Night Moves (G-Man Series)

by ANDREA SMITH

  "You look great," I said, motioning for him to come in and take a seat. "I need to explain something to you before we meet my parents."

  "You look fabulous, Nicole," he said, studying me from head to toe. "Stella McCartney?"

  "It is - but listen, you need to call me 'Darcy' not 'Nicole.' Just for tonight, okay?" I saw him quirk a brow. I needed to explain this to him, I know.

  "You see, my name's Darcy Nicole Sheridan. I've been - well . . . going by my middle name since I've been here at the resort for . . . personal reasons. My parents will be calling me Darcy and I just thought you should know."

  "It's fine. I get it," he responded, shaking his head slightly.

  "You do?" I asked, frowning in confusion.

  "Sure. Hey, whatever makes you comfortable is fine with me. I don't question the way people handle things in their personal lives and I certainly don't judge."

  Judge what? Wait a sec . . .

  "Eli, how did you know this was a Stella McCartney design?"

  He shrugged. "I was in Milan for her fall show," he replied nonchalantly, as if he'd just told me he was at a Bronco's game or the U.S. Masters Tournament. He watched my puzzled expression with amusement.

  "Oh, somebody's 'gay-dar' seems to be on the fritz I see."

  "Eli," I said, the shock apparent in my tone, "You don't look gay. I mean it never crossed my mind . . ."

  "Ah hah, I see some stereotypes at play here, beautiful," he teased, "and may I add that you don't look butch either."

  Rewind. What?

  "What?"

  "You know, 'butch'; the stereotypical description for a lesbian?"

  "Holy hell! You think I'm a lesbian?"

  He was now the one flustered, getting up from the couch, and running a hand through his thick mass of blond hair. "I guess my gay-dar's on the fritz as well."

  I burst into laughter as I saw how totally clueless we both had been. Eli joined me and we continued to laugh until tears were rolling.

  "Okay, okay," I said, still giggling. "I want to know why the hell you thought I was a lesbo."

  Eli rubbed his eyes and tried to compose himself enough to explain. "I was watching you from outside the pool area before I even came in," he said, starting to chuckle again. "I mean damn, girl, the way you were checking out that blonde across the pool from you left no doubt in my mind. Since I didn't see any interesting males around, I thought it might be nice to hang out with one of my own." He dissolved into laughter once again.

  I gave him a hand gesture that was definitely not mom-approved."One of your own, huh?" I playfully tossed a few couch pillows at him.

  "Sorry, sorry," he laughed, shielding himself from the barrage of pillows. "But hey - we can still hang out, yeah?"

  I loved the idea of having a gay male BFF.

  Let's be honest here, folks. It's every girl's dream to have a gay guy bestie, right? I mean I'm a huge fan of "Sex in the City." Carrie Bradshaw had Stanford Blatch; Charlotte York had Anthony Marantino and I definitely wanted a Stanford Blatch or an Anthony Marantino of my own!

  "I don't know," I said in a teasing voice. "Are you sure you won't mind hanging out with a straight female?"

  "Mind? Of course I don't mind. Every gay guy wants a gorgeous, straight, female to drink daiquiris with him poolside. It's the American dream. You’re like the ultimate hot-guy bait. Don't you know anything, girl?"

  "Well now that we've settled that, let's go meet my folks."

  "Showtime!" Eli said, taking my hand as we left to walk down the beach to their condo.

  Dinner with Mom and Daddy went well. They both seemed to like Eli a lot. Daddy and Eli talked sports (yes, gay guys enjoy football like anyone else). It was nice having Eli with us because Mom didn't bring up Darin's name at all. I was grateful for that. I knew she presumed Eli was a romantic interest for me which was fine. I didn't feel any explanation was necessary.

  After dinner they invited us back to their condo to play euchre. Mom poured a glass of wine for all of us and it was adding to the buzz I'd gotten at dinner. I wasn't used to wine. I was never sure how it would hit me. Apparently it was affecting my ability at euchre when Daddy sighed for the third or fourth time at my throws. He was so damn competitive at everything.

  "Let's change partners, Denise," he suggested. "You take Darcy; Eli's mine." For some reason that struck my funny bone and I started giggling uncontrollably. I felt Eli kick my brand new pair of Prada's from underneath the table.

  "Darcy, are you alright?" Mom asked her brow furrowed in concern.

  "Squueeekhehe," I giggled, nodding my head up and down affirmatively.

  "No more wine for her, Denise," Daddy replied, taking a serious tone. I changed places with Eli and we started the next game. We were just a few rounds into it when a loud, banging noise against the wall started. It was rhythmic, getting louder and faster and then the moaning started.

  "Oh dear God, Martin, they're at it again," my mother hissed, throwing her playing cards down on the table. I looked over at Eli and saw a slow grin appear. The female was moaning loudly and as she continued on, her tone got shriller.

  "I swear that broad's going to break glass one of these times," my father said with a laugh, shaking his head.

  "Martin!" my mother scolded, "We have guests."

  "Then they'll hear for themselves in about twenty seconds." We all strained now to listen and sweet Jesus, my father was right! That bitch's moans reached a high soprano pitch that rivaled anything Renee Fleming could've belted out.

  "Are you sure there's even a man in there with her?" I asked, giggling. "All you can hear is her screeching and moaning."

  "Oh yes," Daddy answered, "Trust me, he has his moments too."

  "I mean the vulgarity they scream," my mother commented again. "Disgusting."

  Everything had pretty much quieted down next door for the time being. I wasn't in the mood to continue playing cards.

  "I'm really sorry you had to hear all of that, Eli," my mother said, patting his shoulder.

  Ahh . . . Geez. She probably thinks it gave him ideas.

  "I'm tired of cards. Eli let's go out on the terrace. I could use some salt air to sober up a bit," I said with a sigh.

  "Great idea, darling," my mom replied, starting to clear the table. "You two enjoy the ocean view. It's spectacular."

  I found my shoes under the table where I'd kicked them off and slid back into them. Eli held my chair out for me like a perfect gentleman. He was scoring so many points with my parents I could tell by the looks of approval that passed between them all evening. I had to bite my lip to keep from laughing out loud at the thought.

  Eli opened the french doors leading out onto the large terrace and I walked out onto the wooden floor. We could hear the waves splashing against the break wall on the beach. The stars were out casting their reflection against the ocean. It was magnificent.

  "Mmm," I sighed, leaning against the rail as we both looked out over the water. "I love the beach, the ocean, the sand - all of it. I so envy you. You get to work here all year round."

  "I haven't got the job yet and I've no experience, just my degree."

  "Yeah, but I mean they wouldn't have flown you here unless you had a good chance of being hired, right?"

  "Wrong. I paid my own way. Nothing's guaranteed."

  "What will you do if you aren't selected then?"

  "I'm not sure. I don't have a Plan B yet."

  "You could always move to D.C. you know? I'm sure my father could use you in his business. That's where I'm going to work after graduation."

  "What kind of business is it?"

  "He owns a consulting firm for international marketing and communication. He founded it more than twenty-five years ago. It's called "Sheridan and Associates." I'm going to be one of the associates soon. My father promised me a position before he retires. He eventually wants me to run the whole show there."

  Eli let out an impressed whistle. "That must be nice to have a career waiting for yo
u. I don't know, we'll see," he shrugged. "I have my heart set on staying here you know? I studied International Culture and can speak Spanish and Italian fluently. I'm not sure those skill sets would fit your father's business."

  "What do you mean? You're tri-lingual and he does international marketing for Christ's sake! Of course you'd be a great fit. I mean it's something to consider as a Plan B, right?"

  "Sure, sweetie. Hey, do you wanna do something for New Year's Eve?"

  "Hell yeah. I have the perfect outfit."

  "Somehow I knew that," he chuckled, giving me a hug. It was in that brief moment of silence we both heard a male voice clear his throat from the next door terrace. I leaned over the rail just a bit to have a look.

  Oh. My. God.

  I felt my heart race as E.J.'s eyes looked over into mine and a slow, sardonic grin graced his handsome face. I realized that he'd been out there the whole time, eavesdropping on our conversation. Holy shit! I backed up quickly so the wall between the two terraces obscured his view of me.

  "What?" Eli mouthed to me, looking confused. I didn't answer him, just shook my head, putting my index finger up to stay quiet. A moment later I heard the terrace door from next door open and a female voice.

  "Are you coming in to bed?"

  "Be right there, Lacee," his soft, sexy voice replied.

  Skank!

  I turned and went back inside the condo, Eli following behind me still trying to figure out what the hell was going on. "I'll tell you about it when we walk back to my villa. I'm ready to go."

  We said good-night to my parents, who ended up inviting Eli to breakfast the following morning. Seriously, I was pretty sure I was going to have a sore jaw the following morning from trying to hold back all the laughter at the thought that my parents were currently thinking Eli and I were some kind of "item".

  Eli and I walked down the beach towards my place. I told him about my meeting up with E.J. and introducing myself as 'Nicole,' and the rest of it.

  "Is there someone special in your life?" I asked, after we'd walked several paces in silence.

  "There was," he replied. "It was over before I left Denver, though. I guess I came here for the same reason as you, to heal. Only difference is I want to remain here permanently. There's no way I'm going back to Denver."

  I looked over at him, tucking a stray piece of hair behind my ear. “Then don’t,” I replied. “Seriously, if this thing doesn’t work out for you, you should come and work for my dad with me in D.C. The guy friggin’ loves you, and Denver doesn’t want you anymore.”

  He nudged me in the ribs, and I gave him a wink.

  “So," I said with finality in my tone, “If the job interview doesn’t go well, I’m considering you as a gift shop item and am taking you back to D.C. with me.”

  I really liked Eli. He was easy-going, gorgeous, and I just felt, I don’t know... effortless around him. Like I didn’t have to try and impress him. Plus, I kind of wanted to see the girls at the office completely fall all over themselves as they’d try to get him to go out with them.

  I may just have to bring my cam-recorder.

  "Yes, ma'am," he said with a salute and a grin. We'd reached my villa by this time.

  "Be by early in the morning to pick you up for breakfast. Sleep well."

  "Night, Eli," I said, closing the door to my villa behind me. "You do the same."

  Of course I wasn't completely ready the following morning when Eli came by the villa to pick me up for breakfast. I invited him in while I rushed to finish up with my make-up.

  "Okay, I'm ready," I said, slipping my sandals on as Eli opened the door for me, following me outside the villa.

  Now timing's a funny thing. If this was a movie, who do you think would be jogging past my villa on the path, looking totally, sexy and hot just as Eli was closing the door behind us at this early morning hour? You guessed it: E.J. And he was without his skank, Lacee. He looked over at me and Eli and in that brief second I could've sworn a dark scowl crossed over his face. And then he was gone.

  Breakfast with Mom and Dad went well. They were taking to Eli as if he was going to be their son-in-law some day. I suppose eventually I'd have to explain the relationship. Now wasn't the right time.

  My Dad coached him on his interview scheduled for this afternoon with the resort. They were chatting together as if they'd known each other forever. My mother was talking to me about going shopping this afternoon - my favorite thing. She mentioned having dinner tonight, alone, which was kind of strange. I was sure they loved Eli so I was sure it had nothing to do with them giving me some sort of parental lecture on "taking things slow." It sounded as if they wanted to have some sort of a serious discussion with me.

  Mom and I shopped all afternoon. I'd told Eli to call me later in the day to let me know how his interview had gone. He promised he would. Back at the villa, I had some time to kill before meeting my folks for dinner so I called Lindsey. I missed my BFF since I hadn't talked to her in over a week.

  When she answered the phone I heard all kinds of chaos in the background.

  "Hey Darce, where the hell you been?" she asked, with an irritated tone

  "Your phone works as well as mine," I responded with a laugh.

  "I know that. I guess I just wasn’t' sure what to say to you. I mean, I hate what Darin did to you and trust me, I told Taz everything and he's royally pissed. I had to beg him to just stay out of it and not say a word to Darin. You don't need that S.O.B. thinking that he broke your heart or anything."

  "Thanks, Linds. Actually, I'm thinking maybe he didn't break my heart after all."

  "Oh?"

  "No, it's not like what you're thinking. I haven't met anyone else. Well, actually I have met a really great guy, but he's gay."

  "Shut up!" she shrieked. "What are you thinking?"

  "I'm thinking that it's really great having a male BFF, that's what I'm thinking."

  "He's not going to replace me, right?"

  "No one could replace you." I was hearing all kinds of commotion in the background, including a dog barking furiously. "Where the hell are you?"

  "Oh," she laughed, "We're over at Mom and Slate's. Mom bought a puppy for Bryce. She thought it would help him kind of get over his jealousy thing with the new baby. The dog's hyper as hell and Slate's having a fit. Want me to call you later?"

  "That's okay, Linds. I'm going to dinner with my folks. They came in from Cancun yesterday and we're hanging out. I'll talk to you as soon as I get back to D.C. I've a lot to tell you!"

  "I can hardly wait. I'm so happy you're dealing with all of this. I miss you!"

  "Miss you too. Give Harper a kiss for me and tell Taz hey."

  "I'll do it. Love you."

  I smiled after our call ended. I was ready to go back. I no longer feared seeing Lindsey, Taz or anyone else that reminded me of Darin. How could this be? Why did I no longer feel destroyed and heartbroken? Maybe it was meeting Eli, or the feelings that I'd felt when I met E.J. that provided proof that I hadn't really loved Darin the way I thought.

  As I reflected, I realized that I'd never once felt the butterflies in my gut that I felt when I was with E.J. that evening. I thought that it was just about a good ole' rebound fuck, now I knew that it was something different. It was something very foreign to me and I liked the fact that it was scary on top of that. I wanted to pursue those types of feelings and the way I looked at it, if it happened with some stranger hundreds of miles away, it could happen again with an appropriate man. I wasn't into pining for man-whores and that's exactly was E.J. seemed to be.

  I dressed for dinner. Mom and Daddy picked me up on the road on the other side of the villas. We were going to an Italian restaurant tonight. My parents were unusually quiet on the ride to the restaurant.

  What's up with this?

  We were seated, waiting for our appetizers when my father cleared his throat nervously and said, "Darcy, it's time we talked about your future. Some things have changed and I want to discus
s them with you tonight."

  Okay. Not a good sign.

  "Am I in trouble, Daddy?"

  "No sweetheart, nothing like that. It's just that over the past couple of years your mother and I've noticed that it may not be prudent for you to assume a top level role at Sheridan & Associates so soon after graduating."

  "I don't understand," I replied, looking back and forth between them. My mom wasn't making eye-contact.

  "Daddy," I interrupted his next sentence before he began, "Cut to the chase, please. Have I done something wrong?"

  "No, it's more what we've done wrong. Your mother and I've come to realize that over the years, well, we've spoiled you rotten to be perfectly honest. You spend money as if you have an endless supply of it and you don't appreciate the value of earning your own living. Even in high school, while many of your friends held summer jobs, you spent your time at the country club, traveling or shopping. It's really our fault, not yours."

  Okay. Freeze frame.

  You know that scene that most parents have with their teenage son or daughter, and they’re all sitting around the dinner table, and the parents are laying it into the poor offspring about how they need to ‘just take school more seriously’?

  Well. That’s what was happening to me, right now, except that I was their twenty-two-year-old offspring. And they were replacing the word, ‘school’, with ‘life’.

  ...Shit.

  "But Daddy, I never knew that's what you expected of me. I mean on the plus side, I've never been arrested or anything. I've kept my grades up at school." I gave him the ol’ daddy-I-love-you smile.

  "I realize that Darcy," he cut in, "but I'm afraid you're not mature enough to come into my firm at a high-level position. I expect you to earn your way to the top, if that's truly what you want, just like anyone else. It's with blood, sweat and tears that your mother and I built this company. I'm not inclined to simply hand it over to someone who's had everything handed to them over the years, and again, I take full responsibility for that."

  Geez, lay it on thick, Dad.

  "So, basically you're punishing me for the fact that you and Mom spoiled me?" Lame attempt, I know. But right now, I was grabbing at pretty much anything to protect something that was pretty damn important to me. You know - a six-figure salary with job security and all.