Perfectly Ms. Matched(11)

“It wasn’t a one-night stand, smart mouth. My ex-wife failed to mention she was pregnant before she ran off with my lawyer. She told him it was his baby. They lasted for a while until he moved on. Now she found a new rich guy who doesn’t like kids, so she decided it was my turn to be the full-time parent.”

Her mother said, “She just dropped Ryan on your doorstep? What kind of a mother does that?”

“My ex was a gold digger, sweet as pie until after the honeymoon. Suddenly, our house wasn’t big enough, we didn’t have enough help, and she needed a damned Bentley. Being a mother isn’t high on her priority list.”

He’d been married for, like, six months. They’d been touted as the all-American couple on the Internet, until they weren’t anymore. Jo said, “She clearly wasn’t the right woman for you. You’ll find another, I’m sure.”

He stared into her eyes and whispered, “I found the right one once, but evidentially, she’s not big on forgiveness.”

She stared right back. “Someone has to show a little remorse and that they’ve changed.” He’d never admitted to her that he’d flown back to San Diego on the plane with his team instead of coming straight to the hospital in Denver to see Bryce before he died. How could she easily forgive him for that?

Her mother looked between the two of them and winced. “I think that’s my cue to leave. Play nice, you two.”

Chad lifted a hand. “Bye, Helen. Good to see you again.”

He probably didn’t even think about Bryce anymore. Just thought she was mad at him because he falsely accused her of something she’d never do. And for putting his career ahead of everyone he supposedly loved. “Sad tale about your ex. But you had your chance with a woman who actually loved you, and you blew it.”

Jo turned and made herself walk calmly to her office and shut the door nice and soft.

Yes!

She’d always wanted to say that to him.



Chad slumped onto a stool.

She was right. He’d blown it big-time with her. He got that.

But his mistake with Bryce was his greatest regret and something he’d never spoken of. To anyone. He’d never forgive himself for the choice he made. He’d been told his son was small but doing well. He’d gone back to San Diego to clear his schedule so he could spend a little more time with Bryce. No one expected what happened, but knowing that didn’t ease his guilt.

It was another reason he hoped Jo would work with him. To give them a reason to spend time together. Maybe heal together. She wasn’t budging, though.

He had one last idea up his sleeve. Slowly leaning on his cane, he got up and headed toward the dining room. Poking the swinging door open, he scanned the tables, finally spotting Shelby working on her laptop. He pulled out a chair and sat across from her. “How much for your shares in the café?”

“My shares?” Shelby stopped typing and blinked at him. “You want to buy me out?”

“Yes. Then I’d be a partner and could just invest in my own company.”

“But I only own forty percent. Jo has the majority vote for any decision, so it wouldn’t do you any good. Besides, she’d kill me. Forget it.”

“I’m running out of time.” He ran a hand down his face. “And patience. Please tell me what to do.”

Shelby grinned. “Has she seen the plans yet?”

“She won’t even look at them. I’m still worried she’ll wonder how I had all the specs. I can’t tell her I own the company she’s been writing rent checks to all this time. Maybe it’s best she doesn’t look.”

“Jo will look eventually, just out of sheer curiosity. And once she sees her dream restaurant, with the new oven we desperately need drawn in, she’ll be so excited, she won’t have time to wonder how you had the specs. She’ll just cave.” Shelby patted his hand. “Go back there and tell Jo why you need her to be the one to rehab you. Dig deep, Tarzan. Tell her what makes her so special over the rest. You need to make it easier for her to swallow her pride and take you up on your offer once she sees those plans.”

He was the one swallowing his pride, but didn’t bother to mention it. “Okay. But be ready to call 9-1-1 in case she uses one of those knives on me.”

“Got my cell right here.” Shelby smiled and went back to work on her laptop.

Chad made his way toward the swinging doors again, cursing the pain in his knee. He’d go home and ice it right after he took care of Jo and her bad attitude.

He headed for Jo’s office. She was going to listen to him even if he had to hold her down and duct tape her mouth, dammit!