Stephanie Julian - No Reservations

“So you don’t think I should do that?”

“I think it will require much more of a sacrifice from you. Starting your own business is a huge undertaking. Would you be able to stick it out?”

A sharp retort sprang to her lips but she managed to bite it back and think about what he’d said. He’d asked a legitimate question.

“Yes, I could.”

“And do you want to open a boutique?”

With a heavy sigh, she set aside her fork. “It was never really something I gave a lot of thought to. But the more I think about it . . .”

“The more appealing it becomes.” Her dad shocked her by nodding, his usually stern mouth curved in an even rarer grin. “Have you thought about what will happen if this boutique fails to take off? Then again, the show could close in a matter of weeks and you’ll be out of a job there as well. But opportunities like the one you’re being offered now don’t come around often.”

He hadn’t said anything she hadn’t already thought of herself but, coming from her dad, it did help her see things more clearly.

“Kate, I love you.”

As much as she’d always thought her father expected more from her than she could do, she knew he did. Still, every time he said it, it made her grin.

“And I’ll support whatever decision you make,” he continued. “I’ll only say that controlling your destiny is a heady proposition. But business and pleasure don’t always mix. I would hate to see you lose everything, but to not have attempted it might be even worse.”

* * *

Tyler glanced at the clock for what had to be the hundredth time in the past five minutes.

She had to be home by now. Why hadn’t she called?

Probably because she hadn’t wanted to tell him her decision.

She’d be crazy not to take the job in New York. And he’d be crazy to try and influence her decision.

“Are you even listening to me?” Jared’s voice broke into his thoughts, splintering his single-minded focus into a hundred different pieces.

“Frankly, no, I wasn’t.” He sighed and watched his brother raise an eyebrow at him.

“Jesus, Tyler. You need to figure out what you’re going to do about the chairman’s seat. I can’t make the decision for you, but the more I think about it, the more I think you need to do it. The GoldenStar was Granddad’s baby.”

“I know that. It’s what’s making this decision so damn hard.” Tyler shook his head. “I don’t think we should let it slip through our fingers. The other hotels—

“Are the board’s,” Jed said. “I don’t give a rat’s ass about those. But Granddad built the Philadelphia GoldenStar. I think it should stay in the family.”

Jared was right. Tyler knew that. But Jared wouldn’t be the one with the extra weight on his shoulders. It’d be Tyler, because that’s what he did. He took over. He made the major decisions and he dealt with the consequences.

And if he did, he wouldn’t be able to give Kate and their relationship the time it required. The only times Mia had complained during their years together had been when he was spending so much time getting Haven off the ground.

Yes, she’d understood that a project that huge demanded every ounce of his concentration. But she’d expected him to at least acknowledge her presence occasionally. To put some effort into their relationship.

But he’d taken her for granted.

“I know this is asking a lot from you right now,” Jed continued. “But we can do this together, just like we’ve done with Haven and the Spa.”

Tyler looked at Jed, saw a conviction there that made him smile. Yes, they could do it together. And with both of them working on it, it wouldn’t be such a colossal undertaking. It’d still require a shitload of time, but they could do it.

Jed wouldn’t let him down.

And Kate . . .

Yes, he knew that sometimes life just sucked and there was nothing you could about it.

You really couldn’t have it all. He should know that by now.

* * *

Tyler checked his ringing phone and paused before answering it.

“Hello, Kate. How did your interview go?”

“It went well. Really well, actually. Which is kind of why I’m calling. I need to talk to you.”

Tyler mentally braced himself. Maybe he wouldn’t be the one breaking off their relationship.

“I’m glad to hear the interview went well. What did you want to talk about?”

He couldn’t keep the cool tone out of his voice. It matched the icy sensation coating his guts.

Even though he knew this was for the best, he’d still had the slightest hope that things would miraculously work out.

“Tyler, is something wrong?”

Her tentative question solidified his decision. “No, I’m sorry. I’ve got a lot on my mind.”

“Oh. Did something happen?”

“I’ve decided to accept the chairman’s seat on the GoldenStar board. It’s going to take up a hell of a lot of time.”

She paused. “Then I guess it’s a good thing I’m going to accept the job in New York.”

Thank God she wasn’t here, because he was pretty sure he looked like he’d just gotten kicked in the gut. At least that’s how he felt.

There’d still been a part of him that had hoped . . .

“I’m glad it worked out for you.”

Another pause. “So you don’t have a problem with me taking this job?”

“No.” Yes. “Should I?”

“No. Of course not.”

Did he detect a hint of sarcasm creeping into her tone? Better to ignore it. “When do you have to be in New York?”

“They want me there by the end of the week, but I couldn’t leave Joe in the lurch. I’ll start the following week. I’ll be staying with Dinah until I can find an apartment.”

“I’m sure Jed would be happy to help you with that. He’s got several friends who live in the city—”

“Tyler, what’s going on?”

“I don’t know what you mean.”

“Yes, you do. Don’t play semantics with me.”

“You’re right. I’m sorry.” He took a deep breath. “I’m not trying to be cruel but I think, with everything we both have going on right now, it’s better if we make a clean break. Now.”

* * *

Okay, now Kate was pissed.

She knew exactly what he was doing. The bastard was pushing her away deliberately.

And she knew why. Hell, she even understood to a degree.

But he was taking the easy way out and, damn it, she wanted to call him on it.

Even though she felt like he’d shoved a knife in her gut.

She wanted to scream and rant and rage at him. Wanted to tell him she knew exactly what he was doing and why he was so very wrong.

“Kate? Are you still there?”

Through gritted teeth, she said, “Yes, I’m still here.”

“I know this may seem abrupt but—”

“Abrupt would be a good word for it. But I can think of another.”

He continued as if she hadn’t spoken. “I’m not going to have much of a private life in the next few months and I don’t believe I’ll have the time I’d like to devote to you.”

Oh hell, now she felt tears burning at the corners of her eyes. And she absolutely refused to show him how weak she was. “Then I guess you’re right. We should end this now.”

It was his turn to pause.

Isn’t as much fun to be on the receiving end, is it?

“Then we’re in agreement.” His voice had taken on a cool tone she’d never heard from him before. “We had a great time together, but we both need to focus on our careers at the moment. I’m sure we’ll see each other again.”

At Jared and Annabelle’s wedding, she assumed he meant.

“Have you told Jared you’re not going to sign the boutique contract?”

Oh, this man made her furious. “No. I’ll speak to Jared tonight. He’s with Annabelle. I saw his car parked at the shop when I drove by.”

Little did he know exactly what she planned to tell Jared. She had a plan forming. One she’d thought to discuss with Tyler—before he’d dumped her, that was.

“Kate . . .”

“Yes?” She let her sarcasm run free in that one word. When he paused again, she knew he’d heard it.

“I’m sorry this didn’t work out. You’re a special woman and I’ve come to care about you. You’re going to make a wonderful costume designer.”

Damn him. If he didn’t stop talking now, she was going to cry.

Gritting her teeth, she forced herself to say, “Thank you. Good-bye, Tyler.”

And she hung up before he could say anything more.

She wanted to throw her phone across the room, but that wouldn’t accomplish anything other than a trip to the mall to buy a new phone.

Tears wanted to flow but she blinked them back. She refused to shed tears over this.

She was mad. Furious.

He hadn’t wanted to fight. He’d just assumed the worst, cut his losses, and run.

Overbearing, manipulative—

No. Now who was being unfair?

Had she told him she loved him? No, she hadn’t.

Had she fought for him? No.

Would it have made a difference? She had to believe, yes, it would.

She picked up the phone and dialed.

“Hey, Annabelle. Can I talk to Jared?”

“Hello, sweetheart, I’m so glad to see you. It’s been a while.”

Tyler hid a grimace as he walked into his parents’ home. “Hey, Mom. I know it’s been a while. Sorry. There’s been a lot going on.”

“Oh, I know that. I wasn’t trying to lay a guilt trip.” Shutting the door behind her, she wrapped him in a tight hug then waved him through to the sitting room where he saw his father sitting on the couch.

“Dad, I need to talk to you.”