Chapter Nine #3
Her mind wandered back to the text messages Bentley had sent her that morning.
“Bentley had already started showering me with his nonsense. No surprise because he’s like a human faucet running hot and cold.
I’m tired of his indecisiveness, and tired of his pettiness.
And very tired of his mother hen who can’t stay in her lane. ”
“He’s started his groveling already,” Bear said a little gruffly.
“I wouldn’t call it groveling. He doesn’t want me, but he doesn’t want anyone to have me either.”
Bear scrubbed his fingers down his chin. “I’m guessing because a man like Fletcher has a boatload of pride, he’ll want to keep the breakup quiet, orchestrate how people see things. That’ll start with him controlling you.”
She sighed when her phone buzzed. She turned her phone over. “There. Now neither of us have to see the messages.”
“You’ll have to face him. Eventually. Do you really think he’ll just let this go?”
“I don’t have any olive branches or multiple chances left in me. Third time’s a charm. I could never be good enough for his mother. I burn casseroles and drink wine instead of using it in recipes. I didn’t tell you, but she tried to write me a check to keep me away from her son.”
“Yeah?”
“The audacity of that woman amazes me.” She blew out a heated breath. “She just had to drop by and warn me that if I didn’t leave her son alone, she’d play mother bear.”
“That’s pretty ballsy, even for a Fletcher. Count this as a blessing. Would you want to be a senator’s wife? It sounds a bit snobbish to me.”
She snorted. “Not with these non-birthing hips. Imagine the negative comments I’d get.
I can read the headlines now.” She cupped her hands over her mouth to use as a megaphone.
“The only presentable thing on the First Lady is her feet that she monetized from. Too bad her narrow hips aren’t worth much because she still hasn’t produced an heir. ”
He chuckled. The tension eased some. “See? You don’t need that shit.”
“I refuse to allow him to take everything from me. I want to ask a favor.” He gave her a side glance. “What? Want to try making out a third time?”
“I wouldn’t say no but that’s not what I’m asking. I have the Grassroots Gala in three days. The donors and benefactors of MedLabOne will be there and I need to make an appearance. I don’t want to go alone so I need a date.”
“Wait. You said you’re fired.”
“I am, but I’ve lived and breathed MedLabOne for five years.
I won’t allow Bentley to take that recognition away from me.
I worked hard on developing the Zelle Mobile Lab so we could reach poverty-stricken areas in a one-hundred-mile radius.
I spent hours researching and finding benefactors.
I practically lived in the lab during that time. ”
He paused. “Galas are really not my cup of tea.”
“What if I told you that I can arrange a meeting between you and Zack Cooper?”
His head whipped around. “Zack Cooper as in the MVP two years in a row and the cornerstone of the offensive line? He was the best damn player even up until he retired a few years ago.”
She definitely had Bear’s attention. “I heard through the grapevine that you’re a fan and I just happen to be good friends with him. He’s the largest benefactor for the Zelle unit.”
“How did I not know this?”
“Mainly because he’s a silent benefactor, per his wishes. For a star football player, he’s actually a private person. You probably didn’t know that he and his family moved near Fin’s Creek?”
“Hell, I’m living under a rock,” Bear moaned.
“When his oldest daughter was diagnosed with leukemia they wanted out of Dallas to live a simpler life. Zack said during Zella’s—hence the name Zelle— treatment he’d met so many children who had to travel for hours to get access to treatment and lab work.
After Zella’s remission, Zack decided he wanted to do something to help others.
His wife, Dresden, and I became friends in college, and she mentioned to him that I worked at a local lab.
He reached out and said he wanted to make it possible for children to have free access for lab tests, so diseases are caught early.
As you probably already know, he’s shared his success story that he grew up in an impoverished area, and his mom had to work two jobs just to make ends meet raising Zack and his brother. ”
“Again, how is not local news?”
She shrugged. “After the gala, the word will spread. The lab unit is scheduled to start in six months. However, his wishes to remain anonymous will be respected.”
“And you won’t be a part of this?”
She readjusted the kitten on her lap. “As of right now, no.”
“That’s bullshit.”
“Yes, but what’s important here is the project. That’ll happen whether I’m there or not,” she said proudly.
“Fletcher lost his mind by firing you. You’re amazing. A rock star.”
“Now, now, we shouldn’t get ahead of ourselves. Without Zack and his connections, and the hard work making this happen, we wouldn’t have the remote unit. He’s a good man with a great intention to help others. So, what do you say? Zack Cooper?”
Bear blew out a long breath. “You certainly know how to squeeze a man you know?”
“That’s an odd way of saying it but thank you. So how about it? Put on a suit for two, maybe three, hours and be my date. Oh, and there’s an open bar.”
“Zack’s doing?”
“No. Bentley’s doing. He feels booze gives benefactors’ deeper pockets to donate. I can’t say he’s wrong.”
“There’s a problem.”
Then it came to her. “You don’t own a tux, do you? Turn here!”
He turned his turn signal on and made a quick turn onto Main Street. “Not going home?” he asked.
“I have a breakfast date with Tansy. I almost forgot. She’d kill me if I cancelled one more time. How about that tux, cowboy?”
“No and even throwing in Cooper it’s a lot to ask.” He scrubbed his hand down his jaw.
“Look…if you really don’t want to go, I can ask someone else—”
“That’s not what I’m saying.”
“Then what are you saying?”
He tilted his head back and looked at her with that expression that turned her insides into mush. His head dropped forward, his jaw twitched. “Is this to make Fletcher jealous or do you need support?”
“I’d have to care what Bentley thinks and I don’t. I simply don’t want to go alone.”
He hesitated then said, “Then I’m in.” He winked. “I’ll take care of the tux. I might have a few connections too.”
“Pull into the diner, Bear.” She released her seatbelt when he parked.
“Will it be hard for you to face Fletcher, and co-workers, after getting sacked?”
“Oddly, I don’t think so. I just want to go to the gala and prove that I’m okay.”
His smile beamed. “I love your spirit.”
“If you’ve never been to one of those benefactor events you have no clue how boring they are, only made worse when attending alone. So, I’m grateful for the company.”
“Glad I can be of service. Don’t forget your kitten.” He swiped up the furball that had snuggled up on his lap during the drive.
With her cat in hand, she slipped out of the truck.
“Then it’s a date.” Realizing what she said, her body flushed.
“I didn’t mean a date. I only meant…” Her voice trailed because she had no clue what she meant.
“See you later.” She closed the door on any attempt at responding.
She started up the sidewalk, not even daring to look back to see if he was watching.
A huge part of her hoped he was because otherwise the added sway she put in her hips would have been a complete waste of time.
She heard someone say “Hey, Bear”. She turned and watched Echo walk over to Bear’s truck and lean in his elbows on the open window.
Aasia focused on getting inside the diner before Echo saw her. Something told her he already had but she didn’t want to look back. Before the day was out every ranch hand at Creed’s Creek would know she’d slept in Bear’s bed.