Chapter Twelve

“Hiding in Stratton’s office is beneath you.”

Lance looked up from the book he was reading and met Violet’s teasing glance. He loved all his sisters equally, but he and his youngest sister shared a special bond. Not only did they favor physically, but their temperaments and personalities were very similar. “Were you in on this?”

Violet crossed the length of the room and made herself comfortable on the arm of his chair. “You’ll have to be more specific.”

“Did you know Leah planned to invite a friend over to meet me?”

“She mentioned the possibility.”

 “I wish you’d given me a heads-up.”

“Some things are better when you don’t know they’re coming. Besides, I was afraid you might take it into your head to skip Thanksgiving dinner.”

He laughed at that. “I might have been tempted, but I wouldn’t do that to Mom. It’s bad enough that she’s never going to have a picture to put in that empty spot on the piano.”

“Why do you say never? You can’t seriously want to live the rest of your life alone.”

“I never said I wanted to, but love doesn’t always have a happy ending. When life brings two people together, there isn’t just one result. Sometimes they fall in love, like you and Jackson. Other times they dislike each other, but later realize they were wrong, like April and Barry. And sometimes one falls in love and the other just wants friendship.”

“Is that what happened to you?”

He hesitated, torn between wanting to maintain his silence on the subject of Holly and a desire to share his burden with someone. “Yes.”

“Does this woman know how you feel?”

“No, and that’s for the best. She married someone else.”

There was a long moment of silence and then, “Is it Holly?”

Lance stared at her, unable to believe she’d made that connection. “Is that a lucky guess, or do you have some evidence to support your theory?”

“I don’t know if my evidence is up to legal standards, but I know you pretty well. You act differently when Holly’s around. You don’t have as much to say, and your smile never quite reaches your eyes. I’ve noticed it in the past, and I noticed it again yesterday when she and Devon dropped by with Rebecca and Jordan.”

How many other people had figured out his secret? Just the thought of such a thing had him squirming in his seat. “That’s not what I wanted to hear.”

“I wouldn’t worry about it. I doubt anyone else knows.”

“Can I get that in writing?”

Violet laughed. “No need. Your bachelor status is the subject of many conversations among the female members of our family. If anyone suspected anything, it would have come up by now.”

“The two I’m most worried about are Holly and Devon.”

“They’re completely wrapped up in each other and their kids.”

Lance smiled faintly. “They’re happy as only ideally married people can be happy.”

“It takes a very honest and unselfish person to admit something like that.”

“I can’t deny what’s right in front of me. When you love someone, their happiness is always more important than your own. Holly has someone in her life who loves and appreciates her. I can accept and deal with that. I can even be happy knowing she’s happy. What I couldn’t handle would be the thought of her being with someone who didn’t love her. That would eat me up inside.”

“Losing out on Holly is rough, Lance. Don’t think I’m trying to make light of it. I know how I’d feel if Jackson had married someone else. But you can’t give up on love because it didn’t work out the first time. It’s romantic to think you can only love once, but in reality, it’s impractical and somewhat self-serving. The idea that a second experience wouldn’t be as meaningful, or that in some way, you’re settling for less is disingenuous to the meaning of love itself. Love isn’t limited to one time or place or person.”

“I don’t necessarily disagree with anything you’ve said.”

“Good. That means I can keep going. Taking those ideas one step further, I would venture to say that if a future experience had a happy ending, it might even erase the pain of those earlier memories.”

“Anything is possible.”

“Then why are you so averse to getting to know someone as sweet and lovely as Leah’s friend Eden. She’s the female version of you: charming, great sense of humor, highly intelligent, and focused on her career.”

“That’s a fair question.”

“Are you going to answer it?”

“I guess so. I’m on a roll divulging all my secrets.”

“They’re safe with me. I won’t even tell Jackson if that’s what you want.”

“I can’t imagine he’d be interested in my romantic failings.”

“He’d certainly understand. You’re not the only one with skeletons in the closet.”

Lance’s lips quivered. “I don’t think of Holly as a skeleton in my closet.”

She pushed against his shoulder. “You know what I mean.”

“I think so. As for Eden, I’m sure she’s everything you say. But there’s someone else that I’m interested in right now. She’s one of my employees.”

“Carolyn?” she squeaked.

Lance rolled his eyes. “Her name is Norah. She’s one of the tour guides.”

“You had me worried there for a second.”

“There’s still stuff for you to be worried about. You haven’t heard the worst yet.”

“Don’t tell me Norah is married, too.”

“I don’t make a habit of falling in love with married women. It’s like my interest is the trigger for them to find someone else. Maybe I should consider going into matchmaking.”

Violet ignored his poor attempt at humor. “So Norah is getting married?”

“No, but it probably won’t be long before she does. She recently got back together with a former boyfriend who I understand she’s still in love with. And here’s the kicker: I’m the one responsible for bringing about their reunion. Unintentionally, of course.”

“That doesn’t mean you have to throw in the towel. The reason Norah and this other guy broke up before might still exist. How they deal with it will determine whether they make a go of things a second time.”

“So I’m left with hoping they break up? That’s cold comfort, Violet. I don’t want Norah to be hurt again. And even if things don’t work out for her and Perry, that doesn’t necessarily mean she’s going to fall in love with me.”

“I know things seem kinda bleak right now…”

“Seem bleak? This ranks right up there with getting socks and underwear for Christmas.”

Violet laughed. “If you can still crack jokes, you haven’t completely lost hope.”

“Whatever you do, don’t tell me Christmas is the time for miracles. I already heard it from Mom in reference to the fact that if I work hard enough, I could have a girlfriend to bring home for the holidays.”

“All right, I won’t say it, but that doesn’t mean it can’t happen.” She rose to her feet. “Everyone is gathering in the living room to watch the football game. It’s the perfect opportunity for you to rejoin the gang without having to explain your absence or make conversation. Just give me a few minutes to get there ahead of you. That way no one will realize we’ve been together.”

He grinned. “You’re pretty good at this.”

She smiled back. “I’ve had lots of practice. I’m the official confidante of our family.”

After Violet left, Lance closed the book on his lap and walked over to the window. Was what happened yesterday when he saw Holly the reason he’d been willing to tell Violet something he’d never told anyone? For the first time, he’d been able to be in the same room with Holly without feeling as if he was literally drowning in a sea of regret. The usual burning pain in his chest had been absent along with the feeling of being caught between wanting to see the person he loved and knowing the price he’d pay for doing so.

It seemed he was finally getting over his first love. Would it be a hollow victory? Was he merely trading one disappointment for another? He wasn’t one to be overly pessimistic, but unless something changed, it was unlikely he’d have any more success with Norah.

* * * * *

Norah stared through the plexiglass at the action taking place on the field below. She still couldn’t believe she was sitting in a luxury box at Mercedes Benz Stadium watching the Atlanta Falcons. Even someone like herself, who wasn’t really a football fan, could enjoy the experience in such lavish surroundings. Unlike most of the people at the game, she and Perry didn’t have to leave their seats unless they wanted to. Uniformed servers kept them supplied with a seemingly endless variety of appetizing tailgating food. 

Since the night Perry kissed her, the two of them had been virtually inseparable. Their relationship hadn’t just picked up where it left off; it had shifted into another gear. When she did slow down enough to think about it, she wondered if things might be moving too fast. Perry had laughed off her concern when she mentioned it to him. “You’re overthinking this, Norah. We found each other again. That’s all that matters.” It sounded dreamy and romantic when he said it, but was it true? Years had passed since they knew each other. In some ways, they were different people.

Yesterday they spent Thanksgiving Day in Hilton Head with his parents. Norah had met them before, years ago, so the experience wasn’t as nerve wracking as it might have been otherwise. They were as friendly and down to earth as she remembered. She also got to meet Perry’s brother Carson and his fiancée Twila. Most of the talk over dinner centered around the engaged couple’s upcoming spring wedding.

Hearing about shopping trips for bridal gowns as well as meetings with photographers and florists had Norah wondering about her future with Perry. They were definitely heading in the direction she’d always wanted. His attentions to her were the kind that would turn any woman’s head. Not a day passed that she didn’t receive flowers or some other token of his affection. When he couldn’t be with her, he never failed to call or text. He was, in essence, the perfect boyfriend.  

This morning they flew to Atlanta in his private jet. A limo had been waiting at the airport to take them to the stadium. From there they entered the VIP elevator which took them straight to their luxury box. Things like dealing with traffic, finding a parking space, walking to the entrance, and waiting in long lines didn’t exist in this enchanted and somewhat unreal world. It was a way of life she’d seen portrayed in movies, but never imagined she’d be part of.

When she felt Perry’s hand reach for hers, she turned to look at him.

“Having fun?” he asked.

“Yes. This is like nothing I’ve ever seen.”

“I know it doesn’t compare to an afternoon at the Louvre.”

“Are you planning to take me there, too?” she asked teasingly.

His eyes sparkled with amusement. “It would make a great honeymoon trip.”

Norah felt herself flush, and then suddenly go pale. Was he speaking in general terms or in reference to them? It was impossible to know and equally impossible to ask. “Is that where Carson is taking Twila?”

He tapped her on the nose. “Somebody wasn’t listening yesterday. Carson and Twila are going on a cruise to Alaska.”

How had she forgotten that? “It was hard to concentrate. You kept grabbing my hand underneath the table.”

“That was the most fun I’ve had during a Thanksgiving dinner in a long time. You’re so cute when you blush.”

“Is that why you kept doing it?”

“That was part of it.” He leaned closer and lowered his voice. “But it was mostly because I like touching you.” Color flooded her face again. “I was a fool to let you go before, and as much as it galls me to admit, I have Lance to thank for bringing you back in my life.”

“What have you got against Lance?”

“Nothing, I guess. He seems like a great guy, but I can’t get rid of this feeling that he means more to you than just a boss.”

“I already told you that isn’t true.” Something inexplicable seemed to stab at her heart when she said that. Not liking the feeling, she went on. “Let’s forget about Lance and enjoy this day together. By this time tomorrow, I’ll be back at work.”

“Can’t you call in sick?”

“That wouldn’t be fair to the others.”

“Oh, well, we’ve still got Sunday.”

“Actually, we don’t. I’m going in to help decorate for Christmas.” She didn’t need to hear the hiss that escaped his lips to know how he felt about that.

“Lance shouldn’t expect you to give up your day off for something he can hire an interior decorator to do.”

She couldn’t let this go unchallenged. “First of all, this wasn’t Lance’s decision. He has little to do with the day-to-day tourist operation. Crystal makes the call on how we spend our budget. Secondly, no one is forcing me to do it. I was asked if I could help, and I agreed.”

This explanation elicited a heavy sigh. “I have to go out of town on Monday, and I won’t be back until later in the week.”

“I didn’t know that.”

“I didn’t know myself until this morning. Does that change anything?”

“It’s too late for me to back out, but I won’t be there all day. We’ll have the whole evening.”

“That’s better than nothing, I guess.” He was silent for a few seconds. “We’ve got to get you out of that place and into a position more worthy of you. You’re wasted giving tours.”

“At the moment, this job suits me very well. As I told you before, I haven’t given up on my dreams. It’s just going to take me a little longer to get there. Life doesn’t always go according to plan. Things happen. In my case, my grandparents needed me. They took precedence over everything else. Being an art curator is still attainable, but I need more education and experience.”

He put his arm around her shoulders. “That’s where I can help.”

“What are you going to do? Buy an art gallery?”

“That’s definitely an option. Not to brag, but I could buy ten art galleries, and I wouldn’t even notice.”

“Well, don’t buy them on my account. I want to do things the right way.”

His fingers slid up her neck into her hair. “My way isn’t wrong, Norah. It’s called taking advantage of an opportunity.”

“I appreciate you wanting to help me, but this is something I have to do for myself. I wouldn’t feel right getting something I haven’t earned just because I know the right person.”

His laugh was irritable. “This is irony at its best. I meet people every day who’d jump at the chance to have me in their corner, and the one person I’m willing to help refuses.”

“Look at it this way. You’ll never have to doubt my motives for being in your life.”

“I would never doubt you anyway. You knew me before I had money. It’s the women who wouldn’t give me the time of day back in college who suddenly come out of the woodwork that fall into that category.”

“Have there been a lot of those?”

“More than I care to count.”

“Speaking of your popularity with women, don’t forget about the photo session coming up next Saturday.”

He made a face. “Do I have to come to that?”

“You and every other bachelor in the auction. We need pictures and bios for the program. These women want to know what they’re bidding on.”

“I should have just made a donation and saved myself all this bother.”

“Why didn’t you?”

He smiled faintly. “Do you really not know? I wanted an excuse to see more of you.”

“Truly?”

Instead of answering, he kissed her.