Page 78 of Nefarious
“You’re going to have to bring me up to speed, Noelle.”
“I chased him away.” Her bloodshot eyes rose, pleading. “I had to, right?” She twisted her hands, and Val noticed her fingernails, once manicured perfection, had been chewed to stubs.
“We’re talking about Dane? Did something happen?”
“Everything happened. I told him I wanted more. And I do. But I’m so terrified.” She closed her eyes, but tears continued to roll down her cheek. “I’ve fought and fought, but it doesn’t matter, does it?”
Val remained silent, stunned by this outpouring of grief over a simple seduction. She’d begun to fear Dane’s feelings for Noelle were more than the result of his deflated ego. She never would have guessed Noelle’s feelings were reciprocal. Not to such an extent. He’d inadvertently tapped a powder keg.
Maybe hewouldwrap this up by Friday. Val reached into her top drawer and unwrapped the brand-new box of Kleenex. “Here. Tell me all about it.”
“Thank you.” Noelle plucked out a tissue and blew her nose. Then she began to worry the paper in her hand, wadding it, kneading it, shredding it. “I can’t tell you how grateful I am that you’re here. Did you ever go through anything like this?”
“With Dane?” Val smiled. What if she told Noelle exactly what she’d been through with Dane?
“Oh, of course not. But surely you’ve had your heart broken.”
Rather than answer that, Val brought the conversation back to the topic of interest. “Is your heart broken?”
“Well, he’s gone.”
“What do you mean?” An acidic taste filled her mouth. “Where has he gone?”
“New York City.” Noelle’s face was ugly from crying. “I sent him to the STA conference in my place.”
The conference would run through the weekend. A muscle in Val’s cheek twitched. “Why would you do that?”
Noelle’s head jerked up, but at least she stopped crying. “I told you. I can’t fight him here. I had to get some distance.”
Val’s eyes closed with the realization that Noelle might have found the trump card Dane hadn’t expected her to play. Who would have anticipated she'd pack him off to get him out of the picture? It might not matter in the end. Val recognized Noelle’s false bravado as a coward’s defense.
Noelle sniffed, but she’d calmed down considerably. “You have no idea how tempted I was to tell him to stay. Or to get on the next plane to follow him to the conference.” She laughed, hollow. “I know I can’t do that. Can you imagine what that would look like? The board would eat me alive.”
Val didn’t bother to point out that it already looked bad that she’d used her influence to resolve a personal issue with Dane by making him attend a conference in her stead. “Well, he won’t be gone forever.”
Noelle nodded. “Right.” But she didn’t look convinced. “I’ve only bought myself a few days' respite.”
Val would have loved to encourage her to fly to NYC on the next flight, but she didn’t want to get her hands too dirty. Noelle would find herself unable to resist the lure of temptation. She’d give Noelle a day to pine, and then point her in the right direction.
Dane was a lucky bastard. His banishment might end up working out even more in his favor. No matter what, Val felt confident that she’d have Dane back very soon. If she had to wait another few days, she could be patient. Sooner or later, Noelle was going to chase after Dane and pour out her heart. He’d capture his queen.
And then Val would sweep the board.
Since Noelle had more or less pulled her emotions together, she thanked Val and left. But not five minutes later, Anthony entered.I should put a take-a-number machine outside.
“What can I do for you, Anthony?” She’d gotten little sleep the night before, thanks to him. She didn’t want to have to hold his hand through any relationship angst in the daytime.
He sat down and examined his hands. “I don’t know how best to say this, so let me just come out with it.”
She took in a breath and let it out impatiently. “Can this wait until after work? If it’s about how you don’t like to be so secretive, fine. We can even go out and get a drink together. But I’m actually trying to do work.”
His frown brought out her own. “It’s not that. I wanted to tell you it’s been nice.”
She raised an eyebrow at him. Did he think he was ending this? “Nice?”
He cleared his throat. “Nice. Uh . . . great. I mean, I’ve had a really lovely time with you. I have so much admiration for you.”
“Anthony, please cut to the chase. I don’t have time for middle school speeches.”
