by Laura Moore
“Granny May, I don’t need to go to a spa!”
Her grandmother must have missed Lily’s reply, for she said, “Oh, wait, I have an idea! I’ll make the appointment for two, and you and your friend, the photographer, can go together. My treat. Dear me, someone’s at the door. Bye, Lily.”
Lily stood, staring at the receiver in bemusement.
“Who was that, Lily?” Karen asked.
“My grandmother. Hey, Karen, have you ever been to a day spa?”
Lily was reading an article on endangered sea grasses when her mother arrived.
“Hi, Karen. Hi, Lily.”
“Hello, M . . . Kaye,” Lily managed to remember.
“Definitely Kaye.” Her mother nodded encouragingly. “We’re going to have fun this afternoon.” Kaye turned and smiled at Karen. “My mother made the appointment at the spa for three P.M., Karen. It’s on the corner of Palmetto and Locust. Why don’t you meet Lily there?”
“Sure thing, Mrs. Alcott. Have a great time with Lily.”
“Thank you, Karen. I’m so excited,” Kaye confided to Lily as she hustled her out the door. “Fiona’s just going to flip when she sees you.”
Fiona Gray was so elegant, she made Kaye look like a dowdy frump. Dressed in a navy serge tailored suit, she moved with the sensual confidence of a 1940s matinee idol. Right now, Fiona was circling Lily. Slowly. A three hundred and sixty degree, X-ray-eyed inspection of every physical imperfection Lily possessed. Acutely self-conscious, Lily tucked in her stomach and tried not to fidget. How, she asked herself, had she gotten bulldozed into this shopping expedition?
The inspection was performed in total silence. Fiona had hung a closed sign in the window the second Lily and Kaye walked in, barring other customers from entering. At last Fiona came to a stop next to Kaye. Arms crossed, her slender finger tapped meditatively as she continued to evaluate Lily.
Just as Lily’s eyes were beginning to cross—it was only a dress, for Pete’s sake—Fiona nodded as though arriving at a decision. Lily breathed a sigh of relief. It was almost over, she thought.
“Thank you, Kaye. At last I have a real woman to work with,” she said. “You mentioned a party?”
“Yes. Mother is celebrating Lily’s return home. Everyone’s attention will be focused on her.”
“Gee, now I’m really looking forward to Saturday night, Kaye,” Lily muttered, unnerved by Kaye’s prediction.
“Oh, you will, Lily . . . once you see the dress I have in mind for you,” Fiona said, smiling confidently. “Why don’t you go into the dressing room and remove your clothes. The brassiere, too.”
“My God, Karen, is that you?” Lily gaped three hours later.
Karen raised a hand to her head. The braids and beads she’d been wearing for the past two months had disappeared, to be replaced by shoulder-length, light brown hair, which fell in soft waves about her face.
“Do you like it?” she asked uncertainly. “My head feels so weird. And silent! But the stylist freaked when she heard how long my braids had been in. Said my hair would become royally damaged if I didn’t take them out. Then she forced me to sit with this really goopy conditioner on my head.”
“Well, whatever they used, it looks fantastic. To tell you the truth, I’d forgotten what your hair looks like. It’s lovely.”
There were mirrors aplenty in the salon to verify this. Karen tugged the belt around her black polyester smock tighter, then walked up to the nearest mirror and stared. The stylist had let Karen’s hair hang naturally, without twisting it into any kind of sophisticated hairdo. Like threads of gold, the sun-kissed streaks in her hair glimmered in the light.
Karen inspected herself critically, a pleased smile growing on her face. “Yeah, I think I’ll keep it this way— the braids were getting kind of itchy,” she admitted. Her eyes met Lily’s. “You got a nice cut, too, Lily.”
“Thanks. It’s not quite as dramatic a transformation as yours, but they put some of that goop on my head, too. I may have hated it, but my hair thinks differently.”
“They do any other weird stuff to you? The woman who gave me a pedicure went at my feet with a boulder.”
“Yeah.” Lily nodded. The movement made the ends of her newly cut hair brush featherlike against her cheekbones. “They plastered my face with seaweed,” she said with a laugh. “I didn’t know how to tell them that I’m up close and personal with seaweed three hundred and sixty-five days of the year. Then they rubbed my body with salt—at least, that’s what I think it was. Again, I didn’t have the heart to tell them I get plenty of sea salt, too.” She shrugged, grimacing as she did so. “I think some of my hair must have gotten under this smock because it’s all prickly. I’m starving, too. Though I’m probably going to have to eat seaweed from now until the party if I want to wear the dress my mother and Fiona Gray picked out for me. What do you say we change and get out of here?”
“Definitely.” Karen allowed herself one last happy glance at the mirror before turning away. “But Lily?”
“Yeah?”
“I had a blast. Thanks.”
Lily grinned back at Karen. “We can both thank Granny May. This was her brainchild.”
Later that evening, Lily went to swim practice. The combined effect of her shopping expedition with Kaye at Fiona Gray’s boutique and her so-called makeover at the day spa had made Lily extremely aware of her body. And thanks to Kaye and Fiona’s choice of evening dress, everyone at Granny May’s party was going to be, too. She hoped she didn’t give her grandmother a heart attack when she walked through her front door.
Swimming a few miles might make all those bulges she was sure she’d seen in the dressing room mirror disappear miraculously.
But Lily had another reason, far more important, to go to the swim practice. Sean might be there.
Her spirits plummeted when Sean wasn’t anywhere on the pool deck, but they recovered somewhat when Hal gave her one of his rib-breaking hugs of welcome.
“Lily.” Hal grinned. “I hoped you’d come. So Sean passed along my message?”
Her heart thudded heavily at the mere mention of Sean’s name. “Sean? No, I haven’t seen him.”
Hal scowled darkly. “Guess I’ll have to beat him up again.”
“You beat Sean up?” she asked.
“Broke him down might be a better way to describe it. Came by yesterday afternoon in a really bad mood, cruising for a fight.”
Lily swallowed. That must have been just after he’d seen her at Norma Jean’s. “Anyway,” Hal continued, “I gave him a workout he won’t forget. He was one hurtin’ puppy by the time he left.”
“I didn’t know you had this sadistic streak in you, Hal.”
“Sean didn’t, either,” he chuckled. “Good thing he thrives on challenges. That’s why he likes us so damn much—”
“I’m not sure he likes me very much at the moment,” she said with a sad smile.
“Sean likes you fine,” Hal said firmly. “You’re one of the few people strong enough to stand up to him. And keep on doing it, Lily—it’s what he needs. Go hop in the lane with Dave. He’s a nice guy, just don’t let him talk you out of swimming hard.”
“Dr. Lily Banyon, welcome to lane eight!” Dave said, as she dropped her fins and pull buoy beside him. “I was getting lonely with Sean gone.”
Me, too. “Hi, Dave. When’s he due back?” She tried to keep her voice casual.
“Saturday . . . I think that’s what he said.”
Lily pinned a smile to her face. “Then it’s just you and me. By the way, I should warn you, Hal suspects you’re not putting your ‘all’ into his workouts.”
“He’s right. If I did, I wouldn’t have strength left to lift a beer bottle to my lips, which is the only reason to swim.”
“To lift beer bottles?”
“No, to drink what’s inside them. And tonight’s not the night to start taking Storey’s workouts too seriously. I’m picking Karen up after practice. We’re going to the Ru
sted Keel. Want to join us? There’ll be others from the team.”
“Thanks, I’d like that. And since you’ve been kind enough to invite me to tag along, would you like to come to my grandmother’s seventieth birthday?” She struggled not to laugh at the appalled look on Dave’s face. “In addition to a house full of silver-haired grandparents, Karen might come—she’s still undecided.”
“I love old folks, but let me swim on this. Whoops, here comes Hal.” Dave’s voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper. “Buy you a beer, Dr. Banyon, if you slack off a wee bit on the workout.”
“Sorry, Dave. I have to fit into my party dress.”
The phone was ringing as she opened the apartment door, Karen a step behind. Quickly walking over to it, she picked it up. “Hello?”
“Don’t hang up.”
The sound of Sean’s voice triggered an explosion of happiness within her. Lily spun around from the knowing grin on Karen’s face, who was mouthing, “I told you so!”
“Lily, are you there?”
“Yes,” she answered breathlessly. Her hand clenched the phone, pressing it closer to her ear, wanting him close. “Yes, I’m here. Sean, I’m sorry—I didn’t mean any of the things I said—”
“Ahh, Lily, I’m the one who’s sorry. I really screwed up the other night.” His voice deepened. “I haven’t stopped thinking about you once. I just sat through twelve hours of meetings, and I can’t remember a single word that was said. I’m in serious trouble here, Lily,” the admission a husky caress.
Lily shut her eyes, giddy with happiness. “Me, too,” she said softly. “I miss you.”
“Hot damn,” he whispered in an awed voice.
Laughter tumbled from her lips. “Were you this eloquent at the meetings, Mr. Mayor?”
“Not nearly. So, can I see you tomorrow?”
“Before or after Granny May’s party?”
“Christ, I’d forgotten all about that. I was hoping for a more private reunion. How about before, during, and after? I’ll pick you up. Think of me until then. Sweet dreams, Lily.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
“Bye, Karen, have a good time tonight. Say hi to Dave for me,” Lily called, loud enough to be heard through the closed door.
Karen’s door opened a crack and her nose peeked through. “Wait!” she said, sticking her wet head out further. “Let me see. Ooh, Lily, that’s pure dynamite. I almost wish Dave and I were going.”
Lily gave a nervous laugh. “No, believe me, a double feature of The Invasion of the Body Snatchers and It Came from Outer Space will be a lot more entertaining.”
“It will be cool.” Karen nodded enthusiastically. “It’s so great the community college is running this series. These old films hardly ever get shown on big screens anymore.”
“Well, enjoy yourself. Uh, I’m not sure when I’ll get back.”
Karen’s eyes twinkled. “Me neither. Dave said there’s this blues bar . . .”
“And who knows where that will lead?”
It was Karen’s turn to blush. “Dave’s nice.”
“Yes. I agree. And you’ve got him wrapped around your finger.” Lily smiled, recalling the dazed expression on Dave’s face last night when he got his first glimpse of Karen’s new look. She didn’t think Dave would be watching much of the double feature, as he couldn’t seem to keep his eyes off Karen. “Have fun tonight.”
“You, too, Lily, though I’d say in that dress it’s guaranteed. Sean won’t know what hit him.”
“I think that was Kaye’s and Fiona’s intention. I only hope I can pull it off.”
“I wouldn’t worry on that account.”
May Ellen’s party was to begin with cocktails at six P.M., followed by a dinner, which was being catered and served by the staff from Marco’s. Ordinarily, Lily would be drooling with anticipation at the thought of sampling Marco’s delicious creations again. In the dress she was wearing tonight, however, she doubted she would dare accept so much as a carrot stick.
She pulled her dark gray raincoat from her closet, buttoned it, then knotted the belt firmly about her waist. The leering doormen loitering in the lobby weren’t going to get a single peep. She glanced around, certain she was forgetting something, shaking her head when she saw the beaded black clutch. The things a woman has to keep track of, she thought. Drawing a deep breath to steady her nerves, she glanced at the clock for the thousandth time. There were five minutes left before Sean said he’d pick her up. But she was too nervous to wait in the apartment. She’d go downstairs, she decided. Pulling the front door open, she gave a soft gasp of surprise.
Sinfully handsome in an impeccably tailored black tux, Sean stood in her doorway. “Hello, Lily.” He raised his hand and held out a single white rose.
Fingers trembling, they brushed his as she accepted his offering. Throat too constricted with emotion to do more than whisper her thanks, she brought the rose to her face and inhaled its delicate perfume.
Sean stared at the woman who haunted him night and day, mesmerized by her loveliness. During his trip, he’d thought of her constantly, drawing on the myriad memories he possessed. Tonight she seemed different somehow. Something about her subtly altered, which made her features even more alluring.
His eyes swept over that face he knew, yet didn’t, only slowly realizing what had changed.
Lily was wearing makeup.
Not heavy, dulling layers of the stuff, just a touch to accentuate her natural beauty—black mascara framed the dazzling clarity of her eyes, a sweep of shimmery blush accentuated her high, slanting cheekbones, a lick of gloss applied to her lips made her mouth temptingly moist.
When Lily’s eyes lifted slowly, meeting his, Sean saw what was the greatest transformation of all. Her eyes no longer held that touch of cool reserve. Tonight they glowed with a warm joy. His heart pounded in his chest.
“You look exquisite,” he said quietly. “I don’t dare kiss you, as I frankly don’t think I could stop. But after this party, Lily . . .” He let the sentence trail off.
And Lily understood that its ending was hers to finish. “Yes,” she replied, her voice equally quiet. “Yes, after the party.” A sudden fit of nerves assailed her. She reached for the belt of her raincoat and gave it another firm tug.
Sean noticed the raincoat for the first time. He shook his head. “Your grandmother’s in luck. The weather’s held; it’s a beautiful evening.” He gestured to the functional overcoat, totally incongruous with the black evening gown that showed beneath its hem. “You don’t really need to wear that—”
Lily’s soft laugh answered him and a secret smile played over her lips. “Oh, yes, I do.”
Sean didn’t fully comprehend the significance of Lily’s enigmatic smile or her cryptic comment until they stood in May Ellen’s entry hall.
“Let me take your coat,” he offered, moving behind her, his fingers ready to pluck it from her shoulders.
Slowly Lily unknotted the belt and dealt with the buttons. Sean saw her shoulders lift as she took a long, indrawn breath. No doubt she was steeling herself for a party dominated by nosy seventy-year-olds, he thought.
Then Lily stepped out of the coat.
And he stood transfixed. His breath caught, trapped in his throat.
Lily in a black evening dress. A black dress—that should have been something he could handle. But this one, it was black and sparkled as though sewn with a thousand diamonds. Black, sparkling, it was also sheer, a tantalizing veil. Nearly transparent, the evening dress clung to Lily’s elegant, womanly body like the caress of a loving hand. Her back to him, Sean’s eyes traced curves molded by shimmering darkness.
When she turned, his breath escaped in a low hiss— eyes seeing what his besieged brain had failed to grasp.
The dress hung from Lily’s shoulders by the slenderest of straps. That the dress was diabolically designed, sewn with an extra layer of sheer fabric, cleverly concealing the lush outline of her breasts, didn’t stop the truth from exploding
in his mind, nearly destroying him.
Lily was braless, braless in that sinful gown, and he knew that all evening long that thought would pound in his fevered mind.
Lily saw Sean’s stunned expression and how his eyes flared, burning bright. She saw his struggle to control his rampant desire and the monumental effort that exacted. What she saw made her heart skip and then race madly, and she offered silent thanks to Kaye and to her grandmother. The dress was a wondrous gift, one that gave Lily the courage to conquer and claim her love.
“Lily, my dear, don’t you look spectacular!”
Lily smiled and kissed her grandmother’s cheek. “Thank you, Granny May, I wasn’t quite sure until a moment ago,” she said, glancing sideways at Sean.
“Really? Let me take a look.” May Ellen, regal in a long-sleeved, lavender gown and a rope of cultured pearls wrapped about her neck, stepped back and inspected her granddaughter from head to toe. “Why ever not? Kaye was right. It’s perfect for you. She has impeccable taste. She would never choose anything remotely unbecoming. And what do you think, Sean?”
Sean’s jaw tightened. The dress was bewitching. A perfect foil for Lily’s incomparable beauty. “I’d say Kaye knew exactly what she was doing.”
“Just so.” May Ellen nodded approvingly. “Not every woman could wear this. Such a lovely figure you have, my dear. Come, let me show you off.”
“Wait, Granny May.” Lily opened her clutch and withdrew a slender, square box. “Happy early birthday,” she said, and pressed her lips to May Ellen’s soft, lined cheek.
“Lily! You shouldn’t have! May I open it?” May Ellen’s hands were already tugging at the simple ratafia bow.
“I hope you like it. I found it in the Seychelles.”
“Oh! It’s lovely!” May Ellen carefully lifted the sea horse into the palm of her hand. It was perfectly preserved, from the elongated, square snout, to the fanned ridges of its dorsal, to the tip of its delicately swirled tail. “Thank you, Lily. Besides your being here tonight, this is the nicest present I could imagine, because it will always remind me of you.” Linking her arm through Lily’s, she said, “Come along, Sean, and help me introduce Lily. She may not remember everyone.”