by Dorie Graham
Then he made love to her once more, to ease the shadow of doubt that had fallen over them. They would work it out. They had to, because the alternative was unthinkable.
7
LAUREN’S HEAD ACHED. After her late night with Adam, she’d gotten up early to go over the contract and put some finishing touches on the marketing proposal for her meeting this morning.
The buzzer on their office door sounded, alerting them to a visitor. Elliot stepped out into the hallway. “Hey there, Rusty. Come on back. I heard you were back in town. Good to see you.”
The two exchanged a friendly greeting, then a moment later Rusty entered Lauren’s office. He wore an old pair of jeans and a T-shirt. Dirt caked his knees and sweat stained the front of his shirt. “Um, Manuel’s in the truck. We’re on our way to replant another entryway.”
He glanced at Lauren. “Actually, I was hoping I could have a private word?”
“Oh, sure.” She moved around her desk. “Elliot, do you mind?”
“No. Of course not.” He waved at them, then backed out of the room and shut the door.
Lauren turned to her brother. “Is everything okay?”
“Oh sure. It’s just…” His gaze skidded to the side. “Well, I’m a little short on cash. I was hoping you could float me a loan.”
“Oh. No problem. Let me get my purse. How much did you need?”
“Um, could you spare a couple hundred dollars?”
Her heart dropped. “Two hundred dollars?”
“The move cost me a little more than I had anticipated.”
She frowned. “I don’t know, Rusty. You know how I hate spending it if it isn’t really necessary.”
The worry lines in his forehead deepened. Her stomach knotted. He had never asked to borrow money from her in the past. Surely he wouldn’t have asked now if he didn’t absolutely need it.
“Look, I guess I can swing it. Can you stop by tomorrow and I’ll have it for you then?”
He relaxed, granting her a smile. “Thanks, Lauren, I knew I could count on you. I’ll make it up to you, I promise.”
“No problem. Now get back to work. I don’t want to get you in trouble with your new boss.”
“Adam? He’s great, the best boss I’ve ever had.”
“Yeah, he’s a good guy. The best. Stop by tomorrow after lunch.”
“Will do. See you then.” With that he hurried from the room, a loud whoop following him down the hall.
Lauren sighed. She’d put a dent in her savings, but she couldn’t turn down her younger brother. Besides, she could always cut herself a paycheck. She’d held off, trying not to drain the company’s funds, but with luck, Bennett would pay them next week after the commercial shoot.
And hopefully she’d land another contract with her meeting this morning. After checking her watch, she hurried to gather her things. She didn’t want to be late.
Forty-five minutes later, she gripped her briefcase and headed down the carpeted hallway toward Clyde Morris’s office. She hadn’t had a full night’s rest in too long and had been tempted to reschedule, but Morris had sounded most anxious to get started on the promotional plan they’d discussed briefly over the phone.
And she was always up for signing on a new account.
She found the correct door, then entered, stopping in a small outer room that opened to a larger work area. A movement to her left drew her attention to a young girl of about six or seven, who was sprawled out on the floor, an assortment of toys and books scattered around her.
The child straightened, her blue eyes wide. “You’re the advertising lady?”
“That’s me. Is your father here?”
“He’s in the back. I’ll show you.” She rose and beckoned Lauren to follow her.
Lauren eyed the child with curiosity. Children were foreign creatures to her. Motherhood was something she hadn’t contemplated since her days of playing house with Adam. All her misgivings from the previous night flooded back to her with a vengeance.
When we have kids your life will change.
What an idiot she’d been. Adam had been right. She’d known full well his intentions before they’d gotten involved. Somehow, she hadn’t quite believed he’d been serious about the whole wife-and-baby thing. By the hurt look in his eyes last night, the prospect of having a family had become very important to him, though.
Could she give him one?
Mr. Morris rose from his desk as they approached. “Ms. Bryant?”
She extended her hand in greeting. “Mr. Morris, I’m pleased to meet you.”
“Thanks for meeting with me here.” He gestured to the girl. “I would have come to your office, but Meggie’s out of school today. Teacher’s workday. My wife’s working, so Meggie came along to keep an eye on me here.”
“See, I helped my daddy clean his files this morning.” Meggie pointed to a haphazard pile of papers sitting on a nearby chair.
Morris grinned and squeezed the child’s shoulder. “You’ll be a fine businesswoman one day, sweetheart. Now, run along and let me talk to Ms. Bryant. She’s going to help us rustle up some more business.”
The look of pride on the young girl’s face warmed Lauren’s heart. “She’s a lovely child,” she said as the girl scurried away.
“Ah, can’t imagine life without her. We’re trying for number two. Wish me luck.”
Lauren settled into the chair he indicated. “Well, good luck.”
“Don’t mind my saying so, but you look like you could use a cup of coffee. I brew it strong.”
“That would be wonderful.”
He walked over to a worktable that housed an assortment of hoses and attachments, as well as the coffeemaker. “How do you take it?”
“Sweet and light. Milk, powdered creamer—anything that’ll do it will work.”
A moment later he handed her the steaming coffee. To her dismay, her hand shook as she took the cup. Tonight, after her dinner with her mother, she’d rest. A good night’s sleep would set her right.
Gripping the cup with both hands, she sipped the soothing brew. “If you can clean carpets as well as you make coffee, we won’t have any trouble.”
With a satisfied grunt, he resumed his seat. “I like to think so. Now, let’s talk a bit more about this direct marketing. I’ve an idea or two I want to run by you.”
They spent the next half hour finalizing a possible marketing strategy, then to Lauren’s relief Morris signed the contract with a flourish.
“I have a good feeling about this. You tell Adam I owe him for putting me on to you.”
“We’ll do everything in our power to put Morris Cleaners on the local map.”
“Indeed we will.” He shook her hand, then rose to see her out.
“Come see.” Meggie rushed to them as they reached the outer office.
To Lauren’s surprise, the girl grabbed her hand, and tugged her toward a makeshift dollhouse she’d made from books and magazines and furnished with assorted items she’d found around the office.
Lauren swallowed at the warmth of the small hand in hers. “That really is something.” She knelt beside Meggie to examine the structure closer. “That empty tape dispenser makes a unique lounge chair.”
“Do you want to play?” Hope gleamed in Meggie’s eyes.
“Ms. Bryant has work to do, sweetheart.” Morris took the child by the hand.
Her crestfallen look tightened Lauren’s throat. “I’m so sorry, Meggie. I do have to get back to my office. I have to get to work on your daddy’s campaign.”
“That’s okay, I understand. No one has time to play with me. Everyone’s busy.”
Morris ruffled his daughter’s hair. “We’ll go out for lunch in a bit.”
“Pizza? Pepperoni with stuffed crust?” Meggie’s eyes brightened.
“If that’s what you want.”
“Yes, Daddy. Thanks. And remember you said we’d go home early today.” She turned to Lauren. “’Cause even grown-ups need to play sometimes
.”
“Right.” Eyebrows raised, Lauren nodded to Morris. “We’ll talk later in the week.”
She left, Meggie’s words fresh on her mind. Out of the mouths of babes.
“WHERE ARE YOU?” Elliot’s voice crackled across Lauren’s cell phone connection as she breezed along the interstate.
“I just left Morris’s.”
“Are we a go?”
“It’s a go. Apparently Adam wowed him with some of our previous successes. He was familiar with the campaign we did last fall for Love Lists, that dating service. Said he trusted our judgment.”
“Great. Listen, don’t come back to the office. I just made us a lunch date.”
“I hope there are clients involved, Elliot. Otherwise, we can’t afford it.”
“Not just any clients, doll. I’m talking our bread and butter.”
“I’m listening.”
“I ran into an old college buddy of mine last night. In the grocery store of all places, but there she was by the frozen foods. Norma Whitfield, but she’s Craig now. A real looker. If ever there was one to turn me, she was it. Really knew how to dress, you know—all elegance. Rubbed shoulders with the high rollers.
“Anyway, she married one of them, a wealthy widower with a fortune at his disposal. She’s got him opening a string of lingerie shops.”
“A string? Wouldn’t they be better off starting with just one?”
“This guy’s got the Midas touch. He made his money starting profitable businesses all across the country, then selling them off. This time the shops are for her, though, and she plans on keeping them and running them herself. Of course, they need advertising.
“I suggested we all get together to get to know each other, see if anything meshed. She called just now to see if we could meet them for lunch. Of course, I said we’d be there.”
“Where?”
“Bones, in Buckhead.”
Lauren grimaced. She hated putting so much on the company’s credit card. Maybe if she stuck to a salad and the rest didn’t order too heavily off the expensive menu, they’d keep the bill at a reasonable figure.
“Lauren?”
“I’m here. Okay, I’ll meet you there.”
She disconnected, then moved into the far lane. Fifteen minutes later she pulled up to the restaurant’s parking valet. The Craigs proved a study in opposites. Norma, an attractive woman of forty-something had statuesque, though shapely, proportions. Confidence radiated from her.
She wore a flaming-red dress and spiked heels. The dress’s front took a daring plunge to reveal her abundant cleavage. As if to balance the rest of her body, her hair was piled high atop her head in a mass of bold swirls, in a shade so black it appeared almost blue.
In his plain brown, though expensive suit, Charles Craig seemed small and retiring beside her. How did such a seemingly mild-mannered man amass his fortune in the way Elliot had said? Perhaps he was all quiet brain behind the heavy-rimmed glasses. A bean counter of the first degree. They could be the most ruthless.
“Laurel, darling!” Norma grabbed her hands and planted an air kiss above her cheek. “Any friend of Elliot’s is a friend of mine. He’s told me so much about you.”
She dropped Lauren’s hands and pursed her lips as she surveyed her from head to toe. “Hmm, you look a little run-down, dear, but you have such…potential.”
Lauren opened her mouth to reply, but Elliot cut her neatly off. “That’s Lauren, not Laurel. I think they’re ready for us. Shall we sit?”
“Well, she looks like a Laurel.” Norma cast her one last glance as Elliot steered her away.
“She’s really just a pussycat.” Charles offered Lauren his arm. “She keeps her claws sheathed…most of the time.”
Lauren forced a smile as they headed after the others. The headache that had threatened earlier began to pound in her temples. The waiter apparently knew the Craigs and greeted them with much enthusiasm. Norma ordered a bottle of champagne and several appetizers before Lauren even opened her menu.
“You get whatever you want, love.” Elliot hooked his arm over the back of Norma’s chair. “Entice is picking up the bill. You know we’re here to wine and dine you and get you to sign on the dotted line.”
Lauren stretched her smile farther and somehow refrained from kicking him under the table.
“I like this ‘entice’ business,” Norma said, leaning in closer to Lauren. “Sensuality is key in marketing Secret Temptations.”
“That’s right up our alley. And your shops fit all our concepts. We won’t even have to fudge anything,” Elliot said.
“I’m sure we’ll love whatever you come up with. Won’t we, dear?” Charles patted Norma’s hand. He turned to Lauren. “She was so thrilled to have run into Elliot last night. Quite serendipitous.”
“Time will tell.” Norma gave Lauren a warm smile. “Anyone can come up with a decent ad campaign. What I’m looking for is someone I can work with on an ongoing basis. To me, that interpersonal relationship is more important than anything else.”
Lauren returned her smile. “Certainly—”
“Don’t you worry about a thing,” Elliot interrupted. “You’re going to love Lauren. She’s a real doll. Now, tell me about this cruise you just took.”
Lauren relaxed a little as Norma filled him in on their recent trip to the Virgin Islands. She painted a colorful picture of long strips of beach, sparkling water and enough food to please even a king. Charles sat quietly, nodding on occasion. Every so often he glanced Lauren’s way and she smiled her interest.
The appetizers arrived and everyone hurriedly glanced over the menu to order their meals, while Lauren kept a running tally in her head. She ordered a Caesar salad and water, then sat up straighter as Norma launched into a description of the shops’ start-up schedule.
Elliot waved in Lauren’s direction as he leaned toward Norma. “Piece of cake. Lauren’s a whiz at making schedules work. Just give her the dates and she’ll work up a plan that’ll have the public panting on your front step on opening day.”
“Well, we want them panting all right. Enticed, shall we say?” Norma giggled at her pun, then sipped her champagne. “Oh, did I tell you what my dear husband bought me for our anniversary?”
Eyes wide, Elliot glanced from Charles to his wife. “What did he get you?”
“His-and-hers spots at a cryogenics center.” She beamed expectantly.
“Oh.” Elliot’s eyes grew rounder. “Cryogenics?”
“We’re just so in love…” Norma clasped Charles’s hand. “We can’t bear the thought of losing each other. So when our times come, it’s the big freeze for us. Isn’t that romantic?”
Lauren bobbed her head at Charles’s expectant look. “Why, that’s the most romantic thing I’ve ever heard.”
“That is so cool.” Elliot laughed and the couple laughed along with him.
He nodded to Charles, who popped a crab cake in his mouth. “As long as she doesn’t give you the big freeze before your time.”
After wiping his mouth, Charles grinned. “My Norma’s too hot for that. She knows how to keep a man’s blood warm.”
Lauren blinked. Maybe the man wasn’t as mild as she’d thought. Either that or he’d been sipping too heavily on the champagne.
“I just can’t help myself.” Norma shifted in her seat. “I put on that sexy lingerie and I get so turned on. I’m designing my own line of erotic wear. I’d like it featured in any advertising we do.”
Lauren cleared her throat. “Of course, that wouldn’t be a problem.”
“Wonderful.” With a clap of her hands, Norma warmed to her subject. “I think there’s something irresistible in the dominatrix concept. Part of the line contains some very naughty leather wear.”
“Yes, well…” Lauren glanced at her partner. “I’m sure Elliot could do his usual magic. Depending on how you want to present it, we may have a more limited market—”
“Limited?” Norma frowned.
“We
could broad-base it if we present the line in just the right way,” Elliot said.
A spark of unease passed through Lauren. “Possibly, if it isn’t too adult in nature—”
“We can work details out later. Let’s talk concept.” Elliot tossed her a sideways glance.
“You work something up for us.” Waving the conversation aside, Norma turned to her champagne. “I’m getting a little low. We need another bottle.”
Lauren suppressed a groan as Elliot flagged down their waiter. Giving in, she raised her own glass and drained the contents.
CHILDREN’S LAUGHTER drifted on the afternoon breeze. Adam straightened from inspecting the walkway Rusty had just helped Manuel lay. After Adam’s night with Lauren, he’d woken alone in her bed, a vague sense of unease settling over him. He’d thrown himself into work, hoping to banish the feeling.
He turned to Manuel. “I think Rusty’s taken to brickwork better than pansies.”
“Leave him with me, boss. I’ll have him laying a herringbone by the end of the week.” Manuel nudged Rusty playfully. “Not that that’s all he’s laying.”
Rusty’s eyebrows furrowed. Before he could respond, Rick Ashby, the owner of the walkway and acreage surrounding it, rounded the back corner of the massive brick house. His son, a boy of about six, and daughter, who seemed a year or two younger, trailed in his wake, pumping their shorter legs to match his long stride, laughing as they vied for a place by his side.
He grinned at the pair as Adam shook his head. Rick, one of the landscape architects he often worked with, had it all—a picture-perfect life, complete with this beautiful home, a loving wife and the two towheaded youngsters who obviously worshiped their father as he swung them one under each arm, then ran the rest of the way laughing with them.
A feeling of envy Adam had never known rose up inside him. Lauren’s words from the previous night rolled back to haunt him. He’d been a fool to think she’d so readily fall in with his plans. She didn’t want children. She wasn’t sure if she’d ever want them.
“Miranda’s bringing iced tea,” Rick announced.
