5. Chapter Five
Chapter Five
Shira
I walked out of the restroom, hollow and longing for a nap, and ran smack into a brick wall, nearly losing my footing as I bounced off.
A massive hand caught my elbow and righted me. I looked up, surprised to see bouncing brown eyes and lively, fluffy curls.
Ben.
Not Roman.
The twins were identical in features, but their personalities made them easily identifiable. Even to me, a veritable stranger.
“Excuse me, Ben,” I murmured. “I didn’t expect you to be waiting directly outside the door of the ladies’ room.”
One beat of silence, another, then Ben Wells tossed his head back and released the most melodious, happy laugh. Dimples dented both his cheeks, and crinkles bracketed his eyes, which were shiny and alight.
“Sorry.” He shook his head, still grinning. “You took me by surprise. I didn’t expect you to have a sense of humor.”
“Then we’ve both taken each other by surprise.”
He nodded, his chin lowering as he took me in. I didn’t sense any interest behind his slow perusal. Nothing sexual or romantic anyway. Since men didn’t look at me that way in general, it wasn’t unusual. His study of me seemed more scientific, like he was curious about me.
“I guess we have,” he said.
I cocked my head. Ben’s hand was still on my elbow, but it didn’t make me uncomfortable.
“Was there a reason you were stalking the restroom?” I asked.
I didn’t have an explanation as to why I had no trouble meeting Ben’s gaze and giving his face the same perusal he’d given me. It was almost like I was looking at Roman, getting to know the features I’d only allowed myself brief glances of without the intimidation factor. Sure, Ben was massive like his brother, and his jaw looked well suited to masticate animal bones, but I wasn’t scared of him. He gave off an innate gentleness, whereas Roman was just…gah. There were no words for him other than he wasn’t gentle.
“Sure there was. I’m checking on you. Your PA mentioned you were sick, and since I’m just as invested in GoldMed as my brother, I thought it would look bad if the CEO dropped dead on the floor of the bathroom and no one noticed.” Ben bounced on his toes, his eyebrows rolling in waves, which was sort of a cool trick.
I smiled, though the queasiness hadn’t abated. An awareness that the noodles I’d eaten for lunch might’ve not been the reason for this rested in the back of my mind, but I wasn’t quite ready to face that possibility. “Not dead. Thanks for checking. I think the ramen rocked my stomach, but I’ll live.”
His nose crinkled. “Yeah, I’m going to have to tell my brother not to get the name of that joint. I don’t have time to pray to the porcelain god.”
Laughing, I tried to inch by him, but he moved with me. It was strange how at ease I was with him. This was how it had been with my best friends, Clara and Bea. Automatic soul sisters. But I’d never felt that way around a man. Usually, it was quite the opposite.
I guessed Wim had been a very big exception, but that had been an entirely different circumstance.
“I don’t really either, but sometimes, sacrifices have to be made,” I said.
Ben chuckled. “You’re funny. Why doesn’t Roman know you’re funny?”
“Because I have a tendency to panic in his presence.”
“Ah.” He nodded, like he understood completely. “Yeah, I see that. Rome can be really intense if he wants to be. Add on his size…” He gestured to himself. “I try to make myself less disarming since I’m such a big dude. My brother doesn’t share my concern. He’s just out there charging through life, scaring women and children.”
“It isn’t that I’m scared…” Glancing to the side, I dug my teeth into my bottom lip.
“I hope not.” He dipped his head. “Little secret: Rome’s a nice guy. He wants GoldMed to succeed. Maybe you two can find common ground. I’d cheer for that.”
I touched my hair, finding it still in place. “That would be wonderful if it were true.”
Ben patted my shoulder, surprisingly gentle for a giant. “Give it a try. You could pretend you’re talking to me—your favorite Wells brother.”
I sucked in a little breath. “There are two more of you. I suppose I’ll have to meet them to truly come to that conclusion.”
“Nah, you’re good. Nate and Adrian are sticks in the mud. Worse than Rome. I guarantee I’m always gonna be your favorite.”
I swallowed down a wave of nausea that had nothing to do with the Wells brothers and forced out a smile.
“I doubt I’ll have the opportunity to meet them anyway. I’ll take your word for it.” I nodded toward the hall. “I should probably get back to work.”
“Yep. Glad we got to have this talk. Remember what I said about Roman. He’s a good man under the bluster. Give him another try.”
I offered a small smile. “I will. And…thank you for checking on me. That was really kind.”
Leaving Ben to flirt with Rita, who was at least thirty years his senior, I headed back to my office. I had to pass Roman’s on the way, and he’d sent me an email earlier I hadn’t replied to yet. Taking Ben’s advice, I decided to stop by and answer his questions in person as an olive branch.
His door was cracked, but I wasn’t one to barge in. I lifted my hand to knock, freezing when I heard Francesca’s distinct, sultry voice. Frank’s daughter—technically my stepdaughter, though I’d never thought of her that way—disliked me more than Roman. Or anyone else, really.
“...it drives me crazy that she’s still here. Why haven’t you done anything about it?” Francesca whined.
“It’s not that simple. Shira owns a controlling interest in GoldMed,” Roman replied, and blood rushed to my face. If I could have forced my feet to move, I would have. The last thing I wanted to hear was their unfiltered opinion of me.
“It should be simple. You know how she treated me. Do you like her or something? Has she gotten under your skin like she did Daddy’s?”
He grunted. “Absolutely not. I don’t understand what Frank saw in that woman, but I can guarantee my caution with GoldMed has nothing to do with me liking Shira. She’s the cause of GoldMed’s situation and the stifling environment in this office. As far as I’ve seen, there is nothing redeemable about the gold-digging little—”
Bile rose so quickly up my throat, it was all I could do to rush to the nearest wastebasket before losing the little bit of water I’d sipped after my last bout of nausea. Once I was able, I ran for the restroom, all too aware of the eyes on me.
I wasn’t surprised by what Roman had said. It didn’t feel good, but I’d heard and endured far worse. It was just humiliating. The man I’d looked so forward to meeting and getting to know was bad-mouthing me to a woman who’d caused me boatloads of misery since Frank passed. Francesca didn’t know the meaning of discretion. I had a feeling she’d be repeating everything Roman said as soon as she left his office.
Sinking to the tile floor, I covered my face with my hands.
I was determined to keep my promise to Frank, but how much longer could I do this? Had it even been fair of him to ask all this of me?
Probably not, but he’d given me so much…
Blowing out a heavy breath, I climbed to my feet.
I’d be okay.
I always was.