His cell phone rang, and his heartbeat quickened, hoping it was Nicole. But caller ID gave him the nameTara Browning, instead. He grumbled a cuss. He didn’t want to answer it, but he was tired of her hounding him.
“Tara,” he answered in a rough voice. “Why are you calling me? Didn’t you understand what I told you this morning?”
“Mick,” she said in a pouty voice, “please don’t be mad. We’ve been friends for too long to end like this. All I want to do is talk things out. I don’t want you to hate me.”
He forced a laugh. “You don’t want me to hate you? Then leave me alone as I’ve requested.”
“Not until we get a chance to talk... like adults.”
He huffed. This woman was impossible. She was like a head-cold that wouldn’t go away. “Are you saying I’m not acting like an adult?”
“Oh, no, Mick. I just don’t want us yelling at each other or calling each other names.”
He paused and arched an eyebrow. She was a mind reader. He’d only called her names in his thoughts.
“I’m sorry, Tara, but there is too much going on in my life right now to have to work on our relationship, even if it’s only friendship.”
“Please talk to me, Mick. I want to know what’s going on in your life. You’ve accused me before of not caring, but I do care. I do care about what project you’re working on now. You can’t tell me you don’t wish you had someone to talk to, because everyone needs a friend. And because you’re here in this town amongst people who don’t care about you, I want to be the one you confide it.”
He scowled. What was her game? He’d started dating her only because she looked good on his arm... just as he’d looked good on hers. She’d always been selfish, and if he cared to admit, he had been a little selfish in their relationship, too. But that didn’t mean he wanted toconfidein her. The best thing for both of them right now – mainly him – would be to not get involved. He didn’t want anything to ruin his chances with Nicole.
“I appreciate the offer, really I do, Tara, but my answer is still no. I need to cut you out of my life. I’m in love with another woman. Please understand.”
Silence filled the space between them, and Mick prayed this was the last he’d have to talk to her. After a couple of seconds, she cleared her throat.
“If that’s how you feel.”
“It is.”
“Fine. Good-bye.”
Once the line went dead, he blew out a sigh of relief and stuffed the cell phone back in his pocket. Hopefully, he’d not be hearing from her ever again.
The knock at the door jump-started his heart, and he prayed it would be Nicole. He eagerly stepped toward the door, anxious for some company – as long as it wasn’t Tara coming to nag him some more. When he opened the door, his heart tripped with excitement.
“Nicole,” he sighed happily.
She wore the same pants suit she had on this morning when he talked to her. But her hair was out of the ponytail. He liked her hair better when it was free and flowing over her shoulders. Like now.
Her expression told him that she still wasn’t too sure whether or not to like him, so he’d take things slowly until she trusted him again.
“I hope I’m not interrupting anything,” she said meekly.
“Of course not. Come in.” He opened the door wider. “I’m always happy to see you.”
She stepped inside, twisting her hands against her middle. “This really isn’t a social visit. In fact, I’m still wondering how to tell you...”
Curiosity got the better of him. “Let’s sit so you can tell me what’s wrong.”
He waited for her to sit, hoping she’d choose the sofa so he could sit next to her, but she picked the single cushioned chair, instead.
She released a pent-up breath and met his stare. “I suppose I should just come right out and say it, even as hard as it is for me to put into words.”
“Yes, I wish you would.” He didn’t like the feeling of rejection that slowly climbed inside of him. The awkwardness between them disturbed him greatly.
“This afternoon while I was at lunch with some shareholders, I saw...” She took a deep breath during her pause. “I saw your father.”
Slowly, Mick released the anxiety that had built inside of him. “I’m not surprised my father is in town, especially because we both know why he’s here.”
