Thinking about the first order of business in her soon-to-be maleaholic recovery program, Annie leaned over and retrieved her cell phone from the passenger seat. When she coasted to a stop in the snarl of early-morning traffic, she used her thumb to scroll down her phone book until she found the stored number she was looking for.
“Did you watch City Singles?” she asked Rico as she held her cell phone between her chin and her shoulder. She shifted gears and then rolled forward hardly far enough to bother with the effort.
“Yes, I think it went well, too.” Except for the part about having to admit on live TV that my ex dumped me on a videotape. She pushed that thought aside and asked, “How did it feel to see yourself on TV?”
Annie laughed. “I think you mean ‘the cat who swallowed the canary,’ not the cranberry, Rico. But that’s the reason we chose that photo. Your smile makes it appear you have a secret. We want women to buy the game and find out what that secret is.”
Finally. The traffic was moving again.
“How did it go with Helena last night?” Annie couldn’t resist asking. If Helena had been successful zapping him with her passion-is-everything plan, maybe Annie’s worries were already over.
She should have known better. Rico mumbled something irrelevant about Helena, then immediately asked when he could see her again.
“Soon,” Annie said, as disappointed as her answer was vague. Especially since she could kick herself for being suckered into Helena’s the-man-who-got-lost-in-ten-days plan.
Annie made another stab at getting herself out of the situation. “If we get a good response from the City Singles viewing audience, billboards are going to go up all over Atlanta this weekend with that same picture of you, Rico. So be prepared. Once we leak to the press who you are, you’re going to have so many women chasing after you, you won’t even remember my name.”
Annie groaned inwardly when Rico insisted that would never happen. “Well, have a good weekend, and be ready to start filming bright and early on Monday morning.” Before he could press her about going out with him again, Annie muttered a quick “Bye now,” and closed her cell phone.
Damn.
The one and only time she’d ever had the opportunity to play the role of the dumper, the damn dumpee wouldn’t take her seriously.
Her irritation only increased when the traffic slowed to a standstill again. Annie scrolled to another stored number on her cell phone. “Hey, June. Could I speak to my mother for a second?” She laughed. “You’re not going to believe this, June, but I thought you said Bev wasn’t coming into the office today.”
Annie frowned. “Is she ill? No explanation at all? Thanks, June. I’ll call her at home.”
By the time Annie reached the Bank of America Plaza, she had left urgent messages on both her mother’s home phone and her cell phone. She wasn’t being dramatic. Bev taking a day off wasn’t only unheard of, it was downright sacrilegious.
She tried to remember the last time her mother had even taken a vacation. She couldn’t. Possibly all the way back to Annie’s thirteenth birthday, when Bev had taken her to New York City and they’d spent two glorious weeks doing everything there was to do in the Big Apple. They’d even stayed at the Waldorf, a memory she would always cherish. In fact, the entire vacation was one Annie would always treasure and one she hadn’t thought of in a long, long time.
By the time she reached the thirty-second floor, Annie had already decided if she didn’t get a call back from her mother within the hour, she would head to Druid Hills and investigate the situation herself.
She made that decision, however, before she walked into the full-blown party going on at Paragon. The fact that it was only nine o’clock in the morning didn’t seem to matter. The excited group of people gathered in the reception area gave her an enthusiastic round of applause the second she walked through the door.
* * *
“So? What would you say if I told you I didn’t have any plans I couldn’t break tonight? And that I’d like nothing better than to spend the night getting naked with you to celebrate your huge Joe Video success?”
Matt tensed when Claire leaned against him and boldly ran her hand not so gently across the front of his crotch. The effect was that of a turtle jerking its head inside its shell.
He let out what he hoped sounded like a disappointed sigh. “I’d say those words are going to make this grown man cry, Claire. When I called J.B. with the good news a few minutes ago, he told me to be prepared to pull an all-nighter. Now that we know what type of response we can expect for the game, we have to get ready to start filming on Monday.”
If Claire suspected he was lying, she didn’t show it. She stepped back and struck a pose that practically thrust the fully erect nipples poking against the sheer fabric of her blouse in his face. With her lips pursed in a pretend pout, she gave him a slow once-over before she said, “For you, I’ll extend a rain check. But don’t disappoint me again, Matt. I’m used to getting exactly what I want.”
I don’t doubt that for one second, sweetheart, Matt thought.
He lied again when he said, “Give me a few weeks to get this game up and running, and I’ll call you to cash that rain check.”
Then, Matt swam away as fast as he could, out of reach of the hungry shark, who still managed one more crotch-clutch in passing before he made it out of the green room.
“What a piece of work,” he grumbled to himself as he headed across the studio parking lot toward his Jeep. He’d run across bold, pushy women in the past, but Claire was definitely in a class all by herself. He was surprised she hadn’t demanded that he take his bad boy out and let her measure it right there on the spot. Besides, that’s what she’d been doing anyway. Feeling him up so she could size him up. Making sure he was well worth her time.
God, he hated to admit it, but being around Annie and Collin was starting to rub off on him. He was evidently getting in touch with his feminine side more than he realized—even if only through osmosis.
I actually feel violated.
When two guys started laughing a few cars away, however, Matt was reminded real quick what kind of response he would get if he told any of his buddies he’d felt violated when a hot chick like Claire Winslow, shark or not, practically rammed her hands down his pants and told him she wanted to get between-the-sheets naked with him.
I’d never live it down.
His buddies would laugh him right out of Atlanta.
Matt shook his head, trying to determine exactly what was responsible for the sudden shift in his outlook on life. It was beginning to scare him. He was secretly reading corny scripts about what a woman wants. He was backing off from brassy women willing to get naked. And most of all, he was letting the whole Rico business mess with his mettle.
He’d been shocked that in the short span of an hour, the City Singles Web site had received over 35,000 hits—the majority from women—and an unbelievable ninety-five percent in favor of Joe Video. Wasn’t that enough to make any guy worry that he didn’t know jack shit about his role as a man in the female scheme of things?
Worse yet, that he probably never had?
As he drove out of the studio parking lot, he knew he should be shouting to the rafters over their success with Joe Video. His promotion was practically a guaranteed shoo-in now. Yet here he was, actually dreading going back to the office for the first time since he’d started working at Paragon Technology.
He was used to being the resident hunk, so to speak, dammit. He was used to strolling into Paragon, doing a bit of innocent flirting here and there, and walking back to his office with the satisfaction that he still had what it took to turn a pretty head.
But lately, if there did happen to be the usual chick cluster at Kathy’s desk, the women barely even looked in his direction.
Hell no.
His once faithful admirers were too busy trying to pry information out of Kathy as to when Rico might show up for what had become his daily ta
ke-Annie-to-lunch routine.
Annie.
Another big sore spot where Matt was concerned.
Like now. When he returned to Paragon, he’d have to laugh and smile and pretend he was excited about Joe Video while he accepted everyone’s congratulations. And all the while, he’d be silently seething over Annie’s wonderful comment about her date with the man whose picture would soon be up on billboards all over Atlanta.
The little liar.
He didn’t care what Annie said, there was no way she could really be serious about Rico. She knew it. He knew it. And when he got back to the office, he was going to make her listen while he finished the conversation they were trying to have when Greg Wilson had barged in and interrupted them.
He’d apologize.
Annie would put an end to her pretend affair.
Then he wouldn’t have it on his conscience that Annie had gotten involved with jerk Rico just to spite him.
End of freaking story.
CHAPTER 10
A stalled eighteen-wheeler had kept Annie from being in the office when Matt called from the television studio to report the good news. But it didn’t take long for Collin to fill her in on all of the details.
J.B. had declared an all-day TGIF party in honor of their big success. And to make it a real TGIF party, he’d not only ordered a champagne breakfast for the entire office, he’d promised a fully catered lunch as well.
Collin ushered Annie into the boardroom, where the long mahogany table had been covered with thick white tablecloths. According to Collin, the steaming silver serving pans held everything from eggs Benedict to good old southern homestyle grits. Standing behind the table in crisp white jackets were hired servers with big smiles on their ready-to-please faces.
Even J.B. Duncan couldn’t have made such elaborate arrangements on such short notice. He’d obviously been sure of their success from the very beginning.
“I know you’re not talking to me, lovey, but that’s okay. I deserve it,” Collin said, grabbing an already filled champagne flute and handing it to her. “Still, I also deserve to be your first clinky-dink, whether you’re pissed at me or not. I’ve been behind you on Joe Video from the very beginning.”
When he clinked his bubbling glass against hers, Annie said, “Are you trying to make me feel guilty, Collin?”
Sheepish best defined the faint smile Collin sent her. “No. I feel guilty. I’m sorry I told that horrible woman about the videotape. I would willingly curl up and die if I thought you were never going to speak to me again.”
Annie took an unhurried sip from her glass before she said, “You know, Collin, groveling with a dash of deep remorse looks extremely good on you.”
They both burst out laughing.
Annie had just finished telling Collin what a witch Claire really was when the room suddenly grew quiet.
Collin looked past her and said, “Who on earth is that?”
Annie turned around and quickly handed Collin her champagne glass. The “who” that had everyone’s attention was Helena standing in the boardroom doorway. She was wearing another hoochie-mama outfit and four-inch spiked heels. Yet her nose was in the air with such complete confidence she might as well have been swathed in Versace or Prada.
“She’s a friend of mine,” Annie said and hurried off before Collin could quiz her any further.
“You said you were going to call me,” Annie said, grabbing Helena by the arm and pulling her toward the nearest place of refuge.
“I am calling,” Helena said. “In person. Now.”
“Well, you might have noticed that now is not a good time.”
Annie practically pushed Helena through the door and into the women’s restroom. The moment they were inside, Helena turned around, her hands on her slim, spandex-clad hips.
“Again we are meeting in the toilet?” she said. “You have no big fancy office on this thirty-second floor?”
“I have an office that I share with other people,” Annie said. “People who don’t need to know our business.”
The explanation seemed to pacify her.
“I’m sorry you came without calling, Helena. I doubt I’m going to be much help with Rico after today anyway. The party going on outside is because Rico is a big success. His picture is going to be plastered on billboards all over the city. Women who will be interested in him personally are going to be all over him everywhere he goes.”
Helena’s shoulder came up in a shrug. “I do not fear those women.” Annie expected the throat-slitting motion, but Helena said, “It is you who makes me worry.”
Annie let out a long sigh. “Look. I told you before. I have no personal interest in Rico whatsoever. Period.”
She tossed her long black curls over one shoulder, her look still suspicious. “Rico, he can be very good at changing minds. You might change yours. That is why I come. There is something you do not know.”
“And that would be?”
Helena took a deep breath and said, “Rico did not break our engagement because it is you he loves, like I am thinking. He will not honor our engagement because his oldest brother, Ernesto, ordered him to postpone our wedding plans. Ernesto is greedy. He wants big money. He was afraid your company would not want Rico if he was engaged.”
“And Rico agreed to break your engagement? Just because his oldest brother told him to postpone it?”
Helena said, “Of course. Ernesto, he is the head of the family.”
Annie shook her head, trying to clear it. “Then I guess we don’t have a problem, do we? As soon as we finish filming, you and Rico can go ahead with your wedding plans.”
Helena shook her head. “No, no, no. Rico’s middle brother, Manny, he is the one who told me everything. Ernesto did not order Rico to send the flowers. Ernesto did not order Rico to buy you the lunches. Manny knew this and he was worried. Manny has been watching Rico closely. He listen when Rico say to someone he is winning you over because you can make him a mucho mucho mucho big star.”
It took Annie a second to realize what Helena was trying to tell her. “Me? You mean Rico thinks I can make him a star other than just the video game?”
Helena nodded. “Sí. A big star out in Hollywood.”
Annie couldn’t believe what she was hearing. So that was it. She’d been flattered by the attention in the beginning, but she’d always known something wasn’t quite right about the whole situation. Rico was pursuing her because he thought she could further his acting career?
Well, damn. Rico was just another typical self-centered male, after all.
“You are getting angry. I can see it,” Helena said, a worried look on her face.
“Yes,” Annie said. “I am getting angry. Rico has done a rotten thing to both of us. Especially to you.”
Helena nodded. “Rico is the wolf hiding under the cover of the sheep’s wool.”
Annie stared at her. “I don’t understand, Helena. How can you still love him, when you know Rico is being so deceitful?”
Helena stared back at Annie as if she were nuts. “What? You think you cannot love a man unless he is perfect?” She shook her head. “I do not understand how you think up here.” She tapped a finger to her forehead. “You love who you love. You take the good with the bad. Each day it is your duty to make the bad not so bad, and the good a little better. That is what I will do. Rico will think coming back to me is his idea. Then I will put a collar around his wolf’s neck and tame him. A little each day. One day at a time.”
If I’m not careful, Helena is going to start making sense. “Or,” Annie said, refusing to accept such simplistic logic, “we could face Rico together and put an end to his game playing right now.”
Helena stamped a four-inch spiked-heel foot. “Are you loco? We tell Rico now and he would be angry. I would not get him back and Rico would not do your filming.”
Good point. “So?” Annie said. “What do you suggest?”
Helena smiled. “Let Rico think he is winning you over. We
will play the game better. Just like we agreed.” She unzipped her fanny pack and took out a folded piece of paper. “These are two things Rico hates women to do. You try these. Rico will not be pleased with you. He will not want you helping him to be a big star.”
Helena pointed to “smoking.” “Rico, he hates to see the women smoke. In the bar, all the time they are smoking. The smell in their hair and on their clothes, he hates it. It makes him sick to the stomach.”
“I can understand that,” Annie said.
Helena pointed to “gambling.” “Too many of our people are slaves to the lottery. All the time they are buying the scratch-off tickets. Wasting their money on false hopes when they can barely put the food on their tables. To Rico, gambling is a mortal sin. You buy some of these lottery tickets. You show him you are foolish and wasteful. Rico will not want you helping him to be a star if he thinks you are hooked on the gambling.”
Helena handed the list to Annie. “You try the smoking. You try the gambling. If they do not work, we will talk again.”
Annie stuffed the paper in the pocket of her DKNY suit jacket. “Well, at least I won’t feel so guilty about tricking Rico now,” she said more to herself than to Helena.
Helena laughed. “This is what I was hoping by coming to tell you what I just found out from Manny. Rico is playing a big trick on you already. Now I am sure you will not want my Rico for yourself.”
“I’ve never wanted Rico for myself, Helena,” Annie said. “But I’m glad you told me the truth.”
Helena paused for a second, a puzzled look on her pretty face. “If you never wanted my Rico, why not? Because there is someone else that you love?”
Annie hesitated. “No. Not at the moment.”
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