Chapter 13

"It's hot in the office. That's all. I'm going to wash my face and get some ice water."

But Dara could not stop laughing. She was still chuckling when the door to the office suite opened and a man walked in. He was holding The Cup, a substantial pieced of metalwork, in front of him so his face was not visible. He took three steps into the suit and stopped.

"Can we help you?" Dara asked.

"I'm here to see Liz St. John."

Liz looked at Dara and shrugged.

"I'm Liz. What can we do for you? And would it be possible for us to see your face?"

"Yes," Dara added. "We like to know who our prospective clients are."

"Wait." Liz suddenly realized what he was holding. "Isn't that - Is that The Cup?"

"Oh, I'm not a client, prospective or otherwise." There was a hint of laughter in his voice. "And yes, it is."

Liz frowned, trying to place the voice that had a familiar ring to it. And what was he doing with The Cup? She didn't think Matt would give up one precious minute of his twenty-four hours with the thing he'd pushed aside their life together for. Oh, wait! Had Matt decided to send someone in to plead his case for him? For god's sake!

"Why do you have The Cup?" she demanded. "I figured Matt would even take it to the bathroom with him. He already thought filling it with roses would make up for the past. Is he up to some kind of weird trick here? Did he pay you to come here and play some kind of trick on me?"

"No trick at all." The man lowered the massive trophy he was holding.

"Chad Hallowell!" they chorused.

"Got it in one." He winked.

Liz's jaw dropped at the sight of the familiar face here in her offices. Holy shit again! How weird was it she had just mentioned him in her unexpected erotic daydream, the thought of which sent a flush of heat through her body. He looked exactly as he did on television, except instead of a suit he wore dark jeans and a red Henley T-shirt. But the masculine appeal was just as strong.

And he was here! In her office! Because Matt Vorchak had somehow connected with him and asked him to do this. For her. Because he'd remembered all this time that she had a gigantic crush on the man. He actually remembered! Oh! My! God!

She glanced at Dara who was staring stupidly at the man. She made a supreme effort and pulled herself together. How had Matt managed this? And did he think yet another outrageous gesture would make up for everything he'd done? Or more accurately, hadn't done.

"I'm assuming, since you're holding that piece of...whatever...that Matt Vorchak sent you?"

"Wait!" Dara held up a hand. "Does Matt actually know you?"

Chad laughed. "The fact is, I know him. Sort of. His sister works for the law firm that handles all my legal work."

"And he told you I wanted your autograph?" She didn't know whether to be pleased or embarrassed.

"Actually, I was very flattered. I understand you're one of my biggest fans. Thanks for that. I appreciate it." He studied her face, eyebrows drawn together. "Have we met before?"

Liz nodded. "A long time ago. I was working for the caterer you and your wife hired for a party. I can't believe you remember me."

And I can't believe I am acting like a fan crazy teenager here.

"I try to remember faces." He looked from one to the other. "Listen, can I put this down? There's a message inside."

"A message?" Liz just couldn't get her brain around this whole thing. In her dream she'd asked Matt to get her Chad's autograph and suddenly the man shows up here? Was she still dreaming?

"Yes, of course put it down." Dara, not hampered by the residue of a dream, stepped forward and gestured to the low table in the client area.

Chad set the trophy in the middle of the table, handling it very carefully.

She stood there, shocked, unable to gather her scattered thoughts. She wasn't sure if she should be angry at Matt for a crazy stunt like this or pleased that he'd remembered her addiction to Chad Hallowell and gone to al this trouble for her.

"B-But what are you doing here?" Liz stammered. "I mean, you've got The Cup b-but why - "

Chad held up a hand. "I am here on assignment. One, by the way, I am happy to fulfill. And it was an honor to have The Cup be part of it."

Reaching into the bowl-shaped top he retrieved a sheet of paper, unfolded it, and scanned it briefly. Then walked over to stand in front of Liz, who was still in shock. He held up the paper and cleared his throat.

"To my lovely Lizzie..."

"It's Liz," she interrupted.

"Okay. Sure." Chad winked and began again.

"To my lovely Lizzie...

Woman of my heart, we should never have been apart

I thought I was cool but I was really a fool

Winning The Cup was a real coup

But didn't make up for losing you

Walking away from you was the worst

I really should have put you first

But if you just give me a chance again

I'll give you my heart and all of who I am

I love you, Lizzie, and that's no lie

Without you I'm lost, a miserable guy

I know my poetry's really bad

But it comes with an autograph from my friend Chad."

Chad reached into the bowl again, pulled out a manila envelope and extracted a photograph, a publicity shot of himself, which he handed to Liz.

Her hand trembled as she looked at the signature.

"To Lizzie St. John, the only woman Matt Vorchak ever loved and ever will. Have a wonderful future. Chad Hallowell."

Dara peeked over her shoulder. "Oh. My. God."

"Holy shit!" Liz breathed, staring at the photo. "Who wrote this poem? Matt?"

"Of course Matt wrote it." Dara nudged her with her elbow. "You don't think Chad Hallowell would write such terrible verse, do you?"

Chad laughed again. "Mine would be even worse. Listen, ladies. I'd love to hang out with you but promised to get The Cup back to Matt for your next adventure."

Liz was still so stunned she couldn't move or speak until Dara nudged her.

"Did you hear what he said about the next adventure?"

Liz's eyes widened. "Next adventure? What's going on here? Am I dreaming this whole thing?"

"It's real," Dara assured her. "I'm a witness."

Chad nodded. "My lips are sealed. I can only tell you that Matt Vorchak is a man driven to desperation by love." He reached into his pocket and pulled out a card that he handed to Liz. "My wife said to give this to you. Any woman who could inspire what he's got planned has to be unique. Brenna told us you do special events. We have one on tap. Give my wife a call and work out the details with her."

Then he was gone, taking The Cup with him.

The two women stared at each other.

"A party for the Hallowells?" Dara said at last. "Holy mother, Liz. Matt's pulling out all the stops here."

"I'm still not sure if I imagined this whole thing."

"I'd say the man is on a campaign to win you over. He must have really pleaded his case to get Chad Hallowell, big television star, to take time out of his day to do this for him. You can bet the guy has a lot of other things to do. And this was pretty damn romantic."

"But a poem and Chad's autograph?" Liz frowned at her friend as she settled back into reality. "You think that makes up for him walking away from me for all these years?"

Dara gave her a long, hard look. "I'm not saying that. But I think he went to a lot of trouble to get you something he knew you wanted, and even was willing to embarrass himself with his awful poetry to tell you what he's finally discovered is in his heart."

"So you're saying I should just open my arms and forgive him?" Liz snorted. "Not a chance."

"I'm saying you should at least give him a chance. How m nay men would remember something as obscure as you wanting Chad Hallowell's autograph. And that poem? Oh, my lord, Liz. I don't know another man who would be willing to humiliate himself that way to express what he feels."

"I know, I know." She nibbled her thumbnail. "I just - " She shrugged. "You know."

"I do. But think of this. Chad Hallowell took The Cup back with him and Matt wasn't here so he's probably waiting for it somewhere. That's a good sign this isn't the last you'll hear from him today."

Liz shoved her hair behind her ear. "I know whatever it is, it has to happen before the end of he day. I, um, looked up about The Cup. Each player only bets it for one day, so after his twenty-four with it he has to give it back.

Dara smiled at Liz. "I know he hurt you badly, but you're both older. Give him a chance, honey, or you might regret it."

"We'll see." But when she sat back down at her desk it wasn't to look at her computer screen but to stare at the signed photograph and the poem.

And to wonder what else Matt might come up with before the day was over.