Deception

“Don’t lose that part of yourself, Terri,” he said, his voice full of warmth. “That’s what makes you the wonderful woman that you are.”

She looked away as though searching for words, then chuckled mirthlessly. “That’s part of my problem. Being too trusting at the wrong times.” She sighed deeply and Clint waited, knowing that she needed this time to come to a decision. One that would change the direction of their relationship. Then, as if a dam had sprung a leak, she slowly began to reveal bits and pieces of her failed marriage, her retreat from relationships as a result of Alan’s infidelities and her recent revelations about Clint.

The one thing that she left out was the loss of her baby, Clint noticed, a subject that must still be too painful to discuss. In time, he thought. In time. For now, he would treasure this small gift of trust that she’d given him.

“…I was so wrong about so many things, Clint. And I always believed myself to be a fair-minded person. I let my own personal prejudices overshadow practical good sense.” Her eyes leveled with his. “That was unfair to you. And when I did trust someone, it was the wrong person.”

Warily Clint reached over and placed his hand on top of hers, and Terri swore that if he said anything sweet she would burst into tears.

“Thank you for that,” he said, his voice a silken caress. “Thanks for trusting me enough to tell me. Just don’t blame yourself. You had every reason to believe the things you did about Mark and about me.”

“That doesn’t excuse my behavior.” She looked away, then turned to face him. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“What?” He knew what she was fishing for but refused to rise to the bait.

“About what you really do? Why do you allow the papers to print such trash about you? They have you portrayed as this vulture that would walk over anyone to get what he wants. They never print the positive results of your business endeavors and the good that you do for struggling black businesses. It’s despicable.”

Clint lowered his head, then looked across at her. He shrugged his shoulders. “I suppose I want to keep that part of my life private. My reputation as a hard-nosed businessman has allowed me the financial flexibility to make those contributions. Let the public think what they want about me. Inside—” he pointed a finger at his chest “—I know what I’m about. That’s what’s important.”

Terri nodded in understanding, pressed her lips together and slowly rose. She felt totally vulnerable now, having shared some of her darkest moments and being witness to a side of Clint that she’d believed could not exist. The combination of new emotions crumbled her fragile sensibilities. She began to question her sudden spontaneity with him, realizing that it was brought on in a moment of weakness. Instinctively her defenses locked into place and she turned the subject to neutral ground. “My main concern right now is getting the company back on solid financial footing. I owe that to my staff.”

Clint stood in front of her, catching a delicious whiff of her scent. He looked down into her upturned face. “How bad are things?”

Her smile was empty. “Bad enough.”

“Listen, I could loan the company enough funds to get you over the hump.”

Terri vehemently shook her ebony head, her locks swinging behind her. “No way. I got myself into this mess. I’ll get myself out.” Her voice softened, and her fingers splayed and stroked his arm. “But thank you. I appreciate the gesture.”

He nodded and his admiration for her grew.

Terri pulled her coat around her and picked up her purse. “We’re pretty close to clinching a deal with Viatek Studios. I feel very confident about it.”

“I’m sure it will work out.” His smile embraced her as he took a cautious step closer. “With you behind it, Viatek should consider themselves lucky.”

She didn’t trust herself to speak, feeling the heat of his nearness engulfing her. Instead, she eased away and moved toward the door.

Clint checked his watch. “Can I take you to lunch?”

“I’m sorry. I’ve got some things to take care of and I’m meeting a friend in about an hour. Maybe another time?” Her question was hopeful.

“I’ll call you—soon.”

She smiled. “All right. Goodbye, Clint.” She turned to leave.

Clint’s voice held her in place. “Terri.” She looked up at him, expectantly. “I’m glad that everything is out in the open. I hope that we can move on from here.”

She nodded in silent agreement.

But even as he said the words, the ache of his own hidden pain and buried truths burned his guilty conscience. He needed so desperately to open the doors to the feelings that raged within him. It had been so long since he’d shared the deepest part of himself with anyone. He wasn’t sure if he still knew how. For now, all he could do was watch her walk away.

Terri picked up her glass of sparkling cider and took a sip.

“So what are your plans for the company?” Lisa asked over lunch. In all of the ten years that she’d known Terri, she’d never seen her so distraught. Terri was one of the most decent people that Lisa knew and the best friend she’d ever had. Terri was the last person who deserved the things that happened to her.

Terri took a deep breath, twirling the delicate glass between her fingers. “Well, the first thing is a total review of all of the files and a revamping of the staff. Stacy will take over Mark’s responsibilities as of tomorrow. I plan to make an announcement in the morning. And of course I’ll have to hire a new accountant.” She gave a halfhearted grin.

Lisa nodded as she took a forkful of sautéed shrimp. “About Mark,” she began slowly, “do you plan to press charges?”

Terri tossed the salad in her plate. “I thought about it, Lisa.” She sighed. “But what’s the point? Mark has dug his own ditch. Word travels fast in our circles. He’ll never be trusted again. He’s finished. That’s enough punishment.”

Lisa was unconvinced. “If you want my opinion, I’d say to press charges against the crummy bastard. Cutting him out of the club isn’t enough,” she added vehemently.

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

Lisa doubted that Terri would have a change of heart. Terri may not have been good in displaying her feelings, but she never wanted to see anyone hurt, no matter what they may have done to her. Terri kept her feelings bottled up inside, and Lisa didn’t know what, or who, would ever make her change.

“So what’s the progress with the advertising campaign for Viatek Studios—moving on to a more pleasant topic?”

“I’m positive we’ll pull this off. If we do get it, I’ll have to go to L.A.”

“You don’t sound too enthusiastic about the possibility.” Lisa took another mouthful of her shrimp, her gaze full of question.

Terri hesitated a moment. “I was informed that Alan is being considered as the photographer.” She had painstakingly tried to keep Alan in the recesses of her mind. She and Lisa had agreed after the divorce that any mention of Alan was taboo, and she regretted that the door was pried open once again.

The fork stopped midway between Lisa’s mouth and the plate. “You’re kidding.”

“I wish I were.”

“Can’t Stacy handle this one?”

Terri shook her head. “No. Not really. Something this big I’d be required to deal with. There are contracts involved, and Stacy is not experienced enough in that area yet.”

“So how does Alan fit in? He’s not part of your package. You have your own photographer.”

“I know. But Viatek has him as a subcontractor. He’s worked with them before. And it seems that he’s made quite a name for himself in L.A.”

When was this woman gonna get a break? Lisa swore under her breath but gauged her words carefully.

“I know this may not be much of a consolation, but you’ve moved on with your life, Tee, and I’m sure that Alan’s moved on with his.”

“I’m sure he has,” Terri said, her voice dripping with sar casm. “Alan was always good for taking a situation and working it to his advantage…with someone.”

Lisa took a deep breath. “Terri, what happened between you and Alan is a part of the past. There’s no point in beating yourself to death about it because it didn’t work out.” Lisa cringed, remembering the countless warnings she had given Terri before she married Alan. He was a womanizer and as selfish as they came. But Lisa would never add salt to Terri’s still-open wounds by saying, “I told you so.” She had enough heartache to deal with.

“It didn’t work out because of me,” Terri said sadly. “Maybe if I’d been able to see past my own life and open up to accepting Alan completely in it, we’d be together today. And he wouldn’t have had to go searching for what I couldn’t give him.”

“Don’t be absurd! Alan was the consummate playboy, before and after you married him.”