Page 39 of Vincent
"I have two orders for two different bakeries plus one for Kelly Takahashi's new restaurant and wanted to do the prep work. How are you?"
He wanted to tell her he missed her, but the words became lodged in his throat.
"You know. You wore me out."
"I think we wore each other out."
"I want to see you tomorrow."
There was a pause as he waited.
"How? You have David-"
"I can swing by right after work, move around some things, and be there by seven. I would have to leave by nine at the latest. What do you say?"
He heard her take a breath and waited impatiently.
"I would love that."
"Good," his breath whooshed out. "So, what are you wearing?" He smiled when she laughed again and proceeded to describe in detail the shirt she had on.
*****
He was in the news. She had just finished talking to her brother on the phone and was taking a breather and having a cup of tea in the living room. As soon as she turned the TV on, there he was, standing in front of the office buildings that his company was in the process of renovating.
Her heart did a complete flip as she stared at the man she had loved for most of her life. He looked so achingly handsome and absolutely powerful standing there. He was wearing a navy blue suit with a shell-pink shirt underneath. A pinstripe blue and pink tie completed the outfit. His long cashmere overcoat flapped around him in the stiff breeze, and his hair was slightly ruffled.
The reporters were bombarding him with questions. A svelte-looking blonde reporter asked if it were true that McDermot Enterprises had ousted hardworking men and women out of their office space in order to acquire the building.
"Bitch," Althea muttered, taking a sip of her coffee as she waited for his response.
"Does anyone have an intelligent question?"
His comment sent snickers through the throng of people with microphones shoved towards him, and the blonde had the grace to look ashamed.
"Our PR department, which is headed by my sister, has issued a statement denying all rumors surrounding the takeover of this building. The whispers floating around that it was a hostile takeover are just that, rumors. We've been in negotiation with the owners of the building for the past two years. It was just recently that we've managed to come to an amicable agreement, which both parties agree was a very fair offer. Now, if there are no more questions, I would like to conclude my tour of the property. If you have any more questions, please refer to the PR department. That will be all."
"Mr. McDermot, is it true that you're involved with the actress Bianca Lowe? You've been seen with her several times at different functions. And if so, will you be attending the premiere of her latest movie in December?"
Althea held her breath as she, along with the others, waited for his confirmation or denial.
But all he did was give the same blonde reporter a look that could pulverize rocks. "That would come under the heading of personal, and that's entirely off-limits. Good day." Without another word, he turned and entered the building with the men who had been waiting for him.
Putting down her cooling cup of coffee, Althea turned the TV off as they switched to commercial. She knew of the actress and could picture the stunningly beautiful brunette vividly. They were not exclusive, she reminded herself painfully, as she unfolded her legs and started pacing. They had spent one glorious weekend together. He had not made a commitment to her. Yes, he had called her last night and spent an hour talking, and this morning he expressed the wish to see her again.
But they were not exclusive. And the question about him seeing the actress reminded her that those were the women he was accustomed to being with. Actresses. High-profile women. She had no claim over him. It was just a wait-and-see deal.
He was the one calling the shots. She was the one hoping and praying that he would see her, finally see her and realize that they belonged together. And the waiting was agonizing. She had been waiting for years. When he hooked up with Lizzie, she had lost all hope and gone on her way and had tried to forget him.
When that did not happen, she had learned to live with it. Learned to live with the fact that she would never love another man the way she loved him. She had learned to accept that fact.But coming back home had given her fresh hope. But he was not ready. She sensed it.
Sitting back down, she scrubbed her hands over her face wearily. Her brother had urged her to move on, and she had tried. God knows she had tried her best. If he suddenly decided that he did not want to see her anymore, she would never be able to accept that. She was in too deep to turn back now.
*****
She busied herself making the flaky pastry. He had texted her half an hour ago to say he was on his way. She had texted back that she left the door unlocked and was in the kitchen.
Trying to ignore the shivers of excitement running up and down her spine, she concentrated fiercely on her task. She was making something new. Pomegranate, a hint of mint and cranberry. She had received double the orders from Kelly Takahashi and was trying to make an even bigger impression. The woman and her husband owned several hundred restaurants between the two of them, and she wanted to be able to supply to all of them. If that happened, it was going to be a daunting task, and she would really have to think about hiring one or two people.
