Chloe's Secret (5 page)

Chapter 8

On Wednesday, I skipped my trip to Mona’s horse carriage and worked through lunch. I wanted to get home early and take the motorcycle for another ride. I was getting more comfortable with it and hoped that I’d actually venture onto the freeway on Saturday.

I told myself I owed Dad that much, a concerted effort to use my inheritance, but I also was avoiding confronting my boss regarding my future role. He had been in an incredibly bad mood lately. I knew I should work harder toward the goal of my promotion, but it didn’t seem a day or two would make a difference since I’d already waited almost a year. I guess I hoped it would also improve the boss’ frame of mind if I waited to ask.

Bad Guess.

Friday evening, Mr. Connors, the boss in question summoned me. “Tess, can I see you in my office please?”

“Be right there.” I clip-clopped down the hallway, my shoes feeling as if filled with concrete.

“Shut the door please.” He peered over his black-framed reading glasses.

Uh-oh.

“I wanted to tell you before I informed the rest of the staff because I know you had your heart set on moving up into the manager’s role soon. Our budget has been cut by ten percent and we are eliminating all new positions, promotions, and raises this year. That also includes our performance awards that normally come in December.”

I guessed it could be worse. “Well, at least I’m not unemployed.”

He responded with a faltering smile. “True, for now. To be honest, we all need to be cognizant of our effectiveness and contributions to the company. As one of the younger members of our team, you especially need to concentrate on making a stronger, more dedicated commitment.”

“Are you telling me my job is in jeopardy?”

“No, I’m just telling you that I expect more from you. I need more going forward.”

I wanted to ask if working ten-hour days, along with weekends wasn’t enough, but I bit my tongue and excused myself. No promotion for me any time soon. I would need to find a different place to live, as there was no way to continue paying the rent along with the added motorcycle expenses for more than a few months. My savings had almost faded into oblivion. And the two words “for now” echoed in my brain, a definitive reminder that there was a possibility a new job may be needed soon.

I stayed an extra hour working, and breezed through a spreadsheet he’d asked for, dropped it in his inbox, and headed home. After all, I had no life anyway; why not spend Friday at the office? Ironically, he had left two hours earlier to rush to a golf “meeting”. When I pulled into my garage, the motorcycle dashed a blinding reflection at me from the waning sun behind.

“Okay, okay. I’ll be back in a minute.” Sure, I was talking to a piece of metal like it needed to go out and play, but who else did I have to talk to? I was stressed anyway so getting out for a while would probably help to calm my frustration over the job news. Maybe it would give time to develop a strategy as well.

I donned my gear, grabbed license, money, and keys and pulled out of the drive. A few trips around the neighborhood had me itching for a little more adventure. I decided to dine out and went back to the diner Colton took me to. I wasn’t so adventurous that I’d try parking somewhere I’d never been.

As soon as I walked in the door, Colton’s friend Abby waved and said something to the woman next to her.

“Decided to come in alone this time? Where’s Colton?”

I wondered if she always used his first name. “No idea. I guess he’s working.” I shouldn’t have come.

“Take a seat anywhere.” Her voice was chilly as she waved toward the booths. I did, and twenty minutes later I was still waiting to give my order. I had leafed through all the newspapers and advertisement rags that were nearby, and decided to give it up. I scooted toward the end of the booth just as warm legs pinned me and shoved me back, preventing an exit.

Colton.

“Going somewhere, lucky bird? You haven’t already eaten, have you?”

“No, actually, I was giving up on that. I’ve been here a while. They must be busy.” I glanced around at the empty booths surrounding us. Or not.

“Abby, get us a couple beers would you?” he called over his shoulder. “And menus.”
He
got a sickening sweet smile and nod.

“So, did gossip girl tell you I was here, or you just happened by?”

“I drive by here a lot. Though lately I’ve avoided the place. I saw the bike and thought it might be you. That okay?”

Abby brought the beers and he switched his attention to her. “What’s good tonight?”

She rattled off their specials and he ordered one, passed the single menu to me, and waited. I decided to play it safe and copy his order. She didn’t seem too interested in my satisfaction so if it didn’t look right, I was going to swap with him.

“I don’t think I should drink the beer. I’m not that good with the bike and I’d rather be fully aware.”

“No problem, maybe some other time.” He acted like this was going to be a regular thing and that made me nervous.

“Maybe.”

“So, I see the bike’s starting up okay now. Have you been out on it much?”

“This is my first time outside the neighborhood.”

He grinned and patted me on the back, reminding me that he was sitting
next
to me rather than across.
And
he’d dropped his arm across the back of the booth. “Wouldn’t you be more comfortable over there?” I pointed across the booth to the empty seat on the other side.

“Nah, this is fine. Am I bothering you?”

I shrugged. He didn’t move. I assumed it was all for show, more fodder for gossip. Maybe the first time hadn’t done the trick and he needed a little more fuel for the fire. The food came and we ate. He talked a little, not much, and I didn’t mind the silence. My day had been stressful and quiet was good. Actually just having him sit there helped the stress flow right out of me.

Until I looked out the window and saw that it was pitch dark. “Oh, great,” I muttered.

“What? Something wrong?”

“Yeah, it’s dark.”

He paused with his fork loaded and looked confused.

“I’ve never ridden in the dark.”

“Oh.” He nodded. His smile was coming more regular, which meant the flutter in my stomach was too. “I’ll follow you home. You’ll be fine and it’s not far anyway.”

Easy for him to say.

Later, I hated to admit, it but he had been right. I
was
fine. Still, he motored slowly behind and I understood then why I hadn’t heard him arrive at the restaurant. He drove a pickup truck instead of his Harley. He pulled in behind me and ambled up while I dismounted and took off my helmet.

“See, what’d I tell you? You’re a natural.”

I huffed at that. “I’ve never been a natural at anything in my life. I’ve always had to work twice as hard at anything I did just to be average. Thanks for being here though.”

“Any time.” The way he said it seemed to imply a lot more than just following me home that once. I stood there, a little uncomfortable because I wasn’t about to invite him in, but he wasn’t making any effort to leave. He just stood still; an awkward silence grew between us.

Then he leaned down and kissed me. It happened so abruptly that I just stared at him. Surprised.

“See ya, lucky bird.” He turned and went to his truck, whistling all the way.

Maybe I was okay with the nickname. But I was still keeping Mona’s secret from him and the twinge of guilt hit me again. It canceled out the tingle on my lips. Almost.

Colton didn’t regret the kiss, but he did regret not making it last longer. He could have. She was so shell-shocked he could have bent her over and sucked the life out of her for at least five minutes before she shook off the surprise. But that would have been taking advantage, and well, it went against his upbringing.

His cell rang twice on the way home, but he ignored it. By the ring tone, he knew it was his clinic and they were closed for the evening. The emergency number was on the message so whoever called would get it. Tonight, he had assigned one of his staff to take calls so he could rest. He’d had too many sleep-interruptions lately and fatigue was wearing him down. He just hoped his roommate was out. He’d had about all he could stand of her prancing around in practically nothing and leaving underwear and bras in the bathroom. The roommate thing was a mistake. Another piece of bad advice from a friend.

When he got home and the phone rang again, he decided to pick up. And wished he hadn’t.

“Where do you get off doing that?” a very familiar, sultry voice chastised.

“Tess?”

“That’s right. Who do you think you are?” She sounded angry.

“How’d you know I would answer?” Colton stalled.

“I didn’t but I don’t know any other way to find you. Your clinic’s in the phonebook. So?” He heard tapping in the background.

“What’s bothering you?”

“You—kissed me.”

“Yeah. So?” He remembered that she had leaned into him for a very brief second, apparently before her common sense kicked in and her eyes popped open. In surprise. His feeling was pretty much the same, a quick jolt of
wow, where did that come from?

“I didn’t ask you to do that, and what made you think it was—”

“You’re mad about that?” He stood in the middle of his bedroom, staring at the sheets he so wanted to climb into.

“Yes.”

“Don’t get all riled up. It wasn’t a big deal, besides unless I’m totally clueless, you seemed a little—involved, too. Or at least, I thought so at the time. Call me stupid, but it was just a spur of the moment whim.”

He remembered how she looked on the motorcycle, following behind, and how her shirt had loosened from the waist of her jeans and flapped in the wind. It had revealed the golden skin and the trim curve of her waist. When she got off, she looked all rosy-cheeked and excited. Even inviting. He rubbed his eyes. “Tess?”

She was silent. He wondered if she had no idea what to say or maybe just fumed to the point speech wasn’t possible.

“You looked awful cute on the bike tonight,” he said.

He heard a weird squeak on the other side and the phone went dead. Guess that comment didn’t go over well either. Just when he thought she’d thawed a little, she had gone all cold again. Still, she’d enjoyed the ride, maybe the dinner too. Guess he should have just left it at that. Too late for second thoughts. He didn’t leave it and he figured he’d kiss her again, given the chance. He dropped his clothes on the floor and climbed into the welcoming sheets.

It took less than thirty seconds to fall asleep. Unfortunately, his sleep was about as restless as if he’d skipped it. He woke feeling nearly as worn out as the night before, with a half-naked roommate standing over him.

“Do you think you could manage to put the seat down in the bathroom once in a while?” She stood holding a towel that she’d pulled from her hair.

“Do you think you could put some clothes on and get your undies
out
of the bathroom?”

“I have clothes on and I hang them there to dry so they won’t drip on the floor. You don’t have a dryer.”

“I don’t have a washer either but that doesn’t stop you. All you have to do is take a trip to the Laundromat.” Colton rubbed his eyes and looked at the clock on his phone. He groaned. “I need to get to work. You mind getting out of here?”

He was more tired now than before, and frustrated too. He blamed Tess. With that flaming red hair and equally hot attitude, she seemed to dominate his thoughts without his consent. He didn’t know why it mattered, but he intended to respond to her outburst of the night before. She had blown it out of proportion. So, he did something much more mature and refined than her tantrum. Something that would deal with her anger in a completely adult way.

He left a note on her door while she was at work.
In case you want to kill me with kindness again, here’s my direct number 215-740-4432.

At least she wouldn’t leave any more furious messages on his clinic’s voicemail.

Three weeks later, Colton had decided that Tess had a few habits that were attractive. She had gained a real interest in Grams and was now a regular customer. He never asked about it when he saw her last because she seemed reluctant to talk. Grams had become a fan; said she asked a lot of questions and was real sweet. Yeah, right. He’d like to see that side of her.

She also frequented the café on Wednesday evenings, which made it easy to just drop in and get a glimpse.

According to his not-so-favorite grapevine-managing waitress, she had been there the past two Wednesdays. He’d caught up with her the first time, but not last week. He still had a bit of a burn from her scolding and blew it off.

Tonight however, Colton ended up at the café completely by accident. His dad had called and wanted him to meet for pie. Since he hadn’t seen him in a while, Colton chose not to argue locations and just showed up.

“So, you must come in here a lot.” Jack apparently noticed the nods.

“They feed me for free sometimes. Half the people in here own dogs or cats that have been patients over the past couple of years.”

“You talked to your mom, lately?” Wow, they’d been there all of five seconds. Colton hated the way his dad still pined over her. She left him; didn’t he get that? He just made it worse by asking. He should have moved on years ago. It infuriated Colton that his dad’s side of the family handled relationships so badly. Grams hadn’t been much better. If it hadn’t been for the horses, she’d never have made it through his grandfather’s death. And maybe if his own dad hadn’t been so clingy, his mom wouldn’t have left. He had pretty much suffocated her. Grams had always reminded him the only thing a person can hope to leave behind in life was their love for others. To Colton, that was what held them back from reaching their full potential. His father’s continued devotion to a wife that deserted him proved the point.