The Last Little Secret

by Zuri Day

  She woke up.

  Sam looked around the room, disoriented to find herself back in bed and not on the lounge outside. The bedsheets had been tousled and were now wrapped around her. Nick wasn’t in her room. Unfortunately, she was very alone.

  That had been a dream?

  The buzzing she’d heard earlier sounded again. She looked to see a light coming from the phone on the table beside her. Taking a deep breath, she picked up the receiver.

  “Hello?”

  “Good morning, beautiful.”

  “Hey, Nick.”

  Sam fell back against the headboard. On one hand she was glad that their making love had not happened in real time. On the other, she was sorely disappointed.

  “Meeting in Manhattan got changed from lunch to breakfast but I wanted to touch base with you before leaving the island.”

  “You’re leaving right now?”

  “In about five or ten minutes. In addition to the meeting change there’s a storm coming in. The captain suggested we get an early start. It sounds like I may have awakened you, though, so go ahead and finish your sleep. I imagine you have a long day ahead. We can catch up next week, when you’re back home.”

  “Sure. I’ll plan and sketch today and will forward the 3-D renderings. Perhaps we can chat by phone before I schedule contractors from the names you sent over. Thanks for those.”

  “No worries at all. I look forward to the sketches.”

  Sam heard a beep.

  “Ah, I have to take this. Call me if you need me.”

  “Will do.”

  “Bye, Sam.”

  Just as she was about to put down her phone, a text came in. She tapped the screen. Oba. Well, wasn’t that just the wake-up she needed. It was a warning to not get caught up in the feelings of her exotic dream. Because in her waking world, unless she was very careful, life could turn into a nightmare—snap—just like that.

  Eight

  For the next couple weeks, Nick and Sam didn’t see each other but were in almost constant communication. In the mornings he’d receive detailed 3-D images of each room’s design plan, sometimes updates from plans sent before. Nick appreciated that unlike the previous designer, Sam kept him apprised of the progress without being prompted. He wasn’t usually a micromanager, but with the challenging timeline and the millions of dollars at stake, rest came easier knowing of any potential challenges with contractors or material deliveries and having an overview of what was happening overall. At night they’d communicate by phone, text or email, and not always about work. Nick encouraged Sam to get off the island and take advantage of being in the city that never sleeps. Sam teased at Nick that she’d do that as soon as a certain taskmaster stopped cracking the whip. While working in New York, Sam was also viewing the floor plans of the homes off the coast of Georgia and the Carolinas, which were next on the schedule. Every idea was well-thought-out and top-notch, homes to fulfill every whim of the wealthy, just as he’d envisioned.

  On the professional front, all seemed to run smoothly. Yet his thought often returned to the day after he arrived in New York, and the conversation he’d had with Sam just before leaving. Nick wondered if it was his imagination, or had he heard a bit of trepidation in Sam’s voice? Had she tossed and turned half the night, had trouble sleeping as had been the case with him? There was a lot on his corporate plate but Nick didn’t try to fool himself. Sam being just down the hall was the reason he’d found it hard to rest that night. That more than anything is why he’d left early. The stress of another night in the same house but different beds with that woman would have taken years off his life.

  Nick clicked on the 3-D image that showcased Sam’s plans from an aerial perspective. He projected it from the computer to the eighty-inch wall-mounted screen, then walked over to take a more in-depth look.

  A soft tap sounded behind him. Nick turned around.

  It was Noah. “Got a minute?”

  “For you, I do. Come over and take a look at this.”

  Noah stopped a few feet away to fully examine the lifelike rendering, before stepping up for a closer look. He pointed to an area near the screen’s left side. “Is all of this part of the atrium?”

  Nick nodded. “It’s already finished. And absolutely gorgeous, bro. It definitely makes an immediate statement to our guests. Sam suggested putting at least a modified version on as many homes as possible. What do you think about that?”

  “What does the team think?”

  “I’ll find out in the meeting on Friday. Didn’t you get the memo?”

  “Probably. I’ve been tied up with Bionics all week. I’m sure Essie placed it on my calendar.”

  Noah’s attention returned to the screen. “Do you have real photos of that?”

  “I sure do. Hang on.” Nick walked to his desk and reached for the mouse. His cell phone rang. A frown accompanied his greeting. “Breedlove.”

  “Hello?” A few seconds and then, “Who is this?” Nick sighed as he ended the call and slid the phone back to the desk.

  “What was that about?” Noah asked.

  “I don’t know. It’s been happening for a couple days now.”

  “Someone probably has the wrong number and keeps calling hoping that whoever they’re trying to reach will answer the phone.”

  “You’re probably right.” He clicked a remote to begin the slide presentation. “Check this out.”

  Nick showed Noah the New York renderings and what he had so far on the other homes.

  “What about Hawaii and the Bahamas?”

  “Navigating the world of contractors in both locations is a bit tricky. If necessary, I’m hoping to be able to fly in the manpower we need while employing as many of the townsfolk as possible. Doing that often makes it easier for the officials to be more agreeable in other areas.”

  “If Sam can duplicate what’s happened in New York everywhere else, she’ll indeed be a miracle worker. But I don’t know, man. We’re into April, about ten weeks away from the first reservations. It’s going to be tight.”

  “It’s going to be amazing.”

  Anita interrupted via intercom. “Gentlemen, your mom is on line two.”

  “Who does she want to speak to?” Noah asked.

  Nick picked up the phone. “Who did she call?” He pushed the blinking extension and placed the call on speakerphone. “Hey, Mom.”

  “Hi, Mother.” Noah gave a wave as he turned and walked out the door.

  “Is that Noah?”

  “It was. He just left.”

  “Oh, dear. I hope I didn’t interrupt anything.”

  “Just discussing trying to finish a project valued in the hundreds of millions is all.”

  “Oh, good. Then of course you’ve got time to talk with me about next month’s carnival.”

  Nick suppressed a groan as he sat and swirled his executive chair. He knew where this conversation was heading. “All the time in the world, Mother. What’s up?”

  “We’re finalizing the carnival’s special guest list. Have you spoken with Samantha about bringing her son?”

  “First of all, why are you talking about her as though she’s someone you know? No one calls her Samantha, Mom. She goes by Sam.”

  “Duly noted. Have you asked her?”

  “Honestly all I’ve talked about with her are the island homes.”

  “How are those coming along, son?”

  “I’m happy to report that so far, so good. I just showed Noah the slides from what was just completed in New York, and the 3-D pictures of the next focus, which are our islands in the Southeast. Her plans look amazing.”

  “So did the other designer’s, as I recall.”

  “The difference is that Sam has the reputation and with what we’ve seen in New York, the experience to back up that vision.”

  “Sounds like
this Sam is quite a woman.”

  “Quite the interior designer,” Nick gently corrected. “That’s the part of her that plays a part in my life.”

  Victoria chided right back. “Oh, come now, Nick. Those working alongside us have never been mere employees. Every time someone joins the corporation, our family expands.”

  Nick’s lips went into a straight line. His grandma Jewel taught him that when one didn’t have something good to say, they need say nothing at all.

  “Is it possible to get Sam’s email address so that I can send her a proper invitation?”

  “She’s really busy, Mom. I don’t think—”

  “Good. You don’t have to. Just send over the address so that our amazing interior designer can decide for herself whether she’d want her child to attend the carnival of any child’s dream.”

  “Send over the invitation to my cell phone, Mom. I’ll forward it.”

  “Excellent! As soon as possible, sweetie. Have a beautiful rest of day, now. Bye-bye!”

  Classic Victoria. Light a bomb, then scatter before the flame reaches the end of the wick. Being around Sam in a playful atmosphere was probably not the wisest move, but he’d do as requested and forward the invite to her. To further balk or outright refuse would only serve to make his mom that much more curious and determined. Given the pace she’d kept up for almost two weeks, Sam would probably want to spend the weekend doing something much more productive than petting animals or watching her kid’s face get painted. Like sleeping.

  I wouldn’t mind spending the weekend sleeping in, too...with her.

  The thought popped into his head before he could stop it. He was mostly successful at keeping it at bay, especially since Sam had made it clear that she didn’t want to mix business with pleasure. Now with his mom’s interest pricked, he definitely wanted to keep things platonic. If Victoria connected with Sam, felt she was a possible Breedlove bride and got the slightest whiff of romance, she’d start searching for suitable wedding venues and order the cake.

  His phone dinged. The invite from Victoria. He clicked on it and downloaded the attachment but finished viewing Sam’s latest renderings and making notes before placing the call. By then he’d mentally placed her back in the work safe zone and convinced himself that he was making too big a deal of the carnival invite. She and Trey would be two of over a thousand people his mother expected to descend on the estate next weekend.

  Noah texted the invite to Sam, then got up to take in the all-encompassing Las Vegas view from his high-rise corner office. “Sam, good morning.”

  “Almost afternoon on the East Coast. You’re calling about the Southeast island designs?”

  “Yes, and something else. I just texted you an invite.”

  “An invite? For what?”

  “Did you get it?”

  “Hold on.” Nick watched a plane descend toward the nearby airport. “A CANN Kind of Carnival?”

  “Yes, that’s it, forwarded at the specific request of my mother.”

  “Please join us for...” Sam’s voice diminished as he imagined her quickly scanning the invitation.

  “Um, yeah, this is very kind of Victoria, but I’m going to have to decline.”

  “About that feeling like you have an option? You don’t. It’s why I called.”

  “Let me make sure I’ve got this straight. My first weekend off and I’m required to attend a carnival?”

  “One hosted by the CANN Foundation, which my mother heads up? Yes. It’s going to be an amazing event with the proceeds benefiting children in hospitals, foster care and at-risk situations. My mom has dreamed up a ton of creative efforts over the years, but this literal fair on the grounds of the estate is a first.”

  “And you’re saying this is mandatory?”

  “I’m saying it would be in your best interest.”

  “Why? I don’t remember attending CANN charity events being in my agreement.”

  “Mom knows you’re new to town and a single mother. She feels an outing like this would be a great way for you and Trey to meet other moms and young kids in the community.”

  “That’s very thoughtful of her, but honestly, I was looking forward to a simple weekend, a movies-and-pizza kind of affair. Especially with the Carolinas on the schedule next week and a few potential material availability fires already cropping up. Since you’re such an ace business negotiator, why don’t you decline the RSVP on my behalf.”

  “Because Victoria is a partner possessing debate skills that make winning arguments darn near impossible. I believe the invitation allows you to include a friend or two. Perhaps your cousin or another mother would like to join you? As much as I appreciate your focus, a short break from the stress might do you good. You’ll enjoy yourself and your son will love it.”

  After a pause, Sam responded. “I’m sure he’d have fun. I could probably find an hour or two to hang out there.”

  “Good.”

  She chuckled. “Is that relief I hear in your voice?”

  “Ha! Picked up on that, did you? If you knew Mom, you’d be relieved, too.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  “Victoria Breedlove lives life on a chessboard. She never makes one move without having thought three or four moves ahead. I’ve played on this board all my life and know for sure that it would be better to say yes to this invitation and have whatever conversation she obviously wants to have with you, than to decline and make her even more determined to make a connection.”

  “Does she know about us, I mean, our one-night stand?”

  “No.”

  “Does she usually meet with or invite all new employees to charitable functions?”

  “I can’t say that she does. Look, I don’t want to frighten you. But you might as well know that you’ll be under the V-radar. Mom looked you up online. She saw your picture, thinks you’re gorgeous, is familiar with your work and is an incurable matchmaker. She’ll more than likely want to get all up in your business and has the uncanny knack to be halfway through your personal secrets chest before you realize the lid has been opened. Be cordial, but know that you are under no obligation whatsoever to share anything outside of casual pleasantries. I’ll introduce you to the girls, who between the three of them can share a bevy of appropriate diversionary comebacks.”

  “The girls...your in-laws.”

  “My in-loves—Lauren, Ryan and Dee.”

  “Ah, right.”

  Nick heard the sound of a beep and a whispered expletive on the other end of the line.

  “Nick, I’ve got to go.”

  “Everything all right?”

  “It will be.”

  The line went dead.

  In the world of construction, delays, snags, errors and snafus came with the territory. The angst heard in Sam’s voice was not uncommon, especially given the scope and scale of what they were building. Yet it bothered him to hear it, to think that something was dimming the light in those gorgeous brown eyes.

  A few minutes later, his cell phone rang. Unknown caller. Again.

  “Breedlove.” A slight rustling was heard on the otherwise silent line. “Hello? Who is this? Look, whoever you’re looking for is not at this number. Do not call it again.”

  Nick ended the call more than a bit chagrined. The calls were increasing to the point of becoming a nuisance. An unknown number could not be blocked. Much like the errant erotic thoughts that kept springing up about Sam.

  He couldn’t block them. That bothered him, too.

  Nine

  Every part of Sam’s mind was exhausted. With the unexpected delays and back-ordered materials, her stay on the idyllic island was by no means a vacation. But she’d gotten the job done. Except for the furnishings that had been ordered but not yet delivered, CANN Isle-New York was finished, enough so that Sam felt confident moving on to the Caroli
nas next week. After speaking with Danni about the woman she’d hired to look after Trey, and watching the nanny’s interaction with her son, she also felt very good about hiring Gloria Monroe.

  “Come on, little man. I’ve got him, Gloria, thanks.”

  Sam reached into the car seat and pulled the sleeping tyke from the car seat, then followed an equally tired live-in nanny into the condo. The driver pulled their luggage from the trunk and deposited it at the entrance.

  “Would you like me to take these inside, ma’am?”

  “No, that’s okay. We can get it from here.” She reached inside her purse and pulled out a bill. “Thank you.”

  “I appreciate it, ma’am. Have a good night.”

  While Gloria handled the luggage, Sam continued on to Trey’s room. She set down her purse and undressed her son. She’d just pushed his last extremity into his favorite Black Panther superhero pajamas when her phone rang.

  She fished it out of her bag, placed it on Trey’s bed and pushed the speaker button. “Hey, cuz, can I call you right back? I just got home and am putting Trey to bed.”

  “Okay. Call ASAP.”

  Sam’s brow creased. Danielle didn’t sound happy. Sam tucked Trey into bed, proceeded to her room and even though she wanted nothing more than a quick hot shower and her soft, warm bed, she had a brief chat with Gloria, giving her the weekend off, then retreated to the master.

  She hit Redial. “I’ve got a date with a pillow, cousin, so make it quick. What’s up?”

  “I’m not sure you want to know, but you need to.”

  The cryptic answer pushed a bit of Sam’s exhaustion away. She sat straighter on the bed. “You don’t sound good, Danni. What’s going on?”

  Sam heard a deep sigh on the other end of the line.

  “I recently met up with a few girlfriends. One of them had heard talk.” A beat and then, “About you.”