Two Wrongs Make a Right (28 page)

His phone dinged, and he read the text.
Staying with Raynie 2nite. Food n freezer.
What did he expect? It was her birthday, and she wanted to be with her friends. He didn’t blame her. He’d pushed her too far and the hope of them getting closer disappeared into the darkness.

~~*~~

Quinn pressed send and then eyed Raynie. “Okay, he knows I’m staying with you, as if he cares. At least I’ve made it easy for him to see his girlfriend.”

Raynie shuffled through DVD’s. “What do you want to watch?
When Harry Met Sally? My Best Friend’s Wedding. The Proposal?
”

“
The Proposal
. I love Sandra Bullock. That scene with Betty White where they’re dancing in the woods is hysterical.”

“You want to order Chinese?”

“What I’d love is a drink with an umbrella. That’s the downside of pregnancy. No booze.”

Raynie inserted the movie. “On the bright side, since he’s cheating, that will get him out of your hair a few nights a week. Oh, I’m sorry. That sounded terrible. As if I’m glad he’s screwing around, and I’m not. I’m just saying…”

“I know what you mean, and you’re right. If he’s with her, he can’t make me miserable.” Lucy and Ethel climbed onto the sofa and sat next to Quinn. She rubbed each one. “The cats aren’t any trouble, are they? I feel awful pushing them on you, but I had no one else to take them.”

“I love having them here. Once they go home, I’ve decided I’m getting a kitty.”

A message sounded. Quinn’s heart fluttered. It was from Dak. Probably to say he was staying in town again. She read it and tears came to her eyes.
Happy Birthday
.

Just as Quinn thought, when she returned home, Dak never mentioned the new setup in the extra bedroom. That told her he was fine with it. More than fine. And why not? He had his girlfriend at the condo and even if there wasn’t sex going on with Quinn, it had to be uncomfortable sleeping with two different women. Or maybe this was something he always did. She didn’t know and didn’t care. Or did she? No, she reminded herself Dak was not her Prince Charming although she’d tried to convince herself of it. Truth was, men on white horses only existed in fairy tales.

She stood at her closet door and scanned the clothes. It was Friday, and she faced a double whammy. Media Corp. decided this was a good day to meet Dak’s new wife, and later the company Christmas party started at seven. For the interview she’d wear her favorite sweater and leggings, then change into the plain black dress for the office celebration.

“Are you ready?” Dak yelled from down the hall.

She pulled the sweater over her head, smoothed strands of hair back in place, and stepped from the room. “Yeah, I’m ready. Do I look all right?” Standing stone still, she spread her arms away from her body.

“You’re fine. Let’s go.”

On the way to the office, Dak ran his hands up and down the steering wheel, then glanced at her. “I’m not sure what they’ll ask, but you need to be prepared—why we waited to get married—how long we’ve been together…”

She cut him off. “Stop worrying. I won’t mess this up for you. Is there anything my story needs to match, like the time we dated?”

He licked his lips then ran his hand over his mouth. “No. I was generic with everything I told them. You know how much is riding on this. My whole future—and yours. If I lose my job…”

“Stop it! You won’t lose your job. They’d be idiots to replace you, so relax.”

“No, you don’t understand.” He shook his head, and it was the first time she’d heard fear in his voice. “They have guys in their other offices they can transfer. They may not have the client base I have, but they’ve been with Media Corp. for years, and they are family men. My job is on the line.” Dak wheeled into a parking spot, killed the engine, and took a deep breath. “This is it.”

Quinn reached across the seat and patted his hand. “You’ll be fine. Just follow my lead.”

“I guess I don’t have a choice.”

Maybe it was selfish, but Quinn liked that Dak’s fate might rest in her hands. It was the first time since they’d married she felt equal to him. He’d furnished her with everything, and regardless of his affair, or his hatred for her, she wanted to repay him and this was her chance.

They took the elevator to the third floor and when the doors opened, Helen sat at a desk outside a room with glass walls.

“Well, good morning, Mr. and Mrs. Savage.”

Quinn smiled. “Hi, Helen. Please call me Quinn, Mrs. Savage sounds so formal.”
Yeah, and since the name won’t be mine much longer, no need to get used to it.

“We’ll hangout here until it’s time for our meeting,” Dak said. “Any calls?”

“Some. I put the names and numbers on your desk. Would y’all like some coffee?”

“Nothing for me,” Quinn said.

Dak pushed his office door open and spoke over his shoulder. “No, I don’t want any. Maybe later.”

Quinn followed him in, and while he removed his jacket and hung it up, she picked up the photos on his desk. Her wedding shot, and the baby’s sonogram. She sucked in a breath. She’d not expected him to have those. A second later, her eyes drifted to three yellow callback notes.
Dalton’s. Sim. Shelly.
Quinn’s throat closed off. She wondered if that was his girlfriend. No. She could be anyone. A client. A colleague.

His voice brought her back. “I never asked, but have you been to the office before?”

“Huh, oh, no. In all the time Megan’s worked here, you’d think I would have, but I haven’t.” Quinn walked to the other side of the room and looked down at the street, then at the skyline. “You have a great view.”

“Yeah, but most of the time I take it for granted.” He picked up the notes, crumpled one, and tossed it into the trashcan. The other two he laid aside.

She wished she knew which one he threw away.

The desk phone buzzed and he put it to his ear. “Hello. We’ll be right there.” He replaced it and shot Quinn a look of dread, then walked past her to get his jacket. “Showtime.”

She reminded herself of what she intended to say about her new husband. She smoothed her sweater and faced Dak. “Don’t be nervous. I’ve got this.”

He didn’t speak, just nodded, then opened the door and followed her to the elevator.

When they got to the conference room, which also had glass walls, Quinn looked over at him. He was pale and his face glowed with perspiration. A middle-aged woman walked to the doors and pulled one open. “Please come in, Dak. I assume this is Mrs. Savage. I’m Wanda Hamilton Reed.” She stuck out her hand.

Ah, the owner’s daughter.
“Nice to know you, please call me Quinn.”

Wanda ushered them to the end of a long table where an old man, Quinn decided was Mr. Hamilton, waited. He rose and extended his hand first to Quinn, then Dak. Once they sat, the gentleman started. “Thank you for coming in Mrs. Savage. Are you comfortable? Can we get you anything?”

“I’m fine, thank you.” Quinn didn’t give him a chance to say anything else, she took control. “I’m impressed with your company, not only its track record, but the fact you’re grooming your daughter to take over.” She slanted a glance toward Wanda. “Few powerful men do that, especially when they have sons. The continued success of Media Corp. is more important to you than expected protocol. You’re a man of vision, like my husband.”

Mr. Hamilton’s mouth dropped open. “You’ve done your homework, Mrs. Savage.”

She held up her finger, cocked her head, and he corrected himself.

“
Quinn
. Tell me about his vision.”

She relaxed back in her seat. “His record speaks for itself. He’s brought more revenue into Galaxy than any department head before him. He has a shelf of awards to prove it. But you have all that information. What you don’t know, is he’s loyal to a fault. He’s also his biggest competition. In business and his personal life he’s relentless. Take me, for instance.”

Quinn caught a glimpse of Dak out of the corner of her eye. He appeared dazed, and she wasn’t sure he was breathing.

She continued. “We’d not been dating long when I found out I was pregnant. He wanted to marry me immediately because he’s an honorable man, but having come from a broken home, I was reluctant. I wanted—no, needed to be certain his offer wasn’t out of obligation. I needed more than his support. I wanted his heart.”

Wanda scooted to the edge of her seat as if waiting for the final scene in a movie. Her dad leaned forward, rested his hands on the table and laced his fingers together. “How did he convince you?”

Quinn’s lips spread into a wide smile. She reached over and took Dak’s hand, gave him the most loving look she could muster, then focused on the interviewer again. “Pie chart.”

The old man and his daughter burst into laughter. “Are you kidding me?”

Quinn laughed with them. “If I’m lying, I’m dying. I know it doesn’t sound very romantic, but it was. I wish I’d brought it, but we’re having it framed for the baby’s room. Someday, it will be one of her favorite stories.” She beamed at Dak again. “Won’t it, honey?”

“Ah—uh, yeah.”

“Take my word. Dak is a closer. He’ll make your company money, add to its success, gain recognition through more awards, and help put you on the business map even more than you are already.”

“Mrs….Quinn, I don’t believe I’ve ever had a more glowing recommendation from a spouse.
You
may have a future in this business.” He rose and offered his hand to Dak. “You will remain head of marketing and I can’t wait to work with you.” Then he turned to Quinn. “When you get that pie chart back, I want to see it. With your permission, I’d like to use that story in my motivational meetings.”

She smiled. “I’m flattered. Please do.”

Dak stood and clasped his hand. “Thank you, sir.”

When they exited the room, Quinn stopped in front of the glass and spoke to Dak through tight lips. “Put one hand on my belly, mouth the words,
hello you
, and kiss me on the cheek.

He followed instructions, then walked with her back to his office. Once inside, he wheeled around and his eyes connected with hers. Moving his face in close, he tilted his head to one side, then put his fingers under her chin. She stepped back. As much as she wanted to kiss him, she couldn’t stop thinking just a few hours ago, he’d been kissing another woman at the condo.

He dropped his hands to his sides and kicked the conversation into high gear. “Oh my God. I had no idea where you were going with that. Pie chart? Where’d that come from? Never mind. I don’t care. You were fantastic. What was the deal with hello you?”

“It’s a way of saying I love you without really saying it. Same syllables, so it looks like the real thing.” Pain stabbed her heart, and at that moment, she realized how much she wanted to hear the real words from him. She shook the notion away. If securing his job didn’t get her some forgiveness, nothing would. She prayed it did because leaving on good terms and having a decent relationship for the sake of their daughter was important.

“If you want to visit Megan for a while, I’ll take care of business, then we’ll grab an early lunch and head home. That will give you time for a nap before the party tonight. Take the elevator to the second floor, when you get off, turn right. First office on the left.”

Quinn turned to go, but he spoke again. “Thank you for what you did.”

Her bottom lip quivered and tears filled her eyes. This was the nicest he’d been since he’d found her. She turned to face him and forced a smile. “Yeah, well, you know better than anyone what a good liar I am. I’m just glad it paid off for you this time.” She didn’t give him a chance to respond, she rushed from the room toward the elevator.

By the time lunch rolled around, Dak had an unscheduled meeting, so Quinn walked across the street to a small café and ate alone. Pinching small bites from her grilled cheese, she stared out the window back toward his office. Mentally, she gave herself a high-five for taking control of the interview. She’d worked for days on the presentation. Her research skills came in handy. Granted, the whole thing could have gone south, but she’d read that although Mr. Hamilton had a quiet demeanor, he was fierce in the corporate world. And, by choosing his daughter over his sons to take over the company someday, Quinn figured he had a soft spot for girls. Especially smart ones. She might be a dunce in the romance department, but considered herself savvy in business.

She chuckled out loud.
Yeah, that’s why you don’t have a job.
Cramming the last potato chip into her mouth, she washed it down with a big gulp of water. Dak still hadn’t texted that his meeting was over, so she decided a visit with Lucy and Ethel was in order.

“So
Dak-a-doodle-do
got the job all because of little ole’ you?” Raynie asked as Quinn pulled both furry girls onto her lap.

“Yeah. At last I got to do something nice for him.” She stared into space.

“What’s that look?”

“What do you mean?”

“Just now. What was that?”

“He almost kissed me.”

Raynie waved her hands in the air. “No. Uh-uh. Don’t go there. You can’t allow any
love
feelings for that man. He’s been hateful, and he has a woman on the side, so you stop it, right now. Just because he got caught up in the moment, doesn’t mean he’s changed his mind about you.”

The cats purred against Quinn’s belly and she wondered how the baby liked a vibrating massage. “You’re right. It meant nothing…”

“Holy moly, you still want it to.” She sighed and slumped her shoulders, and Quinn knew a lecture was coming. Raynie was right, but Quinn couldn’t help the way she felt.

“Most of the time, I’m fine, but then he shows a little kindness, and I’m back in that damn honky-tonk parking lot limp with desire wanting to stay in his arms forever.” Quinn yawned.

“Why don’t you go to the back and take a nap? You need to sleep off the Dak intoxication anyway.”

She yawned again. Her friend was right, and as deep as Quinn’s feelings were for him, she needed to get over them.

Dak pulled into traffic, and took his mind back to the earlier interview, and how Quinn took command. It was a side he’d not seen before, and he liked it. Everything she said seemed sincere, like she believed all that stuff about his ability. He admitted she’d gone beyond his expectation of endorsement. Made him out to be a better husband than he was.
Husband
. Until today, the word sounded foreign to him, because he’d not thought of himself that way. But now he did. He was Quinn’s husband, and lies be damned, he wanted to be.