by Groovy Lee
“Fine!” Heather threw her hand up to silence her. “If you’re going to be so defensive.” She shot Bitsy an exasperated glare as she sat giggling. “So, Tony’s friends are a little out of the norm. But, this is an old friend.”
“That’s supposed to make a difference?”
“Come on, Gracie. Do it as a favor for me—please?” Heather’s dark-blue eyes implored, her hands folded together under her chin.
“I most certainly will not. You know I hate blind dates. That last one you talked me into was a complete disaster.”
“That was six months ago. Must you hold that over my head until my dying day? Besides, this one is different.”
“Oh? As opposed to your regular Neanderthal?”
“He’s a good friend of Tony’s; and we can’t just leave him sitting in his apartment all alone tonight.”
Gracie turned sideways in her chair and crossed one shapely leg over the other, contemplating just how to make it clear that no means no. An awkward evening with someone she’s never met who, judging from the type Tony hangs around, is right along the lines of a Migraine. But then, Heather did come to her aide last week when she needed a favor.
“And you won’t be alone,” Heather continued in an effort to plead her case. “The four of us will be together all night.”
“Why can’t Ms. Asia over here do it? I’m sure he’d love to go out with a former Japanese beauty queen.” Her question startled Bitsy from her pretend study of her glass of soda. Her smile was bright—too bright for Gracie who waited for the excuse she knew was forthcoming.
“I must dine with my most honorable family tonight as a dutiful daughter,” she bowed ceremonially.
“You are so not funny. I need to think about it, Heather.”
“Is a couple of minutes sufficient enough?”
“Well, does this friend have a name?”
“Duke.
“Have you met him, yet?”
“No. But I’m sure he’s nice looking. Tony knows how picky you are.”
Gracie thought for a long serious minute. “I don’t know. I still haven’t recovered from that last one.”
“Please, Gracie?” Heather held a desperate hand out to her. “Help us out will you? I’m begging.”
Gracie didn’t like the way her eyes stared at her in that pitiful plea as if her very life depended on her cooperation. She could never deny Heather anything when she looked that way. “O.k.,” she muttered with great reluctance. “I’ll agree to have dinner with you, but no more,” she pointed a firm finger across the table. “After that, I want to go home. Deal?”
“Deal,” Heather jumped about in her chair. “They’ll pick us up around six.”
“And if I don’t feel comfortable around him, I’ll say my safe word which means I want to go—now.”
“What’s the word this time?”
“Blue bird.”
“Oh, seriously. Deal.”
“Wonderful,” Gracie’s brows furrowed tightly. “I can hardly wait.”
Before leaving them to finish their lunch, she made sure Heather agreed to her terms tonight or the whole thing was off. Heather threw up her right hand in a solemn oath to assure her. Though not fully convinced, she left it at that.
“Why do I get myself into these things with that girl?” she chided herself when the elevator doors closed behind her. “A blind date. I can’t believe she talked me into another blind date. What was I thinking?” The last date was so horrific, she didn’t speak to Heather for a week. “Duke,” she pronounced the name but couldn’t place an image with it. She settled behind her desk and placed her purse in the bottom drawer. “All I know is the face better fit the royal sound of that name. Because if it doesn’t, and he starts howling at the moon, I’m out of…”
“Excuse me?”
Gracie shot up in her seat and eyed the figure on the other side of her desk.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you,” Mr. Farrell said.
He switched his briefcase from one hand to the other. Once again, Gracie couldn’t help admiring the way his tailored suit complimented his taut, lean physique just perfect, matching the raven color of his thick hair. It’s as if he just walked off the cover of GQ. Her eyes clung to his shapely mouth then quickly looked away to keep the warm rush it caused at bay.
“You didn’t, sir.”
“I’ll be across town for the rest of the day. I just came back to retrieve a few things.”
“Yes, sir. Have a good day, sir.”
His eyes gleamed over her face with a hint of warmth as a slight smile adorned his face, but only for a fleeting second. “Thank-you, Ms. Gracie Allen Jenkins.”
She waited as he entered his office. A minute later, he was back and muttered a “have a good evening” as he exited out with the glass doors swinging shut behind him. Gracie released the nervous tension with an exhale as she watched him turn the corner for the elevator doors.
That warm look in his eyes always had her insides going haywire; As if every nerve in her body was connected to an electrical charge that only he could ignite. She knew her deep attraction for him was the reason, and she hated not having full control whenever he looked at her that way. Every morning he comes in, there’s that slightly intimate look, then just as quickly it disappears and it’s business as usual. It’s just a look, but unless she thickens that professional armor even harder, it could prove to be her downfall one day.
Of course, the females in the Graphics department on the second floor would love to have more than a professional relationship with her boss. Just one look of encouragement from him and any one of them would fly out of their chairs and grovel at his feet. She smiled at their sad state of infatuation. Although she’s accepted that she’s attracted to him, she still likes to think she’s above such silly fantasies—well almost. The only way any one of them, including her, would get anywhere near Indigo Farrell was in their dreams, and even that comes with a big maybe. His type was definitely not the lowly office worker. His was more the sophisticated, glamorous type, like his ex-fiancee Felicia.
It was the buzz of the Farrell Plaza when they ended their engagement six months ago and she became a memory. Gracie often wondered what happened, but certainly didn’t feel sorry for her. She may be stunning on the outside with her bronze skin, legs up to wazoo, and her ritzy salon hairstyles, but inside Gracie was certain she was spawned by a couple of icebergs. Reaching for the aspirin bottle was part of the ritual whenever Felicia made one of her visits to the office; She’d sauntered in at the close of work day, dressed in one of her finest body-clinging dresses, hair styled to perfection, and without even stopping long enough to see if it was okay to go inside, would pass right by her without so much as a nod. Her high-pitched laugher would drive any sane person over a cliff. She could never understand what her boss saw in that woman.
She was gone now—thank goodness. And thank goodness he chose not to replace her with another high-maintenance, Mount Kilauea tempered snob. Although she’s sure he has his company of playthings, she doubts if anyone will ever come that close to capturing his heart again. There seems to be that proud stiff air about him that made sure no one ever would.
*********************************************
“Gracie, they’re here,” Heather announced from the front room.
Gracie smoothed her hands over her hair to make sure it was secure in its neat, bun, then turned in the mirror to survey herself in the simple, black dress accentuating her curves. She grabbed up her purse from the bed and joined everyone in the front room of the small house they rented together. Her eyes did an instant lock on the massive figure standing next to Tony; the ceiling light reflecting off his clean-shaven head; his two-hundred and forty pound, six foot build bulged with big, hard muscles, barely contained by the navy blue jacket he wore. (His name is Duke? Bull is more appropriate) She lifted herself from the wall she rested against, took a deep breath and braced herself for the night ahead; And judging by t
he way he smiled when she entered the room, it was going to be a long, repeat of her last blind date—disaster.
After the introductions were made, they piled into Tony’s red Mustang and whirled off to their destination. She almost felt sorry for Duke having to squeeze into the small space in the back, but he didn’t seem to care; His mind was on more important things—mainly her.
At least the restaurant was nice—a positive point so far. Crystal chandeliers decorated the ceiling and emanated the room with a bright glow; The tables and booths, designed in colors of off-white and deep blue, circled the high polished dance floor where soft lights overhead sparkled down on the slow dancing couples. The hostess escorted them to one of the booths and waited as they slid into their seats—Tony first, followed by Heather, then Duke, then Gracie. After their menus were handed out, she left.
“So, how long have you known Tony?” Gracie asked in an honest effort to break the discomforting silence between them and extend the warm hand of friendship.
“Ever since college,” he replied in his strong voice.
“He and I were on the same football team together,” Tony chuckled. “They used to call him the Terminator.”
Gracie looked at Heather and their eyebrows lifted.
“A name I have yet to live down,” Duke boasted.
“You should have seen him then, Gracie,” Tony said with childlike enthusiasm. “He barreled through the defensive line, ball clutched tight, and annihilated them one by one.”
That sentence caused a roar of laughter between the two men.
“Oh, so do you play professionally?” Gracie asked.
“I used to play for the Dallas Cowboys. But my second year in, a knee injury crippled me, and I had to retire.”
“I’m sorry.”
“So, am I. But, that’s life. It’s a good thing I had a plan B. I own my own sporting- goods’ store.”
“Good for you,” she smiled back.
“Are you a football fan?”
“No. Tennis is about as rough as I get in sports.”
“Hey, how about that? Football will always come first, but I love tennis, too. I love the up and coming new players. But I’m a die-hard fan of the Williams sisters.”
“How about Novac Djokovich?” she added with just as much excitement.
“My favorite.”
As they talked about their shared interest in the world of tennis, Gracie allowed herself to fall into a relaxing calm, having decided that Duke was not so bad, but rather easy to talk to. So it looks as if the evening will go well. She sipped from her glass of soda with relief.
The waiter returned with their meals of Shrimp salad, Steak, baked Salmon, and a bottle of Bordeaux. After pouring the red liquid in each of their wine glasses, the waiter sat the bottle in the ice bucket, and left. Conversation continued easily as they ate. Gracie was surprised at how much she and Duke had in common. She found herself laughing a few times, and didn’t mind when he relaxed his arm behind her on the top of the booth. But then:
“Oh, so there you are!”
Their attention was drawn to the dark-haired, five-foot three woman storming pass the hostess toward their table. While everyone else fell silently confused, Duke instantly withdrew his arm from behind Gracie and sat up straight, his eyes wide.
“Really?” she exclaimed when she got to the table. “You’re stepping out on me?”
“Now, Dee, it’s not what it looks like,” Duke held his hand up to calm her down.
“Then what does it look like? And who is this?” her angry eyes landed on Gracie.
Gracie’s gaze lowered to her round stomach under the red print dress and instantly realized what was going on. She closed her eyes and groaned an, “Of course”.
“Tony invited me out to dinner with his girlfriend here, and this is her friend.”
“Friend?” she spat back. “And, is that what you are?” she shot at Gracie. “Just a friend?”
“Blue bird—Blue bird,” Gracie called out and began to scoot out of the booth.
“Oh, no you don’t,” Dee barred her way. “If you’re going to go out with my man, a man with a baby on the way, mind you,” she pointed at her stomach. “Then be a woman about it, don’t run.”
Mindful of her delicate condition, Gracie just sat quiet and let her have her say.
“Daddy told me you were nothing but a muscled headed loser,” she jabbed her gold colored, clutch purse at him, the dimples in her cheeks so evident as she expressed herself. “He only wants two things from you, Daddy said. Well, looks like he was right—you certainly got the romp in the sheets, as I’m sure you can all see,” she stuck her belly forward. “And to think,” she stuck her purse closer to his head, “He was going to loan you the money to start another store—interest free! Well, guess what muscle head, the second thing you want ain’t gonna happen.”
“Dee,” Tony scooted out of the booth and approached her, his hands held out in a peaceful gesture. “We are so sorry. Let’s go outside and talk about this. It’s all a big misunderstanding.”
“So, Ms. Redhead here didn’t know he was engaged? With a baby on the way?”
“Oh, my God,” Gracie whispered.
“Let’s just go outside, o.k.?”
“Get away from me,” she began hitting Tony with her purse.
“Dee,” Duke began sliding his way out of the booth.
Gracie took that opportunity to stand and let him pass.
Duke took Dee by one arm to lead her outside, but she resisted, hitting him continuously on his shoulders and head.
“Don’t touch me. Wait ‘til Daddy hears about this.”
As the entire restaurant continued to watch with waiters and a manager trying to ascertain how to handle it, Gracie stood silently, her head bowed. Finally, she decided she’d had enough and to leave them to their rumble. She was just about to go outside to call a cab when she felt a hand on the back of her arm. When she turned to see who it was, her eyes gaped wide open, her mouth almost dropped.
“Mr. Farrell,” she swallowed.
“Ms. Jenkins,” he seemed none too happy about the situation. “What’s going on here?”
Before she could answer, a glass of wine had somehow been knocked over, red liquid spewing across the white table cloth. While Heather tried to wipe at it, Duke and Tony tried to coerce the still swinging Dee outside.
“Come on,” was Mr. Farrell’s polite order. “Let’s go to the dance floor and leave them to take care of this.”
An entire network of nerves pricked through Gracie when his hand touched the small of her back and guided her through the attentive patrons seated at the table and onto the dance floor. They found a spot with a few of the other couples still swaying despite the commotion going on. He took her hand and with his other, drew her to him, causing her to stumble.
“Sorry,” she murmured. She willed her hand to rest on his strong shoulder as they began to slow dance. It took every ounce of dignity she had left to keep in step; Everything around her disappeared. Mr. Farrell’s manly frame, his hands touching and holding her were all her mind could see. She felt him loosen his hold and put some space between them so their eyes could meet.
“What’s going on?” he asked.
“A mess, sir.”
“Is that your boyfriend with the pregnant mistress?”
“Oh, no,” she shook her head. “That is not my boyfriend, sir. He’s just a friend of Tony’s that I agreed to go on a blind date with for this one time. I had no idea he was engaged and expecting a baby on top of that.”
“I see.” A smile almost appeared across his face much to her surprise and reluctant excitement. But of course, his smiles, which were few, often did strange things like that to her. “Well, your little group of friends seem to be causing quite a stir.”
“I am so sorry. I knew this was going to be a disaster, but I owed Heather a favor.”
“Well, it seems you’ve paid her in full.”
“And more, s
ir.”
“It looks as if they finally got the woman out of the restaurant,” he was looking toward her table.
Gracie looked over and saw the commotion exiting through the doors with Tony and Duke on each side of Dee escorting her out, and Heather looking around for her.
“I think I should take you home while your friends solve this.”
“No, sir, please. It’s okay. I—I’ll just call a taxi.”
“I insist,” he said in that authoritative tone he often used at work.
“Oh—o.k.”
He released her and guided her back to the booth. While he went to take care of a client and the bill, she retrieved her cell phone from her purse and texted Heather saying that she has a ride home, and would deal with her in the morning. A few minutes later, he joined her and escorted her out to his car.
The shiny, black Jaguar sailed through city traffic; Bright lights and neon signs gave way to sporadic street lamps lined along the urban sidewalks. Gracie sat as composed as she could, pretending that sitting close to her boss in the front seat of his car was nothing but a mere ride home. But that lasted all of two seconds as she exhaled softly and peered out of the passenger window, though not really seeing the sights.
Of all the places to be, why did her boss choose that particular restaurant where he would witness her demoralizing situation? What must he think of her now? She dared to secretly look his way as he guided them through the deserted streets to her home. The dark interior inside the car only made it possible to make out his profile whenever they passed under a street lamp.
“I’m really sorry about this,” she felt the need to say. “I hope I’m not inconveniencing you in any way.”
“It’s no trouble,” he kept his attention to the road. “I don’t mind.”
“But, what about your client? He must have been put off by this.”
“Who? Sam? He’s a loyal customer,” he exhaled the tiniest of a chuckle. “He’s not easily put off.” A few minutes of silence passed before he spoke again. “Tell me, whatever happened to that guy you were engaged to?”
The question caught her way off guard. She didn’t think he remembered Mickey. He only met him a couple of times at work. “Mickey? Reid tells me he’s in Canada on business.”