As she scanned the colorful materials folded neatly on the shelves, her cell rang. Catalina glanced at the arm of the sofa where her phone lay. Her mother’s name lit up the screen.
Lunging across the mess of fabrics on the cushions, Catalina grabbed her phone and came back to her feet as she answered.
“Hey, Mum.”
“Sweetheart. I’m sorry I didn’t call earlier. I went out to breakfast with a friend.”
Catalina stepped from her bedroom and into the cozy living area. “No problem. I’ve been sewing all morning and lost track of time.”
“New designs?” her mother asked.
“Of course.” Catalina sank down onto her cushy sofa and curled her feet beneath her. “I actually have a new summery beach theme I’m working on. Trying to stay tropical and classy at the same time has proven to be more challenging than I thought.”
“Well, I know you can do it,” her mother said. “I wore that navy-and-gray-print skirt you made for me to breakfast this morning and my friend absolutely loved it. I was so proud to be wearing your design, darling.”
Catalina sat up straighter. “You didn’t tell her—”
“I did not,” her mother confirmed. “But I may have said it was from a new up-and-coming designer. I couldn’t help it, honey. I’m just so proud of you and I know you’ll take the fashion world by storm once you leave Alma.”
Just the thought of venturing out on her own, taking her secret designs and her life dream and putting herself out there had a smile spreading across her face as nerves danced in her belly. The thought of someone looking over her designs with a critical eye nearly crippled her, but she wouldn’t be wielding toilet wands for the rest of her life.
“I really think I’ll be ready in a couple of months,” Catalina stated, crossing back to survey her inventory on the shelves. “Saying a timeframe out loud makes this seem so real.”
Her mother laughed. “This is your dream, baby girl. You go after it and I’ll support you all the way. You know I want you out from under the Rowlings’ thumb.”
Catalina swallowed as she zeroed in on the lace and pulled it from the pile. “I know. Don’t dwell on that, though. I’m closer to leaving every day.”
“Not soon enough for me,” her mother muttered.
Catalina knew her mother hated Patrick Rowling. Their affair years ago was still a secret and the only reason Catalina knew was because when she’d been dumped by Will and was sobbing like an adolescent schoolgirl, her mother had confessed. Maria Iberra was a proud woman and Catalina knew it had taken courage to disclose the affair, but Maria was dead set on her daughter truly understanding that the Rowling men were only after one thing and they were ruthless heartbreakers. Feelings didn’t exist for those men, save for James, who seemed to be truly in love and determined to make Bella happy.
But Patrick was ruthless in everything and Will had followed suit. So why was he still pursuing her? She just wanted a straight answer. If he just wanted sex, she’d almost wish he’d just come out and say it. She’d take honesty over adult games any day.
Before she could respond to her mother, Catalina’s doorbell rang. “Mum, I’ll call you back. Someone is at my door.”
She disconnected the call and pocketed her cell in her smock pocket. She’d taken to wearing a smock around her waist to keep pins, thread, tiny scissors and random sewing items easily accessible. Peeking through the peephole, Catalina only saw a vibrant display of flowers.
Flicking the deadbolt, she eased the door open slightly. “Yes?”
“Catalina Iberra?”
“That’s me.”
The young boy held onto the crystal vase with two hands and extended it toward her. “Delivery for you.”
Opening the door fully, she took the bouquet and soon realized why this boy had two hands on it. This thing was massive and heavy.
“Hold on,” she called around the obscene arrangement. “Let me give you a tip.”
“Thank you, ma’am, but that was already taken care of. You have a nice day.”
Catalina stepped back into her apartment, kicked the door shut with her foot and crossed the space to put the vase on her coffee table. She stood back and checked out various shades and types of flowers. Every color seemed to be represented in the beautiful arrangement. Catalina couldn’t even imagine what this cost. The vase alone, made of thick, etched glass, appeared to be rather precious.
A white envelope hung from a perfectly tied ribbon around the top of the vase. She tugged on the ribbon until it fell free and then slid the small envelope off. Pulling the card out and reading it, her heart literally leapt up into her throat. Think of me. W.
Catalina stared at the card, and then back at the flowers. Suddenly they weren’t as pretty as they’d been two minutes ago. Did he seriously think she’d fall for something as cliché as flowers? Please. And that arrogant message on the card was utterly ridiculous.
Think of him? Lately she’d done little else, but she’d certainly never tell him that. What an ego he’d grown since they were last together. And she thought it had been inflated then.
But because no one was around to see her, she bent down and buried her face in the fresh lilacs. They smelled so wonderful and in two days they would still look amazing.
A smile spread across her face as her plan took shape. Will had no idea who he was up against if he thought an expensive floral arrangement was going to get her to drop her panties or common sense.
As much as she was confused and a bit hurt by his newfound interest in her now that he wasn’t involved with Bella, she had to admit, toying with him was going to be fun. Only one person could win this battle...she just prayed her strength held out and she didn’t go down in the first round.
* * *
Will slid his cell back into his pocket and leaned against the window seat in his father’s office at his Playa del Onda home. “We’ve got them.”
Patrick blinked once, twice, and then a wide smile spread across his face. “I didn’t think you could do it.”
Will shrugged. “I didn’t have a doubt.”
“I’ve been trying to sign with the Cherringtons for over a year.” Patrick shook his head and pushed off the top of his desk to come to his feet. “You’re really making a mark here, Will. I wondered how things would fair after Bella, but business is definitely your area of expertise.”
Will didn’t tell his father that Mrs. Cherrington had tried to make a pass at Will at a charity event a few months back. Blackmail in business was sometimes not a bad thing. It seemed that Mrs. Cherrington would do anything to keep her husband from learning she’d had too much to drink and gotten a little frisky. She apparently went so far as to talk him into doing business with the Rowlings, but considering both families would prosper, Will would keep her little secret.
In Will’s defense, he didn’t let her advances go far. Even if she weren’t old enough to be his mother and if she hadn’t smelled as if she bathed in a distillery, she was married. He may not want any part of marriage for himself, but that didn’t mean he was going to home in on anybody else’s, either.
Before he could say anything further, Cat appeared in the doorway with an enormous bouquet. The arrangement reminded him of the gift he’d sent her. He’d wondered all weekend what she’d thought of the arrangement. Had she smiled? Had she thought about calling him?
He’d end this meeting with his father and make sure to track her down before he headed back to the Rowling Energy offices for an afternoon meeting. He had an ache that wasn’t going away anytime soon and