“Well, I wasn’t participating. Neither was Tim.”
“Tim was drinking that night, Al. And” she added emphatically, “he was supposed to drive you home.”
“He had one beer for crying out loud.”
“That’s all it takes. If Cole hadn’t showed up when he did, Tim would probably have had two beers, or three.”
“You don’t know that. In any case, Cole had no business embarrassing me in front of all our friends.” Alyssa’s hands tightened on the steering wheel, her knuckles turning white. She couldn’t keep the remembered fury from her voice. “He had no business nosing around at that party anyway.”
“Cole’s friend had a sister at that party and he asked Cole to go over and check things out, make sure his sister was behaving herself. He was completely surprised to find you there.” Trisha ran a hand through her short curly locks and shrugged off Alyssa’s annoyance. “He just overreacted, that’s all.”
“And made me the laughing stock of the whole high school.”
“Al, all that was a long time ago. Why do you still hark back on it?”
“Okay, forget high school. Let’s move on to my freshmen year of college.” Her voice softened. “Jeff Gordon.”
“Really, Al, Jeff was way too old for you,” Trisha said, scoffing off the name as another unimportant mention. “I can’t believe you are still upset about that.”
“Why shouldn’t I be? Jeff didn’t do anything wrong.”
“He was thirty years old, Al, and you were only nineteen.”
“So? What on earth has age got to do with it?”
“He was out for one thing and you know it.”
“He never tried anything with me.” Well, not anything unreasonable anyway.
“Cole didn’t give him a chance.”
It was the wrong thing to say. “Precisely. Cole again. The threats he made to Jeff were of a kind that he couldn't just ignore them. Cole could have really caused problems for him.”
“Al, if Jeff had felt anything genuine, Cole’s threats would not have kept him away.”
Alyssa shook her head vigorously. “He may have liked me but he valued his life. I don’t blame him for breaking off with me. I blame Cole for his interference.”
Trisha sighed. “I know you won’t believe it, but Cole was looking out for you in each of those instances.”
“Cole is your bother not mine. If he took it upon himself to become over-protective, then it was your boyfriends he should have concerned himself with. Not mine.” She was silent for a moment but unable to leave it there, she had to add more. “If I had wanted his help, it would have been different.” Her voice hardened. “Besides, I don’t believe for a minute that he was trying to be helpful. He has always taken great pleasure in making my life miserable.”
When Trisha didn’t reply, Alyssa glanced at her and saw she was gnawing on a nail while staring out the window, a frown marring her forehead. Wondering what she was thinking, Alyssa swished a hand about to dismiss the subject of Jeff as quickly as Trisha had done. "Although it galls me to mention Marshall since Cole was right to investigate him, it still annoys me that Cole investigated him!"
Still deep in thought, Trisha replied without even turning to look at her. "He knew something wasn't right about how he was acting."
"He wouldn't have known how he was acting if you hadn't told him."
Trisha turned to look at her, her voice raised defensively. "I was suspicious and naturally, out of concern for you, I shared my concern with Cole. He knew right away that the man was a snake and set out to prove it. Which he did. You shouldn't be upset about that." Shaking her head in wonder, Trisha wagged a finger at her. "You never give him credit for anything."
"Because he sticks his nose in my business all the time and I'm sick of it. He may have been right about Marshall but that doesn't make his interference any more welcome."
Trisha sighed. "It's stupid to argue over that one and I refuse to do so."
Alyssa silently agreed with her so she decided to move on. “Okay, let’s talk about Jerry then.” Although she had to force the words up through a deep well of resentment, she managed to speak with a modulated tone. For Trisha's sake she'd not start ranting, no matter how much she wanted to, but oh how it irritated her that he was going to get away with his latest interference.
Trisha's gaze sharpened with curiosity. “Yes. Let’s. What happened?”
Alyssa took a moment to calm her emotions and to think over the situation. She'd started working at Schuller's just after graduating from college. The company developed specialized computer programs for large business firms as well as marketing campaigns through social media channels. Jerry was the top executive of the marketing department and one of the co-founders of the company. Alyssa specialized in website and program design. She was attracted to Jerry from the first moment she set eyes on him and it wasn't long before they began to flirt with one another. When Alyssa became bolder with her responses, he had pulled her aside and told her that he didn’t engage in office romances. Despite that assurance, however, they bantered back and forth whenever their paths crossed. As it happened, their paths crossed quite often for the company was small and everyone pretty much knew everyone else.
When the flirtation began to get out of hand again, Jerry drew back and reminded her of his policy. Though Alyssa felt he was violating this self-imposed policy more so than she was, she backed off, avoiding him as best she could. But then he started seeking her out and when he did, he'd explain why he shouldn't be with her. “It’s bad for business,” he’d tell her. “Other employees get jealous and resentful and it affects their job performance.”
Alyssa respected that. He had a point. But she knew he was attracted to her and that kept her interested and responsive. Then finally last week, after months of skirting around the issue, Jerry asked her out. Alyssa was elated and hopeful. She admired and respected him not only for his business acumen but because he came across as being a really nice guy. They got along very well at work and she was sure they would get along even better outside the office.
What kind of luck would have them go to the same restaurant where Cole was also dining? Her eyes narrowed as that evening played out again in her mind.
She'd spotted Cole sitting with three other men as soon as she and Jerry walked into the dining room. Her stomach clenched into knots of apprehension and she stopped mid-stride, her mind shocked to find him there and her brain scurrying to figure out what to do.
As if sensing her presence, he lifted his head and looked directly at her. Those blue penetrating eyes of his gave nothing away as he nodded in acknowledgment then turned his attention to her date. Alyssa’s hand tightened involuntarily on Jerry’s arm. When he glanced back towards her, she could tell he wasn’t impressed with her date and she narrowed her eyes in warning. He gave her one of those smiles that looked more like a derisive curl of the lip. It did not bode well for her. In a panic she turned to Jerry.
“Let’s go somewhere else.”
Jerry looked at her as if she’d just suggested they fly to the moon. “What? This is an exclusive restaurant. I was lucky to get a reservation.” He didn’t have to remind her that it was also an hour’s drive from Falls Cove. Their little hometown was too small for a date that Jerry felt needed to be kept secret so they went all the way to Manchester. The likelihood of running into anyone from work there was slim.
Not slim enough to escape Cole, though. She forced out a smile. “It just looks so expensive.”
Jerry looked somewhat offended then relaxed into a smile. “Don’t you worry your beautiful head about that. I make enough to pay the bill so you better order more than a salad and water.”
A waiter approached them and gave a stiff, short bow. “Mr. Marks, your table is this way.”
Alyssa sent up frantic prayers that their table was as far from Cole’s as possible. To her relief, they were led to the opposite side of the room. From her vantage point she could just make out
the top of his head. Even so, she found it impossible to relax, her preoccupation with Cole interfering enough that Jerry frowned on several occasions, his displeasure with their date becoming more apparent as the evening wore on. Much as she hated it, she couldn't help that she was alert and sensitized to Cole’s every movement. Eventually he was going to strike and she wanted to be ready and prepared for it when he did.
Their stilted conversation eventually dwindled to nothing and Jerry began to check his watch. It only added fuel to her burning fire of resentment. Even when he wasn’t trying, Cole ruined things for her. Damn but it was so unfair! So much depended on this date and it was a disaster thanks to him.
“Well, I think I’ll go to the men’s room before we begin that long drive back.” Jerry pushed away from the table and stood. “Why don’t you order us some coffee?”
Alyssa watched him walk away with a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach. He wouldn’t be asking her out again. She'd been too uptight, nothing like her usual self. No doubt he thought her a total bore. Wondering if there was anything she could do to rectify the situation, she waived a waiter over and put in the order for coffee.
Jerry still hadn't returned when the coffee arrived. After setting the silver coffee service on the table and pouring her a cup, the waiter looked at Jerry's empty chair then glanced back at her. “Is there anything else I can get for you, ma’am?”
“No. Thank you.” Alyssa glanced at her watch. What was taking him so long? She put sugar and cream in her coffee and was idly stirring it when she finally saw him making his way back to their table. His face was drawn tight and Alyssa caught her breath. Oh no! She glanced towards Cole’s table and saw that he was just about to sit down. As if aware of her regard, he turned his head to look at her and though she couldn't read his expression, she saw his lethal smile well enough. After sending her the briefest of nods, he turned from her with a dismissive air and sat down.
Alyssa’s hand tightened on her spoon. What did he do?
“Alyssa, I just ran into one of your longtime friends.” Jerry sat down and looked at her in such a way that it was pretty clear he was not very happy about the encounter. But then, he wouldn’t be would he? Cole was always good about that.
Alyssa could barely find her voice. “Oh?”
“Did you know he was here?” He poured some coffee into his cup then looked up at her with a frown marring his handsome features. “He said that you greeted each other when you arrived.”
Alyssa drew in a deep breath and fought hard to control her rising fury. “A quick glance is hardly a greeting, Jerry. And he’s not a friend.”
Jerry’s brown eyes narrowed in consideration, an accusation in them she did not understand. He pursed his lips, thinking, then sighed. “I knew it wasn’t a good idea for us to date.” He took a sip of his coffee and tried to look as if he wasn't antsy to be on their way. It was a miserable failure of acting on his part.
Alyssa went cold inside. Their budding romance was over and she owed it all to Cole Delaney. Why oh why had he felt it necessary to nip this one in the bud so fast? What did he have against her? She looked at Jerry who was counting out cash to pay the bill and wondered what she could say. If she told him Cole was hell bent on destroying her life and he shouldn’t believe a thing Cole said, he would still not want to continue dating. He wouldn't want the complications Cole was most likely to create. “I’m sorry for whatever Cole said to you, Jerry. I do assure you that he is not a friend of mine. He never has been.”
Jerry clearly did not believe her. “I see." He stared at her in consideration for a long, quiet moment then spoke in a lowered voice. "He isn't a past lover of yours?”
Alyssa’s face reddened. “No!”
Jerry sighed. “Look, it doesn’t matter. Let’s agree to remain friends and forget all about this evening.”
Alyssa put down her napkin. “One moment.” She stood and marched rigidly towards Cole’s table. As she neared, the other three men sitting with him turned to stare. Cole glanced around and watched her approach, a wary expression in his eyes. She stopped by his chair. “Hello, Cole.” She gave the other three men a wide, bright smile. “Gentlemen. I’m so sorry to interrupt.” Then she lifted Cole’s drink from the table and threw its contents in his face. The men stared in silent disbelief. Cole went absolutely still, a cold mask hardening his features and wiping all expression from his face. His eyes, though, glittered with fury when they met hers.
Although she was quivering with nerves, her voice was pleasantly calm as she nodded towards the other three men. “I hope you gentlemen have a good evening.” Then, satisfied that she'd ruined Cole's evening as well as he'd done hers, she turned and walked away, her head held high and her eyes refusing to meet those of the shocked patrons around her. She was painfully aware that the whole restaurant had gone silent but she wasn't going to cause anymore dramatics. She was done.
Jerry stood by their table, his eyes wide and wary, his mouth opening as if to speak but remaining silent as he obviously had no idea what to say.
Somehow she managed to maintain her outward show of calm. “Let’s go now, Jerry.”
Remembering the expressions of Cole’s dinner companions when she threw that drink in his face made her smile. It was a small victory compared to the damage he had done her but, thanks to that stupid truce, it was the only retaliation he was to get.
“Are you going to share any of those devious thoughts with me or keep them all to yourself?” Trisha asked, her patience wearing thin.
“Cole was dining at the same restaurant Jerry and I went to on our first and only date. He confronted Jerry in the men’s room and basically convinced him that a romance between us was a bad idea.”
Trisha sputtered a small gasp of dismay. “Oh, no! Al, are you sure?”
Alyssa’s lips compressed into a tight line as she fought to keep her anger in check. She'd made a promise to Trisha and by God she was going to honor it. “Very sure.”
“I don’t understand why Cole would do such a thing.” Shaking her head in confusion, she commiserated with Alyssa for only a moment before her eyes narrowed with suspicious accusation. “What did you do?”
“I threw a drink into his spiteful face.”
Trisha slapped a hand over her mouth to contain her shock and stared at Alyssa with wide, disbelieving eyes. “And where was it that you did this?”
“Right there in the restaurant of course. A small price to pay for the destruction of the most important night of my life.”
“Al, a date can hardly constitute the most important day of your life.”
Alyssa waved a dismissive hand. “It was important to me. I honestly believed Jerry and I could have had a future together.”
Trisha arched a brow. “What about all your talk that things will be that are meant to be? You are always telling me that when I’m worrying over something.”
Alyssa did not like her own words coming back at her and she had to take a moment to think about it. “I still believe in free will and that we control our own destinies, but I also believe that people can create interference with other people's destinies and that is exactly what Cole did to me. He’s been doing it for the past seven years.”
Trisha made no reply as she lapsed into deep thought. Alyssa was content with the silence. She had a lot of thinking to do herself.
They turned onto the interstate and drove a few more moments in silence before Trisha suddenly made a sound of distress. She turned to Alyssa, an intent expression on her face. “What night did you say this was?”
“Last Friday. Why?”
“You were at a restaurant in Manchester?”
“Yes.”
Trisha fell against the seat, a deep frown of consternation marring her brow. “Cole has been working for weeks on a design for a new church complex. He was meeting with the developers that night.” She looked at Alyssa and said solemnly. “He did not get the contract.”
Alyssa bit her lip as a sense of
doom descended upon her. “You think that it’s my fault?”
“Oh, Al, I sure hope not. Cole is a very talented architect. If his design for that church had been accepted, it would have helped establish very high credentials for him.”
Alyssa said nothing as she concentrated on her driving. Guilt, however, was trying to push its way into her feelings and she immediately tried to rationalize it away. There was no need for her to feel regret over her actions. Cole, after all, could very well have ruined her own career plans. A promotion at Schuller's may be an impossible dream thanks to his meddling. After all, Jerry was one of the co-founders of the company and she had no idea what it was Cole said to him. Given that, if she was partly to blame for the developers’ rejection of his designs, well it hadn’t been intentional. What he had done to her was deliberate.
“He should know that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. If that horrible evening last Friday sealed his fate, well it was entirely due to his own spiteful actions.” Although she spoke as if she didn't care and he deserved what he got, her conscience was tugging at her feelings and drudging up remorse. Cole’s retaliation once the truce was over could bode ill for her. If she had indeed cost him a contract then he was going to want to even the score. He wouldn’t consider a broken romance and the loss of a possible promotion as due justice. Maybe that was why he was showing so much interest in her lately. Maybe he was softening her up so that he could infiltrate her personal life and learn where to best strike next. It was probably a heaven-sent gift that Trisha had forced them into a truce. For a short while she had been granted a reprieve. But what would he do once the truce was lifted?
The mental and emotional weight of their ongoing war suddenly seemed to get heavier.
“I always knew that these stupid battles the two of you love to engage in would someday backfire and cause some harm to both of you.” Trisha closed her eyes and drew in a deep breath. “You and Cole need to talk. I mean really talk. Somewhere along the line a major disconnect occurred. There has to have been a misunderstanding that has just led to more and more." She placed a hand on Alyssa's arm, squeezing gently. "Knowing you both as I do, it just isn’t like either of you to be so deliberately hurtful.”
Tangled Up Hearts Page 11