RISE - Part One (The RISE Series Book 1) (9 page)

"Did you know that Ansel is in New York?"

After we ate, our conversation shifted to Haven and all the joy that Lilly's found in every moment of being a mom. Her face softened when she talked about wishing her mother and siblings could meet the baby. It was the same sorrow that I've seen in Landon's expression when he's talked about his dad.

"I heard that," I say quietly. "I don't think he'll contact me. I made it clear the last time I talked to him that I never wanted to hear from him again."

"You know men," she begins before she tips the wine glass to her lips and finishes the last few drops. "You can tell them to get lost and it makes them try even harder."

I do know that. It's something I've experienced with not only Ansel but other men I've dated. Games don't help when it comes to matters of the heart and I have no intention of ever doing anything to trick Landon. I see potential in our connection and I want to nurture that in the healthiest and most honest way I can.

"I'm sure that Ansel got the hint," I breathe. "I don't want to look in the past anymore. I want to focus on the future now."

"That's the right attitude." She taps her hands on her lap. "Let's go celebrate your future with a drink."

I gesture towards the now empty bottle of wine. "We did have a drink, or three."

She giggles loudly. "That was wine. We need to go have a real drink somewhere."

"You need to get home to your baby," I remind her. "Please tell me you're not going to breast feed tonight or I'll feel horrible for insisting on the wine."

"I pumped." She playfully grabs the bottom of her breasts through her dress. "I stored enough milk in the refrigerator for a couple of days."

She may be the best mom I've ever met. "How can you have it so together, Lilly? I don't have a baby and I can barely keep myself functioning."

"That's the trick," she says proudly. "When you have a baby they're the most important person in your life. You get it together for them. I want Haven to be proud of me when she grows up."

My gaze falls to the table as I try to quiet my emotions. I don't have a lot of experience with babies but I know what it takes to be a good parent. I have two of them. "She's going to be so proud of you."

"Of me and her Auntie Tess."

I look up to face her. "Can I come over and see her tomorrow? I need to go away for a few days next week and I'm going to miss you both."

"Will you bring me back something from California?" She motions towards me with her wrist. "Maybe a bracelet from a street vendor?"

I know how much she loves jewelry. I already have Ivy working on something special for Lilly's birthday even though it's still months away. "I'll bring you a bracelet and one for Haven too."

"Come over tomorrow and bring Landon with you." She pushes her hands against the table. "I want to meet him, Tess."

"I want you to meet him too." I pick up my purse from where I'd rested it on the floor. "Dinner is my treat. Tomorrow you can cook for me and Landon."

***

One of the advantages of being an event planner is that you meet a wide range of people. After I'd walked Lilly to her condo, I turned to the street to hail a taxi to take me home. Just as I raised my arm I heard my name being called. Before I had a chance to register the voice, a woman, who I'd met at the Liore lingerie fashion show, had pulled me into a warm embrace.

Now, twenty minutes after she invited me into a café for a cup of coffee, I have my smartphone in hand, jotting down ideas for a special event she's planning for her bakery in mid-town. The budget may not rival what I'm going to make for the Foster Enterprises or Corteck events but it's yet another job and another name to add to my growing list of clients. I'm definitely on the path to success. I just need to keep working hard to grow my business even more.

"I can't stay much longer," Nancy, the baker, gestures at the clock on the wall behind me. "My daughters want me to take them to Hotel Aeon in Times Square. Ansel Rinaldi is staying there tonight and they're dying to get his autograph."

I actually had his autograph at the bottom of a letter he wrote to me. It's ironic how one person's trash is another's treasure.

I feel relief when I realize that the mention of his name stirs up absolutely nothing inside of me. "I'll let you go then. Why don't you give me a call in a few days and I'll come down to the bakery and present you with a few ideas for a customer appreciation event?"

"I'd love that, Tess." She grabs one of my hands in both of hers. "I'm really looking forward to working with you."

I stand when she does and as she turns to walk away, I dial my dad's number, wanting to tell him about my new client.

I wait for his voicemail to pick up. I leave a long, rambling message about the bakery, Lilly's friendship and what a great father he's always been. I hang up, glance at my watch and decide that my bed is the place I need to be.

One of the major disadvantages of living in Manhattan on a limited budget is that you can't afford a building with amenities. It doesn't break my heart that I don't have a gym I can work out in and although a swimming pool would help soak away the stress after a long day, I'm not going to stomp my feet and complain.

The one thing I do wish I had is a doorman. A doorman is priceless for hailing a taxi, or to help carry bags when you've bought more groceries than you'll need. Beyond all of that, a doorman is the hero who can get you into your apartment when you've forgotten your keys at your lover's place.

It's now shortly past midnight. I'm standing outside my building and even though I've buzzed all of my neighbors, not one has thought it necessary to let me in to the foyer. It's not as though that matters. Even if I could get in the building, I don't have a key to actually get into my apartment.

I pivot on my heel and stare down the street. As I wait for an available taxi to make its way towards me, I call Landon to ask him to meet me in the lobby of his building with my keys. I don't want to make any assumptions about spending the night in his bed.

I curse silently when he doesn't answer. He may already be asleep. I text him a quick message telling him I'm on my way over because I need my keys. I make a note in my phone to get another set of keys cut to give to my cousin, Ivy, for safekeeping just as a taxi pulls up next to me on the street.

***

"You've been here with Mr. Beckett several times now, haven't you?"

Is the doorman actually judging me?

"We're friends," I say matter-of-factly with a tap of my shoe on the floor. "I left my keys here earlier and I need them now so I can get into my own apartment."

"Your own apartment?" he cocks a brow as he crosses his arms over his chest.

"Can you help me, please?" I ask patiently. "I've tried calling Landon but he's not answering."

He glances down at my smartphone. "May I suggest you try again now?"

Is this some kind of test? I'm all for trying to reach Landon on my own but this is ridiculous. I've called him twice already. It's obvious he's either busy or asleep. "Fine. I'll try."

I skim my fingers over the phone's screen again. I push his contact info and initiate the call. I press the speaker icon for good measure and within seconds the sharp sound of a phone ringing fills the silent air in the lobby.

After four rings, Landon's voicemail finally picks up. I end the call without leaving another message.

"Mr. Beckett may be out for the evening." The doorman rounds the desk that he's usually sitting behind. "You can take a seat over there and wait for him."

If I do that, I may be waiting all night. I glance back at two large armchairs that are against a wall near the lobby doors. It's not my bed but if I have to choose between one of the chairs, and the concrete step outside my building, I'll choose this.

"I'll do that." I motion towards the chairs.

He nods. "I'm going on a break. Don't touch anything while I'm gone."

I try not to take offense as I settle into one of the chairs. I pull my hair up into a messy bun with an elastic band I've had on my wrist all day. I'm hot, I'm tired and I just want my keys.

I open the note app on my phone and start typing in ideas for the bakery event. I've had that on my mind since the impromptu meeting at the café earlier. I don't want to lose the ideas I've already come up with, so I make a quick note of each. I can flesh them out tomorrow once I'm settled in my office.

I glance toward the doorman's desk and out of the corner of my eye I watch him disappear behind a door, a thick book tucked beneath his arm.              

It doesn't take me more than a few seconds to grab my purse, push my smartphone inside it and stand. Now is my chance to actually go up to Landon's apartment to knock on the door. I highly doubt he's ignoring me on purpose, but if he is asleep, I'm certain I can raise enough of a stir to rouse him from bed so I can finally get my keys.

Two men and a woman not much older than I am walk through the doors of the lobby. They're all laughing, while one of the men tells a story about an interview he had that went all kinds of wrong. I smile as I follow them to the lift, wondering briefly what it would feel like to have a group of friends like that. They're all so young, carefree and obviously returning home after spending the evening enjoying each other's company and maybe a few drinks.

I gaze down at my smartphone as I wait with them for the elevator to come down to the lobby. It's near one now and if I can't get my keys from Landon I'm going to have no choice but to call Ivy to ask if I can crash at her place. I already know the answer. I just hate having to disrupt her entire family because of a simple mistake on my part.

I hear voices approaching from behind me as I glance up to see where the elevator is. It's been stuck at the sixth floor since one of the other women pressed the call button.

I scan my finger across my smartphone's screen, searching for my cousin's number. I scroll through my address book. My hand stalls when I hear a male voice behind me.

It's not him. Landon's voice is deeper. I turn quickly to confirm it and I'm greeted with the sight of two men in their forties who look as though they just left their office for the day. They push through the people gathered so one of the men can dart his finger into the already lit call button.

I breathe a sigh of relief when the elevator finally starts its downward journey. I follow the lights as they count out each floor. I step back when it nears its stop. I doubt that anyone is on board at this time of night, but judging by the group waiting to get on, I'm not going to take any chance.

The doors fly open.

I hear Landon's voice before I see his face.

I watch the movement of his head as he turns to the left to look at the man standing next to him in the lift.

I don't need an introduction. There's no question about who he is.

His hair is gray, time has added lines to his face but the smile that I saw in the pictures in Landon's apartment that captured his joy when he was posing with his sons is still there as is the pendant hanging around his neck.

It's him.

Standing beside Landon, in the elevator, is his father.

He's the victim dozens searched for.

He's the husband Landon's mother mourned for.

He's the man who has secrets…

Secrets he shares with his son.

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Deborah Bladon has never read a romance hero she didn't like. Her love for romance novels began when she was old enough to board the bus, library card in hand to check out the newest Harlequin paperbacks. She's a Canadian by heart, and by passport, but you can often spot her in New York City sipping a latte and looking for inspiration for her next story. Manhattan is definitely her second home.

She cherishes her family and believes that each day is a gift for writing, for reading, and for loving.