Work Like You Don't Need the Money (27 page)

“Been a great day, hey Pete?” He turned to see Albert. The old guy had driven up from the city and brought some of the women from Phoenix who didn't want to fly.  

Pete called for another whiskey and one for Albert. “Yeah, a great day.” It really had. He was happy for Jack and Emma. It was their day, after all, and he really was thrilled for them. He just wished he could focus on that and not on the heaviness in his chest or the hurt in Holly's eyes.

“If you had any sense, you'd be planning your own big day.”

Pete's head snapped round to look at Albert. “What are you talking about?”

Albert didn't flinch, “I told you first time I met her kid, she's a keeper.”

Pete let out a deep sigh. “Yeah, but I can't keep her.”

“Course you can. The girl is in love with you. For a smart ass, you can be pretty dumb sometimes.”

Pete's heart was racing in his chest. Love? That's what Jack had said too.

Albert was going through his wallet, “Been meaning to give you  a copy of these.” He pulled out a photo. It was Holly. It must have been last weekend, she was wearing the slinky little black dress, standing outside his front door. She was unaware of the camera and had that faraway look in her eyes. “I don't know what you did to upset her, but she's riding home with me, Lexi, and the girls in the morning. I thought this might be a good time to give you these so you can ponder on however it is you've screwed up.” He pulled out another photo. It was the same as the first, except in this one she was laughing, eyes shining, happy. Pete stared at it.

“Want to know what happened to make the difference between the first one and this?” asked Albert.

Pete waited, knowing he was going to find out, no matter what he said.

“Just the mention of your name. Don't be a fool, Pete. You're crazy if you let that one go.” He emptied his glass and patted Pete's shoulder as he walked away.

Pete didn't know what to think.  He stared at the two photos. The first one tugged at his heart. That faraway look, the one that made him feel so sad. Albert said she was in love with him? She couldn't be. She was cutting him out of her life. She was the one who wouldn't keep seeing him. He shook his head, only because there was no chance of a future in it. But he'd made it clear from the beginning he couldn't offer her that. He couldn't even think about what it might mean if she did love him. His heart was still pounding in his chest. Did he love her? Was that why all this was so goddamned difficult? Oh, who knew! Stick to the plan, that's what he had to do. He caught sight of Ben and raised his hand. Now there was a man who wouldn't give him any grief. He strode over to his old friend.

“What's happening, big guy?”

“Just trying to escape the oldies and their meddling. You know what they get like at weddings.”

Ben laughed. “Sure do, they've been trying to palm that little red haired chick off on me. Nice girl, but not my type. At least you've got Holly to keep 'em off your back. I'm guessing it won't be long until you go over to the dark side and get married yourself. Can't blame you for Holly though. She's quite something. When's she starting on the plaza?”

Not Ben too! “Listen, Bud, can we not go there? There is no me and Holly. She's not going to do the plaza. Can we talk about something else?”

Ben rolled his eyes. “I didn't think there'd be any drama with you two. It was bad enough seeing the ride Jack had with Em.”

“There is no drama. It's just how it is. We saw each other for a while. Now it's over. It happens, what's the big deal?”

Ben smirked. “Sure, Pete. Whatever you say.”

“What the fuck is that supposed to mean?”

Ben laughed. “It means you've got some catching up to do. Get with the program.”

Pete was about ready to explode. “There is no program. What I have is a plan. Remember? A plan that doesn't include a woman yet. Not even Holly.”

Ben just laughed again. “Work yourself up all you like, but even I can see that the two of you are in love with each other. You apparently still have some shit to deal with and can't see it yet. But you will. I just don't want to go through all that drama again before we reach the inevitable conclusion. I mean, I could  understand it with Em. She was scared out of her wits, and hey, she's female. But you? I didn't expect you to be so clueless. Analyze the situation logically, like you would any other. You'll see I'm right.”

Pete said nothing. Was he really missing something obvious, something that everyone else could see? And if so, why?

“Anyway,” said Ben, checking his watch, “You still have Best Man duties to take care of. It's almost nine and Jack wanted to be out of here on time.”

“Yeah, thanks Bud.” Pete left his friend and walked down to the edge of the stage where he waited for the band to finish their song. He shook hands with the lead singer, Chase, as he took the microphone from him.

“Ladies and gentlemen, we need to interrupt proceedings to send our bride and groom on their way.”

Everyone gathered around Emma and Jack for one last toast. Pete watched as all the women crowded around Emma. He finally spotted Holly as she rounded up all the single ladies, ready for Emma to toss the bouquet. The look on her face slayed him, she looked so sad. She neatly dodged out of the crowd of giggling women before the bouquet flew through the air. Then she was hugging Em and Jack wishing them well. Damn, he'd better get down there himself, say goodbye before they headed off. He worked his way through the crowd.

Emma hugged him. “We'll see you in a couple of weeks.”

“Yeah, have a great time, Mouse.”

Jack slapped his back. “Thanks, Pete. For everything.”

“No problem, partner. You take it easy.”

Jack pulled him into a man hug. “Don't worry about me. You get your head straightened out. Fuck the plan! And call me if you hit any snags, okay?”

“I'm not going to call you, asshole. You're going on your honeymoon. Get out of here.”

Emma gave him another quick hug. “Then I'll have him call you. And watch who you're calling an asshole. That's my husband!” She laughed

As Pete stepped back, more well-wishers crowded around to see them off. Jack caught his eye above the sea of people. “Fuck the plan,” he mouthed, then winked as he ducked into the car.

Pete smiled to himself, he could always trust his partner to tell him what he thought. He looked around, searching for Holly again. He needed to talk to her, to hold her. He was starting to think that maybe he was missing something. Everyone was telling him he couldn't let her walk away, his heart certainly seemed to agree. He needed to find her.

He spotted the bridesmaids dress, the rich purple color, and his heart leapt, but no, as she appeared from behind the other guests it was Laura, not Holly. He surveyed the crowds. There! Down by the water. No. Right dress, wrong girl again. He'd bet Miss knew where she was though. He made his way down to the dock where Missy was talking with Dan.

“Hey guys. Have you seen Holly?”

Missy looked at him. “Have you come to your senses?”

He glowered at her, tired of everyone giving him a hard time. He wasn't used to feeling so clueless. “Do you know where she is?”

“No, but she asked me to give you this.” She held out a little envelope.

Pete took it and tore it open to read the note inside.

Pete

I don't want to say goodbye to you, so I'm not going to.

I hope your plan works out well for you.

I wish you happiness always.

Love

Holly

x

He heard the roaring in his ears again, felt the pounding in his chest as looked around wildly. “Where is she?”

Missy put a hand on his arm “She's gone, Pete.”

                                                         **********

Holly settled in the back of the taxi and let out a deep sigh. This was going to be a long ride and it was going to cost her a fortune, but it was a small price to pay. She couldn't say goodbye to Pete. His mom had been such a sweet lady, but when Holly had realized who she was, it had just been one hurt too many. His mom had wanted to get to know each other. Holly would have loved to, but it was all over. She couldn't stick around for even more insight into a life that would never be hers. She didn't belong with Pete, with his parents in their beautiful home, or even at Summer Lake at all. Once she finally faced that fact, she had to get out. She couldn't torture herself by lingering, hoping for one more touch, one more kiss, one more moment with him.

She'd asked Albert earlier if she could ride back to LA with him. After seeing Pete's parents though, she couldn't stick around even until morning. She'd called the cab company that operated out of the resort and surprised them with a last minute booking for a one way ride all the way back to LA. Tonight.

Her phone buzzed in her pocket. A text from Pete.

Where are you? We need to talk.

As she read it, the tears came. There was no point in talking. It was over. Time to face it. She texted Missy.

Pls let him know I'm Ok.

She didn't want him to worry, but she wasn't going to answer him. She thought for a moment, then texted Albert too.

I left already. Thanks for the offer though.

There. That was everything she needed to take care of.

“You okay, lady?” The driver looked at her in the rear view mirror.

“I will be. Thank you.” She'd have to be.

Chapter Nineteen

Pete shook Smoke's hand before he exited the plane. “Thanks, man. It's been a crazy weekend for you.”

“No worries,” Smoke smiled back to where Laura was still sitting in the cabin. “I enjoy it.”

“Yeah, well. You should have a quiet couple of weeks now.” He hadn't missed the exchange with Laura. “I won't need Papa Charlie for the next few days at least. You don't need to bring it back tonight, stay up there and catch your breath for a day or two if you want.” Smoke had been flying wedding guests in and out of Summer Lake all weekend. He'd taken two trips back to LA and one to San Francisco already today. Pete and Nate were the stragglers getting back to LA, and Laura still had to get back to San Francisco. Pete had no problem if Smoke wanted to stay up there.

Smoke grinned. “I might just do that. Thanks Pete.”

Pete walked back to the FBO building. Nate caught up with him at the door.

“You doing alright, boss man?”

Pete looked at him, he couldn't remember ever feeling this far from alright. “I'm beat,” he said.

Nate nodded, “Some weekend, huh? Want to get a beer?”

Pete thought about it. He wasn't looking forward to going back to the house, he couldn't even think of it as home without Holly there. She hadn't answered any of his texts or calls. All he was going to do was wander around the place thinking about her.  “Why not? Come on, I'll give you a ride.”

They sat at the bar in a little place by the beach.

“Want to talk about it?” asked Nate.

Pete shook his head and took a long swig of his beer. There was nothing to say.

“You're not serious about ending it with her, are you?”

Pete snorted. “It's not up to me. She left. Won't talk to me.” He stared at Nate, trying to pull himself together, “And besides, I don't know what I was playing at. I don't have time for a woman in my life.”

Nate laughed at him, why did people keep doing that? He wasn't used to it! “You don't have time? And why's that, Pete?”

“You know damned well why!” Pete slammed his fist down on the bar.

Nate still smiled, unperturbed. He pointed his bottle at the chain on Pete's wrist, “‘Cause of that, right?”

Pete looked at the silver bracelet and sighed. “Yeah, that's right. Work.”

“But what does the other side say, boss man? What have you always preached to the rest of us mere mortals?”

Pete frowned. He didn't get where Nate was going with this. “Like you don't need the money?” he asked, confused.

Nate laughed again, “Yeah, you big old hypocrite! What have you always said? It's about so much more than money? It's about becoming all you can be? Building the best life you can, no?”

“What the fuck, Nate? That's what I do, it's what I am doing. What are you talking about?”

“I'm saying you are refusing to become all you could be and refusing to build the best life you could. When I first saw you with Holly, I couldn't believe it. I mean, not only did you have a woman with you at HQ, you had your arm around her no less! But watching the two of you together these last few weeks, I got it. You become something more when you're with her. The two of you could build a great life together, but you won't consider it because your only focus is on building a great business. Well, newsflash big guy, it's already built. It doesn't need you like it did in the early days. You've got a great staff, even if I do say so myself,” he grinned. “We're capable of taking up any slack while you get a life, you know.”

Pete looked at him, brows lowered, he unclenched his fist as he considered Nate's words.

“Don't give me the evil eye. I'm your friend as well as your employee, and since Jack isn't around to kick your ass for you, I see it as my duty.”

Pete didn't know what to say. Was he really doing what Nate said? What he'd accused Holly of doing? Using the business as an excuse not to grow in a new direction? No! He was following his plan, like he'd always done. He looked at Nate.

“Take some time, think about it. Just don't take too long. I don't think a woman like Holly will be too short on offers if you don't get your act together.”

Pete let himself into the house and stood in the hallway. His mind was still reeling from what Nate had said. That last part especially. She'd have other offers. Of course she would. But she couldn't. She was his! He was starting to understand how she'd felt about Jade. Just the thought that she might meet some faceless other guy made him want to throw something. How would he feel if he knew who she used to date and that she was seeing him again?

He unclenched his fist and walked into the den. Damn, how was he going to sit on that sofa without her feet in his lap? He slid open the doors and went out by the pool for some fresh air. So many memories out here too. Her first night here, falling into the pool together, making love, eating dinner as the sun set, indulging her CEO fantasies on the lounger, holding her close as they watched the stars.