Cold Deception (His Agenda 4): Prequel to the His Agenda Series Read online

  They continued past tables covered with cream damask covers, flaunting submerged flower centerpieces. Guests spoke in hushed voices as they ate their meals. The sounds of people talking and laughing, and of silverware clinking were muted and softened by the lush carpet and background music.

  “We’ve arrived.” Florene knocked on a wooden door, then peeked inside. “Someone’s interested in Desiree’s job.”

  “Good, show her in,” a husky voice replied.

  Lacey had felt comfortable with Florene, but now that she was about to talk to the manager, her stomach twisted with familiar nervousness.

  “Go right in,” Florene said, then added in a whisper, “Good luck.”

  “Thank you,” Lacey said, the urge to bolt almost overwhelming her. If she didn’t get this job, she didn’t think she’d have the nerve to do this again.

  Unlike the other parts of the restaurant, the office was simply furnished. No luxury in here—just a simple wooden desk, a matching shelf with folders tucked into it lining one wall, and two chairs. Lacey didn’t know why, but it somehow put her at ease. Behind the desk sat a woman wearing a beige and black business suit. Her hair was slicked back in a low bun and she wore simple diamond studs in her ears.

  The woman rose from her chair and came over to Lacey’s side of the desk. She was much shorter than Lacey, but she had a strong presence that made her seem taller. She offered Lacey her hand. “Kellie Dant. Nice to meet you, Miss…”

  “Lacey, Lacey Pirone. Nice to meet you as well.”

  “I hear you’re interested in our job opening. Please have a seat.” Kellie went back to her chair and Lacey sat down. Although she wasn’t unkind, Kellie didn’t possess the warmth that Florene had exuded. But she was giving Lacey a chance to talk, and that was all she needed.

  “Do you have any experience as a waitress?” The woman leaned back in her chair, eyes narrowed slightly.

  Lacey suppressed the urge to bite her lip like she usually did when she was uncomfortable. She had come this far—too far to walk out without trying. She would give it her best, and this time she would not pretend. She would lay all her cards on the table.

  “I worked for a few years at Oasis, a homeless shelter. I did prep and served food there.” She hadn’t served people dressed in designer clothes or expensive jewelry, but she had served real, hungry people. While she waited for Kellie to respond, she found herself crossing the fingers of the hand that was hidden under the table.

  “Have you ever worked in an actual restaurant setting?” It was the question Lacey dreaded the most.

  “No, but I’m a quick learner.”

  “We are looking for somebody experienced in waitressing. Do you have any other experience apart from working at Oasis?”

  “No… no, I do not. But I worked at Oasis for over two years, and I served meals every day. I believe the experience I gained there can be put to use here. I also dealt with difficult people often. And I carried out all kinds of tasks.” She stopped talking. She didn’t know what else to say.

  “I see. I’m afraid we can’t hire you if you don’t have any experience in a restaurant setting. I’m sorry.”

  “I understand.” Lacey’s voice was low and defeated. But then a new feeling surged through her. A drive to prove to this woman that her lack of experience didn’t make her incapable. People learned on the job all the time, without education or experience. She’d already been denied. She had nothing to lose by speaking her mind.

  “Ms. Dant, you’re right. I do not have experience in a restaurant setting, but I’m confident that I have the same qualities many waitresses bring to the table. I’m a hard worker, I learn fast, and I genuinely care about people. It’s my passion to work with people, and I have great interpersonal skills. I’ve been to a number of restaurants, and I was told the same thing over and over. I need to start somewhere, and I was really hoping you would be the person to give me a chance and the experience I need. I promise you won’t regret it.”

  Kellie raised her eyebrows slightly and nodded. After a few moments of observing Lacey, she said, “You’re right. Oasis is not a restaurant, but you were feeding people there.” She sighed. “I’ll give you a chance, an opportunity to gather some experience. I can’t offer you long-term employment, and you will only be working three shifts a week. But I would be happy to have you on board.”

  When Lacey left Kellie’s office, she bumped into Florene, who was carrying a tray laden with wine glasses. Florene flashed her a smile and gave her a cocked eyebrow and a thumbs-up.

  Lacey smiled and returned the thumbs-up. A moment later she walked out of the restaurant feeling as if she were walking on air. At the same time she was stricken with fear. She had done the exact thing her husband had told her not to do. She had proven to him and to herself that Terence did not own her. The consequences could be devastating.

  Despite the cold, the sky was clear and the sun bright. A few days before Christmas and not a snowflake to be seen. She had a feeling it would be a warm Christmas, but her marriage was still in danger of freezing to death.

  She got behind the wheel and drove home. For the first time since her baby died, she could breathe again. She loved the person she was about to become, the kind of person people like Kellie took a chance on. Good thing she had been brave enough to push aside her fears, walk into Classico, and refuse to be turned away.

  She wouldn’t tell Terence about the job right away. It would be Christmas soon. Maybe some holiday cheer would rub off on him and he’d be more receptive to the change.

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Lacey had just changed into her freshly pressed uniform when Florene walked in to the staff room carrying a sleek Armani handbag. Her chocolate hair was on top of her head in a messy but stylish bun, and she wore a tight blue sweater and slim black jeans, which were tucked into espresso riding boots. She looked like she’d stepped out of a glamour magazine.

  Lacey felt like a frump. She’d never been one to chase fashion—not because of lack of interest, but because she’d never had the money. She bought clothes she could afford and never wore makeup. Maybe now that she would be earning her own money, she could spoil herself a little.

  “Congratulations on getting the job.” Florene kissed Lacey on both cheeks as though the two were already close friends. “But girl, you need a makeover.” She touched a strand of Lacey’s hair and rubbed it between her fingers. “Your hair is a desert. It needs a shot of moisture.”

  “I…” Lacey touched her hair, confused.

  Florene dropped her bag on a bench and pulled off her sweater. A plum-colored Victoria’s Secret bra flashed at Lacey.

  “Sorry.” She turned to face Lacey. “I tend to be forward. What I meant is, you’re pretty, but your looks are a little safe. You’d be a stunner with a bit of makeup.”

  Lacey felt both offended and curious. She never thought much about looking better than she naturally did. The only thing she resented about her looks was the fact that she resembled her mother a little too much. If a little makeup could change that, she would be all for it. But her makeup skills were nonexistent. “I appreciate your honesty… and thanks for the compliment.”

  “Anytime. I went to beauty school but since there are only a couple of beauty salons in Serendipity, I decided to keep the knowledge to myself. If you ever need makeup tips, don’t hesitate to ask.”

  ***

  Lacey’s first day wasn’t exactly smooth sailing. She spilled soup on a customer, gave the wrong change, brought out the wrong orders, and on the whole, exposed her lack of waitressing experience. Luckily Kellie was on vacation and wasn’t there to watch Lacey blow it on her first day. When Lacey’s colleague Keith complained about her, Florene, who was in charge during Kellie’s absence, quickly put him in his place. He’d started somewhere too, she reminded him.

  When Lacey thanked her later, Florene brushed it off.

  “You weren’t all that bad. Seriously, you should have seen me the first time I
waited on a table. I was a total disaster.”

  Lacey found herself laughing as Florene recalled her own blunders. She also told Lacey a little about herself. She was born in Ireland, and came to the U.S. with her parents when she was two years old. Her father used to be a singer in a small band, and her mother was a nurse. She was single, with only Darla, her cat, to keep her company.

  When it came Lacey’s turn to reveal more about her own life, she held nothing back about her childhood. Florene was so easy to talk to, and Lacey felt as though she had known her for a long time. She could see them becoming fast friends.

  She wanted to stay longer and talk more, but the clock had struck 4 p.m.; she had to rush home now in case Terence came home early.

  She hugged Florence goodbye and walked out of her secret life, into her married one.

  Terence wasn’t home yet, so she took a long bath and made dinner. When he came home at eight he told her he’d been trying to call her all afternoon and couldn’t reach her. The lie made her feel uncomfortable, but it slipped out of her mouth because it had to. She had been grocery shopping and had forgotten her phone. The answer satisfied him.

  With a lot of lying, which she seemed to be getting good at, she was able to hide her new job from Terence until two days before Christmas, when she woke up with the strong urge to come clean, no matter the consequences. He might be hurt, but he would have to get over it.

  To put him in a good mood and make him more receptive, she accepted Florene’s offer of a makeover. After work, Florene brought Lacey to her apartment, which was walking distance from Classico, and transformed Lacey into someone she hardly recognized. Her hair was glossy and tied in a casual side bun, the eye makeup made her eyes sparkle, and her lips were plump and fuller than she had ever seen them look before.

  Florene observed her handiwork. “You look amazing.”

  “I can’t believe it’s me.” Lacey stared at her reflection in the mirror. “I’m never going back to my boring old looks. Tomorrow you have to tell me everything you did.”

  “Whatever you want.” Florene pulled her out of the chair. “Now go and surprise your husband.”

  Lacey smiled, but she was freaked out inside. She hadn’t told Florene about Terence not wanting her to work. The only thing Florene knew about her marriage was that they had met at Oasis and that it was pretty much love at first sight.

  Hopefully he would accept the new person Lacey wanted to become.

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  “Who’s this woman inside my house?” Terence kissed Lacey, then held her at arm’s length. He spun her around.

  “Your one and only.” Lacey toyed with her infinity necklace. “The time had come for a makeover, I thought.”

  “I’ve always loved you without makeup, but I have to admit you look incredible. To think you’re all mine feels damn great.” Terence reached into his bag, on the floor next to his feet, and removed his camera. Lacey flashed a smile so he could take a photo.

  “I’ll print this out tomorrow and hang it up,” he said, taking a seat at the kitchen table.

  “I have a surprise for you…some news.” She sat down across from him. “Please try to understand, to be excited for me.” She reached for both his hands. She’d wanted to wait until after dinner, but she was bursting to get the truth out. “I found a job. I’m a waitress at Classico. I know you—”

  “You’re what? You did what?” Terence shot out of his chair. “How dare you go behind my back? How long have you been working there?” His hands clenched the edge of the table, making it shake with each word.

  Lacey lifted her chin. “A couple of days. It’s a great start for me. I was lucky to get the job without experience.”

  “I’m your husband. I specifically told you not to work. How dare you disobey me!” Terence’s face had contorted into a mask of rage.

  Lacey’s own anger rose to the surface. She stood up from the table and went to lean against the wall nearest to the door. She needed the support. “Yes, you’re my husband, Terence. But you don’t own me. I want to do what I love, and you don’t have the right to stop me.”

  In a flash, Terence charged toward her and punched the wall next to her head. “Listen to me, and listen carefully. Tomorrow, you will call your boss and quit.”

  “No. No, I will not.” She jabbed a finger into his chest, tears of disappointment spilling out of her eyes. “This is my life. I want to work. I have a job I love and I will not give it up, not even for you. If you love me, you’ll accept it.” She gulped down tears. “Terence, I want to grow, I want to feel alive. You are preventing me from doing that. I will not let you stand in my way.”

  “How dare you. Do you know how ungrateful you sound right now? I’ve loved and supported you all these years and this is what I get? We made promises to each other. I made sacrifices for you. Now you’re telling me you want out?”

  “That’s not what I’m saying, Terence. I just want to breathe… I want to learn to breathe again. After the baby died, I felt lost. I was dead inside for a long time. With this job, I feel like I’m becoming a better version of myself. For the first time in my life, I actually like myself.” She wiped tears off her face and took a deep breath. “I know you think all we need is each other, but I disagree. I can love you and still be independent. We can both be individuals and still have a great marriage.”

  “Let me get this straight.” Terence moved closer, his eyes hard flints. “Are you telling me that I’m suffocating you?”

  Lacey wanted to take a step back, but she was already leaning against the wall. She pushed harder into it. The man standing before her looked suddenly different from the man she loved. It occurred to her that she had never really seen Terence angry before. Now she knew why. She had always done what he wanted, always been there when he expected. She’d never given him a reason to doubt her love. Until now.

  “I’m not saying I want out. I don’t want to leave you. I’m asking you to allow me to do what makes me happy. It makes me happy to wake up and go to work a few days a week. I love my job, but that doesn’t in any way mean I love you less. I want to be with you. I promised myself to you.” She touched Terence’s cheek with the palm of her slightly trembling hand. “You have no reason to feel threatened.”

  Terence retreated from her touch and took a step back, his back ramrod-straight, his jaw tight.

  Lacey had already decided she would not let him intimidate her. He could be angry and sulk all he wanted. But she would not give up her newfound freedom. In time, he would have to learn to love the woman she was becoming. Or not.

  She stepped closer to him and pressed her body against his, feeling his heat, the anger radiating off him. She leaned her head on his shoulder and kissed the side of his neck. “I love you, baby. I need you. I will always need you. A job will not change that.”

  He stiffened and moved away from her, then left the kitchen without saying another word.

  Chapter Thirty

  When Lacey woke up the next morning, her heart felt both heavy and light. Keeping a secret from Terence had taken a toll on her. But now that it was out in the open, she had a different kind of burden to carry—guilt for doing something her husband was so strongly against. She left home without bothering to make breakfast for the man who didn’t even bother to wish her good morning. She felt saturated with a new don’t-care attitude.

  By demanding that she stay home, he was thinking only of himself. It was time for Lacey to think of herself too.

  Without needing to maintain the secret, she found her workday even more enjoyable. For a few hours she was able to forget the mess that was her marriage and focus on her freedom. She switched off her phone, trying not to worry about the accusations that would surely be awaiting her at home at the end of the day. This was her time.

  After work, instead of rushing home as she normally did, she had a chat with some of her colleagues, and then joined Florene for a quick coffee at Mel’s Delights. But as soon as she walked out
of the bakery—the scents of coffee and cupcakes trailing after her—her heart shriveled. By the time she made it home, she was finding it hard to breathe.

  The lights were on and the front door was open. Terence sat on the couch with a bottle of gin in his hand. Lacey halted in the doorway, unable to believe she was looking at her husband. He hardly drank, and never hard liquor. But there he was, his blue eyes tinged red, his hair disheveled, his lips a tight line across his face.

  “Where the fuck were you?”

  Lacey dropped her handbag on a chair and slowly removed her coat. Her throat was constricted and blood pounded in her temples as she turned to face him. “I was at work. I did not quit my job as you told me to. You’re not the boss of me.” Fear knotted inside her, but she charged on. “By asking me not to work, you’re being selfish.”

  As soon as the words had a chance to settle in the air between them, to tear apart the foundation of their marriage, Terence was off the couch and pressing her against the wall, his angry, alcohol-drenched voice filling her ears. “Listen to me carefully.” He moved his face so close to hers, it seemed as if he were about to kiss her, but his next words dispelled any romantic notions. “If you don’t quit your shitty job, you’ll regret it.”

  Lacey blinked once and then dove into the depths of his gaze, trying to reach for the man she loved, but he wasn’t there. Still, she had to stand her ground. She shoved him away from her but held on to his gaze. “Don’t you dare threaten me. I will not give up my job. Learn to live with it.” She crossed her arms not only to create emotional distance, but to stop her hands from trembling. “So now that you know you won’t be getting what you want, what are you going to do, hit me? Go ahead. Hit me.”