The Devil She Knew(34)

Suzie stared at Marianna's outstretched hand, her heart thumping. If she  owned half the business, she'd have equal say in the decisions they  made. She could make any dish she wanted and redesign the menu.

It was everything she'd wanted. No, more than that. It was everything  she needed. If she could make the business a success, it would change  how she felt about herself. She'd never feel second best again.

It would mean giving up Nate, and that sacrifice would be terrible. But  what was the alternative? Did she really want to turn up in New York,  homeless and jobless, and ask him to take her in?

Running her own business, she could finally become the person she wanted  to be. Once she was successful, she wouldn't have to be in anyone's  shadow.

Yes, an equal partnership was what she needed. Both in business, and  with Nate. And she'd never feel like his equal if she didn't have the  courage to deal herself an Ace.

Still, reaching out to put her hand in Marianna's was almost unbearably  painful. It was the right thing to do, but knowing what she was giving  up still hurt like hell.

Marianna grinned at her as they shook. "Good choice, partner. I'll get  some papers drawn up for you to sign, then we'll start making plans,  okay? I hope you're ready to put your head down and work hard, because  we've got a crap-ton to do. Next step, world domination."

Suzie nodded and managed a twisted smile. "This is going to be great,"  she said. It would be good, she promised herself. It would be enough.





24





Suzie juggled a giant plate of calamari in one hand and an equally  enormous plate of salmon twists in the other. The twists were her own  recipe, and the salmon tasted sensational layered with a very tart goat  cheese, capers, and lemon. It had been a huge hit with all their clients  so far, and hopefully today's catered lunch would be no different. But  right now, all she cared about was getting the damn things into the  elevator and not decorating the fancy tiled floor with salmon and cheese  splatters.

"Please, Ma'am, allow me." A uniformed man took the plate of calamari  from her and held the elevator door open so she could get in. This  apartment building was even swankier than she'd realized. She'd never  been to a place with an elevator attendant before.

"The penthouse?" he asked, pushing the button without waiting for an answer. He'd obviously been told to expect her.

"To the top," she agreed with a smile.

When he smiled back, her heart lurched. His smile was crooked. For a  moment, regret stabbed her heart so sharply she couldn't breathe. Nate  had told her he loved her, so why was she still in L.A?

Suzie turned her face to the wall, not wanting the attendant to see her  eyes well up. She blinked furiously, then gripped the plate of salmon  twists with one hand so she could put the back of her other hand to her  nose. If she sniffed, he'd know she was trying not to cry. This way, he  might just think she was about to sneeze.

Missing Nate was awful, because it hit her so hard at awkward moments.  Crying in the privacy of her own home was fine. But here, in this  millionaire's hotel where she was about to deliver lunch to a brand new  client? Not okay.         

     



 

"Are you alright, Ma'am?"

"Fine." She forced a smile, feeling the tears recede. "A touch of hay fever, that's all."

He stared at her with a little frown, probably wondering what could have  triggered a hay fever attack in a gleaming tile-and-mirror elevator.

Thank goodness, the elevator glided to a stop and the doors opened. The  attendant stepped out with the plate of calamari, and used a swipe card  to open the only door on that landing.

"Go right in," he said, holding the door open with his shoulder. "The kitchen is through there."

She put the salmon twists down onto a long, shining kitchen bench. He put the calamari next to it, then nodded and went out.

The apartment was quiet, so the guests must not have arrived yet. No  sign of the host, either. Not that she was about to go sneaking around  the enormous penthouse apartment to find the client. Besides, she'd  better run. She had more cooking to do.

Still, she stepped out of the kitchen and into the plush living room for  a moment, to look out the enormous windows at the stunning view of LA.  One day, she was going to own a place like this. Business was already  booming, so why not dream big?

Only …  it was quiet in here. And empty.

In fact, it felt just as empty as her place did when she cried herself  to sleep at night. Who knew she could miss anybody this much? Wasn't it  supposed to have stopped hurting by now?

Though the business was going better than her wildest dreams, maybe  she'd made the wrong decision. Perhaps she should have gone to New York.

She sucked in a deep breath and let it out again.

Too late now. The deal was done. The card was dealt. She had an Ace in  her hand and all she had to do was to stop feeling like she'd drawn the  Joker.

"Suzie."

The voice came from behind her and she turned.

A man was standing in the doorway.

Nate.

She wanted to run over and throw her arms around him, but she was frozen. Her heart had stopped beating.

"What are you doing here?" She sounded breathless. Maybe it was because he was gorgeous enough to empty any woman's lungs.

"I was hoping you'd agree to have lunch with me."

"Lunch?" Whatever she'd been expecting him to say, that wasn't it. Had he turned up in LA to take her to lunch?

"I want to apologize."

"What for?"

He stepped forward and she saw he was holding a small box. "I have a gift for you. But you can open it later. After lunch."

She shook her head, confused. The conversation wasn't making sense. "What is it?"

He put the box down on the coffee table and moved toward her. "I should  have asked you if you wanted to go with the Coast Guard when we were on  the yacht."

"I forgive you." That felt like a long time ago. What did it matter now?

He took her arms. His touch filled her lungs and loosened her chest. He was really here. It was really him.

"I've missed you," he murmured. "You've made me rethink a few of my rules. The ‘no apologies' one for starters."

She stared into his eyes. She hadn't drunk any champagne, but she had  bubbles in her stomach as though she'd downed a whole bottle.

"And the one about not wanting a relationship," he continued. "Just  because I can't stop bad things from happening, I'm not going to close  myself off from good things. Like spending my life with you." His hands  ran down her arms. "I know you're not sure, because you have no idea how  incredible you are and how lucky any man would be to get to wake up  with you each morning. But I intend to change your mind about that. I  want to be with you. And if it takes me forever, I'm going to talk you  into it. Wear you down, like Harrison did with Nancy."

She felt her mouth drop open. He still thought she didn't want to be with him?

He pushed her curls back from her face, brushing his fingers across her  cheek. "I love you," he said. "And I'll tell you that every day until I  change your mind about-"

"Iloveyoutoo." It came out too fast, so it sounded like one word. She gulped down a breath and tried again. "I love you too."

His crooked smile dawned over his face like the sun breaking over a  brand new day. Then he pulled her close. His lips were soft against  hers. Every minute of every day since they'd parted, she'd imagined  kissing him. Now it was finally happening. And suddenly she was smiling  against his mouth, her heart too big for her chest.

She wanted to laugh. Or to grab him and swing him around in circles. The way she felt, she could probably do it.

"Suzie," he murmured, his hands on her face. "I want us to be together."         

     



 

"I do too." Right now, she was ready to give up everything if it meant getting to kiss him some more. "I could go to New York."

"Don't do that. I signed a deal with the car people. We're building a prototype here in LA."

She blinked, wondering if she'd misunderstood. "You're moving here?"

"Only until the research and development part of the process is done.  Once we're past the prototype stage, we'll need to move to one of their  manufacturing plants." He grinned. "But we can cross that bridge when we  come to it. See? My rules have changed."

She couldn't help but laugh. "What else has changed? Have you rethought your no kids rule too?"

"How many do you want? Half a dozen?"

"I haven't decided whether I want any yet."

"Well, I definitely think six is too many. They wouldn't fit in my car."

The realization of what he was telling her was starting to fizz through  her veins like fireworks. He wasn't holding back on anything. He'd  committed himself, and how could she feel like she wasn't good enough  for him, when he was looking at her like that?

Surely there had to be some catch. Life couldn't get this good, could  it? It was too much. A lump was forming in her throat and tears were  rising.