CHAPTER 12
~Reese~
KEATON IS STANDING at the bar cart in his corner office with his back to me. My heart is pounding in my chest. When he turns around, the ice in his scotch rattles against the glass. “Why are you so upset?”
“You gave this account to me.”
“Gave. That’s the operative word, Reese.”
“I earned this account. I earned it by having the best concept with my ideas, and winning Vittori over. Why are you doing this?”
“It’s dinner with one of my clients. I don’t see the problem.”
“You’re my boss. How does that look if I can’t handle a simple dinner meeting? I just traveled with the man for the last two weeks. I think I can handle dinner.”
“Boss? I used to be more.” He sighs, but I’m numb to his disappointment in me at this stage.
I walk to the window and stare out. The view is one of the best in the city. The view of Central Park from his home rivals it. I give in like I always do, knowing he’s going to do as he pleases. “Whatever.”
“What was that?”
When I turn to face him again, I don’t let my eyes meet his. Instead I stare at the Windsor knot at his neck wanting to tighten it. “This is going nowhere,” I say grabbing my purse from the chair. “I’ll see you at eight.”
“See you at eight, sweetheart.”
I hated how condescending he was when he called me that while we were dating, but now that we’re not, I want to throat punch him. I grit my teeth instead, and say, “With bells on.” I don’t slam the door per se, but my emotions are heard loudly through the empty office.
Dinner is tense between Keaton and me. I’m hoping Vinnie doesn’t notice, but as I discovered in LA, he’s quite observant. Keaton doesn’t like him. He doesn’t fit the mold of what Keaton would choose for a friend. Another reason we wouldn’t have worked out. Keaton asks, “How has working with Reese been?”
Vinnie smiles when he looks at me, but some of the joy is lost when he faces Keaton. “She’s impressive. Not only does she speak French but she charms everyone she meets. I’m quite taken with her. If you’re not careful I might try to steal her away from Klein Advertising.”
Keaton’s eyes dart to mine before he responds, “She’s very loyal to my family. I’m sure there’s nothing that could sway her away.”
Vinnie sets his glass of wine down after taking a sip, and cuts into his steak. “I’m sure I can think of something.”
I clear my throat. “Can we please stop talking about me like I’m not sitting right here?”
Keaton reaches over and rests his hand on the back of my chair. Completely inappropriate, but he knows I can’t argue with him in front of clients… or anyone. I hate being the center of attention, especially when it involves drama.
“Sorry,” Keaton says with a fake frown of remorse. “I feel so lucky to have you onboard. I’m willing to fight for you.”
“This isn’t a battle. No one’s at war.” I touch Vinnie’s hand. “Thank you. I’ve been missing you after having a few days away.”
His other hand covers mine. “It was a grand adventure, but now the fun really begins. The dates are set?”
“Yes, for all but Paris. Let me know when you decide if Rome is still part of the vision. Then I’ll finalize the dates for Europe.”
“What about Mr. Weston?”
The wine thickens as I swallow. Avoiding Keaton’s intense stare, I look to the friendlier face of the two. “What about Mr. Weston?”
“Have we found him a suitable mate?”
I almost spew my drink across the table. Instead I start hacking up a lung, my throat burning as I struggle to catch my breath. Keaton takes any opportunity he’s given and jumps into action, wrapping himself around me while clapping my back.
Basically making it worse and extremely awkward. I fight the urge to hit him back, but catch my breath and tell him to stop, reassuring him until he sits back down and all the eyes in the restaurant are off me.
Vinnie is laughing too hard to be of any use. I roll my eyes when he asks, “Was it something I said?”
I glare.
“Are we talking about the model?” Keaton asks, seeming confused.
Vinnie responds before I can, “Yes. He’s absolutely purr-worthy, and our little Reese scored with him. Right, Reese?”
Keaton is glancing between us. “What do you mean Reese scored with him?”
Holding my breath, I wait for him to answer and pray he says the right thing. “Excuse me. I meant scored him. She closed the deal.”
I quickly add to that, “He signed on to the project.”
Vinnie adds, “As for his colleague in the campaign, we need to finalize our choice. I’m going to go through the last three contenders’ portfolios tomorrow. I’ll let you know who I think will turn up the heat for the photos with our leading man.”
Keaton scans the room. “Where’s our waitress? I need another drink.”
“Maybe it will be quicker for you to go to the bar,” I suggest, wanting some time with Vinnie.
“Great idea. Come with me. I want to discuss something.”
“I think I should stay with our guest.”
“Eh,” he says, waving Vinnie off, “he’ll be fine.”
Vinnie says, “Go ahead. I’ll use the restroom.”
I stand, pushing out my chair and set my napkin on the table. Weaving between the tables to reach the bar, I’m in shock over Keaton’s behavior, so my sarcasm seeps out. “Haven’t you had enough to drink tonight? Maybe you should go home.”
“I want you back, Reese.”
Backing away from his probing hand, I remark, “Your wants are no longer my concern.”
“Didn’t anyone ever tell you that you’re your own worst enemy?”
“I never stuck around long enough.”
He laughs, but he’s not amused. “Truer words never spoken.”
“I’m not having this conversation here.”
“You never want to have this conversation, but I’m tired of waiting.”
“I’m not a possession you control anymore. So you’d be wise to back off and set your sights elsewhere.”
“My eyes are set right here. You will not make me look the fool. I let you postpone the wedding, but it’s time you get back in line with what’s happening.”
“I didn’t postpone the wedding. The wedding was never going to happen. Hell, the engagement never even happened. But really, Keaton, why do you want someone who doesn’t want you?” I laugh, but I find nothing funny about this situation.
The back of his hand slides down my bare arm. “We can be great again, like we once were. If you’d only open your eyes to the possibility of a reconciliation.”
“The only thing I will reconcile is that you’re a cheater and a liar.”
“I treated you very well when we were together.”
“Whether together or not together, you rarely thought about me or what I wanted.”
Rubbing his temples in frustration, he says, “I don’t want to go over this again.”
“Good. Neither do I. We should get back to our client.”
“I want you to come home with me tonight. Let’s finish this. Leave the past in the past and move forward together.”
“Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twic—”
His lips press to mine. The shock stiffens my body and I push back. “How dare you kiss me!” I look around, panicked. “What if Vittori sees us?”
“Then he’ll see how much I care for you. Come home with me, Reese.”
I’m disgusted by not only the kiss, but also the assumption on his part that he could get away with it. “When hell freezes over.” I start to leave, but my wrist is grabbed.
He leans in and whispers, “You should watch what you say to me, Ms. Carmichael.” To anyone else here, we look like an affectionate couple, but by the way he’s squeezing my wrist and by how he’s gritting his teeth, there’s no love exchanged. “You only have this job because I was generous enough to give it to you. If you lose me, you’ll lose everything, including that fancy apartment you’re so proud of.”
How did I ever see him for anything other than the despicable human he is? I yank my wrist away, trying desperately to not make a scene, but I have to say something. “For someone who claims he wants me back, your threats speak louder than any of the bouquets you’ve sent me.”
Vinnie’s eyes catch mine. I lower my gaze, ashamed for him to see anything that might reveal how vulnerable I really am. I swallow hard and raise my chin as I walk back to the table.
Vinnie stands while I sit. “He’s an asshole.”
“I agree,” I say under my breath when Keaton approaches with another drink in hand.
Vinnie reads the situation for what it is and gives me a reprieve by redirecting Keaton. “Will you be joining us on any of the shoots, Mr. Klein?”
“No, no. I leave that to the professionals who work under me.”
“Yes, you must be too busy for that kind of thing,” Vinnie says, taking a jab.
Fortunately Keaton’s had enough to drink to not notice. When the check arrives, I take it and pay for it… with my business card. Ha!
When we’re standing on the street, a cab is hailed for us and we insist Keaton take it despite his protests that I share it with him. “It’s all good. I’ll make sure Mr. Vittori gets home safely.” He can’t argue with me in front of Vinnie, so it all works out.
As soon as we’re alone, he loops his arm with mine, and starts dragging me down the street. “Finally, we get our girls’ night out. Time to party.”
“Where are we going?”
“To a bar down the street and then clubbing. You up for a fun time?”
“More than ever.”
With pretty pink Cosmos in front of us, he sheds the famous Italian designer act and my Vinnie is back. “What happened between you and Model Danny? Tell me everything and do not leave out any details.”
“Nothing happened.”
“I gave you the last day of our trip and nothing happened. That’s very disappointing, Candy.”
I lean forward and hug him. “I missed you, Vinnie.”
He takes a few sips of his cocktail and then sticks out his bottom lip. “Really? Nothing happened?”
After a few large guzzles of my drink, I find the courage to share what I’ve wanted to since it happened. “He asked me to lunch.”
“And?”
“And he took me to the beach. He had box lunches and a blanket. We talked and ate.”
He faux faints without leaving his barstool. “That is so damn dreamy, girl.”
“I know, right?”
“The boy likes you.”
“The boy is not a boy anymore. He’s quite the man. And that man likes many women. You’ve seen the rags.”
With a swoony sigh introducing his words, he replies, “You’re right. He is no boy. Did I mention the fireworks between you two?”
“You did. I get it. I appreciate you playing matchmaker for me, but believe me, my life is a mess. I can’t afford to fall for anyone, much less someone like Danny Weston again.”
“Again?”
Damn. Oops. Backpedalling, I try to cover, “I didn’t mean again. I meant him. Just him. Whatever.” I start drinking my cocktail and don’t stop until the glass is empty.
“You’ve said a few things like tha—”
“Bartender?” I hail him like I’m hailing a cab, doing anything to distract Vinnie from finishing his train of thought.
When the bartender comes over, he leans both hands on the wood in front of me. Wearing a white shirt with the sleeves rolled up, exposing a detailed tattoo or two of something I’d like to get a better look at, a gray pinstriped vest, clean-shaven with his dark hair slicked back. He asks, “What can I get you, beautiful?”
I giggle because, yeah, he thinks I’m beautiful. “Another round of Cosmos please.”
“Coming right up.”
Vinnie’s eyes are glued to the bartender’s backside, but I elbow him as if he hadn’t noticed. We both keep our attention right where it should be. Vinnie leans over, and whispers, “I want him.”
“Haha. He’s gorgeous.”
“I want him to walk for my spring show.” He looks me in the eyes, dead serious. “Get him for me, Reese. Pretty please.” He’s like a child begging for an ice cream, and completely adorable.
“I don’t think I’m your girl for that, but I can talk to him for you if you’d like?”
“I’d like. I’d like very much.”
He turns around and sets the drinks in front of us. “Drinks are on me, but only on one condition.”
My bottom lip is tugged under my teeth in anticipation of what that one condition might be. I sip the drink, intrigued. “And what might that be?”
He sets a pen and white bar napkin in front of me. “You give me your number.”
“What if I’m not single?”
“No ring. That means if you’re not married, you’re single.”
“I might have a boyfriend.”
“He should’ve taken the next step then. His loss.”
Taking another sip, I set the glass down again and grab the pen while pulling the napkin closer. “You’re very sure of yourself.”
“I don’t believe in wasting time.”
After I write my number down and push it back to him, he studies it before his eyes come back to mine. “Nice to meet you, Reese. I’m Leo.”
Vinnie stands on the foot rail of his barstool and reaches forward to shake his hand. “Hello.”
Laughing, I signal to him. “And this is my friend…” I look to Vinnie, not sure how I should introduce him. Vittori is so well-known, an over-the-top icon in the fashion circles, but tonight he’s Vinnie. He’s in a tailored suit. His hair is styled, but not in his signature bouffant.
He understands my debate, so he helps out. “Vinnie. I’m Vinnie, Leo. It’s very nice to meet you.”
“You too. So just a night out?” Leo asks us.
“Yes, we’re catching up.”
“Oh, how long since you’ve seen each other?”
Vinnie and I exchange glances and laugh. “Five days.” But I try to help explain our silliness. “We had just spent two weeks traveling together, so I’ve become partial to him and missed him.”
“Awww, Candy, you’re bringing a tear to my eye.”
Leo looks perplexed. “Candy?”
“Just a nickname he has for me.”
“I look forward to hearing more about how you earned it.” He scans the bar and the impatient patrons trying to get his attention. When he looks back at us, he leans forward and says, “I’m going to call you and ask you out. I hope you say yes. I’d like to get to know you better.”
He’s not looking for an answer and his confidence is completely sexy. He walks away and helps other customers. Even though we stay here for another forty-five minutes I never see him get a number, or hear him using the same line he used on me. All the reasons are there for me to feel special—attention, complimentary drinks, handsome face, great build. I should be over the moon about him showing interest. I should be popping my imaginary collar, but that’s when it hits me. Danny used to do that in college. The memory takes me right back to him. As I sip the last of my drink, I wonder if he’s the reason I’m not into Leo. Everything about Leo is appealing and yet, nothing. Even with the short time we’ve spent together, Danny’s starting to feel a lot like a new habit. It will be interesting to find out if he’s a good or bad one to form.
Standing by the bar, I leave a large bill because free drinks means bigger tips. I wave goodbye, but he’s busy. Vinnie and I start making our way toward the exit, but I’m grabbed and when I spin around, Leo is there. He kisses my cheek. “I’ll see you soon, Reese.”
I stand there a second, surprised by his assertiveness. He apparently doesn’t waste time, but goes after what he wants. If only I could do the same. Danny. The only man who ever made me giddy comes to mind.
Vinnie coos, “Bye, Leo.’’
“Bye, Vinnie.” He laughs and returns to the bar.
Vinnie jumps giddily. “Man, he’s amazing. And yet, so different from Model Danny. Where should we go? We have so much to still talk about.”
“You’re relentless and wearing me down. I’m getting tired.”
“C’mon, Candy. We’ll go to my apartment. I have a hot tub.”