One Love (4 page)

“
Well? Where did you see
her,” Evan asked.

“
Karin and I went to New
Orleans. We were at the Saenger.”

“
Whoa. Wish I could have
been there for that introduction.” Evan whistled softly.

“
Lanessa didn’t see me. And
I was not going to wave my arms to get her attention,” Alex said
with force.

“
I see.”

“
Okay, now what is that tone
of voice?”Alex twisted the towel in his large hands.

”
Well, seems to me you could
have said hello. Like you told me, she’s out of your blood.” Evan
raised his dark eyebrows.” Right?”

“
Definitely.” Alex stood up
and started for the locker room.” So why even go there? I’ve had
enough drama with that lady.”

Evan snatched up his towel and bottled
water. He fell in step beside him after a few long strides.” I
think--

“
Drop it,” Alex
said.

Evan held up a palm. “It’s
dropped.”

Alex strode to his locker. With a
quick twist of the key, he banged the metal door open. Evan had
touched a sore spot. That there was such a spot had him more upset
with himself than his friend. Exciting. That word hummed along with
her name in his mind. Lanessa had a way about her, a spark that
ignited intense heat within him. He’d been convinced that those
embers were dead. But then he saw her. With a few short steps they
would have been speaking to each other. Alex clenched his jaw
tight. He got into the shower and let the warm water cascade over
his head. Was he a masochist or what? He and Lanessa had no
business being within miles of each other. As a couple they were
pure poison. Better to keep distance between them. Later as he
dressed, Alex became surer that he had the right attitude. Though
he exchanged banter with Evan, his thoughts were not so far from
Lanessa.

Evan parked in the driveway at Alex’s
house.” I’ll see you later.”

“
Okay. Listen, I didn’t mean
to get an attitude with you earlier. It’s just...” Alex shrugged.”
I’ve moved on.”

“
Yeah, right.” Evan nodded.”
I understand.”

“
I’m glad she’s doing okay.”
Alex made the comment sound casual, he hoped.

“
Uh-huh.”

“
From what I could see she’s
moved on, too.” Alex felt the muscles in his neck tighten. He had a
picture of the man who’d stood next to her smiling.

“
She was with some guy.”
Evan gazed at him searchingly.” I got it.”

“
What? You think I care?
Well forget it,” Alex burst out. He knew instantly he’d spoken with
too much force.” I mean, we’re both happier now. And that’s good.”
Alex opened the passenger door of Evan’s Lexus.

“
If you say so.” Evan looked
at him, head to one side.

“
You’ve got something to
say, so out with it.” Alex readied himself for a debate.

“
Not me.” Evan shook his
head.” You say she’s out of your life, I accept that.”

“
Fine.” Alex was irritated
by his response rather than pleased.” She is.”

”
Great. You can look forward
to a life of quiet stability with Karin,” Evan said.

Alex flinched at the way he’d made it
sound. He might just have used the words boring, monotonous or drab
routine.” Nothing wrong with quiet times.”

“
If that’s what you like.
Well let me get outta your way.” Evan grinned.” I’m sure you have
some thrill-a-minute evening planned at a lecture.”

“
Funny man,” Alex retorted.
He shut the car door with a solid thump.

Evan gave him a final wave and drove
off with a big grin. Alex felt grumpy for hours after.

***

Lanessa scanned the dining room. She
had to admit her mother and the Links Charity Committee had done a
fabulous job. White tablecloths covered tables arranged around the
L-shaped room of the private club. A jazz quartet from the Southern
University famed music department played smooth tunes. As she
watched the crowd, Lanessa also had to admit that Clarice had been
right- this was the best place to make business contacts. Lanessa
had decided for sure when she’d learn of the Paxton-Waite
connection. For reasons she did not quite understand, it bothered
her. Dawson and Hargrove seemed to be working very hard to get in
good with just the right people. Yes, it was standard business
practice. Yet there was something almost devious about the two men.
Lanessa shook her head and sipped more coffee from the china cup.
Maybe she was being paranoid again.

“
Darling, you look stunning.
Doesn’t she look well?” Mrs. Harrington-Height gushed in a too loud
voice.

Lanessa was embarrassed.” Thank you.
How is Larry these days?”She had been in school with her
son.

“
Still winning all kinds of
awards for his architectural designs.” Mrs. Harrington-Height moved
closer to her.” I’m so glad to hear how well you’re doing.” She
patted Lanessa’s shoulder.

This oblique reference to her recovery
was something Lanessa had grown used to in the last few years.”
Thanks,” she murmured. She put the cup to her lips to keep from
saying more.

“
I do hope our serving
alcohol doesn’t bother you,” Mrs. Harrington-Height said in a
confidential voice.

“
No, drink up. I’m okay.”
Lanessa could have said that the plump woman had one too many
glasses of wine already.

”
That’s a load off my mind.
You mingle, dear. Lots of people here don’t know about... You know,
that unfortunate incident.” Mrs. Harrington-Height blinked her
large eyes at her.

“
You mean when I got drunk,
bashed a guy on the head then crashed my BMW?” Lanessa said
matching her confidential tone.” Honey, in this crowd anyone who
didn’t know was probably told within minutes of
arriving.”

“
Oh my! I wouldn’t, I
didn’t—I’m sure you’re wrong.” Mrs. Harrington-Height glanced
around desperately for an escape route.” Excuse me, must attend
to...” Her voice trailed off without finishing her sentence. She
waddled away.

“
Lanessa, really!” Clarice
spoke right over her shoulder causing Lanessa to jump.

“
Gracious,” Lanessa said.”
Why are sneaking up on me?”

Clarice ignored her question.” Harriet
Harrington-Height is extremely well connected. Don’t be flip with
her. She could be of great help to your business.”

“
Yeah, yeah,” Lanessa
muttered. Once again Clarice was right. This was getting to be a
creepy trend.” I was just being honest about my past.”

”
Not everyone in the world
knows about the Twelve Steps, Lanessa. Harriet was trying to be
sensitive to your feelings,” Clarice scolded.” Now you go over
there and make nice to her.”

“
Oh mother--” Lanessa
groaned.

“
Her youngest daughter is an
attorney. Harriet mentioned she needs someone to do background
research occasionally.” Clarice tilted her head back to stare at
her oldest daughter.” Now go.”

Gaye Height-Jackson was part of a
successful law practice with two other African-American women. They
were on the way up. Lanessa steeled herself and plastered on a
smarmy expression.

“
I’ve been through worse I
guess,” she said under her breath.

“
That’s the spirit,” Clarice
shot back. She gave a curt nod as she watched Lanessa walk
away.

Lanessa made her way through the
well-dressed crowd. She took the opportunity to schmooze with the
movers and shakers in black Baton Rouge society. More than once she
stopped to exchange business cards. Lanessa was in a much better
mood as she got closer to Mrs. Harrington-Height. Her target stood
in a clump of designer dresses and suits. A tall woman she’d met at
a Chamber of Commerce meeting stopped Lanessa. After a few moments
of chitchat, Lanessa continued on. A stocky man moved aside and
Lanessa realized who was standing next to the woman. As though on
cue, Alex stared directly into her eyes. There was no escape this
time. Feeling as though she was under a gigantic spotlight, Lanessa
stood still. The voices and music seemed muffled. He was four feet
ahead. What else could she do but keep going?

“
Hello,” Alex said as she
came close.

Lanessa felt a small shock at the
sound of his voice. It was the same, smooth and deep.”
Hi.”

“
Dear, this is... What am I
saying? You know each other.” Mrs. Harrington-Height giggled. She
held another goblet of red wine. Obviously their earlier encounter
was forgotten.

“
Yes, we do,” Alex
said.

“
Yes.” Lanessa could not
tell if her voice had been above a strangled whisper. Her throat
felt tight.

“
Come, come. We were just
talking about the ball season. I’m sure the Deltas are going to
outdo AKA this year.” She glanced from Alex to Lanessa.

“
My mother would disagree.”
Alex still looked at Lanessa.

“
Yvonne and I have such fun
picking at each other.” Mrs. Harrington-Height giggled again.” Are
you AKA, dear?”She pulled looped her arm through
Lanessa’s.

A subtle hint of his cologne floated
to her as Lanessa came within inches of Alex.” No, I’m not Greek.
Just not a joiner,” she smiled weakly.

Mrs. Harrington-Height rattled on
incessantly. She did not notice that Lanessa and Alex offered only
token responses. Lanessa hoped she did not look as dazed as she
felt. Her insides were twisted up by a jumble of emotions. She
wanted to escape and be alone with him. A desire to be the cool,
sophisticate warred with her desire to be emotional. In the space
of five minutes she was a basket case. At least Mrs.
Harrington-Height stood between them and kept the conversation
going. Now all Lanessa had to do was find an opening to exit stage
left.

“
There’s Trey Brown from
Senator Guidry’s office. He’s been such a help. Excuse me.” Mrs.
Harrington-Height darted off.” I’m going to say hello,” she called
over her shoulder.

Lanessa gasped with
surprise. She gazed after Mrs. Harrington-Height with a sinking
feeling.
That was supposed to be my
line!
Alex cleared his throat and her
stomach knotted even more.

“
How’ve you been?” Alex
said.

“
Good.” Lanessa worked on
slowing her heart rate.

“
And you?”

“
Just fine.” Alex sipped
from the glass in his hand.” Congratulations on opening your
business. I hear you’re doing well.”

”
Yes. Well... it’s taken
time just like any new small business. But I’m pleased
overall.”

Lanessa congratulated
herself on being coherent. If only his cologne did not mix with his
deep voice to set her senses ablaze.
Just
keep looking around the room. Don’t stare into his eyes.

“
I’m glad everything is
working out for you,” Alex said.” Really.”

Something in his voice made her glance
at him. His face showed sincerity with no trace of anger.” Thank
you,” she said softly.” That really means a lot to me.”

Alex stared at her for several
seconds.” It’s true.”

She steadied her breathing
and reminded herself that he was in love with someone else
now.
Get it together, girl. He’s just
being charitable.
Lanessa managed a polite
smile.

“
And I’m happy about your
success, too. Folks say Alex St. Romaine is Advance Tech,” Lanessa
said in a crisp business tone.

“
My boss might disagree with
that.” Alex shook his head with an amused expression.” There are
ten other employees, you know.”

“
You’re setting the pace
when it comes to data systems integrated with online resources.
Tell me about it.”

Lanessa wanted to stay on a neutral
business subject. That should help douse smoldering embers from the
past. Alex went on to tell her about computer systems that might
help her do research. As he explained the latest database
technology, Lanessa wrestled with seeing him only as a colleague.
She began to believe she had it under control until he smiled at
her.

“
So you see, we might be
able to help you later on.” Alex nodded to her with an air of eager
helpfulness.

Her pulse rate edged up again.” I can
see how you moved up to senior VP so quickly. Knowledge and
salesmanship.” Lanessa worked on getting her pesky reaction back in
check.

“
We have a great team. We
all play off each other’s strength.”

“
See? A true leader gives
credit to his staff. I always admired that about you,” Lanessa
said. Immediately she wanted to kick herself.

“
I’ve always admired your
adventurous spirit. Starting a research service was really
innovative.” Alex gazed at her.

Lanessa let several moments pass
before she spoke.” Yeah, well being adventurous has gotten me in
trouble, too.” She avoided his gaze.

“
Everyone makes mistakes,
Lanessa,” Alex said softly.” But not everyone has the guts to take
responsibility.”