Chapter 14
FOURTEEN
Anger proved to be an excellent motivator. I accomplished more in the next few hours than I had all week. Every time I felt like taking a break, I looked at the tulips and found myself furious all over again.
He’s just another asshole trying to bring me down. He’s trying to get in my head. He means nothing. Get focused and kick ass.
I didn’t stop working until it was a few minutes past quitting time. I was gathering my things to leave when Alice buzzed in. “You have a call, Jada. It’s Simon Powers.”
“Put him through, please.” Once the phone buzzed, I picked up the receiver. “Hi, Simon.”
“Hello, Jada.”
“What can I do for you?”
“There’s a property in Gila Bend I’m interested in.
I thought maybe I could drop by the office.
I know it’s late, but this one isn’t going to be around for long.
I’d like to see some comps on the area. Just see what you think.
I’d shoot you a fax with the details, but I’m driving and happen to be in your neck of the woods. ”
“Sure. I was just leaving, but I will absolutely wait to see you.”
“Oh, no worries. We can do it tomorrow.”
“I really don’t mind. Just give me a few minutes to grab something to eat. I didn’t make lunch”—I paused—“or breakfast.”
“I was planning on stopping for a burger at the new place on Bell Road. Do you want me to grab you a sandwich?”
I looked at the flowers and then at the clock. ”You know what? That’s on my way home. I can just meet you there.”
“That sounds great.”
“See you soon, Simon.”
I picked up my bag and headed out the door.
Once in my car, I headed toward the restaurant, which was only a few miles away. Traffic, however, was a mess and at a near standstill.
Just as I had turned up the radio to help me forget the craziness of the day, my phone buzzed.
“Hey, Kari.”
“What’s up? How was your day?”
“I don’t even want to discuss that right now, please. What’s going on?” I asked.
“Hey, are you coming home soon by any chance? My sneakers are in your car and I was going to go for a quick hike with Max. I need to work off some stress. Work was insane today.”
“I’m actually meeting a client for Dad at that new diner on Bell. You know the one—it has the whiskey barrels out front. I don’t know if I’m just going to get the papers or grab a sandwich while I’m there. You can swing by and grab your shoes on your way, if you want,” I offered.
“Perfection. Be there in a few.”
Traffic started moving again and I made my way to the parking lot. Simon’s Avalanche was already there, so I parked beside it and made my way inside, my stomach growling as the peppery smell hit my nose.
“Hi, Simon,” I said, finding him in a booth in the back and returning his smile. “How are you?” I climbed into the seat across from him.
“I’m great now.” He smiled. “How was your day?”
I frowned. “I’m going to give you the canned ‘fine’ and we can move along, okay?”
He laughed. “I’ll let it go at that. Here are the papers for the place in Gila Bend,” he said, sliding me a folder.
“I haven’t really decided on Solomon Place.
The square footage is a little small. And with the construction next door, it just seems like a headache.
And the location is pretty busy, which is not exactly what I have in mind. ”
“I totally understand. You should always know your options before you make an investment. It’s just smart,” I said, shrugging.
“It is.” He looked at me for a moment and I felt like something wasn’t quite right. My body chilled, the little hairs on the back of my neck standing up.
Simon eyed me for a second before handing me a menu. “Do you want to grab a bite to eat?”
I didn’t say anything, looking blankly at the options in front of me, trying to process whatever my subconscious was trying to tell me.
I’m just worked up from the day and overreacting. Relax and have a meal. It’s probably low blood sugar.
He turned his head to the window, his face scrunching. “Uh, do you know the girl trying to get in your car?” he asked, pointing out the window.
I looked out the glass and laughed. “Yeah, that’s my sister.”
Kari and Max made their way into the restaurant, Max’s arm around her shoulder. They spotted me right away and I dug my keys out of my purse.
“Hey.” Kari smiled, leaning her head against Max’s side.
“Hi, Kari. Hi, Max.” I felt my smile quickly fade. Max gave me a curt nod, not his usual friendly greeting.
“This is my sister, Kari, and her … friend, Max. Guys, this is Simon Powers.”
Kari said hello to Simon and he sat smugly, his eyes on Max, nodding. Max’s eyes were cold as he bent down and whispered something in Kari’s ear, causing her eyes to narrow.
“We need to get going. Can you run out and let us in your car?”
I started to hand her the keys, but Kari made no attempt to take them. I asked Simon to excuse me for a second and followed them outside.
“Simon Powers, huh?” Max asked as soon as we hit the doorway.
“Yeah. He looked at Cane’s property a few days ago. The one you called me about. He has another in Gila Bend he wants to check out.”
“Gila Bend? Right on I-10. Makes perfect sense,” Max said, looking straight ahead. “Does Cane know you’re here with him?”
I huffed. “No. Why in the world would he know? And why does I-10 make any difference?”
Max turned and looked at me, his eyes unsmiling. “You shouldn’t be here with him.”
“Simon is a business associate, Max. For that matter, so is Cane.” I sighed, hating that I had both admitted that out loud and therefore, in turn, admitted that I wished he was something more. “And it’s none of your damn business who I’m with.”
Max narrowed his eyes and I rolled mine in response, sick of the interrogation.
“I wish y’all would act like you have some sense.” Max shook his head.
“I have sense, Max. I have sense enough to know that Cane couldn’t care less where I am or who I am with.”
I retrieved the sneakers from my Jeep and locked it back up. Kari took them with one hand and wiped her face with the end of her shirt with the other.
“I can’t believe you’re going to hike in this. You’re going to die of heat stroke. You’re a nurse. Don’t they teach you this stuff?”
“We changed our minds and are going back home,” Kari said. “When will you be there?”
“I was just going to order a sandwich, so maybe an hour?” I glanced at the restaurant and saw Simon watching us. He looked away quickly.
Max followed my eyes to the window, his jaw tensing. “Why don’t you come home now?”
“Because I’m hungry.” I let out a sigh, having had enough of stupid men for one day. “I’ll be there soon.”
“Jada,” Max said, running his hand over his chin. “I would really prefer it if you would follow us back.”
“Yeah, well, thanks for the misplaced concern. But I’m a big girl, Max.”
“I never said you weren’t. But even big girls need someone to look after them.”
“I have no idea what’s going on, but after the day I’ve had, I don’t have the energy to even try to figure it out. I’m going back inside to have a bite to eat and I’ll be home when I feel like it. See you guys later.”
I turned to go, but the force of Max’s voice stopped me in my tracks. “Jada …”
I closed my eyes and took a deep breath before turning around to face him. “What?”
“Cane’s going to ask me if I have seen you today. I guarantee you that.”
“No. He won’t. Because he doesn’t care.”
Max grinned. “He will. He asks about you every day.”
My heart stilled and I had to make a concerted effort to find my anger again. I shook my head. “He doesn’t really care, Max. Trust me. I’m just another notch he’d like to put on his headboard.”
“Apparently, he’s pissed you off today. I know the feeling—he’s pissed me off every motherfucking day since I met him.
” Max’s face softened, a grin touching his handsome face.
“So if you don’t want to go home because of him—don’t.
But I’d like to think you and I are friends, so do it as a favor to me. ”
Max watched me intently, twisting his New Orleans Saints cap around backward. Kari looked from one to the other, her arms crossed in confusion.
“You guys give me a headache,” I muttered and stormed toward the restaurant to get my purse.
I wasn’t sure what Max’s point was, but I knew firsthand how exhausting Cane could be. And I was kind of exhausted myself. Home sounded better and better.
“You better have food for me. And rum!” I yelled over my shoulder, Max’s chuckle following me into the diner.