by Nita Wick
Kate reached over and patted Meg’s hand. “If anyone can share the spotlight with grace and confidence, it’s my Meg.”
Meg smiled at her mother’s encouragement. “You’re all laying it on pretty thick, you know.”
“Is it working?” Haley winked at Meg.
“Yes.” She sighed. “But you’re going to owe me another apple fritter after this.”
“Deal.”
A long red carpet had been added to the sidewalk leading into the Maynor Law Office, and crimson velvet ropes formed a barrier to hold back reporters and curious onlookers. As predicted, smiles of approval greeted Michael and his mother.
Haley grasped Meg’s wrist when she moved toward the door to exit the limo. “Wait just a minute. Let you mom enjoy the attention.”
Meg smiled and watched her wave at the crowd. “She’s loving this.”
Kate glowed with maternal pride as she gazed up Michael.
“Yes, she most certainly is.” When Michael and Kate had almost reached the entrance to the building, Haley nudged Meg. “Okay. Knock ’em dead.”
Meg glanced back at Haley and took a deep breath. “I can do this.” Clearly the statement had been an effort to convince herself rather than reassurance for Haley.
Haley nodded. “Try not to steal my thunder.”
The redhead laughed and put one long, slender leg revealed by the slit in her dress on the ground and winked at Haley. “Let’s give a good show.”
Murmurs hummed through the crowd with Meg’s appearance. Haley paused only a moment before following. A chorus of cheers erupted as soon as she left the limo.
“Haley! Over here!” one photographer shouted.
A reporter with a microphone leaned over the rope. “Miss Preston! Give us statement?”
Haley glanced at Meg.
An almost imperceptible nod accompanied a brilliant smile. “You should say something but make it short and sweet. Leave them begging for more.”
Haley grinned. The woman had stepped out of the limo and assessed the environment with the speed of a skilled professional. She showed no sign of her earlier nervous jitters.
Haley leaned toward the microphone. “Thank you all for coming. Your support of Hospitality House is much appreciated.”
“Can you tell us about the design idea? How did you decide on the undersea theme?”
“Miller Engineering and Design’s team created the theme. I only helped expand and polish it.” Haley took the opportunity to put in a good word for Michael’s firm. “Ed Miller is fortunate to have such a highly skilled and professional team working for him.”
“Miss Preston!” Another reported leaned in and pushed his microphone forward. “Where have you been during your hiatus?”
Meg laughed and answered for her. “Pigeon Forge. She’s been shopping.”
Chuckles rumbled through the crowd. Meg grasped Haley’s elbow. The tall redhead leaned down to whisper in Haley’s ear. “Time to go. The questions will only get more personal.”
Haley nodded and followed, waving at the crowd and touching the outstretched hand of a wide-eyed little girl on the way. The girl giggled and beamed up at the woman next her.
With more than a little relief, Haley entered the building and left the throng of admirers and paparazzi behind, but her respite was short-lived. Michael and Kate joined them and stood with her while Jackson Maynor welcomed her with enthusiastic praise. At least a half dozen cameras clicked and flashed. More reporters and photographers dressed in formal attire surrounded them.
And so the evening progressed. Every time a reporter asked about the cancelled wedding plans or any other personal matter, Meg stepped in to deflect and deter the offenders with pithy answers or comments. The woman amazed Haley with her ability to control the rabid media horde.
Mr. Maynor drew everyone’s attentions and offered a toast to the brilliant architect and talented interior designer who had given him such a wonderful place to work. He then presented an oversized cardboard check to the director of Hospitality House. With the evening’s “business” at an end, he encouraged the guests to enjoy themselves and signaled the live orchestra to resume their music.
Maynor, a widower himself, had taken an interest in Kate. He’d invited her to join him on the couch near the huge aquarium to admire the exotic fish. Since Meg had finally convinced the reporters to disburse and allow them to enjoy the party, Haley now sipped champagne in relative peace.
“Meg, I can’t thank you enough,” Haley remarked. “The evening has been so much easier than I expected. You’re amazing.”
“Easier?” Michael’s eyes widened. “It’s been a nightmare fending off the press. How could it have been worse?”
Haley and Meg laughed together.
Meg recovered first. “You have no idea what the press is capable of.”
Michael shook his head. “I thought they’d never leave us alone.”
Meg’s gaze bypassed Haley and focused on the front door for at least the twentieth time this evening.
Haley swiveled to follow her stare. “Okay, you’ve been watching the door all night. Who are you looking for?”
Meg glanced at Michael before answering. “No one.” She shrugged. “I’m just curious about everyone here. I want to see what they’re wearing.”
Various members of the Knoxville community introduced themselves to Haley, Meg, and Michael. Without the reporters to impede them, attendees took the opportunity to congratulate Michael and Haley on a job well done. The trio had hardly moved from their spot near the center of the lobby.
“Lovely woman,” Haley commented as a local matriarch departed.
“Yes, she…” Meg’s smile died, her gaze once again on the entrance.
“What’s wrong?” Haley turned toward the doors. Her stomach tightened. Champagne sloshed from her flute in her attempt to keep from dropping the glass.
An all-too-familiar man scanned the room, his hands in the pockets of his tuxedo pants. Above average height, lean, and smooth shaven, he hadn’t changed a bit since she’d last seen him. Dark hair, perfectly styled, completed his cover model image.
Panic threatened, but the flash of a camera served as the slap she needed. In an effort to hide her tumultuous emotions, she took a sip of champagne and met Keith’s gaze over the rim of the glass.
Chapter Fifteen
Haley spun around to face Meg again.
“That’s who you’ve been watching for, isn’t it?” Her voice wavered.
“I…Well…” Meg looked to Michael again.
He didn’t answer. Michael just drained his champagne, his focus never leaving the front entrance.
“How did you know he would be here?” Haley questioned. Meg didn’t reply quickly enough. “Damn it, Meg. How did you know?”
Michael answered. “Because Maynor’s publicist sent him a ticket.”
The words knocked the breath from her as if she’d been punched in the stomach. The blow made her lightheaded and dizzy. “You knew, and you didn’t stop him? Why didn’t you tell me?”
Michael touched her cheek. “Because you would have found a way to avoid seeing him. You need to have it out with him. You need closure, babe.”
Haley sucked in a strangled breath and struggled to keep a straight face. “And you think it’s something the dozen or so reporters and photographers here need to witness?”
Michael clenched his jaw and quickly scanned the room. He muttered a colorful oath. “I hadn’t considered that. I didn’t realize they’d be circling like vultures the way they have tonight.” Clasping her elbow, he tried to guide her toward the hallway. “We’ll use one of the offices.
Haley stiffened and pulled her arm away, trying not to make a scene. “It doesn’t work like that, Michael. Even if we were able to get to an office without the press pouncing on us, we would never get out.” She pinned Meg with an accusing glare. “You knew about this and didn’t warn me?”
“Haley, I’m so sorry. I prayed he wouldn’t
show. Michael—” Meg glanced over Haley’s shoulder. “Oh, my God. Here he comes.”
Haley emptied her champagne glass in one long swallow.
“Haley.”
Keith’s voice turned her stomach, and Haley thought she might lose the champagne. She took a deep breath and adopted what she hoped would be viewed as a pleasant expression. Already the clicks and flashes of cameras told her the media had noticed Keith’s arrival. Any juicy tidbit would start a feeding frenzy for those piranhas.
Haley swiveled to greet her ex. “Keith.”
“You are more beautiful than ever. I’ve missed you.”
She wanted to respond with a scathing remark of how little she’d missed him, but she feared she would not be able to deliver it without losing the forced smile she’d plastered on her face. “Why are you here?” she asked, and placed her empty glass on the tray of a passing waiter, glad to rid herself it. Nothing would draw more attention than the sound of shattering glass if it fell from her shaking hands.
His brows rose in surprise. “You invited me. You sent me the ticket, didn’t you?”
Michael’s low baritone cut in, his tone laced with loathing. “I arranged for your ticket.”
Keith glanced at Michael. “Who are you?”
“I’m—”
“Michael Flannery, the architect who designed the building,” Haley supplied in an effort to prevent any unnecessary conversation.
Keith nodded and extended his hand. “Keith Feinman.”
Michael stared at the offered hand but made no move to accept the gesture.
Keith narrowed his eyes and put his hands in his pockets. “Why would you send me a ticket?”
Haley took a step to stand between the two men, her back to Michael. “Because he doesn’t like me very much,” she replied with a forced laugh.
“Haley,” Michael growled.
“Stay out of this, Michael.” Meg moved toward her brother and out of Haley’s view. “I think you’ve done enough here.”
Though reeling from Meg’s betrayal, Haley still appreciated the woman’s efforts to avert a scene. Haley focused her attention on Keith. “Even if I had sent the ticket, why would you come?”
Keith’s features softened. “Because I wanted to see you. I hoped you’d let me apologize. I prayed you would finally listen to my side of the story and give us another chance.”
Haley stifled the hysterical laughter threatening to burst forth. The press would have a field day if she made a fool of herself. “I’ll make you a deal, Keith. You get me out of here without turning this into a three-ringed circus, and I’ll hear you out.”
“Oh, no.” Michael touched Haley’s shoulder, his voice oozing a protective warning. “You’re not going anywhere with him.”
Haley faced Michael and resisted the urge to point her finger at his chest while she spoke. He stood so close she had to tilt her head back to see his face. “Number one: You don’t get to make that kind of decision for me.”
Michael’s face darkened. A scowl exhibited his displeasure. “I—”
“Wipe that angry look off your face unless you want to see it all over the tabloids at the grocery store.” Haley knew the media would love to see any of them lose it.
“She’s right, bro.” Meg’s smile, however false, accompanied her statement.
Haley did her best to match the woman’s expression. “Number two: You’ve left me no choice. Thanks to you and your domineering, I-know-what’s-best-for-you attitude, I must now exit stage right with Keith and smile as if it were all planned.”
Meg nodded. “Good plan.” The redhead gave Keith her attention. “Do you have a car?”
He nodded. “I asked the driver to be ready to leave soon if I decided not to stay.”
Meg laughed as if he’d said something amusing. Her gaze returned to Haley. “Wave like you’re saying goodnight. Then go straight for the door. Walk quickly and pretend you’re talking to each other to discourage anyone from stopping you.”
“I don’t like this, damn it,” Michael grumbled.
Keith ignored him and offered his arm to Haley.
She stared at it for a moment, part of her unwilling to touch the man she’d come to hate. Haley squared her shoulders and slipped her hand through the crook of Keith’s elbow.
Her insides quivered in disgust, but she smiled and waved. Emotions swamped her. Disappointment. Anger. Pain. Oddly enough, none of those feelings were directed at Keith. Michael and his sister had betrayed her. Just when she’d learned to trust again, they’d done the unthinkable.
Keith led her to the door and into the cool night, all the while keeping up a steady dialog. The words themselves made no difference, and Haley made no attempt to listen or answer. She simply tried to appear interested and keep that damned smile on her face.
“Just drive and see that we aren’t followed,” Keith instructed the chauffeur as he helped Haley into the car.
Once settled in the back seat, she held her breath until the driver pulled away from the curb. She searched behind them through the dark-tinted window, hoping, praying they would make a clean escape. Several press people hurried toward vehicles. Fortunately, Haley’s unexpected early departure had caught them unaware. Parked cars blocked one exit. At the other, a hired valet attempted to calm the three reporters apparently demanding their keys.
Haley breathed a sigh of relief.
“That architect guy your new boyfriend?”
Haley wasn’t certain how to answer. Yes? No? Not anymore? How could he have done this to her? “None of your business, Keith.” She sighed. “Okay. You held up your end of the bargain. I can do no less. I’m listening. Say what you need to say and have done with it.”
Her ex-fiancé frowned. “I’d hoped you would be more…” Keith paused as if he couldn’t find the right words.
“Happy to see you?” Haley supplied.
He shook his head. “Receptive.”
“I’m sorry you were led to believe that I sent the ticket. I didn’t. I wouldn’t have. I changed my phone number for a reason. I didn’t want to talk to you.”
“I know. And I don’t blame you.” Keith leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “But you never let me apologize. You never let me explain.”
“Explain?” Haley’s voice rose a notch. With conscious effort, she modulated her tone. “What’s to explain, Keith? You and Sheila were naked in bed together. The room reeked of sex.”
“We’d been drinking. Drugs, too. We were at a party. I swear I don’t even remember how we got back to my apartment.”
Haley swallowed. “You and Sheila always did like the drugs.”
“I haven’t touched them since that night.” He reached for her hand and squeezed it. “The drugs cost me the best thing that has ever happened to me.”
She pulled her hand away, her mind racing, searching for something that made sense.
“I’m so sorry, Haley. I never meant to hurt you. Can’t you give me another chance? You know I love you.” His smooth voice brought memories flooding back. How many times had she heard those words?
“Okay. So you were stoned out of your mind that night. What about the other times?”
Keith’s eyes widened. A practiced, almost theatrical look of confusion quickly masked the shock that flitted across his face. “Other times? I don’t know what you’re talking about, sweetheart. I never…There were no other times.”
Haley’s chest constricted, pain radiated from the vicinity of her heart. She forced a laugh. “Money may not be able to buy happiness, Keith, but it will certainly loosen lips.”
He stared at her.
“Do you really think I would give you another chance when I know you’re lying now? I know there were other women. And I know that night wasn’t the first time you slept with Sheila.”
His nostrils flared as he took in a deep breath. “Who told you?”
Haley couldn’t answer. She couldn’t breathe. Couldn’t swallow.
“I
would have been honest, but I didn’t want to hurt you more than I already had.” He leaned forward, his voice pleading. “I’ll regret losing you for the rest of my life. I screwed up. I’m so sorry. Please forgive me. Give us another chance.”
She drew in a strangled breath and released the death grip she held on her clutch purse. “Not in your wildest dreams, Keith. I could never trust you again. It’s over.”
He nodded and wiped a hand across his mouth. His gaze fell away. “I had to try.”
Haley pressed the intercom button and gave the driver her address before speaking to Keith again. “I’m surprised Sheila didn’t come with you.”
“Guess you haven’t heard.” He leaned back in his seat, an unfamiliar look of defeat in his eyes. “Sheila is in a psychiatric rehab clinic. Her family had her committed as a danger to herself after she attempted suicide.”
She swallowed the news like a bitter tonic. Many times she’d contemplated ways to cause the woman bodily harm. But she’d never actually wished her dead. How could she? They’d grown up together, best friends since junior high.
They rode in silence for several minutes, Haley doing her best to keep from spewing the contents of her roiling stomach all over Keith’s perfectly shined, black leather shoes and his designer tux.
The chauffer pulled into the parking lot of her apartment complex and cut the engine.
She scooted closer to the door, anxious for escape.
“Who told you, Haley?” Keith asked again.
Haley wanted to smile just to spite him, but she couldn’t muster the strength. “You did, Keith. Just now.”
“You…You mean you didn’t…” The corners of his mouth curled in a half smile. “Well done. I never would have expected that from you. You’ve changed. Grown.”
The door opened.
“You and Sheila changed me. Taught me not to believe everything I’m told. Guess I should thank you for that.”
“I really am sorry, Haley. Even more so now than before.” He sighed. “Seeing you again…It really is true. You don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone.”
“Good-bye, Keith.” Haley climbed out of the car and took a deep breath of the cool night air, determined to walk away with her head held high.
