Chapter Seven
Lucas
When Valerie ran out of the pub, I pushed back my chair. What the fuck just happened?
“We’ll go,” Cassie said, standing up. Emma quickly rose with her.
“But…” I hesitated. It was probably better. I recognized the look of panic on Valerie’s face. In our time together, she’d had a couple of panic attacks, the first time when her family created a fuss. Had I caused her to have one now? I cursed myself. This was the last thing I wanted.
“She needs a woman, not a man.” Cassie gave Marcus a kiss on the cheek before she and Emma went after Valerie.
“Valerie will be back,” Marcus said quietly.
“How can you be sure?” It didn’t sit well with me to just stay at the table and not to help her.
In the past, I’d held her and given her time and space to calm down. But tonight, I was the cause. My hands curled into fists against my thighs. Damn, I was an ass.
“Her purse is here, and food will be here soon.” Marcus gestured to the back of the chair where Valerie’s purse hung.
Breathing, I tried to see Marcus’ logic, but I couldn’t. It would be easy enough for Valerie to send Cassie or Emma back in to grab her purse, but I held on to the hope that they could help her. She didn’t deserve to hurt because of me.
“I warned you,” Miles said.
“I know, and I didn’t mean to cause an issue.
We haven’t gotten to the point of having a first date, much less talking about anything else.
” That was the truth. Since lunch on Monday, Valerie had been quiet and intensely working.
It made sense for me to leave her alone and let her get used to my presence in her life.
“Damn, do you have that talk with everyone?” Asher commented.
“Just you and Lucas so far. Cassie and Marcus were already into their relationship, and we all knew about it.” Miles glanced at Asher.
“Well, damn, I think we need to get out of Operations more,” Josh said, looking at Dean.
“Tell us what made you so scared you’d leave a woman like Valerie? Even I can see that she’s a prize,” Asher asked.
“We met about six years ago—before Fantasies, Inc. We were together for a year before my brain short circuited about turning thirty.” It wasn’t a lie.
“The dreaded thirty,” Marcus commented.
“I walked away from Valerie. Worse, I used another woman to do the deed.”
“Ouch,” Asher said.
“You didn’t have an issue when John told you who the forensic accountant we hired was?” Miles commented.
“He didn’t tell me the accountant’s name at first. I knew the company was one of the best, and I trusted John when he said she was highly recommended. When I found out the accountant was Valerie, I was sure I could keep everything on a business level. I was wrong.”
Valerie had an ability to focus that I envied. Me, I’d spent the week staring at her more than my computer.
Funny, I never thought a woman could look so sexy as she concentrated. But Valerie does. I wanted to show her I was ready to be in a relationship with her again. I wasn’t going to run. I was committed this time. But maybe I’d picked the wrong time and place.
The server came up to the table with all our food. Once she’d placed it all down, I looked at the door. No sign of the women.
“I’ll go check on them.” Miles stood and walked to the door.
I wanted to go, but Miles was a better choice. I wanted Valerie to come back, not take off. I sighed. I had a lot to make up for. But I would do it. I wasn’t afraid of hard work—or convincing her I meant what I said.