Uneven Exchange (9 page)

Daniela’s hair was loosely secured, with soft tendrils surrounding her face and lightly brushing against her neck. The slightly tousled look only enhanced her beauty. Armando stared helplessly, his mouth open.

She stopped directly in front of him and held out a cocktail napkin. Armando could feel her perfume penetrating his body. Slowly, he accepted the napkin.

“Sssshhhh,” she whispered, while gently placing a finger over her full parted lips when he started to speak. Then she turned and seductively sauntered away.

Without breathing, Armando visually followed the languid sway of her hips as Daniela walked through the restaurant and toward the front exit. When she finally stepped beyond their view, Conner gasped, “Wow!”

Armando remained breathless as he continued to grip the folded napkin.

“Well,” Conner pressed, “open it. What did she write?”

Still in a trance, Armando unfolded the napkin and placed it on the table. The only writing was a telephone number.

“Double wow,” Conner said. “Be still my heart!”

“My heart is not the problem.”

“Then it’s a good thing we’re leaving in the morning.”

“Morning might not be soon enough,” Armando moaned. “I can still smell her perfume!”

Conner inhaled deeply. “Oh man, me too. Did you see her skirt?”

“Who could miss it?” Armando exhaled loudly before asking, “Now how am I ever going to make it through the night? It’s going to be even more difficult knowing she’s right next door.”

“How about taking a cold shower?” Conner suggested.

Disappointed, Armando nodded in agreement. “Cold shower it is.”

CHAPTER NINE

TRUTH BE TOLD

Old Town, San Diego, California

Jake

Jake Taylor leaped up the outside stairs to his office, taking them two at a time until he reached the second-floor landing. Their firm occupied the large corner suites of an adobe-style building, originally built in the middle eighteen hundreds, then refurbished in 1974.

Before entering, he paused to stare vacuously at the bronze plate bearing their company name,
The Daniel Cole Company
. With a light touch, he traced the four letters of Alexandra’s middle name, remembering the day they’d decided to join forces.

Alexandra had worked as an interior decorator for a local home builder, with a contract due to expire at the completion of the project, and only three homes were left for sale in the project.

Jake had run an independent architectural business out of his home. Things were going well for him, and business was steady, but something was missing. He longed for interaction with coworkers but had no desire to return to the corporate world.

He’d then met Alexandra through the referral of a friend when she hired Jake to draw the plans for her personal home remodel, and from the moment they began working together, they seemed to agree on every detail. Alexandra wanted to update her Coronado home while maintaining the integrity of its classic history. Jake found it a joy to work with someone who wanted to improve a home rather than completely change its character. For both of them, joining their related talents and opening a business together felt perfect.

They’d cemented their decision on a glorious Saturday morning. Just after eight, Jake met Alexandra for coffee at a local establishment across the street from the Hotel Del Coronado in the city of Coronado. As usual, especially on a weekend, the popular coffeehouse was alive with activity. Alexandra had snagged one of the last empty tables while Jake stood in line to place their order. Over coffee and warm blueberry muffins, the Daniel Cole Company was born.

They’d had fun trying to come up with a name. They toyed with every combination of Alex and Daniel, from the Danlex Company to Aledan. Yet nothing sounded quite right until they thought of using Alexandra’s middle name. It fit perfectly with Daniel and was a great way to also honor Alexandra’s grandfather.

Finding the ideal location had been difficult until they looked into the Old Town area. It was the original location of San Diego’s business center, and most of the buildings along the main street had already been declared historical sites. They hoped their creativity would be stimulated by such a magnificent display of superior craftsmanship.

Jake returned to the present with a feeling of emptiness. Recently he’d felt his relationship with Alexandra had changed. It seemed as if the special closeness they once shared had been replaced with a businesslike formality. He again glanced at the square of brass and then stepped closer to it. His previous touch had smudged the
e
in Cole. Jake polished the nameplate with the sleeve of his jacket while whispering the name Alexandra Cole Callet.
Something has to change
, he thought while unlocking the door.
We can’t go on like this.

After Jake had been working in quiet seclusion for more than an hour, a dull clamor reverberated throughout the office at eight thirty—the familiar sounds of their employees arriving for the workday ahead.

“Good morning, Mr. Taylor.”

Jake looked up from his drafting table to see an empty hallway. His apprentice had already zoomed past. “Good morning, Isaiah,” Jake called out before adding, “My name is Jake.”

No reply.

Jake shook his head and chuckled. “At his pace, that boy could have made it to China by now.”

To Jake, Isaiah was a jewel in the rough just waiting to be polished. He couldn’t imagine a better apprentice, and no job was ever too big or too small for Isaiah; he always volunteered to help.

Isaiah returned carrying a burdensome stack of project files under his left arm. His right hand held a thick, cobalt-blue mug filled with coffee, which he held out to Jake. “Java, Jake?” Isaiah cracked a smile.

Jake returned the smile, grateful for Isaiah’s thoughtfulness. “How did you know I haven’t had any yet?”

“Well, first, because I know you. I haven’t worked here for the past three years for nothing, you know. Besides,” he quipped, “the pot was still full.”

“Hey, at least I made it.”

“I’m darn proud of you too,” Isaiah teased.

At thirty-four, Jake was not quite old enough to be Isaiah’s father, and the thirteen years separating the two men helped to promote more of a big-brother relationship. Isaiah respected and admired Jake. He often made over-the-hill jokes about Jake’s upcoming thirty-fifth birthday while conceding Jake was “still okay.”

Isaiah’s daily choice of attire fell into the category of “casually professional.” He wore a long-sleeved, blue denim shirt, tucked into neatly pressed cotton trousers in a muted, khaki shade. His tie, a gentle blending of watercolors, transformed the outfit into appropriate office attire, yet Isaiah’s sandy-blond hair and sea-green eyes gave him a look destined for the outdoors.

Having worked long enough together to feel comfortable being silent around each other, Jake and Isaiah each set out to accomplish their individual tasks. Then, after more than an hour, Jake suddenly realized he had not seen Alexandra. Most mornings, even lately, she made a point of popping in and saying hello.

He decided to test the water by buzzing Kathryn first. “Hi, Kath.” He tried to sound casual when she answered the phone. “Is Alex around?”

“No, Jake, I’m sorry. Alexandra isn’t coming in today.”

“Is she not feeling well?” Jake pressed.

“Alexandra told me she was simply exhausted and needed some rest.”

“Okay, thanks,” Jake said quietly before disconnecting.

He immediately dialed Alexandra’s mobile number and let the phone ring until it went to voice mail. He then tried her home telephone number and received no answer. The machine didn’t even pick up. Instead of buzzing Kathryn again, he sped down the hallway to her desk.

“She’s not answering any of her phones,” he announced when he arrived.

“Forgive me,” Kathryn said sincerely. “I failed to inform you that she planned to unplug her home phone and turn off her mobile.”

“What’s the point of unplugging her home phone?” Jake asked. “Why not let the answering machine take the calls?”

“I don’t know, Jake. Perhaps Alexandra prefers not to hear the ringing.”

Jake’s loud sigh sounded like a punctured beach ball. “Well now I can’t even text her,” he commented.

“Maybe you should let her rest.”

Kathryn’s quiet suggestion made him suspicious. He looked directly into her eyes before asking, “Kathryn, have you noticed anything different about Alexandra lately?” When she hesitated, he pressed, “You have, and especially since her vacation in Cozumel. Am I right?”

“Jake, I—”

“I know. Your proper English upbringing prevents you from interfering.”

Jake’s comment brought a smile to Kathryn’s lips. “It’s not only my upbringing,” she explained quietly. Jake noticed her English accent sounded more prominent than usual. “Alexandra is my employer. It would not be right for me to discuss her personal life.”

“Well technically, I’m your employer too.”

“That is correct. Therefore, it is also not right for me to discuss
your
personal life.”

“I beg you to discuss it,” Jake moaned. “Please, Kath, I’m desperate, and I could use your help.”

Jake could see the reluctance on Kathryn’s face. He could also see the knowledge behind her eyes. “Kathryn, give me something, anything!” He dropped to his knees and cupped his hands in prayer mode. “Please, please, please.”

Kathryn shook her head. “I don’t know anything about you,” she remarked. “In fact, I guess I don’t get men, period.”

“What’s to get? We’re simpleminded.”

“Too simpleminded.”

“Then enlighten me.” He sat in the chair next to her desk. “I’m listening. You have my full and complete, undivided attention.”

“Jake,” she spoke seriously, her golden-brown eyes piercing his. “Did you even have a clue how Alexandra felt about you?”

“How she felt?” Jake asked, bewildered. “Why are you emphasizing the past tense?”

“Simply because I honestly do not know where she is.” Kathryn swallowed hard. “Where she is emotionally, I mean.”

Jake placed a hand over his heart. “Do you mean she might be ready to break up our partnership?”

“No, of course I don’t!” Kathryn’s voice raised in exasperation. Seeming to fear that others might hear, she immediately lowered her voice. “Jake, you really are clueless, aren’t you?”

“I’m clueless about what?”

“About the way Alexandra feels—felt.” Kathryn threw her hands up in frustration. “I really shouldn’t be telling you this, but I simply do not think I can stand to watch the two of you drift even farther apart.”

Kathryn’s comment ignited Jake’s brain. “Are you saying Alexandra has feelings for me?”

“Oh, for goodness’s sake, Jake! You seriously don’t know?” Kathryn’s eyes widened in shock. “How could you possibly not?”

Jake shrugged. “I don’t know, Kath, but honestly, I had no idea. You can’t believe what I’ve been going through trying to pretend she’s only a friend to me.”

“Are you joking?
You
have feelings for Alexandra?”

“Kathryn, I have been madly in love with that woman since the first moment I laid eyes on her. She literally takes my breath away.”

“Now I’m the one who is shocked. You certainly didn’t give away any clues. I must say, Jake, you are an excellent actor. Especially the way you seem to gallivant all over town.”

“Ha!” Jake laughed loudly. He placed a hand over his mouth and then leaned closer to Kathryn so he could whisper. “Most of my stories are made up. You can’t believe how many nights I grab a burger and head straight for home. I had no idea Alex even gave me a second look.”

Kathryn rolled her eyes and chuckled softly.

“Don’t say it, I know, I’m dense. Seriously, Kathryn, I thought she was merely trying to act sisterly.”

“She did invite you to Cozumel,” she reminded him.

“Are you kidding? There is no way on earth I could trust myself being alone with her overnight. Do you really think she expected me to go with her?”

“Honestly, no. Alexandra wouldn’t consider that appropriate. However, I do think her invitation was a test for you. Maybe even a last resort.”

“So something did happen in Cozumel,” Jake confirmed. “You’ve noticed the change too.”

“I don’t know if something happened, but yes, she definitely has changed.”

“Do you think Alex met someone over there?”

Kathryn turned her head slowly to look at him. “I don’t know, Jake. Alexandra doesn’t really talk with me about her personal life. Most of what I know about her feelings for you is made up of bits and pieces of conversations.”

Jake looked worried. “Then how can you be so sure?”

“Believe me,” Kathryn said calmly, “there is no doubt in my mind Alexandra was also madly in love with you. However, there is a doubt about whether she remains in love with you. I honestly do not know.”

Jake’s shoulders rose and fell as he exhaled loudly. “Wow. This is certainly a lot to digest.” He placed a palm on her desk. “Okay, coach. So now what do I do?”

“You tell her how you feel and don’t waste a moment more.”

“But how can I do that? What if she has a boyfriend? I don’t want to ruin our relationship.”

“What relationship? Do you honestly like how things have been going?”

“No, I don’t. Not in the least, but I also am willing to take whatever small amount I can get. Kathryn, when Alex and I first decided to begin our partnership, she really stressed the importance of professionalism. I got the feeling that guys tended to hit on her at inappropriate times. So you see, if she doesn’t reciprocate my feelings, it could really cause a strain on our partnership.”

Kathryn nodded.

“I don’t know if I’m willing to take that risk,” Jake continued.

“I really don’t think it would hurt your partnership.”

“But are you certain?” he pressed.

Kathryn paused to think. “No, I don’t think it would hurt the partnership, but I also am not one hundred percent positive.”

“What happened, Kathryn? How could Alex be so insistent that we have a professional relationship, then turn the tables like this?”

“She fell in love. That is how.”

“Then she should have told me.”

“You should have told her.”

Jake nodded. “I better get back to work,” he said solemnly, “but it’s definitely not going to be easy.”