“Well, we usually like to interview each company separately—”
“Amanda, it’s an emergency. Please, could you help me?” he pleaded frantically.
“Well, all right. The interview’s going to be in front of Herbal Sensation’s building, but Cyndi was going to meet Ms. Scapolli in person at Norman’s Café first.”
“What time?”
“Umm...it looks like it’s about that time right now.”
“Thank you.” He hung up and dashed out the door.
CYNDI NARROWED HER gaze at the woman across the table from her and arched an eyebrow. “Ms. Scapolli, is Damien aware you’re stalking him?”
Liza tilted back her head and released a throaty laugh. When she met Cyndi’s stare, Liza shook her head. “Honey, you don’t know what you’re talking about. Stalking is not the correct word in this particular situation.”
Cyndi rested her arms on the edge of the table and leaned forward. “Is it correct to assume, then, you are trying to take over GIO Products? Is that why you’ve been keeping a close eye on him?”
The woman let out another laugh that made Cyndi want to do the un-Christian thing and reach across the table to slap her. Instead, she fisted her hands, knowing that violence was not the answer.
“Miss Randall, I believe you need to leave these kinds of questions for your reporter.”
Cyndi scowled. “Then tell me why I’m here? Why did you want to meet with me in person?”
The other lady shrugged. “I wanted to see what I was up against.”
She tilted her head. “Up against? What’s that supposed to mean?”
The vicious smile on Liza’s face widened. “That means I’m seeing what obstacles are standing in Damien’s way.”
“Why would you care? Your relationship with him is over. It ended seven years ago.”
“True, but I’d still like to continue our business relationship.”
Cyndi clenched her teeth. No matter what that woman called it, she still wanted Damien for herself, and Cyndi wasn’t going to give up without a fight.
The waitress finally brought over Cyndi’s ice water, and she gulped it down, needing something to cool her temper. So what did Liza really want? To size her up? To see what kind of competition she was up against?
She set her glass down on the table. “So, now that you’ve met me, what do you think?” After she asked, she inwardly cringed. Why did she ask such a stupid question? It was like being thrown out on the stage in her underwear for everybody to gawk at. In Liza’s case, the woman would throw daggers. Cyndi had opened herself up for ridicule, so now she had to grin and take it when it came.
Liza leaned back in her chair and folded her arms. “What do I think? Honestly?”
No, I want you to lie. “Of course.”
Liza took a deep breath. “Well, I’m surprised Damien is attracted to someone like you. Although I think you’re very sweet and you have a pleasant smile, the man I know wouldn’t go out with such a modestly dressed woman, or one so reserved.”
Cyndi brought her hand up to the top button on her pink blouse and swallowed hard.
“He likes worldly women,” Liza continued. “You don’t appear to be like that. Besides, Damien doesn’t usually go out with quirky women. I’ve done a little checking on you, and I’ve heard about your past relationships with men.”
Okay, maybe I do want you to lie to me. Cyndi nodded. “In other words, you don’t believe he’d go out with someone like me because I’m not...like you?”
Liza flipped her hand in the air. “You could say that, I suppose. It’s just hard to believe he’d settle for you.”
“When he could have someone like you, right?” Cyndi scowled.
The other woman’s light laughter sent sickening chills down Cyndi’s spine. Damien was right. This woman was malicious, and very evil. If Cyndi wasn’t representing Channel Nine right now, she’d take her outside and teach her a lesson in manners.
“Ms. Scapolli, thank you for your honesty. I’m sorry to have disappointed you.” She took another big gulp from her ice water then scooted away from the table. “But the truth is, I’m the woman with Damien right now, and I plan to keep it that way.”
“Is that a warning, Miss Randall?”
Cyndi reached into her purse, pulled out five dollars and tossed it on the table. “Take it however you’d like.” She forced her best smile. “Now, would you mind if I follow you over to your company to meet my crew?”
“Not at all.” Liza threw a ten-dollar bill next to the other and stood.
As the model-type woman walked in front of her, Cyndi’s blood boiled. Or was it jealousy rushing through her veins? Liza was everything she wasn’t. Tall, shapely, and beautiful. Could Damien be happy with someone as plain as Cynthia Randall?
When they walked out of the café, Liza turned to her. “Cyndi, I can see you really have deep feelings for Damien, but I think I should be the one warning you.”
She arched an eyebrow. “Why?”
“Because he goes through women like he does his socks. You seem like such a nice woman, and he’ll only break your heart.”
Cyndi stopped beside her car and leaned against it. “Then why do you want him?”
“I told you. It’s for a business relationship only.”
“Uh-huh, so why don’t I believe you? If you want him for just his company, why would you insist on eliminating the competition?”
Liza folded her arms across her chest. “If you really knew Damien, you’d know.” She shook her head. “Cyndi, he’s a secretive man.”
She lifted her chin. “I think you have him all wrong. He doesn’t hide anything from me.”
One corner of the other woman’s lips quirked upward. “I can promise you, he’s hidden something from you. He can’t help it. It’s just his way.”
Uncertainty shot through Cyndi’s mind again. If given the chance, would he have told me about being President? Come to think about it, last night they both had something they were going to confess, but Cyndi went first. Damien never did say anything about what he wanted to get off his chest. “I think we’d better get going, Ms. Scapolli, or we’ll be late.”
All the way to Herbal Sensations, Cyndi’s temper simmered. Why did this woman have to come along and make her doubt everything? Last night with Damien had been a dream come true. And now doubts were sneaking in her mind, even though she tried not to let them. What if she wasn’t good enough for him? What if she didn’t meet all of Damien’s expectations? He’d been with several women in the six months she’d known him and they were all like Liza.
What if he did try to keep his profession from her?
She gripped the steering wheel tighter. Why did she have to think this way? Liza was the villain, even Damien knew it. He’d explained what she’d done seven years ago, so what made Cyndi have doubts now?
She shouldn’t. Liza had no hold over him. None whatsoever. She released a sigh and chuckled from relief.
By the time she arrived at Herbal Sensation’s parking lot, the restriction had left her chest and she could smile easier. At least she didn’t want to scratch the wicked witch of the west’s eyes out.
Her crew had set up, and the reporter was ready to begin as soon as Liza added more makeup. Cyndi rolled her eyes. Like the woman needed more.
“Are you ready?” Cyndi asked.
Liza nodded.
“Now remember, this isn’t live, so if there’s something we ask that’s out of line, we can cut it out of the final version.”
“Thank you, Miss Randall, I’m aware of this.”
“Okay.” She clapped her hands and turned, but Liza placed a hand on her shoulder.
“I want you to listen really close to my interview. You might just learn something new.” She winked.
Liza stepped away with the reporter. Cyndi scowled, and her stomach twisted with insecurity. That evil woman was at it again. Would she ever relent?
Soon the taping started and the questio
ns were thrown out. The wind picked up and turned the weather to a bitter chill. Bundling her coat around her neck, Cyndi stood against a tree and listened to everything. Apparently, Liza assumed she should combine her company with GIO Products, but the owners of GIO were not complying with her wishes. That woman over dramatized everything, even drooped her lips into a pout.
Cyndi rolled her eyes. How pathetic.
“Ms. Scapolli,” Tamara, the reporter asked, “why do you feel GIO Products should allow you to become their partner?”
Liza’s gaze moved and rested on Cyndi.
Prickles ran up her spine. Something was going to happen. Her sickening stomach warned her.
An evil spark touched Liza’s eyes and she gave a malicious grin. “Because seven years ago, Damien Giovanni and I created the idea for Herbal Sensations. Now that he’s the President of GIO Products, I thought I should bring Herbal Sensations back home, so to speak.”
Cyndi sucked in her breath. Could this be the secret Liza hinted about?
“Ms. Scapolli,” Tamara continued, “why would Mr. Giovanni let you take those ideas created between the two of you and start another company?”
Liza’s focus remained on Cyndi. “Because after our divorce, it was my half of our assets.”
A gasp sprang from Cyndi’s mouth and she quickly covered it with her hand. A sharp pain twisted her stomach as if someone had just socked their fist into her middle. Yet at the same time, an invisible knife tore into her heart. Tears swam in her eyes and a knot the size of Texas formed in her throat.
Divorced? No, this couldn’t be. Damien would have told her that. But not once did he mention he’d been married before.
From the parking lot, the squealing of tires pulled her thoughts from the interview and she glanced over her shoulder. Damien’s black Porsche jerked to a stop and the door flew open. The man she realized she didn’t really know jumped out and looked at her.
Her stomach rolled, and everything around her spun out of control. She placed a hand on her head to steady herself.
She couldn’t talk to him. Not now, and not in front of Liza. She didn’t want to hear the shrill of laughter from the devious woman, nor see the lying eyes of the man she loved.
HEAVEN HELP ME! CYNDI knows.
Like a tidal wave, guilt flooded his soul and nearly drowned him. Why hadn’t he told her sooner? He’d known she wasn’t anything like Liza, yet he still hesitated on being honest and giving his whole heart to her.
Cyndi swayed against the tree, her hands holding her head as if it would burst. He rushed across the parking lot and up the slope of green grass to her. Just as he neared, she opened her eyes and met his stare. Her face had turned chalky white. His gut clenched with dread.
“Go away,” she whispered.
“Cyndi, we need to talk.”
She closed her eyes and rested her head against the trunk of the tree. “Not now. I’m at work.”
“Mí amore, let me take you to my car. You look like you’re going to pass out.”
“I’ll be fine.”
Her voice wavered, increasing the pain in his heart. “No you’re not.”
She peeked at him then glanced over her shoulder to where the interview still took place.
“You’re making a scene,” she spat.
“I’m not, and you know it.” He grasped her shoulders, but she yanked away. Her body swayed again, and he wrapped his arms around her, holding her to his chest.
“Damien—”
“If you don’t let me take you to my car, I’ll cause a scene, and the camera will be on us instead of the one talking to your reporter.”
She brought her hands between their bodies and pressed against his chest. Her gaze rose to his, the fire in her depths nearly piercing through him.
“I don’t want to talk to you right now.”
“Why?”
“Because...I need time to think about what I’ve just learned.”
Big, soulful blue eyes, currently red-rimmed and puffy, pleaded with him, even as they filled with tears.
“I’m also afraid if we talk right now, I’m going to say something I’ll regret later, because I’m not pleased with the way you’ve been so honest with me when I’ve been so open with you.”
Fear slammed into his chest, weighing him down. He dropped his arms and stepped back. She braced her hands on the tree for support. Lord, don’t let me lose her! He couldn’t force her, either.
He nodded. “I’ll give you some space. But know one thing. I love you.” His voice cracked from emotion building in his chest.
Gut-wrenching, shoulder-trembling sobs consumed her, slowly shredding his insides. With his heart dragging, he turned and walked to his car, hoping her sweet voice would call out and stop him. He opened the door and climbed in, but still he’d yet to hear her.
He closed the door. Tears stung his eyes when he started the engine. He glanced up the green hill to the tree. She wasn’t there. He scoped the area, but couldn’t see where she’d gone.
With a heavy chest and a knot in his throat, he pulled out of the parking lot and away from Cyndi.
Eighteen
Cyndi curled up on the sofa, her knees pulled tight against her chest. She stared through swollen eyes across the room. Amanda had been generous enough to let her stay with her for a few days...a few lonely, soul-searching days. She either wanted to forget Damien or forgive him. Right now she could do neither.
The hours at work seemed to pass in slow motion, and when it was time to go home, her exhausted mind and body nearly dragged as she entered Amanda’s apartment and to the couch. After two days, she decided to take some time off.
Damien hadn’t tried to call her, and she hadn’t been home since the day of Liza’s interview. He’d sent flowers and cards to her office, reminding her again that he loved her.
Loved her? How could he love her when he couldn’t even be honest with her? Why didn’t he trust her enough to tell her the truth? She’d bared her soul to him, showed him the accident-prone side to her existence, and still he couldn’t be sincere. She’d even shared with him her personal memory of her grandfather. No, he didn’t love her. Not in the way she wanted to be loved. Was that asking too much?
Amanda had returned from work an hour earlier, and was now out with some friends. Her co-worker had confessed that she and her husband hadn’t been living together for over five months. It certainly explained why Amanda had more of a carefree attitude about life lately. If a woman like Amanda couldn’t hold on to a guy, what sort of chance did Cyndi have? Were all relationships doomed to fail?
She lifted up on her elbow and swiped the hair off her forehead. She glanced around Amanda’s front room; two loveseats, one coffee table, bookcase holding a few novels, television and stereo, but nothing to keep her interest. She sniffed and wiped her nose with the back of her hand. Up until now, Damien had been the one keeping her busy.
Her heart clenched and she cursed her wayward mind. Why had she let him sweep her off her feet so easily? Did he only want one thing from her—the one thing she would not give to any man until she was married? She gritted her teeth. He’d been a player when she’d met him, so perhaps this was his method of wooing a woman.
She stood, walked into the kitchen and opened the refrigerator. Nothing looked appetizing. Not even the chocolate cake doughnuts with nuts sprinkled in the icing sitting in the box on the counter.
Sighing, she pushed the refrigerator door closed, turned and walked back to the guest room she’d been staying in. She plopped down on the bed and glanced at the nightstand. She’d brought her diary from home and it lay next to the lamp.
Way #9—Great memories. When you’re together, make it memorable. Create memories by taking pictures or writing in a journal.
Tears formed in her eyes once again. As much as she’d cried lately, it was a wonder there was still enough liquid left in her body.
She picked up the diary and flipped open to a page. She skimmed over the words. I
t was the day she’d moved in and met her gorgeous neighbor for the first time. He’d offered to help with moving the heavier objects, showing off by lifting more things at once than the moving men had done.
Biting her bottom lip from the memory, she tried not to grin. She even remembered the gray shirt that clung to his muscles, and how she’d tried really hard not to stare at them. Okay, maybe she didn’t try hard enough. She was human, right?
After her belongings were inside the townhouse and the moving men had left, Damien stayed to give further assistance. Immediately, she knew what he’d wanted, and she knew he would not get it. At that moment, she’d taken him off her list of future interests.
She turned to another page. This was the day Tim had broken up with her. He’d accused her of not being serious in their relationship. He also mentioned how he wanted to live longer than thirty years and staying with her would only mean dying early.
Letting out a snort, she rolled her eyes. He’d always been overdramatic.
On a different page was the night she was almost mugged. While in Damien’s protective arms after the incident, she’d been overcome with comfort. It was at that point she realized he’d make a good friend.
When had everything changed? When did her feelings change and she started thinking more about Damien than Max? When he kissed her after the Christmas party? Or was it when he stood by her side to help prepare that disastrous cinnamon chicken dinner?
A sob tore from her throat and she buried her face in the pillow. Why did falling in love have to hurt so much? Was finding a man and keeping him longer than three months worth it?
She straightened and sat crossed-legged on the bed, then reached for a pen. After finding an empty page, she finished the story with Damien’s lies by omission. She wrote about what Liza had said, and especially, what Damien had done and what he hadn’t told her. Tears fell faster the more she wrote, but the anguish in her heart lightened. By the time she finished, exhaustion weakened her body, like a great weight had been lifted.
The heartache was over. It was time to get on with her life, just as she’d done with the other men. She’d give herself another month, and then if she felt like it, she’d get back to finding Mr. Perfect.
Her Own Fairy Godmother Page 20
