“Christine, I’m so glad to have reached you.” The reception was clear and it didn’t sound like her mother was so far away. “Darling, I miss you and Nicole and love you both very much, but would you be terribly disappointed if I didn’t return next week?”
Christine nearly dropped the phone, but made a grab for it just in time. “Mother, why in the world would you stay behind? What is going on over there? Is it Salvatore?”
Her mother laughed. “Nothing is going on, at least not yet.”
“Whoa, wait a minute. I don’t think I like the sound of this.” Christine gnawed on her bottom lip. What the hell was going on in this world? Her daughter was in love with her former boyfriend’s brother, her mother was contemplating an Italian affair, and she was lining up her ex-husband and her could-be lover with exciting young women. What was wrong with this picture?
“Well,” her mother said, “not to worry. It might happen and then again, it might not.”
“Are we talking about Salvatore? Are you falling for this man?”
“Oh, Christine,” she exclaimed. “He sent me the most beautiful flowers, and also a message. Oh, dear, I don’t know what to do.”
“What kind of message?” Christine sat back in her chair, crossed her legs, and started tapping her toe nervously.
“He wants me to join him in Paris for a few days when the tour ends. Says he has booked a room and hopes I will show up.”
“You aren’t going to, are you?” Christine felt her stomach clench. “I mean, how do you know that you can trust him?”
“He took care of me when I had the heart palpitations. He drove me to Venice to meet my friends. I think he has proven himself, don’t you?”
Christine felt a moment’s guilt. Her mother was right. She was probably completely safe with him, and Christine’s real concern was that he was charming enough to make her mother stay in Europe.
Her mother deserved happiness too. But Christine didn’t want her to wind up in Italy and never come home. She realized it was a selfish wish, and so she relented.
“My suggestion would be to book yourself a separate room and stay a few extra days. Why not? You only live once, and Mom, you should have some fun. It’s okay. It really is. We love you, and I don’t want you to be lonely.”
“But I’m not. I have you and Nicole…”
“You’re only sixty-six. You need a life separate from us.”
Christine thought she heard a sob, as though her mother had started to cry. “I’ve got to go,” Anne whispered, and hung up.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
That evening, Christine was rummaging through the freezer to see what she could defrost for their dinner. Nicole had had a busy day. She had been running around town setting up a few upcoming events and would likely be starving when she got home.
She found some chicken fillets and popped them into the microwave to thaw them. She had the ingredients for a Thai curry and knew that Nicole would enjoy that.
She sautéed chopped onion in a pan, added cut up pieces of the defrosted chicken and some snow peas, and stir-fried the ingredients until everything was just done. Then she added the curry mix and a cup of coconut milk and put the lid on.
It was around six o’clock when Nicole walked in. The spicy smell of Thai cooking wafted through the kitchen, and Nicole followed her nose. “Mom, does that ever smell good.” She plopped down on the kitchen stool next to the counter. “How was your day?”
Christine was about to explain about Nicole’s grandmother, when the ringing phone forestalled her. It was Jim, calling to rave about his date.
“I gotta admit, Christine, I thought you might try to line me up with a dog, but Marissa was the full package. I didn’t expect to find someone I liked so soon.”
“Yes?” Christine looked at Nicole and mouthed, “It’s your father.” For Nicole’s benefit, she added, “I’m glad you liked Marissa.”
“More than liked her. I moved in with her.”
Christine’s jaw dropped. Actually, she could feel her whole body sag. “Are you kidding me? I thought you wanted back with Keri. How could you move in with someone when you don’t even know her?”
“I know enough. Besides, I need a place to live.”
“Jim, do you have no standards at all?” She turned her back to Nicole, suddenly not wanting her to hear this conversation.
“Sure I do. She’s a nice girl. We got along great. I wanted you to know that your job is done. You don’t need to hook me up with anyone else.” He lowered his voice to a whisper. “She’s coming in. I’ve gotta go. Thanks again.”
When he hung up, Christine looked at her daughter’s shocked face. “Oh, honey. I’m sorry. I wish you didn’t hear that.”
“Is he for real? I mean, he really is having a mid-life crisis, isn’t he? You know what he did last week? Bought himself a souped-up muscle car in lime green.”
“Oh, my God. That’s pathetic.”
“Yes. It’s a 1970 Dodge Swinger. It’s embarrassing. One day he’s the man about town in his gorgeous Bentley, next he’s a joke in a lime-colored Dodge.”
Christine bit back a smile. “Who knows? Maybe Marissa will help him recover his youth.”
Nicole grimaced. “I hope Keri doesn’t take him back. He needs to learn a few life lessons.” Nicole narrowed her eyes at her mother. “Don’t give me that look. I know what you’re thinking, and yes, I’m not one to talk, but still—”
“But still you have more sense than your father.” Christine hooked an arm around her. “And your grandmother too.” She told Nicole about Salvatore, and her grandmother’s decision to stay in Paris an extra week.
“Unbelievable. Go, Grandma! Who woulda thought?”
“Not me, that’s for sure. And I must admit I’m not exactly thrilled. I mean, what do we know about this guy? He might have good intentions, but we don’t know that for sure. He might think she’s a rich American and be after her money or something.”
“Then he’ll be disappointed, won’t he?” Nicole said, unconcerned.
“I have a sneaky suspicion that he’s not as honorable as he seems.”
“Oh, Mom, you really don’t trust men very much, do you?”
“No. I guess not.” She thought about Derek, who in a matter of minutes went from wanting to date her and her only, to agreeing to be lined up with anyone.
She couldn’t believe it hurt so darn much.
“Well, I do trust.” Nicole grabbed two plates and set them on the table. She found one serving dish for the steamed rice and another for the curried chicken. “Jake calls me every night, just like he said he would, and I trust him when he says he loves me and that he’ll tell his family about us at Thanksgiving.”
“I thought it was your idea to wait until Thanksgiving,” Christine asked carelessly.
Immediately she saw the hurt look on her daughter’s face and wondered if this was a source of contention between her and Jake. She tried to smooth things over. “I understand how difficult it must be. Brett and you were together a long time, and it’s going to upset him when he hears. The parents too, I imagine.”
Nicole kept her face averted. “They’ll get over it. It’s not like we did anything wrong.”
“I know, honey, but a few months from now will make a big difference as to how everyone takes this news. With Brett’s temper, this is the wisest course of action.”
“I know. I’m just impatient, that’s all.”
They sat down to eat, and Christine wisely turned the conversation to Champagne and the progress they’d made in the last couple of days. Nicole told her about the restaurant she’d booked for next month’s event.
“It’s going to be at the Waterway, Mom. The location is perfect, and as you know, it’s a large place with lots of seating room, a huge inside bar, and a Tiki bar overlooking the Intercoastal waterway. Outside seating as well. They’re wonderful to work with and will accommodate any number we want.”
“I’m glad to hear that.” Chr
istine said, “I’d like to keep the dinner events small and exclusive, so that everyone can meet each other. I was thinking of three sets of tables of eight or ten, and after each course, the men switch tables so they can meet all the women present.”
“I agree. Let’s do three sets of ten. Thirty people.” Nicole added, “We could easily do one a month, and it would be fun and simple to set up.”
They played around with several ideas, and decided next on their agenda would be to set up a cocktail reception at one of the local Polo matches.
When they finished dinner and their discussion, Nicole said she would stack the dishwasher right after she called Jake.
“I didn’t tell you before because I didn’t want to worry you, but somebody’s been calling here at the house, and hanging up. There’s never any caller ID.” Nicole sighed. “I’m going to tell Jake that I think its Brett. Heck, I know we agreed to wait, but I don’t think we should.”
“Honey…do tell Jake.” Christine’s eyes were worried. “Maybe he can get his brother to back off.”
“I hope so. I’m so fed up with Brett. I could swear I saw his car the other day, staying about two cars behind me. He’s not doing anything threatening. He just won’t leave me alone.”
* * *
The following day Christine was busy with Champagne from the moment she walked in the door. Jenny had several appointments set up. The advertising campaign was generating interest, and Jenny was kept busy fielding phone calls and email questions. Christine and Helga had interviews all morning. Christine left at noon for a working lunch, going over the last minute details for the dinner-dance with the events coordinator at the Colony hotel. When she returned she discovered Derek had come in.
“He wanted to see if we had any nice women for him to meet,” Jenny said, looking at Christine with troubled eyes.
“Uh-huh. That’s right. We’re going to find him a suitable woman. He would eventually like to remarry.” Christine bit her bottom lip. “Did he see anyone he liked?”
“Yes. You’re probably not going to like this, but he wants to meet Brigit.”
Brigit. Shit. Who wouldn’t want to meet Brigit? They hadn’t had to interview her, because she was one of Christine’s former customers from the salon.
She was thirty-two, tall, ample in the right places and slender in the others, with long blonde hair and big baby-blue eyes. She was a looker, no doubt about it. She was also a catering manager for the Ritz Carleton, and a cordon bleu chef.
Christine really didn’t want Derek to meet her. With any luck at all, Brigit wouldn’t be interested in him.
“Yes, well, I’m sure she’ll be more interested in a white-collar professional who’s pulling in six figures.”
“No, I called her up and she said she’d love to meet him.” Jenny didn’t look at Christine. “She thought it was so sweet that he worked for Habitat. The fact that he doesn’t make any real money doesn’t seem to deter women at all. They think it’s romantic or something.”
Christine gritted her teeth.
It bothered her that Derek was going to meet this really hot looking woman, who was clever, beautiful, and nice.
And the fact that it bothered her, bothered her. What was she thinking? Why did she care? She wasn’t supposed to care. She could have him if she wanted, but she didn’t. Her heart was still not whole, and it might never be healed enough to give to anyone, and that was fine by her. She didn’t want to love again. The pleasure was not worth the pain, and there was bound to be pain. Aware that Jenny, and now Helga, was waiting for her to say something, she nodded, as if satisfied. “Brigit is really perfect for him. He’s a great guy and she’s lovely and nice. I’ll call them both tomorrow and set it up.”
“That is a smart thing to do.” Helga marched across the room and stood before Christine, looking up into her face. “Very smart. You like him, you set him up with a very beautiful, intelligent girl. Good thinking. This is a dating service after all, and we want to build our reputation by matching suitable couples. Is this not so?”
Christine folded her arms under her breasts. She felt her cheeks grow red. “Yes, we hope all our clients will be satisfied.”
“Then why do you frown when you hear about this Brigit? You do not like her?”
“I think she is a lovely woman. I had hoped we might introduce her to someone very special.”
“And you do not think Derek is very special?”
“Oh, but I do.” She could feel her cheeks grow even pinker. “Derek is really quite special. I guess what I meant is—I thought she would prefer a professional man, not a blue collar worker.”
“White collar—blue collar, this does not make the man. I have met your Derek, and see sparks between the two of you.”
Christine moved away from Helga, pretending to look at the mail. “He’s our model. I like him fine. But that is all there is to it.”
“Says you.” Helga turned and walked away.
* * *
Derek bought a new sports jacket at Brooks Brothers for his “date.” It was a light blue jacket in a soft fabric that felt like silk, and should have been lined in gold for how much it cost him.
But he hadn’t bought a jacket in ten years, and if this one lasted as long as that, it was worth the expense. So was Brigit, if she looked as good as her picture. That was why he’d picked her, of course. She was attractive and smart enough to have any man she wanted, and yet was willing to go out with him. If that didn’t get Christine jealous, nothing would.
Still, as he showered and dressed, he wished his date was with Christine. He didn’t want to see other women when he figured it was a waste of his time and theirs. But a date or two wouldn’t hurt, especially since he wasn’t a patient man. But patient he would be, until she admitted she had feelings for him too. The woman was a walking contradiction. One minute hot, the next she was cold.
She might say she didn’t want to have anything further to do with him, but why had she kissed him then? She could have resisted his advances when they were in his truck after the photo shoot and then on the beach after the Dolphins’ game. But she hadn’t. She’d kissed him back with a fair amount of passion.
He knew when a woman was interested, and Christine had given him all the signs. He couldn’t be wrong about that. True, it had been awhile since he’d dated, but a man remembered certain things. Knowing when a woman was attracted to him was one of those things.
He straightened his tie and gave himself one last glance. Looked all right, he supposed. His nails were clean and his breath smelled of Scope. What more could a woman want?
He ran down the stairs and presented himself to his two sons. “So, guys.” He spread his arms wide. “What do you think? Do I pass inspection?”
Kevin glanced away from the baseball game he was glued to and shrugged. “You look okay, but aren’t you overdoing it with the jacket and tie?”
Derek flexed his shoulders, a little uncomfortable about this dating business. “I don’t think so, Kev. We’re going to one of the top restaurants in Palm Beach, so I’m pretty sure a jacket is required.”
Kyle shot his father a look that spoke volumes about his opinion on the matter. “Don’t see why you need to date. You’ve got us.” With the back of his hand he sent a school book flying off the table. “You planning on getting married again?”
“No, I’m not planning on anything of the sort. I know I’ve got you guys, but a man gets lonely for female companionship.” Derek rumpled his young son’s hair. “That’s all.”
“You mean sex.” Kyle’s hands clenched into fists. “Don’t you? How do you think Mom would feel about that?”
Derek’s shoulders caved in. The one thing he couldn’t do was fight the boys. If they were so dead set against his dating, he wouldn’t do it again. But he did hope to make Kyle see reason.
“Kyle, I’m pretty sure that your mother would understand and approve. I loved her with all my heart, and not a day has gone by when I haven’t missed her. B
ut I need to carry on living, and I don’t want to live without love. Your mother wouldn’t want me too either.” Derek needed his sons’ approval or the night would be a total bomb. “Can you understand that, Kyle? Kevin?” He glanced at his older son too. “If you want me to stay home, say the word and I’ll cancel tonight.”
Kevin and Kyle exchanged looks. Kevin stood up and stretched his arms, cracking his knuckles for good measure. “Dad, no way. We know you miss Mom, but you deserve to find someone who’ll make you happy. Doesn’t he, Kyle?”
When Kyle didn’t answer right away, Kevin slapped the back of Kyle’s head. “Come on, kid, give the old man a break.”
Kyle’s eyes filled with tears, but he sucked it up. “I don’t care what you do,” he said heatedly. “I don’t want to meet her, that’s all.”
He jumped out of his chair and ran upstairs to his bedroom. Derek thought about following and demanding a heart-to-heart, but he figured it might be best to let Kyle get used to the idea on his own.
Kevin punched his father in the arm. “Go get ’em, Dad. Have fun tonight and don’t do anything that I wouldn’t do.”
Derek winked. “And don’t stay up all night. I expect you boys to behave yourselves while I’m gone.”
“Sure, Dad.” Kevin plopped down in front of the TV and reemerged himself in the baseball game. “You can count on it.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
The moment Derek pulled up in front of the Café L’Europe, he saw Brigit getting out of the Jaguar in front of him. It was hard to miss a woman like Brigit. She must have been close to six feet in the high heels she was wearing, which emphasized her slender ankles and shapely legs. Add a tush that looked a little too squeezable, a small waist, and thick blonde hair that fell halfway down her back, and he felt his pulse race with adrenaline. Prickles of fear tickled the back of his neck too.
He scratched his neck. Hell, he was in way over his head. What was he going to talk about with a woman like that? Jesus, she looked like she should be dating a rock star, not a local builder who hadn’t had a real job in almost three years.
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