Chapter 20: Forgot To Tell You Something: Chapter 20

I pull into the bistro parking lot, steering between the Mercedes and Porsche, both idling in the middle of the lane. They’ve decided they need not obey traffic laws.

Rich pricks.

I take a few deep breaths before shutting off the engine. I have no idea what kind of car Charlotte rented, so I can’t be sure if she’s here yet. All I know is that I’m dreading this reunion.

I knew this meeting was unavoidable because when my ex-fiancée wants something, she’s used to getting it. But now, the stakes are higher. Charlotte is local, not 3,000 miles across the country. Worse, I haven’t spoken to Tally about my ex yet, a fact I plan on rectifying tonight.

I have the evening all planned for my tiny vixen. I even forced myself to leave her naked body at six this morning to get a head start on cooking. I’m Italian, and a good sauce takes all day. Besides, Tally deserves the best.

Underneath my armor of confidence, I’m scared. After plying Tally with food, I’m telling her that her gorgeous ass is moving in with me. I’m done with her flimsy excuses. Then, I’m dropping to one knee and begging her to marry me, preferably before she starts showing.

Maybe then, she’ll fess up, or at least take a damn test.

But first, I have to pay the piper and settle whatever score Charlotte believes I owe her family.

I saunter into the cafe with far more bravado than I actually possess, and spot her at an outside table, her dark head bent over her phone. The woman is never without that device. When they offer implantable versions, she’ll be the first in line.

She’s garnering looks from all the men in the restaurant, but that’s nothing new. Charlotte’s beauty is exquisite, but it’s only skin-deep. Hell, that was what first drew me to her when we met. I was in the middle of medical residency, and she was a grad student, majoring in political science. She didn’t have any political aspirations. She did it to piss off her father. It didn’t take me long to learn she was a petulant, spoiled, and pedantic woman—to everyone, including me.

“Charlotte,” I offer as a greeting, standing over the bistro table.

She glances up, her green eyes widening as she takes in my unfamiliar look. “What the hell did you do?”

“I shaved my head and grew a beard,” I respond, sliding into the seat opposite her.

“Embracing your punk roots, I see.” She clicks her tongue against her teeth, a sure sign she disapproves of my current style.

I couldn’t care less. Tally adores this look, and she is the one that matters. “I know you didn’t call me to discuss fashion choices, so why don’t we cut to the chase?”

The server interrupts, and I order a coffee. Black. It’s quick and sends a signal that this will not be some drawn-out mid-afternoon date. I can’t be sure if she misses my hint or ignores it, as she orders an egg white omelet and tea.

“This is a change from San Francisco,” she states, fingering the cloth napkin and looking everywhere but in my direction.

I get it. I don’t fit her mold anymore. I never did. I tried to please her during our courtship, covering my tattoos and attending the ballet, but it was total crap. I wore the clothes she selected, hung out with her tedious friends, and acted like any of it mattered.

When I left San Francisco, I broke that mold, and I’ll never let another person put me in one again.

“I needed a change.”

“We could have discussed things.”

I scoff, biting back a laugh. “What was there to discuss? Your infidelity? I knew about Marco, Charlotte.”

“It was just sex.” I have to give it to the woman. She doesn’t lie. She’s cold as ice but honest to a fault.

“Hopefully, it was good sex,” I announce, a bit too loudly, as the server returns with our beverages. The waitress bites back a grin, while Charlotte blushes under her caramel skin.

“Not really,” she admits, opening a package of sweetener. I don’t know why she bothers. There isn’t enough sugar in the world to sweeten her up. “That’s not why I’m here.”

“Good. I didn’t care to discuss Marco.”

“Why did you bring him up?”

“To drive home the reason I left San Francisco,”—I pause, taking a sip of my coffee—“and why I’m happy here.”

“Memorial is a reputable hospital, although they’re behind cardiac wise. I’m assuming you’re the only robotics certified interventionist?”

“At the moment. Certification costs money—lots of it—and there are no training facilities in the southeast.”

“I’m so glad you mentioned it because that’s why I’m here. With the high incidence of mortality associated with cardiac arrests in this area, Daddy believes it a travesty to not offer top-notch technology to the patients. Besides, it would behoove you both.”

She didn’t waste any time getting to the point. Perhaps she wants to finish this lunch as quick as I do. “While I can’t argue your father’s opinion, he’s no longer an active investor, Charlotte. They paid him off, remember?”

“He wants to change that.”

I groan, leaning back in the chair. “I figured as much. Just tell me what you two want.”

“He will build a training facility here in South Florida. You will act as the trainer for the first class of students. When they are certified and dispatched back to their prospective hospitals, you will earn a handsome payday for your trouble.”

To the outside world, it sounds like one hell of a sweet deal. But I know this family. This is a bribe. “What’s your involvement in this plan?”

“Since Daddy is on the other coast, I will remain here to set up the facility and ensure the operations are running smoothly.”

“You’re moving here?” I thunder, my heart racing like a greyhound.

“Don’t get so excited, Owen. It’s only for the next several weeks. Then, I’ll return to San Francisco. Perhaps you might join me at that point.”

“Charlotte, we are not reconciling,”

“We’ll see, I suppose. We have a lot of years together, Owen. An awful lot of time invested.”

“Does this payday hinge on our reconciliation? Because if it does, I’m not interested.”

She fiddles with her fork, and I wonder if I’m about to witness a meltdown. I’ve never seen her fiddle before. I sure as hell have never seen Charlotte melt down. “Daddy is a businessman, and this is strictly business.”

Bullshit, and we both know it.

“I’m not with Marco any longer.”

I shrug, finishing the last of my coffee. “It’s not my business if you are.”

“It was difficult being with you, Owen. You were always working.”

“So were you. Different capacities, but you were wheeling and dealing 24/7. You never turned off.”

“I guess we’re both to blame.”

Not really, considering I didn’t screw Marco, but there’s no point in arguing. “Absolutely.”

She cracks a smile, motioning to my head. “It suits you.”

“You hate it,” I reply with a grin.

“I do, but you’re handsome, regardless.”

“Thank you. I appreciate that pseudo compliment.”

“It’s a start,” she volleys back. Hell, it’s the closest thing to banter I’ve experienced with Charlotte in years. Sarcasm is not a school that she ever attended. “Would you like a refill? We can discuss the specifics of the deal, and you can decide if you’d like to participate.”

“Sure, let me go to the bathroom first.” I stand, colliding with the server. For a brief second, a half-empty mug teeters on top of the plate, right before it tumbles down, dousing the front of my shirt and pants.

“Sir, I’m so sorry,” the server exclaims, fumbling to set down the dishes. She grabs napkins from a neighboring table and hands them to me. A nice gesture, but it’s going to take more than that.

“You need to watch where you’re going,” Charlotte hisses, her eyes narrowing at the young waitress.

“It’s fine. I ran into her.” I shoot Charlotte a warning look. Growing up in a world of privilege, she believes the world works for her. In some sick way, they likely do, considering the vast number of companies owned by her family.

“I’m so sorry, sir. I’ll pay for the dry cleaning.” Poor kid, she can’t be over nineteen and now thinks she’s about to lose her job.

“No need. It was my fault.”

“It was —”

“Charlotte, I said leave it,” I reply, giving her one last warning.

With a huff, she waves her black Amex under the server’s nose. “Settle our bill immediately.”

The waitress scurries off, her eyes downcast and shoulders slumped. I may be covered in coffee, but I feel for that poor kid. Her day is ruined because of my ex-fiancée’s arrogance.

The moment she returns with the bill, Charlotte signs the document, snatching back her card. I’m shocked for two reasons: Charlotte’s behavior and that she actually picked up the tab. It’s the first time since we met that she paid her own way.

We walk outside, and Charlotte points to a sleek white Mercedes convertible. In a lot of high-priced vehicles, it’s near the top of the dollar list. “That’s me.”

“Nice choice.”

“I love convertibles.”

“I know. Well, seeing as how I’m drenched in coffee, we’ll pick this up another time?”

“I’ll follow you back to your condo,” Charlotte offers.

“That’s not a good idea.”

“Why not? You have to change, and then we can discuss the details.” Her eyes narrow knowingly. “Don’t worry, I won’t impede on any late-night dinner plans.”

I don’t want Charlotte to come back to my condo. Not now, not ever. But, I’m also covered in coffee, and we need to hash out the details of this plan to ensure I don’t spend every waking moment with the woman. Hell, I don’t even know if the project is feasible or desirable. The sooner I know, the sooner I can send her packing or set parameters.

“I have important plans tonight.”

“I can tell. Don’t worry, Owen. It’s only four. We’ll be done by six.”

Tally isn’t due to arrive until seven. It’s cutting it close, but it should give me enough time. “Fine,” I concede.

“Who is she?”

“Her name is Tally.”

“You’re quite taken with her.” It’s not a question, and I have no intention of hedging my feelings.

“That’s an understatement.”

If my words bother Charlotte, she doesn’t let it show. Typical. “Does she come from a good family?”

I bristle at her inquiry. “Her mother is dead, and her father has dementia. He lives in a facility.”

“You know what I mean.”

“Yes, I do, Charlotte, and no, Tally doesn’t come from money. But I couldn’t care less how much her family is worth. I know what worth.”

“Without my family’s money and connections, your robotic cath lab would still be in its testing phase.”

“I’m forever grateful for your father’s belief in me. His payout reflected that gratitude.”

“But—” Charlotte wants to continue bickering, and the reason is two-fold. First, it’s eating away the minutes, now that she knows I have plans. Second, she’s chipping away at my Tally to make her less attractive. Not possible.

“I’m not discussing Tally any further. My personal life is none of your business. Not anymore. This isn’t a good idea, you coming back to the condo. Thanks for the coffee. I’ll call you within the week.”

I don’t wait to hear her argument. I’m done with the conversation.

I pull into my parking spot, my brain focused on this evening. I’m preparing a collection of Italian dishes, all Tally’s favorites. I’m so glad my mother taught me how to cook. Yes, I’m buttering up my tiny beauty. I want her to say yes.

Pushing open my car door, I release a heated groan. Charlotte is parking across the lot in the visitor’s spot. “What are you doing here?”

She sends me an exasperated look. “I know you have a date, but I need to get certain details sorted before I can complete the business plan. It won’t take long. I promise.”

“You never listen, do you? You only hear what you want to hear.”

“Give me thirty minutes, and I’ll be out of your hair.” She chuckles. “Might take less than that, now.”

I want to maintain the cold facade, but I have to admit her timing was damn good. I smile, running a hand over my head. “Likely will.”

I open the door to the condo, waving her inside. “I need to take a shower.”

Charlotte nods, her gaze on the view of the ocean from the living room window. “This is a nice place. Bigger than I expected.”

“Dollar goes further down here. It’s way smaller than our apartment in San Francisco. Granted, you owned the building.”

“True, but this is nice. You chose well.”

I smile. “Tally chose it.”

“Does she live here?”

I’m not in the mood to poke the bear. It will lead to more questions, and that will suck up more time. “No, but she came with me to look at the condos. She likes the rooftop garden.”

Charlotte seems to ease after learning Tally doesn’t reside in the condo. She even manages a second smile. “Smart choice. She must be a smart girl.”

“Very.” I wave around the kitchen. “Make yourself comfortable, and I’ll be out in a few minutes.” I pause in the hallway, turning back to face my ex. “I do have very important plans tonight. This can’t take long.”

“Owen, I heard you the first, second, and third time. I’ll bring up all the details on my laptop, and they’ll be ready for your perusal once you’re done in the shower.”

“Fair enough,” I mutter, hoping she will stick to her word.