Chapter Seven
Rainey
“I’m mortified,” I say out loud, as I drive home from Midnight, fresh from offering myself to Lucas and being turned down.
I don’t know what I was thinking. One minute we’re standing by the car, the next he’s tucking my hair behind my ear.
I feel his knuckles against my cheek and it’s like his touch engages my entire being.
Next thing I know, I’m tilting my head up, all but begging him for a kiss.
And the man I thought desired me as much as I do him steps back and hustles me into the car.
“How about you come over. I’ll make dinner, and we can talk about how much men suck?” Kaylee offers.
I shake my head, then remember to speak. “No, thanks. I need to stop by my mom’s. Dad is out with my uncle Alex for a business dinner, and I told her I’d keep her company.”
“Okay, but I’m here if you want to talk.”
I’m so grateful to have a friend like Kaylee. “Thanks. See you in the morning.”
“Bye.” I click off the phone.
About thirty minutes later, I’m sitting in Mom’s kitchen, my hands wrapped around a cup of hot tea.
My mother is sitting next to me, both of us on high stools around the center island.
I grew up in this house, and it holds so many good memories.
At the thought, I think about Lucas and how he doesn’t have a decent childhood to look back on, and my heart breaks for the hurt, angry boy he’d once been.
Am I still embarrassed by the kiss thing? Yes. Though I have no choice but to move past it.
“Earth to Rainey,” my mom says.
I look up and she comes into view. My mother is wearing a lounge outfit in lavender, a color that suits her well. Her long hair is pulled into a low ponytail and her makeup is light, as always. She’s beautiful, and not just because I’m biased.
According to the rest of the world, I’m my mom’s mini-me.
I think my face is a combo of both my parents.
I have chocolate brown hair, like her, and curves—too many, if you ask me—also like her.
I have freckles across my nose—and so does she.
But my eyes are all my father’s side. All the Dare siblings have dark navy eyes and so do their kids. It’s a dominant gene, I suppose.
“Rainey, honey, where are you? Is everything okay?” Mom asks.
I shake my head and laugh. “Sorry. I was lost in thought. Just thinking about whether I look more like you or Dad, and how many traits you and I have in common.”
She grins. “It always makes me happy when people say they think we’re sisters. Of course, it’s more a compliment to me. Makes me feel younger.” Mom leans in and props her chin in her hands. “But I sense there’s more on your mind than whether we look alike. Want to talk about it?” she asks.
About how I’d practically begged Lucas to kiss me? No. About my appointment tomorrow? The one I’ve been pushing out of my mind but can no longer ignore? That, I can do. “I have a meeting at the museum tomorrow to discuss a temporary exhibit for the Thunder during the 50th anniversary season.”
Mom sits up straight in her seat. “The museum?” she asks warily, and I understand why.
Adam Roberts, my ex, works there, and I do my best to steer clear of him.
I nod. “With Adam.” He’s the curator of the museum.
“Trust me, I tried to meet with his assistant. I even had the date scheduled, but Adam had the man cancel. If I want this exhibit, I’m going to have to meet with him.
” Over lunch, though I doubt my mother wants to hear I’m sharing a meal with my ex, the persistent jerk.
When I thought of the idea of doing the exhibit at the museum, I’d known I’d have to deal with him.
We dated for six months a year ago, and he pushed for too much, too fast. I didn’t want to spend all my free time with him, while he attempted to take over my life.
I’d tried to pull back and just when I decided to break up with him, he proposed.
That was the final red flag. Who gets engaged in six months when his girlfriend is clearly pushing him away?
When I said no, he turned nasty, grabbing my wrist and calling me a spoiled brat who didn’t know how good she had it.
A stranger stopped and asked if I was okay.
That shook Adam up, and he immediately pulled the I’m contrite act, but I didn’t buy it then, nor do I every other time he surfaces, always in between girlfriends.
Needless to say, meeting with him, even for an important job, doesn’t sit well with me.
“Why don’t you ask Kaylee to go in your place?” Mom suggests.
I sigh. “Adam made it clear if I want him to consider the exhibit, I need to be the one who comes to discuss it.”
My mother’s eyes narrow. “Then take her with you.”
“I plan to.”
Mom lets out a long breath. “You already know this, but I grew up with an abusive father. It’s the reason we created the safe haven project.”
My parents helped set up Haven for Help, a nonprofit that gives women a place to land when running from an abusive significant other. Or anyone, for that matter. They offer counseling, as well as being a shelter for women who need to hide and then relocate.
I nod because all my siblings are aware, and I’ve volunteered there many times.
“Suffice to say, I know the signs,” my mom says. “The red flags. And that’s not something I ever want for my daughter. And if your father knew you were meeting with Adam—”
“He can’t find out,” I tell her, panicking. If my dad found out, he’d storm the museum, and I’m afraid of what he’d do to Adam. “I’ll be fine and I’ll call you when it’s over. Besides, we’re meeting in a public place.” Sort of.
I have no desire to meet with Adam alone and the restaurant he chose is known for leisurely dining, even during lunch hour. It’s where people take clients they want to schmooze and impress with large booths and lots of privacy. None of which Mom needs to know.
“Okay.” She frowns. “But I don’t have to like it.”
I let out a sigh of relief. “If it makes you feel any better, I don’t like it either. But the exhibit will be worth an hour of my time with the jerk.” Not wanting to think about the meeting anymore, I smile at my mother. “How about we eat dinner?” I ask, changing the subject.
I don’t want to talk about my ex any more than I want to think about Lucas, and he’s been on my mind nonstop despite the conversation about Adam.
* * *
The next morning, Kaylee calls in sick with a stomach virus.
Now, I’m sitting at my desk, drumming my pencil on the counter, trying to figure out how I’m going to handle lunch with Adam, when I make my decision.
I pick up my phone and dial the museum. I’m not willing to use Adam’s cell phone number.
Heaven forbid the man and his huge ego think it’s for personal reasons.
The main desk answers, and I ask to be put through to Adam Roberts. The phone rings twice and I hear his familiar voice. “Hello?”
“Adam, it’s Rainey. Kaylee can’t make it to our lunch today. I’m going to come by the museum instead.” I don’t want to share a meal with him and send the wrong message. It’s a running theme when dealing with the man. Making sure I’m clear about where we stand at all times.
“Rainey,” he says in a cajoling voice that makes my skin crawl. “That wasn’t what we agreed to. You said you’d go on a lunch date with me.”
This man and his gaslighting, I think to myself, shaking my head at his behavior.
“I said no such thing. I agreed to a business lunch and now I have changed my mind. It’s my prerogative,” I remind him.
“I want to discuss a temporary Miami Thunder exhibit for their 50th anniversary season. There’s no reason to go for lunch in order to do that. ”
Silence, then, “What’s really wrong? Are you too good to be seen with me?” he asks, a nasty tone to his voice.
I have no doubt if we were in the same room, he’d be in my space attempting to intimidate me. But I’m in my own office and I’m safe.
I pinch the bridge of my nose, debating how far to take this and decide, screw it.
I’m not going to let him have the upper hand.
“I’ll tell you what, Adam. I can call your director and explain how his head curator won’t discuss a huge opportunity for the museum and is completely unprofessional or we can have the conversation right now, over the phone. ”
“You are such a spoiled bitch. You always think you’re better than everyone else. That if you snap your fingers, I’ll do what you say,” he says in the angry tone I only began to hear at the end of our relationship when I wouldn’t go along with his demands.
I’m still shocked he’d fooled me into thinking he was a nice guy and a gentleman in the early days of dating. “Okay. Calling your boss it is.” I move the phone from my ear, about to disconnect the call, when I hear him speak.
“Fine. Let’s talk business.”
Relieved I’ve won this round, I pitch my idea, knowing how much money a ticket for Thunder memorabilia will bring to the museum. Adam might want to hang up on me or berate me for his amusement, but he needs this booking and he knows it.
Thirty minutes later, I’ve secured the exhibit with details to be worked out at a later date.
“Oh, one more thing,” I tell him, then continue before he can speak.
“You won’t be working with me. I’ll be sending someone on my team to handle things.
It’s been a pleasure doing business with you,” I say, and disconnect the call.
Unfortunately, I would never subject another woman to Adam’s difficult personality and lying charm.
I wouldn’t want to risk someone possibly falling for him and then seeing the creep beneath the smooth exterior when it might be too late.
But someone needs to work closely with Adam, and it can’t be me.
I could ask my father or brothers to help, but that will make them get all protective, and I’ve worked too hard to escape their watchful eyes to alert them to potential issues with my ex again. Which brings me to the person I embarrassed myself with yesterday.
I’m pretty sure if I ask Lucas to run interference with Adam, he’ll be more than happy to do it. I just need to gather the courage to face him again.