Chapter 49

CHAPTER

FORTY-NINE

THEN

Another month had passed. Another month with more broken promises.

Cecilia hated it.

Yet another part of her understood.

Garrick's job was demanding. She couldn't fault him for that. He didn't get to the position he was in in life by being lazy.

He did what was demanded of him. He'd told Cecilia that was why he hadn't gotten married yet—because most women didn't understand the sacrifices his job required.

Cecilia wanted to be different. She wanted to be one of the women who did understand. Who supported him. Who gave him a soft place to fall.

Every giant needed someone to care and nurture them behind the scenes.

She thought about that concept a lot, about how she wanted to be that person.

But she had to admit that all the cancellations were getting old.

She felt as if her entire social life depended on whether or not Garrick carried through with his plans with her.

As she leaned back onto the ratty couch in her living room, she touched the necklace at her throat. At least she had this. Garrick always looked out for her.

She jerked forward as an idea hit her.

Garrick was working late tonight. Maybe she could bring him his favorite chocolate chip cookie from the bakery down the street.

She'd never been into his office before. But he'd never told her not to come.

Maybe if he saw her, it would be the pick-me-up he needed. He'd sounded so stressed lately.

Cecilia thought about the idea for several more minutes before a grin spread across her lips.

Yes, that was what she would do. If Garrick couldn't come to her, then she would go to him.

She was already dressed and looked presentable. But, just in case, she quickly glanced at her hair and makeup in the mirror. She looked a little tired but otherwise acceptable . . . except that she wore some old jeans and a T-shirt.

Should she change? Would Garrick care?

Certainly, he wouldn't. He loved her however she looked. She hoped that just seeing her would cheer him up. That was how love worked, right?

Feeling more and more excited about her surprise, she headed down the street, purchased three cookies from the bakery, and then started toward Garrick's office building.

The business district seemed like a different world from the one she lived in. She couldn't imagine what it might be like to come here every day to work. Everything just felt expensive and fast-paced and highbrow.

As she walked into his building, she noticed the marble floor beneath her. The stone columns. The richly wallpapered walls

Everything smelled like polish, like only royalty graced this area.

Suddenly, her jeans and T-shirt didn't seem like enough. She definitely should have changed. Everyone else wore suits and shiny shoes.

But she was already here. It would take too long to walk back to her place and switch her outfit.

She could do this. Even though this wasn't her world, that didn't mean it couldn't be one day. She could learn. She would get used to this kind of splendor.

She strode to the front desk, unsure which floor Garrick's office was located on.

The receptionist, a pretty blonde who looked straight out of modeling school, eyed her warily as she approached. "Can I help you?"

She told the woman who she was here to see.

The receptionist pressed her lips together. "I'm sorry, but he's not in."

Cecilia faltered. "He told me he's working tonight."

The receptionist checked something else on her computer. "No. I'm sorry. He's not here."

She gripped the cookies in her hand tighter. "Are you sure?"

The woman offered a tight smile. "Yes, I double-checked."

"But . . ."

What was Cecilia supposed to say? That Garrick had told her he'd be here? Besides, just because he had a meeting didn't mean that it would be here at the office. Certainly he had meetings over cocktails or dinner or maybe even while playing golf—though it was too late to play golf now.

Cecilia forced a smile at the receptionist. "I understand. Could you give this to him when he comes in?" She handed the woman the box of cookies. "Tell him that Cecilia was here?"

"Of course."

Cecilia noticed how the woman turned up her nose ever so slightly as she took the box. She acted like she might disinfect her hands after being so close to Cecilia.

Or was Cecilia reading too much into things? She didn't have money, but she knew she was pretty.

Either way, it didn't matter.

Cecilia turned to leave, an unsettled feeling in her chest.

That hadn't gone as she planned.

But there would be more opportunities to take care of Garrick in the future. She just had to plan her surprises a little better.