The Good Luck Charm (The Good Luck Series) (7 page)

If she’ll want to see you after she finds out you work for the competition.

Kelly pulled Duke out of the car Friday afternoon. “Come on, boy. Let’s get some of this tension worked out and get you home. I’ve got a date tonight.”

Her meeting with Prescott had been grueling, leaving her feeling ragged and beaten. Sue had spent most of the meeting running in and out with revisions and corrected copy for them to examine.

“Sometimes I think I need a punching bag to vent my frustrations against. But I guess I’ll have to pound the pavement.” Mumbling, she checked the tightness of her shoe laces. She picked up the dog’s leash and looked him in the eye, recalling how both Tate and Edward Jackson had made an appearance at different times on the pretense of making sure that Prescott was satisfied with her work.

“You know Duke, they made me feel incompetent. I was already a bundle of nerves, afraid I’d lose my cool if Prescott started anything. The last thing I wanted was to screw up, lose the account and kiss my job goodbye.”

Duke whimpered, lumbering along beside her as they jogged. Halfway around the lake, Keely spotted Darren stretching at a nearby bench. She slowed as they approached him. Duke didn’t protest.

“Hey.” She waved.

He turned and smiled. “Hi. How are you? I tried calling.”

“I know. I got your message. Sorry. I was tied up all afternoon with a client.”

He nodded. “Can I join you?”

“Sure. Duke and I have another lap or two to go. Don’t we, boy?” She looked down at the bloodhound.

Duke yawned and shook his head, his flews sagging.

Darren laughed. “He looks enthused.”

“Doesn’t he always?”

Keely pulled on the dog’s leash and he began following her again. Darren fell in step beside her. It felt awkward jogging along between him and Duke. She had to watch her footing for fear she’d trip over her own feet and send them all into the nearby water. When they finished the second lap, she slowed to a cool down walk and Darren continued on.

She walked Duke over to her car and got out his bowl and filled it with water. When Darren finished his laps he joined her. She took two bottles of water from her cooler and offered him one.

“Thanks.”

She leaned against her car, enjoying the water. “So did you decide on a movie?”

“Did you?”

“There’s a romantic comedy I wouldn’t mind seeing.”

He grimaced. “Chick Flick, but you probably won’t like the ones I picked either. How about a compromise?”

“That depends on what you have in mind.”

“There’s a revival of classic films playing at the Tennessee Theater. Tonight’s viewing is the
African Queen
.”

“Perfect.”

“I wouldn’t have thought you were a Bogart fan.”

“Hepburn.”

“Ah.”

“Both Kate and Audrey to be exact.”

“Then I don’t suppose you’d want to go next Friday night to the showing of
Breakfast at Tiffany’s
?”

She nodded. “Oh yeah. I’m there.”

He grinned, causing his eyes to twinkle like sapphires. Her knees almost buckled, and it was all she could do to hold herself upright. She didn’t even hear what he was saying at first.

“Can I follow you home?”

“What?”

“Follow you home so I can come by later to pick you up? Unless you want to go in separate cars.”

Her cheeks warmed. “Oh sure. Sorry. I’m down Cedar Lane.”

“Okay. Give me a few to get to my car, and I’ll be right behind you.”

Keely nodded, watching him saunter away, and let out an appreciative sigh at the way his running shorts hugged his form. “Girl, you got it bad, and that ain’t good. Or is it?”

Darren whistled, opening the car door for Keely later that evening. She took his breath away in the sundress she wore. Her skin glowed, showing off an early tan.

He gave his best Billy Crystal impersonation. “Darling, you look marvelous.”

She laughed, smiling at his compliment, and got into the car.

The drive, to downtown, turned torturous for him. He couldn’t keep his eyes on the road. He wanted to just look at her instead. When they finally arrived at the pay lot closest to the theater, he parked and quickly came around to open her door. He offered her his hand and she gracefully accepted.

“You’re staring again,” she teased, waiting for him to close the car door.

“I’m not going to apologize.”

She giggled. “It’s going to be hard for you to watch the movie if you’re paying more attention to me than the screen.”

“I don’t think Bogart will mind. After all, he’d be doing the same if he were your date.”

Her cheeks flushed and she looked away. He’d embarrassed her.

“You’re wearing that charm again,” he said, attempting to change the subject.

“Yeah. It goes with everything. I like that.”

“Is that the only reason?”

She tilted her head to the side. “What other reason would there be?”

“Didn’t you tell me Lucinda claimed it had magical powers? What was it you called it? A gris-gris?”

She nodded. “Lucinda did profess it had some powers. But let’s face it, how can a necklace change a person’s life?”

He offered her his arm as they headed toward the Tennessee Theater. “I’ve heard of some metaphysical changes coming about in people who have ailments or injuries from wearing certain metal chains or bracelets. Maybe it’s also true about charms. Perhaps that’s what makes the gris-gris appear magical.”

Keely fingered the amulet for a moment, and then dropped it back in place.

“I don’t know. Lucinda’s grandmother gave her the gris-gris when she was young, and shortly after that she met her husband. Lucinda claims she didn’t know what hit her.”

“You don’t sound as if you put much stock in that?”

“No, I don’t. At least I don’t want to, but I’m not telling Lucinda. She believes it.”

They stopped walking when they reached the theater. Darren looked at his watch. “We’ve got about half an hour before the movie starts. Do you want to go on in?”

“We might as well.”

He opened the glass door, allowing her to go in first. They stood in a small line to purchase tickets, and then waited at the concessions line.

Darren handed Keely a medium popcorn while he grabbed two bottles of cold water from the ice barrel. “Are you sure you don’t want a soda?”

She shook her head. “I avoid caffeine when I can.”

“I bet you don’t drink coffee then?”

“No. Can’t stand it.”

“Then what gives you a buzz?”

She laughed. “Chocolate. I can’t live without it.”

The sound of her sandals clicking across the polished marble floor filled the atrium, and he put his hand at the small of her back as they walked.  

“Keely?”

Startled by hearing her name called, she stopped and turned around. Darren pivoted as well, not liking who he saw. It was one of the Jacksons.

“Edward, Gloria, what a surprise.”

“You look lovely, dear,” Gloria Jackson said, smiling. “Who’s your date?”

Darren noticed Keely flushed at the compliment.
So it wasn’t just when he said it. She’s got a hang up about her appearance.
He didn’t understand why. Her features were flawless, and he thought she was beautiful.

“Gloria, Edward, I’d like you to meet Darren…” she looked at him, embarrassment showing in her eyes.

“Wright,” he offered, juggling the bottles of water, and offered his hand.

Edward Jackson reluctantly accepted it, shaking slowly, but didn’t let go right away. “I know who you are. Keely, what are you doing here with Wright and Associates’ new head hunter?”

Darren winced at the man’s reference.
Damn! He knew he should have told her in the car, but he’d been so distracted by her presence.

“Edward!” Gloria exclaimed.

Edward held up a hand, stopping his wife from saying anything more.

“What?” Keely asked, looking between him and her boss, puzzled.

Darren watched as her expression changed from confusion to horrified acknowledgement. Jama’s words of warning ran through his head. He’d definitely waited too long to tell her the truth.

“Darren?” She shook her head. “No…you can’t be.”

“Keely, I can explain.” He reached out to touch her arm, but she jerked away. Popcorn tumbled over the side of the box to the floor.

Still shaking her head, she pushed the box at him, backing away. “How could you not tell me you were
Darren Wright
? That the sister you worked for was
Jama Wright
? You had to have known since Litton’s. Why keep it a secret?”

“I was going to tell you.”

“When?”

“Would that have really mattered?”

“Yes!” she hissed, keeping her voice low so not to draw attention. “Why didn’t I realize it when I saw you having breakfast with Shelby Mitchell at the Revú?”

“
The Revú
?” Edward Jackson said.

“Edward, you’ve said enough.” Gloria pulled at her husband’s arm. “I think we’d best leave these two alone.”

“No, wait.” Keely stopped them. “I can’t stay. Would you help me find a cab?”

“There’s no need in you taking a cab. We’ll take you home. Edward, go get the car,” Gloria ordered.

“But the movie —" Edward protested.

Gloria glared at her husband and wrapped an arm around Keely’s shoulders. “I’m not in the mood anymore.”

Frowning, Edward turned to leave.

“Keely, don’t go.” Darren tried again to get her to listen to him. “Let’s talk.”

She stopped and turned in his direction. “I have nothing more to say to you,” she spat. “Except stay away from me and my dog.”

Watching her go, he felt like someone had reached into his chest and wrenched out his heart.

“You’re playing with fire, little brother.”

“Tell her. Tell her now.”

He silently cursed at Jama’s mocking words, knowing he’d gambled and lost big. He walked to the nearest trash bin and tossed the box of popcorn, then offered the bottles of water to a couple that had avidly been watching the scene.

“Enjoy,” he muttered, and then left the theater.

He was not looking forward to Jama’s reaction when she found out how he’d screwed up. And she expected him to save Wright and Associates?

He grunted, shoving his hands in his pockets as he wandered down the street to the public parking area. He didn’t understand his problem. When it came to business, he was as shrewd as they came. But when it came to romance, his judgment sucked big time.

Don’t cry.

Keely fought the tears that stung her eyes. She would not cry. But she couldn’t stop herself from feeling stupid. Why hadn’t she made the connection? Darren had introduced himself at the Jazz Club to Lucinda and even when they went to dinner at Litton’s he’d signed up for a table as Wright.

Darren Wright.

He’d even told her he worked at his sister’s company. He just hadn’t been specific. It all appeared crystal clear to her now. Why hadn’t she seen it?

Wright and Associates.

The answer was simple. She’d been too consumed with Darren to even dream he could be her competition. Suddenly, the gris-gris felt icy cold against her chest. She touched it, but the chill burned her fingertips. Jerking her hand away, her movement caught Gloria’s attention.

“Keely, honey, are you all right?” Gloria turned around from the front seat.

She nodded, noticing Edward’s glare in the rearview mirror.
Great. He obviously thinks I’m an idiot.

Gloria reached back and patted her leg. “I’m sorry your evening was spoiled. I wish it could have turned out differently. He seemed like a nice young man. Quite handsome.”

Keely swallowed hard. She didn’t dare respond to Gloria’s statement. She couldn’t risk Edward’s reaction. Instead she chose to steer the conversation in another direction. “I just love the
African Queen
, don’t you?”

“Yes I do,” Gloria replied, turning back around.

Edward remained silent, which made Keely feel worse. She wished he’d say something, yell at her. Fire her. Anything was better than silence and staring into the rearview mirror.

Take me out to the ballgame
chimed on her cell. She quickly reached into her purse to turn it off. Whoever it was could leave a message.

“You live down Cedar Lane, right?” Edward finally asked, merging into the turn lane on Broadway near the Fountain City Lake.

“Yes, sir. I do.”

“Let me know when we get close to your house.”

She nodded, leaning her elbow against the door and resting her head in her hand. She closed her eyes wishing this day had never happened.  Losing the McDaniel account had started this whole downhill tumble and look where it had landed her.