Chapter Nine One Woman One Man ~October~
One Woman One Man
October
Samantha
IWALK INTO THE LOBBY OF the Crescent Hotel where I’m meeting Jace for lunch. It’s not a normal hangout for either of us, but it’s close to home, and he had business in the area. This will be our second meeting since the failed counseling session with Mom.
Michael accompanied me the first time. Today it’s William, his hand barely touching my back, not guiding me, just sticking close. Both Michael and Joseph insisted he remain in constant contact with me when out in public and on the move.
We reach the hostess, and William takes over, ensuring the proffered table meets our security needs. Luckily, once he’s comfortable with our lunch accommodations, he’ll back off and sink into the background, observing from a safe distance.
“Sam?” Jace’s familiar voice comes from behind me. I turn to see him giving William the once-over and extending his hand. “I’m Jace, Sam’s brother. I assume you’re keeping my sister safe?”
William shakes his hand. “William. And yes, sir, your sister’s safety is my only priority.”
Only priority? Only? That strikes me as an overly pointed reply, as if to say he’d throw Jace in the line of fire if it would save me.
“I’m glad to hear it.” Jace’s face softens as his gaze lands on me. “Hey, sis.”
“Hey.”
He kisses my cheek and wraps me a quick hug. “It’s good to see you.”
“You too,” I respond and look to William. “Are we ready to sit?”
“Yes,” he replies, then nods to the hostess, letting her know we’re ready.
We sit, order drinks, peruse the menu, and talk about nothing in particular.
William long forgotten, I look at the man sitting across from me.
He’s changed over the last few years. His black hair is shorter, definitely more GQ-business-man-of-the-town kinda style.
His features are more chiseled, more defined.
But there’s still a hint of sadness in his eyes, particularly when he thinks I’m not looking.
He’s matured, in a good way. He seems more… manly…more grown up—more like Dad.
My heart pangs at the thought. God, I miss Dad.
After we order, Jace scans the restaurant and stops where I believe William has taken up residence.
“What’s really going on, Sam? Why do you have protection?
Michael was with you last time, and I assumed he drove you and decided to come in and eat, but now you have a complete stranger guarding you. ”
“He’s here to be sure I’m safe.” That’s probably more than I should say, but Jace knows I haven’t had protection following me around since my dad’s murderer was killed—by Michael and me.
His blue eyes look into my matching pair, pleading for more—asking me to trust him. “You can’t tell me, or you’re not telling anyone?”
“No one.” Shaking my head, I open my mouth to say more, then close it. There’s nothing more I can say, really.
With a gentle smile, he drops it. “Fill me in on the wedding. Is there anything I can do to help? Either planning or paying?”
“Paying?” I never would have expected that offer.
“I know Joe and his family are loaded.” He lays his hand across mine, resting on the table. “If Dad were here, he’d be paying for the wedding and the reception. I’d like to help.”
I’m not sure Joseph would have let Dad pay for anything. Maybe something as a token of respect, but when it comes to money, my family can’t hold a candle to the McIntyres. “I appreciate the offer, but it’s covered.”
Disappointment spreads across his face. I swallow around the lump in my throat, unsure if I’m ready to be this vulnerable with him. “There is one thing, though.”
“Yeah?” He looks hopeful. So hopeful.
“I need someone to give me away.” The lump in my throat bites as my eyes sting with impending tears.
His hand squeezes mine; his jaw clenches, and his eyes mist as he fights his own emotional battle. “Are you asking me to give you away?”
The rawness in his voice undoes me, and tears start to fall. All I can do is nod as I swipe at my face, clear my throat, and try to keep the flood of emotions at bay.
“God, I’d love to.” His voice cracks on his reply. He bows his head for only a moment, and then sits up straight with a huge, beaming smile. “I would be honored to give you away, Sam.”
I’m flooded with relief. I wasn’t worried he’d say no.
I was worried I wouldn’t have the courage to ask, or that he wouldn’t realize the importance of me asking him.
I’m beyond thankful because he gets it. He didn’t make light of it, and he said yes.
With a teary smile, I manage a simple “Thank you.”
We both work to fill the next few minutes with light-hearted conversation in order to get our emotions in check.
What I really want to know is if he’s happy.
Food arrives, and after a few minutes I bite the bullet.
“Sooo, tell me what’s going on with you?
I know you’re looking to move to MCI. Is that what you really want?
Are you not happy at Solengers?” I don’t want him to make the move in an effort to get closer to me and Joseph. I want him to love where he works.
“I like Solengers. It’s a great firm. I’ve learned a lot in my short tenure, and I’m sure I could learn a lot more from them.
” He fidgets with his silverware, lining it up, smoothing out the tablecloth, and positions his water glass precisely so.
I don’t know if he’s stalling, or if this is a new idiosyncrasy he’s developed.
The old Jace never cared where his silverware was placed on the table, as long as he had the means to get the food from his plate to his mouth as quickly as possible.
Satisfied, he looks up. “I want to work at MCI. It’s something Matt and I have been talking about for years. You know, before Dad died.” His shoulders rise, and he tilts his head. “It would be nice to be back with the guys. I’ve missed them.” His eyes pin me. “I’ve missed you.”
Yeah, the waterworks are back. “You know you don’t have to work at MCI to be a part of our lives, right?”
“It would help.”
I can’t deny that. He’d be right in the thick of things with his old buddies, working day in and day out with Matt, Fin, Joseph, Victor, and Michael. “The Six Pack reunites!” I tease.
He lays his hand next to mine, our fingers barely touching.
“If it will make you uncomfortable, I won’t, though.
Making things right with you and Joseph is my top priority.
I don’t want to push, and I don’t want to fuck it up.
” The depth of his words shines brightly in his eyes, and I know he means them.
I move my hand to link our pinkies. It’s a little awkward with him sitting across from me, but I manage.
Just as I used to manage when we were kids.
He didn’t always want to hold my hand, but he’d let me link pinkies with him, giving me that little boost of connection I often needed from him.
He was my big brother, my protector from a world I often found moved too fast and was a little too loud for my liking.
He smiles at our joined hands. “I’m sorry, Sam,” he all but whispers.
His heartache is too much. I can’t take any more crying. I cup my hand over our joined ones and squeeze. “I know.” My voice is low. “I forgive you, Jace. Let’s move on from I’m sorry, okay? I need time to get to know you again, to learn to trust you.”
That’s going to be harder than forgiveness, as I don’t think I’ve ever truly let anyone in besides Joseph.
All those years I thought of Jace as my best friend, my confidant, he truly wasn’t.
I kept him and everyone else at arm’s length, not relying on anyone except myself.
“Baby steps. And this right here is the first of many to come.”
“Baby steps,” he agrees.
I pull my hands back and pick up my fork. “I think you coming to MCI is an excellent step as well.”
“Yeah?” He’s relieved.
“Yeah.”
Baby steps.
One foot in front of the other.
One pinkie-hold at a time.
Moving forward.
Forgiveness.
Trust.
Family.
Joseph
I hang up with Samantha—the joy and hope in her voice was contagious as she imparted the details of her lunch with Jace—when Teddy comes on the line. “Mr. McIntyre, there’s a Jace Cavanagh here to see you.”
“Really?” Did he come home with Samantha? She just arrived. I’m sure she would have told me if they had returned to MCI Towers together.
“Is he related to your wife?” Teddy whispers.
Pride wells in my chest each time he calls her my wife. “He’s Samantha’s brother.”
“Oh. I…didn’t…never mind.” He’s obviously surprised.
There’s been no mention of Jace or their mother to Teddy. No reason to, really. Maybe if it wasn’t such a fresh wound for Samantha, their existence would be more common knowledge.
“You can send him in, Teddy.”
“Of course.”
I rise to meet Jace as Teddy opens the door and steps inside, allowing Jace to pass. “Can I get either of you a drink?” Teddy offers.
Jace crosses to the sitting area. “None for me, thank you.” He seems happy. Maybe he felt their lunch was as successful as Samantha did. I can only hope, for her sake.
“Thanks, Teddy. Please hold my calls.” I shake Jace’s hand. “This is a surprise. Everything okay?”
“Yeah.” He takes a seat on the couch, and I sit in a chair facing him. “Actually, no…or I don’t know…that’s why I’m here. I want to know what’s going on. Is Sam okay? Is she in danger?”
I cross my leg over my knee, pulling at the crease of my slacks—a Fin tactic all the way—giving me time to consider how to respond. “Why do you ask?”
Jace leans forward, his arms resting on his knees. “Seriously, Joe? Don’t bullshit me. I know I’ve fucked up in the past. I haven’t been around, but I’m here now, and I’m not going anywhere. Is she in danger? Has something happened? Why does she have a bodyguard sticking to her like glue?”
I smile, and that only seems to piss him off. I hold up my hand to stop whatever he’s about to say. “I’ll tell you.” I chuckle. “It’s good to see you getting all protective over your sister. It’s a good sign.”