Better Than Before (RightMatch.com Trilogy) (27 page)

“Let’s go out and celebrate. Somewhere fancy.”

“That’s a switch.”

“You choose the place.”

He ran his hand down her hair, which she’d pulled back into a clip. “I’ll pick you up at seven."

“Oh. We can’t do it tonight.”

 “Why?”

“Lauren called and asked me to work. She’s in a bind.”

“At least those jobs will end. You won’t have to clean up after or serve anybody ever again.”

“What do you mean?”

“You can quit your jobs now that you have a teaching position for September.”

She hadn’t planned to quit right away, and his assumption that she would disturbed her. As did his comment about what kind of work she did. “First off, both jobs are honest work, Spence. I’m not sure when I’m going to quit them. Certainly not until the fall, and I thought maybe then, I might keep one.”

“You’re kidding, right? Teachers make a decent salary, enough to live on with Keith’s support payments. We can have more time together. You know we don’t have enough to suit me.”

He brought this up all the time and Annie was getting impatient with it. And there was something else that niggled at her. When she’d quit her teaching job to have kids, her insecurities had increased. Even though the jobs she had now weren’t professional positions, they’d given her a sense of self-worth, too. She had to be careful not to repeat past mistakes.

“I thought,” he said coldly, “you felt the same way about having more time together.”

While she thought out what to say, Annie took note of her surroundings. The office was huge, with a sleek cherry desk, credenza and bookshelves. The sitting area off to the left gleamed with leather couches and more cherry accents. On the floor were oriental carpets. Sometimes, like now when she was excited and happy, she thought she was dealing with the other side of Spence.

“Annie, don’t you want to be with me more?”

“Of course. But I’ll decide if and when I quit my jobs.”

As she watched him do in the past, Spence closed down. His shoulders stiffened, and even the tilt of his head was different. “I see.” He checked his watch. “Speaking of jobs, I’ve got to get to mine.” He picked up a file on his desk. “I’ll walk you to the elevator.”

She wanted back the Spence of a few minutes ago. She wanted to return to the other night when they’d made ice cream. But she didn’t say anything to bring that about. Because, damn it, how dare he spoil her happy news, her up mood, because she wouldn’t do exactly what he wanted!

o0o

“As you know from my memos, we’re going ahead with AllGreen and the Hendersons are making progress on their business plan.” He’d explained about the uniforms and the companies they’d contacted. “There are a few updates on the information.”

Lester checked his group notes. “How much progress have they made?”

Not as much as they should have. Eli’s wife had landed back in the hospital and Jacob had to make all the visits. They should have had all twenty-five contacts made by today. “Enough. They’ve hit a snag, but are back on track now.”

“A snag?” the chair asked.

He rushed on to explain, not liking how defensive he sounded.

Another board member, Marisa Jones, a banker who thought like he did, asked, “Since when did you become so understanding of personal issues, Spence? They’ve been the death knell of companies you’ve dealt with.”

“This one’s worth it. They’ve found a way to improve the company and create a lot of green-collar jobs.”

She thumped her head dramatically. “Wait, did I hear you say you’re concerned about the environment?”

Hell. He was as concerned as the next guy.

“This is a sound business decision. It’s going to work.”

“Fine, it’s going to work. It’s just a shock to us to see this kind of turnaround in you.”

Spence didn’t like where this conversation was going. He’d been skittish all along about changing his business practices, and their comments made it worse.

Harold chuckled. “I agree. I think you’re slipping, hotshot. I’ve never seen you be so tolerant of personal problems.”

“I’m not slipping. I did what I thought was best for Global Industries.”

Still, the board didn’t give him quarter. He had no choice but to tolerate the quips going around the table.

“He’s grown a heart…”

“I saw a woman go rushing into his office earlier. Maybe he’s in love…”

“Go ahead and have your fun. When we start to make millions off this new-and-improved venture, you’ll see I was right.”

Of course, they listened to him. Of course, they went with his decisions. Joking aside, they trusted him. He’d never, not once, let them down. And he’d built up Global Industries on his guts and intuition. In AllGreen’s case, he was operating on that.

But when he went back to his office, he sat at his desk and stared at the computer unseeingly. And admitted to himself that he was behaving differently. Four months ago, he would have sliced and diced this company if they’d dropped the ball in the slightest manner when so much was on the line.

He hadn’t.

And no matter what he said otherwise, in his heart he knew Annie Hopkins had influenced this decision.

Chapter 15

Spence’s concern over his business dealings had diminished by the next weekend, especially after several intimate online exchanges and phone calls. He was feeling good about their ability to compromise and make up after a disagreement. So he was happy when he arrived at Annie’s house to take her and the kids out for miniature golf. Once again, he hadn’t played the game since Joey’s father had been alive, but at least he didn’t have to pretend to have done that.

Annie answered the door. Her hair was uncombed, she still wore her pajamas at noon and she smelled a bit sour.

“What’s wrong?” he asked.

“Hope’s sick.” When he came inside, she held up her hand. “Stay back. She’s been throwing up all night and I’m a mess.”

“I’m sorry. What’s wrong with her?

“There's a twenty-four-hour flu going around school. I guess she got it.”

“Do you need me to pick up food? Soda? Medicine, maybe?”

“No. But I’ll have to cancel our plans. I should have called, but I fell asleep.”

Behind Annie, Alex trundled down the stairs. Dressed in tan cargo shorts and a T-shirt, the boy seemed content. “Aren’t we going?” he asked his mother.

Annie’s sighed. “Oh, honey, Hope is still sick.”

Alex transferred his gaze to Spence. “Maybe you could just take me.”

The notion pleased him. “I’d like that, Alex.” They both looked at Annie.

“I’m not sure. Why don’t we reschedule?”

Annie didn’t want him alone with Alex? As insults went, it couldn’t get much worse. His good mood fizzled fast.

“Mom! I wanna go with Spence.”

“I hate to disappoint you, honey.” She turned to Spence. “You, too.”

He arched a brow. “Then let us go.”

She angled her head in disapproval and too late, he realized he’d pretty much taken the choice from her by making the request in front of her son. Well, too bad. He was none too happy with her, either.

“All right. Let me give you money, Alex.”

Spence shook his head. “My treat today.”

“No, absolutely not.” She crossed to her purse and got Alex some cash.

He kissed his mother and said, “Thanks, Mom.”

Spence left with Alex so he didn’t have to talk to Annie alone. He was afraid they’d say something they’d regret, and besides, she wasn’t at her best. They both needed cooling off time.

Surprisingly, Alex began the conversation on the way to the course. “Do you play golf for real?”

“Uh-huh. I live on a golf course.”

“Cool. Did you do other sports when you were in school?”

No team sports, Spencer. Best to be responsible only for yourself.

“I boxed in high school and college.”

“No shit? Are you the one who told Mom I should take boxing lessons?”

Uh-oh. Spence hadn’t thought about having to watch what he said around the boy, probably because he was getting tired of censoring himself. “How did you know that?”

“I heard her talking to Dad about it. He got mad.”

“He enrolled you in self-defense. It’s a good thing to know.”

“Not enough kids signed up, so they aren’t offering the class. They’re gonna try again when school starts in the fall.”

Annie hadn’t told him about that. “Hmm.”

After pulling into the parking lot of Midas Putt Putt, he shut off the engine. The course loomed before them with the Cyclops standing tall above the rest of the Greek-themed holes.

When Alex reached for the door handle, he stayed the boy’s arm. “Look, Alex, it’s none of my business, but I’m concerned about those canceled lessons. Your mother thinks you’re being bullied. Actually, so do I.”

Alex looked away.

“I’m not asking you to admit or deny it. Let me just say I know what it’s like.” He went on to tell the kid about his experiences at private school. “The funny thing was I didn’t have to use my fists much after I learned to box. The confidence I gained made all the difference.”

When he got a glimpse at Alex’s face, Spence recognized what he was seeing there. And recalled the insecurities of being on the verge of puberty, the cruelty of other kids and the jumble of hormones and emotions that plagued adolescents. So he let the boy determine the next move.

After a while, Alex spoke. “I wouldn’t mind seeing what boxing is like.”

“Fine by me. I go occasionally to the ring at Nemo’s gym downtown.”

“Maybe you could take me sometime.” Alex lifted his chin. “How about now, instead of playing miniature golf?”

Spence should get Annie’s approval. He knew it. “We have to check this out with your mother first.”

“I don’t wanna make a big deal about it and she will. Can’t we just go see the place?”

“You know what? Let’s give her a call. I don’t want her mad at me or you.”

She didn’t answer the phone. She’d probably gone back to sleep. Damn it.

Alex was watching him. “Spence, I really wanna do this. It might…help.”

The kid was admitting something to him, and he’d be damned if he’d let Alex down. He was going to go on his instinct instead of acting like he was incapable of making any decision without Annie. “Sure. If you want to give it a test run, they take walk-ins. And they have boxing equipment for rent.”

“Great.”

“I can show you some moves. You might even take a lesson.”

The kid’s expression bore traces of excitement now, instead of anxiety. “Thanks, Spence.”

It took the edge off his unease about not getting Annie’s approval on this. They headed out to Nemo’s and Spence hoped to hell taking the kid there didn’t cause World War Three.

o0o

The doorbell rang about four, and having slept for three hours, both Annie and Hope were feeling better by then. Annie had managed a much-needed shower, then she gave her daughter a bath and settled her in her bed with crayons and color books.

On the front stoop was Julia. Her friend had called this morning while Annie was in a dither. “Hi, there.” Julia was beautiful in a short mauve sundress and sandals, her dark hair pulled back with a headband. She held up a brown paper bag. “I brought Hope an art kit. When the boys were little and got sick, they needed entertainment.”

“How sweet. She feels bad because she missed miniature golf today.”

“You had an outing planned?”

Not up for fireworks, Annie nodded. “Go see Hope. I’ve got to get Jake some food and then we can relax out on the patio.”

In the kitchen, Annie mixed regular dog food and her own rice combination for Jake. At Spence’s suggestion, she’d begun trying to wean the animal again. For a moment, Annie felt uneasy by how much she counted on his advice. She’d given serious thought to quitting the restaurant and spa, not because Spence was miffed about her refusal to stop working right away, but because he was right. And it would make everybody’s life easier. They hadn’t talked about it again, and his coldness had dissipated when they’d chatted online the rest of the week.

But now that she was rested, the old doubts plagued her. Especially after he and Alex had cornered her into letting them go out alone. She knew nothing bad would happen. She did trust Spence that much. But again, he’d practically forced her into a decision.

Julia returned and they went outside, with Jake and his food in tow.

“Is he still eating the rice mixture?”

“That’s a combination of both.”

“You spoil him, Annie. He’s been back for months.”

“Oh, dear. And you don’t even know about PetPlay.”

“PetPlay?”

She explained how Spence had signed up Jake for the doggy entertainment. Even Julia enjoyed hearing about the antics of the usually listless dog. Then she asked, “Where’s Alex?”

“He went to play miniature golf with Spence.”

Julia’s jaw dropped. “You let your son go somewhere alone with that guy? Annie, you hardly know him.”

 “You’re wrong, Julia. I do know him. And Alex likes him. They’ll be fine.” Annie hoped she’d covered the worry Julia’s comment had exacerbated.

“I’d never let my boys be alone with somebody who I’ve only known since March.”

The innuendo that she was a bad mother hurt. But Julia was wrong. She pictured Spence catching pitches right here in this very yard with her son, making the ice cream—even thinking of making it. He ran a multi-million dollar company and he’d bought all the ingredients and left work to do something nice for her kids.

“I’m getting serious about him, Jules. I wish you didn’t hate him so much.”

“Why wouldn’t I? Men like him almost ruined our lives. When one of his ilk was trying to force Lance to sell his company, the kids picked up on their father’s tension and started acting out.”

“I know. But it wasn’t Spence who did that.”

“Those articles I gave you show he’s destroyed lives.”

Frustrated, Annie sat back. “Julia, it’s getting to be a problem that you’re so negative about Spence. Your attitude is hurting our friendship.”

“You’d choose him over me?”

“Listen to yourself. This is ludicrous.”

“No it isn’t. He’s everything I despise in a man.”