Letting Go of You (Anchored Hearts #2) (4 page)

C
hapter
4
~
B
oudoir

~ JAMES ~

I knew I shouldn’t have left, but I didn’t know what else to do.  Moving in with her would just bring more publicity her way.  Publicity which she didn’t want and couldn’t handle; at least that’s what I told myself.  I loved her, but moving in together was a huge step.  I knew it was a step toward forever for her.  Forever wasn’t something I knew how to do.  I knew she was the only one I wanted, but forever was a long time.  Melissa used to love talking about forever too.

 
I was also worried about Jane.  Not because she moved in with Cal, though that wasn’t like her to move so suddenly, but she seemed on edge the past few days.  That night, in the parking lot, she looked like she’d seen a ghost.  I had to get Smith to look into Derek and make sure he was still in California.  I had a feeling Jane was hiding what had really happened between them.  When I made it to the hotel, I shed my clothes and headed straight for my workout room to release my tension.

~<>~<>~<>~

Monday morning Smith walked in to my office and took a seat as I finished my phone call.  “Yes, the usual will do.  Thank you.”  I set the phone down and looked to Smith.  “Any news?”

“He hasn’t used his credit cards for any purchases.  In fact, they’re all maxed out.  He seems to be hurting financially.”

“Did Jane keep her money separate from him?”

“It looks like she switched over all of her accounts, her trust included, back in June.  I’m not sure what’s going on with him.”

“And Dan?”

“Nothing new.  He’s
laying low, but Annie and I haven’t been able to get any more information.  A buddy of mine is looking into the cold case files as well, but he covered his tracks well.”

“Alright.  Thanks, man.
  Paul should be arriving later today.  Can you pick him up at the airport?  He’ll be staying at the property on Rushmore.”

“It’ll be great having the crew back together.  You’re confident he can handle the project for you?”

“He can handle it.  It’ll be nice working with someone who knows what he’s doing.”  I nodded at Smith as another call came in and he made his exit.

I spent the rest of the day going over paperwork for various projects. 
Cassidy didn’t call all day.  I wasn’t sure if she was just being stubborn or if she knew forever was too much to talk about.  I’d put the house on the back burner and I needed another body to help get the work done.  That’s why I had recruited Paul.  We met in the Army and his family was in construction.  We were thick as thieves in the Army, and for a few years after.  He’d moved down south a few years back, working on a project for his father’s company.  That project was over.  The timing was perfect. 

~ CASSIDY ~

Another bouquet full of peonies sat atop my desk.  There was no card, which mildly annoyed me.  He couldn’t even bother to apologize for leaving so brusquely
the other night.  Work was relatively slow since all the Holiday parties were planned and in order.  There was a rap on my door and I looked up to see Cecily poke her head in.

“Are you busy?”  I shook my head as she closed the door before sitting down across from me.  “I wanted to talk to you about your future here at B & C.”

Oh shit, was I getting canned?  “I’m all ears.”

“I’m planning to retire in the coming months.  I’ve been looking for my replacement for some time now.”  She looked to me and I nodded for her to continue.  Please tell me I wasn’t going to be out of a job.  “As you know, my mother started this company and handed it down to me.  However, I have no children so that leaves me with no one to turn the company over to.  I’m younger than she was, but my heart just isn’t in it anymore.  To be honest, Preston wants to get married and move south.”

This surprised me.  The lady who was preaching to me about love, career, and the choices we make was choosing love over her career.  At the same time I was happy for her.  She’d had a long and successful career.  She was due a break to pursue other things.  She’d been in the office less and less over the past few months and happier than usual.  Everyone in the office picked up on it. 

“You’re engaged?”

“Shh, you’re the first I’ve told.”  She held up her hand and the enormous rock that glittered7

on
her hand was beautiful.  Way too big for my taste, but it seemingly suited her.

“Cecily, congratulations, that’s marvelous!  When’s the big day?  Do you need help planning?”

“Ah, I digress.  We’ll be eloping.  I’m not up for a big to-do.  This will be my third marriage and his second.  No need for an ostentatious celebration.  We plan enough of those here!”  She stared at her ring for a moment before talking again.  “So, that leaves us to discuss your role here.  Are you happy planning parties?”

I was speechless.  How the hell did I answer
that question?  “Well, I, of course I love planning a good party.  The clientele sometimes gets under my skin, but that’d be a problem in any industry, I imagine.  I’d love and be willing to take on more responsibility if you see fit.  It may help with the transition if you’re truly planning to retire.”

She smiled at me as she nodded.  “That’s the answer I was hoping to hear from you.  I’ll start sending you more of my files and we can spend more time together.  I’d like you to gain more experience on my side of the table.”

“Ok, that sounds great.”

She got up and walked to the door.  “Keep up the great work.  Don’t be alarmed when
you get your next paycheck.  With the duties you’ll be taking on, a raise was in order.”

My jaw dropped before I said, “Thank you.”  She
winked at me before she left the room and I got up and did a happy dance.  I immediately wanted to share the good news with James.  Then I remembered that I hadn’t spoken to him for a couple of days now.  The only communication from him was the vase of flowers now sitting on my desk.  I decided to pull out my phone and text him anyways.

Thank you for the flowers.

They’re beautiful, as usual.

PS…I just got a raise and a

promotion
, I think!

I set my phone down and within seconds it was vibrating away.

That’s great about the promotion,

I think?  You deserve it.

That was all his text said.  No love, no apology.  While I was happy he responded, my shoulders sagged at his lack of response.
What was going on with him?  One day he was professing his love and the next his walls were up again. I jumped when my cell started dancing across my desk again.

I’m sorry about this past

weekend.  I have plans with

an
old friend tonight.  I’ll call you.

Love you. ~J

You know where to find me.

XOXO ~Blackbird

He didn’t respond with anything else.  Who was this ‘old friend’?  I had to stop doubting him.  I trusted him.  Didn’t I?  There was only an hour left in the work day which I spent going through my files, organizing and reorganizing.  When I left work I decided to try to finish up my Christmas shopping. I was still stuck on what to get James.  What did you get someone who had everything?  I wandered around the busy halls of the mall for hours.  I picked up some clothes and gift certificates for those remaining on my list, but still no luck with anything for James.  I decided to call Jane.  Maybe she’d have some ideas.

“Hey.  I called because I’m trying to finish my Christmas shopping for James and I have no idea what to get him.  What’d you get Cal?”  She started laughing into the phone.  “What’s so funny?”  She then told me what she had done.  “I don’t think I could go through with that.”  She told me to think about it and that she’d forward me the number of the photographer.

When I got home, put away my gifts, and then changed my clothes, I really started debating about doing the boudoir photos.  What more intimate of a gift could I get?  And, it was something he didn’t have. He had mentioned wanting to take a picture of me when we were at the club. I called the number, fully expecting I’d get voicemail, when a gentleman answered the phone. 

“Hi, umm, I was calling about getting some photos done for my boyfriend for Christmas.”

His name was Cole Meadows.  “I’m pretty booked and only take appointments by referral.  How’d you get my number?”

“Oh, well Jane
Whitford referred me.”  There was still silence on the line.  “She’s actually the cousin to my boyfriend, James Benedict.”  I hated throwing his name out like that, but I really wanted to do this and prayed it would work.

“Why didn’t you say James referred you?  I have some openings this week in the evening.  Which evening would you prefer?”

“Oh God, well, I don’t have anything to wear?”

“Isn’t that the point?”  I couldn’t help but
snicker.  “I’m just saying, if you’re doing boudoir photos, less is more.  Bring some lingerie, maybe a shirt and tie of his and some jewelry.  I’ll have my hair and makeup artist here.”

“Oh, ok.  Umm, I can do Wednesday.” 

He gave me the address of the studio before hanging up.  I already knew immediately what I wanted to take.  I ran upstairs and grabbed my items to make sure they were clean.  I was walking out of the laundry room when I heard my phone chime to alert me of a text. 

Thinking of you.

XOXO ~J

Same here.

XOXO ~C

Sometimes he could be annoyingly vague.  Not in the mood for TV, I crawled up on the couch with my laptop and
opened iTunes.  I opened up my ‘James’ playlist and began adding and removing songs as I saw fit.  The list was mixed with songs of hope, love, angst, you know, the typical lovers mix.  Eventually I just put my songs on shuffle and finished decorating the tree.  I’d managed to put the lights on and a few ornaments the other night, but hadn’t gotten around to finishing it.  Once it was done I headed up to bed.

~<>~<>~<>~

Wednesday evening I drove over to the photo studio.  James had come over the night before with carry out and an apology.  I couldn’t help but feel that the way he was behaving was childish.  We didn’t discuss moving in anymore, though it still bugged me.  I knew he was what I wanted.  I’d never felt or been this serious about anyone before.  Maybe he was right and we weren’t ready.  It just seemed silly to wait.  We weren’t kids anymore, we were both grown adults.  All he had to do was touch me and I melted for him and he knew it. 

Walking into the building, I headed toward the elevator.  When I reached my floor, I headed to the door and rang the bell.  A young girl, with hair and makeup to rival any rock princess, answered the door and ushered me inside.  I walked into a large studio apartment, that had it been during the day it would’ve had amazing natural light.  There were lights and backdrops set up and a big bed as well.  I noticed a vanity with hair and makeup products setup all around.

“I’m Maize, Cole’s girlfriend, makeup artist, etc.  You must be Cassidy.”

“I am.  You’ve got an amazing setup here.”

“Thanks.  We live in the apartment next door. This is our studio for work.  You know, you’re prettier in person.  The papers haven’t done you justice.”

I blushed at that.  “Thanks
, I think.  I’m not sure the papers do anyone justice.”  We both laughed at that.  She had me set my bag down and then took my coat.  “I have to admit that I’m terribly nervous.  I’ve never had my pictures taken for this purpose.”

“No worries.  You’ll do great.  Sit here and I’ll start on your hair and makeup.  I really want to play up those eyes of yours.”

I sat down at the vanity as Maize started on my hair and makeup.  She put my hair in rollers first, and then began my makeup.  Half way through that process I heard someone else moving around the studio.  My eyes found a man moving lights, backdrops and other props around the room.  He spotted me watching him and walked over to me.

“Cassidy?  It’s a pleasure.  I’m Cole.  What did you have in mind for today?”

“Hi Cole.  Well, Jane said you had some ideas for her and that you probably would for me too.” 

“You have haunting eyes and beautiful skin.  Anything you don’t want to show or are excited to show?”

“I’m not sure.”

“Alright, we’ll take it slow.  It can be a grueling process, but we’ll get it done.”

A little while later I walked out of the bathroom wearing his t-shirt that I
had claimed as my own.  It covered me the most and I figured it was best to start with, to get me comfortable.  Maize had done my makeup slightly darker than my normal and said she’d darken it as we went.  Maize came over then and reassured me that everything would be fine.  We took a few shots by the window and then some in the bed before I changed outfits.