Embezzled Love (27 page)

"That's right, leave before I have a chance to respond," she shouted after him. "Maybe it's better I don't say anything more."

Cassie stayed in the office, playing catch-up, or at least making an attempt. Evan needed time to cool down and so did she. Mixed emotions wracked her. Being partner in a two businesses hadn't done a thing to improve her lifestyle. She hated working for Takeda at Orion, and now she hated working at home just as much.

Too early for bed, she kept focused. A confrontation with Evan was definitely something she didn't need. His distancing himself from her barbeque irked her. He'd once declared the importance of family, so how could he be jealous or upset over her reuniting with her siblings? She didn't need Frank and Alaine's help in supplying ways to doubt him. He provided enough ammunition on his own.

Despite disturbing thoughts niggling at her, she managed to make a small dent in the mail before her eyes blurred. Evan was most likely asleep by now, so she turned out the lights and went upstairs. She hated violating another of her mother's rules, never go to sleep angry, but sometimes, her other saying, let sleeping dogs lie, was the better of the two. A glance at the clock to discover it was almost one a.m. shocked her. Tomorrow she'd pay hell for such a late night.

Chapter Thirty-Four

Cassie covered a gaping yawn. If only she could lay her head down on her big ol' mahogany desk and take a nap, but wouldn't Takeda just love to find her dozing?

How stupid, staying up late to avoid getting into an argument with Evan over silly things like barbeques and trips to Vegas. This morning, she'd left the house before he awoke, and although a cowardly act, she didn't want a negative start to her day. Things soured anyhow, the minute her secretary notified her of the surprise executive meeting called by Mr. Takeda.

The meeting conference room gathering hadn't lasted long. The boss's quick and to-the-point announcement left no one a chance to ask questions or express reaction before he departed.

Seems the office was scheduled to relocate to a smaller building across town. In order to save money, Orion planned a downsizing, complete with layoffs. Cassie leaned her elbows on the desk and cradled her head in her hands.

Layoffs? Knowing how Takeda felt about her, she was a likely candidate. As much as she detested him in return, she needed the job, especially now. The landscape and guitar business weren't solvent yet. How would she cover household expenses from business income when Evan couldn't even earn enough to support the joint venture? Tears welled.

For months, she'd agonized over the rift in her family, and now this. She'd resolved the first, but being unemployed affected her livelihood, putting everything in jeopardy. God forbid, if something did happen between her and Evan, what would she do?

Hearing voices in the hallway, she wiped her eyes and went to investigate. Right outside her office, a large group gathered around the bulletin board. Cassie walked closer, trying to see what intrigued them. On tiptoes, she craned her neck, but failed to catch even a glimpse. She nudged a fellow employee. "What's going on?"

"It's the blueprint for the new building," the man responded. "Takeda has marked who gets which office. They all appear to be half the size of our present ones, and people aren't happy. Word is we're not taking our current furniture, either."

Cassie gasped. She loved her beautiful office with its wonderful view of the city…and her mahogany ensemble. She'd waiting a long time to have furnishings to fit the level she'd achieved.

While waiting for the crowd to disperse, she stepped back and thought about the reasons for the big change. The decision had to have come from the corporate office. For the last few months, the business profit and loss statements had been dismal because of the economy, but she never expected such life-changing results. A tension headache loomed behind her eyes.

When everyone dispersed, she stepped to the board and trailed her finger along the schematic of the new locale. Her heart dropped at seeing her name penciled in on one of the smallest spaces located in the most remote areas. According to the blueprint, she had no window. Takeda might not have authorized the move, but he did assign the new workspaces. His decision reflected what she feared. Her shoulders sagging, she went back to her current office. "The son-of-a-bitch probably put me in a broom closet until he can lower the boom on me," she grumbled.

* * *

All the way home on the commuter train, Cassie fretted about the black cloud hanging over her future. She resolved to handle working in a 'cracker box' because she needed her job, a least for a while longer. If, of course, she hadn't also earned a space on the layoff list.

She'd always dreamed of being a woman of leisure, but this was not the time. How she wished for one of those antidepressants she'd flushed down the toilet months ago. If she expected never to need them again, she'd been wrong. Really wrong.

Palpitations skipped thought her chest, and the black pit of depression beckoned after so long. All her adult life, she'd worked hard to get where she was in business, and everything couldn't end with an announcement at a stupid meeting. The least Takeda could have done was let people know if they were among those making an early departure. Not knowing was akin to having an axe hanging over your head. She didn't know whether to volunteer for the farewell party committee planning group or wait to be invited to one. Her sense of dread grew like a wart from a virus.

Evan's truck sat in front of her when she pulled into the driveway. The last thing she needed was a confrontation about last night's discourse. She'd much rather run to him, bury her head against his chest, and feel safe and secure in his arms, but her situation paralleled the farewell party confusion. Would she be welcomed or spurned? Was Evan still angry, jealous or still suffering from whatever emotion drove him to bed without a goodnight?

The space between Cassie's shoulder blades screamed with tension. She slogged into the house, craving sleep and escape. Evan sat at his design table, sketching a landscape blueprint. Cassie dropped her bag on her desk and sighed.

He turned, glanced at her then his watch. "Hi, purdy gal. I didn't realize it was so late. How was your day?"

Shocked and relieved by his mood change, she was moved to tears. "H-horrible, thanks."

He dropped his pencil and flashed a concerned gaze. "Horrible how?"

Her drizzling tears changed to Niagara Falls. All her pent up frustration, worry and stress released at once. Evan crossed the room in three strides. "What's wrong, baby girl?"

At least, her hope of having strong arms around her came true. The tears turned to sobs, preventing her from answering.

"It' can't be that bad," he cooed. "If you're upset about last night, forget it. I was being a jerk, again. Honest, everything is fine."

Everything wasn't fine. She controlled her sobbing only to be left with tearful hiccupping. She raised her face from his tear-soaked shoulder and peered at him. "I…I…think I'm losing…my…job."

"You're obviously too upset to talk. Take a few minutes and compose yourself. Can I get you a glass of water?"

She nodded, went to her purse, withdrew a tissue, and loudly blew her nose. With each breath, her body shuddered, still reeling from a heavy bout of crying. She sat on the sofa, sniffling into her hankie.

Evan handed her a glass. "Here, take a sip." He sat next to her and massaged her shoulder. "Can I get you something else?"

"N-no, I'm fine." She took a composing breath. "I-I'm sorry to be such a baby." She sniffed, but was able to speak in a calm voice. "Today started out crappy and got crappier, but I'm so happy you were here. I need you."

"What exactly happened?" He cupped her chin and turned her gaze toward him.

"Apparently, finances have plunged at work, and we're being forced to downsize. Long story short, we're moving to another building across town, and from the blueprint I saw on the bulletin board, I get the coat closet for my office." A tear trickled down her cheek.

"Now, don't start crying again." Evan wiped the wetness from her face.

She took another deep breath. "I've worked so hard to get where I am, and I'm proud of what I've achieved. This morning, Takeda told the staff there would be some layoffs. He didn't name names, but you know how little he values me. I'm certain to be on the chopping block."

You can't know that. If you were going, why would he give you an office? Does he make these decisions or does he have help?"

"I'm not sure, but if he's the deciding factor, then I'm a goner. As for the office, I'm not even sure you could call it that. Assigning me anywhere is probably a ruse to throw me off."

Evan kissed her cheek. "Hmm, tastes salty."

She managed a smile.

He pulled her into his arms. "Listen to me," he said next to her ear. "Marlene always told me, 'don't borrow trouble,' so until you know all the facts, don't jump to conclusions." Besides, the worst thing that can happen is that I'll have to work twice as hard to support you."

Feeling better, Cassie nestled her head against his shoulder. Maybe her improved outlook came from releasing all her pent-up tears, or maybe from realizing she wasn't alone anymore. "You're right." She gazed at him. "If this news had come nine or ten months ago, I really would have fallen apart, but with you…" As much as she despised the bookkeeping that went along with being a business partner, she finally saw the value of Evan's creativity.

He held her at arm's length. "Tell you what. You go upstairs and take a nice hot bath, and I'll rustle up something for supper." He kissed her cheek, swiveled her in the direction of the stairs, and patted her behind. "Now, get moving."

* * *

Cassie followed Evan's advice, resigning herself to the fact everything about the move was out of her hands. Deciding to enjoy the days she had left in her roomy office, she'd just spun her chair around and was gazing out at the neighboring skyscrapers when the phone rang. Swiveling to face her desk, she picked up the receiver. "Cassie Fremont."

"Hey, baby girl," Evan drawled.

"Even after all these months in California, he hadn't lost a bit of his accent.

"Hey, babe. What's up?"

"I called to let you know I'm picking Bud up at the airport and we're scootin' off to Vegas. I won't be here when you get home and didn't want you wonderin' where I went."

A pang of jealousy shot through her, but she shook it off. "Surely, you aren't taking your truck."

"No, I'm leaving it at the airport. We'll get a rental car when we get there."

She rolled her eyes and forced herself to stifle the usual lecture on spending. "Okay, sweetie, be careful and hurry home."

"I will. Have a nice time with your family tomorrow. Love you."

"I love you, too."

Cassie hung up with a smile despite Evan's casual approach to renting a vehicle. Maybe he had a money tree she knew nothing about. Whisking a stray hair aside, she thought back to the beginning of the week when the trip to Vegas and the barbeque had been sore spots. Today, she and Evan talked about them like nothing had happened. If she could get past getting her panties in a wad, as he said, maybe they could avoid arguing.

She checked her watch and realized she had only an hour left in the workday. No use starting any new projects. After clearing her desktop, she pulled a small notepad from her drawer and jotted out a grocery list so she could stop by the store on her way home. She imagined what her first meeting with Frank would be like. They hadn't seen one another since the big blowup. Would he welcome her with open arms? Probably not, but she'd settle for civil.

Lost in thought, her gaze jerked up when someone cleared their throat. Mr. Takeda stood in her doorway. A flush crept up her neck and blossomed onto her face at being caught daydreaming. Her boss's nose wrinkled to reflect the disdain in his eyes. His gaze wandered her barren desktop. "Ms. Fremont, please step into my office. I'd like to have a word with you."

"I-I'll be right there. "Her voice crackled despite her attempt to be stoic."

Takeda disappeared.

"Good going, Cass," she chastised herself. "You're worried about losing your job, want to be considered a valuable employee, and your desk looks as though you do nothing at all."

She rose on trembling legs and started for Takeda's office. She heaved a sigh, knowing exactly how felons felt when they took that last walk.

Chapter Thirty-Five

Cassie relaxed on the patio with Kara, Alaine and Mom while Frank barbequed hamburgers. So far, everything had gone well. Frank had enveloped her in a big hug when he first arrived, but of course, there'd been no formal apology. She hadn't expected one. The hug said it all. She'd apologized and explained Evan's absence, but little mention was made of him except when complimenting his landscape changes.

Finishing the last sip of her rum and cola, she continued with her story about her experience at work. "I was so scared yesterday morning, my legs barely held me up as I walked to his office. I never realized that hallway was so long. I needed to pee so badly, but I didn't dare stop at the bathroom." She laughed at the recollection.