by Mika West
“Are you warm enough?” he asked. It was the first time he’d spoken tonight.
“Yes, I’m fine, thanks.”
My nose was dominated by that same scent I’d experienced the night he helped me with my Jeep. Mint and aftershave, it was a sharp smell, masculine, and if I was honest with myself, heavenly.
I wanted him to wrap his arms around me, bring me close and envelope me in that heady, intoxicating smell.
“You look stunning,” he added. I tried to conceal the shock that I’m sure instantly appeared on my face.
A few snowflakes had fallen into his dark hair and onto the shoulders of his coat. I watched them disappear before looking up into his gray eyes once more.
“Thank you,” I said. I tried to keep my voice even and unaffected, but already I was losing this power battle and I’d barely gotten out of the car.
“Well, you do,” he replied quietly.
As we started up the steps he spoke again, in hushed tones, his head was tilted conspiratorially toward mine.
“I’m not sure how to say this,” he half-whispered, his voice low. I immediately flashed back to that look on his face by the filing cabinet and outside of my car. I looked at him now, the same apprehension was there, but his face looked different. Embarrassed almost.
“I have a small request,” he said.
For a moment I wondered if it was something work-related, he had said I’d be working this evening. The pained expression in his eyes made me think it was something more than that though. I stared at him with an uneasy curiosity.
“What? Not an order or a demand?”
He smiled. “No, a simple request; a favor.”
“So if I wanted to I could say?”
Tommy paused and looked at me. “You could, but I would be very grateful if you didn’t.”
I pondered this warmer version of Tommy and his request. But still didn’t let my guard down. He, after all, wanted something from me.
“The real reason I’m—we’re—at this event tonight is because Douglas Barnaby will be here.”
“Barnaby?” I asked, “Like Barnaby Electric?”
“Yes, like Barnaby Electric.”
He took a breath and let the gravity of that fact sink in. The name Barnaby dominated our town. Most hospitals, schools, and state buildings boasted the name. Douglas Barnaby was on Forbes’s list of wealthiest men last year. The bookshop where I’d worked since out of college was also called “Barnaby Books,” although I’d never seen him in there. Still, everyone knew who he was.
Tommy cleared his throat. “Douglas Barnaby is painfully old fashioned. He doesn’t do business in office buildings with contracts before him. He does business based on ‘gut’ feelings at informal occasions, parties like this one. Then he lets his lawyers fill in the blanks and take care of the minutia.”
“OK,” I said uncertainly, “what does that have to do with me?”
“Well, they’re thinking of going into business with a firm and well… a few other candidates have been turned away because, at least this is what I’ve heard, because Doug didn’t find their CEOs ‘human’ enough. They were men who just worked every given moment and didn’t have time for anything else. And I’m not ashamed to say I suppose I fit into that category pretty well. He’s written several pieces about keeping strong family values at the forefront of his businesses…”
I was just staring at him. I didn’t have the slightest clue what he was talking about. Part of me wished he’d taken up the asshole routine again, at least that was vaguely predictable. But this Tommy was someone different. Vulnerable even. He exhaled sharply.
My curiosity was killing me at this point, and I could only helplessly shrug.
“I need your help,” he said, finally.
Then he handed me a sparkling diamond ring, and my mouth dropped open. “Marry me?”
Chapter 8
My jaw was still hanging open like some kind of broken nutcracker.
“You don’t even have to say anything. I’ll do the talking. You just have to play your part. Put the ring on and smile.”
I wasn’t worth being put on some stupid list about spankings and yet here he was asking me to be his fake fiancée for an evening? It was all too much. Why was nothing in my life ever easy? Why had I agreed to come to this stupid party?
“No. No way!” I shook my head.
His face looked crestfallen as I uttered the words. “But—”
“Seriously, are you out of your mind?”
“Hush! Keep your voice down,” he hissed as guests started to pass us on the steps.
“No. I will not hush! For three straight weeks you barely have one nice thing to say to me, and suddenly I’m supposed to pretend to be the love of your life?” I stopped when people started to glance over and realized, too late, that I was indeed a little too loud. But the look on Tommy’s face was partially worth it. He was totally taken aback.
“I’ll pay you,” he added quickly, desperate. “If we win this account I can afford to give you a pretty hefty Christmas bonus.”
I paused. It felt dirty.
Here was Tommy Carver, proposing on the steps of a grand palace, snow falling daintily on a pretty, sparkling ring. It was all my 16-year-old-self had dreamed of. And, yet, now it felt more like a twisted nightmare that I couldn’t wake up from. I wanted to run away. Far away, move to Florida, start again. But then, of course, there was Liv. She was sitting patiently at home, thinking of what a magical evening I was having with my normal boss who didn’t insult me for weeks and then ask me to be his fiancée.
“Oh, so now you want me to be your call-girl? That escalated quickly, or should I say deescalated! Demoted already from fiancée to call-girl. Lovely. Just lovely. What’s next will you want to pay me sex?” I clamped a hand over my mouth in shock at my own words and outburst.
His face paled but then recovered almost instantly. He took hold of my arm and pulled me to the side. He pulled me close, his face inches away from my own. “Shae, please. I didn’t mean to offend you. I just need your help. Will you do this for me? This one time?”
I managed to make eye contact with him and knew right then I would help him. There was no way I could say no to him. None at all. My brain just couldn’t reason with my already gone heart.
“I know you need the money,” he continued, and I bristled but couldn’t tear myself away from him. “This will be good for both of us.”
I was reminded of my earlier resolve. This was for her, for Liv. I could do it for her; slip on the ring and act for a few hours, then give her the magical Christmas she deserved. Who was I kidding? It wasn’t like it would be hard to pretend to be in love with him.
“Fine.”
He breathed a sigh of relief and handed me the ring.
My hands were shaking, but I managed to slip it on. It was a little too big, but it fit well enough. I also realized it was very real. I wasn’t wearing costume jewelry. This was an actual engagement ring.
Reluctantly, I linked arms with him, and we walked out of the freezing night and into the grandness that was The Holloway Christmas party.
Inside, the large hall was filled wall to wall, pillar to pillar, with people. Loud chatter filled the expansive room, and coat-tailed waiters danced lightly around guests with silver platters of champagne. A pianist was positioned in the corner of the hall, an elegant crescendo building beneath his deft fingers.
Above us, gold banners hung from the vaulted ceiling, and disco-ball sized ornaments were suspended in mid-air, shimmering and twinkling. Wreaths adorned every available wall, and a large, twenty foot Christmas tree dominated the end of the hall, every spare inch, and every branch decorated with glistening ornaments, tinsel, and crystal encased lights. Beneath the tree were hundreds of gold wrapped presents of various sizes. It was a magnificent sight to see.
Tommy explained that the main reason for the event was to raise money for underprivileged children and the guests donated gifts that lined the floo
r around the tree. Of course, many more families could be helped if they avoided the whole party in the first place, I thought with a roll of my eyes, but, then, how would they show how rich and important they were?
I glanced around the room and was grateful for the dress I’d received. Women sparkled in floor length gowns and exquisite jewelry. Their wrists and necks glistened much like the branches of the tree behind them. The men were also the picture of elegance, confident, comfortable and used to their attire. Tommy was the youngest one I could see.
“Your mouth is open,” Tommy whispered in my ear. His lips were turned up with an amused smile. Never in my life had I seen such extravagance. I heard a familiar laugh and turned to see an A-list actress, a recent Oscar winner, clutching her chest and holding on to a glass of golden champagne with a white-gloved hand. My mouth stayed open.
Tommy chuckled. He had a boyish springiness; it was the happiest I had seen him yet. “Bet you’re glad you accepted after all.”
“Don’t push your luck,” I hissed at him, though I did it with a smile. And even though we were inside, he kept his arm linked around mine and guided me through the guests.
A waiter came by to take our coats. I handed over my coat but kept my clutch, and thought of the list hidden away inside. I looked back at Tommy; his gray eyes were glistening with a playfulness I’d never seen him wear at the office. His eyes looked into mine for just a little too long, and his hand strayed dangerously low on my back. I felt giddy, nervous and everything rolled into one. I may have been there under some sense of obligation to my boss, but I decided right there to do what Liv had suggested: enjoy myself.
“So, when do we meet Mr. Barnaby?” I asked.
“In a bit, best not to seem too eager. Champagne? I could use a drink.”
We made our way toward the center of the room. I felt like a young child at a fair. There was so much to look at and take in. He found a waiter and handed me a glass of champagne. As he did, an older gentleman spotted us and raised his eyebrows in Tommy’s direction.
He started our way, “Ahhh, Mr. Carver!” he said jovially.
Tommy smiled charmingly and tipped his head towards the man. His white hair swept over a bald patch, but his eyes shone with a friendly luster.
“I’m glad you could attend this year! And who is this charming young woman?”
“This, sir, is Miss Shae Reynolds. Shae, may I introduce you to Dr. Cornwell.”
Dr. Cornwell waved his hand dismissing the formalities. “Call me George, please. We’re all friends here. How do you do, my dear? May I say you look ravishing! I believe every man and woman stopped to stare at you when you entered. Beautiful.”
Blushing, I felt for a brief moment a strong desire to curtsy; my mind rattled at the strangeness of the occasion. I had no idea how to behave. I extended a hand to meet George's.
“Did you know, Shae—what an unusual but lovely name by the way—that the young man on your arm is one of the most up-and-coming lads in the business? He’s built quite the empire for himself. Surely, he’s one of, if the not the, youngest man in attendance this evening.” George smiled grandly at me. “You’re a very lucky lady.”
I nodded and grinned back at him then passed a glance at Tommy. He seemed uncomfortable at the hands of the attention and shifted uncomfortably from foot to foot.
“Tommy is a hard worker if anyone deserves his success it’s him,” I replied sweetly, realizing that what I was saying was completely true.
“I couldn’t do it without you,” Tommy interjected and pulled me closer, his arm around my waist. We shared a glance, and I shivered all over. I hoped to God he didn’t notice. Tommy broke the spell and turned his attention back to the doctor. “Is your wife here this evening, George?”
“Ah, yes! She’s around here somewhere. Mingling and acquiring all the gossip no doubt.” His voice trailed off as he scanned the crowd. He met eyes with a very elegant woman in a stunning black, strapless gown. Her streaked grey hair was pinned up in a neat twist. He waved her over, and she smiled when she spotted Tommy beside her husband.
“I was just being introduced to Tommy’s stunning young date here. Shae, this is my wife, Saskia.” Again, I fought the urge to curtsy; meeting these wealthy, glamorous people was akin to meeting royalty. Saskia smiled kindly and leaned in to kiss me on each cheek.
“Tommy, it’s so lovely to see you again! How’s business? Wait, don’t tell me: fabulous as always?” she said in a luxuriously rich English accent.
“Now that you mention it, it is doing very well, thank you. How long are you in town?” asked Tommy.
“Just for the event, unfortunately. We fly back to Massachusetts tomorrow.”
Tommy turned to me. “Dr. Cornwell was one my favorite professors at Tufts. His family was unbelievably kind to me; I owe a lot of my success to this man right here.”
Dr. Cornwell gave Tommy a thankful nod while his wife looked on kindly.
“You did the work, my boy. As I said, Shae, you’re a very lucky woman. Any success he’s obtained is all his own doing. I’m just happy I got the chance to meet and teach such a motivated young man,” he said with a wink in my direction. “Well, we will let you two enjoy your evening. It was good to see you, Tommy. You’ll have to come see us at the university soon.”
Saskia gave Tommy a squeeze on the arm and planted two more kisses on each of our cheeks before fading back into the crowd.
“They were nice,” I said when they were out of earshot.
Tommy nodded. “You didn’t have to say those things…”
I was about to interrupt to object when he placed a finger upon my lips, stopping me. “No need to ruin it by saying something you’ll regret,” he said with a knowing smile. “But, thank you. Dr. Cornwell is very near and dear to my heart, and your words meant a lot to me.”
Tommy let his finger drop and took my hand in his. “What do you say we go have some fun?” I nibbled on my lip, still feeling where his finger had been, and bobbed my head. He whisked me deeper into the party and the rest of the night faded into a blur of introductions. It was amazing to meet the people who knew Tommy. A revelation if I was being honest. Their high praise started to make me see him in a different light, making me realize there was more to this man, to my high-school crush than I knew. I was also learning it was no small feat to be among the powerful circle of professionals at his age. He’d truly managed to climb the ladder in quick time, his hard work and determination gaining him a respected reputation.
After my third glass of champagne—talking and networking was thirty work—my nerves dissipated and I began to relax. I also lost the urge and inclination to pretend to be a stiff character in a Jane Austen novel. If Tommy could be more like himself here, then I would do the same.
The room was warm from all of the people milling about, and I was starting to feel dizzy from the drinks and all the elaborate introductions. Sensing my discomfort, Tommy leaned into my ear, “Do you want to get some air?”
He placed his hand on the lower part of my back, and an electric current raced down my spine. I nodded and followed him out of the crowded hall back out to the columned entrance above the grand staircase. We followed the elaborate porch around the side of the mansion and into a gorgeous well-maintained garden lit with fairy lights.
Guests who’d had the same idea, needing a little bit of a breather, were walking along the meandering path. The twinkling lights followed a beautiful row of red rose bushes wetted with a fresh dusting of snow. Silently we took the path that led to a vine-covered gazebo glowing with even more yellow Christmas lights. I had to believe the electricity bill for just this one night would probably match mine for the entire year.
We walked up the steps and into the gazebo. I took in my surroundings, Tommy close beside me doing the same. Savoring the moment. And for once I felt wholly comfortable in his presence. We didn’t need to talk, or bicker, there was no need. Just being close to him I was overwhelmed with a sense of calm. That e
verything in the world all right.
The rich colors of the flowers shone brightly beneath the full moon. It was like the garden was immune to the cold. Poinsettias circled the base of the gazebo and couples in shadow wandered around in thick coats, but the cold air felt fresh against the warmth of my skin. I realized I must be slightly buzzed from the champagne because, even though I was shivering, it wasn’t from the cold.
“Are you cold? Tommy asked.
“No,” I said through chattering teeth.
“Liar,” he murmured, a smile touching the edges of his lips. He took off his jacket and placed it around my shoulders regardless. I drowned in it, but it was warm and smelled so nice I accepted the gift and wrapped it around myself tighter. “Here, sit down. We can go back in in a moment.” We sat on the stone bench and kept looking over at each other.
“Thank you again for doing this,” he said seriously. “You have been charming the pants off everyone in there.”
“I haven’t done anything yet, not really. For all you know, I could be waiting for the Barnaby introduction to make a huge scene, throw the ring at you and then make a dramatic exit. All to embarrass you.” I flashed my eyes at him for a serious moment then cracked into a smile.
He laughed darkly. “You’d probably be well within your rights to do exactly that.”
“Well, you don’t have to worry… gotta keep my job after all.”
We lapsed into silence, but curiosity began to get to me. After all the years since he disappeared from my high school, wondering what had happened to him, there was a lot to fill in.
“So how did you do so well for yourself anyway? You’re only a year older than me.”
His dark brows rose a fraction, and I guessed he hadn’t known that I knew how old he was. I was slowly getting over the sting of not being remembered, but it was still there, beneath the surface.