“You wear a lot of hats,” Vaughn noted.
“Don’t I know it,” Vivian agreed. She glanced pointedly at Sienna.
Sienna ignored her friend’s not-so-subtle stare. “What’s up, Vivian?”
“I’ve got the new website layout you wanted to see. I can come back later if now isn’t a good time?”
“No, it’s fine. I’ll take it.” Sienna walked around her desk. “Thanks. I’ll look it over and get back to you later.”
“You’re welcome.” Her friend grinned. “Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Deveraux.”
“Please, call me Vaughn. It was great to meet you as well, Ms. Adair.”
“Vivian,” she corrected.
Sienna walked with her to her door. “Girl, you’re all kinds of crazy,” Vivian said, softly as they walked.
“I’ll find you shortly,” Sienna whispered closing the door behind her friend.
“Sorry about that,” she replied, turning toward her desk.
She was brought up short by Vaughn standing right behind her.
“No big deal.”
Sienna backed up as much as she could, considering that the door was right behind her. “So, what brings you by my office and in the middle of the day no less?”
“Underwear. What else?”
“Excuse me?”
He flashed a wide grin. “I can’t believe you wore men’s underwear just to prove me wrong.”
“What other reason is there?” Sienna countered.
Though he tried to contain it, amusement rumbled deep inside him. It was just too strong a feeling to suppress. Eventually, the laughter bubbled over. Vaughn shook so hard with mirth his eyes started watering. He tried to stop, but failed miserably. After a few moments he looked up expecting to find Sienna seething with anger or indignation. Instead, she too was laughing uncontrollably.
“Rule number seven.” Sienna wiped the tears from her eyes. “Always keep them guessing.”
“As to which direction you’re going to pull the rug out from under them?”
“Not exactly.”
“Yes, exactly.”
They shared a smile, but after a moment Vaughn turned thoughtful. He took a deep breath. “Sienna, I owe you an apology. The other day—I was way out of line. I still haven’t figured out what prompted me to act so reprehensibly. He ran a hand over his jaw. A day earlier Linda Wilkins, my executive CD, chewed me out about another campaign we were working on. I don’t know. Maybe something about your critique reminded me of her. Not that I’m trying to make excuses.” He looked at her. “There are none.”
“It’s okay,” Sienna replied trying to lighten the mood.
Vaughn moved closer. “No, it’s not okay. I ruined what was turning out to be a day—full of surprises.”
Sienna nervously smoothed her hair back into her already flawless bun. “I have to admit, I haven’t had one to equal it since I sat on a mound of fire ants one year at a family picnic.”
“You don’t seem to have very good luck at outdoor functions,” he teased.
“Tell me about it.”
“Have dinner with me.”
Sienna’s head popped up so fast she gave herself whiplash. She grimaced at the tingling pain that shot up the side of her neck. It was her turn to look baffled. “What?”
“I’d like to take you out to dinner. It would help considerably if you’d say yes.”
“Look, if this is about the horrific way you behaved—”
“Partially,” he interrupted. “Mostly it’s because I’d like to continue talking to you, but I have to get back to work.”
“Are you serious?”
“I do have a meeting this afternoon and—”
“Not about work,” Sienna said, impatiently.
“About dinner? Quite.” He bent down until he was eye level with her. Is that a yes?”
An image of her and Vaughn at an intimate table for two with candles, wine and music popped into her head. He looked hot and was leaning in for a—”
“Sienna?”
“Hmm?” she said, blinking.
“What do you say?”
“I don’t know Vaughn.” Sienna frowned pushing the day dream aside. “We haven’t exactly had the best track record.”
“Which admittedly has been my fault. I’d like to have the opportunity to fix that.”
“Can I think about it and let you know?”
“Sure.” Reluctantly, he retrieved his business card and wrote his home number on the back. If you call me tonight you’ll have to try my cell. I probably won’t be home till late.”
“You really put in some long hours.”
“Yes I do, but not tonight. I’m taking my Angel out for a night on the town.”
Sienna blinked. The smile on his face was captivating. She couldn’t keep the edge out of her voice. “If you have a date with such a paragon I wonder why you’re asking me out.”
Vaughn tried not to smile. “That ‘paragon’ is nine years-old, and my goddaughter, Angella Petersen. Her father, Carlton, is my best friend. Her mother died of ovarian cancer when she was a baby. I help out as much as I can.”
Sienna’s cheeks reddened. She bit her lower lip and looked away. “I’m sorry I said that. Embarrassed party of one? Your table’s ready.”
Vaughn put his hand on her shoulder. “Hey no worries, I’ll talk to you later?”
Sienna nodded.
Vaughn gave her a final smile before heading to the door. He paused before he went out and turned around. “Thanks for coming to tell me about your experiment. I’m sure I’ll have detailed questions about it later.” He winked.
“I would be surprised if you didn’t,” Sienna joked.
“Have a good day, Doc.”
“You too, Vaughn.”
The moment he left Sienna bolted to the door. Slowly, she opened it and peeked down the corridor. She watched him until he disappeared from view. She counted out a full minute before she cautiously left her office. Sienna speed-walked in the opposite direction and went directly into Vivian’s office.
“Took you long enough,” her friend replied, eyeing a proof sheet.
“He just left. Vivi, he asked me out.”
“Tell me you said yes,” Vivian said, warily.
“I said…I’d think about it.”
That got Vivian’s attention. She raised her head and slid her glasses up over the braids in her hair. “Have you lost your mind!?”
“Maybe,” Sienna said, defensively. “Anyway, it’s not a datedate. He said he wants to take me out to apologize for being rude. We haven’t exactly gotten off to the best start, you know. Besides, we’re not even friends.”
“I could see the sparks bouncing off the walls the second I walked in. I’m not blind. I can tell you like him.”
“So,” Sienna countered.
“So, he likes you, too.”
Flopping down on Vivian’s arm chair, Sienna leaned back to stare at the ceiling. Her stomach was still doing tumbles. “You think so?”
“Is this you fishing for compliments, or are you completely oblivious to the man staring the clothes off you with his eyes?”
“Both, I guess. You see?” Sienna lamented. “This is why I don’t go out on dates. It’s too much stress.”
“I got an idea that could help that. You could always interview him. That should make you feel better,” Vivian teased.
When Sienna didn’t immediately respond Vivian look up with an appalled expression on her face.
“I’m kidding,” Sienna replied. “I’m not going to interview him. Besides, there’s nothing between us.”
“Whose fault is that?”
“Technically? I’d say both of ours.”
“All the more reason to go to remedy the situation, and what better way to do that than over a good meal and a glass of wine, or beer, or…”
Sienna sighed, loudly. “Will you be serious?”
“You thought I wasn’t? Call that fine man back right now and accept
his dinner invitation.”
“No way. I just put my foot in my mouth and trust me I’ve got to let some time go by before I talk to him after that embarrassing moment. Rule number eight: After intense embarrassment, twenty-four hours must elapse before seeing the person again.”
“Do you make this stuff up on the fly?”
“Maybe,” Sienna hedged.
“Sienna,” Vivian said, patiently. “You do realize that half the chaos in your life you bring on yourself. Seriously, stop analyzing it to death and go execute.”
“Fine,” Sienna said, with mock annoyance. She got up and walked back to her office. She shut the door and went to her desk to sit down. Reaching into her pocket, Sienna retrieved his business card. She stared at it. “No, I can’t call now. He just left. It would look funny if I call so soon,” she rationalized aloud. Sienna put the card back and took a deep breath. I’ll call him later.
The day got away from her. Sienna was non-stop busy until she left at seven o’clock that evening. Dinner was a carry-out Kosmic Karma pizza from Mellow Mushroom. As Sienna drove down Glenwood Avenue her thoughts turned to her social life. Aside from work she didn’t really have much of a life outside of the office. Most of her time over the last few years had been spent growing her business. Its success had been her number one priority. Now Lambert Insights was doing well and business was steadily growing. Maybe it was time to live a little?
Later that night Sienna, in her pajamas, paced across her bedroom floor. She popped another frozen Crème Puff into her mouth. “Now is a perfect time to call, right?” she said, between bites. She glanced at the clock. It was quarter to nine. The card he’d given her was on the nightstand near the phone. “He said he would be taking out his goddaughter, Angella. He’d still be out. Wouldn’t he? Perfect!” She decided to call his house and leave a message so that she wouldn’t have to actually speak to him.
Decision made, Sienna crossed the room and sat on the edge of her bed. She sat the plastic container on her nightstand, ate another puff for good measure, and then picked up her cordless phone. She dialed Vaughn’s home number. She hung up before the first ring.
“What if he answers? What then?” Sienna pondered.
Vivian’s voice sounded in her head. Then you talk to him. Now stop debating it and just do it. “Okay, okay,” Sienna said, aloud. She tried again. Her foot tapped against the carpeted floor anxiously. Her dessert laden stomach churned loudly. After the fourth ring, his answering machine picked up. Sienna heard his voice in her ear followed by a beep.
“Hi Vaughn, this is Sienna. I uh, wanted to let you know that I decided to accept your dinner invitation. Give me a call to let me know what day and time is convenient for you.” She left her home and cell phone numbers before hanging up the phone. Sienna fell back against the bed. Her heart fluttered against her chest. “I said yes.” She took a deep breath. There was no going back now. She’d left a message, one that he would be checking before the night ended.
“Nothing major, just a casual dinner date between two people trying to get to know each other better.” Images of her last day dream drifted into her thoughts. He looked incredible in a dark suit. She had on a dress that complimented her in all the right places. In this vision her hair was down and curled softly to frame her face. He was gazing at her like she was featured on the menu. A live Jazz trio played a soulful melody nearby. Suddenly, Vaughn grabbed her hand and pulled her up from the table. He twirled her around once and guided her to the dance floor.
“Stop it,” she said, snapping herself out of her own fantasy. Her hand snaked out to grab the dessert off her table. She felt so warm the frozen treat would probably melt on contact. “I’m a psychologist,” she reasoned. “No need to freak out. Emotions I can handle. Besides, I’ve interviewed hundreds of people before. This is just one man, right?” Sienna thought back to the man that hit on her in New Hampshire. The one she’d dubbed the living Adonis. “I have nothing to worry about—we’re’ just friends. Besides, Vaughn doesn’t even have a shiny red cape.” Yeah, her conscience replied. But something tells us he doesn’t need one.
Chapter Seven
Angel
“It’s my turn,” Angella Petersen whispered in Vaughn’s ear.
He passed her the popcorn. “I knew I should’ve gotten you your own tub,” he teased. “You said you only wanted a little.”
“What are you talking about, Uncle Vaughn? I’ve only had a few hands full.”
“Uh-huh. If that’s the case, why is it almost empty?” he queried.
His goddaughter squinted her eyes in the limited light and peered into the darkened popcorn container. “Because you’ve got bigger hands than I do?”
Vaughn chuckled and poked her. “Good try, Miss Petersen, but I’m not buying it.”
Angella poked him back. “Shh. The movie’s starting.”
“Brat,” he whispered.
Two and a half hours later, they made their way out of the IMAX Theatre at Marbles Kids Museum. “Thanks for the movie, Uncle Vaughn. I loved it,” Angella said, hugging him.
“It was awesome, wasn’t it?”
“Dad’s going to freak when I tell him what a good time he missed.” Angella followed Vaughn out the door. She wrapped her arm around his as they walked back to the parking lot behind the building.
“He knows anytime we go out he ends up missing out on all the fun. Serves him right,” Vaughn joked. Opening her car door, he got her settled into her seat before he closed the door. By the time Vaughn slid into the driver’s seat Angella had secured her seat belt.
“Where to now?” she inquired.
“Now I drive you home, Angel.”
She glanced over at Vaughn. “It’s still early,” she complained.
“Little girl, it’s eleven o’clock. That could hardly be considered early.”
“Sure it can.”
“Not for a nine year-old,” Vaughn clarified.
“Well, are you taking me to soccer practice? You promised you would this time.”
“I remember. I will be at your door bright and early.”
She settled back into the leather seat and watched the lights zoom by. When he got on I-540 going west she turned toward him. “Uncle Vaughn, can we stop by the airport to see the planes land?”
“Not a chance. Besides, Observation Park is probably closed by now. How about tomorrow?”
“Won’t you have a date or something?”
Vaughn’s head snapped up. “Excuse me?”
“Well it is the weekend. You should get out. Maybe you could call your new friend?”
Vaughn was going to have a nice talk with Carlton when he dropped Angella home.
“Someone’s been eavesdropping.”
“Uncle Vaughn, you know how loud daddy talks. I can’t help it if I happen to overhear stuff. The walls aren’t concrete, you know.”
“Uh-huh. We’re not exactly friends, yet munchkin. I’ve only seen her a few times.”
“But you’d like to be,” Angella pressed.
“Sure, Sienna is a wonderful lady. She’s smart, has an unusual sense of humor and she’s flat out beautiful.”
“Does she have a sister?”
Vaughn laughed. “I don’t know. Like I said we haven’t exactly had a chance to converse much.” He nudged her. “Playing matchmaker for your dad again?”
“Somebody needs to. All he does is work.”
“He wants to make sure you are well provided for, Angel.”
Angella turned her face toward the window. “Because mom’s gone,” she said, flatly.
Vaughn felt that familiar tug in his chest whenever Carlton’s wife was mentioned. She’d died when Angella was only three. Vaughn took his godfather duties very seriously and had immediately stepped in to help his best friend cope with losing his wife and raising a toddler. He took her hand in his. “Sweety, are you okay?”
“I just want daddy to be happy.” she sniffed.
“Angel, he is. Each day he g
ets to wake up to your smiling face makes him happy.”
She turned toward him. “How do you know?”
“Because he told me. That was a direct quote from him, kiddo.”
That made her smile. That one gesture made Vaughn’s heart lighter. He took the off-ramp onto Route 55 heading toward Apex. “Wanna stop at McDonald’s and get a McFlurry?”
“Dad would kill me if I had something sweet this close to bedtime,” Angella replied automatically.
Vaughn noticed that she didn’t say no. He grinned. “Oreo or M&M’s?”
Angella’s eyes twinkled mischievously. “Oreo. Definitely Oreo.”
An hour later, Vaughn was sitting on the patio with Carlton having a beer. He took a swig, and then sat the bottle down on the glass table. “You have some explaining to do.”
Carlton’s eyebrow rose. “Really? About what?”
“Let’s start with why my goddaughter is inquiring about a possible date for me with Sienna Lambert.”
His friend had the temerity to chuckle. “I suppose she may have overheard us on the phone.”
Vaughn rolled his eyes. “Ya think?”
“What’s the big deal? I think you ought to consider asking the woman out.”
“I did, remember? She turned me down. I was hoping to get to know her better, but it doesn’t look like it’s going to work out.”
This time it was Carlton’s turn to roll his eyes. “You’re in advertising, Vaughn. Since when don’t you have another pitch on hand?”
Vaughn was thoughtful for a moment. He glanced over at his friend. “There’s more. Angel thinks it’s high time you got out there as well. You know, look for something serious.”
Carlton sat his beer down. “She said that?”
“Yep. She wants you to be happy. She asked me if Sienna has a sister.”
“Does she?”
“You two are definitely related,” Vaughn said, dryly. “I’ll tell you like I told your offspring. How do I know? Sienna and I haven’t talked long enough to cover any personal details, so back to you.”
Vaughn couldn’t see his buddy’s face, but the timbre in his voice when he spoke was tortured. “I can’t.”
Interview with Love Page 6
