A Mess of a Man (Cruel & Beautiful #2)(32)

She shrugs. “They’re your flowers. You’ll have to look and see.”

I walk to the counter and check them out. They’re gorgeous, but I love all flowers. I’m not picky in that regard. Ben must’ve had regrets about the way our date ended. I hope so anyway. I reach for the little card and my hopes are skewered when I read it.



Can’t wait to get together for

dinner with you again.

Trevor



“Oh this sucks.”

“Don’t keep me in suspense.”

I hand Lauren the card.

“So, you agreed to see him again?”

“Lauren, you know me. I can’t say no. I’m such a wimp.”

She rubs her hands together, and says, “No worries. Just one more thing for us to counsel you over.”

“Very funny.” I turn around and head towards my bedroom.

“Where are you going?”

“To bed. I’ve had enough drama for the day.”

The weekend is a bust for me. I’m so backed up at work, I end up spending it at the office. My focus is on hiring someone and I have that event I’m working on for Ben’s firm. Apparently they do an annual company party every year and I need to come up with some ideas. The budget is impressive and the guys like to golf, so I need to come up with something for the ladies. A spa option is nice, so I look at several places and choose a couple. Then I go to work researching all the golf courses, spas, and facilities for parties. By Sunday evening, I have two completely different options for them and I’m ready to make my presentation next week.

Monday afternoon, Trevor calls. It’s the conversation I’ve been dreading, but I answer with a cheery, “Hello?”

“How’s your day going?”

“Busy and yours?”

“The same. So I was wondering if this Saturday would work for you?” he asks.

“Sure. Sounds fine.” I see no way out of this since I basically committed, so I might as well push forward and get through it.

“Okay. I’ll pick you up at seven thirty then. I can’t wait to see you, Sam.”

“Oh, and thanks for the flowers. That was very kind of you.”

“It was nothing.”

“They’re beautiful.”

“I’m happy you’re enjoying them.”

“I am. I’ll see you on Saturday.”

I hit end, thinking what a sap I am. He’s the last person I want to date now. The only man I want to see again is the gray-eyed one that left me a heap of confusion the other night. Tomorrow can’t come soon enough. The night out with the girls will help so I can bounce all this craziness off of them.

One of my employees, Nancy, comes in later with a resume and a cover letter of an applicant she thinks would be an asset to the business. After looking it over, I have her set up an interview. Checking my calendar, I look at my agenda for the remainder of the day and my phone buzzes. It’s my sister, Laney.

“Hey, sis.”

“Sam, you busy?” When she hears me laugh, she adds, “Wait, that was a dumb question. You’re always busy. Scratch that.”

“It’s okay. What’s up?”

“I was just checking in. Have you decided what you’re going to do?”

“Did Mom put you up to this?”

“Kind of. But can you blame her? I mean, after Grandma and then what she went through … come on, Sam. You need to make a decision. It’s killing her and Dad. But they won’t tell you.”

A long sigh escapes me. She’s right. “I’m sorry.”

“Look, I know how scary it is. I went through it, too. But when you get to the other side, I promise you’ll wonder why you waited.”

“I know. It’s just that work has had me swamped.”

“Sam. Work is never that important.”

“Okaaaaay. I’ll check my calendar. I promise.”

“Okie dokie. I’ll tell Mom. I love you, baby sis.”

“Love you back.”

As promised I take a peek at my calendar and see I have an appointment in the next month, so I push all thoughts of decision making in the far corners of my brain and go back to work. When six thirty rolls around, I drag myself out of there, locking up behind me, and drive home. I’m beat.

As I walk inside, my phone dings with a text, and I grab it, hoping it’s Ben. It’s not. It’s Lauren asking me if I want to meet her for a run. I know I should go, but I’m drained so I text her back begging off. She harasses me to the point I end up changing and meeting her. Damn it, I really can’t say no!

The thick, humid air wraps around us as we wind our way through the old streets of Charleston. Once we hit the battery, the salt-laced breeze coming off the water cools the air somewhat. “Can we just put this street on repeat for a while? It’s freaking hot today.”

“Right?” she wheezes.

“What was so damn important about running, anyway?”

“You needed it.”

“Me?” I ask.

“Yeah. Your stress level is reaching the stratosphere.”

“Humph.” She’s right. Thank God I have a roomie who knows me so well.

“Talk to me.”