Love Handles

by Candi Heart

  Then the staff and my new assistant left to work on their own tasks for the line.

  Chapter 21

  WE MET UP FOR LUNCH at the 12th. It was a wonderful bistro-type place and their coffee lattes were supreme. Still, I stayed true to my diet and had a yogurt fruit dish.

  Lena shook her head at me as she enjoyed a burger and fries. I didn’t know what had happened. Ever since I met Nick—Mr. Tessaro—I’d been able to stick to my diet plan. I’d also walked the last long stretch of the trip down Broadway every day. I knew I had dropped pounds, and I worked out with Pamela and Barbie at the gym every afternoon. That may have played a huge part in my slimming down. I physically felt better than I ever had in my entire life. I was by no means thin, and I knew I would never be, but I felt I looked so much better now. I also felt more confident every seeming hour. Like I was finally coming into my own—thick curves and all.

  Emotionally, I wasn’t so well. I still cried every night. My heart was broken and there was no denying it. Had I fallen in love? If so, I had chosen wrong. I bravely hid this from everyone during the busy workdays.

  The days flew by in a flurry of activity. Everyone, including me, was excited. The line was moving along fast. The week was almost gone, and I felt proud I’d actually put in a whole week on the job I thought I’d lost. My assistants had even ventured for a première date. It all hinged on one person... yes, him.

  Nick hadn’t showed up for work in four days.

  Every day when I arrived for work, the sparkle had literally faded from poor Stephanie at the front desk. She seemed like a wilted flower. The girl was just twenty years old or so, and I figured it was just her age and a silly crush on Mr. Tessaro. Well, I felt the same way inside, though I couldn’t show it to anyone. Far too dangerous for my new, fragile line, my staff... me.

  Today was Friday, and I truly wanted to wrap up the last purse design. I was typing furiously on my keyboard. The phone had been ringing all day, as more designers joined in on the project.

  After another hour of poring over the data, I got a visitor.

  “Hello?”

  I looked up at the voice. I’d gotten a shiver at the similarities of their voices but it wasn’t Ni—Mr. Tessaro. “Hello, Chaz,” I said, greeting the good-looking designer.

  He smiled and stepped in, looking rather hesitant.

  I watched him, enjoying his subdued and unconfident manner. Yes, a total opposite from days before, though, I’d thought it was just Lena who made him act like this.

  “So, do you know Lena well?” he asked quietly.

  Oh, so this was what was up. “Yes, pretty good, why?”

  He shrugged and then changed his tone. “So, I hear the buzz in the air.” He sat down in one of my chairs and beamed at me as he crossed his Armani-covered legs and clasped his hands together.

  Well, so much for shy Chaz. “About?” I asked.

  He stared at me, then laughed. “Oh, you are precious.”

  My breath caught in my throat. A line Nick had used on me. He’d said I was—

  “I mean Sugar Clutches.” Chaz stood up looking excited. “Brilliant, just bloody brilliant!” He stopped and looked at me. “I hear you’re even talking première dates. I have all kinds of ideas to pair them with my footwear. Candy shoes or Honey pumps.”

  I bit at my lip. Yes, those were clever approaches. “Well, it was never made official by Mr. Tessaro about pairing the line.”

  He stopped his excited glared and stared at me. “Oh, he will approve it. And...” He looked thoughtful. “...You call him Mr.?” He tilted his head at me. “He doesn’t allow anyone to call him that...”

  I raised a brow at him. “And how do you know this? That he will approve, I mean?”

  He shrugged and sat down again. “I know my cousin, that’s how.”

  My eyebrows flew upward as the cold, smooth businesswoman persona left my body for a moment. Cousins?

  He stared at my expression. “You mean you didn’t know?” He chuckled. “I mean damn, what? Has he told you nothing? Nick had been handling you like...” His voice faded away as if he just had an epiphany. “Oh, no. Tell me. Please tell me, you and him are not—?”

  I bolted up to stand. “No!” Cognizant of my volume, I sat down.

  Chaz raised a brow at my denial. “It would explain that lunch on Monday completely.”

  I nodded in agreement, grabbing my sketchpad.

  “You know, I asked him this same thing the first day you arrived. He denied it categorically. I’m ashamed to say that I flat-out told him I was going after you.”

  My head snapped up. “Wh-What?”

  He smirked at me. “You see how I am. It’s all fun and games. I even made a bet with him.”

  Now, he had my complete and utter attention—or was it my complete horror-stricken attention? “What?”

  “Now don’t get upset, because he did not want to play. He said to leave you be, because he did not want me to compromise...” Again, his voice drifted away. Then he stood up rather abruptly. “Oh, shit!” He now began to pace back and forth, repeating the nasty mantra, oh shit, oh shit.

  I watched him, feeling perplexed. “Do I even want to know what’s going on?”

  Stopping his out-of-control pacing, he stared at me. He then walked slowly over and looked into my eyes. “You really don’t know what is going on, do you?”

  Color me confused. What the hell is he—?

  “Dammit!” He slammed his hands onto my desk.

  I squealed and jumped at the slamming.

  “Just look at you!”

  I instantly felt my cheeks heat.

  He grabbed me by the upper arms and stood me up from my chair. Then he took a few steps back and looked at me. “H.O.L.Y. C.R.A.P.”

  I stared at his paling face. “Do you mind telling me why you’ve gone insane?”

  He gazed deeply into my eyes again. “Yes, sweet, genuine, wholesome...” He took a step back, dropped into the chair, and kept mumbling, “You can’t fake that. It’s there to see.”

  I shook my head, still not following his crazy rant. He’s having a breakdown in my office! Should I call someone? Opal maybe?

  He stood up again.

  I took a step back like he was going to do something crazy.

  He raised his hands up at me in defense. “No, no.” He shook his head. “I am just so sorry. Oh, man, I fucked up royally this time.” He stared at my face again. “But he has never—I mean, he wouldn’t do that. Like hire you after he...”

  The proverbial light bulb went off, and I finally understood. This man had just figured it all out. I backed away and sat down. I couldn’t look at him, in fear that he would see—

  “No way!” he exclaimed. “He did!” Then he seemed to be having an argument with himself, “No, not Nick, he would never...”

  Peeking up, I stared across the desk at him. He looked like someone had just told him the sun was green and the Earth was a spaceship or something just as insane. He looked utterly lost. If you blew a breath at him, it could have knocked him over like a feather.

  “Incredible,” he whispered in awe. “He broke his number one rule.” He looked up at me. “I can see it now, no wonder he is MIA!”

  I shook my head, trying my best to play it off as if it weren’t true.

  He simply plopped his hands at his sides, and suddenly looked very upset now. Without another word, he turned and rushed out of my office.

  I slowly sunk down in my chair. Well, there goes my secret. He’d figured it out and no telling who would be the next person he tells. I’m probably out of a job now. Sigh.

  A FEW HOURS LATER, I finally turned my PC off and got up to leave. I had had trouble concentrating on work all day. I just didn’t know what to do to head Chaz off at the pass. I glanced at the clock and saw that it was after seven. Oh shit, I hated taking the subway when it was so close to dark, as the creeps just got creepier. Dammit, could I afford a cab? I hadn’t brought my card that still had funds on it.
/>
  I grabbed my bag and looked out through the glass door. Yes, everyone was gone. I’d definitely lost track of time today. I halted as I heard a strange sound. Was that glass breaking? I raised my head and listened. I could hear voices coming from behind the wall where Nick had popped his head in. Was that just on Monday? It seemed like forever since that horrible day. Now I could hear yelling. I stepped to the door and felt around. It clicked open.

  Raising my head, I could tell the voices were getting louder. I took a deep breath and stepped in. It was a little hallway and I walked a few steps.

  “I don’t care!”

  I halted. It was Nick’s voice.

  I crept closer and saw the door in the wall was cracked open just a bit. My eyes rounded as I caught sight of Chaz. He looked upset.

  “I’m sorry, man. I just did not know!”

  “Know what?” Nick asked.

  “No, no. Don’t play stupid with me. That is not going to fly. Just look at you, man!”

  I wondered at this statement and tried to get a better angle to see Nick. My eyes widened. He looked rumpled—his clothes, his hair, and he seemed to stagger a little.

  “I mean. Why didn’t you tell me to back off?” Chaz asked, almost sounding hurt.

  “I didn’t want anyone thinking I hired her because I wanted her.” Nick stepped behind his desk and grabbed a bottle there, taking a huge swig.

  Chaz stepped forward. “Dammit, man. You have been drunk for days!”

  I gasped and quickly put my hand over my mouth.

  Nick plopped down in the chair. “Who cares? I blew it.”

  Chaz seemed to try another angle. “She’s still here, man. She isn’t gone.”

  Nick sat up in his chair and stared at him. “What?”

  “She came back to work on Tuesday.” Chaz raised a triumphant eyebrow at him.

  “She is so talented. I mean, I tried not to...”

  Stepping closer, Chaz went over patted him on the shoulder. “Nick. She’s the one, right?”

  “It doesn’t matter now.” Nick shook his head sadly.

  “What did you do that was so bad, man?” Chaz sat down on the edge of his desk.

  “I told her I’d made a mistake in hiring her.” Nick lowered his head.

  Chaz looked shocked. “What? You fired her?”

  Nick laughed, but there was no humor in it. “Can you believe that? I wanted her, I took her, I hired her—and then I fucking fired her! What kind of ass does that?”

  Chuckling, Chaz shook his head. “An ass in love, that’s who.”

  Nick looked up at him. His eyes were bloodshot. “She is so beautiful, so sweet, and not just to look at. I knew she was like this fragile bud of a flower and I wanted to be careful, but when I was with her, I just went crazy. She drives me wild.”

  Chaz remained silent. “Well apparently, she has guts, my friend. She came back to work brazen as all get out and now, her line is near the première stage.”

  Nick’s head shot up. “Really?”

  Nodding, Chaz smiled. “She called your bluff, dude.”

  Nick sat back in his chair. “She did, didn’t she? Damn, Bella you gotta be proud of that.” He sighed. “But she will never let me in again.”

  “How do you know?”

  “I don’t deserve it, for one. For two, I would feel like... like my career would be on the line.”

  My heart sank at his words. I could never come between him and his career.

  “Why? No one would think anything, they have all seen some of her line, and they’re wowed.” Chaz laughed. “Shit, I am, too! I am going to have to beg her to get my shoes in with those purses!”

  I bit back a smile at that. Like he’d have to beg me for that. Maybe I’ll make it hard on him once he does ask, as punishment for putting me through this hell.

  “Man, I didn’t even call her.” Nick looked up at him as if he hadn’t heard a word Chaz just said. “I just staggered down Broadway searching for her. Then I realized. I had hurt her... bad... and...”

  “...and you hit the bottle?”

  “Even Gregory is pissed at me. Did you know that damn chauffeur threatened to go and get her? Bring her to me? Shame me into trying again.”

  “And why didn’t you?”

  Nick sighed and lifted a shoulder in a shrug.

  “I have never seen you like this, man. You have never given up on anything.” Chaz looked troubled.

  Nick just sat there. “I had it in my hands, my woman. The one who made me feel like... Then I grabbed her up and nearly assaulted her in that elevator. I fucked it up. I mean after that perfect date, then the sex?” He leaned his head back on his chair. “No, not just sex. I was whole. Man... She made me feel more powerful than any woman ever had—and more, well, vulnerable at the same time.”

  “So, you got scared.” Chaz went on. “You need to try again.”

  I had tears rolling down my cheeks. I now felt awful for eavesdropping on this. I fought my further curiosity and stepped quietly back. I rushed into my office, grabbed my case, and tried to sneak quietly to the elevator.

  No such luck. There at the doors stood Gregory.

  Chapter 22

  HE STOOD STIFFLY WITH his chauffeur image firmly in place. “Miss Swan,” he greeted me.

  “Hey, Gregory.” I tried to swipe a stray tear away and had to shift my case.

  He stepped forward and took my bag. “Allow me to walk you down.”

  Biting my lip, I nodded.

  He tapped the elevator button and motioned me in with a flourish.

  My mind whirled with all I’d just heard. It was too much to take in. The man had been drinking all this time? He was more than sorry for what happened.

  “Miss Swan?”

  I looked up at Gregory. “Yes?”

  “Is there something wrong?”

  I shook my head and laughed without humor. “I’m not sure. I mean...” I knew Gregory knew what had happened, or at least some of it. “Did you know that Mr. Tessaro has been missing all week?” I asked to gauge his response.

  He let out a breath. “Yes, I’m his driver. I take him wherever he wishes to go.”

  I rolled my eyes. “What kind of answer is that?”

  He shrugged with a slight knowing smile.

  “I-is he okay?”

  Gregory swung his gaze to me and stared hard at me. “Do you care?”

  Pulling my head back, my lips parted in surprise. I hadn’t expected that answer. “Well, of course. I mean he is my...”

  He stared right at me. “Your boss?”

  Looking away, I swallowed heavily. “Yeah, and that doesn’t look good, does it? Sleeping with the boss.”

  He reached forward and punched the stop button.

  I held onto the gold rail as the elevator suddenly jerked. I stared at him.

  “I never get involved personally, but...” He seemed to lose his words. “I feel that you’re different.”

  “Different than...?” No, I didn’t intend to make this easy, as two could play this vague answer game.

  He sighed. “Men can be dumb, even the smartest of men, especially when they realize they love a woman and the shock of it hits them.”

  My eyes rounded as I stared up at him. Well, he sure shut me up, didn’t he? He just came right out with it. “So, then a woman who is also scared needs to... To what?” This ought to be a good one, I thought.

  “Give him another chance?” he almost pleaded.

  I could barely speak. “I-I. It hurt so bad, and I...” What, Emilie? You cared more about your career than you did about losing him. You were like this greedy bitch who thought he’d done it all on purpose. Took you for a ride then dumped you. When in reality, he... “I’m not sure I’m worthy of him anyway.”

  Gregory finally lost his cold, professional posture and narrowed his eyes at me. “What?”

  “You heard me. All I cared about was getting my line out. Hitting it big. I didn’t see that he... felt more for me than just sex. I
misjudged him. Blamed it all on him.”

  Gregory stood stiffly again. “So, what are you going to do about that?”

  I started to tremble. “I honestly don’t know. But all of the sudden, I feel horrible. When I should feel happy.”

  “Because you love him?”

  I turned to look at him. His face was an open book. I’d never seen him look so concerned. “I-I have to think about this. I have to handle it right. I now feel that... I was selfish and believed the worst, just so I could come out on top. So, I do not agree with any of you who say I am this sweet girl who is innocent. I feel like shit, to tell you the truth.”

  “You saw him, didn’t you?”

  I nodded and then grabbed his arm. “Please, please do not ever tell him that I saw him like that?” My eyes filled with tears. “To think I thought he had used me, and that he would throw my career away. When he never meant to do that. I am a horrible person, and if I were you, I would not even give me the time of day.” Tears rolled down my cheeks and I was full-out crying now. I swiped at them with the back of my hand.

  Gregory looked stricken. He pulled me to him in a friendly, comforting hug. “None of that is true. If it were, you wouldn’t have said it. You got scared, too, and came up with the only plan you could.”

  I sobbed into his lapel. “He looked so... So worn out and sad.”

  “I know, and I was about to step over my line.” He patted my back.

  I pulled back and swiped at my tears. “Yes, I heard. That was totally un-Gregory like, I must say.”

  He chuckled and hit the lobby button. “Well, often my duties call for some extra effort.”

  I laughed through my tears.

  The elevator opened and we stepped out.

  “I will walk you to your cab.”

  I rolled my eyes. “Geez, Gregory, I take the subway, and I am almost too late now.”