“No doubt it would be a big seller,” Maddie said dryly.
“No doubt. I for one would have bought out his stock. But the closest he had were these lavender roses, which he said stood for sorrow. Which I have plenty of. And why they’re for you.”
Her heart tossed a great big bucket of cold water on her pissed-off half, which melted like the Wicked Witch of the West. Before she could say anything, he moved the flowers closer to her. “Please take them. If for no other reason than they’ll have a much better life with you than they will with me. I don’t know how to take care of them. Hell, I don’t even have a container to put them in.”
“You mean a vase.”
“Right. So take pity on the poor flowers.”
Unable to resist the gorgeous blooms, she accepted the bouquet. Their fingers brushed, shooting a tingle up her arm. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Maddie, can we go somewhere and talk?”
She buried her nose in the gorgeous flowers. She’d wanted an apology and she’d gotten one. A really nice and sweet one, and an obviously sincere one. Her heart heaved out another gushy sigh.
“You can come in,” she said, pulling out her key. As they walked down the hallway she asked, “How did you know where I lived?”
“A very useful device called the phone book. You should try it. Look me up. I’m listed under Doofus Who Jumps to Conclusions.”
She bit the insides of her cheeks to hide the smile tugging at her lips. After they entered her condo, she led him into the kitchen. While she filled a crystal vase with water then arranged the flowers, she noted him looking around with interest.
“Nice place. Very homey.”
“Thanks. I bought it last year.” She dried her hands then leaned against the counter. “So what do you want to talk about?”
“Yesterday. In case you haven’t gotten it yet, I’m really sorry. I hadn’t seen your report, but my conversation with Gavin led me to believe you’d recommended not only that the department be downsized by twenty-five percent, but that you’d suggested who should be cut. I didn’t find out until this morning that you’d actually recommended no cuts be made.”
“I tried to tell you yesterday, but-”
“But I wasn’t listening. I was angry and hurt and I spoke without thinking.” He studied her for several seconds, then said quietly, “Thank you for taking my side.”
“You need to know that I wouldn’t have if I didn’t believe you were right. My report was in no way swayed by us sleeping together.”
“Speaking of which…” His gaze searched hers. “Do you honestly believe I slept with you to influence that report?”
She shook her head. “No, I don’t, and I owe you an apology.” She reached into her purse and pulled out the card she’d bought. “I was going to mail this to you, but since you’re here…”
Without a word he took the card from her. On the front was a picture of a map and a compass. He opened it and she watched him read the short note she’d penned on the blank inside. I don’t need a map and a compass to figure out I was wrong. I’m sorry-I know you didn’t sleep with me to influence the report. She’d added her phone number and signed it. There was much more she’d wanted to say, but in the end had decided to keep it short and sweet. However, based on the silence swelling between them, that might not have been the wisest choice.
She cleared her throat. “I’m, ah, a woman of few words.”
He finally looked up from the note. “That’s okay. they’re the right words.”
Relief filled her and she pulled one of the lavender roses from the vase and held out the bloom to him. “Just to be totally clear-this means ‘I was an ass and I’m really sorry, can you forgive me?’ ”
He smiled and took the flower. “Forgiven.”
And with that single word, the fog of hurt and angst engulfing her lifted.
“Did Gavin asking for a replacement cause any problems for you at Lazer Consulting?” he asked.
“No. It’s not unusual for consultants and executives to clash. I’ve already started on a new project. What about you-did you really give your two weeks’ notice?”
“Yes. But then after discovering you’d left and that Gavin had led me down the garden path about your report I changed my mind and resigned effective immediately.”
Maddie blinked. “Immediately?”
“I am no longer Java Heaven’s CFO.”
“So downsizing your department really was a deal breaker for you. You stood by your convictions, and it cost you your job.”
“Well, I don’t intend to remain unemployed for long. I’ve been thinking since I walked out Java Heaven’s door and I’ve come up with a plan. Maybe you’d like to hear about it?” He set his rose on the counter then reached for her hands. “Maybe over dinner?”
Her heart sped up, both by the invitation and the warmth of his hands engulfing hers. “Are you asking me for a date?”
“Yes. Are you accepting?”
To her mortification, her throat slammed shut and hot tears pushed behind her eyes. Unable to speak, she nodded.
There was no missing the profound relief that filled his gaze. He cupped her face between his hands and lowered his head. Their kiss felt like a homecoming after a long, long trip. When he raised his head, she said, “I’ve been absolutely miserable since you walked out of my office yesterday.”
“Me, too.” He brushed his thumbs over her cheeks and looked at her through very serious eyes. “I think we have something special here, Maddie. I’d like to see where it goes. What do you think?”
She wrapped her arms around his neck and smiled. “Nice to meet you, Jack Walker. I’m Maddie Price. And I’d very much like to see where it goes.”
Epilogue
Two months later
Jack applied the corkscrew to the bottle of merlot and flicked a glance at his kitchen clock. Maddie was due right about-
He heard the lock turning then the door opening and he grinned. The woman was almost comically punctual. She walked into the kitchen pulling her bright red carry-on suitcase behind her. He’d given her the bag after their first dinner date, telling her he didn’t want to risk anyone else getting her lingerie-packed black bag by mistake.
She greeted him with a saucy smile. “Hiya, handsome. Lookin’ for a good time?”
With a laugh he pulled her into his arms and gave her the kiss he’d been dying to give her since seeing her off at the airport three days ago. She’d flown to Tampa for a consulting job and damn it, he’d felt empty and lonely the entire time she was gone. He lifted her up and sat her on the counter. Stepping between her legs, he curved his hands around her bottom and pulled her closer. Until his erection pressed against the juncture of her thighs.
“Wow, seems like somebody missed me,” she said, as he ran his tongue down the side of her cookie-scented neck.
“Maybe just a little.”
“And maybe I missed you, too. Just a little.” She sniffed the air. “Hey, it smells good in here. Like Italian food.” She leaned back and looked at him in surprise. “Did you… cook?”
“Cook might be too strong a word. I ordered a pizza and calzone from Mario’s. They’re on Warm in the oven.”
She wrapped her legs around his waist. “Hmmm. Wine and food from my favorite restaurant. Is this a special occasion?”
“I have some good news,” he said, nipping kisses along her jaw.
“I signed on a new client today.”
She pulled his head back and kissed him on the mouth. “Jack, that’s wonderful! I’m so proud of you.” Then she shook her head and laughed. “I never doubted you’d be a success, but the irony of you being a consultant will never cease to amuse me.”
He smiled and pulled her tighter against him, quickly calculating how long it would take to get her out of her prim suit, deciding it would have to wait until he told her everything he needed to first. “It’s all your fault. You gave me a whole new appreciation for consultants, and I sure as hell like being my own boss.” He lifted his hands to free her mass of curls from their restraints. “Of course, I consider myself an atypical consultant.”