The Perfect Deception (16 page)

“G
lad you’re back, man. You feel all right?”

“Morning, Broderick. I’m a lot better.” Nathan joined his boss in the sitting area that anchored the large corner office. He reared back and placed his hands behind his head. “It’s a beautiful Monday morning and I’m ready to work.”

“Glad to hear that. Hope you don’t mind putting in some extra hours these first few months.”

“Had already planned on it.”

“Good, because that’ll continue for awhile, including tonight. Dinner meeting with the board.”

“No problem.”

“My assistant will forward the details and also bring over the remaining files from Cecil’s office so that you can pass those clients to the appropriate staff. I know we’re putting quite a bit on you, so feel free to hire a temp if you need to until we get through this transition period.”

“By the end of the week I’ll have a better handle on everything, and can tell you then whether or not that will be necessary.”

Broderick looked at his watch. “All right, then. Time for my ten o’clock meeting. I’ll see you tonight.”

Nathan returned to his office and closed the door behind him. He then placed a long overdue call to someone who shortly after Valentine’s Day had left a message. Being sick had made him forget to return the call. He walked to the window and eyed downtown Atlanta as he waited for the call to be answered. “Develia!” He put the call on speaker and returned to the desk to multitask. “It’s Nathan Carver.”

“Nathan! I’d given up on hearing from you.”

“My apologies. I’d meant to call earlier. It’s been a very busy year.” He gave a brief rundown on the promotion that greatly increased his schedule, and the mystery illness trying to slow him down. “I’m hoping the worst is over,” he finished. “But if it continues, I’ll definitely have to get checked out.”

“My goodness. I can’t believe all that’s happened in such a short time Here I was thinking you’ve been ignoring me, when with your hectic schedule I’m amazed you’re calling now. And thrilled. I had a fabulous time on New Year’s Eve.”

“You made all the difference that night. I don’t know when I’ve had so much fun. When I meet good people, I like to stay in touch.”

“Your timing is perfect. One of the reasons you’d crossed my mind is because a dear friend who lives in Atlanta is having her first child. I’ll be visiting in the next month or so.”

“Please let me know the dates you’ll be here. I’d love to share some of Atlanta the way you showed me your island.”

“It’s a deal. I’ll be in touch.”

The day passed quickly. Nathan barely noticed the time. Most men would feel overwhelmed at the increased workload, but for this organized multitasker it was an adrenaline rush. By six o’clock he’d perused the additional files, reassigned the clients, handled time-sensitive in-box matters, made important phone calls, and had his assistant order new office furniture and business cards. Once the order arrived, he’d move from his adequate space into the roomy office that came with the VP title. After wrapping up a call to Kenneth with plans to visit Vegas in the next couple weeks, he freshened up and headed out to the dinner meeting.

Halfway there, his phone rang. “What’s up, Randall? No, let me guess. Sherri.”

“You know your overprotective sister.”

“Yes, I do. Having you call to check up, treating me like a kid instead of a grown man.”

“Well, I was going to holler at you anyway . . .”

“Sure you were.”

“Okay, she prodded me a bit. Is quite concerned with all this health stuff lately, and I have to agree that this isn’t the norm. I mean, you’re Mr. Invincible.”

“I was until a little bug bit me. But it’s been going around.”

“What are your symptoms?” Nathan told him. “I’m no doctor, and it sounds like for the most part those could be flu related. But it probably wouldn’t hurt to get a few tests done, just to be on the safe side.”

“It’s about time for my annual physical anyway. I’ll have my assistant schedule one for next week. Not sure about getting a lot of tests run, though, especially if they’re time consuming. I just got this promotion; don’t want to cause speculation and second-guessing by spending a lot of time away from the office.”

“I understand. Tell you what—let me give you James’s number. If your physical comes back clean but you keep feeling bad, run your symptoms past him. He’s a top-notch MD and will likely recognize what I’d miss. Plus, I’ve got pull and might even get him to do a house call.”

The two talked until Nathan reached the restaurant. There, along with a succulent filet mignon and vintage cabernet, he enjoyed laying out his plans for the company’s continued success. By the time he headed home after a nonstop, productive twelve-plus-hour day, Nathan was counting his blessings. He had more than most: great family, wonderful woman, high-paying, highly satisfying career, and every desired creature comfort. Life was good and getting ready to get better. This weekend he planned to finish what started on Valentine’s Day. Finally, Jessica would get the ring.

“I got your message. Needless to say, with her sniffing around the situation, we’ve got to wrap it up as quickly as possible.”

“I told you it’s handled. She believes I care about him.” Jessica sat at her dining room table, idly staring out the window as her sister’s heated anger popped and sizzled through the speakerphone. Ever since sharing the past weekend’s events, she’d been on a full-blown tirade.

“Don’t fool yourself. I’ve dealt with that bitch. She cannot be trusted! So what that she apologized and played nicey-nice in front of her brother? I’m telling you from personal experience, she’s not done being nosy, and we can’t risk her finding out. Double, no, triple the dosages. It’s time to bring this party to an end.”

“Just days after she saw him feeling better? That will arouse suspicion.”

“People relapse all the time, think they’re well and then get worse. You said he’s been promoted and is working long hours. People drop dead all the time. He’ll just be one of those questionable statistics.”

“I don’t know, Sissy . . .”

“Is this about Sherri, or is this about you? Jessie, are you trying to back out?”

“No. I’m trying to make sure I don’t end up in a gated community like yours. All right?”

“That’s fair. Sorry. Growing up like I did makes it hard to trust.”

“Are you forgetting that I grew up the same way?”

“I’m glad you’re back in my life, Jessie. For the first time in a long time I know somebody truly has my back.”

That night Jessica shed tears as she buried the fantasy of a perfect life with Nathan. The next day she made another trip to the public library with fake ID and credit card in hand. Since the doses were going to be increased, she needed more vitamins.

H
e worked most of the day, but by Saturday evening Nathan felt good enough with where things stood at the office to keep the eight o’clock reservations he had for Quinones At Bacchanalia. Bobbing his head to an Anthony Hamilton tune, he tapped his steering wheel and called Jessica.

“Hello, baby.”

“Hey, Nate.”

“What’s the matter? Are you getting sick?”

“No, just in a mood, I guess.”

“No worries. What I have planned tonight will snap you right out of it.”

“I don’t really feel like going out. Can we just order in and watch a movie or something?”

“That sounds good for tomorrow, but we can’t change tonight. The reservations have been made and our table is waiting. I’m headed home to shower and change. Think you can still be ready by seven thirty?”

“I guess.”

“Dressing to impress?”

“Uh-huh.”

“Good. I’ll see you soon.”

At the thought of what he’d planned to make his sweetheart feel better, Nathan’s smile widened. Yes, indeed. Life was good and getting ready to get a whole lot better.

She may not have felt like going anywhere but when Jessica opened her door a short time later, she looked ready to walk the red carpet. Clad simply yet stunningly in a white dress, crystal booties, and matching jewelry, she looked like a fairy princess, a shimmering goddess ready to cast her spell. Her hair was pulled tight and high, emphasizing high cheekbones, slanted, kohl-tinged eyes, and a ruby-red mouth. She eyed him with a mixture of cautious anticipation and veiled vulnerability. It broke and warmed his heart at the same time. A part of him wanted to heal all her past hurts and protect her from future ones. The other wanted to reward the anticipation he saw by making all of her dreams come true. He hoped his actions tonight would help her realize at least one of them.

After several seconds, he spoke. “Wow. I have no words.”

“I look okay?”

“Are you serious? I’ve never seen you look better—or anyone else, for that matter.”

“Would you like to come in for a drink?”

“No, babe. We have to go. Maybe later.”

“Okay.”

She grabbed her clutch, and thirty minutes later they arrived at one of Atlanta’s premier restaurants. The prix fixe, multi-course culinary experience, offering an upscale take on traditional favorites, changed nightly and was often booked for weeks in advance. Without the help of a couple of Ben Franklins and some of his friends, Nathan wouldn’t have gotten a table.

They were seated. Nathan sat back, enjoying Jessica’s maiden voyage into this type of atmosphere. Her eyes sparkled with appreciation and excitement. She blessed him with a smile.

“You like?”

“Are you kidding me? This place is beautiful. Look at those chandeliers.”

“They pale in comparison to you.” Her head dipped shyly. His eyes lowered, too. “Seriously, baby. You look amazing, good enough to eat. And I plan to save room for dessert . . . believe that. Excuse me for one minute. I need to . . . speak with someone.”

She waited for a few seconds, made sure he was gone, and then allowed the fake smile to slide off her face. She could see Nathan’s joy in trying to make her happy. Little did he know, every act of kindness was excruciating, every loving gesture felt like torture inside. The admiring look on his face at her doorstep is why the poison remained in her purse right now. She’d planned to, but couldn’t do it. Couldn’t mix arsenic with this fancy dinner, didn’t want a repeat of what happened on Valentine’s Day.

“Sorry about that, babe.” Nathan returned to his seat and replaced his napkin. “Now, where were we?”

“Thinking about what an amazing man you are, and wondering how I got so lucky.”

“It’s crazy. I was wondering that exact same thing. How about champagne tonight?”

“Sounds perfect.”

Nathan got the waiter’s attention and ordered a bottle of their finest bubbly. Light talk and laughter ensued as they awaited the first course, and continued through an exquisite meal that included hamachi with fennel, pork belly with clam chowder, sweetbreads with sweet potato, and smoked country ham.

“I don’t think I can eat anything else,” Jessica exclaimed, after polishing off her last bite of ham.

“And you thought the menu items sounded nasty.”

“Whoever heard of hamachi whatever, and kimmee—”

“Kimchee—”

“With Asian pears.”

“But it was good though, huh?”

“This food was delicious.”

“Which is why you must have dessert, if only a little taste.”

She peered through lowered lashes. “I thought dessert was later on.”

“That will be our second helping.”

A waiter walked through the attraction and desire crackling around the table. “Sir, your special dessert tray, by request.”

“Thank you.”

The waiter offered a slight bow and left.

Nathan nodded at the tray. “Go ahead. Choose which dessert you want.”

“What are they?”

“Reach over and find out.”

She hesitated, and then lifted the first silver dome and uncovered a beautifully plated serving of fruit. “Not too decadent looking.”

“Healthy though.”

“You want it?”

“No. I want something rich and sinful.”

Chuckling, she raised the second dome. “What are these?” Leaning forward, she read the card. “Fried dough?”

“Looks like beignets.”

“Never had them.”

“You were born in New Orleans, right?”

“Yes, but not raised there.” She tasted one. Her eyes closed as she moaned in pleasure.

Nathan enjoyed a helping as well before she uncovered the third treat, chocolate pecans and cream, which they also devoured.

“One more,” he said.

“Just one bite of this one, though. I’m stuffed.” She raised the lid. And froze.

“Babe . . .”

“Nathan!”
Oh. No.
Her voice was soft, a mere whisper as she stared at the ring. “I . . . babe . . . I don’t know what to say.”

“It’s not your turn, yet.” He picked up the diamond ring and kneeled before her. Her hands flew to her mouth. Heads turned, faces glowed, as what was occurring became clear.

“Jessica, I know we haven’t known each other long. But it’s been enough time for me to figure out that you’re the woman I want for a lifetime. You’ve taken the time to care for me and now I want to take care of you”—he reached up, gently swiped her wet cheek—“wipe away your tears, and be the reason you smile every single day. Will you marry me?”

She was too overcome with emotion to speak.

“Babe, it’s your turn.”

“Yes,” she finally choked out on a sob. Her arms wrapped around his neck and when he stood he brought her with him. Her feet left the floor. They twirled as the patrons applauded.

“You’ve just made me the happiest man alive,” he whispered against her ear.

Jessica cried harder, overcome with guilt and shame. She’d just said yes to a marriage that would never happen, and to a man with numbered days. Sissy was right. It was time to end this. Too much more of Nathan loving her the way he did and she’d lose two things: her nerve to kill him and her sister.