Trust in Advertising (68 page)

“Vincent!” she sighed to herself, but when she turned around she found Paolo, Francesca, and Dante standing behind her.

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“
Ciao
, Lexi!
Come va
?”

“
Va bene, grazie
.” Lexi swallowed. She was going to have to start this presentation and needed to focus. Francesca came over and kissed her on the cheeks and complimented her on her dress. Lexi shook hands with Dante and Paolo. Both men smiled but also glanced at the table, seeming anxious to get a look at the final presentation.

“Where’s that man of yours?” Francesca asked with a twinkle in her eye.

Lexi knew she was blushing, but tried to play it off as no big deal. “He’s on his way. There was an accident on the bridge, or so he said. I think he just wants to make a grand entrance for you.”

While the men took their seats and examined the papers Lexi had set out, Francesca tipped her head toward Lexi and whispered, “I’m glad that horrible woman Jade was discredited in the paper today. She had the eyes of a liar.” She lowered her voice even more as she spoke. “And please tel me you have something on that Adria Parketti too. She puts her hands on my husband again and she’s going to get the
malocchio
.” Lexi had to stifle her laughter, imagining Adria’s demise at the hands of Francesca’s Italian curse. When Lexi winked, Francesca clapped her hands together and happily joined her husband at the table.

“We don’t need to wait for Vincent, do we?” Dante asked, impatiently glancing at his watch.

I trust you.
Vincent’s words drifted into Lexi’s head, and she went with her gut.

“Absolutely not. I know you’re busy. Let’s get started, and whenever he shows up, I’m sure he’ll fill in any holes I missed.” She hoped her voice sounded steady. Fortunately, she didn’t need to use any notes, otherwise they’d be able to see how badly her hands were trembling.

Dante leaned back in his chair, watching Lexi’s every move. His head occasional y nodded as she made a point, but other times he remained stone-faced and unreadable. Francesca was far more animated as Lexi presented, smiling and looking at her husband whenever Lexi said something she strongly agreed with. Paolo, like his brother, was reserved, but Lexi was encouraged by the smile that stayed on his face.

About five minutes into the presentation, Vincent slipped silently into the room. Lexi was so engrossed in the presentation that she didn’t even notice him at first. When their eyes finally met and she paused, Vincent shook his head and waved his hand, telling her to continue. It was her moment, not his. He slipped into a chair beside Dante, shook hands with him, and then assumed a similar 411

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pose and watched Lexi. He never offered an opinion, never corrected anything she said. He simply watched and occasionally gave her an encouraging wink.

When she finished, she stood at the head of the table, grinning from ear to ear. She glanced at Vincent, and her heart soared when she saw the pride in his eyes and he mouthed “great job” to her. The fact that he had allowed her this moment meant the world to her. He could have jumped right in and taken command of the presentation, but he didn’t. He stepped aside and let her show what she was capable of, not only to the Marradesis, but to herself.

While Paolo and Dante huddled in discussion, Vincent went over to Lexi and dipped his head to hers, whispering, “You took my breath away. You did it, Lexi. You did it.”

Deep down, she knew she had nailed the presentation, but to hear him say it was overwhelming. She wanted him in her life. It wasn’t the excitement of the moment telling her that, or the adrenaline that was coursing through her veins.

It was her heart finally screaming to be heard after days of silence. He drove her crazy, he pushed her to her limits, and yes, he did hurt her. But because of him she also was stronger, more confident. He made her believe she could do anything. He was a man who was more than his mistakes, and Lexi decided to trust that he would keep his word and never hurt her like that again. More than that, she felt loved beyond reason, beyond explanation, whenever he looked at her. There was nothing she couldn’t do with Vincent at her side, of that she was certain. Together they were better than they were apart.

She slipped her hand into his and felt like she had finally come home. “
We
did it, together.”

Paolo cleared his throat and stood up from the table. “We would like to thank you for the presentation. It was superb, and the amount of work and preparation you put into it showed. Lexi,
cara
, you were wonderful.” He walked around the table and kissed her on the cheeks, hugging her tightly before he held out a hand to Vincent. “Hang onto her,
capisce
?”

“
Si, grazie
.” Vincent gave a respectful nod to Paolo and wrapped an arm around Lexi. He turned to Francesca and Dante and said, “Thank you for giving us the chance to present our ideas to you. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us. We look forward to hearing from you.”

Francesca nodded at her husband and brother-in-law. Both men smiled as she confidently placed her hands on the polished conference table and stood up with a twinkle in her eyes. “
Congratulazioni
, we’d love to work with you on this idea.”

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“Really?” Lexi gasped without thinking, earning a chorus of laughter from everyone in the room.

While congratulations were exchanged amongst the group, Dante excused himself to get back to work, leaving Paolo and Francesca with Lexi and Vincent.

“What are you doing now?” Francesca asked. “I think we should celebrate. Are you both free for lunch?”

Vincent looked at Lexi, who nodded enthusiastically. “Absolutely.”

Paolo and Francesca went to make arrangements for lunch, finally leaving Vincent and Lexi alone for a few minutes. Lexi gnawed on her bottom lip, lost in thought, and Vincent tugged on the hand he still held in his, trying to get her attention. “What’s wrong?”

“I’m just wondering if all of this is real.”

Vincent pulled her into his arms. “Of course it’s real.”

“It feels like a dream,” she murmured into his chest.

He tipped her head back and stared deeply into her eyes. “You know, sometimes dreams do come true.”

“I’m beginning to believe that.”

His eyes closed as he pressed his forehead to hers. “I’m sorry.”

She patted his cheek and waited until his eyes opened again and met hers.

“I know. I forgive you. We need to talk.”

“First, this.”

Without warning, Vincent’s lips met hers, tenderly at first, gently showing her how much he had missed her. He held her in his arms like she was the most fragile thing on Earth, cherishing her. But soon, his reverence for her changed into a sensual fire between them. Passionate wasn’t a strong enough word to describe the kiss they shared. It was beyond that. It was … their forever. Her body melted against his as she deepened the kiss, pouring her heart into it. All the love, all the anger, and all her forgiveness was wrapped up into that one, unforgettable kiss.

Lexi’s hands were woven deep into Vincent’s hair, their mouths locked together as if their very lives depended on it, when the door to the board room opened and Francesca stuck her head in. “
Andiamo
!” she said. But then she saw the position Lexi and Vincent were in. “Ahh,
l’amore
.”

The two broke apart, grinning like fools. “We’re ready, Francesca.” Lexi laughed, giving Vincent’s hand a reassuring squeeze and wiping her lipstick off his face. “Let’s
eat!”

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Lunch was an extraordinary celebration. They went back to Bravo where Angelo created the most extravagant meal Lexi had ever eaten. Course after course paraded out from the kitchen, each more decadent than the last. Dante and Paolo couldn’t stop talking about the campaign and how excited and intrigued they were by the proposed twist on the Marradesi Cosmetics image.

While they discussed business, Vincent’s arm wrapped around Lexi’s chair, and she settled back into his embrace. It felt good to finally be herself with him, to enjoy being with him, without other things or people looming over their heads.

Both of them felt free for the first time in ages, and it showed.

Vincent smiled at the conversation round him, but Lexi could tell that his mind was somewhere else. And it seemed he craved physical contact with her—his hand frequently brushed against her shoulder and touched her hair. Her body responded by curling towards his, desiring the contact as desperately as he did.

While Paolo and Dante discussed their latest real estate acquisition with Vincent, Francesca watched the new couple with great interest, and a knowing smile spread across her face. Lexi laughed as Francesca pulled her close and proceeded to ask probing questions about her and Vincent’s relationship. She said she saw the chemistry between them and didn’t let up until Lexi admitted she’d had a crush on Vincent since high school, which only spurred the woman’s interest on more. “
Due
dimezza
. Two halves.” Francesca pointed between Lexi and Vincent, smiling. “He is the one. He’s your soul mate.”

“Shh,” Lexi whispered, shaking her head and blushing.

“What?” Francesca said in her thick accent. “You love him. Don’t deny it.

I see it all over your face. I told you last time he had love in his eyes for you. So what are you waiting for? Life is short and meant to be lived.”

“We have some things we have to work on.” Lexi’s eyes saddened.

“He hurt you,” Francesca said, and Lexi nodded in confirmation. “But you still love him?”

Lexi’s eyes met Vincent’s, and he gave her a confused smile, as if dying to know what the women had been huddled together talking about. But he gave them their space, only occasional y winking to let Lexi know he was watching her.

“I love him with all my heart,” Lexi whispered.

“Then tell him!” Francesca nearly shouted. She lowered her voice when people from the next table turned in their direction. “People spend their entire 414

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lives in search of what the two of you could have together. Men have killed for it, women died for it. Do not waste this chance. Even if it doesn’t work out, at least you tried. I think the only mistakes we can make are ones where nothing is learned. You teach him, let him learn. Love him while he does.”

Lexi found Vincent smiling adoringly at her, as if every breath she took was somehow fascinating to him. She also noticed the sexy way his eyes would darken as he gazed at her lips. His fingertips grazed the center of her back sending a shiver down her spine. Only Vincent could do that to her.

He leaned closer and whispered in her ear. “What are you two talking about?”

Lexi turned and kissed him on the cheek, just because she could. “Boys.

Now leave us alone.”

Vincent chuckled. “Talk about boys all you want, when you want to talk about men, I hope my name comes up in the conversation.” He kissed the top of her head and slid back into his chair.

“
Marone
! He looks at you like he’s hungry for you. Go, be with your man.”

Francesca turned to her husband and smiled. “You and Dante have a conference call within an hour. We need to get back to the office because if we’re late, we’ll never hear the end of it.”

Everyone stood up and said their goodbyes. Dante graciously invited Lexi and Vincent to come to Italy in a few months to see their new villa once they finished the renovations. He promised them the trip of a lifetime. Paolo again thanked Vincent and Lexi for their work on the campaign and expressed his excitement about getting started. Francesca hugged Lexi, insisting she call her next week so they could go to the spa while she was in town. Lexi blushed and agreed. Vincent got a pat on the cheek and a few words of wisdom whispered in his ear before the trio left the restaurant and went about their day.

Vincent wrapped his arm around Lexi’s shoulder and led her to his car.