A Friendly Arrangement Read online

  She hummed to herself in an effort to block out his voice as she turned the papers over to inspect the empty backsides and grimaced. Hopefully he had a few more things for her to do, because this short list would only fill an afternoon.

  Her bedroom door squeaked as it opened, and she used all her effort to stop herself from jumping off the barstool to question him. Instead, she swiveled slowly around to face him. She hoped his conversation with his brother went well. His face gave nothing away.

  “I should be mad at you.” He shoved his phone into his back pocket.

  “For what?” She feigned innocence by giving him a wide-eyed blink.

  “For what, my ass. You’re lucky things turned out the way they did. I was hell-bent on some payback.”

  “Ooh, I’m so scared.” She traced her finger around the rim of her mug as if she didn’t have a care in the world, even though something about his threat of payback held a sexual undercurrent. At least to her ears.

  Roth straddled the barstool next to hers and slid his mug toward her. “Can I have one more cup?”

  She chuckled. “Sure, but I thought you were a one-cup-a-day guy?” She hopped off her stool and grabbed his mug and another coffee pod on her way to the Keurig.

  “Today I’ll be bad.”

  Holly liked the sound of that. In the right circumstances bad could be good. She cleared her throat and rested her backside against the counter, crossing her arms as she nodded toward the papers on the counter. “Your list won’t take me long. I hope you left some of the papers at home?”

  He met her words with a lopsided grin. “Don’t worry. I have some letters to be drafted and some emails that need attention, a few travel arrangements, and some research for a speech I need to give. But you can start on this first.”

  “Good. I wanted to make sure you got your money’s worth.”

  The coffeemaker fizzed to a finish, and she handed him his cup, enjoying the warmth against her palms. “So, how’d it go?”

  “What?” His lopsided grin turned mischievous, but he managed to hide most of it behind the rim of his mug.

  She rolled her eyes. “Your first experience riding a bike. Geesh. What do you think? How’d it go with Omar?”

  He sighed, pursing his lips as he regarded her solemnly. “Now who’s the nosy neighbor?”

  “At least I can admit it.” She jabbed his arm.

  “Not bad, I guess, but like I mentioned last night, I already knew why he was calling, because my mother can’t keep a secret.” He took another sip of his coffee.

  Damn his teasing. Her back tensed to the point she feared her head would pop off as she waited for him to continue. “So am I the only one in the continental United States who doesn’t know? Am I ever going to know?” She bit her lip to hold back her laugh when one of his eyebrows shot up so high it became buried in the hair falling over his forehead. How’d he do that?

  “He’s engaged and—”

  “Wait a minute. Engaged? I seem to recall a conversation during The Bachelor marathon about the Esterly brothers not being the marrying kind. Was that a ploy to keep me from signing you up for the show, or was there some truth to that?” Her heart skipped a couple more beats. She’d no idea what the news would be, but being that the brothers hadn’t talked in a while she figured it’d be big. But a wedding? Wow.

  His mouth twitched. “Would I lie to you?”

  She bobbed her head. “Then Omar must’ve found someone pretty special to have changed his mind. That’s a huge step for someone who’s sworn off marriage.” From their conversation earlier, Roth couldn’t stress enough his and his brothers’ thoughts on marriage and commitment. She’d understood perfectly. So what had made Omar change his mind? Or maybe when Roth said he didn’t know his brother and never had, he’d meant it literally. Either way, she couldn’t fathom the idea of switching gears to that extreme, but to each his own. “It was nice that he called to share the news, then.”

  “Don’t get all dewy-eyed that we’ve patched up our differences. Omar’s main reason for calling was to ask if I’d design the engagement ring for his fiancée. He wants something one-of-a-kind, and together they have a few ideas. They’re just not sure what will work.” His voice sounded distant.

  “Huge compliment, Roth. You should feel honored he thinks so much of your talents. And in my opinion—”

  “Because you’re going to give it to me whether I ask or not?”

  She fixed her hands on her hips and gave him a shit-eating grin. “You know it. Now, as I was saying, in my opinion it sounds like Omar is extending an olive branch. You’re going to do it, right?”

  “Nothing locked in tight, but Devi, Omar’s fiancée, is flying out west this week to spend time with her family. Omar wants to meet up at Jared’s. We’ll go over details then.” Roth’s relaxed pose was at odds with his tight jaw.

  He probably didn’t want to get his hopes up. She couldn’t blame him for being cautious, but at the same time she hoped things with the brothers worked out. They should be close. Or at least closer. And although she didn’t know the ins and outs of their relationships, she got the feeling Jared was a safe haven for them both.

  “Doesn’t Jared live in Chicago?”

  “Hmm.” He nodded as he drained his cup. “I’ll fly out tomorrow and, depending on how things go, I have the option to stay most of the week. We’re still on for the weekend, right?”

  “That’s the plan. But why don’t you just stay in Chicago, and I’ll fly out myself Saturday morning? It only makes sense instead of you coming back here so that we can fly back there.”

  He slid his empty mug back and forth between his palms. “We’ll see. I’m not sure I want to stay the entire week. Plus, it’s less than an hour flight, so not a big deal either way.”

  Leave it to Roth to give himself an out if things with the brothers got uncomfortable. Again, she couldn’t blame him.

  “Well, text me. I’m good with flying out alone if it’s easier. And speaking of next weekend, what exactly are we attending? Formal or casual? Flying home that same night, or staying until Sunday? A woman needs details.” She grabbed his empty mug and rinsed it out in the sink.

  “We’ll be meeting up with a few friends of mine. Brooke is a promotions expert, and she set up this art exhibit for another friend of ours from college. We’ll be killing two birds with one stone.”

  She turned off the water and tossed him a glance over her shoulder. “How’s that?”

  “I’ll be supporting an old friend, and you and I will soothe Brooke’s need to play matchmaker.”

  Holly grinned, wiping her hands on a bar towel. “I take it she’s one of your friends who always knows someone perfect for you?”

  He gave her a genuine smile, the first one since their discussion about Omar. “Brooke always has a friend from the gym, someone from work, a distant cousin, a neighbor… I don’t know where she finds all these perfect women.”

  “I’m a little intimidated.”

  “You?”

  “Will I live up to expectations? I mean, I’m not just meeting your friends for the first time as Holly Haggerty, Roth’s awesome neighbor friend. I’m meeting them as Holly Haggerty, Roth’s girlfriend.”

  He shrugged. “I don’t remember mixing you and the word awesome.”

  “I’m just throwing it out there. Planting the seed.” She bit her lip to stop from smiling but failed miserably as she leaned her backside against the counter across from where he sat.

  “Hmm. I’ll take it into consideration. And don’t worry about Brooke or my friends. They’ll love you. And I have a suspicion you’ll love them, too.”

  “So, it sounds like if I toss my little black dress into an overnight bag I’ll be safe?”

  He nodded, but his attention didn’t seem to be on their current topic as he grabbed a pen and doodled on the papers he’d brought over. Holly couldn’t take the silence any longer. He must be thinking about Omar. His family. The tension lines around his mout
h and the rigid breadth of his shoulders set her on edge. She didn’t want to see her friend so stressed. So apprehensive.

  She took the few steps across her tiny kitchen to lean across the bar counter and touch Roth’s arm. “You nervous about seeing Omar?”

  He jerked, as if he’d forgotten she was there.

  “I’m not sure how I feel about it.” He dragged his hand through his hair. “For one, I really don’t know either Devi or Omar. How can I design a ring that will be unique for them?”

  “You said they’ve already drawn up a few ideas. But you’ll talk to him. Ask questions. Get to know them both,” she whispered. “Just like you would with any other client.”

  He let his hand fall to grip the side of his neck and rubbed the taut muscles. Each movement of his hand tugged at the neckline of his tee and teased her with a peek of his tattoo. She loved that tat. Loved to see it bared in its entirety. Roth’s body art ranked right up there with barefoot men in jeans.

  “Two, I can’t wrap my head around the news that Omar is getting married. I’d always thought out of any of us it’d be Jared.”

  She grinned. “Why’s that? Because he’s the youngest?”

  He jerked one shoulder. “Kind of. Jared’s always gotten along with everyone. He doesn’t hold a grudge against my dad or Omar. He’s closest to my mom, and that’s given him a soft side, an easygoing manner, a better understanding when it comes to—”

  “Women?”

  His dimples appeared. “I know it sounds crazy.”

  “Hey, I don’t judge.” She bit the inside of her cheek. Apparently Roth didn’t see himself as having a soft side, but she knew different. His outside veneer might be rough and tumble, but inside…

  Only someone with a caring attitude and a soft side would help a friend bake a cake for a little girl he’d never met, come to her rescue by dressing up as Superman, not get mad when they’d been sent packing from a huge social event, and hug her when she went to tears. All of that within the last few weeks. The list of his rescues was endless. But she wouldn’t mention that. He didn’t want to hear it. Not now.

  “I can’t help but feel Omar’s getting married is a business move. Especially since the woman he’s marrying is his assistant.”

  The plot thickens.

  “Kind of makes sense. They work together. Probably long hours, feelings developed, they fell in love.” It could happen.

  He looked at her from beneath furrowed brows. “That doesn’t sound like a comment an anti-marriage woman would make.”

  She laughed and punched him in the shoulder. “I’m not anti-marriage. It’s great for some people. It’s just not what I want.”

  “Ever?”

  “Who knows? I will never say never because things change. Like they did for your brother. He’s not the first man, or first person for that matter, who never wanted to get married and then changed his mind.” Holly pushed herself off the counter and crossed her arms. Her reasoning for not wanting to get married was already known. Not only did she not want to fall into the family mold, but marriage and commitment didn’t feel right. At least not for her. Could you really commit to one person forever? She shoved at the thoughts weighing down her mood. Wasn’t she supposed to be focused on Roth? She had a good grasp on why he didn’t want to get married, but his entire family? Seemed odd. The Esterly closet must have a lot of skeletons.

  “You’ve never met my dad or Omar. You don’t know how alike they are.” His eyes turned cold. “My dad should’ve never gotten married and had a family, and I don’t think Omar should, either.”

  “How can you say that? You said yourself you don’t know him.”

  “I know him well enough to know he’s exactly like my father. My father made sure of that. Omar is married to his job. He sleeps, eats, and breathes Esterly Financial.”

  The pain in his voice made her ache to reach out and give him a good shake, or a hug. His dad’s lack of attention had scarred him deep. She’d never heard him talk like this before. His family had a warped sense of…well, of family.

  “So, maybe he changed. Maybe your dad’s death changed him. Or the woman he loved helped him see things differently. Who knows? Some things just are.” She lifted her palms skyward. “Why question everything? Just because you have several traits of one parent doesn’t mean you aren’t your own person. You still make your own choices, steer your own path.”

  He shook his head. “You’re forgetting the gene pool.”

  “Then clean the freaking pool. Everyone controls their own destiny. Makes their own choices. Ultimately we’re all our own bosses.” She fixed her hands to her hips. “Need I go on?”

  “I don’t think it’s as easy as you make it sound.”

  “If it weren’t, then I’d be married and living in the ’burbs. I’d probably have popped out a few babies like my sister, conformed to a nine-to-five hell, and would host my own Sunday dinners because marriage and procreating is definitely in my family gene pool. I chose to follow a different path. If you want a family, don’t let your father’s choices make your decision.” He tested her patience, and her voice raised another octave on her last sentence. How come he couldn’t understand what she meant? Even a little bit?

  “Whoa, when did I say I wanted a family? Or marriage for that matter? I made the decision long ago that I’d never marry, never have a family. I don’t want to take the risk of being the neglectful husband and father that Leland was to my mother, brothers, and me.”

  “Aren’t you hearing anything I’m saying?” She grabbed his hands and looked him steadily in the eye. “You are not your father. Any relationship you have won’t be your parents’. You make your own choices. Just like me.” She lifted her chin. Fight that, Roth Esterly. “I don’t care if you want to get married or have kids. I’m just telling you that you can’t let your parents’ history influence your future. Any part of it.”

  Their gazes dueled until a line was drawn by Roth’s hollow laughter. “You know what we have here?”

  She closed her eyes to drag in a heavy breath, which she immediately released in a sigh. “What?”

  “A fight neither of us will win.”

  The tension lining her back fell away. “Agreed.” She patted his hands before dropping them. “It’d take me until hell freezes over to convince you I’m right, and at this moment I don’t have the time.”

  “Funny, I was thinking the same thing about you.”

  “Well, I hope you take the branch from Omar. Get to know him, and then make a decision.” She opened her dishwasher and dropped in the silverware from the sink and slid the two mugs on to the top rack.

  “You’ve always been American pie. Sometimes things aren’t that cut-and-dried.”

  “Maybe not, but it doesn’t have to be as hard as you’re making out, either.”

  Roth picked up the scattered papers on the counter and shuffled them into order. Holly took that as her signal the conversation was officially over. He was right, neither of them would win this discussion, so why let it get heated?

  She sent up a silent wish that everything with Roth and his brothers went well this week. From the sounds of it, they all deserved a do-over.

  Chapter Five

  Roth kicked his feet onto the box turned makeshift coffee table labeled Books in bold cursive letters. He laughed off the scowl Jared tossed over his shoulder as he maneuvered between rows of boxes and totes on his way to the kitchen.

  “Hey, little bro, it’s not like I’m going to scuff up your furniture,” Roth said.

  “You can’t ruin cardboard boxes and beanbags.” Omar slapped Roth’s palm as they both took turns getting in their digs at Jared’s expense. All week long they’d given him nothing but grief, but they were both proud of all Jared had achieved.

  And deep down, Roth couldn’t believe how quickly he and Omar had connected and worked through old pains. For the first time in a long time—in forever when it came to Omar—he felt a sense of family.

  “D
on’t blame me for your poor planning. Since I’m in the middle of a move, deciding to meet up at my place probably wasn’t your brightest idea, Omar,” Jared shot back. He leaned into the fridge to grab three more longnecks with one hand and riffle through the assortment of take-out containers for something to eat with the other.

  Roth shook his head. Jared had always been able to eat around the clock but still maintain the same wrestler’s physique he had in high school.

  Omar’s face grew somber as he leaned toward Roth. “Thanks again for coming, for agreeing to design something special for Devi, and even more so for hearing me out the other night.”

  “Blame it on all the beer.” They laughed, but Roth didn’t mean it. Of course the beer hadn’t hurt, but it hadn’t been the main ingredient in getting him to listen. “I’m just glad you…” He could feel himself getting choked up and didn’t think he could continue. This week had already played heavy with his emotions.

  “I let Dad influence my life and opinions for way too long. Devi helped me see that. In the process, I realized how unfair I’d been to you and Jared. How I’d judged you both without getting to know you. How my own jealousy of the relationship you each had with mom affected my relationships with you.” Omar’s voice grew thick as his own emotion came forth.

  Roth pounded him on the back. “I don’t want to hear it again. We agreed to move forward. We can’t keep rehashing the past.”

  Who’d have believed less than a week ago Roth had argued with Holly about how people couldn’t change? Normally being wrong didn’t feel good, but this time he didn’t mind. He looked forward to sharing everything when he saw her.

  All the issues from their past couldn’t be erased, but they’d agreed to get to know one another for who they were now, not who they’d been. So far things had worked out well. Roth respected his brothers and, if the way they all teased and cajoled one another the past few days was any clue, the feeling was mutual.