The Dividing Line

by Victoria H. Smith

  Not able to hold it in anymore, I squealed, throwing my arms around Madam Duval. She did a little dance with me in the hug. I couldn’t wait to get home and tell Drake the good news.

  Chapter Eight

  Drake

  I seriously felt like I was going to be sick. I looked up from the paper Lacey gave me, seeing the glee spread across her face. I felt even sicker.

  “An extension?” I breathed out.

  “Yes, an extension! A whole new round of shows. The cast gets a break and then we’re on for a mini-session. Three months of new showings. Can you believe it?” she said, bouncing on her heels.

  “Nope,” I said, shaking my head. I technically did believe it. I just couldn’t believe that this moment was happening to me right now. Not after I was just fired. Not on her birthday. Not after I just got done making plans with Derrick to head home. Nope. I didn’t believe it.

  “Ah! I can’t either,” she squealed. Throwing her arms around my neck, she crushed the paper that she’d just given me in my hands. “And on my birthday. What a perfect present.”

  She practically swung on me like a ragdoll since I had apparently lost all my motor skills from the shock. I only regained them when I felt us about to tip over. I wrapped my arms around her waist to prevent our fall.

  “Can you believe this, baby?” she asked again. Dropping from my arms, she grabbed my cheeks and planted a kiss on me.

  My lips couldn’t move.

  She pulled back, holding my face. “I won’t have to find a job for a while since they’re actually paying me for the time off. And on top of my show wages they’re giving me a huge bonus. Something about the inconvenience for making me stay. But it’s so not, right? Only a blessing.”

  “Right.” I nodded on autopilot.

  “We really can stay. You have a job. I have financial stability for a while. Ah! I’m going to go call Margot with the great news!”

  I only blinked, and she left my side. She then rushed back and squeezed me in another hug. “And then I’m going to get dressed because my man is taking me out tonight! Ah! You’re the best.”

  She kissed me again, on the cheek this time so I didn’t have to respond, and left me standing frozen in the middle of my apartment.

  *

  I let out a deep breath, restlessly rubbing my hands together while I sat on Lacey’s couch, waiting for her to get dressed for our dinner tonight. I wouldn’t tell her this evening. I’d let her enjoy her birthday dinner and ride out the high from her news. Telling her I was fired would ruin her birthday, and I’d never do that to her. And if I was being honest with myself, not telling her also benefited me as well. I didn’t know what she’d do if she found out I was sitting on funds that would quickly dry up while she was financially stable. Actually, I knew exactly what she’d do. She’d try to help and that wasn’t gonna happen. I could take care of myself and didn’t need her help. There would be no escaping ‘Helpful Lacey’ unless I found a job. Fast. I just didn’t know if that’s what I wanted, though. But how could I tell her that? Not after her dream of living here was rekindled. What would I tell her? “Hey, Lace, could you leave your dream job and come home to nothing because that’s what I want?” Not only would that be selfish, but cruel. The only option was to stay. I’d have to stay. I’d have to figure out the money situation somehow.

  I looked up when she cleared her throat, and in that moment, those few precious seconds of seeing her pushed all my worries away. She was absolutely stunning—as she always was. She wore her hair loose tonight, just the way I liked it, as it allowed her soft fragrance to constantly move through the air and captivate me. A pearl white dress formed to her body, highlighting her shapely curves. It exposed just enough of her cleavage to get me going without having to tell her to change so as not to attract unwanted attention. But that probably couldn’t be helped tonight due to the length of her dress. That smooth, golden skin of hers was all I saw. Her toned thighs practically called me to come over and wrap them around me. I had to fight the vision of them hugging my body, the pink pumps she wore falling off as I pressed her back up against the wall and tasted her neck.

  She walked over to me slowly, the charm bracelet I gave her glistening in the room’s lighting as she made her way over wearing a coy smile. When she stopped in front of me, I placed a hand to her back, my other sneaking to her ample bottom.

  I pressed her against me. Leaning in, I sought her lips. Her breath caught when I teased her, passing over her mouth and settling my lips on her neck instead.

  “I thought it was your birthday. Not mine,” I said, her neck so sweet against my tongue as I gave her gentle kisses.

  She put her hand on my shoulder, squeezing as I kissed her. “I have a feeling we’ll both be happy before the night is over.”

  I groaned just from the thought, but forced myself to put space between us to keep the night from ending too soon. This woman elicited madness from me if I got too wrapped up in her. I had a nice dinner planned and didn’t want to ruin that for her. There would be time for everything else later.

  The cab ride over to the restaurant was a quiet, but a nice, one. The windows were down, allowing the cool evening air to breeze through the cabin. The ride was smooth as the city lights passed by and traffic was light.

  I kept Lacey close to me under my arm, giving light kisses to her hair while she played with my fingers dangling over her shoulder. She was so relaxed tonight. Both of us were. I hoped she was right about the prospect of the evening.

  When we pulled up in front of the restaurant’s fountains, Lacey leaned up from my chest. The look of elation she had let me know I picked the perfect place.

  “But, Drake, it’s so expensive,” she said, not taking her eyes of the restaurant I made sure to take her to when I got to France. The place was a staple on all my family’s trips to Paris for a reason. It was classic, picturesque with its opulent landscape and quite romantic with its rooftop seating. And she was right. It was expensive, but this was her birthday and that fact didn’t matter—even if I was between jobs.

  Without a word, I paid the cabbie, then hopped out to guide her to the sidewalk. Once she was on my arm, I said, “I’m going to pretend you didn’t just say that. It’s your birthday, babe. We don’t splurge often.”

  She still looked worried as we made it to the maître d’, but with Lacey, that couldn’t be helped. I’d have to closely monitor what she ordered so she didn’t pick out the cheapest item on the menu—something she’d been known to do.

  “This is my girlfriend and I love her” was my mantra as the maître d’ grabbed a set of menus and took Lacey and me up the lift to the rooftop seating of the restaurant. All of the tables were taken but the best one—the one with the perfect view of the Eiffel Tower at night.

  I pulled out Lacey’s chair for her when we made it to the table. After taking my seat, I peeked above the menu the maître d’ handed me. Lacey was biting at her lip ring pretty hard, but the grin she wore was definitely bleeding through.

  “How did I do?” I asked, although I already knew. She couldn’t hide that smile even if she wanted to. This table was boss and she knew it.

  She shook her head, trying to hide her expression behind her own menu. “You know how you did.”

  Chuckling, I placed my menu down and reached into my pocket. I had the pièce de résistance there that would drive her absolutely wild. I placed the white box between her place setting and causally picked up my menu like I didn’t do a thing.

  She noticed.

  Sighing, she put her menu flat on the table. “What did you do?”

  I shrugged, pretending I didn’t know what she was talking about. My menu was my focus while I waited for her reaction to the gift. She squeaked, and I knew she opened it. When I placed my menu down, she had her hand over her mouth, in awe at the jewelry inside.

  I took the box from her, then her wrist to help her add the accessory I bought for her charm bracelet. I got the crystal heart charm a co
uple of months ago after I saw her eyeing it once when we went shopping.

  Her lips parted while I finished clasping it on. “But, Drake, I can’t. It’s too much—”

  I placed my finger to my lips, and her mouth finally closed when I kissed the back of her hand. “Happy Birthday.”

  She simply smiled, and her lashes fanned down shyly. “Thank you. I love it.”

  I grabbed my menu again and looked up when the waiter arrived at our table. He regarded Lacey first, asking her, her drink order in French. Blushing, she looked to me for guidance.

  I told him two glasses of Merlot, Lacey’s favorite wine, then gazed over at her when he left us. Her face was beet red at this point as she studied the menu. She had to have been doing this to busy herself because I doubted she could read anything in it. When it came to singing the language, Lacey was in a league of her own; however, the speaking part she hadn’t yet mastered.

  Laughing, I got up and sat my chair next to her to help her. “You really should think about picking up a few phrases if you intend to live here, Lace.”

  Looking shy, she leaned into me. “I’ll always have you though.”

  I smiled when she kissed me on the cheek, but the smile faded the minute I saw him. My boss. My frickin’ former boss took a seat at a small round table on the opposite side of the rooftop. Business must be a little better than he let on since he was at this place. A crouton here cost about as much as the hourly wage at the museum.

  After waving off his own server, he checked his wristwatch. I ducked a bit when he dropped his wrist and gazed around the rooftop. I didn’t want him seeing me. What if he decided to come over to chat and it got out that he fired me earlier today? I didn’t even want to think about what would happen if Lacey found out now. Well, two things were a given. One, her birthday would be ruined, and two, she’d seriously lose her shit. Like epically lose her shit. Especially since I not only didn’t tell her immediately that I was fired, but took her to an extremely expensive place knowing I was fired. Her finding out tonight wasn’t happening. The tension eased a bit in my chest when I realized the large floral arrangement in the center of the roof gave our table a little coverage. Hopefully, the shrub would do its job and keep me in the clear. What were the odds that we’d both come to this place on the same damn night?

  “Drake?”

  “Yes.” I said the word a little too loudly, and Lacey jumped beside me. “Sorry,” I said, bringing my voice down. “Yes.”

  She slowly lifted an eyebrow. “I was just asking you to read me the specials.”

  “Right. Yes. Specials.” Quickly, I refocused my attention back to the menu. “They have a red snapper dish that sounds good.” My words drifted off as I watched Mr. Chevalier scan the restaurant again over the menu. Who was he looking for?

  “Hmm, red snapper. I don’t know. Maybe I’ll just order a simple salad with no meat.”

  Did she really just say that? I gave her a concentrated look. “Lacey, seriously?”

  She shrugged. “It just sounds good tonight.”

  “By that you mean it sounds cheap.” I sat the menu down on the table and draped my arm around her chair.

  She didn’t say anything and stared at the table with her hands folded in her lap.

  I tilted her chin with my finger. “If you didn’t have to think about the price what would you order tonight?”

  “But—”

  I held up a finger. “Answer honestly.”

  She sat with her lips closed for a moment, her expression practically pouting.

  God, this girl was adorable. Frustrating as hell. But adorable.

  “Shellfish,” she finally said.

  “Shellfish?”

  “Lobster.” She let out a breath like it hurt her to say it.

  I kissed her on the cheek. “Good girl. I’ll go pick one out for you.”

  I got up casually, and with a quick return of my chair, left our table and headed to the tanks. Mr. Chevalier was still gazing around the restaurant like his life depended on it, so he didn’t notice me when I passed his table and escaped through the rooftop doors. As long as Lacey and I kept to ourselves I didn’t think a confrontation would happen. He was obviously waiting for someone with the way he was scanning the restaurant, and once that person came, they’d hold his attention.

  After I left the lift, I made it to the lobster tanks that were located at the stairwell that led to the bottom level seating. There was a woman there already in a loud, glittery top. I gave her a smile, which she returned, then I looked into the tanks. We stood by each other for a few seconds, analyzing the selection, and I decided to be friendly and mention the excellent variety. Gazing up, she flashed me her smile again.

  “Ah, an American,” she said.

  I mock cringed, putting my hand on my chest. “Is my accent that bad?”

  She shook her head. “No. No. It’s just a little proper. And you’re right. Great selection this evening. I thought I would claim one of the best before I took my seat. I’d leave the choosing to my husband, but he always seems to pick me one of the puny ones.”

  I laughed. “Maybe you can help me then. I’m picking one for my girlfriend. It’s her birthday, and I don’t want to make a mistake.”

  She crooked her finger, and I followed her gaze to the tank where she pointed to one in the far corner. “That one right there. Perfect size.”

  “Merci beaucoup, Madame.”

  “You’re welcome, young man. I hope your girlfriend has a happy birthday.” She patted my arm then left my side.

  As I stared at the one she picked for Lacey, I noted her good taste. I planned to order something a little more reasonably priced for myself this evening, but after seeing what she picked, I decided to spend time picking one for myself.

  After selecting my choice, I made my way back up the lift and to our table. When I arrived, I paused at the doors. The same lady I spoke to was at our table….

  And she was speaking to Lacey.

  Chapter Nine

  Lacey

  “I’m sorry, ma’am. I don’t speak French,” I said, hoping the woman who stopped by our table understood me. I was a little panicked… and extremely embarrassed. The woman looked so excited when she came over, and I felt bad that I couldn’t communicate with her. Drake was right that I should learn some phrases. I’d better do that soon.

  “Oh, my dear,” she said, her expression still elated. “I was just saying that it’s you. Lady Gwendoline. My husband and I saw your show the first month it opened, and we adored it.”

  “Oh,” I said, my cheeks really blazing now after the recognition. “Thank you so much. I’ve enjoyed performing here. Your city is so beautiful.”

  She put her hands together. “Aren’t you just fabulous. Such a delight. Could I trouble you for an autograph?”

  “Um, sure.” I picked up my handbag, fumbling inside it. “I think I have a pen in here.” I pushed around the hodgepodge of lotions and nail polishes but to no avail.

  “Wait just a moment. I’ll flag my husband for one. He’d love to meet you too.”

  Great. More people. This was part of the job. God, I wished I wasn’t so shy when it came to this part. Forgetting about finding the pen, I looked up to see where the woman’s husband was. That was when I saw Drake. He wasn’t looking at me. Standing at the doors, he was watching the woman’s husband make his way to our table. What was weird was the expression on Drake’s face. His eyes were wide and his lips were parted like he was in shock. What was wrong with him? Did the woman’s husband look crazy or something? I redirected my attention to him. He was a short, pudgy man, but he didn’t look unusual. My attention was forced away from Drake when the woman’s husband arrived and shook my hand.

  “Lady Gwendoline herself. Is this why you took so long, Madge?” he asked his wife.

  She gave him a light pat on his arm. “No. I was picking out a lobster. The ones you pick are always so puny.”

  He harrumphed at her, but then smil
ed at me. “It’s such a small world. I was just telling Drake this morning to say hello to you for us and here you are. Is he here?” He gazed around.

  I frowned. How did he know Drake? And how did he know of my connection to him? I didn’t recognize this man. “Sorry, sir?”

  Refocusing on me, he released my hand. “Drake?” When I still didn’t give any inclination of recognition, he helped. “I’m so sorry. Let me properly introduce myself. I’m Arthur Chevalier, director at the Beaumont Museum.”

  The thumping in my chest lessened at hearing he was Drake’s boss. I thought I had some crazy man in front of me for a moment. “It’s so great to meet you. Drake speaks highly of you.”

  It was at that moment, he frowned, and I didn’t know why. “Yes, well. It’s a shame that things had to turn out the way they did. But times are tough right now. Unfortunately, the new employees are the first to go no matter how skilled and hardworking—as indeed Drake was. We really will miss him. I was sad to let him go.”

  My heart dropped into the pit of my stomach. “Let him go?”

  He nodded, his face full of remorse. “Yes. But hey, I told him he would be all right. You’re obviously taking care of him.” He gestured to the rooftop restaurant.

  I had no words in the moment, and Drake’s presence behind Mr. Chevalier suddenly became clear… and his weird reaction. He hadn’t moved one inch since his former boss came over. He just stood there, watching it all play out in front of him.

  A pen was pushed into my hand, and I signed my name on the napkin handed to me. Someone patted my arm. A lighter touch patted my hand. And then I was alone. I was alone watching my boyfriend still standing at the door.

  Swallowing hard to maintain my composure, I lowered myself into my chair. I turned my head, staring at the Eiffel Tower, bright with lights, while traffic passed on the streets below me. Eventually, the chair across from me screeched, but I still didn’t look that way.