The Morning After: Starting from Zero Box Set

by Dallen, Maggie

  Jess shook her head in disbelief. “Are you deluded or are you really that naïve?”

  Lacey dropped her arms and turned to walk to the doorway. She’d had enough. Turning to face the other woman, she said, “You know what, Jess? I don’t care anymore. You want to trash my career out of some bizarre sense of vengeance? Go for it. I’ll take my chances that my work speaks for itself. But it won’t make any difference in the long run. You still won’t have a chance in hell with Alex.”

  Jess’s eyes widened in surprise, but Lacey wasn’t through. “So stop with your threats already. If you’re going to rat me out to my employers, just go ahead and do it.”

  Jess studied her for a moment, and a slow, wicked smile spread across her face. “I already did.”

  Lacey’s stomach dropped as the wind went out of her sails. “What?”

  “What’s the matter, Lacey? Not so sure that your ‘work’, as you call it, will be enough to save your job?”

  Lacey couldn’t think of a response. Her mind was too busy racing through her options. What had Jess said? Maybe she could call Rick and explain the situation. He would believe her word over a stranger’s, wouldn’t he? And when Alex won, it wouldn’t matter.

  “What did you tell them?” she demanded.

  Jess’s eyes widened in mock innocence. “Just the truth, sweetie. That I was concerned your relationship with Alex was…inappropriate. From what I gather, Ackland does not look kindly on romances in the workplace—particularly between consultants and clients.”

  “But it’s not true,” Lacey said. “We’ve kept it professional.”

  “For now,” Jess finished. “Do you think I’m stupid? I know there’s something between you. Whether you’re sleeping together now or waiting until the election is over, it’s all the same.

  “Even if Alex wins the election, it won’t make a difference,” Jess continued. “I’ve been assured that your contract with Ackland has been terminated. Effective immediately.”

  Lacey thought she might throw up. She had worked so hard. She’d been given this one shot and she’d screwed it up. She shut her eyes at the thought. It wasn’t over yet. She would call Rick, she would explain the situation. She would beg if she had to.

  For now, she just had to get away from Jess without losing her lunch.

  “Fine,” she managed to say despite the roiling pit in her stomach. “I hope you’re happy. You do realize, however, that now you won’t stand a chance with Alex. You may have hurt me but you’re no closer to winning Alex’s love.”

  She didn’t stick around to see how her words affected the other woman. She spun around on her heel and stumbled down the darkened hallway toward the loud, cheerful sound of a successful party in progress.

  She saw him across the room chatting with Arthur and two of his buddies who Lacey assumed were on the board. He looked comfortable and in his element as he chatted up the older men. She’d done her job.

  She was headed toward the door, hoping to escape unnoticed. She could talk to Alex tomorrow when they were alone. If Jess was right and she was out of a job, the only consolation would be that she and Alex no longer had to hide their relationship. That was something.

  She had almost reached the door when she heard Alex call her name. “Hey, where are you going? The party just got started.”

  He looked so happy and energetic, she didn’t have the heart to let him down. “I’m just not feeling all that well,” she said.

  He studied her with concern before taking her by the arm and leading her outside to a terrace that sported an amazing view of the city. The night air was balmy and promised rain but for now, it was perfect. The city lights were a romantic backdrop and the sounds of music from inside just added to the ambiance.

  He turned to face her and she was suddenly very aware that they were alone. The distance between them was nothing. His eyes darkened with desire and he leaned down to kiss her. Only a potted palm stood between them and the curious eyes of their colleagues. They shouldn’t do this.

  But when his lips touched hers, she forgot all about what they should or shouldn’t do. For one heavenly moment she forgot all about Jess and her job and the fate of the company. For one deliriously delicious moment, she let herself savor the feel of his warm, strong lips against hers. She breathed in his scent and let her hands rest against his hard chest.

  For one moment, everything was perfect in the world.

  The sound of a particularly loud laugh inside broke them apart. Alex heaved a heavy sigh and took one step to the side. She offered a wry grin. “Monday night, remember?”

  He groaned and tilted his head. “Why does that sound like an eternity right now?”

  “Because it is,” she said. “But on the bright side, it looks like you’re wowing the bigwigs in there. Not that I expected anything less.”

  He pretended to straighten his tie and gave a cocky sniff. “I’ve been told I can be quite the charmer.”

  “Oh yeah? Who told you that?”

  His lopsided grin made her smile in return. She could have stood there grinning like a doofus all night long with her guy, but she was becoming all too aware that the longer they remained outside, the more suspicious Alex’s absence would seem. Her job might be in the Dumpster, but that didn’t mean he should throw his out the window.

  He caught her worried glance toward the terrace door and took another step. “I guess that’s my cue to go back to being the life of the party.”

  She shook her head in mock exasperation. “Always so humble.”

  He stopped just before the door and turned to fix her with a look that made her heart stop. “Have I mentioned that you are breathtakingly gorgeous tonight?”

  She pretended to consider the question. “You know, I don’t believe you did.”

  His wink was over the top and made her laugh out loud. “You’re an unforgettable, traffic-stopping, out of this world knockout.”

  She laughed, and he turned to walk in the door but just before he shut the door behind him, he added, “And I just might be the luckiest guy in the world.”

  Game over. Lacey didn’t believe in swooning, but if there was ever a time when she thought that word might be appropriate, this was it.

  Despite everything that had happened between her and Jess, she felt like she was walking on air.

  That feeling transported her through the crowd as she said brief goodbyes to her new friends from the company and straight out the door where a doorman graciously offered to flag her a taxi.

  She was grinning to herself in the lobby when the elevator doors opened with a ding behind her. She turned, half expecting to see Alex pop out demanding one last kiss before she headed home.

  But it wasn’t Alex, it was Arthur Wingate, looking debonair in a stately, older gentleman kind of way. Temporarily forgetting that she hated this whole family, Lacey found herself matching his enormous grin with a pleasant smile of her own. He strode up to her, his voice booming in the marble, cavernous lobby. “Leaving so soon?”

  Lacey was about to respond with a vague, pleasant excuse for her abrupt departure but he had reached her side and cut her off with a quiet voice. “Might I have a word before you go?”

  Lacey’s smile faded. Uh oh, here we go.

  She let him escort her outside, where the wind was picking up as thunderclouds rolled overhead.

  “I understand you had words with my daughter tonight.” Arthur’s look was grave and filled with concern. Could it be that he was out here to make amends on his daughter’s behalf?

  Hope flickered and immediately sputtered out as he continued in a calm tone, his expression still filled with regret. “I’m afraid my daughter has a lot to learn about boardroom tactics. You see, she still believes in playing nice.”

  Lacey’s jaw dropped. That was playing nice?

  He draped an arm across her shoulder as he led her toward a taxi that the doorman had stopped. The doorman was holding the door open for her, ready to bundle her into the vehicle
and send her on her way.

  Arthur’s voice was deep in her ear. “You see, my dear, what my daughter failed to mention is that I have absolutely no loyalty to the Newsom family.” She stopped in her tracks, forcing him to stop beside her. He looked into her face with a friendly look of amusement. “Don’t look so shocked, sweetheart. This is business, that’s all. I’m loyal to the company and to the shareholders—nothing less, nothing more.”

  Lacey was so shocked by his sudden outburst of honesty, she didn’t even blink as the first raindrops fell against her cheeks.

  “I had planned to run for president myself, you know. But then Marcus stepped in and Alex decided to man up and, well,” he gave a self-deprecating shrug, “I decided to do what I do best—pick the best horse to win and back it.”

  Lacey, unsure of where this was going, allowed herself a brief moment of hope. “And you decided that Alex was the best bet for the company?”

  He shot her a look that told her she was a fool.

  “I always back my family, first and foremost. To be honest, I don’t think either man deserves to run this company, but Alex is likable and bright enough to know that he needs people like me to do the heavy lifting. He needs someone like me to make the hard decisions.”

  Lacey swallowed the bile that rose in her throat. This man was disgusting. He was a snake.

  He wasn’t finished. “Family above all, that’s my motto. And when my daughter decided that she wanted young Alex to be her husband, I couldn’t think of a better idea. He would be a shoe-in for the position, with my backing. She would get her trophy husband, and I would get my puppet president. Everybody’s a winner.”

  His teeth sparkled white in the darkening light. This man truly was the devil.

  She had to clear her throat before she could speak. “Why are you telling me this?”

  He looked surprised. “Because you’ve gone and ruined that plan, sweetheart. And that’s just not going to fly.”

  “I haven’t done anything,” she started to protest.

  “Oh, you’ve done your fair share.” He graced her with a conciliatory smile. “But don’t worry, I don’t hold grudges like my daughter does. No, I just want what my family deserves and what we’ve set our sights on.”

  “You want Alex to marry your daughter?” she asked. She didn’t know whether to be horrified or amused. “Sir,” she said, finding her voice again, “do you happen to know what century we’re in? You can’t just choose who you want for your daughter and make it happen. It doesn’t work that way.”

  The older man seemed unperturbed by her mocking remarks.

  “Let me make this clear, Miss Ames. I have no problem changing allegiances at this stage in the game. In fact, it would be quite fun.” His look of amusement spoke volumes.

  “But why?”

  “Because, my dear, I am the one who should be leading this company. I have stood by Alex’s grandfather for more than a decade. Head of this company is my rightful position. I would be happy to stand in the background and run this company through Alex, for my daughter’s sake, but that is not the only option. And if she gets nothing out of this deal, well then, I may have to rethink my options.”

  Anger warred with fear. “I don’t care for threats, Mr. Wingate.”

  He laughed loudly at that. “And I don’t make threats. You should know that.”

  “What do you want?”

  He raised a brow in surprise. Clearly he hadn’t expected her to cut to the chase. She did her best to maintain a calm exterior despite the overwhelming anger and fear that left her perilously close to bursting into tears. Or losing her lunch.

  “What. Do. You. Want?” she repeated, proud of the way her voice didn’t shake.

  “You gone, of course.” He was so matter-of-fact, they might as well be talking about the weather.

  “Of course,” she repeated under her breath.

  He gave her a condescending look. “It’s nothing personal, my dear. In fact, I think you’ve done wonders for the boy. You clearly know your stuff.”

  He looked so genuine, she didn’t know whether to laugh or scream at the compliment. “Uh…thank you?”

  “If it were up to me,” he continued, his thick drawl thicker than ever. “I would never have ruined your chances at Ackland. But Jess…” He shrugged and gave her a knowing look that said daughters, what can you do?

  “No, you just want to ruin Alex’s career,” she said.

  He looked surprised again at the bitter tone of her voice. Well, gee golly, she must’ve left her manners back at the plantation. Not for the first time, she wondered where on earth this man got his southern drawl.

  “Now don’t be so mad, my dear. That boy will be just fine in the long run. He’s not ready for the challenges that come with running a business. He’s not ready to make the tough decisions.”

  “But you are,” she finished for him.

  “That’s right.”

  “So if I don’t leave Alex, you’re going to back Marcus?”

  He shook his head with a rueful laugh. “Oh no, that young man is far too unpredictable. There was never a chance of me backing that horse.”

  “Of course not. You just want someone you can control.”

  He gave her a warning look—the type a principal might give a student who’d been naughty. “I want someone I can teach.”

  He continued as though he didn’t hear her snort of disbelief. “Alex will make me a fine son and one day, he’ll make a great leader. When I explain to the rest of the board how sickly his grandfather is, I’m sure they’ll agree that the most responsible thing I could possibly do, for Alex and for the company, is to run the business while he gets his footing.”

  “You’re trying to convince me you’re doing this for him?” Her shout was drowned out by a crash of thunder overhead.

  He ignored her outburst as he peered up into the night sky. “You better get home, little lady. We can continue this conversation in the morning.”

  True to his word, Arthur Wingate arrived at her hotel room bright and early. Lacey was awake when he knocked—she’d never gone to bed. She’d struggled with her options. It all came down to one question—she knew she was willing to risk her career to give them a chance…but was she willing to risk his?

  She was ready for Arthur when he arrived. She’d spent hours agonizing over the letter she would deliver to the older man.

  She looked out the window as he read it, she had no desire to see his expression as he gloated in her misery.

  She heard him fold the paper when he was finished reading and turned to see him slip it into the envelope. “Well done, my dear. This should do nicely.”

  It would do the job. Nicely was not the word she’d use for it. It was a Dear John letter—there was nothing nice about it. She’d struggled to find an explanation Alex would believe for her sudden change of mind. Eventually she’d decided to put to use that stupid lie about her broken engagement.

  In her letter to Alex she explained that trying to be together was too much of a risk to her career. She told him that Sam had reached out to her and wanted to make a go of it and she had decided to give their relationship another try. All lies. But those lies would do the trick. He’d believe them.

  He would go on to win the election, and she would go home to Sam, her cat, and her job at the bar. She’d start over, and she’d make her way into the career of her dreams. Not with Ackland, perhaps, but there had to be other opportunities out there. Maybe she could convince Rick to write her a letter of recommendation.

  She hadn’t received final word about her termination, but she’d come home the night before to find an email from Rick saying that they needed to have a talk—face to face—as soon as she was back in San Francisco. Something told her Jess wasn’t one for idle threats, and it didn’t take a genius to read the writing on the wall.

  Arthur was moving to the door—his business here was done. Lacey could get on with her packing and make some excuse to Alex about why s
he was out of touch for the weekend. Life would go on.

  Arthur was about to open the door when she stopped him. “Remember, you promised not to give him the letter until after the election. And you gave your word, you’ll continue to back him.”

  “As long as you stay away,” he finished with a smile. “I remember. And I always keep my word.” He made a gesture that was half bow, half tip of an imaginary hat and walked out the door.

  Chapter Twelve

  ALEX COULDN’T WAIT for this day to be over. He’d been up since the crack of dawn, his stomach a ball of knots. He fidgeted with his tie and stuck his head out of his office doorway and shouted down the hall.

  “Heather, have you seen Lacey?”

  She shouted, “No, boss, she hasn’t come in yet.”

  “Where is she?” he grumbled to himself. He hadn’t seen her all weekend—but that had been his fault. He’d taken his grandfather out to their house in the Hamptons for some rest and relaxation. Not that it had done much good. His grandfather was officially the worst patient in the history of medicine.

  He’d spent most of the weekend harassing Alex about his speech and lecturing him about business affairs. He’d texted Lacey on his way out of town letting her know he’d be off the radar for a couple of days and she’d texted back wishing him luck with the patient from hell.

  She’d said she’d see him when he got back and that was the last he’d heard from her. He thought at the very least he’d see her this morning for one last pep talk before the big meeting, but she was nowhere to be found.

  Instead, it was Dawn who came in to make sure he was ready. She helped him fix his tie and listened as he went through the speech one last time.

  Finally Heather walked in to the office, with Raj in tow like a little puppy following his master. “Showtime, boss,” Heather announced.

  Raj clapped him on the shoulder and steered him toward the door. His little posse of cheerleaders followed him down the hall to the conference room but he entered the lion’s den on his own.