Chapter 3
CHAPTER THREE
STELLA
“This is fantastic,” Keith said.
I beamed under his praise. “Thank you.”
“I vote we buy it.” He rapped his knuckles on the conference room table. “Everyone good with this?”
Heath, Tobias and the other two project managers who’d watched my presentation all agreed.
“I’m excited to try out this software,” Tobias said, glancing at his phone, then pushing his chair away from the table. "Great suggestion, Stella. I’ve got to duck out for a call.”
“And I’ve got a date with my lovely wife so I’m taking off too,” Keith said. “I’ll be out most of next week. Maddox is coming home so I’ll be sticking close to the house. But I’m a phone call away if you need anything.”
Keith stood and made his way to the door with the project managers shuffling out close behind.
Leaving Heath and me alone.
I breathed for what felt like the first time in an hour.
“Good job, Stell.”
“Did I do okay? Be honest. ”
“You did awesome.” His smile was contagious.
I’d found Heath’s gaze often as I’d given my pitch today. Not only because his blue eyes were the most alluring in any room, but because over the past two weeks, something had shifted between us.
The nerves that normally came with seeing him had subsided. Maybe because we saw each other every day, either in the break room or when we crossed paths in the hallways. Maybe I was getting over my crush— probably not . Whatever the reason, the swarm of yellowjackets in my stomach that usually accompanied Heath’s smile had moved on and found a new hive.
Butterflies had taken up their place. Delicate and lovely butterflies that had fluttered each time he’d given me a sure nod while I’d demoed the software I’d told him about on my first day.
“I thought it would take longer.” I glanced at the clock on the wall. “Is it bad that there weren’t many questions?”
“Your presentation was solid.” He leaned his elbows on the table. “I had questions but you answered them all.”
“Okay, good.” I shut the lid on my laptop. “Then I’m calling it a win.”
“A big win.” He shoved out of his chair. “We should celebrate. Want to head downtown for a drink?”
Ooh... bad idea. In the past two weeks I’d managed to avoid any other embarrassing moments with Heath, but it was only a matter of time before the curse returned. Adding alcohol to the mix would surely accelerate the inevitable.
Say no. “Sure.”
“Grab your stuff. Meet you in the lobby in five.” He strode out of the conference room, and I smacked a hand to my forehead.
Weak. So weak. But it was too late to take it back—that and I didn’t want to take it back because this was Heath—so I scrambled to collect the materials from my presentation and head upstairs to my office where I put everything away. With my camel wool coat pulled on and a gray blanket scarf wrapped around my shoulders, I grabbed my purse and slung it over a shoulder.
Flipping the lights off in my office, I moved toward the staircase, hearing a familiar voice echo from the lobby.
“Guy, you’d better stop flirting with me,” Gretchen warned. “I’m old enough to be your mother.”
“You say that every time I come in here.”
“And you never listen.”
“Nope.” My brother chuckled, and with his laugh, my spirits sank. So much for a celebratory drink with Heath. Guy would hijack the night and steal his best friend.
Damn.
The clomp of my heels as I trudged down the stairs drew his attention and he smiled when he spotted me. “Hey, Stella Bells.”
“Hi. What are you up to?”
“Thought I’d see if Heath wanted to head downtown. Grab a drink.”
“Oh. Great,” I lied.
“Hey.” Heath came down the hallway from his office, shrugging on his black coat. Combined with his dark hair and rugged voice, that coat was sexier than it should have been. Oh, what I wouldn’t do to shove it off those broad shoulders.
Yeah, my crush wasn’t entirely dead.
“You up for a drink?” Guy asked him.
“Actually, we were just heading downtown. Celebrating Stella’s successful presentation today.”
“We don’t need to.” I waved it off. “You guys go without me.”
“Come on, Stell.” Heath nudged my elbow with his. “One drink.”
“Or three,” Guy teased. “For me. You can be my designated driver.”
Being the third or fourth wheel hadn’t bothered me as a kid. But now it felt . . . pathetic. And I had no desire to be Guy’s chauffeur.
“Or . . .” Heath shot him a flat look. “You can call a cab.”
“I’m just kidding.” Guy shrugged. “Mostly I like it when Stella drives because she’s the safest drive in Gallatin County.”
Yes, I typically drove five miles per hour below the speed limit, but I’d never had a ticket or gotten into an accident.
“Come with us, Stella,” Guy pleaded. “Don’t be boring.”
“Fine,” I muttered. I loved my brother. I adored Heath. But the two of them together weren’t always easy to be around. Not because of Heath but because of Guy.
He had no filter and loved to tease. Most of the time he’d forget I wasn’t one of the guys. The last time we’d gone out, a bunch of his college fraternity brothers had been in town for the homecoming football game. He’d coerced me into going out with them, and the group had traded stories for hours about the women they’d screwed.
As the drinks had flowed, the stories had become more and more far-fetched, and finally, after three hours, I’d told Guy he could find a different ride home. The only good thing about that night was that Heath hadn’t been there. I don’t think I would have been able to handle hearing him describe his sexual escapades with other women.
Though I doubted he would have shared anyway. Heath had never been that sort of man.
At least, not around me.
But Guy had a way of bringing out the crude, and whenever he and Heath were drinking together, I’d made it a point to stay away. One glass of wine and then I’d go home to trade my jeans for a pair of pajama pants.
We drove separately downtown. Parking was a nightmare because Main was a popular place for holiday work functions and parties, but I managed to find a spot two blocks away from the bar where we were meeting. I left my car in the snow-covered lot, then headed for the bar.
I’d just rounded the corner of the sidewalk when a rumbling voice called my name.
“Stella.”
I glanced over my shoulder to see Heath rushing to catch up.
His long legs ate up the distance between us. Under the faint streetlamps, he looked unbelievably sexy. His jaw chiseled. His hair finger-combed off his forehead. His lips soft and supple.
I used the moments it took for him to reach my side to stop my heart from doing cartwheels. There would be no acrobatics. We were coworkers. Friends, maybe? Nothing more.
“Hey.” Damn. My breathy voice was back after a two-week hiatus in the office. I hadn’t missed it.
“Ready?”
“Is anyone really ready to go drinking with Guy?”
“True.” He laughed. “You might think you’re ready. But you never are.”
I smiled and fell into step beside him, turning my face to the decorations strung across the street. “I love that they still string the same garland that they did when I was little.”
“Same here. Mom and Dad used to bring us down here for the Christmas Stroll each year. So much around Bozeman has changed, but I love that this is the same.”
The green, gold and ruby garland draped over Main in thick, glittering strands. Wreaths had been hung on the doors of most businesses. Golden twinkle lights illuminated the trees, making them sparkle against the background of the black, winter sky.
The temperature was creeping toward zero, but downtown, it felt warmer with the scent of apple cinnamon and pine clinging to the air.
So busy glancing around, I missed a patch of ice on the sidewalk and my heel caught it, nearly sending me crashing to my knees. Except a strong arm wrapped around my waist, pinning me to an equally strong body.
“Whoa.” Heath stopped, holding me up until my legs were steady.
“See? You’re cursed. I haven’t slipped on ice in years.”
He chuckled, loosening his grip. “Yes. It was my fault that you weren’t paying attention.”
“Exactly.”
“To be safe.” He took my forearm and tucked it beside his ribs, holding my arm as he started down the sidewalk again.
I caught our reflection in a shop window and my breath hitched. We looked like a couple. A hot couple. I bit my lip to hide a smile and kept walking. There was no harm in pretending for a block, right?
Our journey ended too soon, and when we reached the bar, Heath let go of my arm to open the door.
Guy was waiting at a table with three shots already lined up. Knowing my brother, they were all for himself.
“This is going to be interesting,” I muttered.
“Your brother is nothing if not entertaining.” Heath touched my elbow. “Think you can make it to the table on your own or do you suspect I’ll twist your ankle?”
“Har har,” I deadpanned, then joined my brother. After we took our coats off, he surprised me by sliding a shot to Heath and me .
“Cheers.” He raised his glass, waiting just long enough for ours to clink his before he tossed the tequila back. “So Mel and I broke up today.”
“Oh, Guy.” I pressed a hand to my heart. “I’m sorry.”
He shrugged. “No big deal.”
Liar. It was a big deal. He and Mel had dated on and off in high school, but had broken up for the final time before heading to college. They’d kept in touch over the years, and when she’d moved back to Bozeman a few months ago, they’d started dating again.
Guy had talked about Mel all the time. He’d even told me that this time around, it might be the real deal.
“What happened?” Heath asked.
“She wanted to be done, so now we’re done.” He slid off his stool. “You guys want another shot? Because I do.”
Without waiting for us to answer, he stalked toward the bar and flagged down the bartender. This time, his three shots were just for him. He threw them down his throat in quick succession, then clapped and forced a too-wide smile.
“Check her out.” My brother jerked his chin over my shoulder.
I shifted, following his gaze to a brunette standing at the bar wearing a tight yellow dress and over-the-knee boots. Not exactly winter apparel but she did make a statement. A redhead in a similar dress, this one pink, joined her friend, the two of them scanning the bar.
Hunting. They were hunting.
And Guy would gladly become their prey.
Technically, I’d had my drink. Could I leave now?
I should have known this would happen when Guy had suggested the Rocking R Bar. It was his favorite bar and where I suspected he picked up most of his women. It was typically a college hangout, but this close to Christmas, most students were into finals and the bar was mostly people our age, adults in their twenties and thirties.
“That brunette’s eye-fucking you, Holiday.” Guy grinned. “Get over there.”
Annnnnd it was time for me to go.
“Nah.” Heath didn’t so much as look toward the women. “We’re here to celebrate Stella’s successful first two weeks at work.”
“Don’t be lame,” Guy said.
Heath’s jaw clenched. “Don’t be an asshole.”
“Whatever. So work’s been good?” Guy asked me.
“Yeah, I like it.”
“She’s doing a hell of a job.” Heath gave me a little smile.
“Of course she is.” Guy clapped his hand on my shoulder. “You guys were lucky to steal her. Stella’s a rock star.”
“Thanks.” Yes, Guy could be a huge, blunt idiot. But he also had so much confidence in me that it gave me confidence in myself. Whenever I was unsure, he’d tell me I could do anything I set my mind to.
“Welcome.” My brother nodded, then glanced around the bar. “Hey, look. It’s that guy you had a crush on, Stella.”
“W-what?”
The only guy who I’d crushed on was Heath. But there was no way Guy would call me out here, now, would he? No way. Guy was a jerk sometimes but that would be cruel.
“Joel? Isn’t that his name?” Guy pointed to the other side of the bar.
I spotted who he was talking about and my heart climbed out of my throat. “Yes, his name is Joel. But no, I never had a crush on him.”
“Yes, you did.”
“Pretty sure I didn’t.” Joel and I had gone to college together, and this crush Guy was thinking of had been the other way around. “He liked me. I wasn’t interested.”
“That’s right. Because you were too busy drooling over Heath.” Guy laughed, oblivious to what he’d just said.
Meanwhile, my heart splattered on the table. Ouch . Tonight, the humiliation was courtesy of my brother.
“Jesus, Guy,” Heath clipped. “What the hell?”
My brother scoffed. “It’s not like we all don’t know she was into you for like a decade. Who cares?”
Heath’s jaw clenched. “Shut up, Guy.”
“What’s wrong with you two tonight?” My brother scoffed. “I thought we were here to have some fun.”
“I think I’m all funned out.” I stood from my stool, grabbed my coat, scarf and purse, then headed for the door, not even bothering to bundle up for the cold.
Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes as I flew out the door. I huffed it down one block, pulling on my coat as I walked, and by the time I made it down the second, the sting in my nose and the burn in my throat made it hard to breathe.
Why would he say that? Now, of all times. Heath and I weren’t just acquaintances anymore but coworkers. Why was my brother such a dickhead? Guy had always teased me, but he’d never teased me about my crush on Heath. Never, not once. Why tonight? Was it because of his breakup with Mel? He was hurting, so what, he’d spread the pain? I was his sister, for fuck’s sake.
“Asshole,” I muttered, refusing to cry.
Heath was never going to be into me. I knew Heath was never going to be into me. I’d known for fifteen years. There was no need for Guy to rub it in my face.
Normally after an embarrassing incident, I could avoid Heath for weeks. Months. Not this time. I had to see him on Monday morning. There would be no avoiding this, and now, thanks to Guy’s non-existent filter, it would be awkward in the office.
Heath would stare at me with his sparkling gaze and pity me for a silly crush. I didn’t want Heath’s pity.
“Damn it.” A tear dripped free, leaking down my cheek. I brushed it away, walking faster around the corner that would lead me to the parking lot.
“Stella.”
I kept my eyes down, my focus on the sidewalk, even though Heath’s voice bounced off the downtown buildings.
“Stella, wait.”
My legs moved faster.
“Stella.” Damn those long legs of his. Heath caught me just before I could open my car door, gripping my elbow and forcing me to stop.
“What?” My voice cracked as I dropped my chin.
“I’m sorry.”
“Why?” I shrugged. “It’s fine. Just Guy being Guy.”
“It’s not fine.”
No, it wasn’t. “Let’s forget about it, okay?”
“Stella.” That voice. He was making it hard for me not to cry. Because there was pity in his voice. “Look at me.”
I shook my head.
He released my elbow, but before I could bolt, he hooked a finger under my chin, tipping my face up to meet his. “Did you really have a crush on me?”
“You know I did,” I whispered.
He had to have known. Subtlety had never been one of my talents, especially as a teenager.
“I did know. But I want you to tell me.”
“Why? To prolong the humiliation? Can we not talk about this? Please.”
“Yeah.” He let me go and I spun, reaching for the car, but then he stopped me again by placing a hand beside the window, trapping me between the door and his towering body. “Stella.”
“You keep saying my name.”
“I love your name.”
“I—what?” The tequila had to be messing with me because there was no way I’d heard that right. I twisted to stare up at him and the expression on his face stole my breath.
Not an ounce of pity clouded those blue eyes.
“I think Guy’s a prick because it’s his way of saying he knows.”
“Knows what?”
His eyes searched mine. “That I have a crush on you too.”
My mouth fell open.
Which seemed to suit Heath just fine. Because one second he was standing there, staring at my open mouth. The next, his lips covered mine and his tongue slid between my teeth.