Chapter 10

As the videos ran, I intently watched Wes’ face across the conference room table. Professional and composed, most people would miss the nearly imperceptible muscle tic in his jaw that told me of the storm the film clip had just unleashed in his heart. Jonathan and I had been right on the mark with our concept and execution and I was elated beyond belief, not just to do a good job and land an account, but to create something that was meaningful for Wes. What had happened to him? Who had he lost to this insidious disease?

When Donna raised the lights, it took a minute for everyone’s eyes to acclimate, providing a moment for the room’s occupants to compose themselves.

Renata was the first to speak, “That was really powerful.” She fanned her face with a piece of paper.

Kelly nodded in agreement. “Just beautiful,” was her input as she dabbed the corner of her eyes.

Only Julien sat there with his arms crossed over his chest, his body language suggesting that he was unmoved, or at least not willing to acknowledge the videos’ effect on him. Looking straight at me, he broke the emotional hold of the room with his assessment, delivering his opinion with a slight sneer. “I’m sorry but I found it to be derivative and not very original.”

Under the table I sunk my fingernails into Jonathan’s thigh and just smiled at Julien, “I’m so sorry we were unable to touch your heart.” I hoped only he could see the venom in my eyes. What a douche!

Wes cleared his throat and my attention went back to him. “I think you hit it on the mark, you captured our mission, our corporate ethos, the message we imperatively need to get out to women. I’m incredibly impressed. This feels like the work of an organization we’ve been teaming with for years.”

My heart soared at his appraisal of our work and Jonathan and I thanked him for his kind words. I could see the smile in the crinkle of his eyes. Damn, the lines on his face were perfect, rugged and sexy. This man had turned into a head-turner, aging beautifully, in a way few men do. Although our eye contact was direct, I couldn’t read anything beyond the business conversation. I had no idea at all if he had any inkling that we’d ever met before. Unlike Julien, aka Matthew, who was looking at me like he was going to have revenge sex with me in the bathroom after the meeting.

“I really like this starting point,” Wes was speaking again and that melodious voice was like a salve instantly healing scabs Julien was trying to pick open. “Kelly, Renata and I will create a scope of work document, including dates we’ll need finished product by. I think we’ll be ready to sit down with you again in about two weeks.” Everyone pulled out their phones, opening their calendar app. “Two weeks from now on Thursday? Does 10 AM work for everyone?”

Whether it did or not, we would all make it work.

“Is there anything additional you’d like my team to prepare for the next meeting?” Chris asked.

Shaking his head, Wes looked at his staff for concurrence. “No, I think you did so much prep work for this, we are well on our way. We need to look at numbers and decide how many films we want for both PSAs and the website.”

Then Chris threw out a surprise, which was typical of Chris. “I know this is short notice, but I received a call this morning from the Ad Club of New York and they had a table open up at next week’s Annual Andy awards at the High Line Hotel. We are up for an award and would love to have you as our guests.”

Nodding, Wes smiled. “When did you say this was?”

“Late Tuesday afternoon.”

Checking his calendar, “I can clear what I have.” He looked at his employees.

The women nodded, but Julien declined, “I can’t reschedule my meeting.”

“Are four tickets doable?” Wes asked Chris.

“Not a problem at all. We’ll have them delivered to your office.”

“Excellent and congratulations on the nomination. Though after seeing your work today, I must say that I’m not surprised.”

Rising to leave, I came around to their side of the table, shaking hands with Kelly and Renata and sharing with them that I looked forward to working together.

Turning to Wes, I smiled and extended my hand. What do I say? Nice to meet you. Or Nice to see you again. Or You might not remember…

But I didn’t need to speak, because he did it for me.

First was the smile that was like an electric shock to my heart, a jolt I felt in every cell of my being, vividly restoring the visual of the first time I saw it as he was spilling a drink all over his bare feet. Reaching out and touching the sleeve of my dress, Wes let the soft fabric slowly glide through his fingers. “This has always been a beautiful color for you, Tara.”

He remembered. Oh my God, he remembered. Not only did he remember me, he remembered the details. He remembered the freaking jade outfit.

I wanted to speak, but every emotion I possessed was lodged in my throat tying my vocal cords in knots.

He remembered.

Reaching for my outstretched hand and enrobing it in both of his, we looked at one another smiling. I had no consciousness of anything else in the room other than the smile in his eyes and the warm tingle of my hand lost in his.

“One degree,” he said softly, his eyes crinkling in the corners.

I laughed, “Our parallel universes converge yet again.”

The energy between us had not dissipated over the decade and a half we had not seen one another. Whatever it was the two of us possessed, was still there. I was drawn to this man in a way I was at a loss to describe. Twin flames, maybe? There was something bigger and beyond us at work that was binding us together and I didn’t want this moment of rediscovery to end.

“You two know each other?” Chris’ surprised voice broke the moment and I was instantaneously transported back to the conference room from the nether-dimension space Wes and I had just occupied.

Wes smiled, his eyes never leaving mine, as he continued to hold my hand in his. “It’s been a long time, but Tara and I tend to travel the same path one degree of separation apart, and at times, our paths converge. This is one of those times.”

I was the one to break eye contact with Wes as Julien stepped close behind him, assuming a protective stance. My eyes met his and this time I didn’t bring anger, I merely tried to convey a message of peace. This was a messy situation to say the least and I just prayed that I could come out of it unscathed, with Wes and I in a good place with one another.

Squeezing my hand, Wes leaned forward and whispered, “See you Tuesday.” With his face next to my ear, I could hear him inhale and knew the beachy scent of my perfume had just filled his mind’s eye with memories of taut white sails against a star-filled black sky, fruit-laden rum concoctions and our laughter sailing off on the night’s breeze.