“But I can help,” I say, louder than I intended. Pippa flinches. “We all can.”
“I assumed you were in New York already. Look, Ava’s been fighting her way through life on her own for years,” Pippa says. “She’s not used to asking for help. You just have to give it to her.”
“What if she doesn’t want my help at all? She doesn’t pick up her phone. I must have called her a hundred times.”
Logan eyes me.
“What?” I bark at him, annoyed by his smile. “I wasn’t about to admit that to you.”
“You have your pride. I get it,” he says, smiling even wider. “That’s why you won’t e-mail her.”
“Don’t get on my bad side today, Logan.”
“Right now, you are both getting on my bad side,” Pippa says. “Sebastian, get your sorry ass on a plane and fly to New York. Why are you hesitating?”
I hiss out a breath. All that talk about how it angers me she didn’t have the courage to tell me to my face she wants out. I couldn’t stand hearing it from her. Reading it was bad enough. What if the reason she isn’t taking my calls is because she’s not interested anymore?
“That woman loves you, you know that. And you love her,” Pippa says. “Don’t be stupid, Sebastian. You have to put yourself out there completely. You both deserve to be happy.”
This sobers me up. “Logan, take over all my meetings for today. I’m flying out to New York.”
“Hold it,” Pippa says, stepping in front of me as I’m about to exit.
“What? You were all set on kicking me out of my own office.”
“I would’ve done it too, but you can’t fly out like this. You need to change. You stink.”
I groan. “I suspected as much.” Without taking my eyes off Pippa, I say, “Logan, change of plans. Drop any immediate meeting and go to my apartment. Bring me clothes to change.”
“Because I’ve been downgraded from CFO to your personal butler?”
“Because you’re my brother, and I need to take care of something else while you bring me the clothes.”
I hear Logan stand up fast. “Okay, I had enough dick lines today. I’m on it.”
I give Logan the keys for my apartment, and then he leaves the office.
“You still must shower,” Pippa points out.
“There are showers down in Creation. I’ll use those. Meanwhile, is your prototyping guy here? I have a task for him.”
“Yeah, he is.” Pippa narrows her eyes. “I know that look. You’re planning something.”
“You’re damn right I am.”
Her eyes widen, and she drums her fingers on her cheeks, like she used to when we were kids and preparing mischief. Well, this will top all of them. “Tell me.”
“Nope. Payback for telling me that I stink. Twice. Even if it’s true.” I enjoy immensely seeing her grow more restless by the second. My sister’s never been one to accept there can be secrets between siblings. At any rate, I will have to tell her. I won’t pull it off on my own, but I can tease her a bit more.
“Come on, give me a hint at least.”
“What did you say earlier? It was a nice phrase. Oh yeah, I will put myself out there completely. And you will help.”
Chapter Thirty-Six
Ava
You know you’re a lost cause when even ice cream tastes like shit. It’s my favorite ice cream too: Ben and Jerry’s with almond and caramel. I eat it with a large spoon, sitting on the couch inside my apartment, watching some mindless reality show. There are packed boxes all around me.
My meeting with Dirk the Dick two days ago was a disaster. I didn’t manage to convince him to give in to even one single request: no bonus and no reference. After my disastrous encounter with him, I announced to my landlord I have to leave this apartment; thankfully he understood my situation.
I found a rat hole outside the city where I can live until I’m back on my feet without burning through my savings. Let’s hope I won’t get shot until that happens. I went to visit the place yesterday and it creeped me out. Then I came home and packed my stuff the entire night. I collapsed on the couch this morning, and now I can’t get up again. All my muscles are as sore as hell. The movers will be here in a few hours, which gives me plenty of time to wallow and obsessively check my e-mails. Dirk made me return my phone yesterday, since it was the company’s. I do have my laptop, and I didn’t get an e-mail from Sebastian. I bought a new phone, but he doesn’t have my new number, and I’m too much of a coward to call him.
When the reality show gets too mindless, I switch off the TV and focus my attention on my laptop, namely on the list with jobs I want to apply to. I have a game plan. It’s not perfect, but I’ll make it work. Dirk refuses to acknowledge my efforts—but the clients I’ve worked with won’t. They’ve all been thrilled with me.
I will call all of my clients, including Sebastian, and sweet talk them into letting me list them as references.
I let out a sigh at the thought of Sebastian. Dirk told me terrible things in his office. The old me would’ve been horrified at my actions, drowning in guilt over
throwing my career away over a man
—Dirk’s words. As I sat across from him, watching him, I couldn’t bring myself to feel one ounce of guilt about my relationship with Sebastian.
I felt more alive and happy with him than I’ve been in my entire life. My only regret is that it ended. Tears spring to my eyes, and I wipe them away quickly. I suppose that by leaving the way I did, I gave him an easy way out; and he took it, ripping my heart to shreds. I know I should call him using my new number, or write another email explaining everything, but I can’t bring myself to do it just yet. Biting the inside of my cheek, I resolve not to think about that right now. I still have things to do and organize, and I
know
thinking about Sebastian will be my undoing.
***
I’m about to open the second carton of ice cream when the bell rings. Frowning, I drag my feet to the door. Are the movers here early? I open the door without looking through the peephole. I really must break that habit; it might get me killed, or at the very least mugged, in the hellhole I’m moving to.
“Sebastian.”
“You look terrible,” he says.
For a few seconds, neither of us says anything, and then I burst out laughing. “I really need you to shower me with compliments today.”
I eye him, drinking him in as usual. Is it possible that it’s been just two days since I last saw him? It feels like an entire year has passed.
“Did you take any other shower?” He smiles lazily.
I gulp, eyeing the floor. I didn’t shower after I packed everything.
“Why are you here?” I ask him.
“Can I come in?”
“Sure.”
He walks in, sizing up the boxes. “I’m sorry for exposing us to your boss. I wasn’t—”
“You didn’t know it was him.” I lean against a stack of boxes. “Someone from work had seen us together in San Francisco earlier too. He was looking for a way to throw me out anyway. I chatted with some of the girls there, and apparently, I was getting too senior in the company—he wanted to hire someone younger and cheaper.”
“He’s an idiot. You’re brilliant.”
“Ah, now we’re talking.” Grinning, I wink at him. “Keep the compliments coming. I wasn’t joking when I said I really need them.” God, having him here makes everything brighter, better. He fills the space with his smile and twinkling eyes. Realization hits me hard, wiping my breath away. Right here in this moment, I realize I’ve never wanted anything more than this: him. It’s not just that I want it. I need him.
“What’s with all the boxes?”
“I’m moving to a cheaper neighborhood until I find a job.” My words come out robotic, as if someone else utters them.
“Impressive. You managed to arrange all this in two days,” he says. Peeling his eyes away from the boxes, he fixes them on me, unleashing the full power of his gaze. My knees weaken.
“Why haven’t you answered my calls?”
“Dirk took my phone. It was the company’s.”
His face falls. “I didn’t think of that.”
“I’m sorry,” I say. “I got a new one, but didn’t have the courage to call or write.”
“Come here, you silly girl.” He pulls me into a hug, and I lose myself in his arms. God, this is so much better than Ben and Jerry’s and making lists and plans. For the first time in days, I feel safe, and oddly—empowered. “You have nothing to feel sorry for. You should’ve told me.”
“I was so busy with everything. Packing, finding a rat hole to move into. You didn’t e-mail me, so I thought you wanted to end everything. I’m so tired.”
“Shh.” He picks me up in his arms, and then sits on the couch, keeping me in his lap. His arms are tight around me. “I’m here for you, Ava. You run into trouble, you let me know.”
“I’m used to doing things on my own. I went on autopilot, into problem-solving mode.”
“Well, I know you don’t need someone to save you. That’s partly why I love you so much. You’re fierce and strong.” He caresses my cheek, filling me with warmth. “I’ll never let you go.” Tilting my chin up, he feathers his lips on mine, and then claims my mouth with a deep kiss, full of longing and tenderness. This man. . . God, he’s so perfect. I want to kiss the living daylights out of him for the rest of the day. Sadly, we must also breathe. Gasping for air, we pull apart. “I was going to ask you to stay with me in San Francisco during the trip.”
“You were?” I ask in amazement.
“Yeah. I love you.”
I fist his shirt. “I love you, too. So much. ”
“I was still rounding up arguments to convince you to leave your job, but Dirk the Dick made it that much easier.”
I grin against his lips. “Dirk the Dick? You’re a fast learner.”
“Always. I have a proposition for you.” He cups my face, making me look at him.
“Sounds dangerous.”
“It’ll be irresistible. We’ve established already I’m the irresistible brother.”
“Of course you are. Let’s hear that proposition.” I’m curious.
“As you know, the marketing manager ditched us.” His tone is serious and businesslike, which cracks me up right now. “Luckily, we had that very efficient and talented consultant working for us, or the launch would’ve gone to the dogs. Now she’s gone, and the manager position is still free.”
“Sebastian Bennett, are you asking me to work for you?” I pull myself straighter in his lap. Amazing. A few minutes ago, I had the distinct impression I was carrying a rock weighing a ton on my shoulders. Now? I could fly.
“Yes, I am. The team likes you, and you’re very good at what you do. Are you interested?”
“I don’t know.” Scrunching my nose, I massage my temples, pretending I’m thinking hard. “I have some requirements that must be fulfilled first.”
“Like what?”
“Like having my office far away from the CEO so I can actually get work done.”
“Absolutely not.”
“That was the easiest request.” I pinch his chest playfully.
“Why do I get the feeling I’ll say no to all of them?” He lowers his hands to my hips and then my thighs.
“You’ll jeopardize my work ethic.”
“Not at all. I’ll reward your efforts.” The hint of a smile plays on his lips. It’s my favorite one: sexy, with a dash of mischief.
“You’re quite good with rewards.”
“Am I?” He runs his thumb over my lower lip. “Say yes.” To my astonishment, there is a shadow of doubt in his eyes, like there’s a real chance I’ll say no. As if.
“Yes. Of course. I’ll—”
He drowns the rest of the words with a kiss that is as sweet as it is passionate. Tangling his fingers in my hair, he pulls me to him with thinly disguised desperation. We both laugh after we break apart.
“Out of respect to my future employer, I must tell you I am not as brilliant as you think. I thought through one hundred scenarios, but working for you wasn’t one of them.”
“Thank God you agreed. If you didn’t come back with me to California, my family might have killed me.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Pippa all but kicked me today. Logan joined Pippa in kicking me. Mom called to berate me. You’re not alone, you know. My family cares about you. Once you become a Bennett, you’re always a Bennett.”
“An adopted Bennett?” I ask hopefully.
“A real Bennett.”
He puts me down on the couch. Then he drops on one knee, pulling a jewelry box out of his pocket. When he opens the lid, my heart leaps in my chest.
“My ruby,” I whisper.
“Pippa turned the necklace into a ring today. Ava Lindt, will you do me the honor of being my wife?”
“Yes.”
He slides the ring on my finger, and I can barely take my eyes off it. “It’s beautiful, Sebastian.”
We both rise to our feet, and he hooks an arm around my waist. Cupping my cheek in one hand, he laughs wholeheartedly, and I join him. “You complete me, Ava. Right from the beginning, something in you was beckoning to me. I can’t imagine going on without you.”
Too emotional for words, I rise on my tiptoes and plant a kiss right on the tip of his nose.
“I can’t believe you proposed to me when I haven’t showered, surrounded by a pile of boxes.”
“Oh, we’ll have to do a do-over in front of my family, don’t worry.”
“What?” My chest tightens as I imagine doing this in front of all the Bennetts, but then I visualize Pippa’s dreamy expression and Logan telling us we still can’t have sex at the office, and I relax. The thought of seeing all of them again fills me with joy.
“They’d never forgive me if they don’t get to see the proposal. It’s almost as bad as a runaway wedding for them.”
Looking at the ring on my finger, I have to fight the tears threatening to spill on my cheeks.
“I’m a lucky man, Ava. There are a few things I’d like to say.”
“Mmm, don’t you want to wait until the vows?” I’m dying to hear him out, but there’ll be no stopping the tears if he’s his usual sweet, charming self.
“Nah, there’ll be too many people. I want to make you a few promises while we’re here, just the two of us.”
Cupping my cheeks in his hands, he pulls me to him, pressing his forehead to mine. “I promise I’ll cherish every moment with you—”