Marry Me for Money (40 page)

Don’t cry.

Don’t do it, not at work.

“You don’t have to go. I basically told him that you’re not going.” She stood in front of me and held my shoulders. “I told him no.”

“It doesn’t matter. I’m leaving anyway. I leave for California in a couple of days. Mom and Da—I mean, Mr. and Mrs. Plack have been nothing but nice to me. If Mr. Plack specifically asked for me to be there, then I’ll go.”

“Are you sure? Are you going to be okay?”

My eyes dropped to the ground, knowing full well I wouldn’t be okay. “The problem is, I didn’t only fall in love with Kent. I fell in love with his family, too. I’ll be okay. I’ll be gone soon anyway.” The tears threatened to spill over. “It’s just…I’ve tried everything to forget him. I’ve avoided every place we ever went to, everywhere that reminds me of him and now, I have to go see his family.”

“Oh, honey,” she said, pulling me to her side, “I’m so sorry.”

Her gentle, consoling touch broke me as the first of my tears betrayed me and began to spill over. “Caroline, my heart…hurts.” I dropped my face into my hands as my sobs shook my body. “It physically hurts, and all I wish for, all I want is for the hurt to stop. I just want it to stop.” I cried, feeling warm tears wet my palms. “I wasn’t supposed to fall for him. I’d forced myself not to fall, but then I did.” I sobbed harder, collapsing into her arms. “Because I’m stupid. I’m so dumb.”

I ugly-cried on her shoulder. She held me until my breathing steadied, my tear ducts dried out and finally, I had no more tears left to fall.

I didn’t look at Jim or speak to him as we drove to Plack Industries’ corporate headquarters in the city. I nodded at his comments as I stared blankly out the window and at the buildings in front of us.

Before we walked through the double glass doors into Plack Industries, I rubbed the back of my neck, bit the rest of my pinkie nail off, and took a deep breath.

I didn’t want to see Dad. Memories of everything I’d had with Kent and the family I’d felt so much a part of would come flooding back even though it had just been a temporary arrangement.

The receptionist led us through the hallway and into the boardroom.

“This should only take an hour, maybe two hours tops,” Jim said, taking a seat at the long chestnut table surrounded by black leather cushioned seats.

I rolled my eyes and didn’t care that he’d seen it. I would never have to work with him again. In two days, I would be on my way to California—away from him, away from Plack Industries, away from it all.

When the doors opened, we both stood. Two women in suits followed two men into the boardroom. Right behind them, Mr. Plack strolled in. He nodded toward Jim. When his eyes reached mine, his face lit up, followed by a warm smile.

“It’s good to see you, Beth.” Mr. Plack came over and pulled me into a bear hug, patting my back.

“Hi, Mr. Plack.” My ears warmed as I surveyed everyone in the room watching us, but Mr. Plack didn’t seem to care as he held me a little longer than comfortable in a professional setting.

“Mom and I—we’ve missed you,” he said, quietly backing away. He held me out at arm’s length and studied me. “You’ve lost weight. Have you been eating?” he asked, his eyebrows pulling together in concern.

I nodded, feeling the warmth of my ears spread to my face as everyone stared at us. I’m sure they gossiped in this office, as they had done in mine. Most of the people in this room had most likely been to the wedding.

After a few seconds, he shook his head and turned around. “All right, we’ll get started in a few minutes.” Mr. Plack sat at the head of the table and flipped through his papers. “Jason, pass out the copies of those projections.”

I reached into my purse, pulled out my pen, and opened my portfolio to a blank page. One by one, people filed into the conference room, filling the seats around the table. I glanced up when I heard a high-pitched female laugh, and I almost fell out of my seat when I saw Kent walking in, followed by a tall brunette. He looked annoyed at first, but when he saw me, his eyes widened. He was surprised to see me, too.

“Beth…” he said, his eyes lighting up.

The chatter in the room slowed to a dull hush as he took me in.

I gave him a small wave and lowered my head, focusing on the papers in front of me.

“Okay, everyone, grab your seats. Let’s get started. I have an eleven o’clock meeting after this,” Mr. Plack said.

The seats around me were occupied, and I released a soft sigh of relief. I wouldn’t have been able to survive the whole meeting if Kent were right next to me. I didn’t hear a word anybody was saying. I didn’t even glance up from my papers. I could only feel his stare from across the room.

When the lights turned off and the third presenter walked up to the projector, I stole a glance. A small dimple emerged on his handsome face when my eyes caught his. I glanced away toward the numbers on the screen.

I didn’t know why he was here. He’d wanted nothing to do with the company. I was so confused. I wanted to hide. I wanted to run. Most of all, I wanted to cry. I wanted to cry because over a month later, it still hurt being in the same room with him. It hurt because I realized one thing. I missed him so much even though I didn’t want to.

The only thing that kept me in my seat was my hands gripping the sides of the leather chair. I bit the inside of my cheek and told myself to focus.
Focus on the numbers. Focus on the screen.
I had to focus on anything but the emotions running through me from just being in the same room with him.

When the lights flipped back on, I didn’t glance in his direction. I could feel his eyes on me, burning a hole through me. His stare warmed the whole side of my face. I lifted my head, forced to look at him when he walked to the front of the room.

“Hi, everyone. I’m Kent Plack, assistant to the head of logistics for the roll out of this expansion. In other words, I got the job that no one else wanted.”

The whole room chuckled, and even though I’d tried not to, the side of my mouth lifted slightly. His eyes warmed when he saw my smile, and he continued to talk about the renovations to the plants across the nation.

As he stood at the front of the room and pointed at the white board, I found myself drawn to him. He exuded confidence and wit. He knew what he was talking about, and my heart swelled with pride as he continued to speak. I’d always known he would be successful at anything he did. Watching him at the front of the room, taking charge and commanding the audience in this professional environment, I felt genuinely happy for him, happy for his family.

Although I couldn’t have him for myself, even though I couldn’t keep him, I knew I loved him wholly and fully because I wanted the best for him. I wanted him to succeed. And seeing the glint in Mr. Plack’s eyes as his son spoke of the future expansion, I knew this was where Kent belonged.

When he concluded his speech, the whole room clapped, and the first thing Kent did was look in my direction. He raised his eyebrow slightly with his silent question, asking me if he had done okay. I met his eyes and nodded while I clapped slowly along with the group. It was only then that both his dimples appeared.

When the meeting ended, Jim walked toward the CFO and started a conversation. I picked up my purse and put my pen and portfolio away. I felt his presence before I even heard him.

“Hi, Beth.”

I glanced up while gathering my papers from the table. “Hey,” I said shyly. I looked around as people started to disperse from the room.

“You look great.”

I continued to organize my papers. “You did amazing up there,” I said, trying to change the mood.

I tried to block out the proximity of his presence, but I couldn’t. He smelled of newly laundered sheets with a mix of his expensive cologne that exuded masculinity. It saddened me because at one time, just the scent of him had meant he was close, and it had been what calmed me when I needed it the most.

The brunette from earlier popped up in front of him. “Kent, want to do lunch today?”

“Sorry, not today,” he replied, his eyes never straying away from me.

“Okay. Maybe tomorrow then?”

I felt a pang of instant jealousy as I took in her petite figure.
He’s not yours to be jealous over
, I reminded myself.

“No, I don’t know. Not now, okay?” He didn’t try to hide the annoyance in his voice as he shooed her away.

She gave me a once-over before strutting out the door.

“How have you been?” he asked, a dimple showing on his handsome face.

“Good.” Creating some sort of barrier between us, I held my portfolio tighter to my chest. I looked toward the gray carpet because staring at him made my heart hurt again.

He moved into my line of sight. “Do you…do you want to do lunch or something? I can drive you back to the office.”

“No. I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“I found this new steak place, and I thought of you.”

I shook my head, and his face fell.

“Every time I try a new restaurant, I think, ‘Beth would like this place,’ and then I wish you were right there with me,” he said quietly.

I glanced around us. Everyone had already left the conference room. We were the only two people left in the empty boardroom. I stepped back and composed myself before the sadness in his eyes filtered into mine.

“Kent, I’m so happy you’re working with your father. It seems like things are looking up for you. I always knew you could do it.”

He reached for my wrist, and I weakened at his touch.

“It’s because of this one beautiful girl who believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself. She’s the reason that my father looks at me from across the boardroom with pride in his eyes. Maybe that’s why my mother hugs me a little tighter now, and I didn’t even think that was remotely possible.” He leaned in. “Your push is the reason I’m here.”

I looked at where his hand met my flesh. “I’m happy for you. Good luck, Kent.” I pulled my wrist back but the warmth from his touch was still present.

He leaned into me and my breath caught. “Beth, I…I miss you,” he exhaled, his voice breaking.

I missed him, too, but I couldn’t afford to say it, especially since I was leaving. I bit my cheek and gave him a sad smile. “I took a job in California. I leave in a few days.” I’d had no intentions of telling him, but then again, I never thought I’d see him again.

He paused, taking my words in. “California?” he asked.

“It’s a good opportunity. I’ll be working for my same boss. It’s going to be great,” I said, speaking quickly.

“Is this because of me?” he asked, his eyes tormented.

“No, it’s not,” I lied, shaking my head. “It’s because of me. I need a change of pace. I need something new.”

He met my eyes and then looked to the floor. Jim peeked inside the conference room and signaled that it was time to go before he walked away.

“Listen, I have to go, but I wanted to say thank you…for being there for me with my mom problems and…for everything. I wish you would just cash those checks I send you for paying my bills.”

“You earned it. That money is yours,” he said. “Stop sending me checks because I won’t cash them.” He reached for my hand again and linked our fingers together. It was the most intimate of holds, the warmth of his hand spreading throughout my body. “I don’t want you to go,” he said softly.

I thought I was going to lose it at seeing the unshed tears in his eyes. I searched his face, and before he could say any more, I pulled back my hand. “I’m so proud of you, Kent. I wish you the best.”

I turned and walked quickly out of the room, so he wouldn’t see me cry.

On my hands and knees, I taped the last of my moving boxes. I glanced around me. My apartment was bare. No pictures remained on the wall, and throw pillows and blankets were packed away. Tomorrow, I’d be off to California to start a new life yet again. Hopefully, this time, it wouldn’t be as complicated.

I stood, pulled my high ponytail a little tighter, and looked at the clock. I’d been packing all day, and I’d forgotten to eat lunch, so I grabbed my keys and headed out the door.

I found myself at a local cafe down the street, and as I took the last few bites of my panini, I mentally made a list of what else I needed to accomplish before the move. After eating, I strolled back toward my apartment, walking slowly to take in the city view for one of the very last times. The sounds of cars bustling around me and the train overhead filled my ears.