by Dee Davis
“Just some stitches, served up with a little humiliation.”
“I couldn’t believe it when I heard about Dillon and Diana. Of all people.” Cybil pulled a face, shaking her head.
“It was a bit of a surprise, but I’m coping,” I said with a smile, thinking of Ethan.
“Well, it’s hard no matter how brave a face you put on it,” Cybil said with a shiver of dismay. “I still remember how I felt when Stephen broke up with me.”
Stephen and Cybil had had their ups and downs. Mainly because Stephen had been uncomfortable with the huge gap in their economic and social backgrounds. But in the end love had prevailed.
“But things worked out,” I said, smiling at Stephen, who typically was looking uncomfortable with the entire conversation. Although to be totally honest, I wasn’t feeling all that good about it myself, even though I knew that Cybil meant well.
“Well, it just shows that there’s hope for you and Dillon,” Cybil said.
“I certainly hope not,” Ethan said, sliding his arm around me as he strode over to stand beside me. “It would kind of put a kink in my plans.”
“Ethan,” Cybil said, breaking into a wide but surprised smile. “I’d heard you were back in town. But I had no idea you knew Andi.”
“He rescued me,” I said, grateful for the warmth of his arm. “From the infamous cellar.”
“You’re Prince Charming?” Stephen said, quoting Page Six.
“I’m not sure about the moniker. Just right place, right time.”
“Definitely for me,” I said.
“For both of us,” Ethan said, his arm tightening around me.
“Hi, everybody,” Vanessa said as she and Mark seemed to blow into the room. Well, Vanessa more than Mark. He was her perfect foil. Cool and calm to her natural exuberance. “Sorry we’re running late.”
“Not at all,” I said. “The guests of honor haven’t even arrived yet.”
“And we were just talking about Ethan and Andi.” Cybil turned to her best friend with an accusatory tone as Mark and Ethan shook hands. “Did you know they were seeing each other?”
“Actually, Althea did happen to mention it,” Vanessa said with an apologetic scrunch of her nose. “But I wasn’t sure it was for public consumption.”
“Well, we all know now,” Cybil said. “And I think it’s marvelous.”
“Speaking of secrets,” I gasped, my eyes falling to the ring on Vanessa’s left hand. “Is that what I think it is?”
“Yes.” Vanessa beamed, waggling her fingers, the large diamond flashing in the light. “We’re engaged. Mark asked me last night.”
“You knew about this?” I turned to face Cybil.
“Of course,” she laughed. “But as Vanessa said, it wasn’t my story to tell. Anyway, isn’t it fabulous?”
“It’s great,” I responded, truly delighted for the two of them. “But shouldn’t you be out having some sort of romantic tryst?”
“Actually, we covered that ground last night,” Mark said, his eyes lighting with pleasure as he looked down at Vanessa. “And we couldn’t think of anywhere we’d rather be than here with you.”
“You’re actually the first people beyond family to know.” Vanessa’s smile could have lit half of Manhattan.
“So you haven’t told Althea?” I asked, thinking they must not have since my aunt hadn’t mentioned the fact. But of course, the significance was huge. If Mark and Vanessa actually made it down the aisle (and that seemed fait accompli in light of their announcement), then Althea would win the bet.
And become completely insufferable.
“Not yet,” Vanessa said. “We decided that we wanted to avoid the inevitable media circus for at least a day or so. And once Althea knows . . .”
“Everyone knows.” I nodded, secretly pleased that for once I was actually in possession of vital information before Althea.
“Hey, what’s all the hubbub?” Cassie asked as she came through the door. “I could hear you in the elevator.”
“Vanessa and Mark are engaged,” Cybil answered as Vanessa flashed her ring again.
“Wow. Nice rock.” Leave it to Cassie to cut right to the chase.
“What happened to Stacy or Gracie or whatever her name is?” I asked Cassie, who had arrived suspiciously solo. Cassie has a habit of dating models and starlets. The relationships rarely lasted more than a couple of months. Which made it almost impossible to keep up with simple things like names.
“It’s Macy, like the store.” She sighed. “And she got a callback for a movie. In L.A. She left this afternoon. Just my luck. I actually was thinking I might keep this one around. Oh, well,” she shrugged with a laugh, “it’s not as if there aren’t more fish in the sea.”
“So who’d like a drink?” Ethan said, cutting smoothly into the conversation. “Seems to me like an engagement is cause for celebration. Andi, do you have champagne?”
“In the refrigerator.” I nodded. “Left over from New Year’s. The glasses are over the sink.”
In short order Ethan was popping a cork, and I watched as he filled champagne flutes, everyone gathered around him laughing and talking. And suddenly I felt insanely happy. And not just because Vanessa and Mark were tying the knot. Although that was in and of itself wonderful news. No, what had me grinning like a loon was the fact that Ethan was acting for all the world as if he belonged here, in my apartment, hosting my party—with me.
“Andi,” Ethan called from across the room, his eyes for me alone. “Are you coming?”
I nodded and, still smiling, went over to join my friends.
Chapter 14
The party was a smashing success. The food all turned out wonderfully, thanks in no small part to Bernie and Clinton. It was just so much easier with more hands in the kitchen. And Bethany and Michael had arrived to the popping of the champagne cork. Delighted with Vanessa’s news, Bethany had been grateful, I think, for the shift of focus. It made it easier for Michael, who turned out to be a bit on the shy side.
Mark and Vanessa, not surprisingly, had made an early exit, followed by Cybil and Stephen and then Bernie, who had to forcibly be dissuaded from doing the dishes by Clinton and Ethan. The two of them had then volunteered for the task, much to my amusement and surprise, and Michael, not to be outdone, had gone downstairs to join them, although I suspected that had more to do with not being left alone with three women than any real desire to help with the washing up.
Anyway, left to ourselves, Bethany, Cassie, and I had moved from the table to deck chairs, the night surprisingly mild. Below us, Manhattan surged on, oblivious to the passing of time. Truly a city that never slept. But up here, it was peaceful. The quiet broken only by the occasional sounds from the traffic below.
“So tell me the truth,” Bethany said, after shooting a quick look in the direction of the staircase. “What do you think of Michael?”
“He seems nice enough.” Cassie shrugged. “A little quiet, maybe.”
“He’s certainly different from the men you usually date,” I said.
“In a bad way?” Bethany frowned.
“No. Of course not,” I backpedaled. “I was just agreeing with Cassie. He’s quiet. And you’ve got to admit, most of the guys you’ve been with were a bit more outgoing.” An understatement, actually. Bethany had always had a tendency toward men with big personalities. “Life of the party” types. And Michael was definitely cast from a different mold.
“I think maybe that’s why I like him. Because he’s different.”
“You seem really happy,” Cassie said. “In fact, both of you do. Almost makes relationships seem like something worthwhile.”
“They are,” Bethany said. “I mean, what’s more important than finding the right person to spend the rest of your life with?”
“Having a good time.” Cassie reached for the wine bottle to refill her glass. “Life is too short to waste precious time looking for something that I’m not even sure exists.”
“But yo
u said earlier that you were thinking of keeping Macy around. That sounds like a relationship to me.”
“A momentary weakness.” She shook her head. “I’ll leave relationships to the two of you.”
“Well, I’m hardly the poster child,” I protested.
“So says the woman with a man downstairs doing her dishes. If that’s not domesticity, I don’t know what is.”
“Ethan is wonderful. I’m the first to admit it. But that doesn’t mean we’re serious about each other. We’ve only just started going out.”
“Michael and I haven’t been going out that long and we’re serious,” Bethany said. “Or at least I think we are.”
“You sound like you don’t know.” Cassie cocked her head to one side, waiting.
“I don’t. He really is different. From other guys I’ve dated, I mean. And I mostly think that’s good. But sometimes, well, sometimes I wonder if maybe sooner or later I’ll wish he were more exciting—is that awful?”
“Of course not,” I said, quick to reassure her. “I think it’s natural to have doubts. Especially when a relationship is young. I mean, no matter how wonderful someone seems, there’s always the fear that there’s something else lurking underneath. Or that you’re not seeing the real person. I mean, look at Dillon. If you’d asked me if I thought he’d ever cheat on me, I’d have been insulted, and absolutely positive he wouldn’t. Especially with someone like Diana Merreck. They’re like oil and water—you know?”
“But he did leave you for her,” Cassie said, ever pragmatic.
“Exactly my point. I didn’t know him at all. Even after three years. So how in the world are we supposed to make decisions about relationships after only a few dates?”
“Michael asked me to move in with him,” Bethany said without preamble.
“You’re kidding.” Cassie’s eyebrows rose in surprise. “Talk about jumping the gun.”
“Well,” she said, her tone defensive, “we’ve been spending practically all our time together.”
“Did you say yes?” I asked, not certain which answer I wanted to hear. I mean, I wanted Bethany to be happy, but the idea of her spending the rest of her life with Michael just didn’t feel right. Not that there was really anything wrong with him. He just seemed so—well, stuffy.
“No.” She shook her head. “I mean, I haven’t answered yet. I told him I needed some time to think. It’s such a huge step. And well, there are so many things to consider.”
“I may not he big on commitment. But I do believe in love,” Cassie said. “And if you’ve found it, don’t you think you’d know it?”
“I’ve always thought so,” I said, “but then we’re back to me and Dillon. So clearly I haven’t a clue.”
“What about you and Ethan?” Bethany nodded at the wine bottle, and Cassie passed it to her. “Do you feel that way about him?”
“I don’t know,” I said, shaking my head. “It’s too soon. And we come from such different places.”
“Or at least you’d like to think you do,” Cassie said, the wine clearly having loosened her tongue.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Nothing. Really. It’s just that you’re always going on about uptown people as if you weren’t one of them.”
“But I’m not. At least not in spirit.”
“Look, I’m not trying to attack your character. You know I adore you. It’s just that people are who they are. And most of that is thanks to their backgrounds. For better or worse we’re products of our upbringing.”
“But we can change. You did.”
Cassie came from a broken home in Jersey. Newark, to be exact. She’d bounced around foster homes and even lived on the streets for a bit. And then somehow she’d managed to turn it all around. Come out on top of the heap.
“Yes. But it’s not despite my background. It’s because of it. If I hadn’t been through everything I did, I wouldn’t have been able to find the drive that’s carried me through the years and taken me to the top of my profession. Anyway, I’m getting sidetracked,” she said, waving her wineglass. “We were talking about relationships. And what I’m trying to say is that people are attracted to whomever they’re attracted to. And there are no other rules. It’s just chemistry and, in my experience, there is absolutely no predicting it or denying it. So Bethany, either you want to move in with Michael, or you don’t.”
“It’s not that simple,” she said, folding her arms across her chest. “There are so many things to be considered.”
“I’m with Bethany,” I said, taking my turn at refilling my glass. Wine was great for lubricating conversation. “Trusting one’s emotions is a surefire way to walk right into disaster. Especially if she’s having doubts.”
“Now you’re sounding exactly like your aunt. Reasoned relationships based on weighed commonalities.”
“That’s not fair. You know I don’t feel that way. It’s just that I don’t want to see Bethany make a mistake. Moving in with someone is a serious proposition.”
“I agree,” Bethany said. “That’s why I asked for more time. But surprisingly, Michael comes down on the side of just knowing. Which means he sees my needing to think as rejection of some sort.”
“You’ve been together for less than a month,” I reminded her, not certain why I felt so strongly about caution. Probably just the fact that I’d been hurt so recently.
“I know,” she said on a sigh. “I suppose that’s the whole thing in a nutshell. Anyway, it’s my decision. I just wanted to see what you guys thought.”
“I think you should do whatever makes you feel happy,” I said, reaching over to squeeze her hand. “And if that’s choosing to move in with Michael, then I say go for it.”
Cassie nodded her agreement. “You have to do what’s right for you. That much I’m certain of. And for the record, you could do a lot worse than Michael Stone. He’s worth a fortune.”
“Well, it’s definitely not about that,” Bethany protested.
“Of course not,” I soothed.
“But it never hurts,” Cassie laughed. “And anyway, at least he asked you to move in. Macy just walked out the door without even looking back.”
“You don’t know that for sure,” I said, shaking my head. “I mean, maybe she won’t get the job. Or she will and she’ll come back anyway. I mean, she’d be a fool to let you slip through her fingers.”
“Thanks for that,” Cassie said with a wry smile, “but if you’ll excuse the pun, I made my bed. And now I’ve got to lie in it.”
“God, relationships are a pain,” Bethany said.
“I’ll drink to that.” Cassie raised her wine in salute, and we all clinked glasses.
“Still toasting Vanessa and Mark?” Ethan asked as we all flushed guiltily, and I prayed he hadn’t overheard the conversation.
“Relationships in general,” Bethany said.
“Or the lack thereof,” Cassie added.
“I’ll second that,” Clinton said, as he and Michael emerged onto the rooftop, Bentley tucked under Clinton’s arm. “I’m beginning to think my expiration date has come and gone.”
“Don’t be silly,” I said, taking my squirming dog.
“Well, I suppose it was a bit of an overstatement.” Clinton smiled. “Anyway, the kitchen’s clean and I’m thinking it’s time for me to head for home. Cassie, you want to share a cab?”
“Surely it’s not time to go? There’s still more wine.” She picked up the empty bottle and frowned. “Well, there’s some more over there.” She waved toward the table, dropping the bottle in the process. Fortunately, Ethan snagged it before it shattered on the patio.
“Seems to me,” Clinton said, “like maybe we’ve all had enough. Too much of a good thing and all that.”
“Party pooper.” She stuck out her tongue, but stood up, clearly accepting defeat. “It was a wonderful party.”
“It was,” Bethany said, standing as well. “But we probably should be going, too. It’s really late.
” She linked hands with Michael, who looked almost comically befuddled by the gesture.
“It was great meeting everyone,” Michael said. “And we’ll talk next week about the project we discussed?” This last was addressed to Ethan.
“I’ll look forward to it. I’ll call and we’ll set up a time for lunch.” Birds of a feather ... I quashed the thought before I could finish. Ashamed of myself. There was no comparison between Michael and Ethan, other than maybe their bank accounts.
I stood up, ready to head for the stairs, but Clinton insisted he could see everyone out, waggling his eyebrows suggestively behind Ethan’s back. I shushed him and smiled as they all made their clanking way down the stairs. Laughter floating up through the open door.
“It was a nice party,” Ethan said, picking up the wine bottle from the table. “Shall we finish the last of the wine?”
I nodded and sat back in the deck chair, Bentley curled up on my lap.
There is something wonderful about the end of a party. The hour or so after everyone leaves when you can sit back and really relax. Entertaining is fun, but it’s also work. And tonight, there had been all kinds of potential minefields. My first party without Dillon. Meeting Michael. Sharing it all with Ethan. And even, by default, Althea. It was almost as if she’d been hovering there out of sight the entire evening, just waiting for me to screw up. Talk about bringing along specters from your past. Cassie would be having a field day.
Anyway, I’d survived it all. And Ethan was still here.
“So you’re having a meeting with Michael?” I asked as Ethan handed me a glass of wine and settled into the deck chair next to mine.
“Yes,” Ethan said. “His company is looking to diversify and we’ve got some investment opportunities that I thought he might be interested in. It might come to nothing, but I figure it’s worth exploring.”
“So you like him?”
“From what I know of him, yeah. And his background is impeccable.”
“You sound like Cassie.”
“I beg your pardon?”
“Nothing,” I said, taking a sip of wine. “Just girl talk.”
“You sounded like you were having fun up here. It’s nice to have such good friends. Have you known them all a long time?”