Page 48 of Players Like Us
And all those years later, he’d issued that same warning to Neal, but Rachel had convinced him not to listen…
And then she’d gotten scared and waffled on making a commitment to him.
Foolish. Always foolish.
“Rachel? Is something on your mind, dear?”
Yes, I’m trying to figure out when I’ll stop messing up my life and how I can get a second chance with the only person who matters. “No, just thinking about the upcoming meeting. It’s a lot to take in.”
“It’s such a wonderful opportunity.” Her mother’s face lit up. “I still don’t understand how you convinced Tate Alexander to take the meeting. He’s a businessman and a hard sell. You can just tell by the way he handles himself. Self-assured, capable, driven, determined to do what’s best for the company. Of course, he respects family and we are related by marriage, but if you weren’t capable of doing the job, I doubt you’d have gotten the interview.”
Her father rubbed his jaw, squinted through his glasses as though trying to see the truth in her words. “How did you manage that again? I’m still trying to figure it out. Your mother and I sure would like to know.”
She could make up a story about how she had a conversation with Tate when she was in town for Meredith’s birthday celebration, but why? It would just be another fabrication that would lead to the necessity for another and then another. It had to stop. “Actually, Neal Alexander contacted Tate and asked for the meeting.”
Her father let out a sound close to a snarl. “What did that boy want with you? And why would he be involved?”
Her mother tag-teamed with her own thoughts. “Rachel, stay away from him. He might be charming and quite handsome, but you can’t trust a man like that. Oh, no. The stories I’ve heard…”
“He’s not the same person. He’s kind and generous, and...” And vulnerable, and afraid to open up...and I love him...
“Huh. You know what they say about a leopard and its spots.” Oscar Reese clutched his water glass, said in a sharp voice, “Stay away from him, Rachel. You’re too old for this nonsense.”
“He’ll only break your heart and…” Her mother dabbed her lips with her napkin. “He might say all the right things, but they’re only words. Never forget that. Words without actions mean nothing.”
How could they judge him like that? “Stop. You don’t know him. You only know what he wants you to see and the stories people tell about him. Was he wild and reckless? Of course, he was, but how could he ever live up to family expectations with Tate as the role model? Neal could never match that, so why would he even try? And what about his father? Do you think that man ever cared what Neal did? His mother was too fragile to stand up for him, so Tate had to do it. We have no idea what went on in that household because we had a mother and a father who loved us and took care of us and I realize now that not every family had that.”
Neal had only wanted to belong, to feel loved, to be accepted. “The Neal Alexander I know isn’t irresponsible or unkind to other people. But he doesn’t want anyone to see it, or at least he didn’t until recently. He’s the reason I’m here to meet with Tate and Jameson. He’s the reason I have enough courage to do that.” Emotion swirled through her as she fought to keep her voice even, failed. “Everyone thinks he plows through trust fund money, jet-sets around the world, and doesn’t do a speck of work. Well, you know what? They’re all wrong. Neal’s part owner of one of the most successful restaurants in McLean, Virginia. And he has three other restaurants as well. They win awards and there’s a two-week wait list for a reservation.”
“Are we talking about the same boy?” Her father leaned toward her, his gaze intent. “The Alexander twin? The one who spent two nights in jail for stealing Mr. Sattler’s backhoe?”
“Oh goodness. And didn’t he spray paint the school parking lot with song lyrics? And the benches in the park? I think he painted the names of rock ‘n’ roll bands.”
Unfortunately, Lorna Reese had a keen memory for details and a commitment to that strict line between right and wrong, never to be crossed or inched toward the wrong side. “And?” Rachel huffed. “He was sixteen. Are you going to judge him for the rest of his life because he wanted attention? We all judged him, me most of all.” And I didn’t trust him when I should have. I believed the old Neal would reemerge and that’s why I turned him away… That’s why I lost him.
“Forgiveness is important.” Her mother’s cheeks flushed, her eyes grew bright. “But if what you’re saying is true, then why haven’t we heard any of this? The fact that he owns restaurants is a huge accomplishment and should be acknowledged by his father. If not that horrid man, then certainly by Tate or Meredith, but there’s never been a peep. Why is that?”
“Why? Because he didn’t want all the questions and the critiques or the naysayers. He’d finally found something he believed in and he wasn’t going to let anyone talk him out of it or convince him his ideas were foolish or ill-conceived. He’s a good businessman, but I never saw what a good friend he was to his partner because he covered it all up with his I-could-care-less persona, or the all-I’m-interested-in-is-the-next-party. That’s not him. But I didn’t see it, and when I did, I refused to believe it.”
Her father eyed her a few seconds too long. “So, you’re involved with him?”
Rachel shook her head, forced out the truth that clung to her with sadness and regret. “No, I didn’t trust him when I should have and lost my chance.” Her parents must have sensed her pain because they stopped asking about the man and shifted their questions to her design work, the types of food Matilda’s served, and when they might plan a visit to see her. They’d never asked to visit before, but then she’d never been in one place that long, or acted like she wanted them to visit.
Oscar and Lorna Reese were old-school believers in a steady job and a solid plan and whether or not she got the job with Tate, they truly seemed proud of her. Wow, could she ever say that had happened before? Or had it and she’d been so determined to fight them that she’d rejected it? Rejected them?
She’d learned a lot from Neal, and owning her mistakes and choices had been one of the biggest lessons. Maybe it was time to start being a real part of this family and let them see what mattered in her life...who mattered...and how much they mattered. Lunch could not be complete without her mother’s strawberry shortcake with homemade biscuits, one of Lorna Reese’s special recipes. When Rachel asked for the recipe and a lesson, her mother teared up. Of course, dear. I would love to teach you. Maybe one of those restaurants in Virginia would like the recipe? Rachel was still thinking about her mother’s offer when she arrived at Tate Alexander’s an hour later.
“Rachel, good to see you again.” Tate moved toward her, gave her a quick hug. “Thank you for coming.”
The man had looks, class, and so much style. Couple that with his intelligence, integrity, and his take-charge attitude and was it any wonder Neal felt he’d never measure up to him? The man was intimidating and impressive, but she didn’t miss the kindness in his eyes or the gentle expression that said he knew there’d been something going on between her and his brother, knew too it hadn’t ended well. “Thank you, Tate. Jameson isn’t here yet?”
A shake of his head, a smile. “No, actually I thought we’d have a few minutes to chat before he gets here. Why don’t we head to my office and wait for him there? Can I get you something to drink? I’ve got water, soda, coffee, tea?” He pointed to a side table with liquor decanters. “Or something stronger?”
“No, thank you.” Rachel’s stomach was too jumpy to think about drinking anything right now. Tate Alexander was a no-nonsense kind of guy who didn’t waste his time. “I’m flattered you called me.”
“My brother gives a hard sell. He said you’re capable, talented, and a hard worker. Those qualities aren’t easy to find these days. We’re in a bind after the designer we hired decided she wanted to live in Puerto Rico. No notice, no real apology, just a ‘life is short, so live it’ farewell.” He blew out a sigh, shook his head. “Interesting. Anyway, when Neal told me about you, I knew I had to call you, see your work, and talk about the possibilities for the restaurant. Once Jameson heard about you, he was definitely interested.” He ushered her to a set of wingback chairs near a fireplace, waited for her to sit and then eased into the other one.
“Before we talk business, I want you to know I’m pulling for you and Neal. You’re good for him.” The blue eyes that reminded her of Neal sparkled. “And I think he’s good for you, too.”
