Passion Play

by Regina Hart

  Rose took another peek at Donovan. His shaved head was the sexiest thing she’d ever seen. His classically handsome sienna features were hypnotizing. She enjoyed watching his long, elegant hands move. And his bright, hazel eyes made her think wicked thoughts.

  No, he wasn’t a good choice for the role he’d unknowingly been auditioning for. Rose had known that the moment she’d seen him walk into the restaurant with Iris and Tyler. Their fake relationship would be blown the minute they showed up at the reunion. She’d have to keep track of the hotel room keys he’d be collecting. She didn’t have time for that. But even with that realization, Rose couldn’t stop auditioning him.

  Donovan had settled back onto his seat beside Tyler in the booth. He was staring at his half-empty glass of iced tea as though it held the key to his future.

  Rose took a sip of her ice water. “Your office must be very busy preparing for the launch of your latest computer game.”

  Iris had told Rose more than she needed to know about Anderson Adventures’ upcoming release, Osiris’ Journey, but it had been wonderful seeing her sister so excited and engaged in the project. It had been the happiest she’d seen Iris in years.

  Donovan looked up from his drink. “Iris has done an excellent job with the product launch. Anderson Adventures is breaking all sorts of preorder records with Osiris’ Journey.”

  “Thank you for the kind words, Van.” Iris inclined her head. “But I think the preorders are a reflection of the product, not my work.”

  Rose glowed as though Donovan’s compliment was meant for her. “Iris is fearless, in addition to being very talented and creative. She’s going to go far. And so will Anderson Adventures, if you stick with her.”

  Iris’s cheeks grew pink. “Rosie, Anderson Adventures is already very successful.”

  Rose swept a dismissive hand. “Imagine how much more successful they’ll be with you on their team.” She tilted her head. “Are you blushing?”

  “I think she is.” Tyler chuckled. He reached across the table and covered Iris’s hand with his own. “You’ve given us the best product launch we’ve ever had. And you’ve helped us establish processes that will continue to grow our customer base.”

  Rose lowered her eyes to Iris and Tyler’s joined hands. The genuine caring and affection in that gesture filled Rose with joy for her sister—as well as envy. She looked up, and her eyes were caught by Donovan’s bright, hazel gaze.

  She cleared her throat. “So what’s next for Anderson Adventures?”

  “We’re working on future releases and our fall catalog.” Donovan straightened.

  “We’re also planning a release party with Iris’s help.” Tyler looked to Rose. “You and Lily should join us.”

  “Oh, no.” Rose swung her wide-eyed gaze from Tyler to Donovan. “We wouldn’t want to intrude.”

  “It’s not an intrusion,” Tyler assured her. “Families are welcome. And we’re bringing back the disc jockey from the internal associates launch.”

  “She was a big hit.” Iris grinned. “You and Lily should come. You’d have a great time. I’m planning the party so I should know.”

  Rose laughed. “All right, you’ve convinced me. But I want to be there when you invite Lily.”

  She looked again at Donovan. Her grin faded as she found his attention fixed on her mouth. The glint in his eyes caused her pulse to trip. His bright gaze lifted to hers. She caught her breath. What was happening? What was he thinking? Donovan blinked, and the moment was gone. What a relief.

  Rose lifted her water glass to her lips. Her hand shook just slightly. Now that she’d ruled out the charismatic sales executive for the role of her fake boyfriend, there wasn’t any reason for them to see each other again. Was there?

  * * *

  “What did you think?” Tyler followed Donovan into his office after lunch.

  Tread carefully. We’re talking about Ty’s girlfriend’s sister. Donovan thought highly of Iris, not only for her professional expertise, but also because she made Tyler happy.

  “Thanks for introducing me to Rose.” Donovan circled his desk and sank onto the black leather executive chair behind it. “But I don’t think she’d be interested in this project.”

  Tyler lowered himself onto one of the gray visitor’s chairs in front of Donovan’s desk. “Rose was a little...”

  “Aloof?”

  “Yes, but she wasn’t like that the first time I met her.”

  “I’d wondered about that.”

  “And Iris loves her. She, Rose and Lily are very close. And a lot alike.”

  Donovan had wondered about that, too. But why had she been so cold and abrupt during lunch? “Did you tell her that I needed a lawyer?”

  “No.” Tyler’s response was swift and definite. “I never mentioned it. I didn’t think you’d want me to.”

  “I didn’t.” Donovan rubbed his forehead with his right hand. What should I do now? “I’d hoped to at least tell Rose about the shelter’s situation, but she doesn’t seem very approachable.”

  “Do you want me or Iris to speak with her?”

  Donovan was shaking his head before Tyler finished his thought. “I don’t want to put either of you in the middle. This is my problem.”

  “When are you going to understand that when one of us has a problem, we all have a problem?” Tyler’s frown was chastising. “That’s the way family works.”

  “You know it’s hard for me to accept help.” Donovan restrained himself from squirming on his seat.

  “This isn’t for you. It’s for the shelter’s clients, the families you’re trying to support.”

  “You’re right.” The truth in Tyler’s words brought Donovan up short. “But I’ll be the one to talk with Rose.” If he decided it wouldn’t be a waste of time.

  Tyler spread his hands. “There’s no harm in asking her, Van.”

  “So I’ve heard.” He’d always hated that saying. “I may be asking too much, though. I need an experienced lawyer who cares about the case, but I also need someone who’s willing to work for free.”

  “It’s for an important cause.”

  Donovan swung his seat to better contemplate the cerulean, cloudless sky from his office window. Summer finally had landed in Columbus. They’d had a long and difficult winter, followed by a petulant spring. Although born and raised in Chicago—a much colder city—Donovan had lived in Columbus long enough to breathe a sigh of relief when the first rays of summer brought warmer temperatures.

  “Most of the board supports filing the statement against allowing the pawnshop to move into our neighborhood. But a few members don’t.” Donovan spun his chair to face Tyler. “It’s hard keeping the board together and focused on the plan. I’d like a lawyer who’s sympathetic to our position so that I’m not pulling both the board and the lawyer.”

  “With great power comes great responsibility.” Tyler quoted the line from Marvel Comics’ Spider-Man.

  Donovan gave a half smile at the reminder. “The other board members are looking for lawyers, too.” Although Donovan suspected they weren’t having any better luck than he was. No one had called him with recommendations. He swallowed another sigh.

  Tyler checked his bronze wristwatch. “I thought you said your response was due next month? Today’s June 22. You’re running out of time.”

  And options. “I know. If we don’t find a lawyer who’ll work with us pro bono, I’ll propose that the board members pool our money to pay a lawyer.”

  “How do you think that will go over?” Tyler arched a skeptical brow.

  “Not well. It’s also a poor precedent to set.”

  “If I were you, I’d talk with Whitley before suggesting the board split the bill.” Tyler stood to leave.

  “You’re probably right.” The thought of asking h
is ex-girlfriend for a favor turned his stomach.

  As Tyler left his office, Donovan’s thoughts returned to Rose. She would be a far better option than Whitley, but he’d have to offer her a proposal she couldn’t refuse.

  * * *

  “What did you think?” Iris skipped the more formal greeting when Rose answered her office phone later that afternoon.

  Tread carefully. Rose sat at her desk at the law firm of Apple & Spencer LLC. She’d been dreading Iris’s call. She didn’t want to offend her sister, but Iris had been wrong. Donovan wasn’t fake boyfriend material.

  “Van seems like a very nice person.” Rose looked away from the documents she was reviewing on her computer screen. “But I don’t think he’s the right man for this plan.”

  There was a moment’s surprised silence before Iris responded. “Are you kidding me? Why not?”

  “He’s a player.”

  “No, he’s not.”

  “Are you kidding me?” Rose’s eyebrows jumped toward her hairline. “It’s in his eyes. It’s in his smile. He’s just too charming.”

  “Rosie, not every good-looking guy is a player.” Iris’s tone was gentle. “They’re not all like Ben.”

  “I know.” Rose squeezed her eyes shut. Consciously, she knew that, but subconsciously, she was still suspicious. “I don’t want to take that risk.”

  “What risk?”

  Rose opened her eyes. Her attention landed on the black metal inbox on the far corner of her cognac cherrywood desk. She’d emptied her inbox when she’d arrived early this morning. When she’d returned from lunch, it was full again. Her black wire organizer on the opposite end of her desk already was stuffed with project folders. Her cases and workload were multiplying like rabbits.

  “Flirting is second nature to men like Van. They probably don’t even realize they’re doing it. If I took him to the reunion, he wouldn’t be able to stop himself from flirting with other women.” Rose rubbed her shoulder. Her gaze drifted to the matching cognac cherrywood bookcase on her left. It was swollen with reference books. Her certificates and awards hung nearby on the eggshell office walls.

  “Van isn’t like that.” Iris’s voice was adamant. “He’s one of the good guys.”

  “You’ve only known him for three months. Ben fooled me for two years.”

  “Ty has known Van for seventeen years.”

  Rose froze. “Did you tell Ty that I wanted to check out Van as a possible date for my reunion?”

  “Of course not.” Iris seemed insulted by the question. “I’d never do that to you. And I’d slap you if you did something like that to me.”

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to offend you.” Rose rubbed her right shoulder, trying to ease the tension building there.

  “It’s all right.” Iris sighed. “Well, if Van’s off your list, do you want to meet Xavier?”

  “No, thank you.” Xavier had just broken up with his girlfriend. This probably wasn’t a good time to ask him to pretend to be in love with her.

  “Then what are you going to do?”

  I wish I knew. “I guess I’ll have to ask Lil if she could recommend someone.”

  “Good luck getting Lily to cooperate with your plan. Do you think she even knows anyone who fits your criteria?” Iris sounded dubious.

  “I don’t know.” Rose frowned. “But I’m desperate.”

  Lily would probably once again try to talk Rose into going to the reunion alone. That was something Rose was not going to do. She’d rather go to the reunion with Donovan “Heartthrob” Carroll than face Benjamin without a date. Unbidden, an image of Donovan came to mind. At least she’d have someone good to look at for the weekend.

  Chapter 3

  “I can’t stay long, but I did want to ask you for a favor.” Rose smiled as Lily closed the door behind her Monday evening. Rose had called her sister as soon as she’d rung off with Iris that afternoon to ask if she could come by Lily’s house after work.

  “If I can, I’d be happy to help you. You know that.” Lily kicked off her shoes before leading Rose down the hallway to her living room.

  Rose took off her shoes and followed. She sank onto the powder blue love seat as Lily settled onto the near corner of the matching sofa.

  “I found out Friday that Ben’s wife is pregnant.” Rose had given her explanation a lot of consideration on her forty-five-minute drive to Lily’s house.

  “Oh, Rose. I’m so sorry.” Concern darkened Lily’s whiskey eyes. “I can understand how that would hurt.”

  “Thank you.” Rose had never been comfortable expressing her feelings, but Lily’s caring made it easier. “I’d been uncomfortable about going to my reunion when I thought it was going to be just Ben and his wife. Now that I know his wife is pregnant, I’m even more uneasy.”

  “What do you have to be uncomfortable about?” Lily tilted her head. “You’re not the one who was cheating on your fiancée for two years. Ben and his wife should be the ones who are uncomfortable.”

  “I agree with what you’re saying, logically. But you know feelings aren’t always logical.” Rose wished she was more like Lily, calm and rational.

  “I know.” Lily inclined her head, the image of grace and serenity. “That’s why we have to think before we act so we aren’t impulsive. That’s what you’re always telling Iris.”

  Iris, the impetuous one.

  Restless and impatient, Rose stood from the love seat to pace the living room. Her stocking feet sank into the plush, violet carpeting that Lily had had installed last year.

  “I have thought about it, Lil.” Rose crossed from the love seat to the fireplace. “I’ve given it a lot of rational consideration, and I’ve decided that I want to hurt Ben. A lot.”

  “I understand.” Lily’s voice carried from behind Rose, where she remained on the sofa. “When Ben hurt you, I wanted to hurt him a lot, too. But you’re going about it the wrong way.”

  “You think the right way is going to the reunion alone?” Rose turned toward her sister. Irritation flooded her veins like an electrical current. “I’m after revenge, not a higher level of enlightenment.”

  “How will showing up at the reunion with a fake date avenge you?” Lily’s voice was frustratingly calm.

  “Not just any fake date—someone who’s more attractive, successful and intelligent than Ben.” Someone like Donovan, her mind whispered. Rose shook her head to banish the voice.

  “But he’d be a fake. That doesn’t prove that you’re over Ben. That just proves that you’re creative.”

  Rose didn’t appreciate her sister’s attempt at humor. “The Constant Classmates are pitying me. I don’t want to get the same looks and comments from the rest of my class.”

  Lily shifted forward on the sofa. “Rosie, if you pander to other people’s reactions and judgments, you’ll exhaust yourself. Don’t follow other people. Be yourself.”

  “I am being myself.” Rose paced away from the fireplace and back to the love seat. “It’s my own idea to get a fake fiancé.”

  “Can you even hear yourself?” Lily seemed part amused, part frustrated. “You’re going to be yourself by doing something fake. That doesn’t make sense.”

  “Not to you because you’re a confident person.” Rose leaned forward, resting her forearms on her knees and linking her fingers together. “I used to be confident, too. Ben took that from me.”

  “Then take it back.” Lily ran her fingers through her wavy, shoulder-length hair. Her movements were graceful. “I know Ben shook your self-confidence. Do you think it’s easy for me to see you like this?”

  “I’d feel better if I could get even.”

  “You’re giving Ben too much power.”

  Rose expelled an impatient breath. She rubbed the knotted muscles in her right shoulder.
“Lil, are you going to help me or not?”

  Lily frowned her confusion. “What can I do?”

  Rose hesitated. “Do you know any eligible men who might be willing to be my date for the reunion?”

  Lily seemed to consider the question. Rose appreciated that. At least she didn’t dismiss Rose’s request immediately.

  “No, I’m afraid I don’t.” Lily offered a smile. “The men I know are either in relationships or you don’t have to ask why they aren’t.”

  “It sounds like we know a lot of the same men.” Rose’s tone was wry.

  “Have you asked Iris?”

  “She doesn’t know anyone suitable.” Donovan’s image taunted Rose.

  Lily nodded. “You and I disagree on this fake date idea, but in the end I just want you to be happy. I want you to be Rosie again.”

  Rose wanted the same thing. She wanted to get rid of this bitterness, anger and jealousy, and move on with her life. But how could she do that? What was the first step back to herself?

  * * *

  Donovan didn’t want to have this conversation again. However, it seemed that Cecil Lowell, the newest member of the Hope Homeless Shelter’s board of directors and the most junior member of the five-person legal subcommittee, didn’t have anything better to do.

  “We already voted on this motion last week.” Donovan regarded the young banker. He drew a deep breath to hold on to his patience. The conference room in the shelter’s offices smelled as old and musty as the rest of the building.

  The subcommittee had voted during its previous meeting, and presented their decision and reasoning to the entire board of directors. Now with the board’s support, they were preparing to move forward with their challenge to allowing a pawnshop to move into Hope Homeless Shelter’s neighborhood. Why did Cecil want to revisit that near-unanimous decision? Was it because he had been the only nay vote?