“Vivy, hey! Great to see you. How was the trip? I’m sorry I missed the lunch with Nick, but work…” she nodded to her desk, “Of course, in true male fashion, when I asked him about your trip he said, ‘It was good.’” She winked at Vivienne, “Now tell me the real story, about the guy you said you met.”
The words slapped Vivienne across the face. Of course she’d told Kate about Daniel. Well, not specifically his name, but that she’d met someone and she was so excited. Now she just felt foolish.
Vivienne shrugged and sat down. “It turned out to be nothing.”
Kate took the chair beside her, crossed her legs, and leaned forward, “From your emails, and the glow I saw on some of the interview footage the OWN people sent over, it didn’t look like nothing.”
Vivienne looked past Kate to her uncle’s letter. The one he’d written to Kate when he gifted her his final book in his will. That was the book Kate had used to start Lavigne House, which had since become a wildly successful publishing house, thanks in large part to Kate’s ability to manage the business, and her Uncle Allan’s massive talent.
“It was just one of those vacation things, I guess,” her voice trailed off, and Kate took Vivienne’s hand.
“So you haven’t heard from him, I gather?”
Vivienne shook her head.
“Well you said he is a doctor. An intern, right? He may be super busy, or he might have gotten hung up in Costa Rica.”
Vivienne tried to hold back the feelings that wanted to erupt. Kate had become like a sister to her, and she could tell her things she couldn’t tell anyone else—not even her best friends or her brother.
“I almost drowned while I was there, and he saved me.”
Kate’s eyes flew open, “You what? Honey, are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” she nodded. “I got caught in the undertow, and Daniel—that’s his name—pulled me out and revived me.”
“This is a big deal for you, isn’t it?” she said gently.
“I don’t do this, Kate. I mean, I like to keep people at arm’s length. Getting too close just, well, gets you this.” She threw her hands out and dropped them into her lap. “And to top it off, I feel like crap. I mean, we slept together, and he kept telling me he wanted to tell me something, but I wouldn’t let him. I bet he’s married.”
“Did you ask him?”
“I did,” she nodded. “He insisted he wasn’t.”
“Look, give him time. I know it’s been a week, but he was a few days behind you. He is probably tied up at work since we had that terrible train crash a couple of days ago,” Kate said, referring to the jackknifed train. There had been numerous deaths and hundreds of injured who flooded into emergency rooms all over the city.
“You’re probably right,” she said, not truly believing it even as she spoke. Vivienne had admonished herself repeatedly for letting him get to her like this. People left. It’s what her parents did, though they didn’t mean to. They were still gone. Keeping a safe distance had always worked well for her, mostly because it kept her from feeling the way she did now. And it kept her heart safe from any more damage.
“Vivy, look. While you’re waiting for Daniel to call, you should keep busy. And I don’t mean just finishing your book,” she winked. “There’s an industry party tonight, for example. It’s kind of a big deal, and I think it would be good for you to be there. Andrew is flying in, too, and I’m sure he’d love to see you.”
Andrew was a former bad boy rock star turned good guy who, after a tumultuous career, finally came out of the closet and married David, his high school sweetheart. Andrew and Vivienne had bonded during his visits to New York, and Kate knew if anyone could brighten Vivienne’s mood, it would be their mutual friend.
She nodded, “I’ll be there.” She gave Kate a grateful smile. “And Kate, thank you for listening. By the way, I didn’t tell Nick about the almost drowning thing, so…”
“I’ll keep it to myself for now,” Kate promised while she walked Vivienne to the elevator.
16
The party was at the New York Public Library, which had been transformed with cocktail tables draped in long, black tablecloths, each illuminated with candles that threw a splash of light on a lovely, festive floral arrangement. It was a literacy event, sponsored by several of the major publishing magazines and publishing houses, and hosted by the folks at People Magazine and several other publications. The guest list included a number of bestselling authors, including James Patterson and Nicholas Sparks, and movie and TV celebs were out in full force, as were several major TV and movie producers.
Kate wore a simple, long gown that shimmered midnight blue, her hair up in a chignon, and her only accessories a simple pair of diamond earrings and her handsome husband on her arm. The night was warm, and summer seemed to be knocking at their door already.
Kate and Nick walked into the large room, which was filled with the hum of voices, a string quartet playing in the background, and the sound of clinking glasses and laughter. When she walked in, she immediately spotted Andrew, who was talking to his former record producer and a small group of fans and hangers-on.
Kate caught his eye. “Andrew!” she gave a small wave while she and Nick walked over to join the group.
“Dahling!” Regardless of how long he lived in the states, his English accent never faded. His arms flew open, and the group he was speaking to turned briefly to see who’d merited such a greeting and then turned back to Andrew again.
Andrew hugged her and buffeted Nick’s shoulder. “You handsome devil. Are you keeping our girl happy?”
Nick gave a half laugh, “Trying to,” he grinned and gave Andrew a quick, one-armed hug.
“Where’s David?” Kate asked.
“Oh, the poor dear. He’s down with the flu, I’m sorry to say. You know how he loves these things.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. Please tell him we missed seeing him here.”
Andrew leaned in closer, “I just ran into Adele, and she looks radiant. I’m going to see if she’ll do a duet with me tonight. I heard she was once a fan.”
Kate gave a small laugh. In his day, Andrew had been as big as Rod Stewart or Mick Jagger had ever been. But he was happily retired and never performed anymore. Although she suspected if Adele asked, he’d gladly oblige.
Just then Vivienne walked in wearing a shimmering off-white gown that looked stunning against her red curls.
“Vivienne, my love!” Andrew flew over and hugged her. Viv gave a small laugh, and Kate was glad to see it. It was good to see her out of her cave and looking spectacular.
“Andrew, lovely to see you!” She laughed in his arms and gave a small wave to her brother over Andrew’s shoulder. “Hi Nicky!”
“Sis, you look beautiful. I may have to beat the suitors off of you tonight.”
Kate saw something flicker across Vivienne’s face. Nick didn’t know, of course, and it wasn’t Kate’s place to tell him. After all, her sister-in-law had asked her to keep this to herself until she had a chance to tell her brother. Kate wasn’t a fan of keeping anything from her husband, but this wasn’t her story to tell.
Andrew threw his arm around Vivienne’s shoulders. “Vivy, what do you say to going out for drinks after this stuffy party? We’ll find a cozy bar, drink too much wine, and then stagger on to a seedy karaoke place where I can belt out my tunes and have someone in the audience say, ‘He’s singing an Andrew Trapp song, but he does it much better.’” Andrew winked at her, and squeezed her shoulders.
She let out a laugh. “I’d love to.” Yes, indeed, the ever-carefree Andrew was exactly what she needed.
Just then, Kate saw Mac walk in. He’d never lost his ability to ignite a room. Several heads, mostly female, turned in his direction the moment he entered. Kate also noticed the other man with him. It was his son, she realized. She hadn’t seen him in years. In fact, Kate recalled the last time. It had been Thanksgiving, the November before she and Mac broke up.
M
ac spotted them, gave them a nod and a smile, and walked over.
Vivienne was chatting with Andrew when she spotted Mac, and though she’d semi-expected to see him there, she could still feel the irritation prickle her.
Mac of all people! So it’s going to be that kind of night.
Just when her evening was going so well. That’s when she spotted the man walking beside him, his head turned to the side to greet someone. When he turned back, she felt her entire body freeze, and shock jangled through her.
Everything in the room fell away. There was no hum of conversation, no sound of a violin playing a classical piece, no glasses clinking. Just the man who walked beside Mac Ellis. Mac knew him? Her mind split in two. How could that be?
“Mac,” Kate said, “so nice to see you. Where’s Sydney?” She said, referring to Mac’s wife. But before Mac could reply, both he and Kate became increasingly aware of the heated tension that had kicked up. Mac glanced at Vivienne, who did not return his look, her gaze fixed on his guest.
Mac cleared his throat. “She’s on assignment. You remember Daniel, of course. Nick, nice to see you. Allow me to introduce my son, Daniel.”
“Son?” It was all Vivienne said, yet every head turned in her direction, because her voice wasn’t her own. It had an odd, high pitch.
“Yes, Daniel is a doctor,” Mac said proudly, determinedly ignoring the odd shock of electricity that shot through the group.
That’s when Kate knew. Daniel. Of course.
It had never occurred to her that, in a densely populated city the size of Manhattan, Vivienne could meet the son of the one man she thoroughly and intensely disliked, Kate’s former fiancé, Mac Ellis.
“I know what Daniel is.” Vivienne’s words slithered to the floor and her voice shook.
“Wait,” Nick began, “you two know each other?” He drew a pointed finger between his sister and Daniel, who had yet to speak.
“Vivienne, I can explain,” Daniel said, reaching a hand out to her, but Vivienne jerked back.
“Don’t you touch me, not ever again. You’re Mac’s son? And you couldn’t tell me?”
Daniel moved closer, trying to keep his voice low, because he’d noticed a few heads turning in their direction. “Baby, I tried.”
Baby? Nick mouthed to Kate, who looked away.
“Don’t you baby me, you…you spawn of the devil,” Viv spat, shooting an angry glare at Mac.
“Whoa, what the hell is going on here?” Nick demanded, and Kate put a hand on his arm.
“Nick, let them be. I’ll explain later.”
Nick spun to her, “Wait, you knew about this?”
“Oh, dear,” Andrew said, almost under his breath.
“I have to go.” Viv spun around and hurried toward the exit, Daniel right behind her.
“Don’t you dare follow me,” she said over her shoulder, as quietly as she could.
Daniel grabbed her arm, “I’m not going to let you do this, Vivienne.”
Vivienne yanked her hand free and dove through the crowd. Daniel followed her, and when she dashed out a side door, Daniel was right behind her.
. . . .
“What the hell was that?” Nick said, turning to his wife.
“Well, he sure is dishy. The apple didn’t fall far from that big, strong, handsome tree.” Andrew winked at Mac, who ignored him.
“Nick, your sister told me she met someone in Costa Rica, and she asked me not to tell you until she had a chance to tell you herself. Then when he didn’t call her, she figured why bother? I’m sorry, babe, but it wasn’t my news to tell.”
Mac raised a hand, “Wait, they met in Costa Rica? What are the chances?” His amazement faded quickly when Nick scowled at him.
“I know,” Kate said softly. “And she liked him a lot, and he didn’t call her, and now…”
Andrew looked from Kate to Mac, “Oh, wait, I get it. So she hates you,” he said, pointing an elegant finger at Mac, “and thusly she can’t date your offspring.” Then he threw his head back and laughed. Kate frowned at him, while Nick just glared.
“Oh, dear, can you imagine if they wound up together? I mean married?” Andrew continued to laugh. He was the only one.
Nick pinned Mac with a dagger look. “Leave it to your son to break my sister’s heart.”
Mac lunged at Nick, and Kate quickly stepped between them. She didn’t need a repeat of their fight at Viv’s book launch party. They’d broken furniture, rolled around on the floor, kicking and punching, both emerging a bit tattered. It hadn’t been pretty and was certainly undignified.
“Let’s not do this,” she said to both of them. “They met, they had a thing,” Kate said, and immediately regretted it.
“A thing?” Nick said, his face twisted. “For the love of God, I didn’t need to know that.”
“Honey, for God’s sake, she’s not twelve.”
“Daniel mentioned her,” Mac said calmly. “He didn’t tell me who she was, but he’s crazy about her.”
“Well too bad for him,” Nick spat. “She won’t have anything to do with him now.”
“Nick, let’s go,” Kate said, tugging at his arm. This was getting too ridiculous, and they were starting to draw a crowd.
“I’ll go find her and make sure she’s okay,” Andrew offered.
“No, let’s give them some time. Daniel went after her, and they should talk. I’ll go. Honey,” she turned to Nick, “why don’t you head home? I’ll find Viv and make sure she’s all right.”
Nick gave Mac a black look, which Mac tried to ignore. Instead Mac flagged a waiter and grabbed a glass of champagne, which he consumed in one gulp.
. . . .
“Vivienne, wait!” Daniel raced after her, out of the library and onto the sidewalk. His long legs caught up with her quickly, and he grabbed her arm, spinning her around.
“Let me explain!” He moved into her personal space, crowding her both physically and mentally.
Vivienne felt a shiver up her spine at Daniel’s touch.
“There’s nothing to explain,” she said, her eyes burning. Damn it, was she crying? What the hell was happening to her? Her mind raced to the night they made love. He’d tried more than once to tell her something, but she’d stopped him. She didn’t care, she’d said. This was clearly her punishment for being “carefree.”
People milled around them, eyeing Vivienne in her long, elegant dress and Daniel in a tuxedo.
“First, why I haven’t called you yet,” he said, holding onto her arm and ignoring what she said. “I was pulled into the emergency room aftermath of the train crash, and I’ve been working almost nonstop since I got back.”
“You could have called,” she said. Croaked.
“I did call, tonight when I got off of work. Check your phone.”
Vivienne reached into her purse and pulled out her iPhone. Sure enough, one missed call, Daniel’s number. Her phone had been on silent, and it must have come in while she was getting ready.
“Now let’s go somewhere where we can talk,” Daniel’s dark gypsy eyes held hers, and she felt the electricity arc between them down to her toes.
Don’t be alone with him. A voice in her head, probably her last shred of sanity, tried to caution her.
“Let’s talk here,” she managed, proud of herself for not giving in.
He shoved his fingers through his hair and studied his knees. “Please, Vivienne,” he said, almost too softly for her to hear.
“You’re Mac’s son. You knew this would never work.”
Daniel’s reply was to kiss her. As his lips touched hers, gently, carefully, her breath shuddered in her chest and her heart seemed to contract.
“I miss you,” he whispered. “You’re all I can think about.”
A tear slid down her cheek. “This won’t work. I’m sorry, but this just won’t work.”
It took every ounce of her strength, but Vivienne pulled back and quickly climbed into a waiting cab, closing the door behind her. She didn
’t look back. She couldn’t. It she had, she never could have left.
17
“Now, you listen,” Kate said, pointing to Mac. “I think you should go mingle, or leave, or whatever you planned on doing. I’m going to go see if Vivienne is all right.”
Then she turned to Nick, “Babe, I’m sorry. If I had known…” She shook her head. “I honestly had no idea. I would never intentionally blindside you like this. I hope you know that.” When she leaned in and kissed him on the cheek, Nick’s frown started to fade.
“Andrew, unless you plan to stay, I think Nick could use some company right now.”
“I’m fine,” Nick insisted.
She put a hand on his arm, “Please, babe, go with Andrew. I might be a while.”
“I should be the one to talk to her,” he said, his voice flat but his eyes still hot.
Kate shook her head, “No, neither one of you should talk to either of them tonight. Is that understood?”
She turned to Mac and he nodded.
“You’re both too hotheaded around this issue,” she added. “And I think the two of them need some distance. I’m just going to make sure Vivienne gets home safely, and then I’ll meet you at our apartment, okay?” She smiled at her husband, who took her hand.
“Go take care of her. I’ll be fine.”
Kate turned to Mac, who didn’t say anything. But he didn’t need to. The look on his face said it all. Funny how she still knew him so well.
When Kate left the library, she noticed several groups of people standing outside. Some folks were still arriving, while others seemed to be departing. Kate scanned the crowd for Vivienne, but no luck. Then she spotted a tall man standing at the curb, just staring into traffic.
Daniel.
She hesitated a moment before walking toward him. Was speaking to him about her sister-in-law such a great idea? Probably not, but it would seem that someone needed to get to the bottom of what was going on, and she knew neither Nick nor Mac could do so with a clear head.
“Daniel,” she said softly. When he turned, his face told her all she needed to know. He looked crushed, but also distressed.
Loving Vivienne: The Publicist, Book Six Page 7
