Sweet Little Lies (3 page)

“L
adies and gentlemen, in preparation for our landing at New York’s LaGuardia Airport, we ask you to turn off all electrical devices, return your carry-on items to under your seat or the overhead bin, stow your tray tables and place your seat backs in the upright position.”

I jolted awake at the end of the flight attendant’s spiel announcing that we would land in about thirty minutes. There was a stitch in my left side, my neck was at an odd angle, and my hand was resting on something warm and solid. Something warm and solid… that moved. I flinched slightly as a large hand covered mine and patted soothingly.

“It’s okay, baby, leave it there,” a deep and sleepy voice said.

I blinked and focused. I was leaning into Steven’s side, my head resting on his shoulder, my hand on his chest. His arm was around me. His eyes were still closed and a slight smile was on his face. He really was gorgeous to look at.

“Steven,” I said quietly.

“Hmm?” He turned his chin and kissed my forehead. “Time to wake up?”

His lips were very, very soft. I was tempted to nuzzle him back just for a minute. No. Uh-uh.Absolutely not. Jay/David’s face popped up in my head and I remembered my pledge—No. More. Men. My official man hiatus could not be derailed by this cutie.“Steven,” I said more firmly, and moved away.

His eyes flew open. He looked at me, frowned for a second, then moved his arm and straightened up.“Well, that was interesting. Did I maul you? Should I apologize?”

“Not in the least.We’re all good and we’re about to land.” I used my most crisp, no-nonsense voice and did not meet his eyes.

He nodded curtly and we both started tucking our belongings away.Where moments ago we had been cuddled together, now there was a distance between us that had nothing to do with the armrests. It was a little awkward.

“So,” he said tentatively.

“Yes?”

“Do you have to rush somewhere when we land, or do you want to grab some breakfast?”

I paused.Then I said,“Man hiatus.”

“Beg pardon?”

“I’m on a man hiatus,” I repeated firmly.

He burst out laughing…heartily. So much so that others around craned their necks to see what was so funny.

“Why is that funny?” I asked indignantly.

“Girl, it’s pancakes. I swear I won’t propose.”

I rolled my eyes.“But to what end?”

“Um, nourishment? A little company with your nourishment.”

I narrowed my eyes.“As long as you know it’s just breakfast. I’m not interested in starting anything.”

“Healthy ego. Modest girl.”

“Cautious girl. I’m so off the market right now.”

“Understood. I would never presume anything else. Especially since you’re fresh out of a relationship, you’re heading
back to the Bay and I’m staying here, and you’ve given no indication of being swept off your feet by me.”

A laugh escaped before I could tamp it down. “Just so we’re clear.”

“I will try to avoid falling in love with you over bacon.”

A thought occurred to me.“How old are you, anyway?”

“Twenty-six.Why?”

I groaned. He was a baby.“I’m thirty-two!”

“Is there an age requirement to split a ham and cheese omelet? Some waffle fries? It’s
just
breakfast, right?”

“Right,” I agreed with conviction. While my inner voice thought,
What are you doing? Just get your bags, go to the hotel, and be done.

He looked at me like he knew exactly what I was think-ing.“Okay then. Shall we?”

Ten minutes later, we stood by the conveyor belt waiting for our bags.We stood in another awkward silence, staring intently at the baggage hutch as if that would make the bags come any faster. Finally, they started sliding out. He pulled a basic black twenty-inch case on wheels off the belt and looked at me.“I’m guessing red.”

“I beg your pardon?”

“I’m guessing your suitcase will be red.”

How did he know that?
“Insightful.” I leaned forward to grab a red crocodile-leather bag; he reached around me to get it.

“C’mon now, I’m a gentleman.” He turned toward the exit door and I followed.

“Are you now?” Hadn’t seen one of those in a while.

“Most definitely.Ask my twin sister.”

“Twin sister? What’s that like? Any superpowers or telepathy?”

He barked out a laugh.“Just twins, not superheroes.”

We stepped into the taxi line.“Savannah? Sabrina? Sarah?”

“Stefani.”

“Steven and Stefani …” I’d forgotten his last name.

“Williams.”

“Okay, Steven Williams, where are we having breakfast?”

“Madeline’s—midtown.Where are you staying?”

“Doubletree Metropolitan—midtown.Are you from New York?”

“Oh no, I’m a Midwest boy. Chi-town.You’re a California girl, right?”

“Yessir. So how did a Chicago guy end up delivering packages in Alameda, California?”

He smiled down at me.“That’s a whole lot of interest for someone determined to keep this ‘just breakfast.’”

Okay, he has me on that one.
“Maybe I’m the kind of girl who wants to know who I’m getting in a cab and eating with.”

“Yeah, you’re that girl all right.” We stepped forward in line.

“So where’s the rest of your stuff?”

He looked around.“What stuff?”

“You’re moving here for the next three… four years?”

“Hopefully three.”

“Where’s all your stuff?”

He smiled at me in a way that told me I was missing some-thing.“I shipped it.”

“You shipped…of course you did.” I sighed. “I need coffee.”

We stepped forward again. “We’re getting there. You still need to know my life story first?”

Before I could answer, my cell phone rang. It was Lisa, my counterpart (nemesis) in the East Coast office.We both started at Valiant at the same time, in the same position.We were determined not to let the other get a step ahead. From Day One it had been an East Coast /West Coast battle to see who could get the better assignments and hold the attention of our senior editor, Jeri. I held up a finger to indicate I needed one second
and plastered a fake smile on my face. “Hi, Lisa.What’s going on?”

In an equally fake voice she responded, “Hey, girl, just checking to see if you made it in.”

Rolling my eyes, I answered, “Of course. Standing in the taxi line now.What’s up?”

“The Js want to know if you can swing by for a quick meeting.” Our senior editor was Jeri, she reported to Janet (editor in chief), who co-owned the company with Jennifer (CEO/ CFO). It had become easier to refer to the entire senior management team as the Js.

Swallowing a sigh, I looked at Steven. He was smiling down at me in the cutest way. He had that youthful, optimistic eye-twinkle thing working. I wondered when the last time was that I had looked that content in the moment. That thought gave me some pause, and a small furrow appeared between my brows.

Steven dialed back the cute twinkle a little and tilted his head to the side.“Problem?” he mouthed.

I shrugged one shoulder and nodded…still in pause mode. Enough pause that Lisa started talking again. “I understand if you don’t want to come in, what with your personal drama and all. I’m sure I can handle whatever they need.”

That snapped me out of my pause and I answered tartly, “You know what? I’m actually great.What time is the meeting?” Steven and I were next in line.

“As soon as you get here.”

Our taxi was up. Climbing into the backseat with Steven right behind me, I checked my watch.“Tell them I’ll be there in forty, depending on traffic.” I disconnected, gave the driver the address to my office building, and sighed. “Duty calls—so much for waffle fries.”

Steven smiled easily at me.“How about dinner instead?”

That suggestion made me a little uneasy. I turned my head
and looked at him consideringly—the eye twinkle was back. “Dinner?”

“Yes, ma’am.The last meal of the day…that thing one partakes of prior to retiring for the eve? Retiring separately. To our own domiciles. To sleep. Alone presumably, but not with each other. Does that allay your suspicions?”

“Ha, ha, ha, sir.You know what I mean. Dinner is different from breakfast.”

“Besides the time of day you eat, in what way exactly? Kindly elaborate.”

Now I was getting exasperated. I hated having to explain myself. I stewed silently for a few moments.

He waited silently with one brow raised.

“Don’t play stupid. Breakfast is oh-we-just-got-off-the-plane-let’s-catch-a-meal. Dinner, especially on a Friday night, is pumps and lip gloss with all appearances of being a date.”

“Ms. Brinsley, dinner is what you make of it.”

“What are you trying to make of it?”

“You brought up the pumps and lip gloss…not me.”

He had a point. I was more than a little gun-shy, but I enjoyed his company and it would be nice to have a no-strings conversational partner who was easy on the eyes across a dinner table.Truthfully, I wouldn’t mind the ego stroke of his admiring glances and smiling attention. Okay, dammit, I wanted to bask in the twinkle just a little while longer. As long as I kept it casual, it shouldn’t be a problem.“So, Steven, what did you have in mind?”

“What kind of man would ask you out on a date when you’ve just broken up with your fiancé?”

“Third fiancé.”

“Third? Good Lord, woman!” He looked at me like I was a science project to be dissected.

I sighed.“Long story, but you can understand my need for the man break.”

“Completely. But c’mon now…I’m not
that
guy.You’re in Manhattan, I’m in Manhattan—let’s catch a meal. Period.”

“Um-hmm,” I answered skeptically. Steven seemed like a nice enough guy, but I really wasn’t trying to start anything. I wasn’t trying to do anything but get through this day and the next and the one after that. My thoughts were all over the place. That damn Jay/David had me questioning things that just weren’t that complicated. One minute I wanted the twinkle, the next minute I didn’t want to be bothered. I was a mess. A hot mess, to be exact. With a deep sigh, I leaned back. “Sorry, I’m just so tired.” Physically and emotionally, I was running on fumes.

He nodded slowly.“That’s why I thought dinner.You have time to go to your meeting, get settled into your hotel, get a nap, and meet me later. But it’s no big deal, Christina. I’m a big boy. If this makes you uncomfortable or stresses you out, we can do it another time. Or we can shake hands, say ‘nice to know you,’ and walk away.”

And with those words, I felt good again. I threw my hands up.“What the hell, right? It’s dinner in Manhattan. I’m in. No harm, no foul?”

“No victim, no crime.”

I laughed. “No body, no autopsy? What word game is this?”

He shrugged. “No woman, no cry? I don’t know. I was going with the flow.”

He was good at that. “Okay. Eight-thirty. Meet me in the lobby of the Doubletree?”

His smiled widened. “You’re a puzzle, Christina Brinsley. And yes, I’ll see you this evening.”

The taxi pulled up outside the building on Lexington Avenue and I climbed out with my luggage, laptop case, and purse. I reached in my purse to dig out money for my part of the fare, and he waved me off.

“We’re good. Knock ’em dead in there.”

“Thanks.” I took a few steps forward and looked back.“Se-riously, Steven—thanks.”

“Seriously, you’re welcome, and hey—don’t let Lisa get under your skin.”

“How did you—” I smiled. Steven was observant and smart.“Gotcha. See ya later.”

“Looking forward to it.”

I was too, though I would never admit it to him or myself.

S
tepping off the elevator on the forty-third floor, a thought suddenly occurred to me: From the time Steven and I agreed to watch the movie to right this very minute, I had only thought of Jay /David once. The Jay/David fiasco had not been far from my thoughts for the last week. I kept going over and over it in my mind, wondering what I missed, what I should have seen, what I should have done differently.

Because of my two previous serious-relationship disasters, I took dating very casually. It took a long time for me to agree to a second and then a third date. It took twice as long for me to get physical. If there is a speed between slow and a full standstill, that’s the speed at which I allowed the relationship between me and Jay /David to progress. I checked his background. I met his parents, his friends, his coworkers. I had a key to his house and knew what was in every nook and cranny. There had not been a single clue that pointed to Jay/David’s being the lying, treacherous, two-timing dog I had planned to marry and spend the rest of my life with.

That shook me more than anything else. Now, not only
would I have to learn to trust men again (not likely), I had to regain my trust in my own judgment. I clearly had to have missed something along the way. Right?

“Hey, Christina!” Jeri called out from down the hallway, waving happily. Jeri was tall and thin with a razor-cut bob and pale, pale skin. She was all sharp angles and lines with the exception of huge green eyes, which she lined heavily. Though she didn’t look it, Jeri was the corporate cheerleader, bless her heart. I tabled my introspection for later … after I survived the shark tank that was an editorial meeting at Valiant. I pulled my shoulders back, pasted on my best it’s-all-good smile, and headed toward the conference room.

The New York Valiant office was designed like an old-school newspaper office but sleeker: rows of desks with low glass separators, offices along the walls with glass enclosures, open pit areas at each end.The color scheme was very simplistic, all primary colors with emphasis on blue. I followed the low-pile navy carpet through rows of cubes, smiling at co-workers as I walked through.

“Hey, Jeri,” I said cheerfully as I paused to drop my suitcase and carry-on in the visitors’ office. I nodded and waved at a couple of staff members before I stepped into the conference room.There were six women and two men gathered around the table. They all looked at me with varying degrees of curiosity.

“How are you?” Janet asked in that tentative, super-concerned tone people use when they suspect someone is suffering from post-traumatic stress. Janet was blond, sleek, and always looked like someone from
Vogue
styled her every morning.

Jeri, Janet, and Jennifer formed a semicircle at the head of the table. Jennifer was a light-skinned sister who resembled Vanessa Williams but dressed conservatively like Condoleezza Rice. Lisa sat to her left. Lisa had some sort of mixed-race heritage, was slightly overweight, wore her long wavy hair in a
ponytail every day, and dressed straight out of the Banana Republic catalog.

Our Web designer/IT guy, Thomas, sat next to her. He was short, perpetually orange from the self-tanning lotion he was clearly addicted to, which clashed terribly with his shock of orangish red hair and light blue eyes. Next was our advertising operations manager, my girl, Carey. Carey had that cool, earthy sister vibe about her. Only slightly taller than me, she had the same complexion, long natural hair, dangly earrings, and loose, flowing clothes. Carey and I had attended Berkeley together (so many years ago) and had met outside the football players’ dorm waiting on the same guy.We both dumped him and had been friends ever since.

Across from Carey was our research editor, Brandon. Given half a minute, Brandon would explain why he was the answer to every single sister’s prayers. Brandon was a Morehouse alum and self-proclaimed chic geek.To his credit, he was a tall, fine brother but always admired himself before anyone else got a chance to. Staring at him adoringly was young Rita, perpetually tanned and talkative, with chestnut hair and hazel eyes and the figure only girls under twenty-five have with no effort. Rita was our resident floater, who acted as administrative assistant, writer, copy editor, travel department, and whatever else the Js dreamed up. Rita was already a high-strung sort, and she looked ready to hyperventilate at any moment.

I decided the best approach was a direct cut to the chase. “Okay, everyone can stop looking at me like I’m going to break for the window and jump.Yes, my engagement went to hell in a handbasket, but believe me when I say I dodged a bullet there. Besides, the longer you guys keep looking at me, the longer it will take to get this meeting done. And I have a date tonight.”Yep, after spending all that time making sure Steven knew this wasn’t a date, I invoked the “d” word for my own protection.

Everyone’s face relaxed instantly.“Wow.”“Way to get back
on the horse.” “Oh, we’re so glad.”The chorus of glad tidings followed me as I took the empty seat between Carey and Brandon. Smiling so hard my jaw ached, I sat down and powered on my laptop.

“So what’s up, New Yorkers?” I asked.

Jennifer nodded.“Let’s get started.We have a lot to cover.”

Four hours later, I was wiped out but exhilarated. Gratefully, I snatched a turkey sandwich from the deli tray they were passing around. I had missed breakfast and we’d had no breaks in the meeting.

The meeting was fast paced and information filled.Thanks to some savvy partnership agreements, Valiant Publications was about to expand in a major way. The influx of cash would mean updated Web design with server storage to match.All the fun ideas we had tossed around for the past three years to increase readership could actually get serious consideration.We were going to add staff, which meant all of us could quit wearing multiple hats and there would be more than three of us in the West Coast office.

I was relieved. It looked like the gamble I took three years ago by accepting a job with Valiant instead of going to one of the more established publications was going to pay off.At least
something
in my life was working out the way I’d hoped. Okay, enough of that. I picked up my turkey on wheat with swiss and took a bite, tuning back in just in time for Jennifer to say, “So Lisa will be moving to San Francisco and she will share management of our West Coast operations with Christina.”

I choked and reached for my water, taking a large swig. My eyes met Lisa’s across the table and she looked just as pleased as I was… not so much.

The Js looked back and forth between the two of us. Janet asked,“Is that going to be a problem?”

“Absolutely not,” I stated with as much ebullience as I could muster. I raised a brow at Lisa, daring her to say the same.

“Well, if you all think that Christina can’t handle it alone, what with her emotional upheaval and all—of course I’m happy to bolster her up.”

Jeri spoke before I could rise to the bait.“Christina hardly needs bolstering and you know it, Lisa.Truth is, we’re hoping to expand into TV down the line, so we have more than enough to keep both of you occupied for a while.You two will play nice, won’t you?”

I smiled innocently.“I don’t know any other way to play.”

“Great. So that’s settled,” Jennifer said. “Let’s go over content and advertising for the next few weeks.”

One more hour later I was definitely fading. My energy was dipping below the reserve level when Janet called my name. “Christina, do you have your outline for the Halo Records article with you?”

Clicking a few keys, I said, “Just sent it to you along with my research and interview schedule.”

Brandon spoke up. “Look at you—I see you’re going to Yung T’s record launch party tomorrow night. That’s the hottest ticket in town. Gotta date? You know I’ll take one for the team if you need me to pinch-hit.” Yeah, Brandon had the tendency to come across condescending and a little icky from time to time.

I rolled my eyes.“Depends on how tonight’s date goes.You can keep your bat sheathed for now, thanks.” Everyone but Brandon laughed. He shot an irritated glance in my direction.

“And on that note…meeting adjourned,” Jennifer said.

Thank God. I could not wait to get to the hotel room, spin twice in the shower and dive face-first into the bed. It seemed like forever and a day since I catnapped against Steven’s shoulder. Smiling slightly thinking about it, I walked into the visitors’ office to get my suitcase. Carey was right behind me and closed the door.

“Okay, spill.What the hell happened with Jay, and who is
tonight’s rebound date? When did you find time to pick up a date in New York? And most importantly …how are you?” She flung her arms out in a come-to-mama gesture.

Laughing, I leaned into her and we shared a squeeze. I backed up and perched on the edge of the desk with a sigh. “Girl, I don’t have the energy to explain the Jay /David debacle to you right now.”

“Jay/ David?”

“Um-hmm. Seems he’s either one or the other. Maybe neither—who knows? Oh, I know who knows—his wife and his two kids: Dina and Daisy!”

“The
hell?
”

“Again, I’ll have to catch you up at brunch on Sunday. But I think I’ll be taking some time off from men.”

“Another of the famed Christina man-hiatus thingies?”

Okay, I might have sworn to take man breaks before…and they never seemed to work out.“This time I mean it.”

“I hear you talking. How is the family taking it?”

“Joanna has gone all high-strung matriarch on me. Collin and Clarke threatened to kick his ass.”

“I can’t see Clarke kicking anyone’s ass. It might wrinkle his Italian silk.”

I had to snort out a laugh. Her description was dead-on accurate. Clarke Brinsley did not rumble.And for some reason, he and Carey had never gotten along. “Okay—well, he would’ve hired the best in the business to kick his ass, then.”

“There you go.What’s the story on tonight’s date?”

“Oh, it’s not a date. It’s dinner with my delivery guy.”

“I’m sorry, did you just say deliveryman? What is Christina Bougie Brinsley doing dating the deliveryman? Is it that bad out there?”

Pursing my lips, I shot her my patented you-are-so-not-funny look.“There’s nothing wrong with dating the delivery-man, snob. But he’s not my delivery guy anymore. He’s a
graduate student at Columbia. Anyway, it’s just dinner. No date. I really just said that to quell the poor-Christina looks I was getting.”

“Grad student? Go cougar, get your prowl on. How old is he?”

“He’s twenty-six.”

She treated me to her I-don’t-believe-a-word-you-are-saying look.“What is grad student’s name?”

“Steven.”Twinkly, sparkly Steven.

“Um-hmm. If you could see what your face just did when you said his name.”

“What did it do?”

“It went all soft.This is a date.”

“It’s not a date! I’m just getting out of a doozy of a relationship, if you recall.”

“Oh, I recall.”

“All right then. It’s just dinner.”

“Got it.This makes sense.You’re having dinner on a Friday night with a young man who makes your face go fuzzy and it’s not a date. How long have you known this guy?”

“Seriously—he was my package-delivery guy for close to a year.”

“And all he was delivering was boxes and envelopes, right? He wasn’t slipping you an afternoon express every once in a while?”

I laughed. “Get your mind out of the gutter, Carey Elizabeth Jaymes.Yes, he delivered mail-sanctioned packages.That is all. He happened to be on the same red-eye last night.We were gonna go grab breakfast, but the meeting was called so we rain-checked for dinner.”

“Dinner on a Friday night in Manhattan with a young man? Less than ten days after what was apparently a disastrous implosion of your engagement to Dina and Daisy’s daddy? Christina Violet Tempest Brinsley:This is a date.”

I threw my hands up. I clearly wasn’t going to convince her.“Think what you like. I’ve got to go get some sleep.”

“Yeah, beauty sleep so you look all sexy for your hot date tonight.”

“Carey!”

She grinned evilly.“Huh?”

I shook my head and leaned forward to hug her again.“It’s so great to see you.We’re still on for Sunday?”

“Oh, I wouldn’t miss this for the world. Bring your new man. Oh, you probably don’t want to talk about the Jay thing in front of him.”

“He saw the whole thing go down. But he’s not my young man, so I won’t be seeing him again after tonight.”With that I grabbed up my stuff, swerved around her, and started wheeling out the door. Quickly.

“He what?! But how? Now you know I need details.” Carey was racing along, chasing behind me to the elevator as I waved and said my see-you-laters to the team.“I’m not going to be able to wait until Sunday!”

“What’s on Sunday?” Lisa called out as we whizzed by.We both ignored her.

Finally I reached the elevator and pushed the DOWN button. “You’re going to have to, unless you want to come out with me tomorrow—but I know how Bryan plans your weekends down to the minute.” Bryan had been Carey’s boyfriend for over six years now. He was a bit of a control freak and seemed disinclined to formalize their relationship beyond moving in and planning their every moment.

Carey’s smiled faded a little bit.“Okay, we’ll talk Sunday.”

Concerned, I put my hand on her arm.“Are you okay? Are you and Bryan okay?”

“We are exactly the same.”

“Oh.”The elevator dinged.“Listen, I can call off this dinner if you want to come to the hotel and have a room service slumber party tonight?”

She pushed me toward the elevator.“What? Have you miss out on the non-date date with the hot delivery guy?”

“Who told you he was hot?” I stepped on the elevator and turned around.

She threw back her head with laughter.“You just did. Have a good time.”

With that, the elevator doors closed.