by Dara Girard
Mrs. Reynolds sniffed in disdain. “Don’t be ridiculous.”
“I’ve never found the charge of assault and battery ridiculous,” Nate said softly.
She blinked uneasy. “I’m sorry. It wasn’t intentional. I wasn’t aiming at Yvette. It was that wretched creature.” She pointed in the direction of Ayo, the maid, who stood frozen in place.
“What can I do?”
“You and your friends can stop playing games. The next time there are not enough plates or chairs, or you need to hurt someone, you’ll hear from me. Do I make myself clear?”
“I’m truly sorry,” Mrs. Reynolds said.
“I expect you to prove it.” He turned to Ayo. “Where is your first-aid kit?”
“In the closet. I’ll go get it.”
“Perhaps you should sit down,” Mrs. Reynolds said, trying to be nice. She motioned to the butler, who was standing off to the side, to assist them.
Nate shot her an ugly look. “Go back and deal with your bartender crisis. I’ll take care of her.” He led Yvette to a cushion.
“No,” Mrs. Reynolds cried. “Don’t sit on those they’re—”
Nate spun around, his voice terse. “What?”
She stumbled back, touching her necklace with nervous fingers. “Nothing.” She hurried away.
Yvette looked at the pristine couch and hesitated. “Perhaps we should go into the bathroom. I would hate to bleed on anything and ruin it.”
Nate gently pushed her down. “I don’t care if you bleed over everything in this damn room. You’re the purest thing in here.” He moved her hand and looked at her cheek. “For a superficial cut you shouldn’t be bleeding this much.”
“It will clot soon.”
Nate looked around impatiently. “Where is that girl?”
“It’s a large house.”
“I don’t care.”
“Nate, your temper.”
“I don’t have a temper.”
“I found it,” Ayo called from the doorway.
Nate held out his hand, annoyed. “Please don’t run. Take your time.”
Ayo ran forward, unused to a valet speaking with such command.
“Thank you,” Yvette said when Nate failed to say so.
“I need some water,” he said. “And I want it cold.”
Ayo placed her hands on her hips. “I don’t take orders from—”
“You will take them from me.”
“Nate—” Yvette warned.
Ayo folded her arms. “I don’t listen to men who are on their knees.”
Nate rose to his feet; Yvette grabbed his hand and stepped into his view. Unfortunately, he was taller and looked over her head. She grabbed his chin. “I’m still bleeding.”
He blinked and she could see him gathering himself. It wasn’t like him to lose control.
“That’s right,” Ayo said with a sneer. “Take your orders.”
Yvette squeezed his hand. She could feel him trembling but he didn’t turn.
“You’ve trained him well.”
Yvette could feel her own temper thinning, but decided to use the tone she used with surly clients. She knew it was better to soothe than argue. “Please. I could really use some water.”
It worked. All signs of anger disappeared and Ayo nodded. “Okay,” she said, then left.
Yvette shook her head and sat back down. “With an attitude like that it’s no wonder she gets shoes thrown at her.”
Nate didn’t smile. “I wouldn’t have missed her.” He opened the first-aid kit and cut a piece of gauze. “I shouldn’t have done this. I shouldn’t have brought you into this.”
“It’s okay.”
He glanced up at her. “No, you don’t know.”
“Yes, I do. I know about the forgotten dish and not enough chairs and now the missing bartender.”
He looked at her, stunned. “But you never let on.”
“I was mocked all through middle and high school remember? I know all about being slighted. But I don’t care. I’ve met some wonderful people. I’ve seen wonderful things. Those who don’t want me around never will, but they can’t stop me from enjoying myself. It’s Leonard White all over again.”
He placed the gauze on her cheek. She winced. “I’m sorry,” he said. “Who’s Leonard White?”
“A guy I briefly dated. He was attractive and athletic. We were quite a pair until I discovered he’d dated ‘mush mouth,’ that’s what I was called, on a dare. When I found out we broke up. He ended up missing me more than I missed him. I told you before I don’t invest in people.”
“You don’t expect them to treat you fairly?”
She shrugged. “Sure. You’ll notice I’m not upset but you are. You’re used to people treating you a certain way. Personally, I’m surprised. I’m surprised I’m even here. I’m even more surprised that people care that much about me, or are that interested in who I am to engage in silly games.”
“Hmm.”
She tapped him on the shoulder and playfully scolded him. “But you’re going to blow our cover if you don’t behave.”
“What?”
“Remember. I’m the society lady. You’re the valet. You can’t start giving orders.”
He let out an audible sigh. “I get protective when it comes to you.”
“You’ll spoil me.”
His serious gaze captured hers. “Impossible.”
Ayo returned. “Here’s your water.” She handed it to Yvette.
“What’s your name?” Nate asked.
The maid resumed her aggressive stance. “Why do you want to know?”
“Because I’d like to apologize. I’m sorry about before. I shouldn’t have been impatient with you.”
Her arms fell to her sides in shock. Then, in a barely audible voice she said, “That’s all right.”
“No, it’s not. I behaved badly.” He turned to Yvette. “Come. Let me take you home.”
“You can’t be leaving!” a voice boomed.
They both turned and saw Ellen coming through the door. She tossed her coat at Ayo and held her hand out to Yvette. “I’ve been looking forward to speaking with you again. My goodness, what happened to your face? Never mind, I already know. Everyone’s been witness to Lily’s tantrums.”
“We were getting ready to leave,” Nate said.
“But you’ve just changed your mind.” She took Yvette’s arm and looked at Nate. “I’ll take care of her from now on. Go and do what your type usually does, but don’t roam too far.”
Yvette sent Nate a helpless look as Ellen led her away. “I see you have a little bulldog.” She patted Yvette’s sleeve. “It’s not a complaint, just an observation. I need you to do me a favor. The speaker for the Care for Animals charity had a family emergency to deal with and I would love you, if you agree, to replace her.”
“Me?”
“All you have to do is introduce the guests and make a speech.”
“But—”
Ellen flashed a brilliant smile. “I’m so glad you’ll do this. Your experience working with animals and owning a successful dog-grooming salon makes you the perfect host. The event will be in a couple of days. And don’t worry, there will be a teleprompter for you to read from.”
Panic blocked out Yvette’s memory of the rest of the party and it still lingered on her drive home and when she reached the apartment.
“What’s wrong?” Nate asked her when she fell on the couch and ignored James who eagerly waited to be petted.
“Ellen wants me to speak, perhaps even read, at the Care for Animals charity at the end of the week. She wouldn’t let me refuse. I can’t do that.”
He sat down beside her. “Of course you can.”
“I can’t. You heard me read.”
“You read well.”
“But not perfectly. I can’t read in front of a whole bunch of people. I’ll just have to get sick.”
“You’ll be talking about a subject you care about. I thought you said you wanted to
be the voice for animals.”
“Why me? It’s strange. She hardly knows me. Maybe she wants to see me fail.”
“You’re not going to fail and she selected you because you are a good draw.”
Yvette frowned. “A good draw?”
“You’re rich and great to look at. The cameras will love you.”
Her panic grew. “There are going to be cameras?”
Nate drew her close. “You’ll be fine. You’re a very attractive, extremely wealthy—at least that’s what they think—woman with ties to the event’s coordinator, that’s enough.” He paused “By the way, rumor has it that you are a multimillionaire.”
“Who started that?”
He shrugged.
“It doesn’t matter what they think.” Yvette rested her head against him. “It’s not enough.”
“Yvette, it’s no big deal.”
“Yes, it is,” she said with tears building in her eyes.
“Why?”
“Because Ellen said that it’s in a few days.”
“So?”
So my month with you ends in a few days and this stupid event will be held on our last night together. A tear fell. She angrily brushed it aside. “Nothing. I’m just afraid.”
Nate tenderly brushed her cheek with his knuckles. “You’ll be fine. I’ve always taken care of you, haven’t I? I’ll be with you at the charity. By the time I’m finished coaching you, you’ll be a pro. Let me go over your speech and make any changes, if needed, just to make sure it’ll be easy for you to read. I’ll take care of everything. Trust me.”
That wasn’t the problem. Yvette trusted him, but loving him was worse. Lately, she’d found herself watching him, wanting to be with him. Like James, who after first meeting Nate followed him everywhere. Luckily, some of her apprehension lessened the next day when Nate told her he had gotten the speech from Ellen. He spent the rest of the day replacing difficult words with simpler ones, creating a smoother rhythm. As soon as he was finished he handed it to Yvette and sat on the couch with King, Queen and James.
Yvette excused herself, “Let me go over it first, before doing it in front of an audience.” At first Yvette felt self-conscious and awkward. The words felt like stones in her mouth and her anxiety rose. She didn’t see Nate and the three dogs, instead she saw a classroom full of high-school kids laughing at her. The sound of their jeers ripped holes in her heart, then, suddenly she saw a well-dressed crowd in front of her, filled with people who had advanced degrees and perfect speech waiting to see her fail.
But she wouldn’t fail. She had come too far. Determined to silence them forever, Yvette took a deep breath and began. When she was finished, Nate applauded her performance, but inside she still didn’t feel prepared. She knew that she needed help if she was to survive the event, so she called Rania to schedule an appointment.
Rania agreed, “At last. I’ve been waiting to hear from you.”
Chapter 12
“You’re not paying attention,” Rania said. “You’ve hardly listened to a word I’ve said.”
“I’m sorry.”
“What’s the matter?”
Yvette shook her head. “It’s nothing. I’m just nervous.”
“No, you’re depressed. What’s wrong?”
“I don’t think I can do it.”
“Yes, you can.”
“You don’t understand. When I was a child—”
“But you’re no longer a child,” Rania said with an impatient move of her shoulders. “You are now a woman. I know about your past, Yvette, but it doesn’t have to stop you. You said you wanted respect and people to listen to what you said. Now you have that chance; don’t throw it away. Do you remember the oath?”
“Yes.”
“Then say it.”
“As a member of The Black Stockings Society, I swear I will not reveal club secrets. I will accept nothing but the best and I will no longer settle for less.”
“But what does that have to do with now?”
“Fear makes people settle. You’re settling to be the old Yvette who just observed and envied the life she wanted to live. This is your chance to seize it. You can do this. Public speaking is all about control. Nothing more. You’ve handled packs of dogs, disgruntled owners, conniving rich widows and self-centered millionaire bachelors. The people who will be attending this function love animals as much as you do. They will want to listen to you. Now let’s get to work.”
For the next two hours Rania gave Yvette tips on how to stand at the podium, the importance of movement, how to engage an audience, clarity of voice and how to project it. At one point she had Yvette blowing into a tiny glass bottle, forcing her to use her abdominal muscles. After Yvette repeated the speech ten or more times, Rania pronounced her ready.
“You and I both know you’ll be representing more than the charity. You’ll be representing The Black Stockings Society. Make us proud. You never know who will be watching.” She smiled, a little sad. “You probably don’t need the club anymore.”
“You mean I’ll no longer be a member?”
“You’ll always be a member, just not in the same way. Your future is all up to you now. Wait here,” Rania instructed as Yvette reached for her coat. While she waited Yvette felt the overwhelming sense of sorrow return. She knew that Friday night would be the end of everything: her time with Rania, The Black Stockings Society and knowing Nate. She tried hard to fight back the tears. She wasn’t ready for this.
Rania reappeared a few minutes later, holding a large, closed garment bag. “Wear these to the event. Don’t open it until that night.”
Yvette nodded as though she were a robot. “Thank you.”
Rania sat on the couch and patted the space beside her. Yvette reluctantly sat. “Tell me what’s really bothering you.”
“I don’t know.”
“Lying doesn’t help anything. You need to be honest. If not to me, at least to yourself.”
In between tears and awkward laughter, Yvette revealed the truth: her true desires and her hopes of allowing the real her, not the one who was skillful at playing at being rich, to shine through.
Rania nodded when she was finished. “That’s the Yvette who was invited to join The Black Stockings Society.”
“And there’s no way to know who nominated me?”
Rania shook her head. “Your success is thanks enough.”
Yvette cried all the way home. When she got to the parking garage, she sat in her car and cried some more. When she couldn’t cry anymore, she sat for several more minutes. She was ready. Yes, she hurt, but she was happy. The plan had worked, and she would always remember this time of her life. She took out the eyedrops she kept in her bag, hoping to reduce the redness in her eyes.
But her eyes didn’t matter when she saw Nate holding tissues to his nose. “What happened?”
“I tripped over James and crashed into the door.”
“Put your head back.”
“No, I’m all right. The bleeding stopped.” He threw the tissue away.
She studied him for a moment, then felt his forehead. “You feel a little warm.”
He laughed. “It’s embarrassment,” he said, then looked at her, puzzled. “Are you all right?”
“Why?”
“Your eyes are red.”
She hugged him and whispered, “Yes, I’m fine. I just got something in my eye.” She kissed him and he kissed her back, neither wanting to admit that they’d soon say goodbye.
She was about to change for bed when the phone rang. “Hello?”
“Hi, it’s Cathleen. I was wondering if you could do me a favor.”
“What?”
“Can you take Lewis as your date to the Care for Animals charity? I would take him myself, but my mother would kill me. This is the only way I can get him invited. Please, for me.”
Yvette looked at Nate, who was watching her from his side of the bed. “I don’t know.”
“Do you have another date?”
/>
She hesitated. “No.”
“Please, Yvette. I’ll make it up to you. I just need this one favor.”
Yvette sighed. “All right.”
“Thank you. I’ll tell Lewis. He’ll meet you at your place then you can come together.”
“Right.” Yvette hung up, shaking her head.
“What?” Nate asked.
“I have a date for the charity.”
Nate scowled. “With whom?”
“Lewis. I’m doing this as a favor to Cathleen.”
“I’ll still drive you.”
“I don’t need both you and Lewis.”
“I’ll drive you.”
She knew when it was best not to argue.
On the night of the event, Yvette was a bundle of nerves. But the way she looked did not reveal any of her panic. When she opened the garment bag Rania had given her, she was speechless. Inside was a pretty, satin aqua suit, with braided satin trim that added unexpected detail to the jacket lapel, ending in a shimmering cascade. The matching straight skirt had a back walking slit that showed off her third pair of stockings. They were shimmering off-black with rhinestones that formed a seam down the back. Nate didn’t say anything when he saw her, but Lewis couldn’t help himself.
“Men of Michigan, look out. Ms. Coulier is on the prowl tonight. You look sensational. Don’t you think so, Nate?”
“Yes.” He held the door open for them to enter the car.
“I shouldn’t even be doing this,” Yvette said, adjusting her hemline. Lewis couldn’t help noticing how sensuous her legs looked.
“What’s wrong with helping out a friend? I really like her.” He adjusted his seat and looked at her.
“Really?”
“I’m serious, Yvette.”
“Good, because so is Cathleen.”
“Thanks for doing this.”
“I’m not doing it for you.” Yvette looked away.
“For your information, Cathleen means a lot to me.”
“It’s only been a month.”
“A lot can happen in a month.” He lowered his voice. “I’ve seen the way you look at Nate.” Yvette didn’t turn. She just kept looking out the window.