The Perfect Deception (3 page)

S
he’d failed the test. The signs weren’t glaring like they’d be on a school paper, when one expected a gold star and instead received red marks and a minus sign. They were subtle, like the way Sherri gave her brother a big bear hug and Jessica’s arm a little squeeze. Or how Sherri’s friend Renee offered a skeptical smile when Jessica said it had been good to meet her. Nathan’s mother, Miss Elaine, was definitely the kindest of the bunch and probably the nicest as well. The men, especially Nathan’s brother-in-law, Randall, had been cordial but kept their distance. The other wives and girlfriends were friendly enough. Not that she cared about them. The ones she wanted to win over were Miss Elaine and Sherri. In this instance, one out of two wasn’t good enough. Especially given what was at stake, and what she’d promised.

Jessica jumped from the couch and walked to the window of her second-floor condo near Five Points. Of all the things she’d been thinking about since the weekend she’d spent with Nathan—first with his family in Virginia and then with his DC friends—what could, should, and would have been wasn’t part of the process then and wouldn’t be now.

It was Sunday evening. Nathan had dropped her off less than an hour ago. It felt much longer. Being practically inseparable from him for four straight days had provided some of the happiest moments of her life, especially when they partied in DC. After all of the holiday hoopla, her home was too quiet, and she too alone.

She turned on the radio. One of Nathan’s all-time favorites was playing, or so he’d told her the first time they’d heard it together. Jessica walked back to the couch, plopped down and grabbed a pillow as her mind drifted back to the night she’d spotted him across the room.

 

That’s what Jessica thought as she looked across the crowded restaurant and beheld a table filled with caramel and chocolate testosterone. She lazily sipped a pomegranate martini, swinging a stiletto-clad foot as she watched them laughing, scoping, sipping, too. They were all handsome, but one stood out, and for more reasons than the fact that he was the one she wanted: tall, at least six feet—which, although she was only five-foot-three, she preferred—nattily dressed, expressive eyes and easy smile. The group of four men was in a lively discussion. The one she watched spoke little, but when he did, the others listened attentively.

A couple times their eyes had met. After hearing snatches of conversation as she passed their table on her way to and from the bathroom, she stopped and boldly made her move. At her declaration that he’d won the argument, Nathan nodded with a casual smile. One of the guys blatantly flirted. But she walked away from the table as quickly as she’d come, returned to her seat, and became engrossed in something online. She’d finished her drink and believed a rendezvous with the handsome stranger a lost cause until she’d reached the door, felt a hand on her shoulder, and turned to find that same sexy, self-assured smile from across the room now on display in front of her.

They’d gone to dinner the next night, and dancing the night after that. The following weekend they’d enjoyed a neo-soul concert and the weekend after that they’d enjoyed each other. Nathan was a skillful, thoughtful lover, which she’d expected. What she hadn’t expected was to develop real feelings for him. Nor had she expected such feelings to be reciprocated.

No, that hadn’t been a part of the plan at all.

 

Her ringing cell phone brought Jessica out of her musings. Seeing the name on the caller ID only further muddled her mood. “Hey.”

“Hey. What’s wrong with you?”

“Nothing.” A sigh and then, “just thinking and wondering what all this is about. And why you can’t explain.”

“My limited communication has to be frustrating. I know it’s a lot to ask but please, just trust me. Okay? How was Thanksgiving?”

“He has a nice family.” This elicited a snort and a curse word from the other end. “I knew you’d react that way, but it’s true. His mother was very nice to me, his sister, too.”

“Sounds like you’ve made quite the impression. His taking you around the family is a sure sign that he’s falling for you, that he trusts you. His absolute trust is very important.”

“That’s just it, Sissy. His trusting, caring nature makes your intense dislike for him uncomfortable to hear. That and the fact that I’m falling in love with him.”

“That’s real peachy, but
love
has nothing to do with why you’re with him. Then again”—a humorless laugh spilled from the phone’s speaker—“I guess it does.”

“Being with him over the holidays showed me that what I’ve never had but always wanted is possible, a close-knit, happy family. I used to talk about it. Remember?”

“Yes, in those letters we traded before I got caught. You always were the dreamer, the believer in fairy tales. But as your ex clearly showed you, life is not a storybook that ends with happily ever after, and blood is thicker than water. The man you now think is Mr. Wonderful is part of the reason I’m here. Remember that.”

Tension crackled like wood in a fireplace, heated by seconds of angry silence.

Jessica sighed. “I still don’t know what you want.”

“What I’ve always wanted: for us to be together and for you to be okay. That’s what all of this is about.”

Jessica smiled. In these infrequent, tender moments with her sister she felt protected and loved.

“I’ve got to go, but I’m sending you a letter. Read it for fun, like how we communicated when we were in different foster homes. Understand?”

“Yes. I got it.”

“Good. This is a huge favor, Jessie, and you’re the only one I can ask for help. Trust me when I tell you it’s the only way I can get out of here so that we can be a true family again.”

“I want that more than anything but . . .”

“But what?”

“Not knowing what you need is making me nervous.”

“It will soon be made very clear.When it does please,
please
don’t change your mind.”

“You’re the only family I have left in the world. Whatever you need, I’m here.”

“N
ate Carver.” His voice was all business as he eyed the unknown caller ID on his dashboard.

“Nathan, it’s Renee.”

“What’s up, Renee? This is a surprise.”

“Yeah, I was hoping you’d pick up. Sherri gave me your number. I hope you don’t mind.”

“Not at all. What’s going on?”

“Thought I’d call and check on you. All the snow and ice . . . for Atlanta that’s crazy!”

“It was pretty bad earlier in the week. The streets are fine now.”

“That’s good. I wish I could bottle this eighty degree weather and send it to you.”

“We could use it right about now. What else is happening in Sin City?”

“Not much; just sitting home bored on a Friday night.”

“A pretty lady like you? That doesn’t sound right.”

“Brothers don’t know what they’re missing.”

“They need to recognize.”

She laughed. “I tried to get your attention at Sherri’s house. But you were preoccupied.”

Nathan switched the call from his car to his earbud, parked in front of a wine shop, and went inside. He entered the aisle stocked with a variety of cabernet sauvignons and eyed the labels.

“I’ve been known to leave men speechless but . . .”

“Sorry about that. I just walked into a store for a bottle of wine.”

“Romantic night planned with your girl, Jessica?”

“Something like that.”

“I still can’t get over you being with someone like her.”

“That’s what Sherri said. Is she the other reason why you’re calling?”

“Yes and no. We barely talked in Virginia. I wanted the chance to really catch up. It wasn’t until we were together at Thanksgiving that I realized how long it had been since I’d seen you, and that Sherri’s baby brother is all grown-up. You’re my main reason for calling. But since you mentioned it, your sister and I got the same impression about your friend.”

“She told me how y’all felt about her. Hold on a minute.” He swapped calls. “Hey, baby.”

“Where are you, Nate?”

Jessica’s light and flirty voice put an instant smile on Nathan’s face. “On my way home, ready to shut out the world and spend time with you.”

“I’m ready for you, too. And I have a surprise.”

“Oh really? What?”

“Ha! Good try. It’s a surprise, silly, but I think you’ll like it.”

“I can’t wait. Hold on, Jessica. Let me end this other call.” He switched again. “Renee, I need to take this.”

“No worries. We’ll talk later.”

“All right. Good-bye.” After choosing a bottle he walked to the counter, once again tapping the screen. “Baby, you there? Hello?”

She wasn’t. Nathan paid for the wine, returned to his car and sent Jessica a quick text. Even with rush hour traffic, he was home in ten minutes.

It had been a busy week since the Thanksgiving celebration in Virginia. For Nathan and the consulting firm where he was employed, it was time to wrap up cases for the year and handle all the business that could be concluded before December 23rd, when the entire firm shut down for the holidays. His boss, Broderick Turner, had been increasing his responsibilities for the past three months. Nathan relished the challenge, but it was time to unwind. He’d put in a grueling twelve-hour day and was looking forward to a quiet evening of takeout, movies, a bottle of wine, and good loving from the woman he’d not seen all week. He placed a food order with instructions that it be delivered in an hour, stripped off his clothes, and headed to the shower.

Is that my doorbell?
Nathan turned down the gushing showerhead and cocked his head toward the door.Another sound of the chimes had him turning off the water and reaching for a towel. No more than five minutes had passed since he stepped in the shower; too early for either Jessica or the food to have arrived. Curious, he looked through the peephole, then opened the door.

“You’re early.”

Jessica untied the belt wrapped around her waist. The coat fell open. Besides high-heel boots she wore nothing but a smile. “I couldn’t wait.”

The temperature was dropping but Nathan heated right up. He stepped back and dropped his towel. “Well, come on in.”

Their “greeting” took almost an hour, leaving just enough time for a quick duo shower before the food arrived.

After he donned PJ bottoms and she the top, they went into the dining room. “Hope you’re hungry.”

“Starving.”

“Can you grab the wine? It’s on the kitchen counter.”

“Sure.”

He pulled lasagna, garlic bread, and salad from the bags. She returned with the bottle and two glasses. They made their plates and dug in.

Jessica swirled a piece of bread in the thick sauce. “This is delicious, Nate.”

“I agree.” He licked his fingers. “Tastes almost as good as you.”

The look she gave him was filled with love. “I missed you.”

“It was a busy week. I’m glad it’s over.”

“Did you finish everything you wanted?”

“No. It’s going to be crazy until Christmas.”

“I just hope it doesn’t snow anymore.”

“I wouldn’t count on it. I believe another cold front is supposed to move in next week.” He reached for more salad. “Maybe we should move to Vegas, where Renee lives. She told me it was eighty degrees over there.”

Placing down her fork and picking up her napkin were Jessica’s only outward displays of her inner angst. “When did you talk to her?”

“Today,” Nathan said around a forkful of lasagna. “I love the spicy sausage they add to this dish. Do you think you can make this, baby?”

“Maybe, if I cooked.” She took a sip of wine. “I didn’t know you and Renee were so close.”

“I told you she is my sister’s BFF. I’ve known her since high school.”

“Hmm.”

“What does that mean?”

Jessica shrugged. “I just didn’t know you guys talked, that’s all.”

“We normally don’t. She heard about the weather and called to see if I was okay.”

“How thoughtful of her.”

Nathan paused, reaching for his own wineglass. “Do I detect a little jealousy?”

“Would you think less of me if I said yes? I trust you, but her calling you has me feeling some kind of way. I don’t have the best track record with women, or with men who have them as good friends.When we met, it was clear that she didn’t like me all that much.”

“Baby, you have to understand something. She and my sister are used to seeing me with loud, aggressive women. Women who are more like Renee.” He reached over and ran a finger down her cheek. “You’re quiet—reserved, is how Sherri described you. It’ll just take them a while to adjust to your personality, that’s all. Once they get to know you, I’m sure they will love you just as much as I do. Well, probably not that much, but they’ll understand why you’ve stolen my heart.”

Jessica reached for her wine and relaxed against the chair with a satisfied smile. “Is that what I’ve done?”

“Right out of my chest, and I’m not even going to file a police report. Because you’re the sexiest thief I’ve ever met.”

Placing down her glass, she walked around to Nathan’s side of the table and sat on his lap. “I really want the acceptance of your family and friends,” she said, placing kisses on his cheek, chin, and mouth while grinding against his burgeoning erection. “But knowing you love me is what’s most important. You mean the world to me.”

Nathan reached beneath the pajama top and tweaked her nipple to hardness. “Don’t worry about them, baby. You’ve got this.”

B
right sunlight crept between the blinds. The day lived up to its name. Nathan ran an errant hand across the bed, seeking warm flesh. A cold sheet greeted his palm. His eyes popped open.Then he remembered. Jessica left earlier to go home, take a shower, and put on that which was delightedly missing when she showed up Friday night. He lazily pulled the cover over his naked torso, watching a mental replay of the love they’d made using different positions and almost every room. There’d been plenty of women in Nathan’s life, a couple of them continued to call even now, long after the romance had ended. But when it came to giving pleasure, all of them together didn’t match one Jessica Bolton.

Just as he decided to roll out of bed and take a shower, his phone rang. He checked the ID and pushed the speaker button. “Good morning, Mom. How’d you know I was planning to call you?”

“Because you’re always planning, just don’t get around to doing it too much.”

“Aw, Mom . . .”

“Just teasing you, Son. Good morning. I hope it’s not too early.”

“Never for you. How’s life in North Carolina?”

“I’m blessed, honey. Just returned from the eight o’clock service with Constance. The pastor was on fire today!”

“I’m glad you enjoyed it. And you said with Ms. Riley?”

“Yes, she’s back here checking on her house. You know she decided to rent it out instead of sell it, said she might move back some day.”

“She was a great neighbor and is a good friend. But I’m sure she’s enjoying her family in St. Louis.”

“Oh yes. There’s nothing like grands and great-grands to make us smile. Of course, where some are concerned I’m still waiting.”

“You have Aaron and Albany. You’ll always be a grandmother even if I never have kids.”

“Hmph. Speaking of Sherri’s kids, have you talked to her?”

“No, not this weekend.”

“Well, she’ll be calling you. They want the family down to the island for Christmas.”

Nathan got out of bed and reached for his bottoms, considering what his mother had said. He’d only visited the Bahamas once since his brother-in-law had bought his sister a house there. “That sounds great, Mom. Let me talk to Jessica and see if she can get the time off.”

“How is your girlfriend?”

“She’s fine.”

“Tell her I said hello. She seems like a nice girl.”

“We’re going to brunch in a bit. I’ll be sure and tell her.”

He and his mother talked for several more minutes and when the call ended, he decided to call his sister.

“Hey, Sis. I hear that for Christmas we’re Bahamas bound.”

“So you can make it. That’s great, Nate!”

“Yes, our office shuts down until after the New Year. I just have to make sure Jessica can get off.”

“Oh, she’ll be coming with you?”

Nathan barely paused before he answered. “Of course.”

Jessica paired skinny jeans with a cream-colored mohair sweater. Her shoulder-length hair hung loose and she wore no makeup. Looking at the clock, she realized it had taken her less than an hour to shower and dress.

She walked back to her condo, flipping through several pieces of mail. Coming to one postmarked from North Carolina stopped her in her tracks.
Sissy’s letter!
She hurried to her door, throwing down the other pieces of mail as she entered, and ripped open her sister’s letter.

Hmm . . . nothing so far.
Sissy’s second paragraph detailed an incident that never happened. Confusing, until Jessica again tried the code. The average person would see a silly childhood story, but using the system Sissy had created, Jessica began to decipher the message within the message—the huge favor her sister needed that only she could do. Her jaw dropped, along with her stomach. To call this favor huge was a
huge
understatement. She stared at the paper in disbelief.
What the hell?

She read the entire paragraph again, then focused on the sentences where the real reason for Sissy’s letter was deftly hidden.

Jessica clenched the paper as she walked to the couch and sat. Surely there’d been a mistake. Perhaps Sissy forgot the numerical sequence to create the secret message.
Maybe I forgot how to read it.
Wishful thinking; Jessica knew this wasn’t true. When she was nine and living with a foster family in the countryside, then fourteen-year-old Sissy moved nearby. Jessica had been surprised and thrilled to see her at the local store. In a strange twist of fate, Sissy had been placed in a group home less than three miles away. Even stranger was the initial reluctance and final refusal of the foster mom to let them visit each other. That’s when Sissy suggested writing letters. She quickly created a code and taught it to Jessie. Only half a dozen letters passed between them before Jessica was caught with the foster mom’s biological son, Dennis, and abruptly moved to another home. Though lost long ago, those letters were special. Neither would ever forget that time, or the code. Sissy had made what she needed done very clear.

Jessica stood and paced the room.
How on earth can I do this?
But considering that the end result would be her sister’s freedom. . . how could she not?

The day she’d found Sissy’s contact information online and sent her an e-mail had been nerve-racking. The day she’d gotten a response had been the happiest one in a very long time. They went from e-mails to phone calls and enjoyed short, rare chitchats for almost a year. That all changed when Jessica’s controlling and possessive ex-husband broke into her inbox and read their exchanges. She still bore a small mark above her eye from that night’s “discipline.”

In a rare act of defiance, she had gone to the public library, created a fake Facebook profile and sent her sister a friend request. When Sissy found out about the physical abuse, she encouraged Jessica to end the marriage and said she would help. Two weeks later Jessica was living in Atlanta, and a few days after that they’d reconnected by phone. That’s when Sissy first alluded to needing a huge favor. And that’s when Jessica said she’d do it. To refuse never crossed her mind.

Returning to the couch, she read the letter a final time. The coded message made everything clear, just as Sissy said it would. The cryptic statements made during their phone conversations now made sense, the reason for secrecy obvious.The request caused Jessica to view everything that had happened since the Facebook friend request in a different light: the push from Sissy to leave Edwin and the money to do so, her suggesting Atlanta for relocation, the planned meeting with Nathan. Was all of that done because of what was in the letter, to put Jessica in her debt?

“Of course not,” Jessica whispered.
Sissy would never use me like that.
She walked to her computer and opened a Word document. After a general greeting and small talk mentioned simply to throw off the nosy, letter-reading guards—Jessica got to the point.

She ended the letter abruptly, a part of her heart already breaking.