The sun had set about an hour ago and Lucy still hadn’t turned the lights on in her townhouse. From where she sat cross-legged in her spandex gym gear on her burgundy sofa, she could see through the glass sliding door and out over her balcony into the moonlit night. Streetlights brightened the tree-lined paths and glowed over the dark road, while the lights inside the adjacent houses and units led the curious eyes of any voyeur into the depths of a stranger’s home.
It was the flickering colors of the television that drew Lucy’s gaze back onto the mindless reality series. She’d been forced to switch it on once she’d realized it was going to take a whole lot more than the usual to get over what had happened that day. As well as having suffered through a last-minute kick-boxing class, she had already eaten a whole sickening pint of Pina Colada flavored sorbet and spent a budget-obliterating amount of money online on those two dresses she thought absolutely too extravagant for any realistic occasion. Yet, so far, nothing was working. Even her go-to television show, which always seemed to put her in a good mood or at least clear her thoughts of any difficult issues, was letting her down.
As the second couple of budding entrepreneurs in this episode tried to sell their business ideas to the five critical, shark-like industry titans, Lucy found herself getting an itchy finger on the television’s remote.
That proved it, she thought to herself with irritation. Clearly nothing can help me relax.
She was considering switching off the traitorous show and heading to the all-night pharmacy on the corner to buy sleeping pills to aid her sleep when she heard the doorbell chime. Warily, she forced herself off the sofa and out of the room, toward her front door. After checking through the peephole and seeing a waving Steph and smiling Mia, Lucy unlocked the door. It was only as she opened it and the bright glow of the streetlamps scalded her night vision, that she realized she’d should’ve turned on the lights in her townhouse as she went, giving her eyes a chance to adjust beforehand. Yet, she had been too lazy to pull herself up from the couch before and too busy sulking, annoyed that she couldn’t improve her mood, to bother to turn on the lights once she’d gotten up.
“You’re in a bad way,” Steph said worriedly, as she glanced over Lucy’s sweat-stained gym attire and then back up into her squinting eyes.
“Well, she has just survived the reunion from hell,” explained Mia as she pushed past Steph to hug Lucy tightly. “We’re here for you, hon.”
As the wool from Mia’s lilac cardigan tickled her nose, Lucy frowned helplessly at Steph from where her head was propped on her girlfriend’s shoulder. But, all Steph could do was smile. Then, as quickly as the embrace began, it ended and Mia started off down the hallway toward the kitchen, her brown boots thudding on the bare floorboards.
“Where are your fancy glasses?” Mia threw the question almost rhetorically over her shoulder.
“We brought wine.” Cheerfully, Steph lifted a lumpy canvas bag from where it had hung low next to her faded jeans and revealed the necks of a couple of dark bottles.
“And chocolate,” Mia added, sticking her head out of the now well-lit kitchen. “And we’re ordering pizza.”
Nodding, Steph pushed past Lucy and headed deeper into the townhouse, turning lights on as she went.
Lost in a mixture of surprise, annoyance and gratitude, Lucy watched her friend disappear into the kitchen.
“Make yourself at home,” she said sarcastically to herself.
Then she turned, looking out into the peaceful night as the banging of cupboards rang out behind her and for a moment, just a brief moment, she considered that it might be safer for her out there in the dark than in the warmth of her own home.
With a frown and a deep, hopeless sigh, Lucy shut her front door.
***
Although her hair was still damp from the shower Mia had ordered her to take, Lucy slicked it back into a stubby ponytail. Having slipped into a pair of black lace-edged shorts and an oversized white t-shirt with a cartoon of a fox and a clever witticism on the front, Lucy felt suitably and casually dressed enough for the occasion. Now, she just hoped she was mentally prepared.
Realistically, she knew that, while Steph and Mia were here to offer her some emotional support, they were also here to tell her something big. Lucy was betting it was bad news. Either that she had been fired after her unprofessional display or worse, that she was being ordered back into work tomorrow to deal with their new huge-deal-of-a-client, Cal. With a resigned sigh, she made her way downstairs to the lounge room.
As she entered, Steph and Mia glanced up from where they’d made themselves at home on her large, L-shaped sofa.
“Smart as a—” Steph studied Lucy’s shirt as she read and then she grinned. “Are you wearing that for our benefit or your own?”
Lucy shrugged solemnly and came to sit beside them. “I guess it’s an armor of sorts.”
Mia snorted out a giggle. “You’re not going into battle, Luce. We’re not here to fight.”
Nodding, Lucy breathed. “I know.”
Steph placed a hand on Lucy’s bare knee reassuringly. “I hope you don’t mind, but we’ve already ordered the pizzas. I know Mediterranean with extra cheese is your favorite.”
“Thanks, Steph.” Lucy covered Steph’s hand with her own before gesturing at the television. “What are you watching?”
“Mia loves any romantic reality crap,” Steph said as she removed her hand from Lucy’s knee and then glanced back at the screen.
Mia hit Steph’s shoulder playfully with the back of her hand. “Shut up. I’ve seen you get emotional when he has to decide which of the final two girls he should propose to.”
Rolling her eyes mockingly at Mia, Steph then glanced back to Lucy. “Either way, it’s not important now. We can switch it off it you like?”
Lucy was suddenly feeling apprehensive. Mia and Steph were staring at her with such concern and such attentiveness, it felt disturbing. She frowned at them, trying to show her displeasure.
“Should I bother to ask why or are you just going to come out with it?”
Steph and Mia shared a glance before returning to look at her again.
Taking a deep, steadying breath, Steph began. “Callum Hawthorne told Julia that he would only work with the firm if you were on board.” She paused, her face contorting slightly as though she were preparing herself for the brunt of the backlash.
“So, I’m not fired then?” Lucy spoke slowly.
“Of course not,” said Mia, her expression much more cheerful than Steph’s. “Even if he hadn’t given her an ultimatum, Julia was never considering letting you go. Although…she is going to need some explanation regarding the weak-ass email you sent her with the reason for your absence.”
“Period cramps was juvenile to begin with,” Steph said wryly as she shook her head. “And that was before Cal decided to explain a little of the truth to Julia.”
“Well, that’s me done then.” Lucy stood abruptly from the sofa, agitation clouding her face. As she turned to face Steph and Mia, she threw up her hands helplessly. “I quit.”
Steph’s jaw dropped at Lucy’s proclamation. “You can’t quit,” she spluttered.
Jumping up from the sofa, Mia grabbed Lucy’s hand in hers. “Don’t be silly, Lucy. Don’t quit over some stupid guy. It doesn’t matter how much he hurt you or how handsome he is, he’s not worth tossing in your job over.”
Lucy’s face grew hot as a mixture of anger and despair filled her. Tears blurred her vision, but she fought to keep them from dampening her cheeks.
“You don’t understand,” she told them, her voice sharp with pain. “I can’t do it. I can’t work alongside him for weeks pretending everything’s fine.” Glancing away from them, her free hand brushed her betraying tears free.
“It’ll be alright,” Steph told her as she stood to embrace her. “We’ll have your back. You won’t have to do anything you don’t want to do.”
“Are you serious?” Lucy protested incredulously. “You know what Julia’s like. I’ll be doing whatever Cal tells her he wants me to do.”
“Aww, honey.” Mia sighed sympathetically as she wrapped her arms around them both to make a big group hug.
At their smothering embrace, Lucy’s body started shaking as she tried to fight back sobs. She knew that crying didn’t achieve anything, but she couldn’t help herself. It had been a long, traumatizing day, and she was terrified of what would happen when—not if—she saw Cal again. She knew she couldn’t protect herself forever, keeping him at arm’s length.
For fourteen long years she’d fought the urge to contact him, hoping that one day her feelings for him would subside. And they had—or at least, she’d thought they had. She’d let the anger grow until there’d barely been any spark of love left inside her, only hatred. But then she’d seen him again. He’d just waltzed back into her life looking more incredible, more confident, and more alluring than ever. She just knew she didn’t stand a chance against him—or her own treacherous heart.
“So, I don’t have a choice.” Lucy’s pained voice was muffled against Steph’s black t-shirt clad shoulder.
“Sorry, Luce, but you’re out of options,” Steph said as she rubbed Lucy’s back comfortingly.
“We won’t let you quit,” scolded Mia firmly, her head resting against Lucy’s.
Steph sighed somberly. “And Callum has made it clear he’s not leaving until his work with the firm is complete.”
Slowly, Steph released them both from the tight embrace and took a step back. Mia followed suit, but still clung to Lucy’s arm as though she was the only thing keeping her from collapsing to the ground in a miserable heap.
“So,” Steph began authoritatively, “you’re going to put on a resting bitch face and come into work tomorrow as a fierce, feisty workaholic who only cares about getting the job done quick enough to get the client moved on. Do you think you can do that?”
Lucy breathed in a full shaky breath. Deep inside she knew that although doing what Steph asked would put her in terrible danger of being hurt all over again, they were right—she really didn’t have much of a choice. Even though she’d threatened it and meant every word when it had been released from her lips, she knew she couldn’t just quit and give up on everything she’d spent the last ten years working hard for. Her job was her life, and she didn’t want to lose that just because of some man.
He’s not just any man, her thoughts reminded her. He’s your Cal.
“Lucy?” Mia was staring at her concernedly.
Wiping her face, Lucy glanced from Mia to Steph and back again. Their worried expressions were enough to make her silently thank the universe for giving her such true friends.
“I know,” she told them, her voice deep with resignation. “I’ll do my best to keep the peace until it’s over and then I’ll demand that he and I go our separate ways. That means I’ll get to keep my job, Julia can keep her big client, and things can hopefully and eventually go back to the way they were before he arrived.”
“I’m glad to hear you’re sounding more optimistic,” Mia said affectionately.
Steph released a harsh breath. “Optimistic, yes, but maybe not realistic. It’s going to be difficult to escape him once his business with the firm is over. Now that he’s back in your life, I doubt he’s got any plans to willingly withdraw from it again.”
Mia shot a glare at Steph and released her grip on Lucy’s arm briefly to backhand Steph’s shoulder with an audible slap. “What are you doing? We’ve only just managed to calm her down and now you’re ruining it telling her things like that?”
“Sorry,” Steph told her, innocently. “I just can’t lie to her and say everything can go back to normal after the fact, especially when I don’t believe it.”
Sighing in frustration, Mia looked back at Lucy. Her annoyed expression morphing with apprehension. “Maybe you could get a restraining order?” Even her voice sounded hopeless.
Lucy glanced between the two women who had been so strong and encouraging only moments before, but who had now seemed infected with her own trepidation. If they didn’t have faith that it would all work out, how could she?
For a second, she felt overwhelmed and despondent again. Then, she forced herself to put things in perspective. It wasn’t as though her life was ending. She wouldn’t be losing her beloved job. The only thing that was changing was Cal’s presence in her life—from nothing to a short term working relationship. Once that was over, Lucy knew what she had to do if she wanted him to leave her alone. She had to confess her love for him.
Although it would’ve sounded ridiculous to Steph and Mia if she’d told them, it made perfect sense to her. She knew that Cal was in no way a one-woman man and was definitely not one to fall in love. Maddy had told her what he’d gotten up to with women in the past fourteen years and Lucy was sure that falling in love was a huge deal breaker. If she told him the truth—that she’d loved him since junior high—he’d be out of her life in a flash and she could go back to her peaceful—if a little loveless—existence. Everything would be fine.
“Everything will be fine.” Lucy repeated out loud, recognizing that it was quickly becoming a mantra.
The two women beside her who had been staring at her with worried expressions shared a glance and then seemed to force supportive smiles.
Steph opened her mouth as if to speak and then the doorbell chimed.
Everyone looked toward the hall.
“Pizza’s here,” Mia said as she reluctantly released Lucy and left the room.
When her girlfriend had disappeared, Steph stepped closer to Lucy. “So, what’s your game plan? I know you’ve got something up your sleeve, otherwise you wouldn’t have given in so quickly.”
Lucy offered her a shrug. “I guess I just realized that my biggest weakness might just be the only thing that can save me.”
***
“Can’t you tell me anything useful?” Cal’s voice was gruff as he paced back and forth in Madison and Robert’s spacious dining room.
From where they sat watching Cal at the large mahogany dining table, their nearly empty dinner plates before them, Madison gave Rob a worried glance. He shrugged silently, his expression helpless. Madison frowned and then looked over at Cal, who was still pacing the length of the room in front of them, looking unusually disheveled in his loosened grey tie and creased navy suit.
“So, this is why you interrupted our dinner? Because you want to try to force me, for the zillionth time, to tell you why Lucy’s upset?”
At Madison’s calculated stare, Cal nodded.
“When I saw her today,” Cal began.
“What?” Rob raised a hand to interrupt and his strong, wiry frame went rigid beneath his green woolen sweater and blue jeans. “You saw her today? You saw Lucy?”
Madison’s mouth opened wide in shock as she watched Cal nod once more.
“Are you serious?” Madison nearly shrieked, her tone filled with elation. Then she stopped and seemed to consider his admission further. Her happy expression fell rapidly, and she covered her lips with the tips of her fingers timidly. “Oh my God, she’s going to be furious with me,” she breathed.
Rob quirked a brow. “What are you talking about, Mads?”
Gnawing on her lower lip nervously, Madison turned to face her husband. “She’ll think I did this. That after fourteen years, I finally caved. I even threatened it in a text the other day.”
Cal narrowed his eyes in frustration. “Can we get back to the topic at hand, please?”
At his interruption, Madison shot him a fierce glare. “What did you do, Cal? How did you find her?”
Annoyed by further inquiry on something he didn’t have time for, Cal sighed deeply and took a seat at the table beside Madison. With her furious eyes, quivering lips, and the uncharacteristically floral summer dress making her appear more feminine than usual, Cal thought she looked more fearful than fearless.
“Calm down, Madison. It’s fine,” he told her reassuringly. “I told Lucy that you never told me where she was. In fact, it was completely coincidental, it was like the fates aligned. The manager of my marketing team insisted that I seek the assistance of Insight Marketing to help reinvigorate my father’s Gold Coast property. That’s all. I didn’t realize Lucy worked there until last night when I checked their website.”
“See, everything will be fine,” Rob told Madison comfortingly as he slipped an arm around her shoulders. “Lucy knows what happened and that you’re not to blame.”
“Now that that’s sorted,” Cal said, rising to his feet, the coiled tension in his powerful, brawny build evident, “can we focus back on my issue? I need to know what I did wrong, why she hates me or—at the very least—what I can say to get her to tell me what happened?”
Madison took a steadying breath in and out as she looked up at Cal, but the flicker of concern in her gaze proved she was still rattled. “You have to talk to her yourself, Cal. I’m not getting in between the two of you any more than I already have.”
Cal clenched his hands into tight fists, his shoulders high and tight with stress. “But she won’t talk to me. She made that obvious today. How can I get through to her?”
Madison furrowed her brow in thought. “You’re still working with her marketing firm, right?”
Nodding, Cal crossed his arms over his broad chest. The movement was enough to dislodge the left-side hem of his crinkled, white business shirt from where it was loosely tucked in his navy slacks, causing it to hang freely.
He knew he looked a right sight, an unkempt, unprofessional mess, but at this moment in time he just didn’t give a damn. All Cal could think about was how to fix things with Lucy, how to get her talking to him again so that they might begin their friendship anew. And—if he were lucky enough—that they might enter into a new loving relationship together. Tomorrow he could worry about looking decent for her—for his Lucy—but tonight he needed answers.
“Then use that to your advantage,” Madison said, snapping Cal free from his thoughts.
“I’ve already tried,” Cal spat in frustration as he paced away from the table before turning back around. “I told her boss that I would only work with the firm if Lucy was on board, that I wanted her to be my direct liaison with the team.”
“Cal,” Rob said, his deep voice full of reproach. “Did Lucy agree to that beforehand?”
Cal shrugged in exasperation. “What does that matter?”
Madison gasped, her expression part shock, part dismay. “Cal, you’re resorting to blackmail.”
Pausing in his stride, Cal frowned at Rob and Madison, giving them a look of disappointment that mirrored their own stares of disproval.
“I would’ve thought that’s what you meant when you said use that to your advantage.” Cal’s tone was snappy as he rolled his eyes and turned back on his heel. “I’m only doing what’s necessary to get her to speak to me. I need that much before she’ll tell me anything.”
Releasing a sigh that sounded similar to that of a mother dealing with a challenging child, Madison slapped her hands on the table gently and stood up out of Rob’s supportive embrace.
“I’d only meant,” Madison explained, “to use the business you’re doing with her firm as a means to be around her more often, to try to warm her up to your being there, and hopefully get her to trust you again.”
As Cal spun around to begin pacing back toward them, he came face to face with Madison, her expression stern and her hands resting confidently on her slender hips. He met her narrowed gaze with a frustrated glare of his own and pursed his lips thinly.
“I’m not doing this by half measure, Madison. Now that I’ve found her, I’m not letting her go without a fight.”
Madison quirked an eyebrow as though in challenge. “Fine. I only hope you know what you’re doing.”
Exasperated, Cal threw his hands in the air, his fingers curled like claws. “She already hates me.” His voice boomed deeply, aching with anger. “You won’t help me with that. So, what’s a little blackmail added to the mix? She can’t hate me any more than she already does.”
At his pained words, Madison’s dominant stance relaxed and her firm expression softened, filling with pity and compassion. She breathed another sigh, sounding helpless and resigned, and then opened her arms to him. Cal stared at her for an instant longer, his gaze still clouded and fierce. Then, finally, he took the necessary step forward and let Madison embrace him. Her lean, lithe arms wrapped around his broad, muscular shoulders with difficulty, but she still managed to fit his large bulk into the tight hug.
“You just have to trust that it will all work out,” she told him.
Still struggling with his internal fight, desperate to either compel Madison to tell him the truth or find Lucy and force her into his arms, Cal just couldn’t hug Madison back. With tension filling his body and his fists clenched, he couldn’t do much more than let her try to hold and reassure him.
If he was honest with himself, he knew it wasn’t anger he felt at this whole situation, at Madison, at Lucy. No, instead it was nerves, fear that was creating this furious exterior. And he didn’t know how to combat that. He couldn’t bear the thought of losing Lucy again, of missing his chance to win her back and convince her that she was his one and only. If he thought his life wasn’t worth living before, what would it be like if she disappeared on him again, if he couldn’t get through to her and convince her of his feelings? Just the thought of it made his heart ache as though someone were pulling at it, trying to rip it from his insides.
“Just breathe, Cal.” Madison’s soothing voice cut through Cal’s dark thoughts. “I can try to talk to Lucy and do what I can to get her to open up to you. But you have to stop being so hard on yourself and start believing that this will work. Lucy will let you in again.”
At those words, Cal pulled out of the hug far enough to see Madison’s face.
“Do you mean that? You’ll talk to her?” His voice was painfully hopeful.
As Madison nodded reassuringly at their friend, Rob looked on sympathetically, a small smile pulling at the corners of his mouth.
“From what Mads has told me,” Rob said slowly, while Cal’s gaze found his, “you two were made for each other. I know you’ve been estranged for a long time, but maybe there’s something that’s finally drawn you to each other? You have to believe in it, man, otherwise you’ll tear yourself apart.”
As his brows furrowed in thought, Cal’s gaze drifted and he considered Rob’s words carefully. After a minute, his dark expression lightened with a look of realization. When he glanced back at Rob and then to Madison, who still stood before him, her hands holding his strong arms supportively, he was nearly smiling.
“I think I know how to get her to open up to me,” Cal told them. “First, I need to open up to her.”