The Prince Charming Hoax (12 page)

Leah rolled her eyes.
“
Oh, for goodness sakes. It
’
s not that far. And, you could take her for dinner or a snack before or after her class, you know. Besides, don
’
t you get enjoyment seeing her perform?
”

“
Yeah. Let me know when they
’
re having the real performance, and I
’
ll get a ticket.
”

Less than a year later, Richard married Marsha, a wealthy widow with two teenage daughters. Leah pressed Richard to maintain a closer relationship with Ali, who was convinced that her father had rejected and abandoned her.

He reluctantly agreed to have Ali at his house twice a month on weekends, but rarely made plans to spend time with her while she was there. He watched sports on television or played golf at Marsha
’
s country club during most of Ali
’
s visits and left her alone while she did homework or tagged along with one of Marsha
’
s daughters.
Once Ali got to high school, she started making weekend plans with her friends as excuses not to be with him. That seemed to suit them both, and Leah stopped trying to encourage a relationship between them.

After the divorce, Leah
’
s career flourished as an advertising sales rep, and
Healthy & Wealthy,
a new magazine that
targeted homeowners in South Florida
’
s wealthiest communities, hired her as marketing director. Leah regularly pitched doctors, lawyers, stockbrokers, realtors, and other professionals who could benefit from advertising to the niche market.

With her sign-on bonus and small savings, Leah had enough to purchase a small townhouse in Hollywood, about a mile from the ocean. Purchasing her own home with money she had earned was a big accomplishment. Leah felt she had finally achieved total independence.

One of Leah
’
s first big sales presentations for the new magazine was to Roxanne Stein at Oceanside Realty. Roxie later told her that the last thing she wanted to do was spend money on an ad, but she was impressed with Leah
’
s professionalism on the phone and the fact that Leah cold-called her for an appointment.

The deal was clinched when Leah walked into the appointment wearing an outfit that Roxie recognized from her favorite clothing boutique in Aventura, a wealthy section of North Miami.
“
I didn
’
t think they
’
d find anyone small enough to fit into that suit,
”
was the first thing she said to Leah when they met.
“
How long have you been shopping at The Alley?
”

Leah knew she had a sale right then and there.
“
Since it opened,
”
she replied.
“
They are one of the few places that carry stylish clothes in petite sizes. Although, I
’
d much prefer to be a model size, like you. I bet you can wear all their designer samples.
”

Leah left with a one-year contract for a full-page ad, two referrals, and a new friend. One of the referrals was Douglas D. Dowling, the bank manager of First Federation Bank. The other was Suzanne Michel, the chef/owner of a small bistro on Las Olas Boulevard.
Leah decided to call the bank manager and pass the restaurant owner on to one of her sales reps. Small retail accounts were generally more trouble than the commission was worth, while a good relationship with one bank branch could lead to multiple sales in other markets. As she dialed Douglas Dowling
’
s number, she wondered why she sensed she was making the wrong decision.

Chapter
11

When Leah walked in Douglas D. Dowling
’
s office for the first time, his secretary greeted her.
“
Mr. Dowling has been delayed in traffic, Ms. Gold. If you can wait, he should be here shortly.
”

Leah agreed to wait. She welcomed the opportunity to learn something about her prospect before she met him. She looked around the large office suite carefully for clues to his personality, but she was stumped. It was stylishly furnished with expensive wood furniture and comfortable leather chairs.
But the room lacked personality. There were no photos, no books other than reference volumes, one mundane print, and a few plaques and framed degrees hung unattractively on a wall. No plants, no flowers, and no sign that a person inhabited the space. Leah wondered if he was new in his position at the bank. This looked more like an extra office than one belonging to the branch manager.

“
Ms. Gold, thank you for waiting. I apologize for being late.
”

Leah stood up and turned around when she heard a booming voice behind her.

“
I
’
m Doug Dowling,
”
said a tall, thin man standing in the doorway.
“
I got stuck in a traffic jam due to construction on Biscayne Boulevard. I
’
m not that familiar with this area yet and didn
’
t know to avoid that road during mid-day as well as rush hours.
”

Leah
’
s first impression when she saw Doug was that his office suited him perfectly. He was tall with dark hair and wore a conservative, but expensive suit. Physically, he had no particular features that would set him apart from other faces in a crowd. His face was noticeably pale, and he looked like he could benefit from a day at the beach and a gym membership.

A real banker,
she thought.
Boring.

He strode across the room with an uneven, awkward gait and shook her hand before he sat down opposite her.

“
I didn
’
t mind waiting, Mr. Dowling,
”
she said. Wanting to take the lead, she continued.
“
So, you
’
re new to this area.
”

“
Yes, I
’
ve just relocated here from Boston, and I
’
m still adjusting to the traffic—and the climate.
”
He wiped his forehead with his handkerchief, stuffed it in his inside jacket pocket, and settled back in his chair.
“
You have my full attention,
”
he said and motioned for her to begin.

Leah was glad she had chosen to wear a blouse that tied at the neck under her close-fitting suit. His full attention seemed to include a full body x-ray. She met his gaze and resisted the urge to pull down her skirt.
“
From Boston, you said? I don
’
t hear even a trace of a New England accent, Mr. Dowling.
”

“
Call me Doug, please. No, I
’
m from New York, originally. Well, really New Jersey, but nobody likes to own up to that!
”

She smiled politely, and then leaned in toward the desk while she launched into her pitch.
“
Doug, since you are new to this area, would you mind if I took a few minutes to give you some background about my magazine and our subscription base?
”

She placed a media kit before him and opened it to reveal the demographics page.
“
Knowing who our readers are will make it clear to you why
Healthy & Wealthy
is the perfect vehicle for First Federation. You do want to reach your target market, don
’
t you?
”

He nodded.

Leah put on her glasses and launched into her well-practiced presentation. She had written the sales script herself and could easily adjust the pitch to each prospect, usually closing the deal in one meeting.

Leah felt she had a receptive audience. Doug seemed to hang on her every word. She decided to assume the close.

“
If you decide to go with the editorial option, I can guarantee you exclusivity among full-service banks in the Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach editions of the magazine. That means that although other banks can advertise, First Federation will be the only bank with a monthly financial advice column. That enables your bank to be positioned as the area
’
s financial services expert to some of the most affluent families in South Florida.
”

Leah pulled out a contract and started writing.
“
You can begin with a six-month option, but there are, of course, substantial discounts offered for a one-year commitment.
”
Leah stopped writing and looked expectantly at Doug, waiting for his affirmative response.

He cleared his throat.
“
May I call you Leah?
”

“
Of course.
”

“
Who will write the monthly column, Leah? I don
’
t have the time to do it in addition to all my other responsibilities here at the bank.
”

Leah cursed herself silently.
Damn, I should have first asked if he had any questions.
She smiled and nodded.
“
That
’
s an excellent question, Doug. We have a staff of writers who use information that the bank provides to write the articles. You will have a chance to review the material, just like proofing an ad. If you make any corrections, you
’
ll see a second proof before publication.
”

After a moment of silence, Leah asked,
“
Do you have any other concerns, Doug?
”

He played with her sales materials, flipping through a magazine and looking at sample layouts.
“
I
’
d like some time to think it over, Leah. Since I
’
m new to the area, I want to review all my options before making a final decision.
”

Leah looked in his eyes for clues as to what he was really thinking. The man has a real poker face, she thought, and started to pack up her presentation portfolio.
“
Of course. May I have your card so I can follow up with you? Do you think a day or two is enough time for your review?
”

“
Yes. Call me in two days.
”

She stood and put out her hand.
“
Here
’
s my card, Doug, in case you think of any more questions before I call you.
”

She picked up her portfolio and her purse and walked toward the door. Before exiting, she turned and looked back, knowing he was still watching her.

“
Can I ask you a question before I leave?
”

“
Certainly.
”

“
Is it the cost?
”
She stood her ground, not moving until he replied.

“
No.
”

“
I must have omitted some information that you need to make your decision. What is your concern? Perhaps I can put your mind to rest right now.
”
Leah knew that her chances of making the sale decreased dramatically if she had to make a second call to close.

“
The truth is, Leah, I
’
m hungry. I haven
’
t eaten yet today. Why don
’
t you join me for lunch and perhaps we can reach an agreement?
’

Leah hesitated. She wanted this sale badly, but she wasn
’
t sure if he was coming on to her or if he really was interested in her offer.
“
All right. I have about an hour until my next appointment. If we can grab a quick bite somewhere, I
’
d be glad to join you.
”
If it turned out that he was interested in something other than an ad, she had an excuse to exit quickly.

“
Then why don
’
t I ask Lauren to bring some sandwiches to the conference room and we can review the materials again? I think that would be much more comfortable. The restaurants around here are very crowded at lunch time, and we might not be seated for at least a half hour.
”

Leah knew she was trapped, but smiled pleasantly.

“
Sounds good.
”

Leah walked out of the conference room nearly three hours later with a one-year contract for a full-page editorial exclusive, purchase orders for a product brochure and newsletter, and a date for Thursday night.

“
Well, it
’
s not really a date,
”
Leah told Roxie later.
“
I told him about the monthly Chamber of Commerce meetings, and he asked me if I would take him to the next one and introduce him around.
”

After Roxie threw a barrage of questions at her about Doug, Leah realized that he had learned much more about her than she learned about him in their three-hour meeting and made a mental note to talk less about herself next time.

They met at the Chamber of Commerce networking meeting and stayed just long enough for Leah to introduce Doug around and leave some of her magazines at the sign-in table. When Doug suggested they leave and have a drink somewhere else, she accepted quickly.

While they drank Chardonnay, Leah studied Doug
’
s face and wondered what she found so appealing about him. She guessed he was about six feet two and one hundred eighty pounds—too tall and thin for her taste. His suits were strictly Brooks Brothers, and he appeared to be the perfect company man in every way, something she usually found dull. But she liked his blue-gray eyes, which sparkled when he laughed and seemed to penetrate her to her core.

Doug beamed at her.
“
Are you hungry, Leah? And would you like another glass of wine?
”
Before she could answer, he waved over to the waitress and ordered some snacks and more drinks.
“
Tell me more about how you came to take job at the magazine,
”
he prompted.

Although she had planned to use the meeting to find out more about him, she found herself talking about her new position and her plans to expand the advertising base.

He was receptive to her ideas and encouraged her to follow through with some of the business strategies she was considering. He was complimentary, while being totally polite. She no longer suspected he was only trying to get in her bed. Even though she was certain he was attracted to her, she felt he appreciated her intellect as well.

That
’
s it
, she decided.
I like that he likes what I
’
m saying.
After so many years of hearing Richard
’
s put-downs, it was a pleasant change to have a man think she was wonderful for her ideas as well as her looks.

They met again several times, and Leah felt her resolve not to get involved with another man so soon after her divorce melting. Doug seemed to be a good candidate for a possible mate. It was more than a decade since he ended his one, brief marriage, and he had no children. And his obvious attraction to her was very appealing. She liked being courted.

Leah decided to invite him for dinner so Ali could meet him. The evening was a huge success. Doug showed Ali the same rapt attention and respect for her ideas that he gave Leah. He admired her paintings and seemed to be knowledgeable about art history, a subject Ali was passionate about.

The next weekend Ali went away with a friend
’
s family to Disney World. Leah agreed to go back to Doug
’
s apartment after having dinner with him on Friday night. She was a little nervous, but looked forward to having sex with great anticipation. She had not been with anyone since her separation from Richard, and there
’
s only so much a vibrator could do.

After drinking wine and sitting on his couch for several hours waiting for him to make a move, Leah decided to take control. She unbuttoned his shirt and unzipped his pants while she kissed him. He lifted her sweater and undid her bra.

“
Let
’
s go into your bedroom,
”
she whispered.

Doug lit up and led her to the bed where they kissed and touched each other for a while, still half-dressed. Finally, Doug pulled off her panties. He got on top of her and entered her, his pants still around his ankles.