Butterflies in Honey (Growing Pains #3)(41)

Sean hung his head. He knew she was getting near the end of her patience, but he didn’t know she was this close. “Thanks, Kate. I know how valuable she is. I’m just more of a hindrance than a help these days.”

“Yup. You are. I gotta go. Some of us had to stay behind to work.”

~*~*~*~

Marcus came out of the bathroom to Sean sitting on the couch with his head in his hands. Sean looked up at his approach. His face was one of pure desperation.

“Two companies, Marcus. Two companies want her so far. I can’t give her a raise yet because I am too new. I can’t support her through this because she won’t let me. I can’t figure out how to get her team to work, let alone accept her. Without her, I’ll fail—in life and in this job. Yet there is nothing I can do to keep her.”

Marcus pulled his towel around him, sat on the adjacent couch and put his feet up on the coffee table. He enjoyed flashing Sean most times, just to see him squirm, but this wasn’t the time.

“First of all, bro.” Marcus paused, hating saying the term bro. He felt like a caveman, but it was the most straight-man’s man-to-man expression he knew. “You are over reacting. You rarely fail in anything you do. You certainly won’t fail in your position.

“Second, you haven’t failed with her yet. I’ve talked to her. She hasn’t dated anyone since that…since Chet. She hasn’t even slept with anyone else, and believe me, I’ve been keeping my eyes open. I can’t believe she’s lasted this long! She isn’t over you, Sean. She’s just waiting for a reason to trust you again. Give her one.”

Sean didn’t look up. “What do you think I’ve been trying to do, Marcus? If I knew how to prove myself, I would.”

“Back her this weekend. Back her, look out for her, and help her succeed.”

Sean looked up in irritation. “Of course I am going to back her. Even if she was nothing but a co-worker, she is exceptional at her job. Of course I’ll fight for her. So will you. And Janice. But it won’t be enough.”

“Krista won’t let the guys here roll her over. She is a nerdy push-over, but she’ll only play dead for so long. If you give her little signs of support—“ Marcus held up a hand to stop Sean from arguing. “I know you don’t think she wants it, but she does. She needs it. Whether she’ll admit it or not, you are her loved one. Give her a little encouragement. Trust Uncle Marcus, he knows.”

Sean chuckled despite himself and shook his head. “What is this woman doing to me?”

“Making you a better person. Let her.”

Sean leaned back, now smiling bigger. “Bro?”

Marcus threw a pillow at him and walked back to the bedroom—Sean’s confidence was back. To herald the occasion, Marcus dropped his towel in plain sight.

Chapter Twelve

Exiting the bathroom feeling refreshed and more like herself, Krista sighed, thankful Jasmine didn’t send the squirt bottle with Janice. She’d taken a nice long shower, took her time getting her hair and makeup just right, and had a glass of wine from the mini-bar. She was relaxed and ready to kick a little ass. If she was going to leave anyway, she might as well go out in style.

Krista put on her well-cut, but still plain, black dress and admired herself in the mirror. She looked good. Conservative, but pretty. Feminine, but with status. It was subtle beauty and it emulated subtle power. She deserved her role, and she would prove it—the dress helped her sell that image.

When she came out of the bathroom, she heard the same voices as before. When she entered the sitting room, Sean and Marcus both looked up.

“Hmm, great work, doll. Jewelry?” Marcus said.

Krista swore under her breath and caught Janice’s disapproving eye. She put on her sapphire necklace and some bracelets, and then headed back out. It wasn’t until Sean noticed the necklace that she remembered he’d given it to her. Also when he’d given it to her. It had been the night she’d had to admit she would have to say goodbye. It was also the first night Sean had ever been without a condom with a woman. She wondered if she was still the only one.

His eyes were attached to hers. They had widened briefly, surprised she was wearing the necklace he got her, but now they were connected. His look turned her insides to mush, making her eyes glisten and her heart lurch. If she didn’t do something quick, she was going to have a meltdown.

“Geegee, quit stalling. C’mon. I have people to meet,” Marcus said, standing up abruptly.

Krista wrenched her eyes away from Sean and took a big, cleansing breath. Then reality set in.

“Do I have to do your circuit with you?” she whined.

“Yes. C’mon.” He pushed her out the door.

“Hold a seat for me,” Sean called out.

Marcus waved at him as he let the door shut and started walking to dinner. “Geegee, get a grip. You don’t want to ruin your makeup.”

“Thanks,” she said simply. She was now extremely glad she told Marcus all about she and Sean. Without Kate, Jasmine, or Ben, she didn’t have any lifelines in case she lost control. And with Sean around, control was fleeting at best.

They did their stupid rounds again. This time, Marcus made contact for the second time, and Krista had to talk more. It was a pain. Small talk was irritating, especially since the managers all thought she was an admin assistant and really only there to be a donkey. Oh yeah, and eye candy. Krista’s irritation was rising incrementally with each new person she had to talk to.