Chapter 38: Forgot To Tell You Something: Chapter 38

“You’re going to be late,” I murmur, giving Owen a half-hearted shove.

“I don’t care.” He presses kisses along my neck, hitting the spot that makes me squirm. The man has been attached to me since he arrived home last night, not that I’m complaining.

I didn’t even manage a hello before he swept me into his arms and carried me to the bedroom, but we managed our own variety of conversation in the ensuing hours.

“What will we tell the hospital when you don’t arrive to round on your patients?”

Owen smiles down at me, dropping a kiss on the tip of my nose. “I’ll blame Jessop.”

“How good of you, throwing your friends under the bus in such a manner.” I’m joking, but the grin slides from Owen’s face and his features cloud. I’ve hit a sore spot. “Are you okay?”

After a few silent seconds, he smiles, shaking off the doldrums. “Just jet-lagged.”

“Likely tired from all the fawning and adoration in San Francisco. How did it go?”

“As well as expected,” he mumbles, pushing himself out of the bed. “Come and take a shower a with me.”

“No way. You always hog the hot water.”

“You can have it all. I want you near me.”

There’s a strange vibe emanating from Owen, but I can’t pinpoint the cause. He hasn’t mentioned his spur-of-the-moment phone proposal, and I’m sure as hell not going to broach it before he does. To be fair, we haven’t done much talking—unless moans of ecstasy count.

Then there are those persistent phone calls from Regent Hospital in Asheville. I’m sure Owen does field offers from around the country, but they seem to be his calls.

What does this man have planned?

I pad into the shower after him, basking in the attention he lavishes over my body. Thankfully, my second trimester is far easier than the first, except for my insatiable sexual appetite. Who am I kidding? I’m always voracious around Owen.

Owen’s pager sounds, bouncing off the tiled walls. “Back to reality,” he groans, pressing his mouth against mine before exiting the shower. “I’m needed for an emergent case.”

I poke my head out of the shower. “Be safe.”

“Always.”

I run my hands along the front of my dress, my baby bump now obvious under the satin. Hey, when you’re as short as I am, there’s not much extra space for a baby to hitch a ride. At least this is the last time I’ll have to pour myself into an evening gown. I’ve had enough mingling with millionaires to last me an eternity. But tonight is for Owen, and that man is worth any inconvenience. Forcing a smile, I wave at Jessop, before entering the private room at the country club.

Figures Charlotte would spare no expense. The ironic part is that she could have funded the damn training center herself with all the monies spent on entertaining the absurdly wealthy.

Weaving my way to a back table, I settle in for the dog and pony show, glimpsing Owen across the room. I wish I fit in better with this world. Owen, despite his arguments otherwise, makes it look effortless. He’s as comfortable sporting a tux as he is Dr. Martens, or at least that’s the front he presents.

Meanwhile, I resemble a scullery maid who stole the lady of the house’s dress, but no amount of satin will allow me to blend into the fold.

“Why are you hiding in the back?” Jessop inquires, dropping a kiss on my cheek. “You look stunning, Lu.”

“I look fat, Ken,” I retort.

“You look pregnant, but pregnant women are sexy. Just ask Owen. He can’t take his eyes off you.”

I blush, but when I glance up, I’m transfixed by Owen’s gray gaze as he strolls in my direction.

“I was wondering when you were getting here,” Owen murmurs, pressing a kiss to my mouth. “You are gorgeous.”

“I am popping out of this dress,” I respond with a laugh. Hey, my boobs are enormous at this point.

Owen’s eyes trail down my cleavage before sending me a wink. “Yes, you are Darlin, in the sexiest way possible.” He slides into the chair next to me, taking a glass of champagne offered by the server. “I’m so ready for this to be over.”

That nervous energy flows off him, ever present since he flew back from San Francisco. I’ve tried to coax him into talking, but he’s closed off lately, and as usual, my overactive imagination is concocting all variety of stories.

I know he didn’t sleep with Charlotte, although I’m sure she tried to wile her way into his bed. But it’s been over two weeks, and he still hasn’t mentioned that phone proposal. Part of me wonders if I dreamed the whole thing.

Either way, I’m not giving him any more angina. He has plenty between settling into his new role, opening the training center and dealing with his ex-fiancée. Tonight is a well-deserved celebration.

“I don’t think you’re allowed to hide in the back,” I grin, squeezing his hand before turning my gaze to Jessop. “Either of you. Now scoot.”

“Not without you, Darlin.” I glance between Owen’s probing gaze and his outstretched hand. “It’s going to be okay, Tally. I promise. You belong next to me.”

I want to believe his words, but Charlotte’s raised brow when I arrive at the head table reminds me I’m anything welcome. “Tallulah, come to join us?”

“Wanted to see how the other half lives,” I reply with a forced smile. As always, the woman is stunning, and I can’t help but compare my roly-poly stature to her regal elegance.

“You’re always welcome here.” What a load of crap. If her scathing looks are anything to go by, Charlotte has throttled and buried my body a few times already this evening. “Time to start the festivities,” she replies, rising from her seat to greet another tuxedo clad gentleman across the room.

Next to me, Owen’s leg is tapping a mile a minute. I squeeze his thigh, offering what I hope is a reassuring grin. “You keep stomping your foot like that, and you’ll leave a hole in the floor.”

“I hate all this pomp and circumstance.” His hand squeezes mine, a thoughtful smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. “Christ, you’re beautiful, Darlin.”

“Want to take me to the bathroom, have your way with me?”

He releases a grunt, shifting in his seat. “Don’t start what you can’t finish.”

I lean in, pressing a kiss to his ear. “I always finish.”

His body relaxes as a chuckle reverberates through him, and I settle back into my seat. Laughter really is the best medicine.

My gaze is drawn to an older gentleman across the room. He’s mingling, like the rest of the guests, but he oozes an air of importance. “Who is that man?”

“Martin Auerback, Charlotte’s father.”

“King Midas himself?”

“Close,” Owen replies, frowning into his glass.

“He makes you nervous, doesn’t he? Don’t worry, Owen, you’ve earned every accolade. Tonight, we celebrate you and all of your achievements. I’m so proud of you.”

“I don’t deserve you, Tally.”

“I think it’s the other way around.”

Strains of music fills the air. It’s ‘The Way You Look Tonight’—another oldie but goodie. In fact, it was a favorite of my father, but this time there are no tears, only a happiness that the man existed in the first place.

“Owen, would you like to twirl me around the floor?” Charlotte asks over my shoulder, offering me a half-hearted smile. “For old times’ sake.”

“I reserved this song—and dance—for Tally.” Owen jumps to his feet, offering me his hand. “Come on, Darlin.”

I can’t dance. Owen knows this—he has the bruised toes to prove it. I want to say no; I don’t want the eyes on me, but his gaze is raw and unnerving. He needs me to agree to this.

“You know I’m a terrible dancer.”

His brows raise, but his voice is tender. “Dance with me, Tally.”

With a sigh, I accept his hand and let him lead me to the dance floor. As expected, I’m as graceful as a two-day-old colt. “I much prefer our private dances.”

“Me too, but right now, I have a public announcement to make.”

“By dancing?” I wrinkle my brow, his palms clammy against my skin.

“Not at all, but I had to get you out onto the floor.” He pauses, grasping my hands, and I notice the music has stopped and everyone—and I mean —is watching us.

“Owen, what’s going on?”

Instead of answering, he sinks to one knee, while mine threaten to give out. He releases a sigh, offering me a shaky smile. “I’m terrified right now.”

“Oh, my God,” I whisper, my entire body trembling.

“I know tonight is celebrating the training center, but I want to celebrate something else. I didn’t believe in true love. I thought it was a series of compromises, a business transaction. Then I met you, and I felt everything I never knew I could feel, all in a matter of minutes. I messed up a lot, but you stayed. Now,” his hands cup my belly, “we’re having a baby and I’m so excited for this chapter of sleepless nights and unconditional love. But I have one request.”

He pulls out a small box, revealing a gigantic pink diamond nestled against the velvet. The tears stream down my face, there’s no holding them back now.

“Will you marry me, Tallulah Knowles? Marry me tomorrow, or the next day, but be my wife. I want to spend my life loving you. What do you say?”

My makeup is a mess, but I don’t give a damn. The man of my dreams asked me to marry him. I manage a nod, laughing as Owen slides the ring onto my finger and sweeps me into his arms.

Even I have to admit, for an upscale crowd, there is no shortage of catcalls and applause.

“I love you, Tally.”

“I love you.” I look at my hand, heavy under the weight of the enormous rock. “It’s pink.”

“You love pink.”

“I thought when you didn’t mention anything about the phone proposal, that you were drunk or regretting your words.”

He thumbs away my tears, peppering my face with kisses. “I’ve wanted to spend my life with you since that first night.”

“Now you can,” I murmur, claiming his lips and forgetting that anything beyond the two of us exists.

Happy times are so often short-lived.

“I see congratulations are in order. Let’s have another round of applause for Dr. Stevens and his future wife, Tallulah Knowles.” Charlotte’s voice is even on the portable microphone, but I hear the undercurrent of emotion.

I feel a slight pang of regret that Owen proposed in front of her, but it can’t come close to the euphoria skipping through my veins. Besides, if the woman really loved him, she wouldn’t have cheated on him. She would have proven her love, instead of spreading it around the globe.

“As you all know,” Charlotte continues, drawing attention back to the front of the room and her elegant ensemble, “the training center will open in January. Christmas throws a bit of a kink in the wheel, but it looks like Dr. Stevens has his hands full with nuptials and babies. So, we’ll grant him a temporary reprieve. A round of applause for the illustrious doctor and all his hard work. Now, for the exciting news.”

I catch Owen’s gaze, my hands stilling at the look on his face. “What’s wrong?”

“I can’t believe she’s doing it here,” he mutters, the color draining from his face. “Just promise me you’ll let me explain.”

You know that feeling when you’re about to get into a car accident? The second before impact, when you see everything in slow motion and a million thoughts flood your brain, but you can’t cling to one?

I’m living that moment.

Right now.

The buzz from Owen’s proposal nosedives onto the carpet, as I try to gauge what news is about to befall me.

“Promise me, Tally. I love you more than anything in the world.”

I cup his cheek, pressing my lips against that delicious mouth. “I promise.”

Charlotte clears her throat, pointing at a middle-aged gentleman seated to one side. “It is my pleasure to announce the new coordinator for our training facility. After much discussion, Dr. Stevens and I decided to install our current San Francisco coordinator into this role. He has an illustrious resume, with over twenty years in the device industry and a doctorate from Johns Hopkins.”

I scoff as Charlotte gets the last laugh once again. Can’t say I didn’t see that one coming.

“I should have known she would never let me have that position.” I squeeze Owen’s hand, smiling up at him. “Let me guess. She propositioned you, but you turned her down?”

“I’m sorry, Tally.” He radiates such sadness, knowing this caused me pain.

“I know it was all Charlotte, Owen. Don’t worry. Besides, I’ve got a good job at Memorial.”

Owen cups my face. “I don’t deserve you.”

“I know,” I smirk.

“Sorry to interrupt, but I had to come over and congratulate the new couple.” Charlotte extends her hand in greeting, and I have to wonder if she sloshed it around a toilet bowl first. “I hope you understand about the coordinator position, Tallulah. You simply don’t have the pedigree required.”

I see the gloves are off. Well, no worries, I love a good catfight.

I link my arm through Owen’s, my engagement ring on full display. “I understand perfectly. I may not have the pedigree, but I do have the man.”

“Well, when he’s around,” she snips, boldly meeting my gaze.

“Charlotte,” Owen hisses. “That has not been decided.”

“But Daddy said you spoke with him, not an hour ago. Right before your future wife walked in. The deal is set. Those were his exact words, and we both know the parameters of said deal.” Charlotte turns to me, a wicked flash of glee in her eyes.

Buckle up, baby. This is more than a fender bender. This is a head-on collision.

I take a step back, facing them both. “What are you two talking about?”

“Owen’s days with Memorial are numbered.”

My heart lurches. Suddenly the phone calls from North Carolina, the random pieces of mail from Regent Hospital, make sense. Did Owen accept a position at another hospital?

Not once did he mention leaving Memorial. At least, he never mentioned it to me.

“I can tell by your face that your never discussed this with you.”

I turn to Owen, clinging to a thread of hope that is rapidly disintegrating. “Are you taking a job at Regent? I know they were constantly calling.”

Charlotte is only too eager to answer my query. “The hospital in Asheville? No, although it was quite the deal they offered him.”

I’m going to punch the bitch. Seriously, the woman is walking out of here with a black eye.

Then it hits me—how does Charlotte know about the deal that Regent offered Owen, when I’m in the dark?

“I mean it, Charlotte. Shut the fuck up,” Owen warns, but I raise my hand, silencing him.

“No, I want to hear what Charlotte has to say. She’s apparently privy to information that’s been withheld from me. I’d like to level the playing field.”

Owen grips my hand, the muscles in his neck bulging. “Let’s go outside, and I’ll tell you everything. In private.”

“Okay. Let’s go,” I concede. Hey, the man asked me to marry him. I’m sure he’s got a perfectly logical explanation.

But Charlotte doesn’t grant us the courtesy of a private conversation. “Come January, Owen will help to open training centers around the country, and I, as his new partner, will be there every step of the way.”

My stomach threatens to lose my lunch as my gaze swings upward, but Owen averts his eyes. No matter, one look at the muscle ticking in his jaw and his fists clenching at his sides and I know her words are true. “You told me this was a onetime deal with her, Owen. You promised me.”

Charlotte laughs, but it holds only malice. “It started out that way, but he and I had a heart-to-heart in San Francisco. Besides, money is a wonderful motivator, and Dr. Stevens is making a windfall off this new position. You, and your needs, fell down the ladder of importance. But don’t worry, he’ll put you up in a lovely home.”

“He wouldn’t do that, Charlotte.” I hear the desperation in my voice, my gaze seeking out the man I love. “Would you, Owen?”

“I could kill you, Charlotte.” His shoulders slump as a defeated breath exits his body. “It wasn’t decided, but it’s so much money, Tally. Money that could take care of us forever.”

It’s a one-two punch. Not only did he betray me—again—with yet another lie, but he followed the sound of money instead of his heart. Maybe he’s more like the Auerback family than I thought.

I sway on my feet, my head spinning. I glance at my hand, the once shiny diamond now a mocking reminder of another carefully calculated lie.

The tears spill down my cheeks, but I make no move to wipe them away. “I don’t want the money. I want . You didn’t even talk to me about this, Owen.”

“You see where his loyalties lie, don’t you?”

I shove my finger in Charlotte’s face, so tempted to knock her block off. “You’d better shut the fuck up, Charlotte, before I impale you with your designer earrings.”

“My, my—”

“Charlotte, get the hell away from us,” Owen growls.

She huffs and walks away, but I notice a spring in her step. So glad I could make her night. My gaze flits back to Owen, praying for a miracle. Praying that I heard everything wrong. “We don’t need their money, Owen. I don’t care about some fancy house.”

He grasps my arms, his eyes wild. “It’s a of money, Darlin. So much more than you can imagine.”

I yank my arms away, not believing what I’m hearing. “That’s it, then? It’s all about the money. Not what’s best for us, or our child, but what’s best for and your wallet. Got it.”

“I told you I hadn’t decided, that I had to give it some thought.”

“Owen, didn’t tell me anything. Once again, I find out from a third party. My opinion doesn’t matter. I see that now. It never did.”

“It’s all that matters, Tally. I’ll go call off the deal right now.”

I shake my head, throwing up my hands. “You’ve already made your decision. I’m sure it’s a ton of money, and you going to marry a billionaire. You have a certain lifestyle planned, and my meager earnings don’t fit that profile. But what good is a pile of cash if our child never sees his father? What kind of marriage will we have if you spend all your time with your ex-fiancée? You know that won’t work, Owen.”

“Tally.”

“

.” Then it hits me. He knew about the deal and yet proposed that same night. “Why did you ask me to marry you?”

His jaw slackens at my pointed question. “Because I love you, Tally. I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”

“You won’t ever there, remember? Your darling Charlotte saw fit to that, and you fell for it—hook, line and sinker. You’re a fool, Owen Stevens, but don’t feel so bad. I’m a far bigger fool, because I believed in you.”

“Tell me what to do, Darlin. Tell me what you want, and I’ll do it.”

I shrug, wiping my face with the back of my hand. “You should already know. All I’ve ever wanted is you.”

His eyes are glassy, mirroring my own. “Then stop running, Tally. For once, trust me enough to give me a chance.”

“You’re all out of chances, Owen.”

I whirl on the ball of my foot, scrambling to the closest exit. I stumble down the hallway, desperate for air, for peace. Neither of which is coming.

I want to go back in there and rail against Owen and his pack of lies. I want to smack the smirk off of Charlotte’s model perfect face.

I do neither. Instead, I get my keys from the valet and leave. If it’s peace I’m looking for, I won’t find it there.

Has anyone ever mentioned how difficult it is to hop a fence in an evening gown? While pregnant?

Thankfully, my dress is another thrift store find, because now it’s headed for the rag bag.

I use the light from my phone to walk amongst the headstones. I had to turn off my cellular service, because I’ve been barraged nonstop by Owen and Ken, both desperate to know my whereabouts.

I don’t want anyone to find me right now.

Finally, I spy my parents’ graves. I know they’re not there. It’s just a marker, but it’s the closest thing I have to family. I spend the next few minutes rearranging the flowers and brushing specks of dirt from the stone, but I can hear my father’s voice.

Settling down on the grass, I let the tears spill down my cheeks. God, I miss them.

“Hey, folks. I don’t know if you’ve been watching the latest episode, but my life took a sharp turn into complicated. For the umpteenth time this year.”

I snuffle, wiping my nose on my arm. I’m the epitome of grace.

“Owen asked me to marry him. I said yes, and for a moment, I was so happy. Happier than I’ve ever been in my life.” Pulling my hand forward, I wiggle my fingers, watching the stone sparkle in the moonlight. “But he made some big dollar deal with his ex-fiancée, and I won’t ever see him. He won’t ever see our baby. It’s a of money, whatever that means, and he promised me a fancy house. I don’t want the damn house. I want him, and I want him here with me.”

Drawing in the cool night air, I toss my head back, gazing at the stars. “What should I do, Dad? Do I suck it up, knowing I’ll be miserable? Do I let him go back to his old life with Charlotte? Or do I sit Owen down and tell him that those aren’t the rules we’re going to play by?”

Then it hits me. That’s exactly what I’m going to do. If I’m going down, I’m doing it my way. In style.

Owen wants me to stop running? Fine, I’m planting my feet and I’ll be damned if marriage or millions will change my mind. Most importantly, I’m done letting Charlotte rule my emotions, my thoughts, and my relationship.

Screw her. Owen is my man, and I’m keeping him.

Owen has begged me to toss out the rule book since we met. I’m starting a new one. Tonight. And these rules, he’d better abide.

On the way out, I find an open side exit. Glory be, that is much easier than climbing the fence. I turn back on my cellular service, and within seconds, the phone buzzes. It’s Ken again.

Better let him know I’m okay. After all, he did nothing to me.

“Hi, Ken.”

“Jesus, Mary and Joseph, you scared the hell out of me,” Ken chides, his voice frantic. “Where have you been? I’ve been calling for the last two hours.”

“I went to see my folks.” I fiddle with the skirt of my now tattered dress, wondering if it might double as a Halloween costume next year. “What’s up?”

Ken clears his throat, his signal that a story is imminent. “You missed quite the show.”

“There was more?”

“To say the least. Things got loud.”

I unlock my car door, sliding into the driver’s seat. “Surprising with that crowd. I doubted they were capable of any genuine emotions.”

“Well, Owen had enough for everyone. He called off the deal in front of the entire room. That role that Charlotte mentioned? Owen told her to shove it up her bony ass, along with any payout.”

I wrap my trembling hands around the steering wheel. “He didn’t need to do that.”

“That’s the thing. He did. The payout was huge, Lu, and he thought it would make your lives easier. But when you walked away, he realized that he lost the only thing that matters to him. All the shit tonight? He hates it. Owen only does the dance because he knows that he can save lives. That’s what he’s good at. That and adoring the ever-loving fuck out of you.”

“He doesn’t adore me.”

“Bullshit. Yes, he does. He asked you to be his wife, Lu.”

“Right before he neglected to tell me he planned on working with his ex-fiancée for the rest of his life. Owen offered me a ring to appease me.”

“Lu, he just passed on ten million dollars. He asked you because he loves you. I knew he was going to ask tonight. I was privy to the details. My job was to keep you there since you are well known for disappearing like Cinderella at the ball.”

“I never wanted Owen to have to choose between love and money. But I can’t live my life knowing he’s flitting around the globe with Charlotte, while I sit at home waiting for when—and if—he comes back.”

“He passed on the deal,” Ken reiterates, each syllable enunciated to drive home his point. “Do me one favor. Please talk to him before you make any decisions.”

“We’ll see.” I hear Ken’s pager beep, an all too familiar sound in our world. “You’d better go.”

“I’m on it. I swear, an emergent case is the most normal part of this evening. Now that’s saying something.”