5. Chapter Five
Chapter Five
“ O h my goodness, girl. When I told you to go for it, I didn’t expect this.”
“I know.” Gabby had gone through everything from her time with Sawyer, including them sleeping together.
“What has you spooked? Too soon after the divorce?”
“I wouldn’t think so. I mean I’ve been separated for over three years, and I certainly didn’t love my ex anymore. We’d grown so far apart.”
“Yeah, he really only wanted your money.”
“So true.” Gabby shifted. “I think that’s why I was bothered with Sawyer spending so much on me yesterday.”
“It sounded like he wanted to. It wasn’t like you asked him to do all those things for you.”
“I know; it still bothers me though.”
“I’d love to punch your ex. He did such a number on you.”
“Probably. I don’t know. Something with Sawyer didn’t feel right.”
“What?”
“It was much more than paying for stuff Saturday. It’s the place he’s living.”
“I thought you said the apartment was a perk of his job.”
“That’s what Sawyer said.” She rubbed her forehead. “Did you remember where you know him from?
Lindsay shook her head. “You don’t believe him about the apartment?”
“I’m not sure.” Her gut churned. “He’s so comfortable there, like he’s used to money. The place was pristine. At times, I was afraid I’d mess things up or break something.”
“Did Sawyer seem at all concerned?”
“Not one bit.”
“What else?”
“This morning when he brough me home, he drove a small but still luxury SUV, one I’m sure was at least sixty thousand dollars or more.”
“Maybe it’s a lease.” Lindsay stared at her. “Quit looking for reasons to dislike Sawyer.”
“That’s the problem.” Gabby rubbed between her breasts. “I’m falling for him.”
“Way to go,” Lindsay yelled. “Or is it?”
“I don’t know. Part of me wonders if there’s something I’m missing, some side of him that isn’t the caring, wonderful man I spent yesterday with. The other part is telling me to just go with it.”
“I say go with it.”
“Of course you would.” Gabby laughed. Was she being overly critical? Probably. She hated feeling this way. The past three years she’d mapped out her life and how easily she’d been thrown into turmoil. “Did I tell you Sawyer invited us to the club tonight?”
“What?” Lindsay’s face lit up.
“Yes, he said he’d hold a table for us.”
“Are we going?” Lindsay practically vibrated with excitement.
“I have a feeling you want to.”
“Yes, please. Everyone at my job will be so jealous.”
Gabby chuckled.
“I’ll even give you an mani-pedi if you say yes.”
Now that was a deal Gabby would make. “We can go but not too late. I have to fly home tomorrow morning.”
“Don’t remind me.”
“Lindsay?” Gabby hated the dismay in her friend’s face.
“Why don’t you move up here? You know you could get a job easily, and we’d be closer to each other.”
“I’ve thought about it.”
“Let me get everything set up, and we can talk as I work.” Lindsay jumped off the sofa.
Gabby sat there, wondering. What was stopping her from moving here?
***
Three hours later, not only did Gabby have a mani-pedi, she and Lindsay had talked over the idea of Gabby moving here. Gabby had also done some research and applied for a couple of jobs.
“To make this work, I’d have to find a job first.” Gabby noted where she’d applied on the list they’d pulled together. “And a place to live.”
“You can stay with me until you find something you want.”
“This will take some time. Finding a job and I have to give my notice and pack up my place.”
“Once you have everything in place, I’ll fly down and help you pack. Your apartment is so small, I’m sure there isn’t that much.”
That was true. Mainly her two bookcases full of books, her TV, clothes, kitchen stuff, and other nicknacks. The rest of the apartment furniture wasn’t worth anything. She’d bought most of it second hand.
“I really need to think this through. I can’t believe you talked me into applying for jobs already. This feels too fast.”
“What is there to think about?”
“You know I’m not one to just jump into things.” Well, most of the time anyway. But deep in her gut, she knew this was the right move.
“I know, but I think it’s time for you to have a change. You need to get out of your rut.”
“Am I in a rut?” Was she? It was possible. For the last three years she’d concentrated on her job and trying to get her divorce.
“You are. Tell you what, we’ve got a few hours until we can go to the Vault. You keep looking at job openings in the area, and I’ll fix us something to eat.”
Gabby nodded. “Nothing heavy.”
“Salad it is.”
Gabby opened up her internet browser on her phone and continued the job search.
***
Sawyer glanced at his watch again. It was only seven, and the doors to the Vault wouldn’t open for another hour. He was impatient to see Gabby again.
“You reserved table one for your lady friend, I see,” Eric said.
“Yes.”
“It explains why you’re acting like an alley cat.”
“What?” Sawyer glared at his friend.
“All jumpy and anxious.”
Sawyer couldn’t deny Eric’s words. He was. Gabby had been very quiet on the drive to Lindsay’s place, but that kiss had been explosive. He hoped Gabby would show up tonight, and he could at least spend a little more time with her.
He hated she was flying back tomorrow, but he was determined to keep in contact with her. It wasn’t like he couldn’t fly down and see her. It might be difficult, and he’d owe Eric big time if he did it on weekends. Gabby was worth it.
“Excuse me.” Jesse, one of the bartenders, stood by the stairs.
“What’s up?” Jesse was the one who invited Lindsay and gave her the VIP table, and Sawyer was happy he had. That way he got to meet Gabby.
“Chef sent me up to get one of you. Apparently, there’s an issue with the food for tonight.”
“I’ll go,” Sawyer told Eric. It would keep his mind off the time.
***
An hour and half later, Sawyer made his way out of the kitchen. Someone had placed the boxes of chicken in the wrong fridge, and Chef was going nuts. It took Sawyer some time, but he found it tucked in a corner.
Now, Chef was happy, Sawyer walked out of the kitchen and to the bar. He glanced at table one, and his heart skipped a beat. Gabby was there. She and Lindsay were chatting. Their waiter, Brad, made his way to the table with food and drink.
A charcuterie board, fries, and what looked like margaritas. Nice. He waited until Brad walked away to make his way over to them.
“Good evening.”
Gabby looked up. “Sawyer.” Her voice was soft.
His heart lightened, and the night seemed better now that she was here.
“Thanks for the table and inviting us,” Lindsay said.
“You’re more than welcome.” The DJ was playing a soft ballad since it was early. “Dance with me?” He extended his hand to Gabby.
She looked at her friend who smiled.
“Okay.”
With her hand in his, he led her out onto the dance floor and pulled her into his arms. “I missed you this afternoon.”
She laid her head on his collarbone. “I missed you too.”
“What did you and Lindsay do?”
“Just girl stuff.”
“Good.” He really didn’t want to question her. Sawyer kept her close as they swayed to the music, enjoying the feeling of her body against his. He wanted more of this. The song came to an end way too fast.
Sawyer was going to continue dancing into the next song when he glanced up and saw Eric motioning to him. He sighed. “Work calls.” He led her back to her table and went to see what Eric wanted.
***
Gabby glanced at Lindsay, who was smiling from ear to ear. “We only danced,” Gabby said.
“I know, but that man is so into you. Did you tell him about your plans?”
“No.” It was too soon. She’d found a few job openings that sounded promising, but she couldn’t commit to anything until she knew for sure she had a job.
“But—”
“Nothing,” Gabby interrupted her friend. “There’s still a lot to figure out. I’m not going to rush into this.”
“I hear you.” Lindsay glanced toward the bar. “Is it okay if Jesse joins us on his break?”
“Sure. I’ve been curious about him.”
“We’re not dating or anything. It’s just been casual meetups.”
“Yeah, sure.” Gabby knew her friend.
Ten minutes later, Jesse came to their table. Gabby moved so he could sit next to Lindsay. He gave Lindsay a kiss on the cheek and took her hand. “How are you ladies tonight?”
“We’re good. Jesse, this is Gabby, my best friend.”
“Hi, Gabby.” Jesse smiled at her.
As they talked, she found out Jesse had been working at The Vault for the past three years, and he worked at a gym. Gabby found him to be a nice guy.
“I saw you dancing with the boss,” he said.
“Sawyer?”
“Yes.”
“Boss?” Gabby asked, and shook her head. “That’s right. He’s the manager here.”
Jesse laughed. “He’s so much more than the manager. Sawyer co-owns the club.”
Gabby froze. “Co-owns?” Sawyer was a partner in the club, not just a manager?
“Yeah, Eric and Sawyer started The Vault five years ago.”
Gabby’s mouth dried out. The pieces started falling into place like a puzzle. Everything from yesterday flooded through her. The food tour, dinner at the Space Needle, the penthouse apartment. His penthouse. She’d bet everything she owned that he owned it.
Sawyer had lied to her and not just once. His job, where he lived. His familiarity with the driver had confused her. Now she knew. The driver, the car, they were his. And the club. He owned it.
“That’s nice,” Gabby said, trying to shake away her discovery. She didn’t want to be rude to Jesse. He had no idea of the bombshell he’d dropped.
“Well, my break is over.” He stood. “Lindsay, I’ll call you next week.” Jesse dropped a kiss on Lindsay’s forehead and said goodbye.
“Gabby?” There was concern in Lindsay’s voice.
“I need to go.” Gabby couldn’t stay here, not now. Sawyer had lied about everything, but especially, he lied about the one thing she never wanted to argue about again since her divorce. Money. She shivered as icy tendrils of betrayal flowed over her skin.
“What is going on?”
“Sawyer told us he managed the club, not that he owned it. He covered it up. Oh, God, I think I love him, and he lied to me.”
“Oh, my God. It just hit me. I knew he looked familiar. If I’d remembered sooner, I’d have told you.
“I don’t care.” Gabby looked around in a panic. “I have to get out of here. I’ll get a ride share.”
“Nope.” Lindsay grabbed her purse. “I’m going with you.”
Together, they raced out after Lindsay waved to a surprised Jesse. Gabby realized she was being rude. Not even that mattered right now. Tears filled her eyes. All her plans had gone up in smoke.
In the ride share, she swiped at her tears. Here she was, crying over a man. Again. Except this time, the pain cut her heart into a thousand pieces, leaving her nothing but misery.
***
Sawyer swore when he saw the time. He’d been tied up on the phone with the wine vendor, and it was almost eleven. He sighed and walked out of the office.
“Are they finally satisfied?” Eric asked. “The vendor was insistent they talk only to you.”
“More or less. I’m glad I’ve set up another vendor.” Sawyer glanced at table one. It was empty. “Damn,” he muttered.
“She left,” Eric commented.
“Yeah. She told me she couldn’t stay too late as she has a flight home tomorrow.” Sawyer had hoped to spend more time with her tonight and see how she felt about a long-distance relationship.
“Sorry about that.”
“Not your fault.” Sawyer pulled out his cell phone and sent a quick text.
Hey, Gabby, sorry I got tied up. Have a safe flight home tomorrow and let me know when you land. I already miss you. S.
He sent the message. Depending on what time they left, she might already be asleep. He had kept her up late last night. Had it only been last night? Sawyer felt like they’d known each other for years rather than just a weekend.
The sound of raised voices pulled him out of his thoughts. Glancing down at the floor, he saw two guys arguing. It was going to be one of those nights. Damn. He slipped his phone in his pocket and went to take care of the problem.
***
“I’m going to miss you,” Lindsay said, hugging Gabby good-bye at the airport drop off.
“Me too.” Gabby hugged her friend tight. Last night, Lindsay had sat with her while she cried over Sawyer. Lindsay was angry on her behalf.
“I’ve got to go.”
“Call me when you get home.” Lindsay gave her one last squeeze before letting her go.
“I will.” Gabby grabbed her bag and walked through the double doors, keeping her sunglasses on to hide her tear-ravaged eyes. Her limbs felt heavy, as if something weighed them down. She looked at the self-service kiosk, decided she didn’t have the brain power to deal with it, and walked to the check-in counter. Thankfully, there wasn’t a line.
“Good morning,” the cheery clerk said.
“Morning,” Gabby mumbled, pulling her glasses off, putting her bag on the metal scale, and handing the clerk her license. Finding her boarding pass on her phone, she showed it to the clerk.
“Nice to have you flying with us today, Ms. Maxwell. Is San Francisco your final destination?”
“Yes.”
“And just the one bag?”
“That’s right.”
The woman typed some things in the computer and frowned. Gabby’s heart sank. The plane had showed on-time when they left Lindsay’s place. The clerk typed a few more things. “Is there something wrong?”
“Oh no, ma’am. Give me just a minute.” More typing and the computer spit out the luggage tag and a new boarding pass. “Here we go.” She put the luggage tag on and sent the bag on its way. “You’re at gate N14, security is to your left and once through follow the signs. You’ll need to take the tram to the gate. Have a wonderful flight.”
“Thank you.” Gabby grabbed the boarding pass and her license. She glanced at the paper in her hand. “Ummm, excuse me.”
“Is there something wrong?”
“Yes. This says I can go through pre-check.”
“Yes, ma’am.” The woman leaned closer. “I’ve upgraded you to first class.”
Gabby blinked. “First class?”
“Yes. To be honest, you look like you could use a little pampering.”
Gabby almost laughed. She’d cried most of the night, the cold compress could only do so much for her eyes. “Thank you.”
“Anytime.”
With her sunglasses covering her eyes again, Gabby walked away. Security was a breeze, and she made it to her gate easily. Finding a seat, she pulled out her phone, checking for activity. Just last night’s text from Sawyer. A sigh escaped her lips. Buck up. Nothing was going to come of her mooning over Sawyer. He lied, and that’s all there was to it. He knew money was a trigger for her, and he’d lied about it.
Somewhere in the dregs of last night’s pity party, Gabby had realized she still wanted to move to Seattle. She was in a job she didn’t like, and everything in her condo reminded her of her ex. It was time for a change, and she’d just have to make sure she steered well clear of the Vault and its…owner. Once she got home, she’d immerse herself in packing and give her notice. Job or no job. Lindsay was her closest friend, and she wanted to make her home where Lindsay was. It was time to do something new and different.
It would help her forget all about him. Her heart pounded, a painful reminder that she didn’t want to forget him. She hated how he’d gotten past all her defenses and, in such a short time, become someone special to her. Beyond special. And he’d been lying to her the entire time.
Tears welled. Enough. She was done crying over him. Time to take back her power.