The Secret Heir, page 7
“I was glad to see you.” Reign ran a hand through her hair. “Believe it or not, I’m not usually this fragile.”
“Trenton did not call you today as promised?”
Reign all but snorted. “I didn’t expect to hear from him. He knew I wouldn’t take the call. Which I’m sure is why he did all this.” She looked around at the room full of flowers.
“He believes he can win you back. Is he right?”
Reign shook her head. “I will never date him again, or any professional athlete.”
Abe almost flinched. He felt guilty as hell. Though doing so for what he felt the right reasons, not telling Reign who he really was felt like its own betrayal. She deserved the truth. He should tell her. ASAP.
“Reign, I—”
“You kiss good.”
He swallowed the near confession. He would ask her out, determine her feelings. If what appeared to be a mutual attraction was sure and not just a rebound emotion, if she was truly interested in getting to know Abe the Janitor, he’d come clean and tell her everything. For now, he would stay in the moment and allow the evening to unfold.
“I have forever wanted to taste those lips.”
“Were they all that you thought they’d be?” she teased.
“They were that and so much more.”
Reign leaned against the seat back. “Relationships suck.”
“They can get pretty dicey.”
“How do you know? Have you ever been in love?”
Abe sat back too, mindful that he should be working and at the same time knowing that where he was was where he needed to be.
“My first heartbreak came early.”
“How old were you?”
“Eleven.”
Reign laughed, though her eyes were sad. “Puppy love doesn’t count.”
“At the time, it was all that mattered Her name was Haniah and she was beautiful, with long, thick braids and crooked white teeth. It had taken me the whole school year to ask her to be my girlfriend. Just before spring recess I got up the nerve. She said yes! I was delighted. Our love lasted a whole twenty-four hours until the next day at school when someone else asked her and she broke up with me and said yes to them.”
“How long did it take you to get over her?”
“A whole weekend!”
Reign chuckled.
“Why are you laughing? My love ran deep.”
He was glad Reign was laughing and that he’d been the one to put a smile on her face.
“If only grown-up love could be healed as easily.”
“The deeper the investment, the more painful the withdrawal. But finding the one is worth all that we go through.”
“Still thinking about Haniah?”
He shook his head. “I’m thinking about a grownup heartbreak from a woman who treated me the way Trenton did you.”
“Please, do me a favor and don’t keep mentioning his name. His actions proved he never cared about me.”
Abe would do all he could to help her forget the man ever existed, but he didn’t tell her that.
“He seems to have cared, at least a little. Look at all these flowers.”
“It may have been his idea to send them but most likely his personal assistant Ralph did the work. They’ll be gone within the hour, distributed to hospitals, shelters and other organizations around the city housing clients and patients needing beauty in their lives. That’s the only reason I’m still here, waiting for the driver.”
“And after that?”
Abe watched as she shrugged while trying valiantly to fight back tears. “Home, I guess.”
“Anyone there to keep you company, a roommate or relative to keep you from spending the evening alone?”
“My sister and brothers are all married. Ivy and Desmond have a quiet dinner planned. Jake and his wife made me welcome to hang out with them, but who wants to be a third wheel? I’m not sure what Maeve and Victor are doing—Maeve is my older sister—but it’s probably something that would make me feel like an interloper. I’m sure Mom and Dad would welcome me into their evening, but something about spending Valentine’s Day with your parents...”
“Yeah, I get it. No explanation needed there.”
Reign shifted to the edge of the sofa and prepared to get up.
“It’s a poor substitute,” he interjected, “but we can go out for coffee. I would have suggested dinner but that might be out of line.”
“Then I’ll do it. Abe, would you like to have dinner with me?”
“Seriously? You know I’d love to, except I’m still at work for two more hours.”
“I don’t mind a late night,” Reign told him. “Getting a table anywhere might be tricky. The restaurants are probably filled with people in love or at least acting happy. On second thought, eating out tonight is probably not the best idea.”
“You’re welcome to come to my place if you’d like. It’s a humble abode, far less than you’re used to, but it’s clean and I make a mean martini.”
She reared back. “I’d never guess you for a martini man.”
“I tended bar for about five minutes while living in London.”
“You lived in London?”
Tricky territory, Abe belatedly realized. “For a while, when attending school.”
A knock interrupted. For the delivery man’s timing, Abe could have tipped him a one-hundred-dollar bill. He had several in his pocket and would have, except such cash in a cleaning man’s possession might have caused suspicion from Reign.
“That’s the man here to pick up the flowers. Can you direct him? They’re all to be taken. I need to use the bathroom and freshen up. I’m sure I look a mess.”
“Your mascara is smeared a bit, but you’re still lovely, and yes, I’m happy to help.”
“Thanks, Abe.” She leaned over and gave him a quick peck on the lips then turned toward the bathroom. “Oh, and I’ll take you up on that martini. What time do you get off work?”
In about five minutes, Abe thought as he maintained his composure and reached for his phone to text Nolan. His cousin, or somebody, needed to relieve him of the rest of this shift. The night was going better than he’d dared to imagine. He took back everything he’d thought about the “frivolous” holiday and sent a prayer of thanks up to St. Valentine. His special day held a bit of magic and had brought Abe together with his desire after all.
Seven
While waiting for Abe to get off work, and her office fully rid of flowers, Reign walked to the closet where she kept a spare wardrobe and got comfortable. She changed into Fenty jeans, a pink, oversized sweater and black-and-pink hi-tops she’d purchased on her last trip back east. She sat at her desk scrolling through her partially done website, trying not to think much about the evening ahead. She didn’t really know Abe, but her gut gave the green light. He wouldn’t be working at Ivy’s prep school if anything in his background could cause a red flag. More than that, she liked him, plain and simple. After dealing with Trenton’s huge ego, Abe was a breath of fresh air. Surprisingly, she wasn’t missing the lifestyle she thought that she would or the exclusive trips and private parties she’d enjoyed with her ex. Having to always be “on,” impeccably dressed to outshine the constant competition between the girlfriends and wives. Reign was popular in her right, but with Trenton, her star rose higher. She hadn’t realized the pressure of maintaining the relationship. She’d had no idea of the weight she’d carried until it was gone. She looked forward to visiting Abe’s humble apartment, having a martini and who knew? Maybe sharing something more.
The thought of having sex with Abe had barely formed in her head before she began talking herself out of it. What if he grew too attached as a result of being intimate, or what if he was horrible in bed? Dodging such awkwardness was one of the reasons that Reign never dated colleagues or, since high school, anyone in the town’s tight social circle. It was why she’d never had a one-night stand. Before Trenton, she’d spent several years with a guy from the west coast that she’d met in college. After their breakup, he gotten a job and moved to Seattle, much to Reign’s relief.
“You changed,” Abe said, startling her from her musings. “I like that outfit more than the dress.”
“Good. Are you ready?”
“Just wrapped up.”
“If you text me your address, I’ll meet you there.”
“I just remembered my fridge is fairly empty. Should I stop and grab something to go with our drinks?”
“There’s a place not far from here that makes a killer pizza. If that sounds good to you, I’ll pick one up on the way. My treat.”
“That sounds fine.”
“Any topping you hate, so I can be sure and get it? Just kidding,” she added when she saw how he frowned.
“I eat everything,” he responded. His expression transformed into the most tender look. “Thank you, Reign, for buying our dinner and for spending the evening with me. I know this night is hard for you. I hope not spending it alone makes you feel a little bit better.”
“You offered a shoulder to cry on and helped get rid of the flowers. My night is better already.”
“Okay, then. I’m leaving.”
“I’ll see you soon.”
The pizza place was crowded. It took thirty minutes to get her “loaded spicy” to go. While waiting, she received a thoughtful text from Abe.
Call when you get here. I don’t want you walking at night alone.
Being cared for in this thoughtful way was something Reign could get used to. She texted back with thumbs-up and smiley emojis and rethought her decision not to occupy Abe’s bed.
Traffic was fairly light, making her commute easy. She drove past downtown Chicago with its skyscrapers and spaghetti overpasses, past strip malls, and took the Martin Luther King Drive exit into an area of the city known as Washington Park. She couldn’t recall ever having been in this part of town, one that seemed on the verge of gentrification. Nearing Abe’s block, she was thankful he’d suggested coming out to meet her, and that she’d driven one of the plainer company cars. She pulled over and quickly sent a text.
I’m here.
He came out seconds later and looked around. She honked and waved him over. He got into the black Kia sedan.
“Where’s the Bentley?”
“Still parked at work. I decided to drive one of our company cars.”
“Smart woman.” He pointed. “That car’s leaving. Park there.”
He balanced the large, deep-dish pizza with one hand and grabbed her hand with the other. “Did the GPS give you any problems in finding the place?” he asked.
“I’m familiar with the neighborhood.”
“Really?”
“Yes,” she said, laughing at his reaction. “I come down from my fortified glass tower every once in a while.”
They walked along in companionable silence. Soon, they were inside Abe’s modest apartment. He’d not been lying when describing its condition. The place was plain yet pristine.
“I guess it would be weird for a man who cleans to have a dirty apartment.”
“Not really. My cousin once lived here. He was a slob.”
“Nolan?” Abe nodded. “Where is he now?”
“He moved to a...larger residence.” He reached for the pizza. “I’ll take that while you get comfortable. There’s room in the closet for your coat.”
She rejoined him at the counter that separated the kitchen from the larger space. “It’s simple but I like it,” she said, looking around. A brown leather sofa and two matching side tables took up one wall across from a TV that was at least sixty inches. An autographed Walter Peyton jersey filled a black-lacquer frame hung beside it, the only hanging on the dull, beige walls. Sports Illustrated and other manly magazines were strewed across an ottoman that served as the room’s coffee table. Reign noticed there were no personal pictures, none of family or a significant other. Unless he’d hid them, which she doubted. Abe didn’t strike her as a man who kept secrets. With him, she thought that what one saw was exactly what one got.
She walked over to where he’d lined up martini fixings on the counter. “How long have you lived here?”
“A few months. Dry or sweet, your martini?”
“Definitely sweet,” she purred, unable to keep herself from flirting. Abe had changed from his baggy Clean Up Crew uniform to jeans and a black turtleneck sweater. The combo made him look sexy, with a bod that appeared as firm as it had felt when she’d had the good fortune of running into it. The idea to not have sex with him was losing ground quickly. If she didn’t hold herself to a couple drinks, all bets might be off.
“The stereo is hooked up to a music streaming service. You can pick a station or turn on the TV if you’d like.”
“After my crazy day, I’m actually enjoying the quiet.”
“Me too,” he answered, smiling. “Though my day’s been good so far. He poured liquids into a stainless-steel container and rattled it firmly. Reign watched the muscles ripple beneath the wool fabric as he delivered a drink shaken, not stirred. He poured the frothy yellow liquid into two small glasses.
“Here, taste it.”
“First, let’s make a toast.”
“To Valentine’s Day,” he offered. “And to you, Ms. Reign Eddington.”
“To you, Mr.... What’s your last name?”
“Wetherbee.”
“To you, Mr. Abe Wetherbee, a custodial technician who cleans up more types of messes than office buildings produce.”
“Ah, I like that.” They clinked glasses. “Cheers.”
Reign took a drink. Her eyes widened. “Wow, what is this?”
“It’s called a French martini. Pineapple and cranberry are the juices. I didn’t have the liqueur needed to finish it off correctly.”
“Which is...?”
“Chambord. It’s raspberry flavored.”
“I can’t imagine this tasting better.” She enjoyed another tentative sip. “It’s delicious.”
“I’m glad you like it, though I hope you don’t mind if I grab a beer.”
“I could have drunk a beer and saved you the trouble.”
“Fixing a drink that you enjoy is my pleasure. Plus, it helps me keep my bartending skills sharp should I ever need them again.”
“You think that might happen once you return to your country?”
“No.” He walked over and pulled a bottle of beer out of the fridge. “Shall we down this with slices of pizza?”
“Absolutely, I’m starved.”
While chowing down on a pizza covered in a variety of meats, vegetables and spicy peppers, Reign and Abe traded details about their lives. She shared the challenges and triumphs of both growing up and working with family, which came with the benefit of knowing someone always had your back. Reign got the feeling that Abe was more private. While mentioning two siblings and stating that they, too, were close, he was less forthcoming about the work he’d done before arriving in America, his college experience or what he hoped to do once back home.
What Reign did observe was the ease with which they kept talking. The silences were comfortable, the laughter often. Abe was a good listener, who seemed to genuinely care about what she was saying. She didn’t want to think about Trenton, but it was hard to not compare them. With Abe, she did more of the talking and was the focus, while with her ex, most conversations had been all about him.
With dinner over, they moved to the living room. Abe picked up the remote and began surfing the channels. They continued to talk.
“It sounds like you come from such a great family,” he said. “How did you get mixed up with someone like Trenton?”
“Interesting that you bring him up. You two couldn’t be more different.”
“What do you mean?”
Reign pulled her legs up on the couch, rested her chin on her palm, and thought. “He’s loud. You’re quiet. He’s self-centered. You seem genuinely interested in my life. He’s a professional athlete. You’re not.
“He’s not a bad guy,” she finished, allowing herself to remember the good times in between the arguments and infidelities. “Just a spoiled one. While not excusing his behavior, I understand how difficult it must be for a young, viral man to resist temptation when it’s thrown at you from everywhere.”
“You don’t regret dating him?”
“No regrets, but I don’t want to do it again.”
Reign hadn’t planned to talk about Trenton but was keenly aware of how much lighter it felt to have unloaded her feelings. Ordinarily, she would have been embarrassed, but with Abe, it somehow felt okay.
Reign sometimes felt insecure but sharing her true feelings with Abe felt natural. He felt safe. It also helped that they were within the confines of his apartment and not in public, where the paparazzi were still after blood. It would have been unrealistic to think the masses wouldn’t be as interested in her and Trenton’s breakup as they were in their dating process. With the intimate photo of him and “the fan” circulating through the world’s web, there would be no reconciliation. There would be no further public outbursts either. She and Trenton Carpenter had mutually decided to go their separate ways. Period. End of story. Beyond that, she hoped the public would respect her request for privacy.
She looked at Abe, appreciating his presence during this turbulent time. “Thanks for having dinner with me.”
“When necessary, I can be determined to get what I want.”
Something about the way he said that caused goose bumps to ripple across Reign’s lower lips. Casual yet firmly confident. Soft but powerful. And, generalities aside, something about the energy permeating from this man was at odds with the personality of Abe, the carefree janitor.
“It was good to get out my feelings. I feel better.”
