Page 40 of Players Like Us (Reunion Gap #7)

Rachel selected a simple, long-sleeved black dress with a double row of alternating teal and silver beads sewn on the neckline and cuffs.

She’d recently repurposed the dress to give it a classic yet fun look.

Nothing too outrageous, nothing too low cut.

When she glanced in the mirror, she realized she looked like the sophisticate she’d tried so hard to become.

She squinted, studied the pearl earrings and necklace, the chignon, the solemn expression, and subdued makeup.

Was that sad face really hers? She was done hiding who she was, and while she’d lost her chance with Neal, she would not lose her chance to be herself.

Maybe one day she’d find a real smile, feel true joy and peace in her heart.

It would be a long road, but at least she was on her way back to her family and herself, and that was a true gift.

Rachel arrived at the restaurant ten minutes early and when the waiter led her to her seat, she almost asked for a different one.

It was the same booth where she and Neal sat the night they sampled menu items and critiqued the layout and furnishings.

Life must move on without him and she could not be afraid of every memory.

Rachel ordered a glass of wine, sipped it, and studied the menu, remembering every plate they’d ordered, every laugh and smile. Every single thing.

“Hello.”

She glanced up from the menu, spotted Neal standing touching distance away...so handsome, so intimidating, so...

A quick glance at the empty seat across from her and then “Dining alone?”

He looked tired, his smile forced. “Actually… I’m meeting someone but—” she glanced at her watch, shrugged “—he’s already ten minutes late so I’m not sure he’s coming.”

His gaze narrowed the tiniest bit as he took in her words. “Mind if I sit and wait?”

This might be the closest she’d get to the man, so why not permit herself to enjoy a few seconds of what she could never have?

“Of course.” He slid into the booth, eyed her wine.

Neal had once told her a solid cabernet could get you through just about anything.

Rachel lifted her glass, saluted him. “I figured I might need it.”

The raised brow said he wanted to hear more. “That bad?”

A shrug. “I don’t know. Claudia signed me up with some mystery man and he’s been paying me for my time, but I’ve yet to meet him. Tonight was supposed to be the night.”

“Sounds interesting and a little odd.”

The look on his face made her laugh. “You once said Claudia’s was a haven for the desperate. Women desperate for money, men desperate for companionship, people desperate to prove something. At the time, I thought it was just another Neal Alexander sarcasm and judgment, but you were right.”

Those blue eyes flickered, his voice dipped. “I was?”

“I was desperate because I needed the money and then when the mystery-man opportunity came along, all I could see was my bank account balance. So I agreed and when I never had to actually do anything for the money, even better, right?” She frowned, toyed with the stem of her wine glass.

“Except it wasn’t. It was worse, and it felt like…

I don’t know… It felt wrong. Maybe I looked like the man’s dead wife or he couldn’t find companionship on his own, or he was sad and lonely…

Desperate.” She let out a long sigh. “If it were desperation, I could not take advantage of that. I told Claudia I wouldn’t be renewing any future contracts with him or with the company. ” Pause and then “I resigned.”

“Resigned.” Several seconds passed before Neal asked, “Don’t you want to at least meet the man? Aren’t you a little curious about him?”

“No, not really. I was, but I’ve done a lot of thinking and staying with Claudia’s isn’t an authentic path for me, even if the money is great.

I’m going to work on my design projects and if money gets tight, I’ll start selling my repurposed clothing.

Meredith said she’d help me.” Another shrug, “We’ll see. ”

The waiter appeared, delivered a glass of wine. “Mr. Alexander. Nice to see you this evening.”

“Thank you, Todd. You, too.”

“Do you know everyone here?”

He offered a smile, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Only the important ones. Staff is always important. Often overlooked, definitely overworked. I just want them to know I appreciate them. The generous tips help them as well.”

Why had she not opened her eyes earlier and seen all of the good qualities in this man? “It’s very kind of you.”

“If we were all kinder to each other, think what that would look like? Think what it would feel like?” He sipped his wine, set the glass on the table, and met her gaze. “Have you ever considered the mystery man is desperate to meet you, but doesn’t quite have the courage?”

“I don’t think that’s it.”

This time when he smiled, it reached his eyes, made them bluer. “I think you don’t understand your powers.”

She rolled her eyes. “Why are you really here, Neal? You did not just happen to walk into this restaurant the night I’m going to be here and land in this particular booth.

What do you want?” She gripped her wine glass, forced out the questions.

“You made it very clear how you felt about me, so… What’s going on?

Did you pay off Claudia to get information on me?

Again, why? Would you please say what’s on your mind and be done? ”

His face paled beneath his tan and when he spoke, his voice was smothered in confusion and misery. “Claudia is Dominic’s friend. I helped invest in her business, but I’ve never been a client…” Those eyes turned bright, his voice quiet. “Except for one time.”

It was too much information to process, and she was not going to read between the lines. “Can you for once just spell it all out? No games or subterfuge?”

“I’m the mystery man.”

“ You? Impossible. You always said you’d never subscribe to that concept.”

“I did say that and I meant it, but...it seemed the only way to protect you from Simon Bainbridge. But truth? I didn’t want you going out with strangers, and it didn’t matter if it was a dinner date, or a play, or a symphony.

I didn’t like the whole idea. I thought you were too innocent, too trusting to spot the less-than-reputable types.

Sure, Claudia has an excellent vetting program, but people can pretend they’re anyone and they can look great on paper but, who are they really?

You can’t know until you spend time with them. ..get to know them…”

Rachel stared at him, tried to make sense of his words. “What do you want with me, Neal?” She’d waited and hoped he’d give her another chance but there’d been nothing but silence.

“Your brother called me the other night and we had a very interesting conversation.” A tiny smile, a laugh. “Seems he needed a little help deciphering Meredith’s ailments.”

“Daniel called you about Meredith? What’s wrong and why would he call you ?”

Those blue eyes sparkled. “If my guess is correct, it’s nothing that another eight months or so won’t fix.”

“She’s pregnant?” Rachel placed her hands on the table, leaned forward. “Really?” Was that why she’d been poking at her food, taking puny bites, and spending a lot of time in the bathroom?

A shrug and then “I told Daniel he should think about picking up a pregnancy test.”

“You told him that? You and Daniel were discussing pregnancy?”

Red seeped from his neck to his cheeks as he tried to offer an explanation.

“The guy sounded so pathetic when he mentioned Meredith being tired and throwing up, that I told him to grab a calendar and a pregnancy test.” He held up his hands, shook his head.

“I’m not speaking from experience, but it’s pretty basic stuff. ”

“Have you heard anything?”

“If I tell you, will you promise not to say anything?”

She nodded. “I won’t.”

“Yes.” His voice dipped. “They’re pregnant but not very far along, so they’re not saying anything yet.”

“I think they’ll be wonderful parents. Thank you for helping him out.” There was more to that phone call and she wanted to know what it was. “I know he didn’t just call you for advice.”

More red splashed his cheeks. “No, he told me how much he loved you and how he didn’t like that you were so unhappy and maybe I had something to do with it.”

Daniel! Always the meddler. “You should ignore him. My brother likes to poke around where it’s not his business.”

“True, but this time I’m glad he did. I got the lecture about how trust is a big deal in a relationship and unless you have it you’re going to keep screwing up until it’s too late.

” He blew out a sigh, his voice filled with regret.

“He was right even if I didn’t want to hear it.

But after the call, I started thinking about what was right in front of me.

” Neal reached across the table, clasped her hand in both of his.

“You. Us. I’ve been such a fool and I’m sorry I hurt you.

Sorry for pretty much every time I caused you pain.

” His voice turned hoarse, his eyes bright.

“And if you think you can find it in that big heart of yours to give me another chance, I promise to spend the rest of my life trying to make you happy.”

The rest of his life? Rachel swallowed, fought to keep her voice even, failed. “What are you saying?”

“I’ve done so many foolish things to keep you away, to hide myself...to pretend I didn’t care. If you give me this one last chance, I promise I will work very hard to be the man you deserve.” His voice spilled emotion. “The husband you deserve.”

“Husband?”

“Rachel Reese, I love you in ways I never thought possible, and if you feel the same way, marry me. Let’s make a life together.”

She smiled, let him see the love in her heart. “I love you, Neal. I’ve loved you for a long time, even when I didn’t know it.”

“Is that a yes?”

She brought his hands to her lips, kissed his knuckles. “That’s a definite yes.”

“You know you could’ve held out and asked me to rename a restaurant after you.” His lips twitched. “It worked for your brother, and I would have done it.”

“I have other things I want from you.” She brushed his knuckles against her cheek, then eased her hand away. “Stay right there.” Rachel scooted from her seat and joined him on his side of the booth. “A proposal should be accompanied by a proper kiss.”

That made him laugh. “Most women would say it should be accompanied by a gigantic rock.”

“Not this woman.” She flung her hands around his neck, pressed her body against his and kissed him.

“You’re getting the rock, so don’t argue.” He pulled her closer, murmured, “I’ve missed you so damn much.”

Another kiss, this one longer, deeper, filled with hope and promise, and so much sizzle. It was the sizzle that left Neal breathing hard and when she slid a hand up his thigh, those beautiful blue eyes glittered. “Why don’t we order to go?”

He traced the neckline of her dress, made her shiver. “We can take the food back to my place...feed each other in bed...”

Rachel sighed with pleasure and anticipation. “I was thinking of ordering the veal medallions marsala, but who can pass up the Neal Alexander special?” She placed a hand on his chest, whispered, “I could never resist it.”

He trailed a finger along her jaw, his expression filled with such love it stole her breath. “And now you don’t have to...”