Work Like You Don't Need the Money (25 page)

“Think about it, Sweetheart.”

                                                            **********

Pete sat at his desk, drumming his fingers. He'd taken care of everything he was going to before leaving for the wedding. In a couple of hours he was supposed to pick Holly up from the store and head out to the airport. Smoke was going to have a busy night of it, he'd be taking them and Nate up to the Lake, collecting Dan and Laura on the way. Emma wanted them all to get there as early as possible, tomorrow would be a crazy day getting Gramps' place set up before the rehearsal dinner tomorrow night.

He'd been toying with an idea for the last hour. He didn't want to go tonight. He pressed the number one on his phone; Jack's speed dial.

“Yo Bro!”

“S'up, Partner?”

“Doing great. It's all coming together. What time you going to be here?”

“I'm not.”

“Huh?”

“I was going to feed you some crap about not being able to get away tonight.”

“Ooookay?”

Pete drummed his fingers on his desk, trying to figure out what to say.

“Fuck the plan, Pete!”

Pete stared at the phone in surprise.

“Bro, I do know you better than anyone. You don't want to come up here tonight because you want one more night alone with Holly. True or false?”

Pete let out a short sigh. “True.”

“So do it! Come up in the morning. But man, you're a fool. If she's got you this bad, you need to say fuck the plan and start working on a new one. One that includes her.”

“It's not that simple.”

“It could be.”

“Jack!”

“What?”

“It's how I live my life.”

“Well, change it! Adapt, overcome, survive.”

“You don't get it, Bro.”

“Too damned right, I don't, Pete. Maybe we're just different. I've never known much love in my life. When I found it with Em, nothing, and I mean NOTHING, was going to get in my way.”

Pete sighed, Jack had gone through more than most men would stand for to win Emma's trust.

“Maybe it's different for you. You had a different childhood, always felt loved, so you're not hanging onto this the way I have. But Pete, if you let love walk away, you'll always regret it. Life doesn't always give you second chances, you know.”

“Who said anything about love?”

Jack laughed. “You and Holly, every time you look at each other!”

Pete pondered that a moment.

“Listen. I've got to go. Get your ass up here when you can, okay?”

“Okay.”

“And, Pete?”

“Yeah?”

“You know I'm right.”

Holly shut down her computer and stared at the black screen. The next time she fired it up it'd all be over. When she came back to the store on Tuesday, she'd no longer be with Pete. There'd be no more lunch deliveries. No more flowers. No nights at his place, by his pool, in his den, in his bed, in his arms. No more quirky smile, no more demanding blue gaze. No more Pete. She blinked, refusing to let the tears come. She'd save them for Monday. Over the last few weeks she'd relaxed into allowing Roberto and the girls run the place. They didn't need her. She was more willing to accept that now. She'd be gone for a long weekend. To Roberto's surprise she'd told him she was taking Monday off, too. She would allow herself that one day to stay home. On Monday she would let the tears come. For one day she'd indulge in all the sadness she felt, grieve for everything that would never be. On Tuesday she'd be back in here. She'd make a start on her life post-Pete.

She was still considering taking the Four Mile project. Trying to convince herself that it was about her career. Not about him. If anything, he had given her a gift. His 'Work like you don't need the money' motto had given her a fresh perspective. She was ready to think bigger, to stop clinging so tightly to the small and easily controlled business that she'd built. She could see now that once she stopped focusing on the desperate need for money, she could expand her horizons and, as he so rightly said, make more of it in the process.

She was starting to think that maybe she could take the project. If it meant she'd see him sometimes... Well, she'd rather have that than nothing at all. Wouldn't she? She shook her head, still undecided. How could she ever move on, forget him, as she knew she must, if she was still living for the chance of seeing him again? She didn't have to decide right now. For now she was going to get back out into the store. Later she'd go with him. Enjoy the wedding. Make the most of the little time they had left.

As she came out of the office, she was surprised to see Laura, whom she'd thought was still in San Francisco, looking at the purses by the window. Laura had her back turned, but her friend, a tall woman with short blonde hair and bright red lipstick spotted Holly and nudged her. Holly grinned and started toward them. The woman turned and Holly realized it wasn't Laura at all. From behind, the long dark hair and tall slender figure had looked the same, but face to face, this woman had much sharper features and, like her friend, was wearing bright red lipstick and a little too much make up.

The red lipstick curved up in a condescending smile. “You must be Holly?”

Holly smiled and nodded extending her hand.

“So nice to finally meet you.” Cool fingers wrapped around her own in a limp handshake. “I'm Mia Sylvester and this is Jade Evans.”

The blonde woman smiled and offered the same lifeless handshake. So, these were the consultants. The tall brunette who stalked Jack, and Jade, the one Pete dated. Holly swallowed at the thought. They were both beautiful, no denying it.

“Welcome to Hayes,” she wasn't about to lie that it was nice to meet them.

“I love your store,” smiled Jade.

Holly looked at the woman who had no doubt shared Pete's bed. Her blood ran cold at the thought. “Thank you.”

“I hear you're going to be helping the boys with their little project at Summer Lake?” Mia raised a perfectly arched eyebrow.

Wow! The boys? Little project? And how had she heard anyway? “Nothing's been finalized yet.” She really didn't want to talk about it with these two.

Jade put a hand on her arm. “If you like, you could partner with us. If it's all a bit daunting for you? I know you've never done anything like this before.”

Holly couldn't think of anything she'd like less.

“We work with the boys all the time,” said Mia. “We could clue you in on what they like, show you the ropes.”

“That's very kind of you.” Kind wasn't the first word that came to mind. Holly's heart raced. She hated thinking that these two might know what Pete liked better than she did. In any sense. “As I said though, nothing has been finalized yet.”

“Of course,” said Mia. There went that condescending smile again. “Take my card and let us know.” Holly automatically took the business card.

Jade smiled, a smile that made Holly want to throw a glass of water in it. “You can always get in touch with me through Pete. I work closely with him.”

Wow again! Message received, loud and clear. Holly smiled, not trusting herself to reply to that.

Roberto appeared at her side. “So sorry to interrupt. Could I borrow you for a moment?” He turned to Mia and Jade, “Do forgive me ladies.” He took Holly by the arm and steered her to the back of the store, leaving the two women staring after them.

“Thanks, Sweetie.”

“I know an ambush when I see one, Holls! Who the hell are they?”

Holly realized she was shaking as she watched them leave. “Ugh! They were a reminder that I need to forget the Four Mile Creek job!”

Roberto frowned. “What have they got to do with it? It'd be a great opportunity for you.”

Holly shook her head. “No Berto. It would be more than I could handle. Those two just served as a perfect reminder of that.” What had she been thinking? She wasn't going to be with Pete after this weekend, but he wasn't going to become a monk. He'd never claimed he didn't date. He just didn't get involved in anything serious. She knew now she couldn't take the job. Couldn't risk seeing, or even hearing about how 'closely' he and Jade were 'working.' No. She needed to cut all ties. Just seeing that woman, thinking about her with Pete, had been like a dagger to the heart. She needed to follow Pete's example and stick to her original plan; enjoy it while it lasted then firmly close the door on it. Forever.

She sensed him enter the store. It was as if her body was so in tune with him that she picked up on whatever vibration it was he put out. She still couldn't see him, but she knew without a doubt that he was here. Then she spotted him, talking with Roberto. She smiled at the unlikely friendship the two of them had struck up. They were deep in what looked like a serious conversation. Roberto gesticulating as he made a point, Pete's brows drawn together, frowning as he listened. Again she was struck by how imposing he was. The stark contrast between the laughing, tickling Pete and the man who stood in her store. Rigid stance, suit she could see was Italian, hand tailored. She'd guess from the cut she knew who'd made it – and how much it cost! The crisp white shirt and bright blue tie set off his eyes perfectly. They were blazing. What on earth were those two talking about?

As she reached them, Pete gave Berto a meaningful look then turned to her with a smile, his handsome features transformed. Holly's heart swelled with love. Wait! What? Love? This was a really bad time to start thinking along those lines! She let herself sag against him for a moment as he wrapped her in his bear hug.

“Hey Bigshot,” she smiled up at him, wishing it was all so different.

“Hey, Sweetheart.” The eyes that smiled down at her held such tenderness.

This was so unfair. She wanted to scream and shout and demand a recount. At the same time, she was a realist. “I'll just get my bag from the back.”

“Are we going straight to the airport?” she asked once they were in his truck.

“No. I need to go home.”

That surprised her. “
You
forgot something, Bigshot?”

His eyes were serious as he looked across at her. “More like there's something I don't want to forget.”

What was that supposed to mean? “Okay. Are we going to make it to the airport in time or are you just going to stop the universe to suit you again?” She tried to keep up their familiar banter, to stay away from anything serious, afraid to lose it. But Pete wasn't playing, his face was serious, agitated maybe?

“We're not going to the airport.”

“We're not? But I thought Em wants us there as early as we can.”

“She does.”

Holly looked at him. This wasn't making any sense. She could see that little pulse working in his jaw as he drove.

His voice was low when he spoke. He kept his eyes fixed on the road. “Em does want everyone there tonight, but I told Jack we'd be up in the morning.” He reached over and took her hand, holding it on top of his thigh. “I can't go tonight, Sweetheart. I want to stay here. With you.” He squeezed her hand. “I'm sorry. I should have asked, I know.”

Holly's throat closed up. For a moment she couldn't speak. He probably should have asked, but she didn't care. She had wished they were staying here tonight, too. She wasn't ready to say goodbye to what they'd shared this week. Then again, she never would be.

“I want to stay here with you, too, Pete.” She managed to stop herself before she added, 'forever.'

Chapter Seventeen

Pete pulled up in front of the house and jumped down from the truck. They hadn't talked much on the way back to his place. Just held hands. He didn't know what to say. He simply wanted to be with her. One more night. He opened the front door and let her enter ahead of him, glad they were home. Home. He'd loved this place since he'd bought it. He'd loved it even more these last few weeks. Now it did feel like home. Holly made it that way. Her purse on the counter, her few things in the bathroom. What would it feel like when she was gone? He didn't want to think about it. Tonight she was still here. She was quiet, subdued, but she was here. He followed her through to the den and wrapped his arms around her, wanting, needing, to feel her close. She smiled up at him, but her eyes held a sadness. He closed his eyes and rested his head on top of hers. He hated knowing that he'd caused that sadness. Hated that he felt it too and there was nothing he could do about it.

He heard Jack's voice, 'Fuck the plan Pete!' He'd considered it, long and hard. He couldn't do it though. His whole life had been shaped by discipline, by determination, by damned hard work. By following the plan. He held her tight, his heart echoing Jack's words, his head trying desperately to cling to reason. The doorbell made her jump.

“I'll be back.” He returned with bags full of takeout cartons. “I ordered us dinner from Mario's. That pasta you loved so much.”

She smiled. “Thank you.” She looked like she had so much more she wanted to say, but she busied herself with plates while he opened a bottle of wine. He carried everything through to the dining room.

She raised an eyebrow when he held out her chair. “Formal dining this evening, Mr. Bigshot?” Even the banter was tinged with sadness. It hurt his heart.

“We never got to eat in here.” Damn, why had he said that? She lowered her eyes and said nothing. He'd wanted one last night together, one more night of all the fun and laughter they shared. One more memory. But this wasn't working. The end hung over them too clearly, too close.

She smiled now, making an effort. “Thanks for thinking of this, it's wonderful.”

He put his fork down. The food was wonderful, persuading the Chef at Mario's to allow his food to be placed in cartons and delivered beyond the walls of his restaurant had taken some doing. Pete couldn't taste it though. He reached across the table and took her hand. “I'm sorry, Sweetheart.”

She shook her head, forcing a smile. “Let's not go there, Pete. Please? We wanted one more night together, let's not waste it?” She squeezed his hand. “Tell me something fun?”

He nodded. It made sense. They both understood, already knew the truth of any words that could be spoken. He took a deep breath and launched into a funny story about a conference he'd attended a couple of months back. Soon she was laughing. They were back to their usual banter, the plates were empty, glasses refilled. The sadness lingered in her eyes though, and in his chest.