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He sits on the side of the bed and then turns to look up at me. “Tell me one thing, the clothes you wear, they aren’t just things you’ve bought, are they?”
I shake my head. “No, they aren’t.”
He nods and then looks at the racks of clothes again. “You made these. All of them, right?”
“Yes.”
“Funny thing.” Baxter scratches the back of his neck as he stares at the floor. “There’s this new store I pass by sometimes when I go to my parents’ apartment. I’ve never really paid attention to it before, but I walked past last week and noticed the clothes were similar to what you wore. I even went in and browsed around, thinking about what I’d like to buy for you and what you would look good in.”
I laugh and move to the bed, plopping down beside him. “You didn’t buy anything, did you?”
“No, but one of the sales clerks is going to help me pick out something next week.”
“That’s too funny.”
“So you own HipFeather?”
I nod. “Yes. I have two stores in California and the one in New York. I’m looking at Chicago and Austin, Texas. I’ve been in talks with a company in Paris and one in Barcelona. I’ll probably have something in London too.”
He stares up at the ceiling, his lips thin. When he turns to glance at me, I see sorrow in his eyes. “I’m so sorry.”
“For what?”
“I never once even tried to figure out what you did for a living. I was so focused on me and my problems. I discounted you and I never should have. You were talented when we were in school, and I can see the same talent in your designs. I should have paid more attention and not doubted you.”
I nod, knowing I have to ask. “When you yelled at me, what was going through your mind?”
“I don’t know. Maybe I was jealous of you. You’re so positive all the time. You know what you’re doing. You’re always so happy.”
I shrug. “I am happy.”
“How can life be that simple?”
“You have to find something that makes you feel good.”
He shakes his head. “I don’t know what makes me happy. My dad is angry at me. Right now, I still have my job, but he’s talking about coming back and taking over the business. They never left New York this time, and Mom is beside herself. She doesn’t want him to die, but he’s miserable in Florida and she hates New York.”
I laugh then shake my head. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t laugh.”
“It is funny. It’s one big comedy of errors.” He turns and grabs my shoulders. “I don’t want to be like him.”
“Then don’t,” I whisper.
“I’m not sure how to stop. I don’t know what to do. What if I can’t change?”
“One day at a time,” I suggest.
Baxter leans his forehead against mine. “Can I stay the night?”
“Yes.” The answer slips out quickly, revealing my need. I want him in my bed and in my life. Part of the problem was me too. I should have told him up front I wasn’t okay playing the part of his fiancée. I should have revealed I had a business to run and wasn’t just some cool hippie chick that had no cares in the world.
“I’m not perfect.”
My fingers play over his shoulder and down his arm. “Maybe we won’t work out, but I want to try.”
“Me too. I’m sorry I yelled. Give me a chance and I’ll show you I can be better.”
“I want you to give you a chance too. Do you really want to work for your dad’s company?”
He blows out a breath. “I don’t know. Maybe, maybe not. I used to think I could do some good in this world, but then I came back here.”
He yawns and stretches. I take his hand and hug him. “Let’s get some sleep. You can take your time to think about it.”
His gaze is unfocused as he gives me a small smile. “Sure.”
Once the lights are off and I’m wrapped in his arms, I can’t help but feel happiness. He needs to work on himself. Maybe his dad coming back to run the company would help Baxter.
