When Love's at Work Read online

  “Maybe I should go,” Purity said, realizing that Alex’s anger was making communication near to impossible.

  “Maybe you should.”

  The words stung and Purity dug her fingernails into the palm of her hand to keep the tears at bay. Why had she trusted him? Why had she thought Alex McCallister was different than every other man she had been with?

  Purity headed for the door, deciding that she would take great satisfaction from slamming it on her way out, which she did. It felt good. Perfect in fact! Her blood was boiling and the tears fell hot on her cheeks. She didn’t care. Alex couldn’t see her now, so she’d create a flood if she damn well wanted to.

  As she stormed down the sidewalk and onto the main road, Purity realized she didn’t have her car with her. Bobby had borrowed the car to pick up Meg. The plan had been to have Alex drive her home later. There was no way in hell she was going to go back up to that house and ask him to take her home.

  Purity found her cell phone in her bag and called Tapestry.

  “Hey, Pure, what’s up?”

  “I’m stranded at the corner of Sycamore and 18th St. Can you come pick me up?” Tears made Purity’s voice sound nasally and much too high.

  “Are you okay?”

  “Yes. No. I’m… such a stupid, stupid idiot,” Purity said, then sighed deeply. “Remind me never to trust a man again.”

  “I’ll be right there,” Tap said, then hung up the phone, grabbed her keys and made her way to Pure’s location.

  On the way to pick Purity up, Tapestry called Courtney and Meg. It was time for compassionate friends, ice cream and lots of Kleenex.

  Purity thanked Tap for coming to pick her up and then the car filled with unspoken words, creating a thick silence that remained in the air for the drive home.

  Tapestry could feel the anger and sorrow oozing from every pore on Pure’s flesh. Words were not needed, or even wanted in the moment. Tap knew there was one thing that would surely bring a smile to Pure’s lips, even if only for a moment, so she headed for the McDonalds drive-through for a large Diet Coke. She was rewarded for her effort with a wan smile and a heavy sigh after Purity took a drink.

  “Thanks,” Purity said, letting the cool beverage calm her mind and give her body a sweet jolt of caffeine.

  When they pulled into Pure’s parking lot and saw Court and Meg sitting on Pure’s steps, Tap said, “The gang’s all here.”

  Purity saw her trusted friends with signs of anxiety and concern written on their faces. Hugs were shared all around and then they all entered Pure’s apartment. Meg headed for the kitchen to grab bowls to put the ice cream Courtney had brought into.

  Pure was glad she’d only have to recount her tale once and everyone would hear it.

  As they resumed their usual places in the living room with their ice cream and cold beverages in hand, Pure said, “Alex McCallister is an asshole. I don’t know what I was thinking! I should never have gotten involved with him.”

  “I knew it! I knew this had something to do with Alex,” Meg jumped into the conversation. She sighed a deep, breathy sigh of regret. “I’m so sorry, Pure. I didn’t know if I should say anything or not and Court said Alex would find out on his own anyway, which he would have,” Meg mumbled the last part under her breath.

  “I thought you might be falling for Alex and think his gesture was romantic and a sign that he wanted to make a commitment to you,” Courtney added.

  “What are you two talking about?” Pure asked, completely confused by what they were saying.

  “It wasn’t like it was a bad thing,” Meg tried to explain.

  “No, I don’t think it was bad, either,” Courtney quickly agreed with her friend. “Maybe just a bit misguided. He needed to get to know you better before assuming you’d accept such a gift.”

  “It certainly implied that you and Alex were in some sort of long-term relationship for sure,” Meg continued. “It’s not every day you’re given a house you’ve been dreaming about for years and years.”

  Purity had been trying to piece the conversation together and fill in the gaps, but it wasn’t making any sense. What gift? What commitment? What house?

  “Whoa,” Purity said, holding up her hand. “I need someone to start at the beginning, please.”

  Tapestry interjected, trying to find some clarity amongst the jumbled up communication. “Pure, why are you upset with Alex?”

  “I’m mad at Alex because he’s married and he seems to have no plans of getting unmarried any time soon. And, he won’t even talk about it! He told me I knew he was married before I kissed him. What is that supposed to mean? I didn’t plan on kissing him and I didn’t plan on falling for someone I work with. And, I didn’t plan on falling for someone who is still either hung up on his wife, who he claims he can’t get a divorce from, or is quite happy in the role of caretaker so he never has to open his heart to someone new and actually have a life of his own.” Pure was waving her hands around while she spoke and her voice was rising higher and louder.

  “Oh,” Meg and Court said in unison, their eyes averted Purity’s to closely examine the ice cream in their bowls.

  “What were you two talking about?” Tapestry inquired pointedly at Meg and Court.

  The two women looked at each other and then Meg said, “Alex asked me for Mrs. Cravens’ phone number yesterday,” she paused and then looked up into Purity’s eyes, “because he wanted to buy her home and give it to you as a gift.”

  The words were like a solid punch in the gut to Purity. Then the nausea spread throughout the rest of her body. Alex had bought her the house of her dreams. Pure bit her lip and scrutinized a dark spot on her carpet. She couldn’t fathom the idea. Nobody buys someone a house.

  Her heart hurt. She knew that someone like Alex McCallister would do that very thing. He probably hadn’t even thought the whole prospect over. He would have had the idea and acted on it immediately.

  That must have been what he meant when he said the evening wasn’t turning out like he planned. All she had talked about was his wife and all he wanted to do was give her the largest gift she would have ever received. Purity felt incredibly small.

  Tapestry put her hand on Pure’s arm, “Are you okay?” she asked.

  Pure half-croaked, “Yes.” Then added in a voice barely audible, “No one has ever even considered doing something so amazing for me before.” Purity felt stunned. It didn’t change the fact that he was still married and something was keeping him connected to Callie, but it also spoke to Alex’s generous nature and how much he must care about her. Or did he want her to be indebted to him?

  “I don’t want to owe any man anything,” Purity remarked, her shock and surprise giving way to feelings of independence. “I want to make my own way, set goals and accomplish them. I want to earn the house of my dreams, not be handed it on a silver tray by a man who has enough money to buy 20 houses if he wants to.” Purity took a deep breath. “It’s a wonderful and kind gesture, but even if Alex had offered me the house, I wouldn’t be able to accept it. It wouldn’t feel right in my spirit.”

  Pure looked at Court and Meg and stated, “Meggie, of course I’m not mad at you for giving Alex Mrs. Cravens’ number. And, Court, you’re right, if Alex wanted the number, he’d find a way to get it.”

  “So what now?” Court inquired.

  All eyes were on Purity.

  “I don’t know,” Pure stated. “I’m not exactly sure where Alex and I stand now. I told him I won’t be involved with a married man, so if he intends to stay married, then…”

  “You sort of issued an ultimatum. Either he gets a divorce from his wife or you won’t be seeing him any more,” Meg said.

  “Yeah, I guess that’s exactly what I did.”

  “Can you live with that decision?” Courtney inquired.

  “I think I have to. If he chooses her, then he chooses her,” Pure remarked. “I won’t play second fiddle and I want a lifetime commitment. I’m not settling for anythi
ng less this time.”

  Alex stared at the door Purity slammed for well over ten minutes. Obviously, she wasn’t coming back. She had some nerve challenging him about his relationship with his wife. Why would he stay with Callie one day longer than he absolutely had to? Why would she think, even in some small way, he wanted to still be married?

  He would never understand women. Never.

  Alex decided to work off some of his tension and anxiety by calling Mark Watterson to see if he wanted to play a game of tennis at the indoor court at The Kids’ Place. Luckily, Mark was home and available. They arranged to meet each other in half an hour.

  “Couldn’t wait to get beat for the third week in a row, huh?” Mark began the back-and-forth banter that always ensued when the two men played any sport.

  “Something like that,” Alex said, half-heartedly. Mark noticed the change in his friends’ demeanor, but remained silent. If Alex wanted to tell him what was going on, he would do it at his own pace.

  The game was over in short order, with Mark scoring all the points. “I thought you said you wanted to play tennis?” he chided Alex.

  “Guess my head’s not quite in the game.”

  “Where is it?”

  Evading Mark’s question, Alex inquired, “Do you think I want to get a divorce from Callie?”

  Mark used his racket to bounce his tennis ball against the court flooring a few times, thinking about his answer. “That’s what you’ve told me for several years,” Mark finally stated.

  “But do you believe that I want to get one?” Alex insisted.

  “Where are you heading with this?” Mark countered, as much to get to what was bothering his friend as not to speak words his friend might not want to hear.

  “I was told today that if I wanted to get a divorce, I would have done it,” Alex finally confessed part of what had been eating away at him.

  “Purity?” Mark inquired.

  Alex’s eyes met Mark’s. “Yes. She gave me an ultimatum today. I either get a divorce or she won’t see me any more.”

  “That’s rough,” Mark said, wondering if this was just the push Alex needed to finally close this chapter on his past. “You think she has a point?”

  “No. Not at first. But it’s been bugging me ever since she said it. I wanted to give Callie time, but two years is a long time. More than enough time to decide if we should be together or not,” Alex replied.

  “It’s something to think about,” Mark commented, measuring his words carefully. He could tell that Alex was in his processing mode. He was a wise man and once he found a bit of perspective, he would take action to change whatever he felt was out of alignment. The only real question was how long would it take for him to see that his marriage to Callie was over a long time ago and it was past time to move on.

  “I think I’ll try to get over and see Callie tomorrow. Maybe find out where she stands on things,” Alex said, running his hand through his hair. After a short pause, Alex offered, “Best two out of three?”

  Mark knew this was Alex’s way of signaling that the conversation was over.

  “It’s your money to burn,” Mark replied with a grin.

  Callie had agreed to meet Alex at 12:00 noon at the Dragon Tail restaurant.

  In the car on the way there, Alex had done a lot of thinking about the past few years with Callie. He hated to admit it, but there was a part of him that responded strongly to a woman in need. He liked being the provider, the protector. It certainly had been easier to not get involved with someone again after he and Callie’s relationship had died away. All he had to say was he was married and women backed off. Well, most women. Even just wearing his wedding band sent the message that he was off the market. Plus, no one tried to set him up on dates or ask him over and over why he wasn’t married.

  Maybe he had gotten lax. Put up a wall that he hadn’t even noticed. He had a full life, except for having a woman to share it with. And then along came Purity. Beautiful, sexy as hell, and with a charm that would make a bee gladly give up its honey just to be near her.

  One thing Alex held onto was the fact that she hadn’t said she didn’t love him and she hadn’t said good-bye. She had basically said choose, which meant she cared enough to want him to make a commitment.

  Alex entered the restaurant and was seated. He looked at his watch about fifteen minutes later. Typical, Alex thought, Callie was late.

  About five minutes later, Callie McCallister casually walked up to the table and sat down.

  She looked lovely in a white linen suit with a sky blue shell underneath. A string of pearls danced around her neck and her ears were decorated with the diamonds Alex gave her on their honeymoon. Her auburn locks were flawless and every strand of hair was perfectly in place down to her shoulders. Her emerald eyes were gazing curiously at Alex, wondering why he wanted to meet her. Her lip and nail color were a flaming red. Alex always hated it when she wore bright colors.

  After hello’s were said and they had placed their order, Callie remarked, “So, what do you want to talk about, Alex?”

  “I think we both need to move on with our lives, Callie.”

  “We’ve had this conversation many times. I’m perfectly satisfied with the way things are now. I don’t see any reason to change.”

  “Well, I do.”

  Callie searched Alex’s eyes and then responded, “You’ve got a girlfriend.” It wasn’t a question, it was a statement.

  “Whether or not I have a girlfriend is irrelevant,” Alex paused to take a sip of hot tea. “What is relevant,” he continued, “is that we don’t love one another the way we used to. We’ve grown apart, Cal, and it’s time for us to end the charade. I plan to file divorce papers on Monday.”

  Callie’s lips turned upward in a smile that did not reach her eyes. “You can file whatever you like. I will not sign divorce papers. Not now, or ever.” Callie got up from the table and left the restaurant.

  Damn! He’d have to contact a lawyer and see what the legalities were for getting a divorce from someone who wouldn’t willingly sign divorce papers. He hadn’t wanted to use the infidelity card, but he would if he was pushed far enough.

  As he sat in his car at the red light, Alex let his fingers wander to the gold band on his left hand. It had meant so much to him for so many years. Now it was a symbol of what was keeping him from having a future with Purity. He needed to move on.

  Alex removed the ring from his finger. It was time to say good-bye to Callie and allow his heart to embrace love again.

  Alex put the gold band in his pocket, then looked at his now ringless finger. It felt strange and different, and it felt right.

  Chapter Nine

  Meg practically talked Bobby’s ear off after leaving the gathering at Pure’s home. It was late, but Meg couldn’t sleep and she wanted a man’s perspective on the whole situation.

  Bobby’s initial instinct was to head over to Alex’s house and beat the crap out of him. Nobody hurts his sister and gets away with it; however, he liked Alex, at least what he knew of him.

  “So, what do you think?” Meg finally asked.

  “I think he ought to shit or get off the pot,” Bobby replied. “So to speak,” he added.

  “Maybe you could talk with him, ya know, man to man,” Meg suggested.

  “I’m not sure I should get involved. Pure’s a big girl and I think she can handle herself.”

  “Yes, but this is different,” Meggie stressed.

  “How so?”

  “I think Pure is in love with Alex.”

  Bobby thought about the significance of Meg’s words. If Purity truly was in love with Alex, then he wanted to do everything he could to help them work through this rough patch.

  “I’ll go see him tomorrow,” Bobby said, relenting.

  “Thanks, Bobby,” Meg said. “Wear your white hat,” she remarked casually, her voice warm with a surpressed giggle.

  “I’ll be sure to do that.”

  It was mid-aftern
oon before Bobby made it over to Alex’s home. He remembered the way from dropping Pure off there a couple days ago. He wasn’t sure what he was going to say, but he wanted to know what Alex’s intentions were toward his sister.

  Knocking on the door, he fidgeted. He’d rather just have a good ol’ knock down drag out than sit around and talk about feelings.

  Alex showed no signs of surprise when he opened the door to find Bobby Zyetta standing on his welcome mat.

  “Hey, Bobby,” Alex said, offering his hand in greeting.

  “Alex,” Bobby nodded his head and shook Alex’s hand.

  “Come in,” Alex said, moving to the side so Bobby could enter. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”

  “Seems like you and me have some talking to do,” Bobby replied, sitting down on the leather sofa, facing the fireplace. Alex sat on the opposite couch.

  “You came to find out what my intentions are with your sister,” Alex stated.

  Bobby nodded in agreement.

  “I plan to marry her, if she’ll have me.”

  Bobby had not expected this response and the revelation left him speechless.

  “Cat got your tongue?” Alex asked, knowing full well his words had rendered Bobby silent.

  “I guess I thought you were more of a ‘living in the moment’ kind of guy. Not really thinking about the future.”

  “I used to be that kind of guy, but Purity seems to have changed that about me. I want my future to include her. And,” Alex paused, “to that end, I plan to see a lawyer on Monday and get divorce proceedings started with my wife.”

  “Does Pure know this?”

  “No,” Alex responded. “I’m not getting the divorce solely to be with Purity. I should have done this years ago. Even if Pure doesn’t want anything to do with me, although I hope she does, I would still be pursuing the divorce from Callie. It needs to happen. I want to get on with my life and put the past behind me.”