TROUBLE 1 (6 page)

Saturday morning I wake to sewer breath and jack hammers in my skull, feeling more miserable than I’ve ever felt. This is all Gregory’s fault, and I’d tell him so if not for the fact that I never intend to see him again.

I mean, who does that to people?

When the jack hammer doesn’t stop, I sit up with a groan. Someone’s at the door, and the thought of getting vertical and answering it makes my stomach turn.

“Hannah! Open the damn door! I know you’re in there, and I’m not leaving.

Freaking Amber. I should have known she wouldn’t crack it for long, but I’d expected more from her than one night.

“What?” I whisper after throwing on a robe and opening the door.

She glares at me and shoves a suitcase my way, stepping aside to reveal Nana behind her, a huge grin on her wrinkled face.

“She’s soft, this one, Hannah girl, and I wouldn’t leave her to care for a rattlesnake. She hasn’t even given me breakfast. I have low blood sugar. I need my breakfast.”

I tilt my head back and groan before grabbing the suitcase and waving Nana in.

“Come on, Nana, let’s leave Amber to get back to her super important life,” I say, glaring at my sister as Nana shuffles in and makes a beeline for the kitchen. “You’re such an idiot. Jesus, you can’t look after a defenseless old lady for a few days without trying to starve her?”

“I found her in the kitchen smearing peanut butter on her face! She poured vinegar in my petunias, and she stays up until two in the goddamned morning singing Sinatra!”

“Oh, poor baby.”

“The peanut butter is for my wrinkles, and your petunias were already dead. I was trying to get rid of the decaying plant smell. And if you don’t like Sinatra, there’s something wrong with you!” Nana yells from the kitchen, making me smile despite the pounding headache in my eyeballs.

“Just go home, Amber. Oh, and I want my fucking money back,” I say, slamming the door in her shocked face.

“That girl is a menace, I tell ya,” Nana says, bustling around in the kitchen as I slump over the tiny kitchenette and pray for death. “Here, Hannah darling, have some water, and then Nana will make you a nice hangover cure,” she croons, stroking my hair softly.

I down the water with a smile and watch her cook breakfast and join me.

“I’m sorry, Nana, I should never have left you with Amber,” I say ten minutes later, when the grease has started sucking up some of the booze and the Godawful concoction she’s poured down my throat starts working.

“That’s all right, baby, I understand. You’ve got a lot on your mind right now.”

It’s a feeble excuse and I know it, but I appreciate it anyway.

“Sooo, want to tell me why you were smearing peanut butter all over your beautiful face?”

She chuckles and her eyes dance merrily, confirming my belief that she’s not so senile she’ll believe a dose of nutty goodness will cure her wrinkles. I say Nana is probably senile, but she’s still alert enough to run circles around the likes of Amber.

“She brought a man home last night, and I had to listen to them making the beast with two backs,” she says disgustedly. “No one should have to hear that, dear.”

I snort, remembering what I’d seen at the home. Double standard, Nana, total double standard.

“So you sang Sinatra at the top of your lungs and smeared yourself with good old peanut butter?” I laugh, seeing the humor in it even if Amber can’t. “What’s the big deal?”

“I happened to be singing in her bedroom without my bloomers on, dear. That caught their attention very quickly.”

I’m still laughing an hour later when we approach the park. I stop for a newspaper and water, and by the time we get there my arm's almost dead from the pound of bread crumbs she’s forced me to carry along.

I sit beside her and try not to notice when we’re swarmed by pigeons. Nana loves them, and after the morning she’s had I am not about to give her grief, even if I am afraid the birds will peck out our eyes and carry us away.

“So,” I say, waiting until she’s scattered half the bag. “If I find another home…”

I hear her sigh and hide the grin the sound elicits.

“Hannah, dear, is it too much to ask that I don’t have to die in an old person’s prison?”

Oh, she’s such a drama queen.

“You’ll outlive Satan, and you know it, you old crone,” I laugh, scanning the paper. “But I’ll make you a deal. If I can find an affordable caregiver, you can stay. If I can’t…you have to understand that there’s no way I can go to work and do my job while I worry about you. Last time it took me hours to find you when you went walkies.”

That had been terrifying. I’d come home to an empty apartment and no note or sign of her. To this day I will never forget what I felt as I’d roamed the streets searching for her. I’d eventually stumbled across her here in the park, but it had been so scary it still gives me the chills.

“Okay.”

“Okay?”

I’d expected more of a fight.

“Yes, dear. Although, could you go for someone with personality? I need stimulating conversation.”

I rather think, with the way she’s been picking up lovers, she’s had enough stimulation for her old heart, but I nod and go on reading.

That’s when I see it, and boy, when you know you’ve messed up…I’ve messed up, big time, and I am so angry and mortified it takes a monumental effort not to react as Nana keeps babbling.

There, staring at me from the gossip section, is a photo of Gregory staring heatedly at a woman. Who happens to be me. Wearing a stolen dress.

Shit.

I flick the paper closed with a tremor, feeling like an ostrich as I drop it to the bench and try to pretend it doesn’t exist. Not smart, but I’m still feeling crappy, and another disaster is not something I can handle today.

But ignorance is definitely not bliss, and I worry about that photo all day till I’m ready to scream. When Jordan sees it…shit.

As I get off the elevator and do the death march towards my office, I feel so nervous I can hardly feel my legs. Not only do I have to face Jordan, knowing what I know, but if he or his wife has seen the paper, I know I’m in for a tongue lashing.

I get to my desk and drop my purse in the drawer, eyeing the sofa. It’s still there, that goddamned dress, laughing mockingly at me, and I want to shred it or hit it or something.

After a deep breath and a huge pep talk, I peep into Jordan’s office. Good, he’s not here. He will be soon, but at least I have enough time to grab some coffee before he gets in.

“Oh my Lord, Han! You look like crap,” Lucy gasps when I look up from my cup to see her barrelling into the kitchen.

“Gee, thanks.”

“Did you see yesterday’s—”

My stomach cramps.

“Lucy—”

“I can’t believe Taz didn’t tell us!” she continues, flopping down at my desk. “I knew something was up when they brought the account to such a small agency, but I never would have guessed this!”

What? I can’t really track her words. I am tired and sleep-deprived. Nana, bless her, is more than a handful, and unless she was just getting back at me for Amber, I would say her singing shows are the norm. I’d woken at exactly two this morning with her singing at the top of her lungs.

And I wasn’t lucky enough to get Sinatra. No, I’d gotten Streisand, performed a note too high for aural comfort. So yeah, no sleep.

“Lucy. What the heck are you talking about?” I ask, shooing her from my chair so that I can flop into it and attempt to start my day.

The funny part of this is that a week ago I was as spick and span as a Stepford wife. No hang overs from a horrible sex night, no sleepless nights from Nana’s Vegas tour, and no nervous stomach from seeing myself wearing a stolen dress. I’d been perfect.

No, a week ago I had been in control of every single aspect of my life, and while I may not have been happy, exactly, it sure as hell beat what I’m feeling now.

I look and feel like crap, and I don’t know what’s going to happen from one moment to the next.

At least I got to tell Gregory Lucas what a douchebag he is.

Small consolation, but that is true. It makes me feel a little better, and I can damn well guarantee the man will never come near me again.

“I’m talking about the fact that Lucas has bought the agency! Lock, stock, and freaking barrel. Yates is staying on as VP, but from now on we’re going to be seeing a lot of him. He’s coming in to get things running smoothly. Apparently he’s some sort of financial genius, and he aims to get the agency back to its maximum potential.”

I don’t think I’ve heard correctly. I pray I haven’t as nausea and a not-too-small dose of dread hits me.

“He’s coming in today! I guess I shouldn’t be so excited. I mean, he’s hot and all, but totally off the market.”

“Huh?”

“I Googled him. I should have done it days ago. You’ll never guess who he’s engaged to. Selena Jeffries, of the New York Jeffries! I hope we get to meet her. I’m so excited.”

I’ll bet. I, on the other hand, feel as if my life has entered the twilight zone, and the normal, organised woman I
was
is currently flitting around in an alternate universe while I’m stuck living a practical joke.

I am a whore, a total slut, a home-wrecker. I’ve just banged a man who’s practically married.

Lucy leaves, eventually, thank God, and by lunch I’ve been summoned by Mr Yates. Jordan hasn’t been in yet, and as I think about what could be happening I am not even slightly worried about the dress any more.

My stomach has been tied in knots since Lucy’s little bomb, and I have a feeling as I exit the elevator that it’s going to get worse.

“Go right in, Han, they’re waiting for you,” Taz says, giving me a thumbs up.

They?

I enter the office and force myself not to freeze when I see him casually sitting on the deep brown sofa, a smile lining his lips.

“Mr Yates. Mr Lucas.”

“Good afternoon, Miss Newman. Have a seat, please.”

This is awkward, and not just because I told Gregory Lucas to go doodle himself. I can almost see the accusation in Yates’ eyes when he looks at me. I am not the only one who saw the gossip pages yesterday.

“As you already know, the agency is now a part of Lucas Enterprises. We’ve been looking for a partner for a while, and I’m pleased to say that we have now found one. Mr Lucas will be here for the next month as he restructures the company and oversees our relocation to the financial district, where Lucas Enterprises is based.”

We’re moving? Great, I’m going to have to get engaged to the goddamned subway just to get to work.

“Jordan is not coming back, Miss Newman, and as a result that leaves you at loose ends.”

Here it comes, I think, throwing a glare at my nemesis. Why I didn’t think this would get me fired is beyond me, but I should have known he’d throw a tantrum and have my ass kicked to the curb. I’m almost relieved, almost, as I keep my gaze trained away from him and breathe deeply.

“You will be moving up here for the remainder of our stay, to assist Mr Lucas until such a time as we can place you elsewhere. For now I would like you to assist Taz in the packing and organisation of the upcoming move.”

My brain has stalled and hooked on the first part of that statement. It’s only when I turn and look directly at Gregory that I know and believe what I’ve just heard.

“Miss Newman?”

I snap to attention and turn to Yates. I know what he sees: a woman in shock, horror, mortified. I’m speechless, and I know my face is telling the whole story as I gape at them.

Work for Gregory Lucas? No. I can’t…

“Perhaps you should give us a minute, Yates.”

I wait until we’re alone before turning back to him.

“I don’t want to work for you. Move me somewhere else or fire me.”

I can get another job, hopefully. What I can’t do is spend every day for the next weeks with this two-timing asshole without doing something I’ll regret, and I know it.

“No, Hannah,” he says quietly, walking over to kneel at my chair. “You’ll be with me every day until I’ve had my fill of you.”

Wait, what? Like I’m a bottomless Coke or something? He’ll drink till he’s full and then throw me away? Hell no.

“Mr Lucas—”

“You can’t argue here, Hannah. I hold all the cards. I tried to be nice about this and explain—”

“What, exactly?” I interrupt, trying to stand. “What did you want to explain? How about why you felt it necessary to treat me like a call girl? Why you slept with me in the first place? Because from where I’m standing—”

“I behaved poorly—”

“Ya think? Look, Gregory, just forget about it. Place me with another exec and do your thing with the company; I’ll do mine. This thing…whatever it was, is
over
.”

I am trapped in the chair and so conscious of his hand on my thigh. The sad truth of it is that no matter how disgusted I am by his behavior, my body is front and center, replaying the things he can make me feel.

Control, Hannah.

“I can’t do that. I want you,” he admits, and I see he likes that thought about as much as I do.

“You have a fiancée,” I say between gritted teeth. “We should never have slept together in the first place. You’re a
cheat,
Gregory Lucas, and you’ve made me one by extension. I don’t want this, or you, or anything to do with you,” I hiss, pushing with enough force that I’m able to gain my feet and back towards the door.

“Hannah—”

“Shove your job. I’ll get another one.”

There. I feel better already. Taking control back is a small victory because I know it’s costing me a job I can’t afford to lose, and that by this time next week I’ll probably be working a checkout counter if I’m lucky, but as I say the words I feel the familiar calm I’ve been searching for settle over me.

“You can’t do that. You have too much invested here to just walk out,” he insists in a low growl.

I can see he’s upset, that losing the advantage is not common practice and that he’s struggling to come back from my about face.

“I can. I can do whatever I goddamned want. I win,” I say, smiling icily as I reach for the door.

“Do you? What do you think your sister will say when I close the doors to Sweet Nothings?”

The question stops me in my tracks, and I turn slowly, knowing I’ve just lost the battle. Hell, it has been a losing cause since the beginning. Why I’d thought Gregory would play fair I can’t say. What I can’t figure is why he’s doing this at all.

“What?”

“I invested in her bakery. She’s doing a piss poor job of managing it, and I stepped in—”

“Why? Why are you doing this? Friday night told me loud and clear how much you don’t want me. I’m giving you an easy out, considering you’re engaged to another woman. Let me go.”

I taste bile as the words pass my lips and swallow back a stream of curses and recriminations. I am floundering here, trying to understand what the hell is going on, and no matter how hard I try I can’t get a handle on it. Or myself.

“Hannah.”

“No! You’re just being a sore loser! Why can’t you just leave me alone?” I yell, not caring if anyone hears.

He’s standing there, threatening me, blackmailing me to sleep with him again until he finally loses interest, and unless he changes his mind I know I have no choice. I’ll hate myself the entire time, and any liking for him that
may
still linger will turn into something I promised myself three years ago I would never feel again.

I don’t want to hate him.

Everything around me has become chaos, and instead of finding order I feel as if I’m sinking into quicksand.

“Please, Gregory.”

He closes his eyes for a second before opening them to pin me with a glare.

“The condom broke.”

# End of Part One #

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