Mixing Business With Pleasure (Love Conquers All Book 2) (5 page)

“Bruce,
there is no relationship.  Don’t you get that?  I…”

He held up his hand and quieted her.  “You keep saying that, but I think it’s convincing otherwise.  I have always been attracted to you and thought that we could make a pretty good match.  I don’t want to pressure you; that’s not my intention.  The choice is entirely up to you.”

“So, you still stand by this is the only option?”

He shrugged.  “I do, but it’s still up to you.”
  Tiffany looked away, her blood was boiling.  She felt his finger trace a line under her chin and then he lifted her chin so that they could kiss.  His kiss deepened, but it didn’t change the fact that she was fulfilling a duty.  He moaned slightly and she cringed when his tongue swept a line across hers.  “You taste so good,” he whispered.  Her eyes looked down as he inched closer to her and covered her mouth was his once more.  He gently pushed her towards the couch and she landed on the soft cushion, his lips never left hers.  She tried to think about anything, but him with his hands grasping her. 

As his hand slowly entered her shirt, he was on top of her.  She felt his hand gently squeeze her breast.  Without considering the consequences, she pushed him off of her.  “I can’t do this.”

His wide-eyed expression showed that he wasn’t pleased.  “You’ll be sorry Tiffany.”

She grabbed her purse and stared at him.  “The only thing I would be sorry about is if I let you bully me into doing something I don’t want to do.  You can throw all the threats at me and I’ll stand by my decision.”

“You would risk your job and everything you have worked so hard for?”

“If it means having my dignity, then yes.”

She reached the door as he laughed.  “I didn’t think you had any dignity.”

She shook her head as she left the house and slammed his door behind her.  Once
outside she looked at his driveway.  She realized she had no way home and it was a good hour drive to her house.  She headed towards the direction that she knew was going home and the tears began to fall.  She spotted a gas station a block away and she sat down on the nearby bench.  She pulled out her phone and thought about the people she could call.  She didn’t have any girl friends and the guys all would want something in return.  She considered Robert, but even he would want to end the night making out and she wasn’t in the mood. Her fingers dialed the numbers; she was shaking just thinking about what could have happened earlier.  When he answered the phone, she felt a tear fall on her cheek.  “I have no one else to call.”

“Tiffany, what’s going on?”

“I need a ride.”  The tears stung her eyes as she gave him the location.   She knew it was the right thing to do, but now she was putting everyone in the fire.

__________________

His heart clenched when he heard her crying on the other end of the phone.  He quickly hung up and drove to the place where she had directed him.  He saw her at the gas station; it was clear that she was still shaken.  He jumped out of his car and rushed to the bench.  “Tiffany?”

She looked up; her eyes were red and puffy and it took every ounce of his being not to grab her and promise her the world.  “Thanks for coming Matt.”

He sat down on the bench and reached for her hand.  She didn’t pull away, which was a relief to him.  “What happened?”

“I don’t want to talk about it.”

He knew it had something to do with Bruce, but his mind was thinking about all the possibilities.  “Okay, but he didn’t hurt you; did he?”

She shook her head.  “Not physically; I wouldn’t let him.”

He let out a slow breath, relieved to hear that.  “Let’s get you home.”

She was shaky when she walked
; so he placed a hand on her lower back to guide her.  “Thank you!”  She replied softly as she got into the car.

He closed his eyes; he knew that he would have gone over to Bruce’s house and throttled him if he would have harmed her in any way.  He wasn’t so sure that
that wasn’t still a possibility.  After about 15 minutes of driving to her house he saw that she was asleep.  He knew it was best to let her rest.  He heard the gentle sound of her snoring and it brought a smile to his face.  Tiffany came off as being a person that didn’t want stability, but he could see right through her.  She just needed to find the person that would make her believe it; even if it wasn’t him.  When they pulled in her driveway, he almost hated to wake her.  She looked so peaceful, but he knew that she wouldn’t want to sleep in his car the rest of the night.  He gently placed a hand on her shoulder, as not to startle her.  “Tiffany, your home.”

“Hm…” she moaned.

“Tiffany, it’s time to wake up.”  Her eyes slowly opened and she looked around.  “We’re here at your house.”

She opened the door and he rushed to the other side of her.  Just in case she was to need the help.  As she fumbled with her key, he placed a hand on hers and she pulled back.  He unlocked the door and they entered the house.  “Thanks for bringing me home.”

“It’s no problem; I was glad to do it.”  She smiled timidly and he quickly looked away. 

“Well, I better get going.  You have a good night’s sleep.”

“Wait!”  Tiffany spoke, right before he walked out into the cool air.  “Will you stay?  Just for a minute.”  He stared at her as their eyes connected and he didn’t know that it was the best idea but he agreed.  “I could make some coffee.”  She started to head towards the kitchen, but she started to sway.  He hurried to her side and steadied her.  “I think I had too much to drink.  I’m dizzy and I have a headache.”

He helped her walk to the couch and she slowly sat down.  “You sit; I’ll make the coffee.”  He hurried to the kitchen and looked around the room; surely he could find the stuff he needed.  He then took his eyes back to the living room, where Tiffany appeared to be lost in thought.  She had been drinking because she was worried about being with Bruce and he felt it was
his entire fault.  He figured there should have been something he could have done to stop him.  It was too late to worry about that; he would work on it Monday.

___________________

Tiffany was thinking about Bruce and how the night had ended; she knew he would go to the boss’ and there was nothing she could do about that.  She almost didn’t notice Matt enter the room and hand her a cup of coffee.  “Thank you,” she mumbled as she slowly began to drink it.

“Do you have any aspirin?” 

She looked up at him and smiled.  It was nice that he wanted to protect her, but she didn’t need his help.  She didn’t even know why she asked him to stay.  “You don’t have to baby me.”

“I’m not babying you.”  He looked hurt in that instant and she knew he was only trying to help.  “I just figured you could us
e it; that’s all.”

“It’s in the medicine cabinet in the bathroom down the hall.”  He hurried to retrieve the medicine and she took another drink of coffee.  “Thank you!”  He handed her the water and pills and she quickly took the medicine.  She went back to enjoying the hot liquid before she looked at him.  “He’s going to tell on Monday; I just thought you should know.”

“What?”  Matt’s expression was with lack of concern as he just drank intently his coffee.

“Bruce, he is going to tell the board members on Monday about us.”

Matt shook his head.  “There is no us and they will see that.  I’m not concerned and you shouldn’t be either.”

Tiffany chuckled.  “Yeah, well I’m sure Bruce will be pretty convincing.  I didn’t give him what he wanted; he isn’t going to let that fly.”

“Tiffany, I like you.  You’re a great woman to hang around and I enjoy your company.  What about you?”

She looked away at his prying eyes.  “If it was only that simple.  I told you that we couldn’t be
friends, which nothing good would come of that.”

“Something good has come of it.”

She was confused, “What do you mean?”

“
I get to spend time with you; that’s all that matters.”  She felt her heart skip a beat and her head spin; she didn’t think it was from the alcohol.  “If they have to look into our relationship to see that the only thing is a mutual friendship, then let them.  I’m not worried about what they will find.”

“I guess I’m just apprehensive.
  I didn’t want you to get pulled into this.  It all stemmed from that stupid wedding invitation.  I’m sorry that I invited you.”

“Tiffany, I’m not.  I had a great time and I got to know you better.  We can’t worry about every little thing.  You called me today; that should tell you something.”

“Yeah, it tells me that I’m not bright.  I should have called a cab; every little thing we do could be thought up as more than just friendship.”

“Tiffany, who cares?
  It’s a stupid rule anyway; maybe they’ll look into it and decide that this isn’t the ice ages and people should be allowed to be with anyone they choose.“

She didn’t expect that to happen, but it was a nice thought.  He grabbed the two empty mugs and took them out to the
kitchen.  She waited for him to come back into the living room, but it was longer than she expected.  “What are you doing out there?”

He finally came back in and smiled.  “Just thinking.”

“About?”

“Many things, but I guess most importantly is that I’m not going to allow Bruce to ruin your life.  If he gets to the board and they’re foolish enough to listen, we’ll make them see otherwise.  If we can’t; then I will walk away.”

“Walk away from our friendship?”

He laughed.  “No; I will walk away from my job.  I have found a job before and I can do it again.”

“I wouldn’t want you to sacrifice your career; not for me.”

“I wouldn’t want to work there, knowing that I helped to get you fired.  So, this would be the only way.”

Tiffany covered her face and within moments she felt his arm around her shoulders.  “Look at me Tiff.”  She slowly looked at him; she couldn’t deny the slight pitter patter of her heart.  “If it comes to that, I’m okay.”

She nodded. “You are too good to me.  I don’t deserve that.”

He grinned.  “You deserve so much more, but unfortunately you don’t see that.”

She looked away; his arm still intact with her shoulder.  “I should be getting some sleep.”

He stood up, taking his cue and headed to the door.  “Tomorrow, spend the day with me.”

Tiffany laughed.  “
I thought you had plans tomorrow.”

“You know that was a lie.  I just was hurt you went out with Bruce.  Just please spend the day with me.”

“Yes, because that would be a way to make them see there’s nothing going on.”

“I didn’t say the night, I said the day.”

She shook her head.  “It still wouldn’t be practical.  Besides, why do you want to spend the day together?”

“I just thought we could have lunch out and then go to a movie, maybe a walk in the park, and I still owe you that Spaghetti.”

“A walk in the park?  A little romantic, wouldn’t you say?”

“Okay fine; we can skip the park.”
  Tiffany chuckled, the look on his face showed he was trying to be nice.  “I was thinking it’s over and done with.  If Bruce is going to talk, what does it matter what we do tomorrow?  We can’t change his mind.”

Tiffany had to agree; he had a point.  “Okay, I would love to spend the day with you.  I’ll be at your place about 1:00?”

“Sounds perfect.  See you then.”  He left the house; leaving Tiffany confused, but feeling better.  She didn’t allow Bruce to have his way and Matt appeared to still want to be friends.  She was just going to have to let the board see that they weren’t doing anything wrong.  They would understand; they just had to.

When Tiffany made her way to Matt’s apartment, she began to second guess what they were doing.  She made the decision that she was going to stop by, thank him, and then kindly excuse herself.  She would make him realize that they needed to steer clear of each other until after Monday.  They then could pick up a friendship; if he still wanted that.  She knocked on his door and nervously waited outside.  When he answered his smile was welcoming.  However, it slowly faded as Tiffany just stood there.  “Hey; what’s up?”  He grabbed her hand and pulled her into the apartment.

“I appreciate the offer Matt; really I do.  It’s just that I thought about it all night and came to the conclusion we are being foolish.  I don’t want you to lose your job, anymore than I want to lose mine.  So, we need to let them see that there is absolutely nothing to the rumors…including a friendship.”

“Wait a minute!”

Tiffany stopped from leaving, but her eyes were lowered to the ground.  “I just think its best.”

She jumped when he placed a single finger under her chin.  He raised
her head and she looked into his eyes.  “I am not going to give you the option to leave.  You are here; I have an awesome day planned, if I do say so myself, and we are going to spend it together.  She started to argue, but he put a finger to her mouth.  “Just forget about it.”  He then released her chin and pulled back so that she could enter the room.  She was still maintaining the idea that it wasn’t a good idea; she just didn’t want to hurt his feelings.

“Okay, but if I become uncomfortable…I’m out of here.”

He laughed.  “Fair enough.”

“I’ll just be a minute and we’ll go to lunch.  I have some things to get at the grocery store too; I hope you don’t mind.”  She shook her head as she looked around the small apartment.  He didn’t have many decorations, but what he did own was definitely guy oriented.  She looked at a picture on the wall; tracing it with her fingers.  “That’s Tabitha.”  She was startled, as he entered the room.

“I didn’t mean to stare; she’s a beautiful little girl.”

He nodded.  “She takes after her mother.”  Tiffany heard the sadness in his voice and she wondered if he
was really over losing Suzanne and her daughter.  “I’m ready; I have the list and my wallet and I’m rearing to go.”

“Where are we going?”

“I thought we could go to Frank’s Cafe, if that’s alright.”

Tiffany smiled.  “Sure.
”  She was thankful that it would just be a casual sit down and she was dressed accordingly.

As he drove to the restaurant they listened to a soft country ballad and Tiffany watched him.  He was singing along and she couldn’t help but smile.  “What?” 

“I don’t know.  I guess I was just thinking I didn’t picture you the Country type.”

“Is that right?  How did you picture me?”

She shrugged.  “I don’t know; more like Maroon 5 or Train.  Something more Pop; just not Country.”

“Do you have a problem with my music?”

“Actually, quite the contrary.  I like Country; I just didn’t think you would.”

“When you live in Wyoming, you have two options.  Either listen to Country, or turn off the radio.”

Tiffany laughed.  “Is that so?”

He nodded.  “True story.”

She shook her head; she knew he was teasing her.  It felt good to laugh.  He pulled his car into the parking lot and she took a slow breath.  She was ready to forget about anything that happened the previous night and just try to enjoy herself.  He opened the door for her and she smiled.  “Thank you!”

“It’s good to see you smile.”  They walked into the restaurant and she glanced at him.  “It brightens your whole face.”

She was caught off guard by his nice remarks.  She just hoped he realized their day was strictly friends hanging out and nothing would change her mind on that respect.  The restaurant wasn’t busy and that made Tiffany relax and she was more in her element.  She didn’t want to risk seeing someone she knew.  They ordered quickly and then went onto the easy conversation that flowed between them.  “So, I’m going to ask you some tough questions.”

He looked scared, but then
giggled.  “Okay.”

“I know about Suzanne and her daughter being a staple in your life; has there been anyone else?”

He took a long drink of his water and then slowly shrugged.  “I guess not.  I attempted at dating after we broke off the engagement; I just never found anyone special enough to take that leap with.”

“Do you find you’re still in love with her?”  When she asked the question she could see the shock in his face and she regretted saying anything.  “You don’t have to answer that.  I don’t know what made me become so forward; it’s none of my business. I just saw the picture of Tabitha and it made me wonder.”  She looked away and he started to chuckle.  “Please…say something.  Did I totally turn you off of wanting to do this today?”

“Tiffany, you crack me up.”

“Okay; that’s not exactly the response I was expecting.”

“You didn’t turn me off at all.  I don’t mind talking about it; really.  It’s just you were doing a wonderful job doing the talking; I didn’t want to interrupt.”

She was sure she was red, because she was so embarrassed.  “Well, you don’t have to tell me.  I was just being noisy.”

“It’s fine.  The fact is I think it helps to talk things out.”  He paused for a moment and then began.  “Actually, I will probably always have a love for Suzanne.  She was a huge part of my life for a few years and it would be wrong not to still care for her.  Plus, when she brought Tabitha into my life…well, I was finally complete.  So, to answer your question…I suppose I do still love her.”

Tiffany felt awkward as he was discussing Suzanne.  She thought for the first time that it would be nice to have a loving relationship.  “I’m sure she’s a very special woman.”

“She is.  It’s just that even though I may always have these feelings for her, I know that it wouldn’t have worked out.  We were two different people and if she wasn’t willing to work on the problems, it wasn’t worth it.”

“Do you ever just want to call her up and ask her why?”

He shook his head.  “My feelings are resolved for her and if she moves on…I would be happy.”

The waiter arrived with their food and Tiffany began to slowly eat.  She couldn’t tell if he was
being truthful, but she was sure that she was beginning to see him in a different light.

__________________

Matt caught him several times staring at her; he felt so at ease when talking to her.  He hadn’t shared that connection with anyone; accept Suzanne.  He didn’t realize how much he missed it.  “You’re staring again,” she laughed; immediately bringing him back to attention. 

“I’m sorry.”  He looked down at his food and acted like he was in
trigued with what he was eating.  He enjoyed hearing her laugh, but it caused way too many emotions for him.

“No need to apologize; it was just an observation.”  She snickered as they continued to eat.  The silence was deafening and he looked up to make sure she was still sitting at the table.

She was now staring at him.  “Now, who’s the one staring?”  He asked; hoping she knew he was teasing.

“
Touché.  I was just thinking.  I am having a great time.”

“You doubted it?”  He asked, pretending to be hurt.

“Well, for a second.  Clearly I am irrational.”  Her light-heartedness was refreshing and he grinned.  They were back to their easy bantering as they finished their food and he grabbed the check.  “Thanks for the offer, but you don’t have to pay my way.  I needed this, as much as I think you did.”

“Nonsense; I’ve got it.” 

“Really Matt, you don’t have to.”  She tried to argue, but he just pushed her away.  They were walking to the cashier, when he noticed Tiffany staring at a guy.

“Someone you know?”  He asked; her eyes never swayed from the man and woman at table.

“Someone I used to know.”  She replied quietly as she looked from the man and woman, then back to the man.

At that moment the man looked up and his eyes got big as he stood up from the table.  He said something to the woman and then
walked over to where Tiffany and Matt were standing.  “Tiffany, right?”

Tiffany nodded.  “Hi Chad.”

“How have you been?”  Matt tried to ignore the conversation as he paid the bill, but he could hear what they were saying.

“I’ve been good.  I see that you have too.” 

Matt saw his head turn back to the table and a sheepish grin crossed his face.  “Yeah; you could say that.”

“How far a long is she?”

“She’s about 6 months.”  The quiet was loud as neither one said anything.  Then Chad was the next to speak.  “So, I hear Cassie got married?”

“She did; just
last week.  Are you?”

Matt walked back to the duo, that was still in conversation; as awkward as it seemed.  “No, we’re not married.  We thought maybe the first of the year.”

“I wish you the best.”  Tiffany then turned to Matt; “We better be going.  It was good seeing you Chad.  I hope you guys are happy.”  She turned away, but he stopped her. 

“I know what you’re thinking and you have it all wrong.”

“I doubt that, but it doesn’t matter.  You’re happy and Cassie’s happy and that’s what counts.”

He nodded.  “Agreed.  Will you at least tell Cassie that I’m sorry and that
I said hello?”

Tiffany smiled, but Matt knew it was forced.  “I will.”  She then grabbed Matt’s hand and pulled him down the aisle and out the restaurant.

Once outside he turned to her.  “Who was that?”

“Chad; he used to date Cassie.  That is before he cheated on her with the woman that he was in the restaurant with.”

“Oh; I see.”  He let out a whistle.  “Now she’s pregnant.”

“Yep and Cassie found out about his affair probably right about the time she conceived.”  She turned to him and he noticed a different light about her.  She appeared irritated and annoyed with him.  “Men, they’re all the same; can’t trust any of them.”  She got back in his car and he stared at her.  He tried to object, but she wouldn’t look at him.  He closed the door and went over to the other side.  He thought they had
broken through a barrier, but after seeing Chad it seemed like any hope of them ever having a relationship was gone.

___________________

Tiffany didn’t want to continue the date; not after learning about Chad and his mistress Monica.  She didn’t mean to take it out on Matt, but he was the only one there.  She waited for him as he ran into the store to get the ingredients for his Spaghetti; she didn’t want to mention that she had Italian the night before; it was easiest to let it rest.  When he came back out to the car, he looked at her.  “I understand why you’re upset.  You think that Monica and Chad have always had a loving relationship; even while he was with Cassie.  That’s probably not the case.  He didn’t look like a man in love; he looked like someone that was being forced to be there.  Cassie is happy; does it really matter if he is now with someone else?”  She knew he had a point.  Cassie clearly wasn’t meant to be with him; she was supposed to be with Seth.  However, Tiffany was too stubborn to take that into consideration.  He put the car into drive and pulled away from grocery store.  She sensed the awkwardness between them growing and she knew that before the night was over she had to fix that.  “So, do you want to do anything else before we go back to my place?”

She shook her head no and he kept driving.  She didn’t know what they were going to do for the next several hours, but she was sure it wasn’t going to be fun.