An Agreement (Summer in New York Book 3) Read online

  “Are you ready to hit the gym?” I asked.

  She groaned, staring up at me with a pretty pout.

  “What?” I teased. “Did you forget our early bird workout?”

  “I can think of something else we can do for that.”

  She was a goddess. Of that I was sure. I’d live in these sheets if she asked me to.

  After we made love, she dozed off again. I tucked her in and put some clothes on. Then I trudged into the kitchen and whipped up something delicious for breakfast. I didn’t have to be at work for several hours. But Bailey would have to leave soon.

  I hated to see her go. Even for a moment. Maybe it was obsession.

  Or the mere fact that I loved her.

  I brought her breakfast in bed, setting a tray on the mattress beside her. She fluttered her lashes and stirred awake with a yawn. When she saw what I’d brought, she looked excited and surprised.

  “Are you hungry?” I asked, getting under the covers with her.

  “Yes.” She raised her brows. “I’m starving.”

  “I wonder why that is.”

  She swatted my chest and planted a kiss on my lips, wrapping her arms around me. “No one’s ever brought me breakfast in bed before.” She hugged me and stared at the food, sighing appreciatively.

  I handed her a plate filled with wholesome food. Blueberry pancakes. Turkey bacon. Scrambled eggs.

  “Mmm.” She grabbed a fork and dug in, moaning once she took the first bite.

  “Want some green tea?” I pointed at the hot cup on the platter.

  “You drink green tea?” she asked.

  “No, I picked it up last night.”

  She narrowed her eyes with a sweet grin. “You had this all planned out.”

  “Well.” I ate a piece of bacon. “Maybe you can have breakfast here more often. You know, if we have more sleepovers like this.”

  “Carter.” She put her hands on my chest. “We’ve had sleepovers before.”

  “I know.” I cupped her cheek in my hand. “But not like this.”

  She giggled as I kissed her, tickling her neck with my beard. The truth is, I’d do whatever she wanted if it meant she would stay. I’d do her laundry for her, buy her tampons in bulk at the super market. I didn’t care anymore. Bailey Lewis was my girl, and I’d do anything and everything to keep it that way.

  From that moment on, I spent every waking hour that I wasn’t at the restaurant with her. We went to the movies. I took her bowling. We made weekend trips out of the city. We even spent the day at Coney Island. I won her a teddy bear. I bought her cotton candy. And I let her win a few times.

  I brought her lunch every day. And we made love every night. At her place or mine.

  It felt serious. I wanted it to be serious. Of all the mistakes I’d made since we met, I wasn’t about to let her slip through my fingers. Bailey was it for me. I wanted her to be mine and for everyone to know it.

  At the end of August, I asked Austin to meet me in the city one day while Bailey was at work. He was fairly curious when he saw me, asking a million questions. That’s when I pointed at Tiffany’s.

  “Whoa, man.” He grabbed my arm before I opened the door. “Are you sure you don’t want to start with somethin’ like a necklace first? I thought it had only been a couple of months.”

  “It has.” I went inside and looked around. “This place is huge.”

  “Marriage is a big step,” Austin said. “It’s a really big commitment. Are you sure you’re ready for that?”

  “I know it’s a big commitment.” I spotted the engagement rings. “I’ve been married before.”

  Austin gave me a second glance. “Does Bailey know?”

  “Yes.” I leaned against the counter. “She knows everything. My wife died many years ago. And I was living in hell until Bailey came along. Vanessa loved me. She would want me to be happy.”

  Austin nodded. “So you’re really gonna do this? You’re gonna ask Bailey to marry you?”

  “Yeah.” I grinned like a jackass. “I am.”

  “Don’t you think she should be the one here helping you pick out a ring? What do I know?”

  I smiled at the sales associate when she came to assist. “Yes, I‘d like to look at that one.”

  “Didn’t you pick Amy’s ring out when you proposed?” I asked.

  “Well, yeah. But that’s because we’d both just been in critical condition. I didn’t want to wait.”

  “Neither do I.” I looked at a diamond ring with a platinum band. As the sales associate gave me the big pitch, I turned to Austin with an obnoxious nod. I’d never been this impulsive before. But I just had to make her mine. I couldn’t wait a minute more. I’d spent enough time being miserable.

  “Did you ask Ben?” Austin said.

  “Ask him what?” I nodded at the sales associate. “How about that one beside it?”

  She pulled out a selection of rings and placed them on the counter one at a time. I wanted to get Bailey something very nice, but something that she would love. It had to be special. It had to be perfect.

  “For permission to marry his daughter?” Austin said.

  “He’s not like that, is he? Bailey is a grown woman. She can make up her own mind about me.”

  “She may be a lot of things to you. But Bailey is Ben’s little girl. Do you get what I’m sayin’?”

  “This one looks perfect,” I showed a diamond solitaire to Austin. “What do you think?”

  “Pretty pricy,” he said, despite the sales lady’s subtle glare. “Don’t get in over your head.”

  “Hey, I know what I’m doing.” I asked the associate to give us a minute. “I’ve saved up some money. I have enough to get her a nice ring. I just don’t want her to be disappointed.”

  “But are you sure Bailey wants to get married right now?” he asked. “You could be rushing things.”

  “I’m not.” I admired the engagement rings. One of them would be on her finger.

  “Then why can’t you date for six months? A year? If you still feel the same way, then propose. But not now, when you’re still getting to know each other. Why are you in such a hurry?” he asked.

  “I love her,” I said, looking him in the eye. “And I don’t want to let her get away.”

  Austin exhaled. “I still think it’s too fast.”

  “And this is coming from the guy who eloped in Vegas after how many weeks?”

  Austin rolled his eyes. “Touché. Bailey is just... well, she’s been through a lot.”

  “I know.” I met his green gaze. “She told me what happened.” I leaned in closer and put my hand on his shoulder. “Thank you. For what you did. Now I don’t have to do it myself.”

  He narrowed his eyes. “I don’t know what you’re talkin’ about.”

  Of course, he would play it that way. For his own safety. He wouldn’t incriminate himself so easily. Not the Tarzan I know.

  “All I’m sayin’ is, she knows me. And I know her, too. I don’t just want her to be my girlfriend. I want her to be my wife.” I shook my head and looked down. “Maybe I’m impatient, but I can’t help it. I never thought I’d fall in love again. But Bailey, it’s like she knocked me on my ass or somethin’.”

  Austin chuckled. “I know the feelin’.”

  “I love her.” I took a breath. “She means everything to me.”

  “If you really feel that way, then do it. I’m not gonna stop you.”

  I gave Austin a hug and shook his hand. “Thanks, man. Now, are you gonna help me pick out this ring?”

  “Yeah.” He smiled. “Southern boys have to help each other out from time to time.”

  “That’s more like it.” I walked back to the counter. “I’m thinkin’ maybe she’ll like this one.”

  He looked it over, trying to help me decide. “So when are you poppin’ the question?”

  “Tonight.”

  I CLOSED DOWN THE RESTAURANT for the night, which was something I’d never done. To be honest, i
t wasn’t great for business. But it was only one night. And a woman as amazing as Bailey deserved it.

  I gave my staff the night off and went to the kitchen to prepare the food. Austin had been kind enough to send me some of his recipes for inspiration. I tossed a salad, crafted some appetizers and made lobster with fettucine alfredo and asparagus.

  There was a private room in the back usually reserved for parties. I spread all of the food out on the table in there and grabbed a bottle of wine. Then I lit candles and covered the floor with rose petals.

  No one would see this but us. It wasn’t some big show I was putting on for attention. This was all for her. I wanted to wow her the way she’d wowed me the first moment we met. I’d been stubborn from the start, but I was sick of standing in my own way. It was time to get out of it and let her take the lead.

  There was a knock on the front door. She was here. And my heart wouldn’t stop pounding.

  I checked my reflection. I was wearing a suit and tie, because a tuxedo would have been too obvious. I wanted her to think this was just a next-level date, so she would be surprised when I got down on one knee and asked her to marry me.

  But when I came out, Bailey wasn’t outside. It was Max. My least favorite employee.

  “What are you doin’ here?” I held the door open. “I told everyone to take the night off.”

  “I forgot my keys. They’re in the back.”

  I rolled my eyes, looking down at my watch. She was going to be here any minute.

  My cell went off. It was my sister, so I paused to take it. “Hey, Beth, hold on a sec.”

  Max stared at me like the asinine moron he was.

  “I have to take this. When Bailey gets here, will you let her in?”

  “What’s the big deal?” he huffed. “You closed the place down for that chick?”

  “Excuse me?” I asked. “Beth, let me call you back.” I hung up.

  “You’re only with her because her dad’s loaded. Just like you only keep me around because—”

  “No, I’ve kept you around because your father has expressed an interest in investing in my restaurant. You’ve been the biggest pain in my ass, but I did it as a favor to him. Got it?”

  He eyed me carefully. “You’re proposing, aren’t you?”

  “Yes, it’s what us men do in the real world.”

  “Guess you really took me up on that bet, huh?”

  I narrowed my eyes at him. “Kiss my ass.” Beth was calling again, so I picked up. “You better answer that door when she gets here.”

  “Yes, sir,” he hissed.

  I rolled my eyes and went into the back to finish up. I’d have to deal with him later. I talked to Beth for a few minutes. I’d sent her a picture of the ring and she swore that Bailey would love it. Even though I’d already bought it, I wanted to get an honest woman’s opinion. Especially since my sister and Bailey had the same sense of style. Her blessing felt like a good omen at least.

  “She’s probably here by now. I gotta go. Thanks, sis. Love you.”

  “Love you, too,” Beth said.

  I hung up and went out front. “Bailey?”

  She should have been here by now. I looked at my phone.

  She was late.

  Bailey was never late.

  “Bailey?” I looked outside and then walked around the restaurant. Then I heard voices coming from the kitchen. Bailey burst through the door and looked at me with anger in her eyes.

  “Hey, there you are.” I reached out for her, happy I’d finally found her.

  “Don’t touch me.” She brushed past me and rushed for the door.

  “Bailey, wait.” I went after her, but she was out the door so fast.

  Max walked out with a toothpick in his mouth. Why was I not surprised?

  “What did you do to her?” I asked.

  “I didn’t do a thing.”

  “What did you say?” I growled.

  “Nothing you don’t already know about.”

  “Excuse me?” I took a step closer, fuming with rage.

  “I just told her the truth about you. And our little bet. Guess I should pay up.”

  I was ready to knock the hell out of him. “What bet?” I snapped.

  “The night you met. Two hundred dollars? By the looks of her, I’d say you won.”

  “I never agreed to that bet and you know it,” I said.

  “Well, good luck trying to convince her. How was she by the way?”

  I punched him in the face with so much force it sent him to the ground. He grabbed his nose and stood up, glowering at me. “You can’t handle a woman like her anyway. You’re not man enough.”

  “You’re fired,” I growled. “Now, get the hell out of my restaurant!”

  He stormed off, and I was so enraged I wanted to slam my fist through the wall. I called Bailey instead. She wouldn’t pick up. So I ran all the way to her apartment and banged on the door. But she wasn’t there. Maybe she was ignoring me quietly, but I knew Bailey. She would have said something, even if it was just for me to go away.

  I went to my place next. But by the time I got there, it was too late.

  She was wearing the red dress. My favorite dress. There were streaks of mascara running down her face. She wouldn’t look at me, but I had to fight for her. I had to fight for us.

  “Bailey.” I found her in my bedroom, emptying the drawer of things she kept at my place.

  She stood up and brushed past me without making eye contact. I couldn’t bare it.

  “What happened?” I asked. “I know you talked to Max. What did he say to you?”

  Her back was heaving. She was crying. I hated it. I hated it so damn much.

  “He told me about the bet,” she whimpered.

  “I never agreed to that bet.” I came behind her. “He’s lying.”

  “Why would he lie?” she asked.

  “Because he hates me. And he’s jealous. And he’s wanted to nail you since the night we met.”

  “So you were talking about it?” She pushed me up against the wall. “He said you just saw me as a conquest. You wanted to bed a billionaire’s daughter. You should get better at negotiating, Carter. Two hundred dollars? Surely, Benjamin Lewis’s daughter is worth more than that.”

  “Hey.” I grabbed her arms. “Don’t let him screw with your head. Don’t let him ruin this. It’s what he does!”

  She blinked several times and took a breath.

  “Yes, the night we met he wanted to make that bet. But I never agreed to it. Don’t you believe me?”

  She gazed at me with weepy eyes. “I don’t know what to believe anymore.”

  “Sweetheart, believe me.” I held her face in my hands. “You know me. You know I didn’t do it.”

  “I don’t have a lot of experience with men,” she sobbed. “I feel so confused.”

  “I have never lied to you. Why would I start now?”

  “This is too much.” She ran her fingers through her hair. “I just need some time to think.”

  “I never agreed to that bet! What do I have to say to get you to believe me?”

  “That’s not all he told me,” she whispered, gazing up at me with weepy eyes.

  “What else did he say?” When she hesitated, I got angry. “What did he tell you?”

  “He said the only reason you ever had any interest in me is because of who my father is.”

  I shut my eyes and sighed, thinking about the rose petals on the restaurant floor. This was not how this night was supposed to go. What could I do? What could I say to make her believe me?

  “So that’s it? Isn’t it?” she asked. “That’s the reason why you didn’t want to go out with me when we met. That’s why you just wanted to be friends. You were never interested in me. It’s been the money this whole time. Hasn’t it?” When I didn’t say anything, she yelled, “Hasn’t it?”

  “No! Of course not.” I shook my head so fast it hurt. “What are you talking about?”

  “The money!”
she screamed. “Daddy’s rich and you know it!”

  “Everyone knows!” I shouted. “He could buy the whole damn town!”

  Her eyes grew heavy just as she shut them. A tear ran down her cheek.

  “That came out wrong,” I said. Because it honestly had.

  “How could I be so blind?” she asked. “How could I ever think someone like you would want to be with someone like me? I guess that’s the downside to being a billionaire’s daughter. How can you ever know if someone really loves you? Parker was right. I should’ve listened to him.”

  Those words really stung. But she was hurt. She didn’t know Max. She had no idea what was going on, how manipulative and jealous he could be. He wanted to use her and dump her. And I had blocked him.

  “No, you’re wrong.” I stroked her golden hair. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  She met my eyes with a flash of betrayal. He’d already gotten his hooks in, toying with her insecurities. He was doing it to get back at me. Because he couldn’t stand that I was about to make her my wife.

  “I know exactly what I’m talking about,” she whispered. “Goodbye, Carter.”

  The wind went out of my sails. I deflated like a balloon without air.

  “Bailey.” I lifted her chin in my hand. “I love you. I don’t want you to go.”

  “Don’t act like you care now,” she said. “It was always me chasing you. Always.”

  “I do care.” I looked her in the eye without blinking. “I did care. I’ve cared the whole time.”

  Bailey stared at the floor, refusing to listen. She was done with me.

  “You know what?” I dropped my hand and backed away. “After my wife died, it took me a long time to get to a place where I could even let someone in. I cared about her, loved her. But you—”

  She furrowed her brow and swallowed.

  “I’ve never loved anybody like I love you.”

  Her lower lip trembled. “I have to go. I’m sorry.”

  Tears filled my eyes. Had I already lost her? Just like that?

  Something was ripping inside me, gouging a whole straight through my heart.

  I found the strength to look at her one last time.

  “You know what it is?” I said, relieved when she watched me. “You’re just too afraid to let somebody love you.” I stared at her for a long time and eventually said, “I wish you would. I wish you would let someone love you. So you won’t go your whole life without knowing what it feels like.”