“How do you know I have anything to set up? You didn’t tell me to bring my copies.” Lexi had opened her laptop so she could upload the PowerPoint.
“Because I know you. I’m sure you have everything, including a second copy of the PowerPoint on a flash drive just in case the copy on your computer is corrupted.” Lexi smiled and patted the drive in her pocket. “You are the most organized person on the planet and do everything in triplicate.”
With the phone propped between her ear and shoulder, she pulled a stack of papers from her laptop case and began to sort the materials into individual packets for Paolo, Francesca, and Dante, plus two extras in case anyone else arrived unexpectedly. “Yeah, well, you’re lucky I decided to show up.”
“I never doubted you. You’re always there when I need you.”
His kind words made her pause, but her smile was short lived. “I don’t have the revised boards. You have the only physical copy.”
“Don’t worry about it. I’ll get there before you’re at that point in the presentation.”
“You better be here before I start, pal.”
“You can do this.” His words held such certainty that Lexi was beginning to believe them. “I trust you.”
Her eyes closed as she thought about the time she needed him to trust her and he hadn’t, but then she reminded herself that she was moving forward. The past couldn’t change, but people could. He was making an effort, and it was time she tried to as well.
“Well, I’d love to keep chatting, but you better be driving like a maniac to get your tail here in,” she glanced at her watch, “twenty minutes. I have a presentation to set up because my boss is running late. Men!” His laughter and the revving of his engine were the last things she heard before she hung up the phone.
In record time, Lexi had packets of information, outlines, and projection numbers arranged. She quickly ran through the presentation outline from start to finish, paying extra attention to the areas Vincent had asked her to cover. The receptionist popped her head in to let her know the Marradesis had just arrived and would be down in a few minutes.
Lexi’s stomach fluttered nervously as she paced the room, wondering how close Vincent was. She looked out the window onto the busy road below, hoping to catch a glimpse of his Matchbox car, but with every minute that passed, she accepted that she might have to do this alone. When the door to the board room flew open, Lexi thought she was saved.
“Vincent!” she sighed to herself, but when she turned around she found Paolo, Francesca, and Dante standing behind her.
“ 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 tell 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 occasionally 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 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.