by Karen Booth
“You’ll have to ask her that. We’re no longer together, but it was an amicable split.”
The litany of flashing lights returned to full speed, but Melanie didn’t shy away. She was too busy beaming at her future husband. Adam had learned to deal with the media beautifully.
“Is Melanie your new girlfriend?” a female photographer asked.
“Let’s just say that an announcement will be made later this evening.” Adam leaned over and placed a kiss on her temple.
Melanie couldn’t believe this was really happening. It was all like a dream when being with Adam was already surreal. She’d spent a year wishing she hadn’t been so stupid as to sneak out of his apartment, and the past month wishing he could be hers. And now he was.
Melanie and Adam resumed their march up the red carpet as other guests arrived behind them. The crowd ahead thinned, making it clear their course was about to bring them face-to-face with Roger and Evelyn Langford.
Adam pulled her closer, whispering in her ear, “It’s okay. Let me do the talking. For once.”
Melanie smiled, but her stomach was a restless sea. Roger could say anything he wanted in front of a ballroom of the wealthy and powerful. He could destroy her career with one well-worded sentence if he wanted to. Even though Melanie would eventually become Adam’s wife, she wasn’t about to throw away the company she had built. She would have what she’d once thought was unattainable—her career and Adam. Unless his father decided to make it all come crashing down.
“Dad. Mom,” Adam said, when they reached the entrance to the grand ballroom.
Roger’s jaw was set, as if he was biting down on a bullet. “We need to talk. Now.” The anger in his voice was thinly disguised by a smile.
“You’re right. We need to talk.” Adam looked around the room. There were an awful lot of eyes on them. “Privately.”
“There’s a smaller ballroom next to this one.” Melanie pointed to the near corner of the room. “It’s empty. The hotel had said we could use it tonight if needed.”
She led the way, her hand firmly held in Adam’s, her heart pounding away in her throat. The entire crowd whispered as they walked past. She was keenly aware of Mr. and Mrs. Langford behind them, fearing what they must be thinking. This was not the way she wanted this meeting with her future in-laws to happen.
As soon as the door was closed behind them, Roger set his sights on Melanie. “You signed a contract.” He pointed to Melanie’s and Adam’s joined hands. “And you’ve very clearly violated it. That morning I went by Adam’s apartment. You weren’t just dropping by to discuss work with Adam. You were there because you’d spent the night.” Roger shook his head in dismay. “Poor Julia. She had no idea my son would break her heart.”
Adam didn’t let go of Melanie’s hand, bringing her along as he moved closer to his father. “Dad, please don’t speak to Melanie like that. And besides, it isn’t good for you to get so riled up. Take a deep breath and listen to me.” Adam’s voice was calm and measured, but there was no mistaking his determination.
Evelyn Langford, in a midnight blue cocktail dress and lavish diamond necklace, gripped her husband’s arm. “Darling. At least allow Adam to explain.”
Roger folded his arms across his chest. “Come out with it then. And it’d better be good.”
Adam’s shoulders rose as he took a deep breath. “Dad, the Julia thing was a ruse and you knew it, but you refused to believe me. I was never anything less than completely honest with you about it.” He squeezed Melanie’s hand.
Adam’s father appeared crestfallen, but Evelyn nodded in agreement. “You have to understand, Adam. Your father became very attached to the idea of you finding a wife and doing so while he was still here to see it.”
Anna swept into the room, decked out in a black strapless dress. “There you are. Everyone’s wondering where you went.”
“We were discussing the things your brother has decided to do to make tonight more stressful,” Roger said.
Adam kept a firm grip on Melanie’s hand. “I take full responsibility if there’s any fallout from tonight, but if that’s the price of being with Melanie, then that’s the price I’ll pay. I love her too much to hide it anymore.”
Anna’s eyes lit up. “I had a feeling something was going on.”
“You knew?” Roger asked.
Anna shrugged. “I had a hunch after spending time with Melanie. I could just tell from the way she talked about him. And it’s not surprising that he’d be smitten. She’s smart, beautiful and a great businesswoman.”
It was such a relief to feel as though someone in the Langford family beyond Adam was in Melanie’s corner.
“Dad, I love Melanie. I’ve asked her to be my wife and she said yes.”
“You’re getting married? After knowing each other for a month?” Roger’s eyes were no longer filled with anger, but rather astonishment.
“You were excited to think I might marry Julia and it’s not like she and I had much history.”
“I suppose.” Roger shook his head.
Adam turned back to Melanie. “Now what?” he mouthed.
Melanie took his elbow and pulled him close, delivering the message directly into his ear. “Speak from your heart. You hit a home run every time you do.”
Adam kissed her on the cheek then faced his father again. “Dad, do you want to know the one thing in my life that I have never questioned? Not even once?”
“That you’d run LangTel someday?”
“No. That you and Mom loved each other. I can see it in the way you look at each other, hear it in your voices. I have that with Melanie. She understands me and cares about me. She’ll be a real partner, and that’s more than what I need. It’s the only thing I want.”
Melanie warmed from head to toe, unable to suppress her smile.
Evelyn cleared her throat. “Darling, do I have to remind you that you and I were engaged after two months?”
Roger had no answer for that, only a sigh.
“Love is love, Dad,” Adam said. “I wasn’t about to consult a calendar when I asked Melanie to marry me. The only thing I thought about was what my heart wanted.”
“Don’t forget that I was pregnant with Aiden when we got married,” Evelyn said to Roger. “These things don’t always look like a picture postcard. And it didn’t matter that it happened that way. It didn’t change the fact that we were a couple of kids, madly in love, and all we wanted was to be together.”
Roger turned and looked at her sweetly. “I remember that day like it was yesterday. Best damn day of my life.” The corners of his mouth turned up, but it was clear that she’d brought up something far more meaningful than a simple happy memory. It was about everything between them.
A tear rolled down Evelyn’s cheek. “See? And you and I did just fine. Thirty-one incredible years of marriage. No one could ever want more than that.”
“We did better than fine, Ev,” Roger said. “It was perfect.”
Now Melanie was fighting tears, witnessing for the first time the power of the love that bound Roger and Evelyn Langford. They were both so strong, so resolute, even when they knew very well they were about to lose each other forever.
“Dad, I just want you to be happy for me, be happy for us,” Adam said. “Melanie’s the most amazing woman I’ve ever met, and she’s going to be part of this family.”
“That’s the most important thing, Dad,” Anna said. “We need to welcome Melanie into our family. An engagement trumps whatever happens tonight.”
“I know you want Adam to have love in his life and to get married,” Evelyn said, her tears slowing. “And you’ve been singing Melanie’s praises since the day you hired her. I don’t really see what the problem is now that you know the truth.” She turned quickly to Adam and Melanie. “Can we see abo
ut hurrying up the wedding so your father can be there for it?”
Adam’s eyes connected with Melanie’s and he cracked his half smile. They would have a lot to talk about once they were finally alone. “Sure,” he said. “But there’s one more thing Dad needs to hear.”
Adam stepped closer to his father, resting his hand on his shoulder. Everything Melanie had said to him last night rang loud and clear in his head. His dad was still here. There was still time, and that meant it was time for the truth. “I can’t run LangTel. I love you and you know I’ll do anything for you, but I can’t live your dream. More important, it’s Anna’s dream to run the company, and I can’t sit by and watch her lose the chance.”
His father didn’t even feign surprise. He was at least aware of Adam’s wishes, even if he’d dismissed them as ludicrous. “You really were serious about that.”
“I should’ve forced the issue, but I wanted to make you happy. I love you, Dad, and I always want to make you proud.” Adam couldn’t remember the last time he’d cried, but after witnessing the powerful exchange between his parents and now seeing the look on his dad’s face, his eyes misted. He embraced his father. There would be only so many more opportunities to do that. He didn’t want to pass this one up. It was too precious. “LangTel will still be a family company if Anna runs it. We’ll all still have the lives you want for us. She can still meet the perfect guy and get married.”
Anna coughed. “Hey. No promises on finding the perfect guy.”
Adam laughed, thankful his sister was willing to lighten the mood. “I’ll be there whenever Anna needs me, but I have a feeling she won’t need me at all. It really will work out. I know it will. I won’t let anything go wrong. I promise.”
His father sighed heavily. “I wish it were as simple as that. I can’t pull a fast one on the board and give them a different succession plan. Even in my role as founder, I can’t do that. You understand that as well as anyone, Adam.”
Adam had to find a way to fix this, for Anna and for himself. “But I could do it myself, as CEO. The company bylaws leave the nomination to me. I looked it up.”
“Well, sure, son, that’s what I put in place, but you still need the approval of the board of directors. You know that.”
“And that’s what I’ll do. Once things are stable and I have the full confidence of the board, I want to name Anna as CEO. It shouldn’t take longer than a year.” Adam knew full well the responsibility that scenario bore, but he had no choice. It was the only way for everyone to eventually get what they wanted. “I want your blessing to do that. I think Anna and I would both feel better knowing that you were okay with it.”
“Yes,” Anna said. “I need to know that you approve.”
Roger looked back and forth between Adam and his sister for what felt like an excruciatingly long time. Whatever his dad had to say, Adam had the distinct impression that there would be no more discussion. This was it.
“You have my blessing,” Roger said. “With everyone in this room as witness, you have my blessing.”
Anna rushed ahead to hug Roger. Adam followed, embracing them both.
“Speaking of blessings,” Evelyn interjected, “Melanie hasn’t been welcomed properly, darling.”
Melanie smiled sweetly as Evelyn hugged her, Roger watching the exchange. This was the moment Adam had envisioned for the two of them, now that she was going to be his wife and his father was accustomed to the idea.
“I’m sorry if we got off to a rough start this evening,” Roger said as Evelyn took his hand again. “I apologize for that. I always liked you, Ms. Costello. You’re smart and you know your stuff. I admire a woman who knows her stuff.”
“Thank you, sir. I appreciate that.”
“I’d like you to call me Roger, please. You’ve done your job and you’ve done it well, but you’re no longer working for me.”
Adam put his arm around Melanie. What a relief it was to hear his dad say that. No more contract. No more worrying about whether his dad might decide to crush her career.
“Please, call me Melanie.”
Roger glanced at his wife. “Looks like we’re going to get a Langford wedding after all, Evelyn. And as near as I can tell, a hell of a daughter-in-law.”
“I’d say we’re pretty lucky,” Evelyn said, gazing up into Roger’s eyes.
“We are indeed,” Roger said. “And I’d love nothing more than to sit around and talk about it, but I’m afraid that there’s a ballroom full of people waiting for me.”
Adam nodded eagerly. “It’s time.”
They all made their way into the grand space, Adam’s parents leading them, followed by Anna. Melanie and Adam, hand in hand, brought up the rear. Adam hadn’t gotten exactly what he wanted with the LangTel situation, but he did have exactly what he wanted for the rest of his life—Melanie.
Roger took the stairs up to the podium slowly, Evelyn at his side. Melanie and Adam took their places at the head table with Anna. Before a roomful of hundreds of wealthy and powerful New Yorkers and a cavalcade of press, Adam’s father began his speech.
“I want to thank everyone for joining us on what will be an important night in the history of LangTel. I’d like to formally announce that pending the board of directors’ final approval, my son, Adam, will be taking the helm as CEO.”
The crowd clapped enthusiastically.
“This changeover is going to happen as soon as possible,” Roger continued. “Because I also must tell everyone that my doctors have declared my cancer terminal.”
A marked hush fell on the room.
“But tonight is not about proclaiming a death sentence, it’s about setting LangTel on a course for the future,” Roger said, his voice booming in the space. “It is one of my final wishes that the board move Adam into this new role swiftly. Adam has demonstrated that he is an upstanding man and an excellent business leader. I couldn’t be any more proud of him.”
Melanie squeezed Adam’s hand under the table. How different his father’s proclamation would’ve sounded if Melanie hadn’t convinced him to try one more time to change things, if he didn’t have his father’s blessing to let Anna take his place.
“I’d like to invite Adam up to the stage to make his remarks, and I believe he has some very happy news of a personal nature to share with everyone.” Roger stepped away from the podium and embraced Evelyn.
Adam leaned over to Melanie, speaking loudly, so his voice could rise above the audience applause. “You’re coming with me.”
“Are you sure? It’s your night.”
“My parents are standing on that stage together. You and I are doing the same thing.” He grabbed her hand and got up from the table, leading her up onto the stage. She stood with his parents as he took his place behind the podium.
Looking out at that sea of faces, he couldn’t believe how different this moment was from the one he’d imagined. “I’ll be quick because I know everyone would much rather dine on filet mignon than listen to me.” The crowd laughed, setting Adam more at ease. “I’d like to thank my father for his confidence in me. I’m excited for this new challenge and I won’t let my father or LangTel down.” Now he could believe the words, unlike the time he’d practiced this speech for Melanie. With great joy, he tacked on a sentiment that hadn’t originally been in the speech. “And as to the happy news my father mentioned, I’d like to announce my engagement to Melanie Costello. We’re looking forward to planning a big Langford wedding and spending our lives together.” Everyone clapped and Adam waved Melanie over, putting his hand around her waist. “With that, I’d like to thank everyone for coming. Please, enjoy the evening ahead.”
Several board members were waiting for them once Adam and Melanie stepped down from the stage. Either it was the somber news of his father’s prognosis, the fantastic job Melanie had done on the PR campaign, or r
enewed confidence in Adam’s abilities, but regardless, Adam received nothing but well-wishes from everyone he spoke to. It was such a relief.
After dinner, Adam took Melanie’s hand and led her to a relatively quiet corner. “How long until we get to leave and I get to peel that dress off you?” He was mentally exhausted, but he was sure he’d be able to muster all kinds of energy once he had her alone and naked.
She rolled her eyes adorably. “I think we should stay until midnight. Then we can go.”
Adam’s entire body warmed to the idea, and to the beautiful creature on his arm. “I’m guessing this was a little more than you signed up for.”
She laughed and straightened his tie. “This is a cakewalk compared to my family. Believe me.”
He took her hand, loving the feeling of the ring on her finger, knowing that it meant their future together was sealed. “The next year is going to be great, but it’s also going to be hell. We’re probably going to lose my dad and I’ll be trying to convince the board of directors that another change in CEO is a good idea.”
Melanie grinned sweetly. “And we have a wedding to plan, too. We’ll get through it all. I know we will. Together.”
“Tonight wouldn’t have been possible without you. Seriously. And we’ve got to put Costello Public Relations on the map. You need an influx of cash so we can hire some staff for you. Let you focus on what you’re so good at.”
“And what is that exactly?”
“Your mastery of the world of public relations. You’re the only person I know who could convince the world that I have a good side.”
“I’ve seen you naked, Adam Langford.” She nuzzled his neck, sending a jolt of electricity through his body. “Trust me, you have more than one good side.”
* * * * *
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