Ship of Dreams (Dreams Come True Series Book 2) (29 page)

Hawk clapped him on the shoulder as they left the room. He leaned in and whispered, “You nailed it.”

Nathan’s smile of relief froze when he saw Laura standing with her team. She appeared every inch the polished professional in a navy suit and creamy blouse that managed to appear both conservative and sexy at the same time. A pair of snakeskin stilettos graced her feet.

She must have felt his eyes on her, because she glanced up. She lifted her brows as if to ask, ‘How’d it go?’

He replied with a short nod.

As he and Hawk proceeded to the elevator bank, he gave himself a mental headshake. Who would have ever thought that he’d be wishing his competition good luck?

As the board members filed back in for the Giddings-
Rose pitch, Laura had Celeste place a proposal at each seat.

Jack came into the room, nodded her way, his father behind him.
This was it
, she thought. This was the account that would earn her a VP position. The next step in her Life Plan was coming together.

When she took her phone out of her purse to turn it off, she saw a text from Nathan.

I KNOW YOU AND YOUR TEAM WILL GO OUT AFTERWARD TO BLOW OFF SOME STEAM, BUT GIVE ME A CALL LATER. WE’LL BLOW OFF SOME STEAM OF OUR OWN.

She thought about his confession last night and she wondered, Could Nathan be part of my Life Plan?

That Friday evening, Nathan escorted Laura up the sid
ewalk to Darcy’s house for a party she had no desire to attend, but Nathan seemed set on going.

“We only have to stay an hour,” she said, as they climbed the steps to the front door.

“Whatever you want.”

Laura opened the door and entered.

“Don’t you knock?” Nathan asked.

“Please. It’s Darcy.”

She stepped into the foyer, Nathan right behind her, and glanced around for Darcy. She saw her talking to Gloria, her agent. To her left stood Josh talking with his in-laws. Darcy’s brother, Brandon handed a plate of food to his partner. Millie stood in the shadows as was her want. She’d yet to see anyone who might be one of Josh’s clients.

Just as confusion began to set in, all the guests turned in her direction and yelled, “Surprise!”

“What the—”

Nathan’s hands grasped her hips as he stepped up behind her and whispered, “Happy Birthday, sugar.”

That was when she saw Katie, Celeste, and Curt from the office.

The next few minutes were utter chaos with hugs from Darcy and her parents and siblings. Even Gloria gave her a pat on the back.

She blinked back tears, wondering when she’d gotten so sappy.

Josh followed suit with a kiss to her cheek. “Maleficent.”

“Prince Humperdinck.”

“Wait.” Josh held up his hand. “How many account executives does it take to change a light bulb?”

Laura blinked in confusion.

“How many would you like?” Josh replied.

Laura shook her head. “I don’t get it.”

“Were you surprised?” Darcy asked as she pressed a glass of champagne into her hand.

Gratefully she took the bubbly and threw it back, hoping to calm her nerves. “My birthday isn’t until Wednesday.”

“I know. But who wants to celebrate on a Wednesday?”

“No one, that’s who. Let’s party!”

Nathan watched as Darcy and Laura entered the living room. Laura d
idn’t realize how many people loved her. Him included.

Though her parents were noticeably absent.

The night he’d met with Josh, Josh had enlisted his help to get Laura to her birthday party. Nathan was more than happy to join the conspiracy.

True to form, when he’d picked Laura up, she’d knocked his socks off. Dressed in a dark-blue drapey jumpsuit that brought out the blue in her eyes and left lots of luscious skin bare, her hair flowing down her back. Her designer fragrance wreaking havoc on his libido. He already anticipated getting her out of the jumpsuit and into bed.

Josh approached. “Thanks for joining in the conspiracy. Darcy was stressed trying to figure out how to get Laura here, and with the baby, she doesn’t need the stress.”

“No problem. When is she due?” Nathan asked.

“April.”

“Congratulations.”

“Thanks. We’re both very excited.”

“Josh, are Laura’s parents coming?”

A grimace passed over Josh’s features. “No. They, uh, had a previous engagement.”

“I see.”

“Do you?” Josh turned to Nathan. “Do you see that she deserves so much better than she thinks she does? That she’s worth what it takes to dig beneath that prickly exterior and see her for who she is?”

Nathan considered Josh’s astute observation before answering, “Yes. I do.”

The party was in full swing when the doorbell rang. Standing closest to the
door, Laura opened it to find Jack and another hot hunk standing on the stoop.

“Jack! What are you doing here?”

“Sorry we’re late, but I didn’t want to miss the party.”

Stepping inside, he pressed a kiss to Laura’s cheek, and glanced behind him at his friend.

“Laura, this is my friend, Novak Hunter. Novak, Laura Armstrong.”

As she shook Novak’s hand, she got the distinct impression he was more than just a friend.

She shot a glance at Jack, who gave her an imperceptible nod.

Happy for Jack, she led the couple into the room and began the introductions.

“Jack,” Nathan said, “I didn’t expect to see you here.”

“Well, I just stopped by for a few minutes to wish my girl here happy birthday.”

“I see.”

Laura looked up in time to see the frown on Nathan’s face, and she had to smile. Clearly, Nathan was still jealous of Jack and what he thought was their affair.

“Nathan, this is Novak. Jack’s friend.”

“Novak.” Nathan nodded. “Can I talk to you a minute?” he asked, lips tight.

“Sure. Please excuse us.”

Nathan steered her into a tidy office. “Why is he here?”

“Since I didn’t send out the invitations, I can only surmise that Josh or Darcy invited him.” Her voice had gone cool. Jealousy was one thing, rudeness another.

“I thought you weren’t seeing him anymore?”

“I’m not.” She sighed. “I never was, actually.”

“What does that mean?”

“It means, Nathan, that Jack and I were never having an affair.”

“What? Why did you leave me to believe you were?”

“First, you jumped to your own conclusions that night at the fundraiser. Then I did it just to piss you off. But then . . .” Laura hesitated.

“But then?” Nathan prodded.

“But then I did it to protect Jack.”

“What do you mean, ‘to protect Jack?’”

“Jack’s and my family have been friends for a long time, but beyond that, I consider Jack my friend.”

“And?”

She blew out a breath and seemed to be wrestling with something. “Nathan, that man out there, Novak, isn’t just Jack’s friend.” At Nathan’s continued confusion, she clarified, “You know, his partner. His lover.”

She watched as comprehension dawned, and his brows shot up. “No, way.”

“Yes, way. Jack is gay.”

“Well, I’ll be damned. Why didn’t you tell me?”

“It wasn’t my secret to share.”

“Woman. You are something else.” Enfolding her in his arms, he pressed a kiss to the top of her head. “Loyal to the bone.”

Chapter 25

As soon as Nathan and Laura got back to her apartment, she stepped out of her heels. “You are a sneak,” she said, as she waggled her finger in his face. “How long have you known about this party?”

“Since the night Josh and I first met. He enlisted my help to get you there,” he said with a grin.

Laura shook her head, as he wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her nose.

“I like your friends.”

“Yeah, me, too.”

He swayed with her in his arms, “And you know what, they really like you. In fact, they love you, you know that?”

“Pfft.”

“And so do I.”

She grew still in his arms, so he withdrew, and reaching into his pocket pulled out a box.

“This is for you. I bought it in Florence, but we had . . . well, you know.”

Her heart jackhammered in her chest.

He reached out for her hand and, turning her palm up, placed the box there. “Open it.”

Laura looked from the box to his face, her breath shallow.

Lifting the lid, she saw a pair of delicate silver earrings, set with sapphires.

“They reminded me of your eyes,” he whispered, as he pressed his forehead to hers.

“Oh, Nathan, they’re beautiful.” She brushed a finger over them as if they were the most fragile thing she’d ever seen. No one had ever given her such a thoughtful gift. Ever.

“I’m glad you like them.”

“I don’t like them, I love them.” She encircled his neck, drew his mouth down to hers.

“Lau
ra Armstrong,” she said into the phone. She sat at her desk on Wednesday morning, her birthday, going over emails.

“Ms. Armstrong, this is Melinda, Mr. Jack Jeffries’ assistant.”

Laura’s heart plummeted like an elevator with a broken cable. “Yes,” she could barely get the word out around the knot in her throat.

“It’s short notice, but he would like to know if you’re free for lunch today.”

“Yes.” She didn’t look at her calendar. She’d make it work.

“Perfect. He’ll meet you at Fred’s at noon.”

“Did we get the account?”

“I really can’t say.”

“Right. Thank you.” She hung up the phone, and pressed her hand to her stomach to still the butterflies that had suddenly taken flight. Her face split into a grin so wide it hurt.

Then she sat back with a groan. “Oh, God.” If Giddings-Rose got the account, that meant Hawk Media didn’t. Which meant no bonus for Nathan. What would Nathan do about Amanda and the farm? And her?

Nathan strode
down the hall to Hawk’s office, entering without knocking. “This is it.”

Hawk glanced up from his computer, a questioning look on his face.

“Imperial just called. Mr. Jeffries wants the team down there at two o’clock for a meeting.”

Hawk came around the corner of his desk, clapped Nathan on the back. “Good job, man. Good job.”

“Thanks.” The relief was palpable. The bonus was his, and the farm was Amanda’s, free and clear.

As he walked back down the hall to his office, Nathan’s elation took a hit and his steps slowed. “Holy hell,” he muttered. Laura wouldn’t get her VP position.

Laura followed the
hostess to Jack’s table. Taking a deep breath, she plastered a smile on her face to cover her nerves. Jack rose, greeted her warmly with a kiss to her cheek.

After she took her seat, Jack told the hostess he’d signal when they were ready to order. Seeking to quell her already bouncing leg, Laura pressed her hand to knee, but something about his expression gave her pause.

“Laura, I won’t keep you on pins and needles. I know how much the Imperial account means to you.”

Dread filled her, leaving a bad taste in her mouth.

Jack took a deep breath. “Imperial decided to go with Hawk Media.”

Nothing like ripping the Band-Aid off. “I see.” She would. Not. Cry.

“I wanted to be the one to tell you. In person. As your friend, I owe you that much.” He reached out and covered her hand with his.

She pulled away. His gesture of kindness only made it that much more difficult not to cry. “Thank you.” She cleared her throat of the tears building there.

“I’m sorry. The board thought that Hawk Media’s ideas were innovative, but maintained the spirit that is Imperial.”

She couldn’t bear the sympathy in his eyes.

“I appreciate you telling me.” She sat silent for a couple of beats. “But dammit!” Looking away, she swallowed her anger and frustration.

“I hope we can remain friends,” Jack said, his voice soft and sincere.

“Don’t be ridiculous, Jack. Of course we can remain friends.” She took a sip of water, hoping it would clear her throat before she continued. “Hawk Media is an excellent agency. I’m happy for Nathan.” And she was. Truly happy for him. And Amanda. She’d be able to keep the farm. “Does he know yet?”

“No. We’re meeting the team at two o’clock, so I’d appreciate it if you’d keep this under your hat until then.”

“Naturally.” Well, this was some thirtieth birthday present.

“Shall we order?” Jack asked, breaking into her thoughts.

“I don’t think so. I hope you understand.”

He nodded. “Of course.”

She rose from the table, reached her hand out for Jack to shake. Instead, he brought her hand to his lips and kissed the top. “I always knew you were a class act, Laura Armstrong.”

Squaring her shoulders, she made her way through the crowded restaurant. Stunned, she barely responded to the maître d’ as he wished her a good afternoon. She stepped out into the July heat, ignoring the doorman’s offer to hail a cab for her. She’d rather walk.

Thinking of Nathan’s concern that her relationship with Jack made the winning agency a foregone conclusion, she laughed. A harsh bark that drew the unwelcome attention of another pedestrian.

Her father came to mind. She wondered if he had influenced the decision.

What the hell was she going to do now?

First, she’d wait until two as Jack had asked, then she’d put on her big-girl panties and tell her team and her boss the news and congratulate Nathan.

Then, she’d lick her wounds and re-evaluate.

“Good afternoon.” Jackson’s mellow voice drew everyone’s attention as he entered the room. Jack stood next to his father, who nodded at him.

Jack took a seat at the head of the table and folded his hands in front of him. “I realize this is rather unorthodox, but I prefer to give such news in person.”

“First, I speak for myself and the board when I say both agencies gave excellent pitches.”

Ah, the consolation speech, Nathan thought with a sigh. Well, Laura would get her promotion. She deserved it.

“The ideas presented were fresh, innovative, cutting edge even.” Jack continued after a brief pause, “Both agencies have a solid reputation for getting the job done, or we wouldn’t have given you the opportunity to pitch. That being said, this has been a very difficult decision on the one hand, and a very easy one on the other.”