by Tia Louise
“Remi would just love that.” My sarcastic tone makes her frown, so I explain. “Remember Henry Pak?”
“Oh…” She makes a sympathetic face. “He has those ears.”
“Yeah, well, I saw him at the park again, and he said he just bought a condo in Eagleton Manor.”
“That’s cool. He seems like he’d make a great neighbor. If you had an emergency, he’d be right over.”
“Remi pretty much forbade me from speaking to him. He says he doesn’t want Lillie around him either.”
Drew’s jaw drops. “What happened?”
“I went out with him. Twice. Apparently, that’s enough to make poor Henry a leper.”
My bestie squeals. “That does it. I’m going to find you a place of your own. I can’t stand you two being apart one more day! And you’re going with him to New York. Don’t make me call and tell him myself.”
My stomach is tingly and hot, and I know I’m going to do it. “I have to buy a formal dress.”
“You can totally afford a formal dress. I’ll help you pick it out.” I think about my check that appeared on my dresser again while I was out with Lillie.
“It’s such a great job, but I still don’t know how I can take money from him and go out with him.”
“You take care of his daughter, right?” Drew adopts a very scientific tone. “You’re providing a service anyone else would get paid for. Why shouldn’t you?”
Chewing on my lip, I do my best to see it her way. “I guess you’re right. I don’t know why it makes me feel so icky.”
“If he doesn’t have a problem with it, neither should you. Of course, once you’re married, it’ll all be common property.”
“And now you’ve soared off into crazy town.” She’s still laughing as our friends return to the room, chatting with my mom. “Let’s just take this one step at a time.”
Pastor Hibbert’s sermon is about the appearance of evil. He reads the text from the Bible, and I feel four sets of eyes boring into the back of my head.
How did I let the jealous bitches get to me?
One glance to my left answers that question.
After dropping Lillie off at Sunday school, Ma was tied up helping her ladies’ group organize another Senior outreach. Drew texted me that she was tired and wouldn’t be at church this morning. That left me with only one option—sitting with Remi and Eleanor.
I suppose I could have sat by myself, but my goal had been to sneak in on the other side of Eleanor so the monster-in-law would be between Remi and me. But when Remi saw me slipping in the end of the pew, he maneuvered everything so I was at his side.
I won’t lie, I love having him beside me, holding the hymnal for us, making sure I have everything I need. I love feeling the warmth of his body now that we’re sitting beside each other. I’ve always been attracted to men like Remi, experienced, controlled, demanding—which I’m sure is more of my childhood coming out.
Still, after song service, when we’re instructed to greet the Body of Christ around us, the minute I turn, Serena North turns her back on me, as does Anita Flagstaff and her steely-haired old crone of a mother.
It’s one thing for those bitches to act like they don’t know me when we pass in the halls at preschool, but honestly, we’re in church. I feel like saying out loud, “You’re even acting this way in God’s house?”
But I don’t want to give Eleanor any more ammunition, and Ma would probably say I’m acting out. I’m not entirely sure Drew would back me up on calling people out after song service. She probably would, but I guess I have more self-control than that.
The only “Christian” in the group who enthusiastically shook my hand was Dr. Phillip North, that skeevy old creeper. I’m pretty sure I heard Remi growling under his breath.
Now we’re being regaled about how we should guard our appearance against accusations of impropriety. I’m ready to walk out. Instead, I think about what Drew said. I’m providing a service that anyone else would expect to be paid for. I signed a contract, for goodness sake. There’s no reason I should feel awkward about going out with Remi.
It helps Drew and I spent yesterday afternoon researching rentals in and around Oakville. We found a sweet little house in the newer part of Oakville Estates, actually within walking distance of Eagleton Heights. It’s just a small, one-bedroom home with one and a half bathrooms. Still, the rent is totally affordable, even without the crazy salary Remi is paying me, and it’s available now.
A little digging revealed Dagwood’s aunt Marsha owns the house, and she’s super sweet. She said she’d take a deposit to hold it, and I could move in as soon as I’m ready. The water, utilities, everything is on. It’s just waiting for me.
That just leaves me to figure out how to tell my boss.
Pastor Hibbert tells us all to bow our heads for prayer, and Remi reaches over to hold my hand. We don’t lace fingers, but still… it’s a public display of affection. A knot is in my throat, and I can’t help wondering if Eleanor sees. The last thing I want to do is pull my hand away, and when I steal a glance, it’s like a shot straight to my core when I meet Remi’s eyes.
He smiles, that dimple peeks out, and my heart is off to the races. I smile back, and he gives my hand a squeeze before letting it go with the Amen.
We’re back at the house, lunch finished, and Eleanor and Lillie are down for naps when I make my way to his office on the second floor. It’s empty when I tap on his open door, but when I see his shadow on the balcony, I go to where he’s standing looking at the lake.
“Knock knock.” I pretend to tap on the French doors. “I hope I’m not disturbing you.”
He’s still in his slacks from earlier, but his coat is gone. I see his tie is gone as well when he turns his back to the lake. He crosses his arms in that white button-down and gives me his irresistible, dimpled grin.
Panties officially ignited.
“You never disturb me.” His sleeves are rolled up, so I can see the lines on his forearms. He’s just too delicious for words. “What’s on your mind?”
“Everyone’s napping, so I figured it’s a good time to talk.”
“I’m not sure if I like the sound of that or not.” His smile fades a notch, but he still has me captured in his gaze.
Blinking away, I go to stand beside him on the balcony, facing the lake. “I think I’m overdue to give you an answer about New York.”
“Ah, yes.” He turns to face the lake beside me, placing his hands on the iron railing. “Have you made a decision?”
My thoughts are a cyclone in my head. I have my concerns, aided by what my mother would say, the preschool bitches, and even Pastor Hibbert this morning in church, battling against Drew’s encouragement.
Ringing over it all like a bell is this longing in my heart to know Remi better. I can’t pass up what could be a life-changing chance with a man who might turn into someone very special. It’s the one thing Drew said that cut through the noise.
“I’ve thought about it, and I decided yes. I’ll go with you.”
His shoulders drop as if he were holding his breath, and his smile kicks up to a hundred watts. It sends a kaleidoscope of butterflies swirling madly through my insides, and I have to grab the reins before I forget the rest of what I need to say.
“On one condition.”
His smile doesn’t dim, but his brow furrows, and damn him for looking so damn good. “What might that be?”
“I’m not staying with you in the penthouse suite. I’ll only go if I have my own room…”
“Done.” He cuts me off before I’ve finished.
“On a separate floor. I can make my own reservation and pay for it—”
“I already said you’re not paying for your room. This is a business trip you wouldn’t be taking if I didn’t need you there with me.”
“I still don’t think you really need me. You never have.” My mind travels to Eleanor’s words on my very first day in this house.
Stepping clo
ser, he puts his hands on my arms, and I can barely hold his gaze, it’s so full of emotion. “You have no idea how much you’re needed.”
His voice is low and close, and I feel the tension radiating in my spine, the push-pull between what I want so badly and what I feel I have to do, at least for now, to maintain my reputation. Thank God Drew helped me find that house.
“Just so you understand, we’re traveling as friends.”
“Whatever makes you comfortable.” He leans down and kisses my cheek, and goosebumps fly down my arms. “Thank you for going with me.”
I’m pretty sure everything’s about to change.
22
Remi
I watch as my daughter hugs Ruby like her life depends on it.
On the one hand, it makes me sad—not because she didn’t get as upset about me leaving—but she was a newborn when her mother died. I wonder if she still feels a sense of loss or abandonment.
“Who’s going to make me penny cakes?” Lillie’s hazel eyes are round and full of tears. She blinks and a drop hits her cheek.
Ruby pushes a golden curl behind her little ear and wipes the tear with her thumb. “It’s only two days, Lil. I’ll be back on Thursday, and I’ll make you penny cakes for lunch.”
My daughter nods slowly, pitifully. “I guess.”
“Hey, I know.” Ruby’s voice takes on an excited tone. “Which monster did you meet this week? Last week was white monster number three, right? Tres?”
Lillie’s voice is pouty. “Yellow monster number three.”
“That’s right!” Ruby is working hard to keep the enthusiasm alive. “And who is it this week?”
Lilly shrugs, but Ruby holds her middle, giving her a tug. “Come on, I know we were busy packing and getting ready last night, but tell me his name.”
Hazel eyes are fixed on Ruby’s collar. Her rosebud lips quirk, and she tries not to smile. Ruby gives her another little squeeze, and she relents. “Purple monster number four.”
“Purple?” Ruby’s eyes go wide, and I’m kind of loving everything that’s happening right now. “Do you know purple is my favorite color? I can’t wait to hear all about purple monster number four. I wonder what his Spanish name might be.”
“Cuatro.”
“Cuatro… I like that name. Do you?”
Lillie shrugs and puts her arms around Ruby’s neck again. “I miss you now.”
Ruby holds her close, kissing her cheek. “I miss you too, butter bean. We’ll do something special when I get back, just you and me.”
“Good heavens, it’s not like she’s joining the Foreign Legion.” Eleanor appears in the grand foyer, hands on her hips. “Lillian, come with me. We have to go to school now.”
Ruby gives my daughter one last squeeze, and they both make grunting noises. After that, she takes her grandmother’s hand and follows her out to the waiting Crown Vic.
When Ruby turns to me, I see tears in her eyes. “I never know what she’s going to do.” She breathes a laugh and wipes her eyes with her palms, looking up at the ceiling. “It’s only a two-day trip.”
It tugs at my chest, and damn, I didn’t think I could care for this woman more. Is she crying over leaving my daughter at home with her grandmother?
I slide an arm around her waist and hold out a handkerchief. Thanks to my old-fashioned mother, I always have one in my pocket. “You realize Eleanor has been taking care of her since she was born. All the way up until you arrived… just two and half weeks ago.”
She laughs a little more, touching the white cloth to her cheeks. “I know. I’m such a goose.” She hiccups a little breath. “I just…”
Her voice trails off, and she doesn’t finish her thought.
“What?”
She shakes her head, but I want to know. “Eleanor doesn’t listen to her.”
“It seems like she does.”
“No, she’s just pushy. She waits for Lillie to finish speaking, then she tells her what to do. There’s a difference. Even little kids know it.”
I can’t take it anymore. I reach forward and pull her into a hug. Her arms go around my waist, and I hold her against my chest. She takes a deep breath, and I hope she’s not still crying.
My lips are right at her ear when I speak. “I love that you’re so worried about my daughter.” She nods against my shoulder. “Now, no more crying. Lillie is going to be fine. We’re going to have a fun trip, and you’ll see my daughter again in two days.”
Releasing her, I catch her watery eyes. They melt into that sweet smile I love… followed quickly by her snarky sass. “You’re not going to miss her at all? Did your sentimental chip get lost?”
I huff a laugh, grabbing her suitcase and hanging bag, and carrying them out to the waiting limousine. “I will miss my daughter, even though she didn’t seem too upset about telling me goodbye. At the same time, I know she’ll be fine while I’m away.”
Her eyes slant over to me. “You’re hurt she didn’t cry over you leaving?”
“If the tables were turned, I suppose I’d be more upset over you being gone, too.”
“Are you flirting with me, Remington?”
“Always.”
That makes her laugh, and I’m glad to see we’ve moved past the water works.
The limo drops us at the terminal for the private jet service. A few cars are parked in the lot, but we’re the only ones flying out this morning.
“Wow.” Ruby’s eyes are round as she follows me up the short flight of stairs into the Lear 60. “Do you own this?” She’s speaking just above a whisper as we pass through the oval door and walk down the short aisle separating seats with tables in the center.
“No.” I sit in one of the seats toward the back and motion for her to join me. “I charter it for short flights. It’s not really worth the upkeep to own a jet, with as little as I travel.”
She sits beside me in the plush, cream leather chair. A small sofa is behind us, but this plane doesn’t have a bed. Our flight is barely over an hour.
“I’ve never been on a private jet before.” She’s still speaking low, tilting her face toward me as the flight attendant puts glasses of champagne in front of us.
“Welcome aboard, Mr. Key, Miss. Banks. We’ll be taking off momentarily. If you would, please fasten your seatbelts, and I’ll let you know when it’s safe to move about the cabin.”
“Thanks, Grace.” Taking the glass of champagne, I hold it to Ruby’s. “Here’s to a successful business trip.”
She clinks my glass and takes a sip. “Mm… that’s delicious.”
Our seatbelts are fastened, and we’re in the air in less than fifteen minutes. Grace comes through and tells us it’s safe to move around. We only take off our seatbelts, and I rotate in my chair to face my companion.
Ruby’s like a kid in a candy store, looking around, touching everything. It’s hits me like a renewed thrill. I remember a time when all this was new to me, too.
“Why do they always give you champagne on private jets?”
“I thought you’d never been on one.”
Her nose wrinkles as she takes another sip. “I’ve seen it in the movies. Is it to celebrate being so rich?”
Shrugging, I sip my own sparkling beverage. “More likely to celebrate not having to stand for hours in the TSA line then be forced to sit in a cramped seat next to a potentially annoying neighbor.”
She nods. “I can get onboard with that. What’s our schedule like in New York?”
“We arrive in Manhattan after noon then we’ll take a car to the hotel. The gala is tomorrow night at eight.”
“What do we do between now and then?”
“I’m meeting one of my investment advisers tonight for drinks. His name is Stephen Hastings. I’d really like it if you’d join me, but you don’t have to… if you have something else in mind you’d prefer.”
“I’ll join you.” She scoots closer, biting her lip. “I’ve never been to New York.”
“You haven’t?
” That changes things. Reaching out, I tug her lip free from her teeth with my thumb, thinking about kissing her. Based on the look she gives me, she seems to be thinking the same thing. “Then I think we should spend a little time being tourists.”
A huge smile splits her cheeks, and it’s like I’ve won the fucking lottery. “You’ll do that for me?”
“I’d love to do that with you. What do you want to see?”
“Oh man, I want to see everything.” She leans back in her chair, taking another sip of champagne. “The Statue of Liberty, the Empire State building, Central Park, Wall Street, Time’s Square, Broadway, the Guggenheim museum, the Met, the Brooklyn bridge, Soho, the Village…”
I start to laugh. “We can’t do all of that, but we can make a plan and see how much we can fit in.”
Reaching down, I clasp her hand in mine, threading our fingers. I’m gratified when she doesn’t pull away. In fact, she seems very comfortable holding my hand up here, thousands of feet above the world.
Her face is turned toward the window, and she seems far off in thought.
“What are you thinking?” I lift her hand, studying her fingers entwined with mine.
She shakes her head, dark hair sliding around her shoulders. “It’s silly.”
I give her hand a tug. “Tell me.”
Turning to me, her eyes hold so much emotion. “I’ll never forget this.”
In that moment, I never want to let her go. Placing my lips against her fingers, I speak softly. “I’m glad I’m here to share it with you.”
The limo drops us at the Four Seasons, and I tip the driver as the bellhop collects our bags to send up to our rooms. As requested, Ruby is on the fifty-first floor, while I’m in the penthouse, one floor up.
Standing on my balcony, I grab the house phone and call her room. “Come up and see my view of Central Park.”
“You’re just showing off.” Her voice is sassy, and I don’t like us being apart.