“He was an acquaintance of my father’s. I thought he might be able to help me find him, and we just…”
Pete seemed perplexed, unsure as to what to say, as if he was thinking his words out very carefully, which was totally unlike Pete, because he was the most straightforward person she knew. “Lia,” he said, “you know what your father was like, don’t you?”
“Of course I know, I lived with him, and he wasn’t a nice man,” she said stiffly, “but that doesn’t mean Luc is the same.”
Pete raised an eyebrow. “My point is, considering what your father was like is it sensible to trust an old friend of his?”
“Luc wasn’t a friend, just an acquaintance.”
“And that makes it better? What do you know about him?” He waved a hand, encompassing the apartment. “Or is it just his money you’re interested in?”
“Pete!”
“Oh, I know you’re not interested in money for yourself, but you’d do anything to keep that house.” He took a sip of his drink. “You know I said I’d help.”
She sighed. “It’s not that simple, Pete.”
“So tell me.”
But how could she? She certainly wasn’t going to bring up those pictures. Pete would probably go bananas, and she didn’t want him getting into a fight with Luc. Despite the men being around similar size, Pete was a gentleman, while she’d bet Luc could fight dirty. She also knew now that she was never going to return Pete’s feelings; her reactions to Luc had shown how impossible that would be, and she couldn’t let Pete go on thinking there was a future for them. She had to be ruthless.
“Luc’s the first man I ever wanted.”
Pete winced. He turned away from her and stood gazing out the window for long moments. When he turned back, he seemed composed, but the hurt lingered in his eyes. “I was waiting for you to grow up. I guess I waited too long.”
“I’m sorry, Pete.” What else could she say?
Pete shoved his hands in his pockets; she saw the tension in the stiff line of his spine. “I guess that’s it then.” He placed his glass on the table.
Lia led him back to the door.
“Just remember,” he said, “I’m here if you need me, and the offer of the land is still open.”
He stood for a moment then took her in his arms and gave her a hug.
“Let her go.”
Luc’s voice came from behind. Lia stepped away from Pete, her fist clenching at her side. Going up on tiptoes, she kissed Pete’s cheek. “Thanks for coming.”
She watched as he walked away, then stalked back and plunked herself down on the sofa, turning to glare at Luc. He smiled and crossed the room to pour himself another drink before sitting opposite her.
“What’s this business he was talking about?” he asked.
“That’s none of your business.”
“Anything you do at the moment is my business, cara.
“I told you last night—he’s buying some land from me.”
“So you can pay off the mortgage on your mother’s house?”
“Of course, you know everything about me.”
“I don’t want you accepting money from that man.”
She stared at him in amazement and was about to give a scathing answer when he continued. “In fact, I don’t want you having anything to do with him.”
Lia stared at him in disbelief. “That might be a little difficult, seeing as how he’s my boss and my trainer.”
“Then maybe you should start looking for another job. He wants to be more than your boss.”
“He knows we’ll never have that kind of future together. Clearly you were eavesdropping so you’d know what I told him. I need my job when this is over, Luc. I want my job. I love my job.”
“Why the hell would anyone want to slave away every day at that place?”
“It’s all I ever wanted to do,” she said. “I was your typical pony-mad teenager. After my mom sold my pony when I was fourteen and the money ran out, I haunted the local stables. I probably made Pete’s life a misery, but he put up with me, gave me a job when I left school.”
“You don’t need him. I’ll buy you a stable full of horses. I’ll hire you a new trainer.”
Standing up, she shook her head. He had no clue about real life. “I don’t want you to buy me anything,” she said sadly. “Forget about dinner. I don’t want any dinner. I’ll make myself a sandwich and eat in my room.” But as she slammed the door behind her and threw herself onto the bed, a strange, almost unbelievable, thought occurred to her. She stared at the ceiling as she turned the idea over in her mind.