“Kate, maybe we can’t be together, but I want to help you. I really think that you could learn to accept your submissive nature, and I’d like to help you do that.”
“What are you suggesting?”
He gazed deeply into her eyes. “You said you trust me.”
She nodded. “I do.”
“Then I have a proposal.”
The car made a right turn, then curved around and came to a stop. Matt glanced out the car window and realized they were at the entrance to an apartment building.
“We’re here, Mr. Pearce,” the driver, whom they were still separated from by the glass barrier, said through the speaker.
* * *
Kate glanced out the window at the familiar front door to her apartment building. She wanted to hear what Matt had to say, and she really didn’t want to say good-bye yet.
“Would you like to come up for a coffee?”
He smiled. “I’d like that.”
The driver opened her door and she got out and stepped toward the entrance. Matt spoke to the driver for a moment, then followed her.
As they walked across the lobby, Ellen came through the door from the parking garage. She smiled when she saw Kate and hurried to join them at the elevator doors.
“Hi, Kate.” Ellen smiled broadly and glanced toward Matt.
“Hi, Ellen. Matt, this is my friend and neighbor, Ellen.”
Matt shook hands with her. “Nice to meet you.”
The whole time Ellen beamed at him.
“Ellen, this is Matt. We used to know each other when I lived in New York.” Kate knew Ellen was well aware this was Kate’s ex. And from the broad grin on her face, she knew Ellen suspected they were getting together again.
If only it were true. Kate was disappointed that Matt had cut off that possibility so definitely. Yet he had some kind of proposal for her and she was dying to know what it was.
The elevator door whooshed open and the three of them stepped inside.
“So you’re visiting from New York?” Ellen said. “Will you be in town long?”
“No, I’ll be heading back this afternoon.”
“Oh, that’s too bad. It’s a shame you and Kate couldn’t spend more time together.”
“We’ll definitely be spending more time together since I’m hoping Kate will take me up on my offer to invest in her company.”
“Really?” Ellen gazed at Kate with wide eyes. “That’s wonderful.”
“We’re going to discuss it over coffee,” Kate said, not wanting Ellen to get the wrong idea.
The elevator dinged as it stopped at Ellen’s floor.
“Well, I hope it all works out.” The door opened and Ellen stepped out, sending them a little wave as the doors closed.
“She seems nice,” Matt said as the elevator continued moving.
“She is. She struck up a conversation with me when we were in the laundry room shortly after I moved here, and I guess she could tell I really needed a friend. She stepped into that role, and I’m glad she did. I appreciate her friendship and support. I know I can call on her anytime I need it.”