One Indecent Night

by Hargrove, A. M.

  I stepped closer to her and touched her cheek. “Can I ask you something?”

  Her eyes took on a wary appearance. “What?”

  “We were set to go to dinner and you canceled. Why? And please be honest.”

  “I saw you in the paper with another woman.”

  “At the art show?”

  “That’s right.”

  “She’s a friend and I was doing her a favor. The events company she owns was putting on the show and I promised her a while ago I’d go. I’d actually forgotten and was still at work when she showed up and cursed me out for it. We met in college and have been friends since. We’ve never slept together, and neither of us have wanted to. In fact, she annoys me if I spend too much time with her. I’d be happy to introduce you to her if you’d like.”

  “A friend?”

  The corners of my mouth lifted. “Definitely a friend. Nothing more.”

  “I see.”

  “Does that mean you’d be willing to go out with me again?”

  She smiled, I think. It was sort of difficult to tell with that humongous bandage on her face. “Maybe.”

  “Maybe?”

  “What did you have in mind?”

  “You name it and we’ll do it.”

  “I want to go to the top of the Empire State Building.”

  “I’ll pick you up on Saturday at ten. Plan for a fun day. We’ll go to the top of the Empire State Building and then spend the day in the city.”

  Paige came in and told us dinner was ready. I took Sylvie’s hand and we walked into the dining room.

  “Aunt Sylvie, you gonna eat the chicken?” Montana asked.

  “Sure am.”

  Montana eyed me for a second and asked, “You gonna eat it too?”

  “Only if you do.”

  “Everybody eats it. G-mamma’s chicken’s the best.”

  “Guess what?” I asked.

  “What?”

  “I used to come here with your Daddy when I was a kid and eat it all the time.”

  She turned to Pearson and asked, “He did?” Her big round eyes were cute as hell.

  “He sure did. G-mamma would get mad at us because our hands would be filthy. She’d make us get up and go scrub them.”

  “Did you get all the germs off?”

  “We did,” Pearson said. What he didn’t add was we had to or Paige would beat us with her flyswatter. She never took any crap off of us. She was used to boys, having raised three of them.

  Paige chuckled. I asked her, “Are you thinking what I am?”

  “If it has to do with a flyswatter I am.” The other guys joined in. The women only stared because they didn’t have a clue. We’d best keep it that way.

  The food, as usual, was delicious. Sylvie only picked at hers, so I asked, “Is everything okay?”

  “I still can’t taste, which is driving me crazy. All this good food for nothing.”

  Grey said, “It’ll be better after tomorrow.”

  “I’ll probably go crazy then, eating everything in sight.”

  Paige came out with some apple cobbler and vanilla ice cream. I smelled the aroma wafting off it. “This reminds me of when I used to come here during our college breaks.”

  “You were skinny as a rail and I needed to put some fat on you back then.”

  “You and my mom. I couldn’t eat enough to put any fat on.”

  “I wish that had been my problem,” Sylvie.

  “Me too,” Rose said. “It’s never fair. Men never have to worry about weight like women do.”

  “Babe, your weight is perfect,” Pearson said.

  “So is yours,” I told Sylvie. “I don’t know what you’re complaining about.”

  “I watch what I eat,” I said.

  “So do I,” Pearson said.

  “You what?” Rose asked. “You watch how much you can eat.” Then she looked at the number of chicken bones piled on his plate. “See what I mean.”

  “Babe, you can’t expect me to hold back. This is Mom’s famous chicken.”

  Rose rubbed his stomach and grinned. “I know.”

  “I’m sending some home with you, Rose,” Paige said.

  Pearson looked like he was ready to clap his hands. I laughed at him. “You look about five right now.”

  “Yeah, you do,” Sylvie agreed.

  The kids wanted to go out and play, so Rick went with them. The women got up to clean, but when Sylvie tried to stand, I stopped her. “You sit. I’ll help.”

  “Don’t worry, we’ve got it. Besides, the two of us can handle it,” Marin said.

  Paige went into the kitchen, but they ordered her back out. Pearson and Grey cleared the table and came back to suggest we move to the den.

  I pulled Sylvie next to me on the couch. I wasn’t taking any chances of her being away from me.

  “How’s the company doing, Evan? Rick keeps up with it better than me,” Paige asked.

  “He’s killing it, Mom,” Pearson said. “He’s also bought out a few more and is really doing well.”

  Paige laughed and said to Pearson, “Thank you, Evan.”

  I got a laugh out of that too, but added, “It’s true. It’s surpassed my expectations, for sure. But it does keep me busy.”

  “Then my question is, do you still love it?”

  “Most definitely. I’m always looking for new companies to add to the business, too.”

  “That’s great. I couldn’t be happier for you.”

  Then it happened. “What business are you in?” Sylvie asked.

  I took a deep breath and began the plunge, but before I got the chance, Pearson asked, “You haven’t told her?”

  “Told me what?” she asked.

  “Evan is probably Manhattan’s most eligible and wealthiest bachelor.”

  I mouthed the words, “Thanks a lot, bro.”

  Fifteen

  Sylvie

  Speechless didn’t come close to describing how I felt. I knew he had money and lots of it. I knew he was bright by his degrees I’d discovered through googling him. But the wealthiest and most eligible bachelor? Um, no. I was so out of my league.

  Yes, I was smart enough to hold a master’s in psych, but not close to what he had. Uneasiness settled over me as I sat there. Obligated to say something since everyone was eyeing me, I said, “Wow, that’s quite an accomplishment. What kind of company?”

  “It’s a hedge fund.”

  Pearson chuckled. “Don’t let him off so easy. It’s not just a hedge fund. It’s one of Wall Street’s darlings. He’s the golden boy, if you will. Evan has the Midas touch.”

  “Now you’re embarrassing me,” he said.

  He really did look uncomfortable with the accolades.

  “You should be proud. If you built all that on your own through hard work, I think that’s amazing.” It was true. I admired anyone who could achieve those lofty goals.

  “I appreciate that. It wasn’t easy, but it was something I enjoyed along the way.”

  “It’s great you found something you love to do.”

  Pearson piped in. “Kind of like you and Rose. Both of you love what you do. And you with helping others get back on their feet after addiction.”

  “True, it is fulfilling.”

  The kids ran back inside, with Kinsley yelling something about a tummy ache to Grey. “You probably ate too much,” he said. She kept whining, so he took her into the kitchen where Marin was.

  Rose came into the room and Montana said she wanted to watch a movie. It was getting close to five, so Pearson decided it was time to leave.

  Evan pulled me to the side and said, “Don’t forget, next Saturday at ten. I’ll pick you up.”

  “I won’t. Hopefully, this massive thing will be gone by then.” My hand covered the bandage.

  “You still look adorable with it on.” He kissed my cheek and after I hugged and thanked my aunt and uncle, and he did the same, we walked out together.

  On the way home, Montana asked, “
Aunt Sylvie, do you like that other man?”

  “I guess so. Why?”

  “Cuz he kissed you.” She giggled.

  “Yes, he did.”

  “Do you like when he kisses you?”

  Pearson caught my eyes in the rearview mirror and waggled his brows.

  “He only kissed my cheek, mighty mite.”

  “Do you want him to kissy face you like MisterDaddy does to Mommy.”

  “Hmm. I’ll have to think about that. Does MisterDaddy do that to Mommy a lot?”

  “All the time. ‘Specially when they think I’m not watching.”

  Suddenly, a coughing spell hit Rose. I tried my best not to snort, but it didn’t work.

  “What was that?” Montana asked.

  “I had a tickle in my throat. These bandages make my nose and throat itch.”

  “Oh. Can’t you take it off?”

  “The doctor will tomorrow.”

  “That’s good then you won’t look funny no more.”

  We got back to the house and I asked Pearson if he would take me home. Rose put up a fight, but after I insisted that I was fine, she backed down.

  “I’m only taking Advil and I’m not feeling dizzy or faint in the least. There’s no reason why I can’t stay in my own place tonight.”

  “She’s right, Rose. I’ll pick you up for your appointment tomorrow and drive you. You don’t know how you’ll feel afterward.”

  That much was true, so I agreed.

  It was great to be back home and sleeping in my own bed. Rose was the perfect host, but there’s no place like home. I snuggled in my bed and read for a while. Around nine, my phone rang. A smile spread across my face when I saw Evan’s name.

  “Hi.”

  “What are you doing?”

  “Reading. You?”

  “The same. I’m reading Financial Times. You?”

  “The Raunchy Duke.”

  “Repeat that.”

  “Do I have to?” I snorted.

  “Yes, Sylvie, you do.”

  “The Raunchy Duke.”

  “Is it good?”

  “That depends on what you consider good.”

  “That’s not an answer. Do you consider it good?”

  “Very.”

  “Why?”

  Jesus, was this the inquisition? He asked, I’d tell. “Because it’s about a swoon-worthy Dom who uses all his sexuality to seduce an innocent young woman who ends up falling in love with him. But the unexpected happens when he falls in love with her. He’s sworn he’ll never love anyone, but she brings him to his knees.”

  “I’m still stuck on swoon-worthy Dom.” A soft chuckle reached my ear and shivers raced up my spine.

  “What about that intrigued you?”

  “I’m intrigued because you are.”

  “Evan, I read this stuff all the time. It’s no novelty for me. You should try it.”

  “Maybe I will.”

  “Let me know how you like it. I’m sure it’s much more entertaining than Financial Times.”

  Now he really let out a hearty laugh.

  “I can’t wait until tomorrow,” I said.

  “Why?”

  “I’ll be able to breathe again.”

  “Oh, right. Do you want some company when you go?”

  “Pearson is doing that. He’s been very accommodating throughout this. He really feels bad.”

  “I’m sure. God, I would too.”

  “I know, but he thought he’d be pounding on the door, and that door is steel so if you knock, you really have to hit it hard.”

  “He did that all right.”

  “I hope I don’t end up with a ghastly hump.”

  “Didn’t a plastic surgeon do it?”

  “Yeah, but still.”

  “You’ll be as gorgeous as ever.”

  “Aww, that’s so sweet.”

  “I mean it, Sylvie. Now go to sleep. You need your rest. I’ll be thinking of you and I’ll call tomorrow.”

  “Okay.”

  “Can’t wait until Saturday.” His voice sent shivers all over me.

  “Same here.”

  When we ended the call, I thought again how sweet he was. Was I crazy to be going out with him again? He could have any woman he wanted, but he seemed intent on me.

  I refused to dwell on it. Second guessing this was stupid. If it worked fine; if not, then I’d move on.

  I fell asleep with the Raunchy Duke paddling his innocent lady’s ass. Unfortunately, in the morning, I woke up all bothered, because I dreamed I was the woman, and Evan was the duke.

  Pearson picked me up at ten thirty for my appointment. When they called me back, I grabbed his hand and made him go with me. A case of the nerves hit.

  “What if this hurts?” I asked him.

  “I don’t think it will or they would’ve told you to take something.”

  The nurse showed us into a room and told us the doctor would be in momentarily.

  He showed up with his pearly whites glowing. Plastic surgeons had an image to keep up, I guess.

  “How are you doing?” he asked.

  “Other than this bandage driving me crazy, I’m good.”

  “Let’s take care of that.”

  The nurse had left a tray with all kinds of things in those sterile paper bags. She came in while he gloved up. He ripped open one of the bags as she put a gigantic napkin thingy around me, covering me from my neck to my waist. Then the doctor pushed something with his foot and the seat moved into a flat position.

  The nurse held the tray as the doctor took the bandage off under my nose.

  “Is this going to hurt?” I asked.

  “Not pain, though it will feel weird.”

  Then he began pulling stuff out. I thought he was done, but no. He kept pulling. And pulling. How much shit was in there? Was it crammed all the way to my brain? My God, was he ever going to finish? Finally, he was done. I was waiting for him to pull a rabbit out of there too.

  “I bet you thought that was never going to end.”

  “Yeah.”

  He chuckled and said, “That was only one side.”

  The fuck! “Are you kidding?”

  “Sorry.”

  “Is my nose that big?”

  Then he and the nurse laughed. “Your nose is actually small. It’s amazing what you can fit in there.”

  This time I knew what to expect. When he was finished, it was such a relief. Then he took the rest of the bandage off that went over the bridge of my nose.

  He pressed around a bit and said, “Hmm, this looks really nice. Do you want to see?”

  “Yes!”

  “Don’t be alarmed by the bruising because all that will fade away.” He handed me a mirror and my nose looked like a cross between a green and purple grape. He took some gauze and cleaned me up, which made it look better, but it was still purple-green. My eyes looked awful too. They were swollen and bruised.

  “In about four weeks, you’ll look back to normal. It takes four to six weeks for the swelling to go down. I want to see you in a week. I want this to stay in place. It’s kind of a splint, but it’s there more for protection than anything else.”

  It took him a couple of minutes to place it on. He gave me my care instructions and we left. Pearson offered to take me to lunch, which I accepted. I was starving. Maybe I could taste again. I also wanted to pick his brain about Evan.

  When we were seated, I aimed my gaze at him and said, “Ok, cousin, I want all the juicy details on your friend. Everything. Now give it up.”

  He looked at me like a deer in the headlights.

  Sixteen

  Sylvie

  “What do you want to know?” Pearson asked. His wariness almost made me laugh.

  “I’m not going to bite, you know.”

  “Funny, Sylvie. Here’s the thing. I’m stuck in the middle and it’s a bad place to be.”

  I patted his hand. “Tell me about it.”

  “I understand you get it. You were th
ere with Rose and me. But Evan and I go way back. And I’ve always had his back.”

  “There was a time you always had mine too.”

  “I’ve never stopped having yours. Why do you think I stormed over to your place the way I did?”

  My throat was suddenly like cotton, so I picked up the glass of ice water sitting in front of me and drank half of it down. “Is he that bad?”

  “No, he’s the best. However, with that being said, a guy with his kind of lifestyle has so many opportunities to …”

  “To what?”

  “Sylvie, women throw themselves at him.”

  We were interrupted by the waitress and gave her our order. After she left, I thought for a second. “Kind of like they do to you?” I asked him.

  “Yes, no. I wasn’t sober most of the time.”

  “Pearson, that was only in recent years. I remember way back, even when you would come home from law school, women were doing that to you.”

  Our beverages were delivered—iced tea for me and water for Pearson—and he said, “You’re right.”

  “So what? I’m supposed to avoid him because other women want him?”

  He blew out a sigh. “I guess not.”

  “Have you seen the way other women look at you?”

  He shrugged. “I don’t pay attention to that.”

  “Why?”

  “I’m not interested. I love my wife more than anything.”

  “But you don’t think Evan is capable of being monogamous?”

  “I never said that!”

  “Pearson, you didn’t have to. You implied it.”

  He scrubbed his face for a second and said, “I guess I’m projecting my old self onto him.”

  “Now that we have that taken care of, I want to know about him.”

  “In which way?”

  “I had no idea about his business,” I confess.

  “I’m not sure how much I should divulge because that’s his deal to share with you, but he’s extremely successful and very modest about it.”

  “Ooh, I like that. He doesn’t brag about his success.” That impressed me. I wasn’t fond of people who flaunted their wealth. It was so obnoxious.

  “He’d never do that. Sometimes I think it embarrasses him. That’s not to say he isn’t proud of his accomplishments, but you’ll never hear him say things like—oh, you won’t believe my portfolio these days. Or you won’t believe the accounts I’ve added. He just isn’t that kind of guy. He never even talks about all the houses he—” Pearson abruptly stopped.