by R. F. Allie
"Why are you pouting baby?”
I motioned to the big fat closed sign on the door.
“He made it Family only, don't look so disappointed."
My grin returned as soon as he said it and we got out of the car.
I was stopped by my friends.
“Not so fast missy.”
Jenna beamed at Landon.
"We'll be inside in a minute Landon."
He was eyeing Jude and Jenna curiously but walked inside.
"You gave up you V-card didn't you?"
I blushed at Jenna's words.
"That obvious huh?" I muttered
"Oh my god Boo! This is huge."
Ryan seemed happy about it.
"As long as you did it on your own terms, it's great."
Jude said tenderly; all too-brotherly referring to that god-awful-night.
"Look at her; she's a poster-girl for orgasms, glowing red cheeks and sparkling eyes.
I flushed again at Jenna's remark.
"That good?" Jude asked, I nodded
"Good for you!"
"This conversation isn't over."
Jenna said while we were getting inside.
I didn't think so.
I had some questions, some confessions. I also needed some help, and she was like a Wikipedia for me.
Inside the restaurant, there was a big table with more seats than I’d expected. Uncle Jimmy welcomed us cheerily, announcing a real feast. He was a very affectionate man; and humorous. He didn’t miss on teasing Landon about bringing a girl to his restaurant for the first time since he was a college student. It made me laugh; and it flattered me.
He'd apparently been preparing our meal for the whole morning. We sat and the waitress offered us chilled beers. We talked about some of last night’s events. Ryan even announced to Landon the nickname Jude had given to Evelyn.
Soon Uncle Robert, Simon and another couple joined us.
Today, Simon was in a talking mood, and he revealed that he was at my dad's funeral. It was a blur for me really, but I was amused by the fact that the two brothers had met me before I did.
The nice couple was Robert's old friends and they seemed to love Landon a lot. He had dinners with them frequently and they invited me to their thirty-fifth anniversary the following month.
"Speaking of anniversaries Boo."
Ryan got my attention.
"Your mom said she's coming for yours next week. Would she mind bringing me some fabrics, I would have them sent to her house and she only has to pick them up. I'll pay for the extra baggage, of course"
I rolled my eyes at him, the guy lived in New York for god sake, but he only wanted authentic Italian or French or Turkish straight from the source.
"Don't be silly! Just get the damn thing sent to her house before Tuesday; she'll apparently be one day early."
"Helen is coming?"
Uncle Robert sounded genuinely happy.
"Yes, on Friday."
I conceded.
"So your birthday is on Saturday?"
Robert insisted and I nodded smiling.
He turned to Landon.
"You should have told me, son"
He admonished.
"I didn't tell him Uncle Robert" I interjected.
"You're either funny or naïve."
Simon blurted out.
"Hey big brother; what’s Clea’ social security number?"
I laughed at the absurdity of the comment.
"Simon..." Landon warned.
"Don't you Simon me, big bro, we both know you know it."
Simon doubled over in laughter.
I was staring at Landon. I remembered that he did track me down all the way from Paris.
I wasn't going to ruin the moment, especially not in front of my friends and his family. He would eventually tell me everything he knows.
I hope that sealed thing would stay buried. I wasn't ready to tell him about it, and if he's feigning ignorance, I'll uncover it another time.
“Either way, this means I'll be in New York sooner than I’d initially planned."
Uncle Robert stopped the tension growing between his sons, and I squeezed Landon's hand to reassure him.
“That’s so sweet, but you don't have to, I'm sure you have more important things to do."
“Well now I do, I have to find a suitable gift for a beautiful young woman."
He announced with his drop-dead smile.
“Damn! I got chills!" Jude muttered not-so-discretely gesturing behind us.
Landon and I turned to find Evelyn walking through the door. I laughed unconsciously about Jude’s reaction, and Landon bit out his laugh.
“Hello everyone, looks like I'm late for the party."
She said walking to our table.
“Just the way you like it."
Landon growled, seemingly not-so-pleased with her presence.
“My thoughts exactly. Hello daddy."
Okay so Renee and Joseph were her parents. They never mentioned it, and thankfully my friends didn't talk about it once Simon and Robert got there.
The conversation kept flowing smoothly despite some snarly comments between Evelyn and Landon. Simon was like a referee on a boxing ring. Uncle jimmy really did make a feast; succulent grilled steaks, burgers and vegetables. He must have had some kind of secret recipes that he was the only one to possess.
The meal was mouthwatering; we all cleaned our plates, drank cool beers and chatted.
“You know Landon; I'm still not okay with you spending the whole week in New York. We have work to do on the Braden Ellis' case"
I blinked at Evelyn announcement.
“Good thing I don't need your permission."
Landon snarled acerbically.
”And by the way, thank you for ruining my surprise, I hadn't told Clea yet."
I was processing the news. That's why he didn't seem affected when I’d expressed my concerns about us.
I was stressing out; all the while he had planned to spend the week in New York.
But it didn’t feel right.
As much as I hated to admit it, Evelyn was right he had responsibilities. Even on a Sunday people kept calling him.
“Oh boohoo, it's not like a ruined a marriage proposal."
I officially hated the woman.
“Evelyn!"
Her mother admonished.
“Stay out of this Mother!"
She bit at Renee and we all fell silent.
I’d never witnessed that must disrespect in my entire life.
The scene was just outraging – unbelievably so.
I was ready to double over in a nervous giggle, but thought better of it, especially after the way she talked to her mother. I looked around me, my friends were suffering the same fate, and they were suppressing their smiles, for the sake of Renee. Otherwise, the way she seemed to intrude in our business, I was either going to laugh at her or slap the damn out of her botoxed cheeks.
The others seemed to be used to these kinds of scenes, not trying to interfere. Well except for the mother for whom I’d felt deeply. I couldn't imagine what a mess it must have been raising a spoiled brat, with a husband that didn't even have the good sense to defend his wife.
“Just mind your damn own business Eve."
Landon grew frustrated; I didn't know what to do.
“I am minding my business, you are my business Landon."
I blinked at her arrogance. Oh to hell with this.
“Business partner that is."
It was my turn to get snarly.
“Whatever, I’m not talking to you."
What are we, eight?
“Well, as it happens; I am talking to you. I'm sure Landon wouldn't leave work if he didn't think he can manage from New York, and thank you for ruining a surprise intended for me. Hopefully you won't ruin the marriage proposal."
The words got out without me processing them, just yet!
I avoided Landon's gaze, my friend's were all
I could bare not to crack an apology right then.
She had no boundaries, she was actually laughing, venom out of her damn mouth.
“Yeah right.”
She snorted.
“Good luck with that. Don't hold your breath just yet."
Oh I had an urging need to slap the bitch out of her.
“Well, in that case I suggest you do the same."
I prompted dryly.
It was all it took for her to shut that big mouth of hers. I muttered an apology and gestured for Jenna to accompany to the restroom. I didn't look back, didn't hear a sound, and I took the most suitable person to crack the tension for some best friend support in the confinement of the ladies room.
Jenna got into the small restroom, and found me flexed on my knees laughing my brain out; she joined me in giggles.
What the hell had just happened?
I was holding it in for some good ten minutes, and I just exploded, laughing out loud.
“I would give a fortune to see that face again."
Jenna started
“I know me too.”
I wiped out a tear; from the forceful laughter.
“Bitch is cray-cray!"
Jenna was all over the place.
“Let’s hope Landon Davis doesn't run for the hills thinking he has to put a ring on it."
I gestured to my ring finger.
“My god Clea, the guy didn't flinch a beat. I think he even smiled from the corner of his face. I mean I was hoping for wide-eyes, tensed shoulders, some facial expression of any sort.”
Jenna told me with a confused tone.
“Nothing?”
I frowned, mirroring her confusion.
“Zip; it was disturbing really.”
She announced; then laughed.
“One the other hand, Jude squeezed the life out of my hand; I swear I think his heart stopped beating for a minute or ten.”
Jenna climbed on the counter and started scrambling through her purse.
“I knew you must’ve had a brain-to-mouth-filter malfunction when you’d said that. But dear god, your little guardian angel’s heart got a freakin’ adrenaline pump."
She finished and applied some blush and lip gloss.
"Yeah I've no doubt about it."
I saw it coming the second I glanced at his face; the " Fucks" and "What the Fucks" were painted on his drained face.
“I think it's so sweet that he's spending the week with you. He told us to get your things ready and about the lunch, but nothing about coming to New York with us, I hope Jude likes to sit alone, because there's no way in hell I'm giving up on Ryan."
“I’m not sure about it, I admit I was stressed out about not seeing him and figuring out how we will possibly make it work, but Ice Queen is right; he had work to do. He's been ignoring calls all through the day, except for her and Alec."
Jenna acknowledged my statement, her eyes full off understanding.
“I can only imagine. He’s not Landon Davis for nothing. But trust his judgment, because as you said, he wouldn't allow himself to leave work if he didn't think he can make adequate arrangements."
We finished talking, freshened up and got back outside. I breathed out my relief when I saw she was nowhere to be seen. I sat back next to Landon and took his hand under the table for some courage.
“I’m really sorry, Mr. and Mrs. Crawley; I'm really not in the habit of causing a scene.”
I apologized truthfully.
“But truth be told, and with all due respect, she has been attacking me since last night, and I'm just not used to anyone treating me that way."
I explained truthfully.
“Oh don't you worry kid, you must think I'm a terrible husband for not stepping up. But , every-time I intervene, she and her mother ended-up kissing and hugging, and I was put on a bench. So for ten years now, I've not interfered once."
Stupid idea, I’d thought; the woman had disrespected her mother in front of complete strangers, if the mother was so easy to forgive that, she deserved a slap too.
“That being said, I admire your courage. My daughter has proved to be the worst enemy you can have. And I have no faith whatsoever that she inherited any of her mother's kindness to let this incident slip." He sounded compassionate as if I was some charity case or a defenseless little kitten.
“That much can be said about me, Joseph."
Landon said dryly.
“Ever since my mother's death, she thinks she can control our lives. Now unfortunately my mom isn't here to stand up to her, and my father wouldn't dare, because first, he's used to mom handling it. Second he respects you too much to do anything.”
He calmed down.
“As for me, I think I've been putting up just enough, I didn't mind when she interfered in previous relationships, because frankly, I didn't care all that much. But this..."
He gestured between us.
”Well, I'll be damned if she messes with this."
His tone was nothing short of resolute.
Joseph just nodded and his father shrugged in resignation.
It was a shame really, we had such a nice lunch, and I ruined it. I kept apologizing to the Crawleys, I really hated being disrespectful, especially with my elders.
“Oh my god Boo, it's almost four. We need to leave.“
Jude stood in a hurry and brought me to a state of panic. Our flight was in less than two hours.
I looked at Landon; was he leaving with us or taking another flight.
I didn’t want to leave him.
“When is your flight?"
I asked.
“Whenever I want it to be."
He smirked, ever the ego-centrical SOB.
“You know, this might surprise, but the fact is, you're not the center of gravity, and people do have schedules to respect instead of shaping a flight as it suits you?"
I was condescending; he could be so arrogant...
“Why the hell not? It is his plane after all."
Simon announced.
“You own a jet?”
I babbled.
“Of course you would own a damn jet."
Landon Davis had a national treasure in his lake house; how wouldn't he own a private plane.
“Yes, I do own a jet, and as it happens, you are all flying with me."
Just like that. He was no better than his partner, he just decided for other people.
I mean if he only did it for me, would understand, but my friends.
“I mean if you want to."
Well that's better.
“I don't know, ask them!"
I gestured to the guys.
“Well, Mr. Davis is really making it hard for me not to sound like a total cliché. But that is the stupidest question."
Ryan turned to Jenna and Jude.
“Don’t you two dare rain on my parade, you two flew in private jets with Clea, and this is my chance."
“I can't believe you really got the opportunity to play that card with us Ryan."
Jenna doubled over in laughter.
“Well here goes your private jet card."
Jude said; and feigned throwing an imaginary card.
It was funny really - Ryan had so many of those kinds, every time he had an opportunity to participate in something Jude and I already did, he played it as an excuse for us to do it again and include him.
But never in a million years, especially after my dad died had I thought he will he get to play that card.
“It’s settled then, what do you guys think about tasting the best ice cream on the planet."
I glimpsed at the care-free Landon Davis.
I had an urge to kiss right then; on that gorgeous dimple.
“Well if it's anything like the burger, I'm in."
Jude surprised me with his attitude, but then again he'd do anything to please his partner.
“I’m in too, but I'm afraid I'll have to pass on the jet and run my way back to New York.”
Je
nna pouted; she was never capable of refusing dessert.
“Maybe you would rather we all walk to the ice cream shop."
I offered; it was a chance for me to see more of Chicago, and for Jenna to do some exercises.
“That would be a damn shame."
Uncle Robert said.
“The best ice cream on the planet happens to be just past that kitchen door."
Oh? Okay!
“I am a man of many talents, Ice cream coming up."
Chapter XIV
I was settled on one of the comfortable seats of Landon's jet. It was beautiful; very bright. The color temperature felt cozy and refined, a mixture of cornsilk white and cream seats; a big sofa with a table in the middle and a bar.
It was also equipped with top of the line technologies, a restroom and a bathroom.
Jeez, who would take a shower flying up in the air?
There was also a cabin, or rather a bedroom, with a closet.
I never understood what was wrong with first class.
Even when I traveled with my dad, it was only security issues, government planes looked nothing like this, comfortable yes, but not esthetic.
Ryan was enjoying the full experience, chatting with the stewardess, sipping champagne, smooching all over Jude and grinning at me.
I was lost in my thoughts and music. I was grinning at my song; it was a French track ‘Adieu’ by ’Coeur De Pirate’.
Jenna sat in front and got concentrated into her course sheet. Landon was taking care of some work business frowning at his laptop.
I’d given my only distraction to Alison; she was fascinated by Paris and wanted to attend a culinary internship, so I gave her my romantic novel about an epic love story in the streets of the city of lights, and talked to her about the movie, it was translated in English, or maybe subtitled. Either way, I was empty-handed turning puce which I hated on airplanes because it made me anxious.
I emerged with ‘The Lumineers’ and ‘Neon Trees’ glancing discreetly at Landon. He was seated on my left, on the sofa concentrated on his screen.
I had an unprecedented occasion to study him. He looked positively dashing; I loved how sedulous and attentive he was in his way of clothing. He had a unique touch and style; very neat. He wore a silk cotton pale blue raglan jersey. It fit perfectly with the line of his biceps. The way his jeans hugged his perfect sculptured body made me go blank when he’d first come out of the bedroom.