Becca at Sweet Nothings, the lingerie shop she owned in Somerset.
“Sweet Nothings.”
“Becca, it’s Kate.”
“Hey, there. How’s things in the big city?” Becca asked.
“Horrible.”
“What? Why?”
“Lance is engaged.”
Becca didn’t say anything for a moment and Kate realized she probably seemed like a loser to her friend. “Oh, honey, I’m sorry. I didn’t realize he was dating anyone.”
“He wasn’t.”
“Are you sure he’s engaged? Lance doesn’t strike me as the kind of guy who’d do something that spontaneous.”
He wasn’t spontaneous and he was careful not to be tied down by any of the women he got involved with. “Yes, he told me the news himself.”
“Who is she?”
“Lexi Cavanaugh.”
“Senator Cavanaugh’s daughter?”
“Yes.”
“Is it politically motivated?” Becca asked.
“I don’t know. And I don’t care. I quit my job.”
“You did what?”
“Was that crazy? I’m so confused, I don’t know what to do,” Kate admitted. She’d hoped that Lance would realize she was waiting there and fall for her.
“It may have been a little crazy. I know you’ve had a bit of a crush on him,” Becca said.
Kate took a deep breath. “It’s more than a crush. I’m in love with him.”
It was the first time she’d said the words out loud, and she had to admit they felt good. Or they would have if Lance wasn’t engaged to another woman.”
“Oh, Kate.”
“He doesn’t even know I’m a woman.
“Let’s fix that,” Becca said.
“How?”
“Come to the shop and we’ll give you a makeover.”
“A makeover? I don’t think so. Remember the last time we tried.”
Kate had felt so uncomfortable in the makeup and clothing that Becca had suggested, she’d ended up going straight home and taking it all off. She needed the comfort of her old clothing…or did she?
“I just don’t know what to do,” she repeated.
“Only you can figure that out. But if it were me, I’d change my hair and my clothes. Just start over and find a new love.”
“I have to work for Lance for two more weeks.”
“Why?”
“I couldn’t just quit and walk out on him.”
“All the better,” Becca said. “You can go back to work looking like a million bucks and then leave. It will be a chance to get back a little of your pride.”
Would her pride feel any better if she came back to Brody Oil and Gas and Lance looked at her like a woman instead of his assistant?
“I’m coming to your shop,” Kate said.
“Good, we can talk once you get here. I’ll have the white wine chilled.”
“Thanks, Becca.”
“For what?”
“Being here. Listening to me and not thinking I’m being silly.”
“Why would I think you’re silly? I’ve been in love before and I know what it can do to you.”
Kate swallowed, glad she had a friend like Becca to turn to. “I’ve never loved anyone before Lance.”
“Not even in high school?”
“I had a crush or two,” Kate admitted.
They’d been friends for what seemed like forever and Becca had always been the sister she’d never had—the one person who accepted her the way she was. At home, her brothers teased her if she did anything girly and her mother was never satisfied with any of the choices that Kate made.
“That was different. And don’t ask me why. I can’t explain it, but Lance Brody has always been different.”
“I know he has. I’ve never heard you talk about one person as much as you do him.”
“Am I annoying?”
Becca laughed, and the familiar sound of it made Kate smile.
“No, you aren’t annoying. Just in love. I’m sorry that he didn’t turn out to be the guy you hoped he would be.”
Kate was, too. “Maybe he is that guy, but just not the one for me.”
“Probably,” Becca said. “When will you be here?”
“In about twenty minutes. I just left work without asking or anything.”
“I think you’re ready for a change,” Becca said.
“Why?”
“Because you’re already acting like a rebel.”
Kate thought about that. “I guess I am. Maybe Lance’s engagement will turn out to be good for me.”
“I bet it will. If not you’ll be stronger for having loved and lost him.”
Kate hung up the phone and continued driving toward Somerset. She didn’t think about Lance or Brody Oil and Gas. She just concentrated on herself and the new woman she was becoming. It was way past time for her to change.
It was hot and smoky at the refinery. The fire burned for almost three hours before the firefighters got it under control. Frank was busy talking to local media and Lance was calling his brother. Mitch was in a meeting and Lance had to leave a voice mail.
“Catch me up on what’s going on,” Lance said to Frank.
“We have four injured.”
“Have you talked to their families?”
“As soon as we identified the men who’d been injured. They’re in the emergency room now. I sent JP down there to talk to the families and make certain that there were no questions as to insurance coverage, et cetera. And I asked him to keep me posted on any pressing health issues,” Frank said.
“Good.
