Page 19 of Fitting the Financier
Throwing my coat over the back of an empty chair, I face her. “Naomi Water! Who said anything about sex?” I grin, noticing she’s trying hard to keep a straight face. “I know I’m up there in age and you think I can’t recall what I said, but I want it noted that these great ideas are all yours.” Pulling out her chair, I wait for her to sit. When she does, I pour her a fresh cup of hot coffee. “Two more reasons, Naomi,” I prompt, before returning my attention to breakfast.
She exhales. “We’re not even on the same playing field.”
That made me pause. “Explain.” I have a nagging feeling I will not like what comes out of her mouth.
“You said it yourself, Nathan, you’re turn-key. You have your life together while I’m figuring it out. I get it, you’re passing through Candy Cane and why not have a go with the girl who looks at you with stars in her eyes—”
“You will not talk about yourself as if you’re a piece of meat on a dinner menu.” My blood chills.
“Nathan —”
“Ever.” I didn’t avoid her all these years because she isn’t good enough. The opposite. Naomi is too good for the likes of me or any man in this town. I’ve given her years of distance and she hasn’t found love, so now I’m going to be greedy.
“There is nothing about you I’d change.”
She blinks.
“Nothing,” I repeat, though I’m aching to say more. She nods, but I’m not sure she’s convinced.
“I know you’re not a …” She waves a hand between us. “A man whore. This business and my friendship with Charity are the most important parts of my life, and I can’t mess them up. Cupid is all mine. You can’t blame me for wanting to succeed on my own two feet.”
“What about your angel investor?”
“The contract has a clause to buy out the partnership once I repay the investment.”
“So you don’t plan on keeping the partnership?”
Naomi shakes her head and I’m happy she doesn’t want a permanent financial crotch. Her admission makes it difficult to tell her I own Quadpoint, or that I created the shell company because I knew she’d resist my help.
“Mixing business with pleasure hasn’t worked out for the women in my family.”
“How so?” The aroma of pancakes and bacon fill the kitchen. Her stomach rumbles loudly, and I know she still has a sweet spot for pancakes.
“Is this maple syrup pancake?”
“I remember you liking them when you stayed over.”
“That’s because someone else was cooking.” She takes a bite, then moans. Watching Naomi eat brings me joy. She doesn’t pretend or shovel food around her plate. She digs in, showing her enjoyment. “Honestly, I didn’t think anyone noticed.”
“I did.”More than I should have.
There’s a long pause, and I wonder if those two words reveal more than I intend. It’s one thing to desire her now, but another to reveal that I noticed her years ago. It wasn’t this mad desire constricting my chest, but there had been fondness and warmth for the woman buried under grief and hurt. Like kindred spirits, her grief had matched mine.
She takes another bite, not quite meeting my gaze. “Your house was the only place I didn’t feel invisible. My beachside fortress, where nothing can hurt me. I was safe. Protected. Welcomed.”
Without thinking, I reach across the table to link our fingers. “Esther —”
“Grams loved me. There is no questioning that. But I was and am still part of the background.”
I frown.
“When people in town give directions to the Water’s house, they’re thinking of my grandmother, Esther. Mr. Cooper can’t offer me a loan without reminding me.” She swallows. “The bakery and gift shop owners … I see it in their eyes.There goes Esther’s granddaughter,poor thing.”
Is this why she’s determined to make it alone? Willing to endure the hardships, knowing that her business might struggle in the process.“I see you, Naomi.” I tighten my grip on her hand. “And I’ll always protect you.”
She snatches her hand away and stands. “In two weeks, you’ll return to your big city life.”
My chest tightens as I see a wall erect behind her eyes.
