Secrets from Her Past: Scandalous, Book 2 (17 page)

Corinne glanced out into the darkened night as the clouds slid across the moon, removing its pale glow.

“She will understand. Besides,” she said, bringing her gaze back to his, “I’ll visit more often. Of course, the interview may not go well and I may not want to sign with them or they may not want to sign with me. It’s not a done deal.”

Was she already backtracking and trying to talk herself out of this?

The pained look on Dylan’s face was something she’d half expected, but she hadn’t prepared herself for the impact it would have on her heart.

Chapter Fifteen

Six days. Well, make that five now.

Dylan walked around the building he’d just acquired in a whirlwind buy. The place was dark, damp, and needed a major overhaul. He was glad he hadn’t paid a penny more.

Though if it kept Cori here, he would’ve doubled the offer.

Five days.

This damn countdown was going to kill him. She may come back, she may go to Miami, she may find that she’d fallen in love with him, or she may find that she had that urge to model again and travel all over the globe.

Five damn days to make her see that this is where she belongs. With him.

He was nearly finished with the therapy center’s renovations and he’d be damned if he was going to start on Mary’s house. He wasn’t going anywhere near her home for a while…if ever. Right now he had two priorities: this new building and Cori.

His cell rang and he pulled it from his pocket, answering it without glancing at the ID.

“Yeah.”

“Hey,” Cori’s soft voice slid through the phone and punched him straight in the gut. “I woke up and you were gone.”

“Had some things to do.”

God, that sounded harsh and cold.

“Oh. Um…well. Is everything okay?”

Sure. He’d fallen in love…again, made love to a woman all night long, only to wake up to the cold realization she was going to be leaving in five days and she may or may not be returning. Everything was perfectly fine.

“Just looking at a new project I have,” he answered, then suddenly had a wonderful idea. God, he was brilliant at times. “Would you like to meet me? We can do an early lunch and I can show you what I’m working on.”

“Sounds great. Where should I meet you?”

He opted to eat first because he wanted to be the one to drive her here, to show her inside and lay out only a portion of his plan. Just enough to entice her…he hoped.

He had five days. Dylan knew he was a hard worker when it came to anything he wanted. But this next five days would prove to be trying and the most demanding of anything he’d ever experienced. He only prayed that come Friday Cori would have a new outlook on life. A life he wanted to share with her.

Corinne graciously accepted a ride with Dylan to the next location after a wonderful lunch at a little beachside café. Thankfully it wasn’t busy and she only had a couple people point and whisper. But her attention was focused on the man who was turning her simple world into something chaotic and unbalanced. And all in a fabulously great way.

She had an issue she needed to discuss with him, but she would wait until she saw his project. She didn’t want her questions and potential fight to get in the way of whatever great job he was starting because he’d seemed truly enthusiastic on the phone.

He pulled his work truck against the curb of a quaint little brick building. Wooden benches sat on either side of the glass door and old lettering was peeling off the door and windows.

“Here we are,” he announced, killing the engine. “Come on inside.”

She hopped out of the truck and waited until he unlocked the front door and ushered her inside. The place was dark, save for the light streaming in the front two windows and door. The linoleum had lifted and some of the fake tiles were all askew. The space was wide and deep and she had no clue what he had in mind, but she knew Dylan and he was a master at fixing things.

“It needs work, but I’m pretty excited about my next adventure.”

She turned in a circle and saw him behind her, grinning from ear to ear. “And what is your next venture?”

“I’m thinking of turning this into a bakery. I just have to find the right person to take it over.”

Cori glanced around the worn building and could easily see how Dylan’s talents could turn this place into something magical for customers.

A twinge of guilt ate at her because more than likely she wouldn’t be here to see this finished, unless she came home to visit often.

“Do you have a buyer in mind?” she asked.

He nodded. “I think so. But first I want to get this place fixed up before I approach anyone with a business offer. It’ll be my first and I’m going to be investing a lot of money so I want to take this slow.”

She crossed her arms over her chest. “Speaking of a lot of money, I spoke with Mary at the therapy center today.”

When he continued to stare at her without a word, Corinne wanted to scream. “You know what I’m about to say. Anything you want to fess up to?”

The infuriating man shrugged and shook his head. “Nothing I can think of.”

“When were you going to tell me you’d paid my mother’s bill for the next month?”

“Who says I paid it?”

She tilted her head and rolled her eyes. “Do you think anyone else I know would concern themself with my finances and my parents?”

Again he shrugged and started walking around the building as if inspecting it and making mental notes.

“I don’t want you paying my way,” she all but yelled. “I can take care of my parents.”

“You were looking for a temporary job and I knew you hadn’t found one.” He ran a hand along the seam of the window sill. “I paid for one month, Cori. Chill.”

“Chill?” she repeated. “I can’t chill, Dylan. You aren’t in charge of my parents and I don’t know when I can repay you.”

Dylan turned from the window, crossed the bare space and took her trembling shoulders in his hands. “I don’t want to be paid back, Cori. If I didn’t want to help, I wouldn’t have done it. And I didn’t do it out of guilt or because I pity you or whatever other crazy idea you have in that head of yours. I care about you, I care about your parents. End of story. Don’t make this into something it’s not.”

When he explained it like that she felt like a child throwing a tantrum. He’d been totally awesome, stepping up to the plate without being asked, without expecting anything in return. And how could she ever repay him?

Cori tipped her head and held his gaze. “Just how prosperous is this business of yours, Dylan? You drop a chunk for my mother’s care, you buy this building.”

He grinned. “I could retire today and be comfortable. But I love my job. I’ve made a name for myself and had some good investments.”

Corinne reached up, stroked his face. “You’re such a good man, Dylan. What am I ever going to do when I leave here?”

He grasped her hands, kissed both palms and held on to her. “Let’s hope we don’t have to find out.”

Corinne juggled the heavy tote filled with food and a casserole in a traveling case as she entered the therapy center. She’d promised her mother a home-cooked meal once she returned from Miami and she’d yet to follow through on her promise.

Unfortunately, before she could head down the hall toward her parents’ room, Mary called her name.

Corinne turned, pasted a smile on her face even though she wasn’t quite a big fan of the new owner and the food she carried was killing her arms.

“So glad I caught you,” Mary said as she crossed the open lobby area. “I spoke with your mother’s doctor just a few moments ago on the phone. He’ll be calling you soon too. We both believe that your mother is ready to leave with at-home care, if you are comfortable with that.”

Oh wow. It would be great to get her mother home where she belonged. But how could she afford that immediate care?

“That’s wonderful,” Corinne replied. “Thank you so much.”

Mary nodded. “Oh, have you seen Dylan?”

“Earlier today. Why?”

“He mentioned coming to my house to give me an estimate, just curious when he’d be by.”

Corinne shrugged. “Not sure. He hasn’t mentioned it to me.”

“And you two are…close still?”

Corinne had had enough of this woman. She’d tried to be civil for the sake of her mother’s care, but really?

“That was pretty rude, Mary.” Corinne shifted her load and glared the owner in the eyes. “Dylan and I have been friends for years. Yes, we’re close. I’ll tell him you asked about the project. The rest is up to him.”

Corinne marched down the hallway toward her mother’s room and tapped on the door with her foot. She couldn’t wait to get her mother home and out of this facility. Granted, the place was nice for therapy and they allowed her father to stay, but the old hag who’d bought the place only a few months ago was seriously getting on Corinne’s last nerve.

Her father opened the door and smiled wide. “Well, if this isn’t service. Come on in, sweetheart. Here, let me take something.”

She handed over the casserole and finally reached up to take the heavy tote from her shoulder. Now blood could flow back into her arm.

“Wh-what do you…”

Corinne smiled at her mother who couldn’t complete the question.

“I brought a few new recipes for you all to try,” she said, pulling one dish out at a time. “I have a meatloaf for Dad because it’s his favorite, but I made some special noodles in a creamy sauce because I know you love your pasta, Mom. I baked homemade bread. Yes, I let the dough rise yesterday and it’s all from scratch.”

Her father lifted the lid from the casserole. “I’ve died. This smells amazing, Cori. But you didn’t have to go to any trouble.”

“No trouble.” She pulled out the heavy paper plates she’d brought with her and started making her mother a plate. “I tried a new cupcake recipe. S’mores cupcakes. They don’t look as pretty as I wanted them to, but hopefully they’ll taste okay.”

“My stomach doesn’t care what things look like,” her father laughed. “And they sound amazing.”

Corinne got her mother settled with a tray and her food and water bottle, before turning to draw her dad to the side of the open room.

“I ran into Mary outside. She claims Doctor Spurlock says Mom is well enough to go home with the proper care.”

Her father nodded. “I had a feeling. She’s been back here a few days and she was making such great strides before that ministroke. I actually want to talk to the doctor. I believe with you and me, we could help her without hiring the aide to come in.”

Corinne swallowed. Now was not the time to tell them she’d more than likely be leaving sooner than she’d thought. But as she looked over at her mother who was trying to eat with her left hand because her right was still so weak, Corinne knew she wasn’t going anywhere.

At least not yet.

“Have you talked with Dylan any more about—”

“No,” Corinne cut him off. “I haven’t and I don’t plan to.”

“I think you’re making a mistake.”

Corinne shrugged. “Obviously not the first one in my life.”

“I’ll never understand why young people are so stubborn,” he muttered.

“I’m not stubborn,” she countered between gritted teeth. “But, I will sacrifice my happiness over someone I care about any day, without question.”

His eyes searched hers and he finally nodded. “I may not agree with your decision, but I will support you, no matter what, Cori. I love you so much.”

Her father embraced her in a warm, familiar hug and all those memories of her childhood came rushing back. Her parents’ arms were always so welcoming, so comforting. No matter what was going on in her life, those arms were always there, waiting, ready to open wide and let her seek shelter, without questions and without judgment.

How could she let the people down who loved her the most? But how could she start a life here if she couldn’t have one with Dylan?

Sometimes being an adult honestly and truly sucked. There was no right answer to any situation. There were only answers that would move you on to the next dilemma.

So now she had to decide to stay, take care of her mom and face her past, or leave, take charge of her career and leave her mother’s health solely in the care of her father. No matter her decision, Dylan was a major factor. Could she bear to leave and lose him again?

Yeah. There was no right answer. But there was a better choice, even if it was the hardest.

Chapter Sixteen

Corinne knew the time had come. She was going to have to tell Dylan the truth. Or at least a portion of it.

And bribery was the absolute best tool she could think of.

Dylan had told her he had to go give an estimate for another project, not Mary’s house, and he’d be gone for several hours since the potential client lived a couple counties over.

A few hours were all she needed to put her plan into motion—and allow even more nerves to sink in.

She took a deep breath and pulled the jalapeño pepper appetizers from the oven. So far, the meal was looking beautiful. She’d made all of Dylan’s favorites and even a new dessert she’d never tried before, but it was chocolate and that was all that mattered to the man.