For Keeps (6 page)

Chapter Six

The minute Allie finished her presentation late Tuesday afternoon, she felt as though she were being buoyed by helium balloons.

Julie Nichols, founder and president of Valeti Cookies, smiled wide and nodded in approval. “Fantastic stuff. I knew I’d be happy I called you,” she said, tucking a legal pad into a brown leather shoulder bag.

Allie led her out into the modest yet expertly decorated reception area. “Please call me with any questions. I know that some of the creative is a little outside what you’ve been doing, but I think it’s important for you to be bold right now. Valeti is growing so quickly. You need to make sure people see a strong image.”

Julie grinned again. “As far as I’m concerned, this is all a formality. I still have to run everything by Greg and Nancy after they get back from their trip, but I know they’re going to love everything you showed me today. Great job. I’ll be in touch.”

Allie held the office door and silently squealed as it closed.

Patty the receptionist gave her a thumbs-up before answering the phone, “Flynn Agency. How may I direct your call?”

Allie strode into her office and glided into her chair, allowing it to spin once. “Holy shit,” she muttered to no one.

After several phone calls and a quick meeting with her art department, she hopped into a cab. It was a beautiful day, sun shining and warm, but not hot yet. She asked the driver to let her out a few blocks before her building to enjoy the day. Striding down the city sidewalk, she thought to herself that she’d never felt so accomplished in her professional life. Even nailing a big account at her old company wasn’t the same—it wasn’t hers and hers alone.

After she got home, she opened a bottle of cabernet, slipped into jeans and turned on some music. Standing at the fridge, she saw how badly her dinner options were lacking.
Salad or salad? I need to go grocery shopping, big-time.
Her phone buzzed on the kitchen island with a text from Cooper.

I can hear you down there.

Spying on me?

You’re so damn loud.

Sorry about the noisy corkscrew.
She snickered.

You have wine?

In hand.

I ordered pizza. I could feed you for once.

Is this a proposition?

Whatever you want.

Allie tapped the plastic case of her phone with her nails. Seeing Cooper could be the perfect ending to what had already been a damn good day.

He stood in his doorway listening to the telltale sound of flip-flops on the stairs. Allie reached the third floor with the bottle of wine in one hand and her half-full wineglass in the other.

“What took you so long?” he quipped.

Her entire face lit up when she smiled, putting his body, especially everything south of the waistband of his jeans, into launch mode. “Traffic was a bitch.”

His hands snaked around her waist the instant she was inside his apartment. He kissed her softly, drinking in the taste of her mouth before pulling back and licking his lower lip. “Merlot?”

“Cabernet,” she answered.

“I need to get you to teach me more about wine. I’m such an idiot with anything other than beer.”

“Tasting it on someone else’s lips isn’t exactly the preferred way to learn about it.”

“I don’t know,” he replied as the apartment intercom buzzed. He lurched for it and pressed the button. “I prefer it that way.”

Cooper paid the pizza guy and carried the box into the living room, the aroma of pepperoni filling the air. He placed the pizza on the coffee table where Allie had set out plates and napkins.

She patted the cotton cover of his futon. “Now that I’m sitting on this thing, I can’t believe you didn’t buy a real couch a long time ago.”

He put a slice of pizza on her plate and handed it to her. “I know. Typical lazy guy. The sad thing is that I fall asleep on this thing every night watching TV or playing video games.”

Allie looped her tongue around the melted mozzarella that bridged her mouth and pizza. It was the most enticing image he’d seen since they’d showered together a couple of days before. “Did you order anything other than the sofa and armchairs?” she asked.

“No. Why?”

“Lamps? Throw pillows?”

He cocked his eyebrow. “Sounds like your department.”

She shook her head in dismay. “Obviously Melanie didn’t do her job. She should have distracted you with her beauty while talking you into a bunch of expensive home accessories.”

“She was too busy trying to talk me into having a drink with her.”
Why the fuck would you say that?
He cleared his throat. “Not that I was interested.”
Nice save, asshole.

Allie shrugged, looking up at the ceiling as if pretending she didn’t have a care in the world. “I’m surprised. She’s beautiful.”

He hated seeing the uncertain look on her face. It was so unlike the Allie he adored. “She’s not that great.” That didn’t seem to improve the situation as she set her plate down on the table and wiped her mouth while avoiding eye contact. “You know, we didn’t get to have a real shopping date that day. Do you want to try again on Saturday? There must be some throw pillows that need a good home. I could take you to lunch.”

She managed half of a smile. “Okay. That would be nice.”

“Oh, I forgot to ask if you want to come by the new office on Friday night. We’re moving in on Thursday and having a little get-together with employees and their spouses and significant others.” His shoulders tensed as he realized he’d lumped her in with the wives and girlfriends when he and Allie had discussed no such thing. “I’d love to have you come. If you want. I mean, no big deal.”
Shut the fuck up. You’re being such an ass.

“Um, sure,” she answered with an uncharacteristic squeak in her voice. “Sounds fun.”

The call Allie had been waiting for came Friday morning. Valeti Cookies loved her initial proposal, officially wanted to hire the Flynn Agency and had already fired her old firm. Hours later, she was still having a hard time wiping the mile-wide grin off her face.

Her office line buzzed. “Ms. Flynn? Ian Tanner is on the phone for you.”

Allie’s heart balled up like an animal hiding from its mortal enemy.
Oh shit.
When her pulse sputtered back, it felt as if it couldn’t settle on a speed. “Did he say what he was calling about?”

“I asked, but he said it was private.”

“Okay. Thanks.” She sucked in a deep breath and pressed the button for line two. “Ian. What can I do for you?”

“Come now, Allie. Don’t I warrant a friendly hello?” The unflappable metallic tone of his voice sent chills through her.

“Fine,” she snipped. “Hello. How are you?”

“I’m wonderful. And you?”

Please. Can we just cut the crap?
“Fabulous. What do you want?”

There was a pregnant pause on the other end of the line. “I’m calling to congratulate you.”

No you’re not.
“Oh really? Whatever for?”

“I’ve known you too long to play these games, Allie. Valeti Cookies?”

She swallowed and held her chin high to bolster her confidence. “Yes, well, thank you.”

“Well done. Very well played too. Took them right out from under our noses. We didn’t even know they were unhappy. It would’ve been nice if they’d given us a chance to do better.”

“That’s between you and them. I only know your new creative team was coming up with some pretty weak concepts.”

“Of course, I’m not only calling about Valeti. Don’t forget you have two other new clients. Clients you stole from me.”

“I didn’t steal anything. Those clients sought me out. And they’re blips on the map compared to some of your new accounts. Didn’t you just sign another car company?”

“Allie, let me explain something to you.”

Please, yes. Fucking explain something to me.

“It’s all about perception in advertising,” he continued.

No shit, Sherlock.

“And right now, the perception is that Allie Flynn’s new agency is slowly and methodically stealing our clients.”

“Not my problem.” Heat flamed in her cheeks. “And these are three of your smallest accounts, none of them were happy, and they all came to me.”

“There’s a perception that I’m asleep at the wheel. Or even worse, people are starting to wonder if you and I are in cahoots. It’s not good.”

“If you want, I’ll buy a billboard that says that you and I have no involvement with each other whatsoever. I have no interest in the rest of your accounts.”

“Well, I have a great interest in you.”

“What is that supposed to mean?” A headache came to a rapid boil behind her eyes.

“It means that you’re making me look bad. Very bad. And the only way I can see to put an end to this is to acquire your agency. You retain your role as founder and president. We’d use you to work on some of the more boutique clients we have. Niche marketing, if you will. I could put a nice chunk of change in your wallet.”

“No way. Forget it. I’m just getting started. I’ve worked way too hard for this.”

“And I’m not accepting that as an answer. I went to bat for you when the new regime came on board. I’m the one who told them they were lucky to have you. I put my ass on the line when I insisted that you shouldn’t have to sign the noncompete clause on your new contract.”

The blood drained from her face. Ian had helped her fight that battle even when he’d known she was considering starting her own company. Not having to sign the noncompete clause had prevented a twenty-four-month hold on her plans. It was easily the most generous thing he’d done for her over the course of their relationship. “I’m sorry. You know I appreciate what you did for me, but I got these clients fair and square. I didn’t steal them.”

“I’m glad you acknowledge that I did you a favor. I think we can both agree that you owe me one.”

“I never said it was a favor and I don’t owe you a thing. Don’t forget that we were a couple at the time and that you’re the one that broke up with me. For another woman, I might add.”

He chuckled in the most dismissive way she could imagine. “God, I used to love it when you had one of your little temper tantrums. Your cheeks got hot and red and you always balled your fists. It was so cute.”

Are you kidding me?
“I’m hanging up now.”

“That’s not a good idea, Allie. You’re not the only one with a temper. You don’t want to make me angry.”

“Are you threatening me?”

“I would never do that, sweetheart. I’m trying to find a way for both of us to get what we want.”

Allie’s grip tightened around the receiver and her fingers went numb. “Don’t you dare call me sweetheart. I’m hanging up now. Goodbye.” After disconnecting, she buried her head in her hands and waited for her heart rate to return to a less erratic pace. Straightening in her chair, she shook her head while looking over the remainder of the day’s to-do list. “Fuck. I need a drink.”

She dialed her sister’s number and scratched off Andrea’s name in her planner as the phone rang.

“Allie, hey.”

“What’s up?” She cleared her throat to be rid of the shake in her voice. “I thought I would check in and see how you’re doing.”

“Sure you aren’t volunteering for the suicide prevention hotline now?”

Allie couldn’t help but laugh at her sister’s speedy quip. At least it made the sting of Ian’s phone call go away for an instant. “Not unless I have to.”

“No, I’m fine. Really. I’ve been busting my ass at work and I’ve been running like a madwoman on the treadmill. I own one now since Bill couldn’t find anyone to move it for him.”

“Nice.”

“It’s like every stride is a further step away from him,” Andrea said in an artificially wistful voice.

Allie rolled her eyes.

“Or some shit,” Andrea continued. “I don’t know. Let’s just say I feel a lot better. Hey, do you want to go out tonight? Two single ladies on the town. We can do our sexy twins routine and mess with unsuspecting men.”

“I can’t. I have plans.” She squinted, knowing her sister would never let her off the hook that easily.

“Work doesn’t count as plans.”

“It’s not work. It’s social. I’m going to my neighbor’s office party. He just moved into a new space.”

“Neighbor? Not Mr. Hottie.” She gasped.

Allie hesitated for a moment too long, calculating an answer, which was a total mistake.

“Oh my God,” Andrea blurted. “You have a thing with Mr. Hottie. Are you sleeping with him?”

She would have asked how Andrea always managed to know these things, but being a twin, the question wasn’t necessary. There were exactly zero secrets between them. “Uh, yeah, I am.”