“Y-yes, absolutely,” she said. Her hands were locked together tightly on her desk top. She hoped no one noticed her white knuckles. “That way a particular commercial reaches the audience that would have the most interest in it.” The words were trite, even lame, but better than nothing. Was Doug eyeing her strangely? Terry, at least, seemed pleased.
“Well,” he said, slapping his thighs and standing up, “you've reassured me once again. I'm sorry to have taken up your time. When do the commercials begin airing?”
“Tomorrow,” Megan answered promptly, grateful that she and Jo had discussed the starting schedule only that morning.
Terry reached across her desk to shake her hand. “Then I probably won't be seeing you until the opening on Hilton Head.”
“But … I won't be able to attend. I'm sorry, but—”
“She'll be there, Terry,” Doug said expansively. He turned to where she stood behind the false security of her desk. “Josh called me this morning. He told me about your reluctance to go to Hilton Head for the opening of Seascape because of your work load here. Much as we like having you around,” he said like an affectionate, indulgent parent, “I think we can spare you for a few days.”
The seconds ticked by while she stared slack-jawed at Doug. Then she turned to glare at Josh. “Mr. Bennett called on my behalf?” She tried to keep her voice coquettish and light, but she felt like snarling.
Doug chuckled. “Yes. He lit into me good and proper because I wasn't letting you go. I finally convinced him that I didn't even know about the grand-opening festivities and that, of course, you'd go.”
She swallowed the hot anger that threatened to choke her. “Isn't it usually the national sales manager's privilege to attend functions if they relate to accounts out of the state?” she asked with a sweet innocence that was contrary to the rage boiling inside, her.
“Yes, but he's going to be in New York that first week of June for an NBA convention.” He turned t
o Terry. “National Broadcasters Association.” The developer nodded. “Anyway, he's not nearly as familiar with this account as you are.”
“Then you should go.” She hoped the desperation in her voice would be taken for enthusiastic generosity.
“Wish I could, wish I could, but I'm working on that deal in Savannah to buy that radio station. You go and have a good time. Right, Terry? You're not asking her in order to make her work all the time she's there, are you?”
“Of course not,” Terry replied hastily. “We want everyone to have a good time.”
“Then, it's settled,” Doug said with satisfaction, patting his rounded belly. “Terry's invited you to fly on his corporate jet. Josh can fill you in on the specifics. Ready, Terry?” Without waiting for an answer, Doug opened the door. Terry followed. “Josh?” Doug queried as he held the door for him.
“Not just yet. Megan and I still have some items to discuss.”
“See you both later, then.”
Her boss bustled out, and Megan was left alone with the man who was chiseling away at the foundation of her life. No sooner had the door clicked shut than she rounded on him.
Raising both palms placatingly, he said quickly, “It's not what you think.”
“The hell it's not,” she snapped.
“Left on your own, you would have declined the invitation.”
“Damn right.”
“I wasn't going to stand idly by and see that happen.
“What business is it of yours?” she shouted.
“You are my business, damn it. I made you my business the first night I saw you.”
Seething, she stepped around the corner of her desk and paced between it and the door. “For three years you left me in blessed peace. Now, in one week's time, you've bulldozed your way into my life, manipulating it, manipulating me. Why? Why now? Why not as soon as James's body was cold?”
He cursed under his breath. “For three years I let you stew in your own bitter juices. Do you think I'm stupid? I knew you didn't want to be seen, touched, or spoken to by me. When I saw this chance with Seascape as a means of getting to you, then, by God, yes, I took it. I doubt it you'd have accepted a date with me if I'd called you up and simply asked as any decent guy would.”
“Right again!”
“So,” he continued as though she hadn't spoken, “I used whatever devices I could. Manipulation, you say? All right, yes. But what choices did you leave me?”
“No choices! You weren't entitled to any. You should have taken my hints and given up entirely. The message was, is, clear. I don't want anything to do with you, Joshua Bennett. Once and for all, let that sink in and leave me alone.”