Tangled Vows(21)

"Why didn't you tell me? Did you think I wouldn't understand? You should  have known I would! If anyone understands, it's me," he practically  shouted at her.

Bailey scrunched her brows together. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

"Everett Parker!" he shouted. He ran a hand through his hair. "Why  didn't you tell me you were ‘on a job'?" He used his fingers to make air  quotes on those last words.

Shock spread over Bailey. "I'm sorry?" she asked. How did he know?

Mark waved vaguely at her TV, muted but with reruns of old I Love Lucy  shows running across the screen. "The statement he gave. He said there  was nothing going on between you two." He walked toward her and took her  ice-cold hands into his own. "I could've handled it. I know how to be  professional. We could've been having fun instead of you brushing me off  this whole time. No one else would have known."

"Wait, what? What statement?"

"You didn't see it?" Bay shook her head mutely. "He said he was being  blackmailed, and he hired your firm just to have undercover protection  for a while. That you were there only for the job and there was no  relationship between you."

Bailey took the two steps needed to reach her couch and lowered herself  onto it. He'd done that? She couldn't figure out why he would. He'd said  to let it die down naturally, that he didn't want either of them to  talk to the media. "What else did he say?" she squeaked out between  frozen lips.

Mark sat beside her and rubbed her back. "I don't know. Something about  refusing to be bullied anymore. He said he respected you too much to  have your reputation ruined by the rumors going around," he admitted.

"He said that?"

"Something to that effect. I don't know. I was getting ready for work,  and the TV was on. I came down as soon as I got the gist." He glanced at  his watch. In spite of the million thoughts swirling in her mind, she  still had the time to consider that he was one of the few people she  knew who still wore a real watch instead of relying on a cell phone.  "Look, I don't have much time. I get off at eight tomorrow morning. Why  don't I bring you breakfast again?"

Bailey glanced up to see a suggestive smile playing across his face.  This had to stop. She had to tell him she couldn't do it anymore. This  wouldn't have been her preferred time or place, but now she didn't feel  she had a choice.

She put a hand on his knee. "Mark, you've been a great friend, and I  appreciate all you've done for me more than you know." His face fell,  but she forced herself to go on. "You helped me heal. You helped me find  my way when I was lost in the darkness after what my sister did. I know  I'm not whole, I'm not completely healed, not mentally and emotionally,  at least. But I think it's time for me to care for myself and not  depend on you to do it for me."

Mark frowned and stared at her hand still resting on his knee. "You're saying there's nothing between us?"

"Friendship. Affection. I hope we can still have those things," she clarified.

"But no relationship."

"No. I'm sorry, Mark. I simply don't love you, and it's not fair to either of us to continue with that."

"Is there really something going on between you and Parker? Be honest with me, Bay. You owe me that," he demanded.

Bailey paused before answering. "No," she said honestly. "We did have a  mutual attraction, at times. But mostly we got on each other's nerves."                       
       
           



       

"Then why the change?" He turned to face her then and grasped her hands  again, his eyes pleading. "I've waited so patiently, Bailey. Surely you  knew that. Surely you knew I cared about you. If it's not Parker, then  what is it?"

"This mess with Everett has caused a lot of problems in my life. While  I've been sitting here without a job, I've been forced to reconsider  everything. I have to make some changes if I expect my life to go  anywhere other than straight down the toilet."

He shook his head. "I don't see why we can't change your life together."

Bailey extracted her hands from his. "Look, I may not be ready right  now, but eventually I will want a relationship with someone. A real  relationship. With dates and flowers and maybe someday a family. I just  don't feel that for you. I want to be ready when the time comes and that  person comes along."

"All right." Mark scrubbed his head with his hands once more and stood. "I appreciate your honesty."

Bailey felt bad for what she'd just done to him. She wished it didn't  have to be this way. She stood too, watching him go. With his hand on  the door, he spoke without turning to face her. "I'll still be here,  Bay. Waiting. If you change your mind … " He left the sentence unfinished  as he turned the knob and left.





Chapter 18




‡


Bailey hurried into Halvard the next morning, anxious to get back to  work and hopefully to get her life back on track. Flannigan had called  not long after Mark left, telling her he would be glad to welcome her  back. So far, it seemed Everett had made the right move by releasing his  statement. The media was focusing on his blackmail and the bullshit  celebrities had to put up with. She, much to her relief, was just a  footnote, a blip on the radar, forgotten already.

Her colleagues patted her back and told her "great job" as she made her  way to the conference room for the morning briefing. Bailey smiled,  accepting their praise even though she didn't feel like she'd done  anything. This was what she'd missed-the comradery. She'd loved that  part of the Army, and until now, she hadn't felt it since. Maybe opening  up and getting to know people wasn't so bad after all. She'd have to  remember that the next time she slipped into the doldrums.

After the briefing, Flannigan once again called her into his office.  Bailey rolled her eyes skyward. She was beginning to feel like she was  back in grade school, always being called to the principal's office.  This time though, his usually stern face was smiling. He settled in the  chair behind his desk and gestured for her to take a seat too.

"Lennox, I want you to know how glad we are to have you back," he said.

"Thank you, sir. Very glad to be back."

"You did an amazing job, and from now on, you can have your pick of any of our assignments."

She wrinkled her brows. "I don't understand. Why is everyone  congratulating me? I didn't do anything. It was the easiest job I've  had. Other than dealing with the pain-in-the-butt Everett Parker."

Flannigan laughed. Not a chuckle or a hiccup of laughter. A full-blown  laugh. "You went from being persona non grata to our most requested  agent all because of how professional you were. When the photos came out  and the rumors started spreading, you didn't complain, you didn't deny  anything. You did nothing. Instead of acting unprofessionally, as  everyone was accusing you of, you were the ultimate professional. You  abided by the terms of your contract. Do you know how rare that is?"

"I was only doing my job," Bay protested. "It's what anyone would have done."

"That's where you're wrong. Lennox, everyone here respects the hell out  of what you did. I do apologize for putting you on leave. I should have  found other work for you to do instead of pushing you out like I did."

"You did what you thought best for the company. I understand that."

"See. That right there. That's why you are the best agent I've got. Even  when you're treated badly, you take it all in stride," Flannigan said.

Bailey didn't have a response to his compliment. She simply shook her  head. In a little over twelve hours, her life had turned completely  around. Right after she'd already decided to turn it around for herself.  Coincidences could be amazing sometimes.

Flannigan's intercom buzzed. He pushed the button and said, "Yes?"

"Mr. Flannigan, your visitor is here," the receptionist said.

"Send him in," he replied. He turned back to Bailey. "I wanted to ask  you if you were good with the assignment I gave you today. First  though … " A knock sounded on his door, and it opened without anyone  waiting for a response. Bailey jumped to her feet when Everett walked  through and the receptionist closed the door behind him.                       
       
           



       

Flannigan met Everett halfway into the room, holding out a hand for him  to shake. "Mr. Parker, so good to see you again. I'm very sorry to hear  about your blackmailer. Please let us know if there's anything we can do  to help you."