I picture him sighing, running his long fingers through his hair while pacing whatever room he’s in.
Blake: Tell me again. Give me another chance.
Before I can think of a reply, there’s a heavy knock on the door. “Lila, are you in there?”
I wipe my eyes, inhaling a deep breath. “Yeah, just give me a couple minutes.”
Stepping out of the stall, I check my make-up, patting my forehead with a paper towel. I would give anything to not have to step back in that conference room again. But the reason people make money in business is because it isn’t easy.
When I open the door, Pierce is standing on the other side, hands in his pockets, forehead wrinkled. “I’d ask if you’re okay, but I already know the answer to that.”
“I’m not in the mood to be picked apart,” I say, studying the pads on my fingers.
His arms wrap around me, pulling me into his chest. “I’m sorry you had to deal with that, but we need to go back in for a few minutes to wrap up. I told him if he screws with you like that again, I’m going to take him for everything he’s worth. Can’t promise it will help, but I’m not beyond knocking his teeth out.”
“I’m going to need some chocolate after this,” I mumble against his dress shirt.
He laughs, running his hands up and down my spine. “I know just the thing that will make you feel better.”
“Is your mind in the right place, Stanley?” I tease, needing to lift about 100 pounds of pressure off my back.
“My mind is exactly where you want it to be,” he answers back.
Without another word, he loosens his grip on me and holds my hand in his to walk back to the conference room. Wade chats away on his cell phone, only looking back up for a brief moment when we walk in.
Ignoring the aura he gives off, I stand next to the mood board waiting for the meeting to resume. It gives me a couple minutes to decide what I want to say. Pierce walks the room, glancing at the art pieces Wade has displayed. As soon as Wade says goodbye, Pierce takes his seat, smiling at me to loosen my nerves even more.
“I’m glad you decided to rejoin us,” Wade says with a smile only the devil could match.
“Where did we leave off?” I ask, deciding I want to avoid the fight he wants to start.
He rests his forearms on the table. “I was picturing your design in Colorado.”
“Oh yes, you were being a jerk. Not sure how I forgot that,” I hit back.
Pierce raises his hand. “Let’s move on. Ms. Fields and I have a plane to catch soon.”
“Fine, Stanley, I’ll cut the bullshit. I like the design, and I think with a few tweaks to the furniture proposal and colors, it would work.”
I lift my brow in surprise. “So, you’re okay with the wood?”
He regains his signature cocky grin. “I love the wood.”
There are so many choice words that would like to fall from my lips, but I hold them back. Pierce has less than five minutes to get us out of here before I completely lose it.
“Lila can make a few tweaks and send it back by the end of next week. I don’t think this requires another meeting.”
“As much as I live for these moments,” Wade responds. “That’ll work.”
“Are we done here?” Pierce’s words are tight. We’re both ready to kill him.
“We have clear direction now. Let’s see what you can do with it.”
Our goodbyes are always short, but this one breaks a new record as we exit less than two minutes later, hopping into a waiting car.
“There aren’t many people I don’t like,” I admit as we start down the street. “But I really hate him.”
“You’re part of a large club.” He glances out the window as we speed down 5th Avenue. “Are you ready for chocolate?”
“As much as you can get me.”
The car pulls in front of Magnolia Bakery. “Sit tight. I’ll be right back.”
I’ve heard of Magnolia before and always wondered if the cupcakes taste as good as people say. Another signature piece of New York I’m going to try.
He emerges a few minutes later with a box and two bottles of water in his hand. “If these don’t make you feel better, I don’t know what will.”
I open the box to six different flavors. “Oh my. What kinds are these?”
He points to one in the center with light brown frosting. “Knowing you, I’d start with that one. It’s a chocolate cupcake with peanut butter buttercream.”
“I’m sold.” I pick it up, carefully pulling back the paper. After taking my first bite, I close my eyes, letting the flavors marry on my tongue. “This is so damn good.”
When I look to Pierce, he’s finishing off the last of a red velvet cupcake. “What?” He shrugs. “Did you think I was going to let you eat the whole box?”
“Have at it. I’m getting full already.”
I polish off the cupcake then stare out the window as we pass stores, restaurants, and people. My mind has time to wander again. In a few short hours, we’ll be back in Chicago, and I have no idea what awaits me there. I need space, time … actually, I don’t know what I need.
I’m not ready to face him—he’s either going to make it better or break us apart forever. Sometimes, I forget to put myself first. Sometimes, I jump into things without clarity. There’s only one thing I can do to get me there.
“I need to go home,” I announce.
“That’s where we’re heading.”
“No, I mean Nebraska. I need to go home.”
I am met with silence. Long and awkward.
“Are you going to tell me what’s going on?” he asks, his voice softer.
Pierce has been like my journal; he always gets the truth.
“I’m pregnant.”
His eyes widen. His mouth opens, but no words come out.
I start crying; that seems to be the only thing I’m good at today. “It’s not yours if that’s what you’re thinking. I’ve done the math, and you always used condoms didn’t you?”
“Yes. I mean, I think I did.” His stare is distant … empty as he rubs the heel of his palm against his chest. Any hope he had for us is crushed. I crushed it.
“I don’t know what to do,” I confess, watching him because I deserve his pain.
“Have you told him?”
“Of course. Why do you think he wasn’t at the apartment this morning?’
He shakes his head, baring his teeth. “I never would have left you.”
Does he think I don’t know that?
“I need to go home for a few days. I need to get away … to clear my head.”
“Do you want to go now?” he asks, pulling his phone from his pocket.
My thoughts are all over the place. Blake wants to talk, but I don’t know if I want to hear what he has to say. Plus, time may be exactly what we need.
I nod. I have clothes at home. Most everything else I can get somewhere, and it would give me time to see my doctor.
Pierce puts the phone to his ear. “Hey, Mike, can you change our flight plan? We need to make a stop in Omaha before going home.” There’s a pause. Pierce nods. “Thanks, Mike. I appreciate it.”
This is one of those moments where I question my decision. My stupid heart must have something against perfection.
“Thank you.” There is nothing else to say.
He wraps his arm around my neck, gently kissing my cheek then lays my head against his chest. “I’d do anything to make you mine, but what I really want is for you to be happy.”
“You’ll never know how much this means to me … how much you mean to me.”
His fingers brush through my hair. “I do. I just wish you knew how much you mean to me.”
If he says anything else, I don’t hear it. I drift to sleep on a heart-shaped pillow.
IT’S DARK BY THE TIME the plane lands in Omaha—the city lights the only thing I see. I recognize Woodmen Tower and the new event center.
“Thank you for doing this,” I say to Pierce as the plane comes to a stop.