The ladies squealed in excitement. “Wait,” Shay said. “How are we going to do this without Marie knowing? There’s the marriage license and other legal details to take care of.”
“We’re going to need a lot of help,” Devon said as he pulled his cell phone from his pocket and called Jade.
Marie smiled as Adriana told her about the six new clients they’d just landed. “Things are really turning around for us. We should have a party, kind of like the old days, but not with you getting arrested or kicked out.”
Marie shook her head. “My party days are over. As a matter of fact, my time in Charlotte is coming to an end.”
“What?” Adriana asked. “Are you serious?”
“Yes,” she said. “Devon asked me to move to Paris with him.”
“Paris? As in Paris, France? Wow. This is major. I can’t believe you’re leaving Charlotte. What about M&A?”
“I’m still going to do the social media part of the business,” Marie said. “But you will officially become the face of the business. Look at what you’ve done while I was going through my legal trouble. You gave us respectability, profits have increased, and I haven’t had to take my clothes off to get attention.”
“Except from Devon,” Adriana joked. She crossed over to Marie and hugged her. “I’m going to miss you.”
“Calm down, girl, I’m not leaving for at least a month,” Marie said. “Don’t forget, we have that fund-raiser at Hometown Delights in two days. One more thing.”
“What’s that?”
“I told Mrs. Harper from My Sister’s Keeper that we would do some publicity work for the shelter. Since I’m not going to be here ...”
“Say no more, I’ll handle it. Working with Shay showed me just how important that place is. I’d be happy to keep that promise for you. Just make sure you send me lots of presents from Paris. The shoes that you’re going to be wearing,” Adriana said. “I’m jealous.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll share,” Marie said. “Let’s go and have lunch at ...” Before Marie could finish, the phone rang and Adriana picked it up.
“M&A Events, Adriana speaking,” she said. Marie smiled and returned to her tweeting. When Adriana hung up the phone, Marie turned to her and said, “Well? Are we going to lunch?”
“Actually,” Adriana said. “I have a meeting; silly me, I nearly forgot. Let’s meet at Nordstrom after work?”
“Nordstrom? I’m there,” she said as Adriana headed out the door. Once she was alone, Marie pulled out her French-English dictionary and looked up how to say, “Does that shoe come in a size eight?”
Devon walked into Richard Charles’ office, and for the first time in his life, he was intimidated. Richard’s presence filled the room like water in a fish tank; it was everywhere. “Mr. Harris, what can I do for you?” Richard asked as he rose to his feet and extended his hand to Devon.
“Well,” Devon said, “you can call me Devon.”
“Force of habit, I’m usually dealing with clients or adversaries. What’s going on? Have a seat.”
Devon sat across from Richard’s desk and looked down at his watch, then back up at Marie’s father. “Sir,” he said. “I love your daughter.”
Richard laughed. “I’ve noticed. And I’ve noticed that you’ve been a very positive influence in her life.”
“And she in mine,” he replied. “That’s why I’m here.”
“OK.”
“I want to marry her and I want to do it in two days.” Richard folded his arms across his chest and leaned back in his chair. “What’s the rush? Should I be getting my shotgun?”
“Oh, no. It’s nothing like that, but I’m moving to Paris, and I don’t want to take my girlfriend with me. I want my wife to fly to Paris with me and share in my life there.”
“Paris? You want to take my little girl to Paris?”
“And marry her, with your blessing, of course,” Devon said.
Richard rose from his chair and crossed over to Devon. “You know, I love my daughter more than anything in this world. She’s been my life for a long time, and over the years, I’ve given her everything that she’s ever wanted. Marie is headstrong and she rebelled. Dated some of the biggest jerks and wannabe players in the world, and then she met you. Certainly a step up from the lot she normally aligned herself with, but Paris. That’s a long way from Charlotte. However, don’t think, for one second that if my baby needs me because you’ve hurt her, I won’t be on the next flight over there to help her.”
Devon nodded in deference to Richard’s point of view as he stood up and looked the man directly in the eye. “I would never do anything to hurt Marie. So, when you come to visit, you won’t have to bring that shotgun of yours.”
Richard laughed heartily, then extended his hand to Devon. “Welcome to the family,” he said as they shook hands. Then Richard’s phone buzzed, signaling a call from his assistant. “Excuse me,” he said as he crossed over to his desk. “Yes, Libby.”
“Ms. Adriana Kimbrell is here to see you and Mr. Harris,” she said.
“Send her in,” Richard said, then eyed Devon suspiciously.
“I can’t surprise Marie with a wedding without help,” Devon replied as Adriana walked in.
“Marie is going to die,” Adriana said excitedly. “Hi, Mr. Charles.”
Richard nodded toward Adriana and smiled slyly. “So, how are we going to plan a wedding without my daughter knowing? Marie has to be in the middle of everything.”
“I have an idea,” Adriana said. “If you’re doing it at the fund-raiser, all we have to do is get a preacher there and, of course you, Mr. Charles ...”
“There is also a need for a marriage license,” Richard interrupted. “Perhaps I can work some of my connections to speed that process up.”
“That’s a great idea, sir,” Adriana said. “We’re going to Nordstrom today to get her wedding dress and shoes. I know a few photographers who can get shots of the ceremony, and ...”
Devon held up his hands. “Slow down. You seem to have everything taken care of.”
“Yes, this is what I do. Now, let me see the ring,” Adriana said.
“That’s a slight problem, I haven’t gotten one yet,” Devon said. “I was hoping you knew Marie’s ...”
“You don’t need to do that,” Richard said. “I’ve been holding on to my wife’s engagement ring, and I’d like you to give it to Marie. She’s always loved that ring, and with it on her finger, I’ll feel like a piece of my wife is there at the altar with her.”
Adriana’s eyes watered with tears. “That’s so sweet.”
“I’ll line up the preacher and prepare the cake,” Devon said.
“And I’ll bring the ring to you tomorrow,” Richard said. “This is pretty exciting. Now, you’re sure Marie’s going to say yes?”
“I have a pretty good indication that she will,” Devon said with a smile.
“All right,” Richard said. “I hate to cut this short, but I have a meeting in about fifteen minutes. You two handle the details and I’ll be there to stand up for my daughter.”
The two men shook hands again, and then Devon and Adriana headed out the door.
“That’s a first,” she said once they were out of Richard’s earshot.
“What?” Devon asked.
“Mr. Charles liking a man who showed interest in his daughter. He usually finds something to intimidate him about. You’re special, Devon, and lucky.”
“I know it,” he said. “Marie’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me, and I want her to know how special she is.”
Adriana nodded. “And this is going to be another first, pulling the wool over Marie Charles’ eyes. She’s the one who’s usually full of surprises.”
“Why am I not surprised by that?” Devon laughed.
“So, what are you wearing on your wedding day? I think Marie should get married in a red dress, so that’s what we’re going to shop for today.” Adriana pulled out her cell phone and called so
meone. Devon stood back in awe and watched her work. “He’s Devon Harris,” he heard her tell the person on the other end of the phone. “He’s going to come in the back of the store. A nice black suit and a red tie, yep. I can’t tell you that, just make it happen, Hayden. And I love you, too. Don’t forget to send your donation to the fund-raiser at Hometown Delights. I hope to see you there. Smooches.” With that, Adriana hung up the phone and turned to Devon. “Hayden Smalls is a personal shopper at Nordstrom, and he’s expecting you. You need to be out of there before five, because that’s when Marie and I should be arriving to find her red wedding dress.”
“Got it,” he said. “I guess I’d better head over there now.”
“Then tomorrow, we get the wedding band once we see what Mr. Charles’ engagement ring looks like. I bet it is beautiful.”
“You’re sure Marie’s going to be all right with wearing her mother’s ring and not having one of her own?”
Adriana nodded. “I’m sure she’s going to love it. This is going to be so amazing.”
After leaving Adriana, Devon headed to Hometown Delights to share his wedding plans with his friends. Looking at his watch, he knew that he was going to have to keep things short and to the point if he was going to be able to get fitted for his suit before Marie and Adriana arrived at Nordstrom.
When he arrived at the restaurant, he headed for the office and was happy to see Jade, Alicia, and Serena were there. “My sisters, what’s going on?”
“Hey, Devon,” Serena said. “We were just talking about you and the fund-raiser.”
“Really?” he said with a smile.
“The Observer did a great piece on My Sister’s Keeper today,” Alicia said as she turned the screen toward Devon. He gave it a perfunctory glance and nodded.
“The fund-raiser is going to do more than raise money for the shelter,” he said.
“What do you mean?” Jade asked. Serena and Alicia looked on with curiosity blanketing their faces.
“Well, I’m going to marry Marie.”
“What?” the three women exclaimed.
“When did you two get engaged?” Serena fired out.
“Why didn’t you tell us?” Alicia asked.
Devon held his hands out. “Listen,” he said. “I have to go pick up my suit shortly, but this is a surprise. And there’s more: I’m going to Paris.”
Jade and Serena gasped. “Paris? For a visit?” Serena asked.
He shook his head no. “I’ve been given an opportunity to run a restaurant in Paris and to become the face of Paris’s Food Network.”
“And Marie’s going with you?” Jade asked.
He nodded. “This isn’t something that you ask your girlfriend to do, that’s one reason why we’re getting married.”
“I can’t believe you’re leaving us,” Jade said. “But I knew this day was coming eventually.”
“I hate to leave you guys, but Paris has always been my dream,” he said. Jade crossed over to him and hugged him while she silently cried.
“This is wonderful. Devon, I’m really happy for you,” she said.
“Thank you,” he said. “I’m going to need you ladies to help me keep this wedding under wraps.”
“What do you need us to do?” Alicia asked. “This is going to be so much fun.”
“I’ll let you know tomorrow. I have to meet my personal shopper at Nordstrom to get this suit. We can talk about it over breakfast tomorrow, say nine o’clock?”
“All right,” Alicia said. “As long as you’re cooking.”
“Come on, now,” he said as he headed out of the office.
Chapter 25
Marie was getting tired of seeing red. “What’s up with you and this obsession with red dresses?” she asked Adriana when she brought her another red dress to try on. It was the fifth one since they had been in the store.
Adriana held up the red gown, which was trimmed in lace and had a sheer tail. Marie had to admit that it was a beautiful dress. Even if it was red. “Are you telling me that you don’t think this is a show stopper?” Adriana asked as she handed it to her friend.
“I didn’t say that.” Marie held the dress against her body and gazed at herself in the mirror. The dress was hot. But she felt as if it was a little too flashy for the fundraiser.
“I don’t know if it’s appropriate for the fundraiser, though. However, I only have two days to find something.”
“Well, I think your job is done,” Adriana said. “This dress is classy, and if you need to get it fitted, the seamstress is waiting for your orders. Just try it on and I have some shoes to show you.”
“All right,” Marie said, slowly falling in love with the dress as she swished around with it. She was already seeing her hairstyle and thinking of a statement piece of jewelry. Maybe she’d get a large necklace, since the neckline of the dress would show off her cleavage in a daring, yet classic manner. Old Hollywood, she thought as she entered the dressing room. Once she put the dress on, Marie’s decision about the dress had been made. “OK, Adriana,” she called out. “I defer to your sense of fashion on this one. This dress is amazing.” Marie spun around, enjoying the way the dress hugged her curves like a second skin.
“Let’s see it,” Adriana said. Marie walked out standing on her tiptoes. “I told you!”
“You were right, Adriana. This dress is delicious.”
She handed Marie a pair of silver stilettos. “And these are going to set it off!”
Marie smiled and took the shoes. “I think you missed your calling, you could be a stylist to the stars.”
Adriana shook her head. “I don’t think so. It was hard enough convincing you to go red.”
“OK, I was wrong,” she said. “This red dress isn’t bad.”
“Are you going to call Rodricko? Do you think he can squeeze both of us in?” Adriana asked as she glanced down at her watch.
“I think he should be able to, especially since I’m about to be his former client. You should lobby for my standing appointment. After all, the face of M&A can’t have split ends, ratty roots, and God forbid, a horrible weave.”
“Ah, that would never happen. But you’re right, I am going to lobby for that appointment. Who’s going to do your hair in Paris? Do you think you’re going to like it there?”
Marie slipped into the shoes and forced a smile. She had no doubt that Devon loved her, but moving so far away gave her pause. She didn’t want to admit it, but she was a little afraid. Glancing at Adriana and the smile her friend had on her face, Marie didn’t want to share her fears. “I think I will,” she finally said. “Paris is beautiful and I’ve been wanting to visit there for years, now I get to live there with the man I love.”
“Are you going to miss Charlotte?”
“Charlotte is a part of me, and I will miss it and all of my friends here. But Paris, it’s a dream for most people, and I’m going to get to live it,” she replied with forced gaiety.
“And Devon,” Adriana said.
“Oh, yes,” she said genuinely. “I used to laugh when I heard women say a man was the best thing that ever happened to them, but in this case it’s true. I really wonder what I was ever thinking about when I dated William. Did I tell you he threatened to sue me?”
“For what? Gaining your sanity?” Adriana laughed. “Word on the street is Mr. Franklin is so down and out that he had to get a real job because no woman would have him. And Greta has a new job. She does promotions for a strip club.”
“Wow, how the mighty has fallen,” Marie said as she examined the silver shoes. “Are you sure this isn’t too Diana Ross from The Wiz?”
“No, and I’m impressed.”
“With the shoe?” Marie wiggled her foot in front of Adriana.
“No, silly, with you. I just dished some dirt and you didn’t have anything smart to say about it. That’s not the Marie I’m used to dealing with. Devon has really made some positive changes in your life.”
Marie smiled at her image in th
e mirror. “He really has. I will never admit this to anyone else, because it sounds so horrible, but that accident was the best thing that happened to me. It really woke me up to how stupid I was being with my life.”
“You could’ve saved yourself a night in jail and a totaled car had you just listened to me and never gotten involved with William. And by the way, Hailey sends her love. She’s decided that she doesn’t want to work in the public-relations industry,” Adriana said as she snapped a picture of Marie with her cell phone.
“Poor thing, but I’m not surprised,” Marie said as Adriana took another picture. “My father took care of William. He served him with papers that said if he comes near me or talks to the press about me, he’ll be sued for a million dollars. Something he clearly doesn’t have. Um, what are you doing? What’s with the pictures?”
“Old time’s sake,” she said with a laugh.
Devon put the finishing touches on the dessert selections for the fund-raiser when his cell phone rang. Putting the chocolate aside, he answered, “Hello?”
“Devon Harris, you have some nerve,” Kandace said.
“What?”
“I guess you forgot to tell me that you’re getting married,” she said, then laughed. “Congratulations. I knew there was something special about what you and Marie had. I’m so happy for you.”
“Thank you,” he said, smiling.
“I wish I could be there, but of course my doctor has not cleared me to leave the house,” she said. “And you’re going to Paris. I know how much that means to you.”
“Finally getting a chance to do it right,” he said. “Kandace, I don’t know if I’ve ever told you how sorry I am about what happened all those years ago.”
“Water under the bridge. I guess we were meant to be friends more than anything else. But a word of advice: Don’t mess it up with Marie.”
“I have no plans to do so,” he said. “She means everything to me.”
Recipe for Desire Page 24