Love is in the Cards

by K. L. Brady

  "Renee and Regina." Tessa made an about-face to give herself a moment of pause. She tried to cool her anger and sadness and then fumbled her words. "I, uh..."

  "You okay?" Renee asked Tessa, who was trying to make her escape.

  "Oh, I'm fine," Tessa called over her shoulder. "Good seeing you again." It wasn't. "I should—" She gestured toward the elevators.

  She found no pleasure in seeing them. Not in any way, shape, or form, and she could feel her mouth twist in disdain. But that didn't stop Renee from calling out to her yet again. "Wait, please."

  Tessa stopped cold in her tracks. They'd known one another since they were kids, and the word "please" had never passed their lips in her presence. She assumed the term had been forbidden in the lair.

  Forcing a smile into her lips, she turned and said, "Yes? What is it?"

  "We'd like to talk to you for a minute. It's important," Regina said.

  "And it will be well worth five minutes of your time," Renee added.

  Tessa took labored steps in their direction until she reached the interior of Regina's posh office. They joined each other's sides and offered her a choice of executive guest chairs. She took the one closest to the door.

  "Make yourself comfortable."

  She couldn't find less comfort if snakes were slithering under her chair. It was terrible enough facing two cobras ready to strike head-on.

  Renee sat next to her and Regina across from her. In an awkward silence, she waited for them to speak. Just as she opened her mouth to ask why they wanted to meet with her. Regina launched into 'the talk.' "Let us cut to the chase. We want to offer you the opportunity to regain control of your company."

  Tessa's eyebrow scrunched.

  "We want to make you a deal you can't refuse."

  "Why?" Tessa asked.

  "To be quite honest, you've got something we need. To us, they're worth the price of Keep It Real," Regina said. She was much more beautiful than her scowl would suggest.

  "They're?" Tessa replied.

  "We need your votes," Renee followed.

  Tessa had understood the power of the proxy from the moment her father gave her control of them. She just never expected the twins to lower themselves to deal with her.

  Mr. Hart had intended for her father to use the power in Hart's best interests, whatever they may be. Maybe it was in Hart's best interest for Keep It Real to leave.

  "What do you mean, you need my votes? Why?"

  "To be frank, we're seizing control of Hart Enterprises, one way or another," Regina said. "Obviously, your votes could make that feat considerably easier. In exchange, we would return Keep It Real Cards to you—and erase your father's debt to Hart Enterprises."

  The offer left Tessa flabbergasted. All she could manage to say was, "Wow."

  She didn't trust the machine, not the one that tried to put her father out of business. What would they do to her business once they freed her?

  "Furthermore, we'll ensure your future success by eliminating the Hart Greeting Card division. We're getting rid of it. Then we'll divert Hart Card resources to our own acquisition—LookBook."

  They'd answered the question without her having to ask. But her next question, "How?" flowed past a knot formed in her throat.

  "The formal vote on the acquisition has yet to take place. Cody's been operating as if the purchase is a done deal because your father always voted with him. But the votes are now yours to use as you see fit," Regina said.

  "I think it's obvious that we are adamantly opposed to the acquisition. No offense to you," Renee added.

  Affronted, she begged to differ. "Yes, an offense to me." Tessa jerked back her head and tilted, stunned by their detachment. She wasn't pleased with their conspiring for obvious reasons, but for them to imply her business was somehow an albatross to Hart was an exaggeration (at least) and insulting (at worst).

  "Point taken. The fact is Cody paid a premium for a struggling company. A bad business decision that we need to correct. Cody's judgment is clouded, and, frankly, he's not operating in Hart's best interest."

  "Is that right?" Tessa snapped, unable to restrain the bite in her voice. "And you presume that I'm highly motivated to make a trade?"

  "Aren't you?" Regina said through tight lips. "Well, I confess, I wouldn't have called you in here today unless I believed so."

  Her narrowed eyes suggested she'd prepared to deal the knockout blow. "Besides losing control of your life's work, Chandra's and Cody's marriage must be difficult for you. From what we understand, the wedding's just around the corner. You've been apart for five years, but watching them together can't be easy to stomach, especially because you're still unmarried and alone."

  Ouch. Her words cut like a machete strike, especially after watching the final betrayal play out in Cody's office.

  "This time next year, they'll be man and wife," Renee said, adding a crippling body shot to the deep-cutting wounds. "I suppose that's the bright side, huh? If you get your company back, you can move on, perhaps with Kyle? He's a good man."

  Little did Things One and Two know, their messages had plucked all the right strings. Tessa wanted out. If she never saw Cody again, it would be too soon.

  Still, she played it cool. "I'll take your offer into consideration. When is the board vote?"

  "We've called an emergency meeting. It's tomorrow."

  Her mind flashed back to Cody's and Chandra's near-kiss. "Good. Draw up the agreement, and I'll have my attorney look it over before the vote. If you've structured it as you've pitched it here today, then you'll have nothing to worry about."

  Their smirks signaled victory as Tessa found her way to the door and fled the lair. She was conflicted.

  Hurting Cody had never been her plan, but escaping the pain of watching him marry Chandra was a necessity, especially after the night Tessa and Cody shared.

  Once again feeling dizzy from circling the drain, she prayed for one thing and one thing only—to survive the next day without laying eyes on Cody's duplicitous mug.

  Cody gazed out of his office window and watched Chandra's Benz break the snow's smoothness with tire tracks. She left heartbroken, but now she could begin the process of separating the lives they had not so long ago joined together.

  Plate from Plate. Towel from towel.

  Her Nespresso from his Keurig.

  What they'd just begun to unite would be parted within a matter of a few short days. The memories with Tessa tempered any pain he might've endured. Holding her in his arms, comforting her as she lay next to him, reminded Cody of the man he wanted to be.

  "Deep in thought?" Kyle said, startling Cody out of his solitude. "I noticed Chandra leaving. She didn't look happy."

  "Your assessment is accurate." Cody turned and grimaced. "She's gone."

  "You say that as if it's forever."

  "It is. The engagement is off." Cody hesitated to elaborate more. Rather, he refocused his sights on the object of Kyle's affection, wondering if Tessa would finally break the news to his best friend; her heart was taken.

  "I need to run over to Keep It Real," Cody said. "I've got something important to discuss with Tessa." Last night.

  "If you've got a moment to spare, we need to talk," Kyle said, taking a seat. "I'm here to warn you."

  Cody followed his lead.

  "I've been so focused on the integration," Kyle said, "that I lost my focus on something more important...the board meeting."

  Cody dismissed Kyle's concern with a hand wave. "What are you talking about? We've got the votes. It's in the bag."

  "Not necessarily. It seems your sisters have drummed up more support. Unfortunately, neither you nor they hold a controlling interest. Mr. Sweet's votes will be the deciding factor."

  "I think we'll be okay." Cody smiled inside but was careful to temper his reaction. Tessa held her father's shares, and she would never give them a proxy, especially after last night.

  Kyle scrunched his eyebrows, confused over Cody's lack of con
cern. "Don't you think you should speak to your sisters? They could oust you as CEO."

  "It's not going to happen," he declared. "But thanks for the warning." Kyle's skeptical expression remained steady. "You've got to trust me on this one. I've got this under control."

  Kyle exhaled and tightened his lips as if forcing himself to stay silent. "If you say so."

  "I do. The best thing you can do for me right now is check up on Joya and please ask Ms. Dee to send flowers. Also, put some fire under Facilities to prepare the Keep It Real space. Something tells me we'll need it to be ready in short order."

  "Tessa told you that?" Kyle asked.

  "Not specifically. But it's my hope that she's coming around," Cody said to his dumbfounded friend. "You're full of questions today. Just take care of it."

  Kyle arched his eyebrows and let out a frustrated breath. "Roger that." He offered a two-finger salute. "Will that be all, Captain?"

  Cody laughed. "Man, if you don't scram? See what you can find out about my sisters. I'll concede to one thing: they're always most dangerous when they're quiet. But I really need to pay a visit to the Sweet campus. It's important."

  * * *

  Cody trekked through Sweet's creative studios with the corners of his lips curved upward in a pleasing bend.

  He smiled at the hope that this visit would be one of his last times at Sweet Media. Soon, she'd relocate to where she belonged—in Hart's executive offices.

  For now, he'd focus on what he'd do the minute he laid eyes on her—close her office door, take her into his arms, and warm her up for the date he'd envisioned for later that night if she was amenable.

  He rounded the hall toward her office, spotted Mia, and greeted her with an energetic wave.

  She didn't return the favor, not even close.

  In fact, Tessa's best friend didn't crack the slightest of smiles. If she had laser vision, she could've burned a hole the size of a moon crater through his torso.

  His eyebrows scrunched in confusion as he passed her desk and entered friendlier territory.

  The sight of Tessa's face caused his smile to widen to the point at which he had no more teeth to expose. He waited for her expression to reflect his elation, but it never did. Her eyes narrowed, and her mouth squeezed tight, quite the opposite of what he expected.

  "Hey, you okay?" he asked.

  She nodded and let out an exasperated breath as she palmed her forehead. "Yeah, I've got a headache; I can't seem to shake it."

  Pain permeated her expression, but he couldn't discern the source. She appeared tense and uncomfortable. He wished he had the power to make her hurt go away.

  He walked behind her, gripped her shoulders, trying to let the magic of his touch release the tension.

  At first, her head fell back against his chest, and she leaned on him. Then she abruptly pulled away and took quick steps across the room to escape him. She'd moved as far as possible, as fast as she could without breaking into a full-out sprint. She turned toward him, appearing flustered, but she said nothing.

  "Are you ok—what's wrong?" he asked.

  "We should probably keep things professional in the office, you know, in case one of our staff walks in."

  "You're kidding, right? That's one of the perks of being the boss." He started toward her, but she stopped him with "the hand."

  "Tessa, what's going on? Did I do something?"

  She opened her mouth to speak but quickly clammed up. Then she closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "Listen, what we shared last night was...nice."

  "Nice?" he said in disbelief. "Tessa!"

  "Yes. Nice is a positive word, and I appreciate you being there for me. Truly. Your presence meant more to me than you'll ever know, but after today—"

  "After today, what?" She'd left him completely confused by her reversal. He struggled to keep his footing and took a seat. "Did...did something happen?"

  She tightened her lips again. "I think we should...let's just forget last night ever happened."

  "What if I don't want to? What if I want to remember it every day—for the rest of my life?"

  "I've got a sneaking suspicion you'll have more important things to think about. You'll recover quickly."

  "What are you saying?" he asked, now exasperated. He didn't understand what could've happened to cause this stark one-eighty. "Be honest with me, Tessa. Why are you doing this?"

  She glanced down at her watch and ignored his question.

  "Listen, I've got a meeting in ten minutes. I don't mean to be rude, but..."

  "You want me to show myself out? Are you kidding me? Like...you're showing me the exit?"

  She held up her wrist and tapped the face of her watch.

  After snapping out of his stunned paralysis, he turned to leave and stopped in his tracks. "My sisters invited you to the vote, didn't they?"

  She didn't answer.

  He turned and glared at her, and she bowed her head in apparent shame. That's when it struck him to ask the question he never thought he'd need to ask. "Can I still count on your support? This change...it's not...you're not going to allow Regina and Renee to take Hart away from me, are you?"

  Again, she didn't answer. She replied to him by holding up her watch.

  A soulless robot looked back at him. The light in her eyes from the night before had dimmed, dissipated into nothing. Now, a stranger stood in front of him, someone he couldn't depend on to do right by him.

  He'd dealt a few blows, but he'd never been on the receiving end of a knockback like this.

  Karma traveled on slow paths with winding turns, but Tessa's move was proof positive that her pace was steady and relentless. Karma had caught up to him in her most perfect time. If Tessa's heartache reflected even a fraction of the brokenness he felt, then his regret had deepened in more ways than one. Maybe he'd finally gotten what he deserved.

  A wave of regret washed over Cody as he began to mourn the losses of Hart Enterprises and Tessa—the only two loves of his life.

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Tessa

  * * *

  Tessa surveyed the kingdom of Keep It Real one last time before heading to her car. Her stomach bound in knots, and her nerves jittered. She planned to make one stop before her later trip to Hart Enterprises for the vote.

  She stood a mere three hours from attending the board meeting that would return ownership of Keep It Real to her hands, the hand in which it belonged.

  Funny how life changed in an instant. She'd scheduled initial pitches for 'Connect. With Hart' today, a move she'd put on hold. She hoped her surprise announcement later that day would bring relief and cheers: Ownership of Keep It Real would be restored to Sweet Media, which would be debt-free.

  Back at Joya's home, Rose allowed Tessa inside, and she left to make a grocery store run. Beyond the front door, she noticed Calvin nodding off on the family room couch as she took tepid steps into the dining room where Joya was still working. She braced herself for more anger.

  Tessa had nothing to gain, no hope for relief from her guilt; she just wanted to do the right thing.

  Upon laying eyes on Joya, Tessa noticed the return of color in her cheeks, light in her eyes, and the perky in her ponytail. The energetic young woman who visited her office was on the mend, seemingly in more ways than one.

  "I come in peace," Tessa said, easing toward Joya's dining room table.

  Joya struggled to restrain her smile, but a slight one broke through despite her best efforts. "Thank you."

  "Thank me?" Tessa jerked back her head. She was stunned after the brutal dismissal she'd received during her previous visit. "But why?"

  "For coming back despite my appalling behavior. For everything. I can't even tell you how sorry I am about the other day."

  She waved at Tessa, gesturing for her to come closer. They both clung to the uncomfortable silence; Joya needed to speak, and Tessa wanted to apologize.

  "I know it's trite to say, 'it wasn't you, it was me,' but it wasn't yo
u...it was me. In a moment of frustration, you were an easy target, a safe place to direct my frustration and anger. In truth, only one person deserved it."

  "Todd?"

  She shook her head and pointed her thumb into her own chest. "He and I checked all the right boxes. We had the right look, the right pedigree, but we never laughed or dreamed together. We weren't meant to be. I've known, almost from the beginning, but one thing solidified it for me."

  "What?"

  "When I sunk to my lowest point, right before I...well...you know. There was one person I wanted beside me, and, to even my surprise, it wasn't Todd. There I was, raw, messy, heartbroken, and the only one I wanted to call was—"

  "Let me guess...Calvin?"

  Joya smiled love at the sound of his name. She twinkled like holiday lights, in a way Tessa had never thought her capable.

  “He came straight to my side, and he's hardly left me since. Funny, isn't it?"

  "I've always found true beauty in the midst of ruin," Tessa said. "It's like at the moment your life falls spectacularly apart, you receive the vision and clarity you need to choose the salvageable broken pieces and then use those to build something new, something stronger, something better."

  "It is funny, isn't it?" Joya repeated.

  Tessa's mind immediately flashed to Cody. In her moment of ruin, she wanted only one person by her side. Regardless of her attraction to...others, he was the only man she wanted to witness her brokenness. She wanted one man to be the ear she needed to listen, to be her shoulder to cry on, to be the arms wrapped around her for safety. What Cody did, the man he became for her at rock bottom, meant something to her. As her mind flashed back to his wounded expression the day before, being there for her meant something to him, too.

  "Anyway, I have a reason for showing up here. I wanted to let you know that I'm ending the Real Talk line."

  "Because of me?"

  "Because it's the right thing to do," Tessa said. "And I refuse to accept any resignation. I want you back to work as soon as you're up to it. How could the team survive without your dry wit and charm?"