Straight to the Heart Read online

  “It’s the lawyer. Could you get everyone back in the room?” Brenda kept her angry glare as she resumed her stiff business persona.

  “Marty, we can move ahead with our plans. Stacy has hired someone to pretend to be her love interest for the short duration,” Brenda stated drily.

  Stacy squirmed. Brenda couldn’t have done a better job of reinforcing Omar’s role-playing. However, if she got wind of Omar’s change of plans, they’d still be in a raging debate. Hopefully Omar would let it be and would not hold on to his position stubbornly.

  “Good. Who’s the lucky person?” the lawyer asked.

  “Omar Masterson.” Brenda didn’t elaborate. Her mouth curled in a frown.

  “He understands what is expected of him?” Marty inquired.

  Brenda arched her penciled brows. “Yes. I’m sure he understands where we’re coming from. By the way, he’s also the one who’ll interview Stacy, so this is a good opportunity to use his resources.”

  Omar cleared his throat. “This is Omar. Glad to be of service. I’m sure my network will be surprised, but I’ll deal with my end of things.”

  “Okay, Omar, have your people call me if there are any issues. In the meantime, can you provide the final version of your first interview? I’ve also got to get with the movie producers because we had an agreement that there would be no information about the movie until the studios started their publicity machine. Well, let’s go do our things and put a stop to Antonio.”

  “Thanks, Marty,” Stacy said, truly grateful for her lawyer’s calm, reasonable input. Too bad he couldn’t be here in person. Tension crackled in the room, hinting at an impending explosion. She had no doubt that a new fight would break out between Brenda and Omar.

  Sure enough, after the call ended, Brenda turned toward them with her arms folded against her chest, her face fixed for a battle. But Stacy wasn’t in the mood. Plus she was a big girl. Brenda needed to stop treating her as if she didn’t have good sense.

  And Omar needed to wipe off his smug smirk. She couldn’t deal with their skirmishes. Just because he had delivered a knee-buckling kiss didn’t mean that she was willing to give in to his crazy proposal. At least the one ray of light was that he could serve as a diversion to her frustrations.

  “I’ve been in the business long enough to see stars crash and burn by the company that they keep. Then they look back at their life and wonder why they didn’t see the wreck coming,” Brenda said.

  “I respect your experience, Brenda. But you don’t have to worry about Omar taking advantage of me. We’re going to do this, get it over with and then Omar will go on to his next project.” Stacy walked to the door, letting both of them know that any further discussion was over. “Omar, when you’ve talked to your folks about the latest development, give me a buzz to tell me how it went. I’m filming a scene tonight at eight and I don’t know how late the session will be.”

  Stacy retired alone to her RV. The day had worn her out. It didn’t make sense to head to her hotel. Her mobile home served as a retreat from the hectic pace, the interior decorated with mementos to stave off homesickness. Lavender-scented candles decorated a path from the small sitting area through the dinette area to her sleeping quarters. Small framed photographs of her niece and nephew served as reminders that there was such a thing as a normal, happy childhood. As an added touch, she traveled with her assorted stuffed zoo animals that now took residence on her bed.

  A huge yawn overtook her. She was more tired than she’d thought. A nice long shower appealed to her before diving into bed and she took one with no dillydallying. Dressed in sweats, she gratefully sank into bed. The TV played, her ritual for falling asleep.

  Darkness didn’t agree with her too much; it was a time of day when her world as a teen had grown scarier and unpredictable.

  The few gigs she’d got had kept her out late. If she wasn’t dodging the drug dealers and the addicts, she had to avoid lecherous, much older men who couldn’t take no for an answer.

  A gang would have offered protection. She was never part of one, but was astute enough to know that she had to stay on the gangs’ good sides while she lived in the neighborhood. Crime had never attracted her—too stressful, what with cops performing raids on certain neighborhoods. Her family structure might have been downright shady, but she still had enough dignity and self-respect to avoid that slippery, hellish slope. Living in a juvenile home which had an assortment of the innocent and the not-so-innocent, Stacy didn’t need tough love from a loved one to keep her straight.

  Skirting the seedy side of life threatened her plans to be a strong, classy, independent woman. Only Antonio had known her one big secret. No one, not Brenda and certainly not Omar, could know, until the time was right. Omar would be in her life for a short period, but she cared about his opinion. A few stolen moments in his arms made her feel normal and desirable.

  What a fantasy, she thought, as she drifted to sleep.

  After the meeting, Omar checked in to his hotel. He’d planned on meeting Stacy and her team and then heading to the hotel before checking out the nightlife. In a scenario that fitted a TV sitcom, he had been insulted by Brenda, intimidated by the brawny assistants and roped into Stacy’s potential scandal. Well, maybe he wasn’t such a reluctant participant. Playing Stacy’s boyfriend wasn’t far from his wishful thinking.

  A quick taxicab ride brought him to the grand Royal Canada Montreal Hotel. The impressive building seemed to be lifted from the streets of Paris. UTP’s selection of a luxury hotel surprised Omar. Such amenities for him with his short tenure with the company shocked him. Maybe the secretary hadn’t realized the type of hotel when she scheduled the reservations. He grinned. There would be no complaint from him. Thankfully, his check-in process moved quickly. Within minutes, his footsteps echoed against the marbled floor. He looked forward to seeing his room, or suite, as the hotel clerk referred to it.

  The king-sized bed with crisp white linen called for his travel-weary body. No argument came from him. He threw himself back, groaning as his sore muscles protested before surrendering to complete relaxation. He couldn’t move if he wanted to. He’d wait until tomorrow before calling his boss with the latest development. Besides, he wasn’t sure what if anything he would tell.

  Admiring the stylish, ornately carved furniture and ceramic decorative accents, he enjoyed the illusion of a VIP. A brochure sat propped against the pillow, obviously for his attention. The tri-folded stationery on linen cardstock boasted the hotel’s hundredth anniversary. What scandals and romances had occurred in the posh surroundings over the century?

  He didn’t care for any personal sticky situations. But he wouldn’t be averse to a little romantic fling. In his lavish digs for the next few days, he could go along with the illusion that he was the perfect match for Stacy.

  Too bad he didn’t have anyone to call and brag to. A string of ex-girlfriends wasn’t an option. He was too much of a loner to have bonded with the guys on the job.

  His older brother, Pierce, would have liked such a call. As head of their family, he would use the situation to lecture him about living over his head or living off other people’s successes.

  His older sister, Sheena, would listen. She was a similar thinker without the condescending attitude. This elaborate plan wouldn’t impress her. Her mind-set would question the disadvantages. There weren’t too many of his schemes or girlfriends that she approved of.

  He picked up the phone at his bedside. His other sister, Laura, was a kindred spirit. She’d become more fun and easy-spirited now that she’d fallen madly in love with a professional track athlete. Her romantic outlook made her the perfect confidant. He dialed her number.

  The phone rang. He looked at the clock to determine what her schedule might be. As a physical therapist, Laura had set hours. But if there were any special circumstances—a sporting event or late practice—she changed her scheduled routine. At the fifth ring, just as he decided not to leave a message and simply hang
up, his sister answered breathlessly, “Hello?”

  “Laura? Did I catch you at a bad time?”

  “No. I’ve been out gardening all day. I’m off for a couple of days to finish up my landscaping project.”

  “What? Is this what happens after you get married?” Omar teased.

  Laura chuckled. “You’re too young to know.”

  “Maybe. Maybe not.”

  “Okay, what news are you trying to tell me? Wait, am I the first one you called?”

  Laura’s excitement brought a smile to his face. “Yes, you’re the only one I’ve called. But I’m not making any grand announcements.”

  “I don’t believe you. I’ll play along, though. Where the heck are you?”

  “Montreal. Remember the TV-hosting job?”

  “You mean they haven’t fired you? My brother who has never held a job for more than six months is now a steady working professional. This is big news,” Laura teased.

  “Pierce would be proud to know that I’m coming into my own.” His brother’s approval meant a lot to him.

  “Listen, Pierce has his own family now. Despite his power trips, he means well. After all, he was the one left in charge of us. We couldn’t have been an easy responsibility.”

  “Oh, goodness, now you’re sounding like a softie.” Listening to his sister defend Pierce made him realize how much they all had grown and gone off in different directions. A large part of their individual successes lay at Pierce’s feet, yet, when he was younger, Omar couldn’t give Pierce the respect that he deserved. With this job and what he wanted to accomplish, he hoped to prove to Pierce that he’d been worth any sacrifices.

  “There’s another family update. I think that Sheena is still having problems with Carlton. Things aren’t looking good. I hate seeing her so unhappy.”

  “It’s hard to believe this is happening when they have been married for so long and have survived so many challenges.” Omar recalled how their family had almost fractured when their father had left. His older sister would hate to relive that experience by having her own child suffer. As a result of their family struggles, the Mastersons were a strong unit. His immediate impulse was to pack his bags and head home to be there for Sheena.

  “I’ve talked to her. She’s hanging in there. Sheena and our sister-in-law, Haley, have bonded. Can you believe that? Haley has been a good friend for her, considering her own experiences. Tread lightly when you speak to Sheena. She does like her privacy.”

  Omar accepted what Laura said. He wasn’t sure if marriage would ever be a choice for him. His faith in the institution had been formed by his parents’ faulty history.

  “Hey, you called me,” Laura prompted. “What else is happening?”

  “Well, I wanted to let you know that I’m dating someone. Don’t know how hip you are, but I’m dating Stacy Watts.”

  “Stacy Watts! Of course I know her. Well, I mean, I’ve heard of her. Remember, I work with college kids. How the heck did you manage that?”

  “Thanks for that show of confidence. I’m here to interview her, but I’d met her in Atlanta, remember?”

  “Oh yeah. She was pretty low-key. Why the heck is she interested in you?”

  Omar heard the teasing, but also Laura’s frank assessment of the situation. “She likes me. I like her. Isn’t that how things get started?” He didn’t hide his irritation.

  “I’m concerned for her sake since you do have a habit of going through women. Do you want me to do a roll call?”

  “No. Maybe I’ve matured. Give me some credit. She’s a wonderful woman who is striking out on her own path. I admire that.”

  “I bet that’s not all you admire.”

  “Would it help if I bring her to meet you?” Omar didn’t have a clue how he was going to manage that one.

  “Yes!”

  The sharp, familiar ring of the phone jarred Stacy awake. The room had darkened considerably. She closed her eyes, wishing for the comfort of sleep to reclaim its hold. But the caller wasn’t having it. She blindly reached for the offending object.

  “Hello,” she growled, her throat thick from sleep.

  “Sounds as if I woke you,” a familiar voice teased.

  “Guess I was exhausted.” Omar’s sexy voice pried open her eyelids and nudged her body fully awake.

  “I’ve got a cup of delicious hot dark chocolate with a dollop of whipped cream for you.”

  He played dirty. Not bad. Anything chocolate could get her to reveal trade secrets. “Where are you?” Her mouth anticipated the rich, bold flavors.

  “Sitting in the cold outside your RV.”

  Stacy sprang out of bed as if he were standing at the foot of her bed. Her hands immediately smoothed her wrinkled sweats. Halfway down the hallway, she tested her breath, then made a quick detour to the bathroom.

  Her delay to answer the door resulted in Omar belting away on a John Legend ballad. He didn’t sound bad at all. She paused behind her front door, enjoying his rendition of the singer’s latest popular tune. His lighthearted attitude was contagious, and soon she joined him by humming the tune.

  “You know it’s cold out here!” Omar shouted.

  Stacy promptly opened the door, giggling at his over-the-top behavior. First, she relieved him of the hot beverage and took a sip, then she stepped aside and motioned him in. “You need to stop. People are looking. And they’ll gossip.” The hot chocolate was darn good after an afternoon nap.

  “I think that everyone already knows I’m infatuated with you. First I can’t seem to stop following you on the set. Then I bring you this treat. Finally I’m singing love songs on your RV steps. I think the facade is set, don’t you? Got to make it believable.”

  Stacy nodded. Somehow, she preferred her version that he found her tempting and couldn’t help flirting with her. Instead he broke it down in a logical way. She hadn’t bothered to consider what he would get out of helping her. Publicity she could guarantee him. Many of the teen magazines liked to feature her because of her penchant for designer clothing. The exposure wouldn’t hurt his climb up the entertainment ladder.

  “Any hints on how we’ll start tomorrow?” Stacy asked to direct the conversation.

  “I wrote a very brief outline because I want it to seem natural. I like getting the subject to open up and share. You never know who you might inspire with the unexpected information you reveal.”

  “I’m not sure how far I want to open up, though. I have to do the standard interview for the studios. But the other reason is to work to derail Antonio’s plans.”

  “I’m a friendly ear. Why don’t you run by me what you plan to talk about, and I can give you my opinion on what we may need to tweak?” Omar prompted.

  “I think it’s important to state why we are having a press conference in the first place.”

  “You want to tell the world about the new man in your life,” Omar teased.

  “Bite your tongue. I think we should stick as close to the truth as possible.”

  “You mean admit that Antonio is trying to blackmail you by revealing facts about your youth.”

  Stacy studied Omar, who had walked into the tiny kitchen. He looked around until he had an aha moment and grabbed an empty paper towel holder. Holding it triumphantly in the air, he approached her.

  “What do you plan to do with that?” Stacy didn’t bother to hide the alarm in her voice. The mischievous gleam in those walnut-brown eyes hinted that he was up to no good.

  “Take your mind out of the gutter. This is my microphone when I pretend to interview you.”

  Stacy nodded, with a chuckle. Was she being paranoid or expectant?

  He plopped down next to her and leaned in with one hand behind her shoulders. His breath tickled her ear, and another nervous giggle erupted.

  “Would you behave? I can’t believe my future and image depend on you.” Stacy pushed away from him to give herself room to think.

  “I promise to be on my best behavior. Even my family would
be happy to claim me.”

  “So it’s not just Brenda you have that effect on?” Stacy made a face.

  “Didn’t mean to sound as if my family and I have issues. Just the regular things that siblings squabble about. How are you with your family?”

  “Don’t have much of a family. It’s me!” She threw out her arms. The declaration stirred her fear, along with her defenses. No one needed to know the depths of her loneliness as an only child with no father, a mother long missing in action and family members who opted for foster care when they couldn’t take care of her.

  “Only Brenda and the guys are my family,” Stacy added.

  “That explains the overprotective-mother routine.”

  Stacy raised his hand with the paper towel holder. “Let’s get started.”

  The next morning, Stacy awoke early and headed to the set. Seeing Omar and Brenda awaiting her added support to her backbone. She could do this.

  “We’re ready,” Omar mouthed. Discreetly he squeezed her hand.

  This offensive strategy had to work. As she entered the area, the doubts nagged at her. Maybe she should have insisted that she talk to Antonio. After all, Antonio was the only one who knew her secret. Maybe somehow she could reach some tender part of him. Otherwise, he would tell the one thing that could reopen wounds, reawaken the pain and ignite the guilt for more than herself. No one could help. She placed a nervous hand over her stomach and walked onto the lighted stage where Omar waited and took her seat opposite him.

  The cameraman signaled from the corner at the precise moment the light flashed, indicating that it was time to begin.

  “Welcome to a special edition of What’s Happening in Atlanta. I’m your host, Omar Masterson, and today, joining me in Montreal, Canada, is the beautiful, talented Stacy Watts.” Stacy widened her smile and forced herself to relax. “Stacy, I know that you’re a busy lady these days with lots of projects.”