Chapter Seven

“How’s the conference going, honey?”

“Great, Mom,” Caitlyn said into the cell phone. She sat at one of the outside tables, picking at the lunch plate in front of her. The morning had been filled with back-to-back workshops, and she didn’t want to waste her short lunch break being cooped up inside when the sun was shining.

“It’s good for you to get away for a breather,” Teresa said.

“So long as the company doesn’t crumble in my absence.”

“Please, your father and I are capable of stepping in when we need to. Retirement doesn’t mean I lose all those years of experience.”

“You’re amazing, as always. How’s Dad doing this week?”

Teresa paused. “He gets tired easily these days. You know that. But I think the sunshine has been good for him. We’ve spent our days out in the garden lately.”

Her throat tightened up. “Good. I’m glad he’s enjoying himself.”

Who knew how many more months that would be true? The cancer might be slow moving, but it wasn’t going to magically stop. Her father was terminal, and the best they could hope for now was that he had more good days than bad.

“How are the workshops this year?”

“Not bad,” she replied, glad of the subject change. “A couple have been incredible, and a few were pretty basic. The usual mix.”

“I always felt that way about conferences, too. But at least you get a chance to network.”

“Exactly,” she said, thinking about the “networking” she’d done the day before.

She hadn’t seen Damien yet this morning, and she was glad of the absence. It gave her time to think.

She could picture her mother’s horror if she slipped and told her who she was at the conference with. Like her and Damien, there was no love lost with the older generations of their families, either.

She’d probably come get me herself and drag me back to Boston.

Not the worst idea, really.

“You’re coming back on Friday, right?”

“Yeah. I might skip the closing address and just head for the airport in the morning. Get ahead of the rush.”

“Come over on the weekend. I think hearing about your trip would be good for your father.”

“Of course. I’ll bring some souvenirs back for you guys. Any preferences?”

“Just you is more than enough.”

“I’ll be there Saturday night, then. Any errands you need me to run on my way over? Dad has enough meds?”

“We’re fine, honey. I promise. Don’t worry about us. Just enjoy your conference and learn lots.”

“I will,” she promised.

“Love you. Have a safe flight home.”

“Love you, too.” With a heavy heart, she disconnected the call. She’d have to find something special to take home for her parents. Her mother put on a brave face, but she knew being her dad’s primary caregiver was not always an easy task.

Tossing her phone into her purse, she finished the last of her lunch and made her way over to the trash cans.

“Caitlyn.”

Turning, she saw Spencer striding for her.

“Hey,” she said, dusting off her hands.

“I was hoping I’d run into you again. Headed back in?”

“Yeah. I’ve got a project management seminar on the third floor.”

“I’ll walk you back.”

They fell into easy step together as they crossed the lawn to the convention center.

“Enjoying the conference?” she asked.

“Always,” he replied. “It’s like stepping out of time. New York fades away, and I get to focus on what’s most important.”

“Self-improvement?”

“Self-indulgence.”

She chuckled. “Walked right into that one.”

“Gotta love a group of high-achieving professionals who all live for immediate gratification.”

“And tend to opt for flings over relationships. I’m guessing you’re not a long-term sort of guy.”

“Guilty.” He flashed her a smile. “But we’ve got two days left. We could make a lifetime out of them together.”

She rolled her eyes. “I’ll pass.”

“Not your type, huh? Bet I know who is.”

She glared at him until he held up his hands in peace.

“It’s not like that,” she said.

“I have it on good authority you two had dinner yesterday.”

“Yes, and we’re both still breathing. Progress.”

Spencer laughed. “Let’s press our luck then, shall we? Damien and I are headed for a tapas bar tonight. I’ll update the reservation for three.”

Turn the invitation down.

If she were smart, she would.

Instead, she said, “Make it four. I’ll bring a friend.”

“Even better.”

They reached the convention hall entrance, and she pulled open the doors.

“You should probably give Damien a heads-up on this invite,” she said as they walked inside.

“I don’t know. Might be more fun to blindside him.”

“The man has a reputation for making those who cross him pay.”

Spencer grinned. “He’s been trying to shake me since school. Trust me, I can handle him.”

“Mm-hmm. Where should we meet you tonight?”

“Hotel lobby at nine?”

“Sounds good,” she said. “But I’ve got to run if I’m going to make my class.”

“Go, go. I’m headed for a session on this level. See you tonight.”

With a wave, she headed for the escalator, fishing for her cell to text Shireen.

Even as she typed, she knew she’d just agreed to a bad idea. But that knowledge didn’t stop the flutter in her chest at the thought of spending another evening with Damien.

…

“What are we waiting for?” Damien asked as he paced the hotel lobby.

“I invited some friends. Just wait two minutes.”

“If it’s a gaggle of women, I’m going to kill you.”

Spencer sighed dramatically. “What a reputation I seem to have developed.”

“As if it bothers you.”

“Nope. I like who I am. You should try it sometime.”

Damien arched a brow. “Careful, Spence.”

The grinning man merely dropped into one of the comfy brown leather chairs that littered the lobby. “Or what? I’ve been annoying you for years, and you haven’t taken out a hit on me yet.”

“An oversight,” he said, keeping his expression deadpan.

“God knows your mother never liked me. I think part of the reason you’re keeping me around is because she disapproves so much.”

“You tried to flirt with her. In front of my father.”

“What can I say? Irene is a special woman.”

Damien shook his head. “This is why you don’t get invited to the Reid family Christmas party.”

“My point is, there’s more to life than work.”

“I realize that.”

“Do you?” The teasing light dropped from his friend’s face. “I worry about you sometimes, you know.”

“Why?”

He shrugged. “I met your dad a few times. I know who you’re trying to model yourself after.”

“I’m my own man.”

“Sure, but I’d bet my bonus the critical voice in your head sounds like your father.”

“I could point out this devil-may-care attitude you apply to your romantic relationships stems from one person as well.”

Regret speared him the second he saw pain flash through Spencer’s eyes. His friend swallowed twice before nodding. “Excellent point.”

“I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine.”

“I didn’t mean to bring Mia up.”

Spencer flinched at the name and stood. “No harm done. It’s been years since that relationship ended. I’m over it.”

Like I’m over my father’s control?

Or that insidious voice in his head that whispered he’d never be the man his father had been.

He clapped a hand on Spencer’s shoulder. “What a pair we are.”

“Hey, drowning people’s emotional damage keeps many a good liquor company in business.”

“We should switch careers.”

“You and I working together? We’d make a killing,” Spencer said.

“Or drink all our own wares.”

“Or that.”

He was still chuckling when a familiar figure stepped into the lobby, and he realized who they were waiting for.

“What did you do, Spencer?” he asked as his gaze met Caitlyn’s.

“I might be doomed for relationships, but as much as you’d like to pretend the same, you’re not as cynical as me. Not really. And that woman right there might be just what you need.”

“You don’t know her. There’s no way you could make an assumption like that.”

“I might not know her, but I do know you. I’ve never seen you react to anyone the way you do her.” Spencer stepped up to his side as Caitlyn and her friend approached. “There’s more to life, brother. All I’m saying.”

Spencer moved forward to greet the women, leaving him behind to deal with the unwelcome anticipation that filled him the moment Caitlyn walked into the room.

What is this?

He never reacted to anyone, let alone a woman, that way.

Seeing he’d hesitated too long, he stepped up to join the little group. Caitlyn’s green gaze swung to his the second he reached them.

“Hi,” she said.

She’s unsure of her welcome.

The realization nearly made him laugh. Didn’t she know even when he wanted to stay away from her, he still wanted to reach out and pull her close?

“Hey,” he replied.

A few feet of marble separated them, and yet the rest of the room faded away around him. His fingers twitched with the need to touch her, and by the heat in her expression, he didn’t think he was alone in the impulse.

All we need is one night. One hot, no-holds-barred night to get each other out of our systems.

In the morning, they could both part amicably, this inconvenient lust dealt with and banished.

Is one night enough?

It had to be. There was no other option.

“Are we ready to head out or do the two of you want to go alone?” Spencer said at his side.

Snapping out of his musings, he swung his gaze to the vaguely familiar woman by Caitlyn’s side.

“Sorry about that. Hello, I’m Damien.” He held out his hand.

“I know,” the pretty brunette responded with a grin. “I’m Shireen.”

“She’s a friend of mine from California,” Caitlyn said.

“And delighted to be joining the group today.”

Caitlyn rolled her eyes at her friend as he bit back a smile.

“Shall we, ladies?” Spencer said, sweeping his arm toward the door. Shireen and Caitlyn gamely followed along as he brought up the rear.

All the while doing his best not to watch Caitlyn walking ahead of him.

As if sensing his stare, she turned her head to gaze back at him. He winked at her, which immediately made her cheeks flame. She whipped her head back around and straightened her back.

At least I’m not the only one troubled by this.

But sitting across the table from her without touching was going to be a trial. Especially with his new idea in mind. How did he get her to agree to a single night?

And how did he do it in the two days they had left?