“That’s the point; we haven’t had a chance to figure this out.” He tipped her chin up, so she was forced to look at him. “I know there’s more to this, Lace. There’s desire, yes, but there’s also an understanding. A connection. I’ve never experienced anything like it before.”
Lacey’s eyes grew misty and he saw her lower lip tremble at his frank admission. “Me neither.” Her voice was so soft he could barely hear her.
He brushed a stray curl out of her face and leaned in so his forehead was touching hers and their lips were so close he could feel her warm breath on his cheek. “So what are we going to do?”
He felt her shrug. “I don’t know.”
She sounded so forlorn, he wanted to pull her into his arms and never let go. “Meeting you has been the only good thing that’s happened to me since my father died.”
The admission seemed to surprise her. He looked into her eyes. “I know the timing is off, but I don’t want to let this go. I don’t want to let you go.”
A slow smile spread across her face and lit up her eyes.
“Let’s make a deal,” he said. “We’ll keep it strictly professional until the election and after that, no matter what happens, we give this thing between us a fair chance.”
After studying him for a moment, she gave a little nod. “Yeah, okay. It’s a deal.”
Alex felt like he’d just won the Olympics. They had a shot. He would have an opportunity to show Lacey how amazing she was and how much she meant to him. Life was good.
“There’s one problem, though,” Lacey said.
Alex felt his heart plummet at her look of disappointment. It was Sam. She wasn’t ready to move on. “What is it?”
“I live in San Francisco, and you live in New York,” she said.
Alex stared at her in surprise for a moment before laughing with relief. She scowled up at him. “It’s not funny,” she protested.
“It kind of is,” he said. “You do remember that I’m a pilot, right? And that my family owns a fleet of private jets?”
The blush that spread across her cheeks as she bit her lip to keep from laughing was almost too cute to bear. “Oh yeah. I forgot about that.”
He leaned down so his lips were close to her ear—and dangerously close to her lips. “Lace, if you think three thousand miles could keep me away from you, you’re crazy.”
Chapter Nine
ALEX HAD TAKEN Jess up on her offer to invite anyone and everyone he wanted to the cocktail party she was throwing in his honor. Which meant, he’d invited the entire fifty-person New York City branch of Newsom Industries. Which meant, the party was all anyone could talk about that week.
“So who are you bringing as your date?” Raj was half buried in the break room refrigerator looking for the last can of orange soda.
“No one. This is a networking event for me, remember? I’m only going to make nice with the board members.”
It was a partial truth. If Alex had his way, his charming public speaking coach would be his date. But they’d both agreed that would be a terrible idea. He could only imagine Jess’s reaction if he showed up to the party that she was hosting with another woman on his arm.
He’d managed to evade Jess since their meeting at the country club. It hadn’t been too hard since he had legitimately been working around the clock. Between catching up on the company’s current status with his grandfather and Lacey’s barrage of lessons and practice speeches, he hadn’t had time to socialize with anyone. He’d only seen her when she’d stopped into the office to say hello or bring him lunch and even then, their little chats had been interrupted by urgent phone calls and meetings.
He wasn’t a monster. He’d felt guilty every time he’d seen Jess—kissed her on the cheek, let her believe that there was a chance they would get together. Not that he thought her heart would be broken if she knew the truth—that he would rather date a tarantula than get involved with her again—but because he knew he was leading her on.
He’d heard enough gossip from their mutual friends and could read between the lines when talking to Jess to know that she’d recently been dumped by the man of her dreams. A guy who was her social equivalent, wealthy and handsome, by all accounts. It wasn’t exactly great for his ego to realize that he was her backup plan—the guy she could count on to love her if all else failed. But he could still understand that she was disappointed with life—with the hand she’d been dealt.
And now he was playing her just like she’d always played him. He supposed it was karma, but that logic didn’t thaw the guilt that ate at him every time she was near.
It wasn’t like he was professing his love or making promises he didn’t intend to keep. But he wasn’t being upfront with her either. He was letting her believe what she wanted to believe because it served his purpose.
He should be better than this.
But it was almost over now. He just had to make it through the weekend with no confrontations or upsets, and he might just stand a chance at defeating Marcus for the position of president. Step one, get through tomorrow night’s party.
“What about you, man? Are you bringing anyone?” Alex asked.
His outgoing friend turned shy. Alex’s eyes widened. “Uh oh. What’s that look about?”
Even beneath his friend’s dark skin, he could see his skin flush with embarrassment. “It’s nothing. I just—I was thinking about asking Heather.”
“Heather? As in, sweet and friendly receptionist Heather?”
Raj nodded. “It’s a dumb idea, right? I mean, she’s probably already got a date.”
Alex tried to hide his amusement. He’d never seen his friend crush on someone before. He suddenly felt like he was back in middle school. “No, man, I think it’s a great idea.”
Raj’s eyes lit up. “You do?”
“Yeah. I mean, what’s the worst that can happen?”
Raj gave him a look that told him he was an idiot. “Uh, she could say no. And then I’d be forced to see her every day and feel like a complete and total fool every time I bump into her.”
Alex slapped his buddy on the back. “Right. But I mean, other than that.”
They both burst out laughing just as Heather came into the break room, followed closely by Lacey.
Alex stopped laughing as the air was sucked out of his lungs. It was the same situation every time Lacey walked into a room. His heart rate quadrupled and all the oxygen seemed to leave the atmosphere.
“What’s so funny?” Heather asked.
Alex saw his friend freeze up at the question. Raj must truly have a thing for this girl. He cast a glance over at Lacey who was grabbing a bag of chips from a cabinet over the sink. He could totally relate.
“We were just talking about the party tomorrow,” he said.
Heather’s eyes lit up at the mention of it. “Oh my gosh, I’m so excited. I got the most amazing dress at this half-price sale, and I’ve been dying to wear it.”
Alex saw his opportunity to help his friend out. “Are you bringing anyone?”
Heather made a face of disgust. “No, the guy I was dating turned out to be a total loser. Looks like I’ll be flying solo.”
Alex shot his friend a telling look, and Raj took the cue. “Hey, Heather, I was planning on going alone too. Maybe we should go together.”
Heather’s face lit up like a Christmas tree. “That would be great! What time do you want to meet up?”
Raj shot his friend a grateful smile as he led Heather out of the break room and continued with their party planning.
Lacey was leaning against the counter popping chips into her mouth. “That was a nice thing you did there, Cupid.”
Alex grinned. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I just gave a little nudge.”
Lacey laughed. “I’m glad somebody did. Those two needed a good shove in the right direction.”
“You knew there was something going on?”
She rolled her eyes at his apparent obtuseness. “Oh
please, you could cut the sexual tension with a knife every time they come within three feet of each other.”
He moved nearer, so he was leaning against the counter beside her, almost touching but not quite. He lowered his voice so they couldn’t be overheard by passersby in the hallway. “Do you think people say the same thing about us?”
He could hear her breath catch, but she didn’t turn toward him. “If they do, we’re doing something wrong,” she said.
It was killing him. Not holding her in his arms was agony. Having her close by at all times but never being able to kiss her or touch her—it was torture. She seemed to be reading his mind. “It’s almost over, you know. The finish line is just around the corner.”
Alex dropped his head and let out a sigh. The board meeting and election were scheduled for Monday morning. By the end of the day Monday, it would all be decided. His future and the future of the company.
No matter what happened with the election, at least he and Lacey could finally be together. They were finally going to get a chance at being a couple.
“I wish you could be my date tomorrow night,” he said. The words slipped out before he could stop them.
Lacey finally turned to look up at him. She gave him a wistful half-smile. “Me too.”
He resisted the urge to brush a curl from her forehead but instead leaned on his elbows. “I have an idea.”
She raised her eyebrows in question.
“Let’s talk about Monday night.”
She laughed. “You mean, how are we going to celebrate your success?”
“No, I mean, what are we going to do on our date?”
Lacey’s grin was infectious. “Well, let’s see. We should go somewhere with champagne so we can toast your new position—”
“Or drown my sorrows if I lose,” he finished.
She narrowed her eyes in feigned anger. “I don’t want to hear that kind of talk, mister. After all the work you’ve put in to becoming this company’s next great leader, there’s no way you’re going to lose.”
“Whatever you say, coach.”
He loved the faith she had in him almost as much as he loved her. Over the past five days of being able to look at her and talk to her and not touch her, he’d realized how important she was beyond the physical. He’d accepted that what he felt for this woman was nothing short of love. Something he’d never experienced before. He could only hope that once this election was over he could put all of his effort into convincing Lacey that she felt the same way. He couldn’t let himself think of the alternative.
* * *
“Oooh, Lacey’s got a boyfriend,” Morgan said in a sing-song voice.
Lacey rolled her eyes and cinched her cell between her ear and shoulder as she dabbed on moisturizer before bed. “Seriously? How old are you?”
“Lacey and Alex sitting in a tree ...” Morgan’s giggle came through the line like she was in the same room. For the first time all week, Lacey was talking to her best friend and roommate on Morgan’s night off, which meant she was most likely curled up on the couch in her ratty old flannel pajamas and cuddling Sam.
“I’m homesick,” Lacey said.
“Oh please, don’t give me that. You’re having the time of your life with your new boy-toy. Admit it.”
Lacey couldn’t stop the dopey grin that spread across her face as she thought about Alex. “Yeah, he’s pretty great. But I still miss you and Sam.”
“Mmm-hmm,” Morgan teased. “I bet. We don’t stand a chance against the new boyfriend. What are we calling him again? Oh yeah, the Greek hunk.”
“It’s the Greek god,” Lacey laughed. “And he’s not a boyfriend yet.”
“But he will be.”
“Maybe,” Lacey said. She considered her reflection in the mirror and forced away romantic daydreams. “Right now I need to focus on my career.”
“Right, sure.” Morgan’s voice dripped with sarcasm.
“Morgan, this means a lot to me.” Sometimes the fact that her best friend was still living their college life made her feel like they were in two different worlds. This was one of those times.
“Listen, Lace, I get it. I know this job means a lot to you. I’m just sayin’, why can’t you have your cake and eat it too? Why can’t you have both?”
Why can’t I have both? The words lingered in Lacey’s head long after she hung up the phone. As she finished getting ready for bed the thought took root, and there was no denying the wellspring of hope that bubbled up inside her.
She would be on her best behavior for the remainder of her contract. But once this election was over, what was stopping them?
Lacey ordered her brain to stop fantasizing. Now was not the time for romance, there was still a lot of work to be done. And something told her that Alex would not like the next exercise she had in store.
In fact, if he was still speaking her by tomorrow afternoon, it would be a miracle.
They’d agreed to share a car to the office the next morning but Lacey planned to make a stop on the way. It was their last day to practice—and Lacey’s last chance to break down the remainder of Alex’s insecurities. She knew what needed to be done. But it wasn’t pleasant.
“What are we doing here, Lace?” Alex’s tone held a hint of warning.
Lacey swallowed her hesitation and led the way into Alex’s father’s apartment building.
She stepped into the elevator and turned to find him watching her warily. “I don’t want to go up there.”
Lacey’s heart went out to him, but she remained silent until he eventually joined her inside the elevator, stabbing the button for the fifteenth floor— his father’s floor—with more force than necessary.
They watched the numbers tick by overhead. When they’d reached floor ten, Alex finally spoke. “I don’t know why we’re doing this.”
Lacey glanced at him. “Do you trust me?”
“Of course.” He said it so quickly her heart did a little flip in her chest.
“Then believe me when I say that you need to do this.”
She let him lead the way to the apartment. Lacey waited patiently as he took a deep breath, then another, before reaching for his keys and letting them both in.
After what felt like an eternity of watching Alex roam around the apartment, looking at pictures and touching knick-knacks that cluttered the shelves and end tables, he finally spoke. “I haven’t been back here since he died.”
“I know.” When he looked over in surprise, she shrugged. “I pay attention.”
He gave her a half-smile, a hint of amusement in an otherwise grief-stricken look.
She moved toward him. “I didn’t bring you here to torture you, I swear. And this isn’t some ploy to make you a better speaker.”
When she reached his side she grasped his hand, and he squeezed it in return. “I just think…”
She cleared her throat and shoved away the fear that she was overstepping her boundaries. Someone had to be honest with him; someone had to push past his defenses and help him to move past the barriers that were keeping him from embracing this presidency with the fervor she knew he felt. “I just think you need to say goodbye,” she said.
His eyes met hers and the pain was unbearable to witness.
Before he could speak, she hurried on. “I know you’ve grieved for your father, but I think…I think stepping up and taking this role is difficult for you to accept. The role was supposed to be his. I think you’re hesitating because it would mean that his death is real. That he’s really gone and he’s not coming back—not for the company and not for you.”
He turned away from her. Now she’d done it. She’d crossed the line, and now he would push her away. He’d hate her for presuming to know anything about him or his father or—
“You’re right.”
His soft-spoken words were a relief, but they also tugged at her heart. His back was still to her and she wanted to go to him. Wrap her arms around him from behind and rest her cheek against hi
m. Let him know she was there for him without speaking.
She shouldn’t. It would break every professional rule in the book. But she did it anyway.
An hour later, they sat side by side on the couch. They were largely silent, except for Alex’s occasional story from his past or memory of his father that had them both laughing and, in Lacey’s case, wiping away tears.
It was good. It was healthy.
“It was just the two of us, you know?” Alex said. “My mom ran off when I was little, so it was always just the two of us. My dad and I against the world.” He had one arm around her shoulders as they listened to the low hum of the refrigerator.
She nodded. “I do know, actually. That’s how my mom and I always were.”
He pulled away so he could look at her and she realized he was waiting for her to continue.
With a little shrug, she told him the whole, not-so-pretty story of her childhood—from the divorce, to her father remarrying and losing interest in her, to her mother’s constant struggle to put food on the table.
“She got pregnant with me when she was young. She never had a chance to figure out what she wanted to do with her life or start a career. It was always one dead-end job after another.”
His hand stilled in the middle of stroking her arm. “So that’s why this job at Ackland means so much to you?”
She rolled her eyes. “Yes, Freud, I imagine that has something to do with it.”
He laughed and pulled her closer. “I’m glad we came here. Thank you.”
“I’m glad you’re glad,” she said. “But now we’d better get to the office, you still have a lot of work to do.”
She ignored his groans and pleas for mercy as she led the way out of the apartment.
* * *
Lacey was laughing so hard her stomach hurt.
“I’m not kidding, Lace, give it to me.” Alex had her pinned against the conference room table that afternoon, one arm around her waist as he reached for the remote control in her outstretched hand.
Video footage of Alex reading to kindergarteners played out on the TV at the front of the room. “It’s a learning tool,” Lacey insisted, but the fact that she was giggling as she said it didn’t help her cause.
The Morning After: Starting from Zero Box Set Page 40