“We bought the Sagittarius,” he told her instead.
She looked impressed. “You actually did it?”
“We’ll make the announcement on Monday.”
Her body relaxed a bit more, and she gave him a smile. “That’s great news, Evan. I’m truly happy for you.”
“I’m happy, too. I can’t wait to start working with Deke and Lex.” The fit between the three men felt perfect. He was more excited about his professional life than he’d been in months, maybe years.
But he was worried about Angie right now. Even when she smiled, her face was pinched. He wondered if her shoulder was still bothering her. Without conscious thought, he moved closer.
“Do you need to find some more help?” he asked. “Because, you’re right, you know. Your father had both of us to share the load. Who’ve you got?”
She broadened her smile. “This is just a hiccup, Evan. It’s all going to work itself out.”
“I can—”
“No, you can’t.” Her tone was firm.
His cellphone rang in his pocket. He wanted to continue arguing with her, but she looked so fragile that he honestly couldn’t bring himself to cause her any more distress.
He went for the phone instead.
“It’s Matt,” he told her as he took the call.
“Hey, Matt.”
“Hi, Evan. How are things in L.A.?”
“All’s well. How about Cheyenne?”
“We’re working hard. Everybody’s working hard. There’s a lot to do here.”
“I bet there is.”
“The donation from Lassiter Media has been extremely well received.”
“You should tell Angie, not me.”
“Yeah, I keep forgetting. You might be back in the family, but you’re not back in the firm.”
“That’s right,” Evan agreed, watching Angie as he spoke, battling a desire to draw her into his arms and hold her comfortingly close.
“Kayla and I have come up with a new idea for the wedding,” said Matt.
“Oh, yeah?”
“We’d like to have it here in Cheyenne. On the weekend.”
“This weekend?”
“Yeah, yeah. I know what you’re thinking. We must seem pretty impulsive to you. But I promise, you don’t have to lift a finger this time.”
“It’s not that—”
“We’ll have a simple ceremony.”
“What about Kayla’s mother?”
Matt’s tone hardened. “She can come to us. Flights go both ways, you know. We’re going to have a small wedding in the church, followed by a big bash at the town hall. The entire ranching community is invited. It’ll be a break from all the cleanup.”
Evan had to admit, it sounded like a very good idea. “I’ll absolutely be there. And I’m sure the town will appreciate it.”
The curiosity was clear on Angie’s face.
“I think they will,” said Matt. “So far, everyone’s on board. A whole bunch of people are stepping up to help. Kayla’s going to call Angie.”
“She’s right here,” said Evan.
Though it didn’t really matter anymore, he couldn’t help thinking that the two of them being together helped validate their ruse.
“Ask her if she can make it.”
Evan covered the phone. “Can you make it to Kayla and Matt’s wedding in Cheyenne this weekend?”
Her jaw dropped.
“She’ll be there,” Evan told Matt.
“That’s great,” said Matt.
Angie’s mouth moved, but no sounds came out.
“We can’t wait,” said Evan. “See you in a couple of days.”
“Thanks, man.”
“No problem.” Evan ended the call.
“Cheyenne?” Angie asked, apparently regaining the power of speech.
“They’ve invited the entire ranching community to the reception. I think it’s there way of supporting their neighbors.”
“It’s a lovely thought,” said Angie. But her voice was flat as she dropped down into a chair. “I wish I had more time.”
“Oh, no you don’t. This is important. You’ll spend whatever time it takes to make Kayla happy.”
Angie gestured to her computer. “And who will take care of all this?”
“Your employees.”
“My employees are rebelling.”
“Well, that’s a whole other problem. But your best friend is getting married, and you are going to be there with bells on.”
Ten
Kayla had swapped her satin, jeweled wedding gown for a simpler dress. It was strapless, with a tight bodice covered in flat, ivory lace. The ankle-length skirt was made of raw silk and wispy chiffon, with a ghost pattern of pale lavender flowers. It was set off by a pair of soft, cream leather ankle boots, while a lavender ribbon had been woven into Kayla’s light brown braid that dangled down the center of her back. The effect was simple and beautiful.
Angelica and Tiffany wore matching strapless, purple dresses. They had short, layered skirts. Taupe cowboy boots completed the look.
Barbecues smoldered on the deck of the big hall. Guests had feasted on steaks and grilled salmon prepared by the chefs of the local Lassiter Grill. Dessert would be the gorgeous multi-tiered lemon raspberry cake, baked and decorated by Lassiter Grill’s head pastry chef.
After the ceremony and celebratory dinner were both over, Angelica’s mind bounced between Cheyenne and L.A. She was delighted for Kayla and Matt but worried about the argument she’d had with Ken this morning.
A local band played on the small stage, and the guests had all gathered around the edges of the worn, hardwood floor. The first waltz played to an end, and strains of another slow country tune came up. It was Angelica and Evan’s signal to join the bride and groom on the dance floor.
Dressed in a steel-gray suit and a pair of cowboy boots, Evan took her hand, walking her to the center of the floor, where he took her in his arms. Her feet automatically picked up the rhythm, and she followed his lead, fighting the urge to settle against his chest, close her eyes and forget about the rest of the world.
“Your head’s not here,” he said to her.
“My head’s right here,” she countered. “So are my arms, my legs and my feet.”
“You’re thinking about Lassiter Media.”
“You can read my mind now?”
“I can read your expression. And you keep looking at Noah and frowning.”
“I’ve been smiling all day.” At least she had been whenever she wasn’t alone. “And I’ve been looking at Kayla. Isn’t she beautiful?”
“You need to set it aside.”
“Set aside the fact that the bride is beautiful? You think I’m jealous?”
Evan gave her a spin then reeled her back.
“Forget about work,” he told her. “This is a wedding. You’re supposed to be having fun.”
“I am having fun.”
“You’re worrying at about a million miles an hour.”
She pasted a bright smile on her face. “I’m having a blast.”
Just then, she caught sight of Noah. He, Ken and Louie had come to the wedding, along with many of the other Lassiter managers and staff, since Matt had worked with them for many years. The three men were clustered in a corner, talking intensely to one another. While she watched, a woman joined the conversation. It was Noah’s secretary, and she handed him a cell phone. Noah broke away, his glance catching Angelica’s for a brief second.
Evan tugged her tight against his chest. “Stop it,” he rasped in her ear. Then he turned her so she couldn’t see.
“They’re up to something,” she told him.
Evan drew back. “Let it go. Your job can’t be twenty-four seven.”
“The networks run twenty-four seven.”
“That makes it even more important for you to be able to get away. My hotel is open, but I’m not checking texts.”
“You’re not in a duel with your managers.”
/> The song changed, but they kept right on dancing.
“Is the duel still going on?” asked Evan.
“It is. And that’s what I’m worried about.” She’d given Ken the updated storyboards, and he’d told her he’d play with them some more. She’d been waiting two days now for an update.
“What happened?”
“I think Ken’s messing up my storyboards.”
“So, ask him.”
“I did. He’s ducking the questions.”
“Take charge, Angie. But do it on Monday. For now, dance with me.”
“I can’t—” She stopped herself mid-protest. There was no point in arguing any further with Evan. They’d just go round and round.
She forced herself to relax into his chest. She concentrated on the dance steps, on the feel of his strong arms, the scent of his skin, the sound of his heartbeat. The music filled her ears, and a rush of desire tightened her chest. If only she could escape with Evan, go somewhere for the night, or even an hour, and let their passion obliterate all the worries in her world.
“That’s better.” His voice rumbled against her ear. “You, me, Cheyenne. For some reason, it always feels right.”
She knew she should argue that. His words were far too loaded and intimate. But he was right. There was something in the untamed atmosphere, or maybe it was the glorious, star-filled nights. But it pushed them together.
“I want you, Angie.”
Her throat closed over, and she couldn’t speak.
He drew her hand in close and placed a soft kiss on the inside of her wrist. Sensation bloomed along her arm, warming the core of her body.
The song ended, and the master of ceremonies announced the cake cutting. His hearty voice jangled through the speakers, shocking Angelica back to her senses. What was wrong with her?
She pulled away from Evan and hurried off the dance floor. She’d been about to say yes. She’d been about to agree to yet another night in his arms, in his bed. How could she be so foolish?
She made it into the coat room, where it was dim and quiet. There, she grasped a shelf on the wall, steadying herself and taking deep, calming breaths.
“I’d like to see the lowest rated,” said a male voice.
Angelica blinked, realizing the man speaking was around the corner from her, out of sight.
“Was that last year?” It was Noah who was talking. “So, season three?”
Angelica started toward him.
“A copy of the script would be perfect. Yes, please.”
She came around the corner, and Noah spotted her. He immediately snapped his jaw shut.
“I’ll call you back.” He ended the call.
“Who was that?” she asked.
“Australia.”
“Who in Australia?”
“Her name is Cathy, low-level assistant, nobody you’d know.”
“What are you doing, Noah?”
He started to move for the exit. “Just getting some background information for the remake.”
“You’re working on a remake from Britain.”
“Ken’s remake.”
Her suspicions were growing. “You’ve seen the storyboards?”
“The updated ones, yes.”
“My updates?”
“Plus Ken’s. You had some good ideas, Angie. I’ll give you that.”
“You’ll give me that? Why, thank you, Noah. Nice of you to believe I have something to contribute to Lassiter Media.”
“What’s going on here?” Evan interrupted from behind her.
“Of course you have something to contribute,” said Noah, his tone smoothing out. “You have plenty to contribute. Isn’t that what I just said?”
For a second, she wondered if she could have possibly misinterpreted his meaning.
“We all loved your changes. We’ve elaborated on them.”
“Why are you working on Ken’s project?”
“Enough,” said Evan. “Noah, this isn’t the time or place.”
“Butt out,” Angelica said to Evan.
“Leave,” Evan said to Noah.
Looking nervous, Noah glanced at Angelica. Then his attention shot back to Evan. A flash of trepidation appeared in his eyes, and he suddenly rushed past them for the door.
Angelica turned on Evan, struggling not to shout. “You can’t undermine me like that.”
His voice was flat. “They’re cutting the cake.”
“I don’t give a damn about the cake.”
He stepped forward, nearly pressing up against her. “Do you hear yourself? Do you?”
“He was talking to the affiliate in Australia, asking about low-rated shows. I think they might actually be out to get me. I couldn’t ignore it.”
“Yes, you could. You can. You’ll deal with this in the office on Monday.”
“Is that an order?”
He clamped his jaw tight. “It’s a friendly suggestion.”
“You lost the right to make friendly suggestions.”
“Did your father’s machinations mean nothing to you? Did he put me, your brothers, the company, and everyone else through the ringer for six months and have you not learn a single lesson?”
“Shut up, Evan.”
“No, I won’t shut up. I can’t shut up. You want to hear an order, Angie? If I was going to give you an order, here’s what it would be. Fire Noah. Fire Ken. Fire Louie. Promote Max. Promote anyone you think you can trust. Then back off, Angie. Back off and let them do their jobs. You cannot do it all alone. You’ll botch it, and you’ll ruin your life.”
Angelica’s pulse pounded in anger. She’d been around Lassiter Media a whole lot longer than Evan. She was the one her father trusted. She was the one in charge. She all but growled at him. “Are you actually telling me how to run my company?”
“No,” Evan answered softly. Then he lifted her left hand, rubbing his thumb across the diamond in her ring. “I’m telling you how to be my wife.”
The world stopped dead in its tracks.
“A long time ago,” he continued, “I met a beautiful, cheerful, wonderful woman. I fell in love with her, and I wanted to spend the rest of my life keeping her happy. But you’ve taken her, Angie. You’ve stolen her from me and I can’t seem to get her back.”
He let go of her hand, and his voice flattened out. “If she ever shows up again, give me a call.” Then he turned and walked away.
Angelica started to shake. She gripped a shelf again, feeling woozy. She hadn’t gone anywhere. She was still here. If Evan loved her, if he’d truly loved her, he’d know that she was all one package. He wasn’t allowed to pull her apart, discarding anything that was less than perfect. That wasn’t how love worked.
* * *
Evan spent three days regretting his outburst. Back in L.A., it played through his head over and over again. He’d pushed too hard. He’d pushed too fast. She might someday be ready to put her life on an even keel, but she wasn’t there yet. He should have given her more time.
“Premier Tech Corporation conferences,” Lex announced triumphantly as he walked into Evan’s office at Sagittarius. “Five-year commitment, five days each month as they rotate through their regions, five hundred guests per conference.”
“This came out of Deke’s contact?” asked Evan, shifting his mind to business.
“On the strength of the commitment, we’re sending you to trade shows in Munich, London and Paris.” Lex slapped a stack of conference brochures down on Evan’s desk. “Corporate business is the most lucrative of all. You leave Friday. Pick five staff to take along.”
“I don’t get a say in my own schedule?” Evan lifted an itinerary from the top of the stack.
“You’re overseas expansion. Besides, it’s London and Paris, not Siberia. Who doesn’t love going to London and Paris?”
“I suppose,” said Evan.
It was a great opportunity. And he knew he was foolish to keep waiting on Angie. She was stuck in her world, and he was quickly moving i
nto his own. It couldn’t be clearer that she didn’t want his advice, that she didn’t want him.
He leafed through a conference brochure from the stack. “I suppose I should start building a marketing team.”
Lex sat down. “You can hire new, or you can see if we have any likely candidates already on staff.”
“I like Gabrielle down in client relations. She’s originally from Paris. She’s fluent in French and Italian.”
“She’s also smokin’ hot.”
Evan frowned. “Now that’s a quick route to a sexual harassment lawsuit.”
Not that he was interested in any woman at the moment. If it wasn’t Angie, well, he was going to have to take some time to think about how that worked.
“What I meant was, she might have some hot friends back home.”
“I’ll keep that in mind,” said Evan.
“So Angie broke it off with you?”
Evan was through pretending. “We haven’t spoken since the wedding.”
“Isn’t that pretty much the same thing?”
“I guess.” Except that they’d never actually gotten back together in the first place. “It was doomed from the start.”
“You okay?” asked Lex.
“I’ll be fine. It’s not like I haven’t had six months to get used to the idea.”
Lex considered him for a moment. “I get the feeling you never did. And having her back, well...you two seemed good together, Evan.”
“We were, until we weren’t anymore.”
“Can the good times come back?”
“I thought maybe. For a while at least, I’d hoped so.” The image of her sleeping in his arms at Big Blue surfaced in his mind. “For a little while there, I really thought we had another chance.”
“Maybe you’ll get over her in Paris.”
“Maybe.”
Lex came to his feet. “Take Gabrielle along. Hopefully her friends can help out.”
Evan managed a smile. But a fling in France wasn’t in the cards. He couldn’t imagine making love to anyone but Angie.
* * *
Mid-morning, Angelica stared across the boardroom table at Noah and Ken. She’d wanted to be right. She’d desperately wanted to be right and for Evan to be wrong. The last thing her self-esteem needed was for her ex-fiancé to be better than she was at running her family’s company.
Reunited with the Lassiter Bride Page 16