“Have dinner with me tonight?”
His questions startled her. “Dinner?”
He nodded.
She swallowed and stared at his lips, wondering what it would be like to finally kiss him. This was the second time he’d asked her out. Under the circumstances, she couldn’t really say no. Nor did she want to.
“What do you say? I won’t take no for an answer this time.”
“I’ll have to take Duke home and change.”
“No problem. Is that a yes?”
She nodded and he moved back, crossing his arms over his chest. “So what do you say? Will an hour give you enough time to take care of things?”
She nodded.
“Good. Meet me across the street at Litton’s. We’ll have a burger and figure out a way to keep calamities from happening every time we meet.”
She grinned. “We managed just fine at the Jazz club.”
“Correction, every time we’re near water and Duke’s around.”
“I can’t wait to hear what you come up with.”
“Neither can I.”
For a moment she thought he might kiss her considering the way he was staring at her, but he didn’t make a move and the moment passed.
“See you soon.”
Keely nodded then gave the leash a tug, urging Duke to follow her.
Darren enjoyed the view of her hips swaying as she walked away. He waited until she was out of sight before finally getting into his car. He had a feeling there was more going on between them than the mishaps at the Fountain City Lake. And he was certain he was going to enjoy finding out what.
People lined the entryway at Litton’s waiting for their names to be marked off the chalkboard cube to be seated. Darren inched his way through the crowd and wrote his own name on it and joined the wait for a table. When he turned back around, he saw Keely, dressed in jeans and a short-sleeved sweater, squeezing her way past a family of four.
He waved.
She smiled. “I hope I haven’t kept you waiting.”
“I just got here myself. Duke didn’t give you any more trouble did he?”
She shook her head and glanced over at the dessert cooler. Her brown eyes enlarged as she surveyed the night’s selection of Italian Crème, Red Velvet, Black Tie Cheese Cakes and Key Lime Pie.
“Boy, they know how to tempt a body,” she murmured, licking her lips. “Have you checked out the cookie and brownie selection?”
“No.”
“It’s probably safer that way.”
He agreed, but knew he’d enjoy seeing her reaction to it anyway. They walked over to the case for her to take a look. “So what do you do besides pet-sitting?”
“I hunt men down with my dog and try to do them bodily harm. You know—drown them, tackle them.”
He laughed.
“What about you?”
“Wright party of two.”
“That’s us,” he said, motioning for her to walk ahead of him. Once they were seated, he asked again. “No seriously, what do you do?”
“I’m in advertising.”
“No kidding?” His voice squeaked.
“No.”
He cleared his throat. “What firm?”
“Jackson and Jackson.”
Darren let out a whoosh of air as if he’d been sucker punched in the stomach for the second time that day. Of all the people he could possibly have had a chance encounter with, it would have to be someone who worked at an opposing firm. He wasn’t sure how she’d react if he told her he was with Wright and Associates. He decided to keep silent for now. He didn’t want anything spoiling their evening.
“Is something wrong?” she asked, looking up from her menu.
“Too many choices. What do you think you’re going to have?”
She winked. “The dessert menu.”
“Too rich for my blood.”
She giggled. “Normally mine too, but I like to dream. Actually, I’m still deciding.”
Darren laid down his menu and watched her as she chewed on her bottom lip trying to decide on what to order. He found her concentration cute, and he was beginning to think he liked her more than he should, especially since she worked for the competition.
After the waitress took their drink and dinner order, he pointed to the necklace she wore.
“That’s interesting. I noticed you had it on earlier.”
Keely looked down and touched the charm, fingering it. She sheepishly looked back up at him. “Lucinda gave it to me last night. She called it a gris-gris. It’s supposed to have magical powers.”
“Magic?”
She nodded and leaned closer to him over the table. “Lucinda’s from the Louisiana Bayou. She dabbles in voodoo.”
Darren snapped his finger. “Then she’s the reason Duke keeps knocking me into the water. She’s put a curse on us.”
Keely laughed, sitting back in her chair. “She doesn’t deal with curses. She’s more into spiritual healing and love.”
“Love?”
Her cheeks flushed and he could tell he’d put her on the spot. “Sorry.”
She started to say something, but the waitress arrived and sat the plated on the table in front of them.
“Two bacon cheeseburgers and fries. I’ll be right back with a drink refill for you both.”
Keely reached for the ketchup and gave the bottle a hearty squeeze onto the plate before picking up a hot fry and dragging it through. She popped it into her mouth and chewed. “Mmmm,” she murmured. “I didn’t realize I was starving.”
Darren watched as she prepared her burger with mayo and mustard and removed all but one ring of onion before taking a bite. Her eating habits matched his. He was finding many similarities between them. A fact he liked. He enjoyed her company even if she did work for a competing advertising firm.
Keely wolfed down her meal, which surprised her. Normally she picked at her food when she was on a date. And even though Darren had asked her out and their dinner could be considered a date, she didn’t feel apprehensive around him. Despite their awkward meeting, she truly felt at ease.
“Darren,” she said, wiping her mouth with a napkin. “Besides playing Frisbee, what do you do for a living?”
He cleared his throat, not sure what to tell her. He decided on the truth, at least part of it for now. “I just moved back to town so I’m working for my sister’s company.”
“That was nice of her to get you a job.”
Darren nodded, picking up the check the waitress laid on the edge of the table. “So did you leave any room for dessert?”
She shook her head. “As usual, no.”
“Too bad. They looked yummy.”
Yummy? The desserts were not all that looked yummy from where she sat.
Keely had decided sometime during their meal that Darren Wright topped the list of things she’d label yummy. And she so looked forward to finding out just how sinfully delicious things could get between them.
Chapter Four
Darren offered Keely his hand as they walked out to their cars. She hesitated a moment, then slipped hers within his, their fingers entwining. The close contact felt natural to him and he stole a look at her, finding her staring back.
“What?” he asked.
“I like bumping into you at the lake. ”
He smiled, stopping at the back of her car. “I like bumping into you too. However, Duke can get a little too physical.”
She sighed. “I know. I normally take Duke for a jog right after work each day. He’s on a routine. Vets orders.”
Darren nodded. “Then you shouldn’t alter his schedule. I’ll play Frisbee with Clint across the street at the park from now on. And if I happen to come over to the lake where you are jogging, I’ll be on the lookout for him.”
She nodded, not saying a word. Yet, her eyes looked sad, speaking volumes.
Did she really want to see him again?
The thought made him happy. There had to be a way for them to casuall
y bump into one another without ending up in the lake or on the ground.
“I guess I’ll need to be more careful while jogging with Duke and you’ll play at the park. Just don’t get mangled by the kids.”
Darren nodded, noticing he still held her hand. He grinned, giving it a squeeze, careful of her palm. “That’s probably the best solution. But if you change your mind and want to take a swim or practice your tackle, I’m your man.”
Keely laughed. “I’ll try to remember that.”
“Good,” he said, tugging her hand forward. She stepped closer and he leaned in, brushing his lips gently across hers. “Thanks for having dinner with me.”
“Thanks for inviting me,” she replied, rocking back one-step.
“I’ve got an early meeting in the morning so I’ve got to get out of here. Maybe I’ll run into you over at the park sometime?”
She nodded, pulling her hand out of his grasp. “Maybe.”
“Is Duke into Frisbee?”
“He’s into sleeping.”
“I’ll have to change that.” He slowly backed away, then turned and left.
Keely watched him go, tucking a wayward strand of hair behind her ear. She fingered the gris-gris chain. He was definitely the man.
She sighed, fished the keys from her pocket and unlocked her door. Getting inside, she caught the amulet’s reflection in the rearview mirror. The blood-red stone looked almost on fire. She quickly looked down as she sank into the driver’s seat, but the stone looked normal.
“Hmmm,” she murmured to herself. “It must have been the interior light reflecting off of it. Don’t go getting all spooked now.”
As she drove home, she felt shaky. She knew she should be more unnerved by Darren’s kiss, and she was, but that was overshadowed by the possibilities of the gris-gris really having magical powers. Was that why she was enjoying Darren’s company so much?
She shook her head to dispel the thoughts as she turned the car into her drive. Duke got up from his lounging spot underneath a large oak tree when she got out of the car.
“Hello, boy. Did you miss me?” She pushed the fence gate open, stooped and patted his head.
He yawned in response then lumbered along-side her to the house. He howled when she unlocked the door and went inside, leaving him behind. She poked her head back out long enough to give him a milk-bone treat.
“Now go to sleep,” she ordered.
Keely kicked her loafers off as she headed to the refrigerator. She pulled out a bottle of water, untwisting the cap as she shut the door with her hip. A light blinked on her answering machine.
Never one to let the phone ring without being answered, she was as compulsive with messages on her machine. After punching the play button, she grabbed a pen and notepad in case she needed to write down an unknown number or reminder to do something.
“Keely, Tate Jackson here. Edward and I would like to meet with you for breakfast with a client in the morning. I know this is short notice, but Prescott requested to work with you. We’re going to meet at the Revứ around eight. We’ll see you there.”
Prescott?
Keely winced. Octopus Prescott. He was not the client’s attention she wanted to draw. Sure, Prescott Baby Products was a mega-dollar account, and she’d do well representing the company. She didn’t want to deal with the known womanizer, Prescott. Jackson and Jackson had already lost a good executive because of him.
That’s probably the reason Tate and Edward were going to breakfast. They don’t want to throw you to the shark.
Yeah, but what if she lost her cool and it ruined her chances of promotion within the firm? She was too close to getting that corner office.
Finishing her water, she turned out the lights before going upstairs and slipped into her nightshirt. She dug through her briefcase, pulled out the Prescott overview and reread it, jotting notes as she went.
Perhaps if she dazzled Prescott with her talent in advertising, he’d forget she was a woman. She’d also dress down, but professional. She wouldn’t give the man an inch, because he’d definitely take a mile.
Satisfied with her preparation, she turned out the light and snuggled into bed. When she closed her eyes she saw Darren’s face. His blue eyes, fringed with dark lashes were dreamy. His jaw ruggedly handsome and his lips, she’d describe them as soft and tempting. He wore his hair short, so there was little to run her fingers through, if she ever got the chance. Oh, she’d get her chance. That was a promise.
She sighed, drifting off to sleep.
“I can’t thank you enough for agreeing to mentor me, Mr. Wright,” Shelby Mitchell said, taking the adjacent seat as the waitress handed them menus for their breakfast meeting.
“Please, call me Darren. If we’re going to be working close together, then we need to drop all formalities.”
“Okay, Mr. Wright, I mean, Darren. I put together a brief breakdown of where Wright and Associates stands against Jackson and Jackson in the Knoxville market. I’m sure it’s small potatoes compared to competitors in New York.”
“I’ll be the judge of that.” Darren took the folder and scanned the figures. “Jama mentioned they have a top ad exec?”
Shelby nodded, laying the cloth napkin in her lap. “Yes. She’s been landing accounts left and right since Tanya Richards left abruptly six months ago. My sources tell me Richards’ departure made room for her to become more visible within the firm. Others tell me Tate Jackson has his eye on her, if you know what I mean.”
Darren looked up from the file and frowned. “No. I don’t know what you mean. And I don’t believe office gossip. Neither should you. It’s always better to work with the facts, not fiction. That’s rule number one.”
Shelby nodded.
“All I need to know is that the ad exec is as competent an account manager as these performance figures show.”
Darren flipped through some pages in the file and came across a very good photo of Keely. It didn’t surprise him that she was the ad exec in question. He’d feared as much after learning she worked for Jackson and Jackson. This complicated his growing attraction for her. And it made it imperative that he disclose his employer to her as soon as possible. However, for now his mind kept recalling the kiss he’d shared with Keely. It had been chaste, but nice. And one he’d enjoy exploring further if he got the chance.
“I think I’ve seen enough to size up the competition. Thanks for putting this summary together.” Darren closed the folder and handed it back to Shelby.
“It was my pleasure, Mr. Wright. I mean, Darren.”
He poured himself more coffee from the carafe the waitress had left on their table. He sprinkled a few granules of sugar, and then added a splash of cream.
“Don’t look now, but Jones and the Jackson duo are having breakfast with a potential client.”
Ignoring her warning not to look, Darren half-turned in his seat. “Who’s that?”
“Bob Prescott”
“Who’s he?”
Shelby’s eyes darkened. “He’s a female’s worst nightmare. He’s the reason Richards left Jackson and Jackson. She couldn’t take his constant advances.”
Darren frowned. He didn’t like to hear about a man taking advantage of a business relationship. And he didn’t like the thought of Keely being put in that position. He shifted in his seat. “How can Jackson and Jackson keep a client like Prescott if he behaves that way?”
Shelby grinned. “Prescott is a multi-million dollar client. Why wouldn’t Jackson and Jackson want to overlook his little indiscretions to keep him and his business?”
“Point taken.” He didn’t like what he was hearing. How could Keely work for an agency that would put money before the employee’s well-being? “How can they throw another female into the lions’ den?”
“Well, Prescott isn’t alone with Jones. Tate and Edward Jackson are there as well. And if you notice, they have Jones sitting between them. She’s well protected and out of Prescott’s reach for now, though the man
wouldn’t dare make a move in public.”
Darren relaxed a little. At least Keely was safe for the moment. He turned back to the task at hand. “I’d like you to work closely with me on the McDaniel account. Hopefully I can teach you a few ’tricks of the trade’ I learned working in New York.”
“That’s my ultimate goal. Working in New York.” Shelby laid her hand on top of his. “I’ll do anything to get there.”
“I thought so too before I went.” Darren pulled his hand out from under hers, not liking the sudden move and double meaning he heard in her voice. He glanced at his watch and pushed his chair back. “Pop in my office later this afternoon, and we’ll go over those story boards you mentioned earlier.”
“Sure. And thanks again. I know Jama asked you to work with me, but I really appreciate it.”
“No problem. See you later.”
Darren left, glancing one last time in Keely’s direction. She hadn’t seen him when she came in. And he hoped he was getting out of there without her seeing him as well.
Keely bit her bottom lip, half-listening to the conversation at the table. She’d spotted Darren having an intimate breakfast with Shelby Mitchell from Wright and Associates. He’d said he had an early appointment so maybe that was what he was doing. Yet, she couldn’t overlook the way Shelby had laid her hand on his. If only she had the talent of reading lips.
“So that is what I would like to see happen for Prescott Baby Products,” Prescott said.
“That sounds doable. Don’t you agree, Keely?” Tate Jackson asked.
She nodded, chewing on her bottom lip and tapping her pen on the pad of notes. She swallowed and tried to make her smile more genuine, focusing again on the client.
“I can have some sketches for you later this week. I’ll send samples by courier for your approval.”
“That won’t be necessary,” Prescott interjected. “I can drop by anytime.”
She shook her head. “My week is pretty busy. I don’t think I’ll have a free window to do a one-on-one with you. I think courier is our best plan. You can call me as soon as you review them.”
Prescott set his water glass down on the table. He looked pointedly at both Tate and Edward Jackson. “I thought it was understood that I’d have carte blanche with Ms. Jones’ time?”
The Good Luck Charm (The Good Luck Series) Page 3
