Trusting Hearts (The Heart Series) (5 page)

Chapter Nine

Wednesday came very quickly and Rachel was extremely busy at work. She would be going out on her date with Colin that evening. He was meeting her at the office since she wouldn’t have time to go home and change. She was going to get ready at the office instead. He was staying in a hotel in center city anyway, so it was just easier. The intercom buzzed and it was Genene letting Rachel know that her mother was holding on line one. Rachel rolled her eyes and thanked Genene. She was mentally preparing herself for her conversation with her mother. She knew she was going to get an earful but she wasn’t sure yet what it was about.

“Hey, Mom,” Rachel said as she picked up the phone.

“Hi. Can we see you sometime? You’re always so busy and you live right down the street,” Carlotta complained.

“Mom, really? I have a demanding job.”

“I heard something.”

“Come on with the gossip already.”

“It’s about
you
.”

“Seriously? Enlighten me.”

“Well, Patty Giancola said that she saw you leave the house Monday night with a guy on a date. She thinks it may have been Carson Licciano. I told her that she was crazy and that you don’t go on dates because you’re a workaholic. Then she proceeded to say that she saw him the next morning around eight leaving your house.”

“Mom, it was Carson. He’s my lawyer. I filed for divorce against Vinnie and tell Patty to mind her own fucking business,” Rachel said angrily.

“Can you watch your mouth and speak like a lady? Are you sleeping with him? Lawyers don’t make house calls at eight in the morning.”

“No, Mom! I’m not sleeping with him.”

“Don, she’s
not
sleeping with him and she’s divorcing Vinnie. Carson’s her lawyer,” Carlotta screamed to her husband in the other room.

“That’s a fucked up mess there! Stay out of it, Lotty,” Donato yelled back calling Carlotta by her childhood nickname.

“Listen to dad, mom.”

“Well are you dating again because Jeff said you have a date tonight and it’s not with his father?”

“Yes. I had a talk with them because I don’t want to give them false hope.”

“Who’s the date with?” Carlotta asked being nosy.

“That doctor that’s friends with Gia and Brad.”

“Colin?”

“Yes.”

“Don, she does have a date tonight!” Carlotta yelled, clearing up any confusion.

“Mom, stop telling Dad everything and don’t tell anyone else either.”

“Tell her she better not turn into a hussy,” Donato yelled in the background.

“Mom, tell him it’s not the 1950s anymore and no one uses that word anymore. Its whore or pig and I most certainly am not either one of them. I was with the same man for twenty-three years for God’s sake.”

“Don’t take the lords name in vain!”

“I have to go. You two are both crazy and I have someone at my door.”

“No you don’t. You just don’t want to talk to us.”

“If I didn’t want to talk to you, I would have had Genene take a message. I will call you back.”

“Yeah, because I have to tell you why I called you.”

“You mean that wasn’t even the reason. I’ll call you right back,” Rachel said aggravated and in need of more coffee.

***

Rachel got up from her desk to answer the door. She was so agitated from the call with her parents. She knew they meant well, but they just didn’t know when to quit. It was Brad at the door with a cup of coffee. It was as if he read Rachel’s mind.

“Hey sister-in-law… How are you? A little bird told me that you might need this.”

Ah, Gia must have known they were going to call me.

“
I’m okay. Thanks so much… I did need this.”

“Rach, you have been looking so stressed out lately. Do you need time off?”

“No, that would be the worst thing.”

“What’s going on?” Brad asked, obviously concerned.

“At this point, I’m tired. I have two teenagers, I work a lot… no offense… and I’m dealing with three different men, one of whom I’m divorcing and he doesn’t want to let go.”

“Wow. You need a break. Why don’t you take Friday off and you and Gia can go to the spa and go shopping. She misses you and she needs to get out too. The whole day is on me. I’ll give Gia my credit card.”

“What? Do you feel guilty about overworking me?” Rachel said, teasingly.

Brad laughed, “I need you healthy for the account coming up with Dr. Hill. He’s a personal friend of ours and I want to make sure that there are no issues. Plus, this account may bring us additional business with other doctors and facilities.”

“Brad, I can’t take that account. I’m going to dinner with him tonight.” 

“I know.”

“This is crazy. I know you and Gia really want me to hit it off with him, but I can’t commit to it. Not right now. Taking his account right now may actually put us in a bad situation.”

“Listen, you dating him, that’s my wife’s issue. I just think you’re a very reliable and hard-working manager.”

“Why, thank you, Mr. Roberts, and I’ll take you up on your offer. Tell your wife I’ll pick her up at 8 A.M. for breakfast.”

“Will do and just relax. It will all work out.”

“You’re the best boss and brother-in-law.”

“I try.”

***

Later that afternoon, Rachel met Carson for lunch at the new Chinese restaurant on Chestnut Street. He wanted to talk about the divorce and of course the status of their relationship. Carson was such a gentleman. He held the door for Rachel and pulled out her chair for her regardless of the situation that was happening between them.

“This is why you shouldn’t date your clients. When you want to be mad at them, you have to meet with them to discuss business,” Carson said with a smile on his face.

Rachel rolled her eyes and smiled. “What’s going on that is so important?”

“I have good news. Vinnie has decided to sign the divorce papers.”

“He has?” Rachel asked with confusion on her face.

“This is what you wanted right? I asked you before we started the process and several times after.”

“Yes, but I’m just wondering why now, all of a sudden. What’s the catch?”

“I don’t know, but I don’t trust him. I think he’s playing with your head, just from some of the comments that he made,” Carson said.

“The most important thing is that Vinnie agreed to the divorce. Whatever else he has in mind, I can deal with,” Rachel said with relief in her voice.

“It’s not going to be that easy, at least I don’t think. He loves you and is not going to give up. He signed because he said that he knows you still want to be with him and by him signing the papers, he thinks you are going to be upset and stop the divorce.”

“Clearly he’s on drugs if he thinks I’m going to be with someone who cheated on me and would potentially do it again. He would have to be.”

Carson winced.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean that.”

Carson shrugged his shoulders.

“There’s one problem,” Carson informed.

“I’m not surprised.”

“The court date is not for three months.”

“At this point anything can happen in three months the way my life has been going lately.”

“It will all work out,” Carson said trying to sound reassuring.

“I hope so.”

He put his hand over hers. Rachel got a feeling in her heart that she couldn’t explain. It made her tear up because the dynamic was so strong.

“I have one question for you, sweetie,” Carson asked.

“Yeah?” Rachel responded. She could barely speak because she was so overtaken by emotions.

“Where does this leave us? I want to be with you for the rest of my life, but everything is so complicated right now.”

“Carsy, I want to be with you too. I just don’t want to hurt you. You mean too much to me. I don’t want to involve you emotionally in this mess,” Rachel said with tears streaming down her face.

“I’m already emotionally involved. I guess we need to try to stay away from each other until everything’s resolved. Maybe we shouldn’t see each other until the court date. I guess this is goodbye,” Carson said with hurt in his eyes.

“Carsy?” Rachel said as tears started to pour down her face

“Yes?” he said waiting for her to ask him to stay, but he knew this was all too much for her.

“It’s for the best,” Rachel said, knowing in her heart she wanted to be with him but he didn’t deserve all of this.

They made their way to the door and Carson held it open for her and they exited the restaurant. Once outside, Rachel kissed him on the cheek. As she stepped back, she saw a light flash. She thought maybe it was just her.

“Did you just see that flash?” she asked Carson.

“Yes, it was probably just someone taking pictures.”

“Okay. Well, I better get going.”

Rachel took off down the street freaked out because she was starting to think that someone was following her and taking pictures of her. She definitely needed to get some sleep. It was all too much for her. Rachel needed to leave rather quickly because her heart was breaking… Again. She didn’t want to end things with Carson, but she knew she was starting to grow attached to him again and someone would end up getting hurt in the end.

Chapter 10

Back at the office, there was utter chaos. Rachel had wished she never even went out to lunch. Genene was freaking out because the Operations department kept calling her every ten minutes. Every once in a while, Rachel’s department would get inquiries from the Customer Service Department that required Brad to be involved. Of course, Rachel always handled the situation and it never made it to Brad’s desk unless it requires his approval. A customer keeps calling and harassing the representatives because his phone is not working. They gave him all of his possible options. He refused to accept them and is now requesting to speak to the CEO, who has left for the day. Roberts Communications normally does not issue brand new phones unless they have gone through all possible options.

“Call Jessie. She is the manager in Operations,” Genene said in a frustrated manner.

“Ok, I’ll call her. I don’t understand why the man just can’t follow fucking protocol.”

“Are you alright,” Genene asked.

“Yeah, I think I’m being followed.”

“By who?”

“I don’t fucking know,” Rachel snapped.

“Why don’t you wait a few minutes before calling Jessie? You sound agitated. Do you want me to write up the guy’s inquiry and send it to Brad?” Genene asked.

“No, it needs to be dealt with and I already know what Brad will say. ‘If the guy’s phone doesn’t work it’s because he doesn’t know what he’s doing?’ Rachel said imitating him.

“I’ll just handle it,” She said.

Rachel spent the remainder of the day dealing with the customer’s issue. She ended up having to issue the guy a new phone, with Brad’s approval of course. She was all about the customer being right but this guy would not give up. Besides the fact that he put her behind schedule on all her work, he put her in a bad mood, too.

Rachel had to rush around to get ready for her date with Colin, because he was picking her up at six-thirty in the lobby. The elevator on the way down was crowded. Rachel thought she was the only one who worked crazy hours. She was dressed in a black sleeveless, knee-length dress and plain black stilettos. She was going on a date with a doctor. All they did was see sick people all day, so she would look good in just about anything. Rachel spotted Colin from a distance. He looked dapper in a gray dinner jacket and black pants. He was smiling at the receptionist who was trying her hardest to flirt with him. She obviously didn’t know he was with Rachel.

Rachel walked up to Colin and greeted him. He kissed her on the cheek. She turned to the receptionist who she knows because she sees her on a daily basis.

“Hi Tracey,” Rachel said and smiled at her. She waved and gave Rachel a dirty look because she obviously busted her groove.

Rachel wasn’t going to lie. Colin was a very good looking guy. Every girl turns their head when he walks down the street. If she had to compare him to a celebrity, it would be Ryan Reynolds. He even has his perfect features.

“You look gorgeous as always. These are for you,” Colin said as he handed Rachel a dozen beautiful red roses.

“Why thank you Doc,” she responded jokingly.

“I made reservations near Rittenhouse Square, so we can just walk a few blocks.”

“Sounds lovely.”

As they exited the building, Rachel started to get the feeling again that someone was watching her. It was a really creepy feeling. She was starting to think she was paranoid or schizophrenic. If she told Colin, he was going to think she was nuts, but on the flipside, he is a doctor.

Would it be weird if I asked for a diagnosis on the second date?

She calmed herself down. They walked the couple of blocks to the restaurant engaging in conversation. Colin is a very smart man and Rachel tends to find that very sexy in a man. All of a sudden, Rachel saw another flash. Now she knew she wasn’t imagining anything. Someone was definitely following her.

“Did you just see that flash?”

She could tell that Colin knew she was concerned. Then there was another flash. They could never go on a date where she was not extremely nervous or paranoid.

“Try to relax. I am here with you and nothing is going to happen,” Colin reassured her.

“Never say never where I’m concerned.”

“It’s going to be fine. Let’s go inside,” Colin said.

The hostess sat them at a cute little table with candles. Rachel looked over at Colin and smiled. She wanted to change the subject. It wasn’t fair to Colin.

“Do you know I’ve been assigned to your project?”

“Yes. I requested you. It looks like we will be spending a lot of time together.”

“Why, yes it does Doc.”

“Are you flirting with me, Miss Rachel?”

“Maybe I am. We are on a date, right?”

“Yes we are, finally,” Colin said.

“It’s been crazy. I found out today that my sons are going to the shore for the summer with my Mom. They are going to be helping out the neighbor at her restaurant. They said they want to go. They said they are teenagers now,” Rachel said with sadness in her voice.

“Thirteen is a tough age. I say let them go. Maybe I will get to see you even more if you’re in Wildwood.”

“Ahhh, so it’s a win for you, Doc. You’re smooth.”

This guy’s growing on me.

“Oh yeah, I’m a real player. I barely ever see daylight. I’m always on call, and if I’m sleeping, I get woken up in the middle of the night by my pager.”

“I thought my job was nuts, but that sounds very stressful.”

“Well, if I ever settle down, I would take on a partner, so I can spend time with my family.”

Is he giving me another hint here?

“
You would definitely need to do that. You work too hard. You should probably think about doing that now. I’ll be taking up a lot of your time with this technology project,” Rachel said in all seriousness.

“Now that’s work I wouldn’t mind.”

Rachel batted her eyes at him. She felt like she was robbing the cradle because he was five years younger than her. He raised his wine glass up to hers.

“Here’s to the most beautiful woman I know. Thanks for giving me the time of day. I hope one day we can be more than friends.”

Colin’s toast tugged at Rachel’s heartstrings.

“Aww, thanks.”

“Cheers…”

Their dinner came out and it looked delicious. Rachel ordered the shrimp and scallops and Colin ordered the filet mignon. For dessert, they shared a slice of strawberry shortcake. The food was outstanding. She had to recommend this restaurant to Carson. She paused and remembered that they were not speaking. A sense of sadness came over her and she tried not to let it show.

After dinner Colin walked Rachel back to her car in the garage. He was a perfect gentleman and kissed her goodbye. Rachel told him she had a nice time. He had a conference in the morning and had to be up very early.

“Can I see you again Friday?” Colin asked.

“I’m spending the day with Gia. We are going shopping and having a spa day.”

“That sounds nice.”

“It should be fun.”

“How about Saturday?”

“Call me and I’ll let you know.”

“Ok, sounds great.”

Rachel got in her car and turned it on. All in all it was a nice date, but she couldn’t seem to get Carson out of her mind. Suddenly, she noticed someone sitting in their car watching her two rows back. She was trying to figure out who it could be. She wanted to confront them but she was afraid that maybe they were murderers.

Fuck it
.

Rachel climbed out of the car and slammed the door. She started walking towards the car but they peeled out of the parking spot when they saw her approaching. Rachel screamed out to them as they pulled away.

“Fuck you, asshole,” while giving them the finger.

She never saw their face. She needed to call Brad to have the videos of the garage reviewed and possibly the police if need be. She knew Vinnie had to be behind this and so she decided she was calling the bastard. He answered the phone as if he was so innocent.

“Hello.”

“Yeah, asshole… Meet me at my house in half hour.”

“What’s wrong?” Vinnie asked, confused by Rachel’s nastiness.

“You’ll find out when I get there.”

Rachel flew home because she was in kill mode. She called Brad on her speakerphone.

“Rach, are you ok? You never call me this late,” Brad asked.

“Can you review the garage videos at home?”

“I can have them reviewed. What’s up?”

“I’m being followed by some asshole in a black SUV. I couldn’t see the plates because he took off. I think Vinnie’s up to something. I just called him and told him to meet me at my house.”

“Rach, you need to be careful. This could be serious.”

“We shall see. I’m home now, but let me tell you something… The fucker better be scared of me at this point.”

“Call me if you need me and I’ll see what I can find out.”

As Rachel walked in she slammed the phone and the door shut. She was furious. Vinnie walked in five minutes after her.

“What is going on?” He asked.

“Like you don’t fucking know.”

“What are you talking about? I have no idea.”

“Someone is following me and I’m sure you have something to do with it,” Rachel accused.

“Are you kidding me? Why would I do that? I would just follow you myself.”

“That’s true, but no one else would want to have me followed.”

“Don’t be so sure.”

“What did you just say?”

“I don’t know.”

“Vin, don’t fuck with me.”

“Seriously I don’t know, but it wasn’t me.”

“I know you’re lying.”

“Maybe it was Carson?”

“Why would he do it? Get serious.”

“Because he’s obsessed with you.”

“Isn’t that calling the kettle black?”

“Get over yourself,” Vinnie said with annoyance in his voice.

“I’m over you and if I find out it was you, you better never look at my face again.”

“Whatever, it wasn’t me and what’s up with Jay and Jeff going to the shore for the summer with your mother?”

“I don’t know. I just found out today.”

“How will I see them? Your parents hate me.”

“I’ll figure it out or you can just go talk to them and work out the details.”

“You can do it. Your dad won’t even talk to me. Do you want me to make you coffee?” Vinnie asked, changing the subject.

“No, you’re the enemy until I clear you.”

“Rach, you need to stop. What are you a detective? I love you and I’m waiting patiently until you make the right decision and come back to me.”

Rachel laughed out loud, “Yeah, okay. Don’t hold your breath.”

“I agreed to the divorce.”

“Great. So let’s get divorced, already.”

“Come on. Let’s go talk in the kitchen.”

“About what?!”

“There’s some things I need to say.”

Vinnie made a pot of coffee for them. He always made the best. Rachel always looked forward to it every morning. Well at least there was something she missed about him.

“What do you want to talk about?” she asked.

“I want you to reconsider the divorce. I want to spend the rest of my life making up for what I did. I love you so much and I made the biggest mistake of my life,” Vinnie pleaded.

“Some things can’t be forgiven, Vin. How do I know you won’t do it again? I have no guarantees and your word is as good as shit to me.”

“Rach, I know you still love me. I can see it in your face.”

“You’re delusional. How many times are we going to have the same conversation?”

Rachel was thanking God that the phone rang and interrupted their broken record conversation.

“Hold on, it’s Brad. I have to get this.”

“Hey Brad. Okay… Yeah… Alright let me know.” Rachel hung up the phone and Vinnie was staring at her waiting for an answer.

“What did he say?” Vinnie asked impatiently.

“The guy in the black SUV tailed me into the garage. A woman got out and went into another car. He couldn’t make out who it was, but they are reviewing the tapes and he will keep me updated,” Rachel informed.

“See, I told you it’s not me.”

“Please, somehow you’re involved. I just haven’t figured it out yet.”

“Listen, there’s something I have to tell you, but I don’t want you to freak out.” Vinnie said looking at Rachel warily.

“See, I knew it.”

“It has to do with Clara.”

“Like I care.”

“Well, she’s pregnant and she’s trying to say it’s mine.”

“What the fuck?! You asshole! It probably is yours!”

“It’s not mine. I haven’t been with her since last year. She’s been sleeping with Bill, everyone knows it. He doesn’t want anything to do with her, so she’s saying its mine.”