Fortune's Perfect Valentine

by Stella Bagwell

  Tilting her nose toward the ceiling, Adelle carried the coffee to his desk and plunked it down in front of him. “This might come as a shock to you, but I do have to go to the ladies’ room now and then. How was I supposed to know anyone would show up and be bold enough to barge their way in here?”

  He shot her a tired look, but instead of that riling her more, Adelle suddenly looked curious. “Who was that man, anyway? I didn’t recognize him. But he was rather attractive—for his age, that is.”

  “Adelle, your last dying thought will be about sex. I’d make a wager on that,” he muttered. He tossed the painkillers into his mouth and gulped down a mouthful of coffee. “For your information, he was Sterling Foster. Kate Fortune’s husband.”

  The secretary’s mouth sagged open. “Are you kidding me?”

  “I’m hardly in the kidding mood! And don’t ask me why he was here. It’s none of your business or even mine, for that matter.” Then, feeling a bit ashamed of himself, he added in a gentler tone, “He wanted to speak with Ben. That’s all.”

  She squared her thin shoulders. “I have no intentions of questioning you about the man. What concerns me is why Vivian came storming out of here a few minutes ago. She flew by my desk without a word, looking like she had homicide on her mind. Most likely yours.”

  The pained expression on Wes’s face was partially hidden behind his coffee mug. “Look, each time Vivian leaves my office, you’re in here giving me the third degree. I’m not a suspect here. I’m the boss—in case you’ve forgotten that fact. If Vivian isn’t happy with me, that’s her own problem. Not yours. And furthermore, Vivian and I won’t be working together in my office anytime soon. If I have any messages for her, I’ll send them through you. And vice versa. Got that?”

  Her face a picture of very real concern now, Adelle looked over his shoulder to the windows beyond, as though looking at the city skyline would reveal as much or more than his face.

  “Yes, I got it. There’s a rift between you two. Why—”

  Not wanting to hear more, he firmly interrupted, “That all I’m saying on the matter, Adelle.”

  “Oh, Wes, please, don’t mess up something good,” she said gently. Then, with a dismal shake of her head, she walked out of the office.

  Once he was alone, Wes slammed the coffee mug onto the desktop, then dropped his aching head into his hands. He didn’t know what sort of spell Vivian’s kiss had put on him, but he had to shake it off, and quick.

  Chapter Eight

  The only bright spot Vivian could find in the following week was the apparent success of My Perfect Match. Social media was buzzing about the app and its capabilities, while sales data confirmed there was a wild demand for the product. The dating program she’d created was going to make a huge amount of money for Robinson Tech. It was a proud achievement for Vivian, and yet she couldn’t help thinking that it had, in an inadvertent way, contributed to the wall that now stood between her and Wes.

  In spite of that sad fact, she’d already started work on several spinoffs. My Perfect Employee, My Perfect Roommate and for all those animal lovers, My Perfect Pet. Through Adelle, Wes had given her the go-ahead for each project, and since that time, Vivian had buried her head in her work and tried hard to forget Valentine’s night, when he’d kissed her senseless, then raced out of her apartment.

  “Working late again tonight?”

  Vivian glanced over her shoulder to see Justine buttoned up in a plum-colored coat. A designer handbag was slung over one shoulder, and a mustard-colored scarf was wrapped around her throat.

  “Mmm. I’m researching information about the most popular pets across the United States and what makes people love them.”

  The blonde wrinkled her nose in distaste. “Sometimes I worry about you, Viv. Researching animals has nothing to do with building a computer application.”

  Vivian bit back a sigh and reminded herself that Justine’s job was mainly one of creating commands for a computer to process. Anything more seemed to be beyond the young woman’s imagination.

  “Not exactly,” Vivian replied. “But I can’t build an application without a general sense of the subject, now can I?”

  Contemplating, Justine tilted her head first one way and then the other. “I guess not. But I sure hope you’re getting overtime for all this extra work you’re doing. Every evening this past week, I’ve left you sitting here at your desk, and George tells me you’ve been putting in long hours.”

  “My Perfect Match is selling like crazy. Now is the time for other apps to follow on its coattails. So I don’t have a minute to waste.”

  “Well, I wanted to see if you’d like to walk down the street with me to Jack and Jane’s. I realize it’s cold outside, but a piña colada might make us feel like we’re on a warm beach. At least it’s a try.”

  Frowning, Vivian turned her chair toward Justine. “Jack and Jane’s? That’s a great bar and grill, but a bit too pricey for my taste.”

  “True, but a girl needs to splurge once in a while,” she said sheepishly. Then, stepping into Vivian’s cubicle, she continued in a hushed voice, “Okay, I confess. I’ve heard the new guy stops by there in the evenings for a drink. I thought we might get a chance for a closer look at him.”

  The crease between Vivian’s brows deepened. “New guy?”

  Her voice dipping even lower, Justine said, “Come on, Vivian, I know you can be a nerd at times, but even you aren’t blind or dumb. Think! The new guy. Joaquin Mendoza. He’s Rachel Robinson’s brother-in-law. Surely you’ve seen him around the building!”

  Oh, yes, Vivian had heard through office gossip that Robinson Tech had hired a new business consultant from Miami. Two days ago, she’d spotted the man getting on an elevator. No doubt on his way up to a meeting with the higher echelon of the company.

  “Yes, I’ve seen him,” Vivian said curtly.

  Justine was incredulous. “That’s all you have to say? Every woman in the building has been swooning over the man. He’s gorgeous!”

  “I suppose he is nice-looking. But I have other things on my mind.” Like trying to get Wes’s face out of her mind. Like trying to forget how his kiss had momentarily turned her into a wanton hussy.

  Justine was obviously crestfallen at Vivian’s lack of enthusiasm. “Oh, I’d almost forgotten. You have your app dates to keep you occupied. So how’s that going?”

  “Actually, I’ve skipped these past few days. Work has kept me late every evening.”

  Justine’s grin was sly. “It doesn’t appear as though Mr. Robinson has let up on his dating quest. You can’t pick up a paper without seeing him with some beauty on his arm. No wonder he wants you to make all the new apps. This one has been great for him.”

  Her features stiff, Vivian turned back to her desk. “I’ve seen Wes—I mean, Mr. Robinson, leaving the building these past few nights—heading out to his dates. I hope he finds the perfect one soon.”

  At least that way, she could forget about him once and for all. The thought barely had enough time to whiz through her head before another one followed.

  “I’ve changed my mind, Justine. It might be fun to go to Jack and Jane’s. Give me a moment to shut my computer down after I save my work, and grab my coat and we’ll be off.”

  “Great! Now you’re thinking,” Justine said happily.

  Minutes later, the two women were standing at the elevator, waiting for a ride to the ground floor. In spite of the corridor being fairly empty and Justine chattering a mile a minute, Vivian sensed that someone had walked up behind them.

  As she cast a glance over her shoulder, everything inside her suddenly stopped, including her breathing. Wes was standing less than five steps away, and from the looks of him, he wasn’t headed home with a briefcase jammed under his arm. No, he was dressed impeccably in a dark gray suit and coral-colored tie. The bright shade was definitely a bold move for him, and Vivian could only think this must be an important date for him.

  “Good evening, ladies,
” he greeted them, his cool blue gaze assessing both women. “Headed home for the evening?”

  “Yes,” Vivian blurted.

  At the same time, Justine piped up, “No, we’re on our way to have cocktails. Would you like to join us, Mr. Robinson?”

  With strangulation on her mind, Vivian cut her friend a sharp look of warning, but it seemed to go over Justine’s head as the other woman cast Wes an inviting smile.

  His handsome face a stoic mask, Wes straightened the knot of his tie. “No, thanks. I’m meeting someone.”

  Even though his announcement came as no surprise, it still managed to cut her deep.

  You’re a little fool, Vivian. Just because the man gave you a few kisses, you got the idea he cared. That’s laughable. Women like you are an afterthought for Wes Robinson.

  Her jaw tight, her fingers curled into her palms, Vivian stared at him. “Going on one of your app dates?” she couldn’t resist asking.

  The smirk on his face made Vivian wish she could slap it off.

  “That’s right. I’m beginning to think this lady might be the one. My Perfect Match appears to be delivering exactly what you promised it would.”

  Was that sarcasm or sincerity she heard in his voice? Vivian couldn’t decide which. Either way, it shouldn’t matter to her. But it did matter. Far, far too much.

  “I couldn’t be happier,” she said stiffly, while wondering if the elevator had gotten stuck on a higher floor. She’d never had to wait this long for the doors to open.

  Oblivious to the tension between Vivian and Wes, Justine spoke up jokingly, “Hey, maybe I better try the thing. I’m getting tired of my lame dates.”

  Wes narrowed his eyes on Vivian. “What about you? Found Mr. Perfect yet?”

  For a few seconds that night in her apartment, she’d been certain she’d found him. But that misjudgment had shown her how easily a woman could be confused in the heat of passion. After dealing with Wes’s hot and cold attitude, she could see how her mother had made the mistake of jumping into a marriage that was doomed from the start.

  “I’m going on a second round tomorrow night,” she said in the brightest voice she could muster. “With David—my Valentine date.”

  The word Valentine must have caught his attention, because his eyes narrowed and the corners of his mouth tightened. “Valentine?”

  “Yes, you ought to remember—the rose man.”

  “Yes, I do remember. Vaguely.”

  Unable to stand another second in the man’s company, Vivian grabbed Justine’s arm. “Come on. Let’s take the stairs. It’ll be quicker.”

  As Vivian hurried her friend toward the stairwell, Justine nearly stumbled.

  “Viv! You’re acting like the fire alarm just went off. What has come over you?”

  “I’ve been in a foggy haze, Justine. But everything has just become crystal clear. That’s what.” And the next time she got within ten feet of Wes Robinson, she promised herself, she was going to feel nothing. Nothing at all.

  *

  The next evening, Vivian was so busy with George on the technical routes for the new Perfect apps, she almost forgot the time.

  “Oh, no!” she exclaimed as she noticed the clock in the corner of the monitor. “I have less than an hour to change clothes and be across town!”

  Jumping to her feet, she started tossing her cell phone and a few more personal items into her purse. George looked up from his scribbled notes.

  “Another date with Wes Robinson?”

  Vivian paused. “Wes? Why in the world would you think I’d be going out with our boss?”

  The big man shrugged. “I saw pictures in the paper of you two together at Ben’s wedding. I assumed—”

  “You assumed wrong,” she cut in quickly. “That was simply business. Nothing more. I’m meeting one of my app dates.”

  “Oh. My mistake. I just always thought you and the boss were friendly.”

  “Tolerant is a better word. And right now we’re not even that.” She gestured toward the notes spread in front of him. “Why don’t you put the work away and head home? We’ll start again in the morning.”

  “Yeah. I think I will. Liz hasn’t been feeling well. She wants to roam at night—looking for a boyfriend, I suppose, and the cold weather has given her a cold. Anyway, it will be time for her medicine soon.”

  Liz, George’s black-and-white cat, was the closest thing he had to a family. Vivian had often watched the man leave from work and wondered if he ever got lonely. Vivian had once asked him why he’d never attempted to take a wife and have children. He’d told her he enjoyed his own company.

  “I’ll see you in the morning, George. And take good care of Liz—she can’t help that she wants a man once in a while.”

  Vivian left the cubicle with her purse and the dress and heels she’d brought to work with her. As she headed to the nearest restroom to ready herself for her date, she wondered if George might have a good idea. Being alone was better than being miserable with the wrong person. Better yet, maybe she should forget about finding the right man and simply enjoy being single and independent, like her sister Michelle.

  But that wouldn’t get her the children she wanted or a home filled with all the special things that having a family could give her, she mentally argued as she pulled a cream-colored sweater dress over her head, then shoved the clingy material down her hips.

  She wasn’t the least bit convinced that David, or Mr. Valentine, as she thought of him, was going to be that man, but she had to start somewhere. And if a date with him was enough to push Wes from her mind, then she’d consider the whole night a huge success.

  With her dress and high heels on, Vivian quickly refreshed her makeup, then turned her attention to her long brown, honey-streaked hair. The rainy day had brought out the frizz, but she didn’t have time to do more than flick a brush through it. But her hair was hardly a worry. David didn’t place much interest in physical appearances. He was the intellectual sort who enjoyed discussing fine arts and foreign travels. And tonight she was determined not to be bored. Instead, she was going to be an attentive listener.

  After one last glance in the mirror, she left the restroom and was halfway to the elevator when she suddenly remembered she’d forgotten her coat. And since the temperature was far too low to try to brave it without the garment, she had no choice but to head back to her work cubicle, where she’d left the coat hanging on the back of a chair.

  *

  For the past week, Wes had hardly lifted his head from his work, and in spite of what he’d told Vivian last night as they stood waiting on the elevator, he’d dated a new woman every night. He certainly wasn’t on the brink of finding his lifelong mate.

  But then, Wes wasn’t looking for love. He was simply following through with his vow to the public to use My Perfect Match. After his date last night, though, he’d decided he needed a break from wining and dining and trying to remain on his most charming behavior. Frankly, he was tired of women and tired of work.

  So why are you walking straight to Vivian’s work area? he asked himself. Why aren’t you leaving for home, where you can grab a tumbler of Scotch and turn on an NBA game?

  The questions going off in his head caused Wes to pause in the middle of the corridor and ponder his motives. Several days had passed since he’d worked with Vivian. He’d missed seeing her and talking with her, even about something as simple as the weather. And now that she’d started creating more of the Perfect apps, he had every right to stop by her desk and see how her work was progressing.

  The idea pushed him forward, and that was when he spotted her rounding a corner. A cream-colored dress clung to her body, outlining each and every curve she possessed, while her brown hair swirled about her face like a dark cloud tipped with gold dust. And a crazy thrill of pleasure rushed through him as he watched her graceful strut carry her straight toward him.

  That day at Ben’s wedding, he’d believed it would be impossible for her to look any lovelier
. But tonight, as he drew closer to her, he realized he’d been wrong. There was something different about her, or maybe it was something he was just now noticing. Either way, there was a sensuality about her that stole his breath away.

  “Hello, Viv. Fancy running into you this evening.”

  “Go figure. I’m at least twenty feet from my work area. Who would ever guess I’d be hanging around this part of the building?”

  “Hmm. I just happen to be the vice president of the developmental department. It’s just a wild chance that I’d be on this floor.”

  “Okay,” she conceded, then arched a brow at him. “So what’s up? Adelle gone home to leave you with the dirty work of talking to me?”

  His nostrils flared as his gaze roamed the familiar lines and angles of her face. “Since when did your mouth get so full of sarcasm?”

  “I refuse to answer that question on the grounds it might incriminate me.”

  She infuriated him. So why was he having to fight to keep from grabbing her right there in the corridor and kissing her senseless? He was losing his mind. That was the only excuse for the crazy feelings that seemed to hit him out of nowhere.

  “You’re all dressed up this evening,” he observed. “You look enchanting.”

  Her gaze darted away from his, and then she swallowed. Wes wondered what she was thinking. About the date she was about to meet? The notion slashed him with jealousy so strong it staggered him.

  “I’m going out,” she said. “With David.”

  His stomach clenched. “Good for you. Maybe he’ll send you more roses. But right now we need to talk—in my office.”

  He didn’t know why that last had come out of his mouth. But now that it had, he felt a weird measure of relief.

  “Talk? Now? I don’t have time!”

  “I’m sure Mr. Valentine will wait,” he said smoothly. Then, wrapping his hand around her upper arm, he urged her down the corridor to his office.

  Except for a tiny night-light glowing on Adelle’s desk, the secretary’s work space was quiet and dark. Wes didn’t bother switching on another light. Instead, he led her straight through to his office and shut the door behind him.