“Bravado is the biggest resort chain on the west coast. It would be a brilliant merger,” Reid says without giving me so much as a glance over his paperwork.
“Merger, yes. But this is your life, Reid. You can’t do this,” I tell him, appalled that he’s even considering it. I’ve been on the verge of telling Tara all about his latest deal, but the strict confidentiality that I share with Reid keeps me from opening my mouth. I would never willingly break his confidence and trust.
“When Cruz shows up, will you send him in?” Reid asks with a dismissive tone.
“Fine. But I’d like to go on record and say–again–that I do not like this deal. I do not agree with it in any way, shape, or form. You are better than this, Reid,” I tell him with softer, compassionate eyes.
“Noted,” he says firmly. Then his features suddenly soften around the edges of his hard eyes. “Thank you for your concern. I will take all sides into consideration.”
But the thing is, I really don’t think he will. Not on this one. He sees the bottom line, and that’s not like the Reid Hunter I know and love like a brother. He has always been able to see all angles of every deal he works, but there’s something about this one. He seems more focused on the end result.
The afternoon passes in a blur of phone calls, emails, handshakes, and pleasantries. When the clock finally hits six o’clock, I wave goodnight to Reid, who is making notes in a file, and head out to my car, ready to unwind for the night. My mind wanders towards the incredibly tall and devastatingly handsome stranger I met two years ago. Like an out of control freight train, I can’t stop it. Reid wonders why I don’t date? The truth is that I feel absolutely no desire. How can I date someone when the only person I think about and want is consuming my thoughts and dreams? As many times as I’ve tried to forget him, I just can’t seem to let go. That’s my hang up. When I figure out a way to eradicate the man out of my head, I’ll hopefully be ready to try dating again. Until then, I’ll fall asleep with him tucked safely away in my subconscious where I can pull him out whenever I need. No, probably not the healthiest form of companionship, but it’s all I’ve got. And for now, I’m still hanging on to it.
I slip inside my apartment, listening for the sound of Nat. When I finally hear her giggles of joy, I release the breath I didn’t realize I was holding. If she’s awake now, I have a better chance of getting her to sleep at a normal hour.
“Hey, Mom. Hi, princess,” I say, walking into the living room. Mom is sitting on the floor in front of Natalia as she nibbles on a teething ring. “Good day?” I ask, praying that Natalia behaved herself for my mom.
“She was great. A little fussy around lunchtime, but she ate well and took a good nap. She’s been up for awhile now, so maybe you can get her down around eight without too much trouble,” Mom says with a smile.
I run back to my bedroom to change into a comfy pair of sweats before returning to the living room. “Wanna stay for dinner?” I ask as I take a seat on the floor next to my baby girl.
“Can’t tonight. I’m meeting Keisha at the coffee house to plot out a big kidnapping scene,” she says as she stands up to gather her things. Before she slips on her jacket, she bends down and kisses Natalia on the top of her dark head.
“Nana will see you tomorrow morning, baby girl. You be good for your mommy tonight. Try to let her get a little more sleep. Maybe then she won’t carry so much baggage under her eyes.” As if Nat knows what Mom said, she giggles and throws her hands up and down.
I pick up my daughter and hoist her high on my hip as we walk Mom to the front door. “Have a great meeting tonight,” I tell her knowing that her meetings with Keisha always end with a visit to a local bar for a drink or two. Some of their best plots are developed over a few margaritas.
“I will. I’ll see you both in the morning,” she says, kissing me on the cheek before slipping out the door.
As soon as the lock is engaged, Natalia releases an ear-piercing squeal, clearly displeased with her grandmother’s departure. I bounce her several times on my hip, trying to sooth her annoyance. Why does it always seem like when my mom leaves, my daughter turns into an entirely different baby?
Later that night after a warm bath, several trips around the apartment as I walk and bounce the cranky baby in my arms, and tons of rocking in the easy chair, Nat is finally out. I gingerly place her in her crib, praying that the sudden movement doesn’t wake her up. When she’s softly breathing deeply again, I tiptoe out of her room and cross the hall. The kitchen is a mess and toys are strewn all over the living room, but exhaustion overtakes my need to clean house. Without even changing from my lounge clothes, I fall onto the top of my unmade bed. Sleep finds me almost immediately, but not before my mind flutters to the tall stranger who once shared this very bed with me.