93

RICHARD

THE CONDO WAS SILENT WHEN we arrived. I set down our bags and looked at the mess I had left behind.

“I should have cleaned up. I was anxious to get to you.”

She walked around, picking up a couple bottles. “You need to stop drinking so much scotch.”

The words were out before I could stop them. “You need to stop leaving me.”

Her eyes widened.

I tugged on my cowlick. “Shit. Home five minutes and the asshole comes out.”

“I’m going to give you that one. I shouldn’t have run. I should have stayed and talked it out with you.”

Reaching out, I brought her into my arms. “You had no reason to trust me, then. I’ll make sure you won’t have that excuse next time. Not,” I added, “that there is going to be a next time.”

She nuzzled close. “No.” “Then we’re good?” “Yep.”

Glass crunched under my feet when I moved, and I looked down with a grimace. “Careful.”

“Another asshole moment?”

“A big one,” I acknowledged. “I was angry at you—but it passed quickly.”

“I think you were allowed.”

“I’ll get someone in to clean up.”

She shook her head with a grin. “It’s not bad. We can get it done fast.” Bending, she picked up her bag. “But you’re ordering dinner and doing the dishes.”

I grabbed my bag, following her through the condo. “There you go— issuing orders.”

“Get used to it.” She turned her head and winked.

I swatted her ass, causing her to yelp and try to hurry ahead of me. She tripped, almost falling on the steps, except I lunged, catching her around the waist. “Sorry, sweetheart. I forgot about your leg. Are you okay?”

She wrapped her arms around my neck. “I’m fine. You can carry me the rest of the way, though.”

Lifting her, I captured her mouth with mine and kept it there all the way to our room. Inside the doorway, I set her on her feet, releasing her lips. “Welcome home, Mrs. VanRyan.”

She smiled up at me, running her fingers along my jaw. “You’re scruffier than normal.”

“I’ll shave later.” “I kinda like it.” “Then I’ll leave it.”

Rising on the balls of her feet, she pressed a kiss to my cheek. “Okay.” She glanced around. “Where do you want to start?”

I sat down on the mattress, pulling her beside me. “I didn’t change the sheets. They smelled like you—like us, and I couldn’t . . .” My voice trailed off. “I couldn’t.”

“I’m here now.”

“I know.” I stood up. “I’ll get your things. I want them back in here. They never should have left.”

“We weren’t ready. We are now.” “Yep.”

“All right, then. Let’s get started.”

I stepped out of the shower, toweling my hair. Entering the bedroom, I looked around with a low sigh. Katy had moved in. Her clothes were in the closet and dresser, her lotions and girly things in the bathroom. Her bedside table held her books, and her scent was already in the air. She’d been a little shocked when she saw the mess I had made in her room, but she had it straightened while I carried things back and forth.

I dragged on some sweats and a T-shirt and jogged downstairs. The bottles, papers, and broken glass were cleared away, the kitchen already back in order. She sat at the counter, a bottle of wine open, and a glass waiting for me. I took a sip, appreciating the bold flavor of the red wine.

“Dinner?”

She looked up from her book. “Pizza is in the oven, waiting.”

I grabbed some plates and set down the box between us. We ate in silence, and although it wasn’t an uncomfortable one, I wanted to know what she was thinking. She seemed contemplative.

I covered her hand with mine. “Where did you go, Katy? What are you thinking about over there?”

She smiled, flipping her hand so our palms pressed together. “I was remembering my first dinner with you. We had pizza and wine that night, too.”

“We did.”

“I was incredibly nervous. I didn’t know what you wanted to discuss with me. You never spoke to me in the office unless it was to bark out an order or tell me what I was doing wrong. Sitting beside you, I had no idea what to expect. I couldn’t believe what you had to say.”

I smirked. “I couldn’t believe I was asking you—Miss Elliott—the bane of my existence, to live with me and pretend to be my fiancée.” I shook my head. “I was a rat bastard to you, wasn’t I?”

“Yes, you were.”

“I’m not sure I can ever apologize enough.”

“Stop trying. That was then, this is now.” She laced our fingers together and squeezed. “I like now.”

I lifted our joined hands, kissing her knuckles. “So do I.” “We still have to face the Gavin family.”

Releasing her hand, I reached for my wine. “I know. I’ll call Graham in the morning. I’m sure we’ll be summoned to their house in due course.”

“What do you think will happen?”

“I don’t know. I expected him to fire me on the spot. When he told me he already suspected I was lying, I was certain of it.” I huffed out a laugh. “Of course, nothing is what I expect anymore, so I’m not the best judge of the situation.”

“Are you prepared for him to fire you?”

“I dread it, to be honest, but if it happens, then we move and start again. I certainly won’t get a reference from him or David. I can only hope my work speaks for itself. Brian can help me with his contacts and I have some of my own. Clients I’ve worked with in the past and such.”

“And if he doesn’t?”

“Then we stay. I want to stay. I want to work for Graham. It’ll take some time, but I’ll show him he can trust me. I’ll work my ass off for him and his company.”

“I know you will.” She met my eyes, smiling sadly. “I hope Laura and Jenna can forgive me.”

“Out of all of this, I regret that the most,” I admitted. “You already lost Penny, and I know how fond you are of both of them. I don’t want you to lose that as well.”

“I guess we’ll know soon enough.” I nodded. “We will.”

Running a weary hand over my face, I flipped through the documents I had printed from Brian.

The day after we came home, I texted Graham to let him know I was back and Katy was with me. I didn’t receive a response. Katy also texted Jenna and asked if they could meet for coffee, but she was only met with silence. I knew she was upset, though neither of us was surprised.

By the end of the second day, I contacted Brian for some leads in other cities. He seemed surprised by my request but sent along a few for me to look over. Two were in Toronto, one was in the States, and the last one in Calgary. It was by far the most tempting, even if it was the least dynamic of all the companies. At least we’d be surrounded by mountains and close to lakes and amazing scenery.

Although I didn’t want any of them, I was sure the writing was on the wall, in regards to my place at The Gavin Group. It was time to look at my, our, options. I wanted Katy to be happy, and I knew she wouldn’t be in a large, crowded city like Toronto. Also, I had no desire to start commuting hours to get into the office. I had to put away my pride and choose what would be best for us.

I stood up, heading to the kitchen. I needed coffee and to show Katy what Brian had sent over. She looked up from the huge cookbook she was studying

and smiled at me. “What are those?”

I tossed the pile of sheets on the counter and reached for the coffee pot. “Job leads.”

“Oh.” She tugged the papers closer. “Okay. Anything good?” I tapped the top page. “This is interesting.”

She looked it over, frowning. “It’s pretty small compared to what you’re used to.”

I sat down, sipping my coffee. “I’m going to have to make some concessions.”

“Do you have to jump right away?”

“No,” I acknowledged. “I don’t want to be out too long, though.