t want to sound anxious, but her first thought was to type—HECK YEAH. SAY WHEN! Instead, she went with something a little less desperate.
Charlee: That would be nice.
She started to tell him that she’d be out of town for a few days, but thought better of it. No sense in reminding him of the past. Back then, she was out of town more than she’d been in town. He might not believe that she didn’t travel for work as much anymore. Given the chance, she’d show him that her priorities had shifted.
Charlee: How about next week sometime?
Liam: Okay. Bye
Grinning, Charlee returned the phone to her handbag. A text message and a dinner invite were more than she had expected, but she couldn’t help but be hopeful. Who knew, maybe they’d find their way back to each other as more than just friends.
A knock sounded on her office door before it slid open.
“Hey, sweetheart. I see you made it in today.” Her father walked further into the office, looking like the successful businessman he was in his tailored three-piece suit.
She stood, and walked around her desk and hugged him. “Hey, Dad. Yup, I’m here.”
“You doing okay? I was surprised to find out you took a couple of days off. Since you didn’t return my call last night, I was starting to get concerned.”
“Oh, I’m fine. I was just…” Telling him that she needed a few days to lick her wounds and time to come up with a plan to win Liam back, wouldn’t be a good idea. Instead, she said, “I just needed a little break.”
He nodded. His keen eyes studied her in a way that made it seem that he wasn’t buying her reason. It wasn’t a total lie. She had needed the rest. Falling asleep in her car Saturday night was unacceptable, as well as dangerous. She was a little surprised, but relieved, that Liam hadn’t given her a harder time. It wouldn’t have been the first time that he accused her of being reckless with her safety.
She reclaimed her seat, and Kingslee sat in one of the guest chairs in front of her desk. “Well, you look rested. When was the last time you took an actual vacation?”
She preferred not admitting that it had been over a year.
“I’ll probably plan something soon. Right now, I’m putting the finishing touches on my presentation for the Richardson group. I’m feeling good about the meeting with them later this week.”
“That’s actually what I came in here for. I’m sending Bradley on the trip with you.”
“What? Dad, this is my project. How are you going to just assign someone else to it?”
“Technically, this is still my company. I can do whatever I see fit.”
Charlee growled under her breath and disappointment lodged in her chest. “Does that mean that you don’t think I’m capable of closing the deal? Have you forgotten about the millions of dollars in contracts that I have secured for your company?” she spat out, anger quickly replacing the disappointment.
What the heck was she going to have to do for him to see her as capable?
“Of course, I haven’t forgotten what you’ve done for this company,” he said calmly, only irritating her more. “But I know Edward. He’s old school and so is their general manager. I’m sending Bradley with you just as a face…a support, but the presentation and winning this contract will all be on you. Besides, I don’t like the idea of you in New York by yourself.”
Charlee tapped her pen against the top of her desk. The part about her traveling alone was nonsense. Most of her business trips over the years were done alone, but he had a point about Edward Richardson. The man was still a member of the old boy’s club and a male chauvinist. She’d dealt with him in the past, each time he pacified her with a virtual pat on the head and a small equipment purchase.
Charlee laid the pen down and sat back in her chair. Having Bradley Handler there might not be a bad idea. They worked good together, and he brought a different set of skills to the table. He could be persuasive without being pushy, a skill she was still trying to master. He also wouldn’t try to take over.
“Fine, he can come. As long as he understands that this is my deal.”