“Almost,” she sheepishly admitted.
Gabby laughed and clapped.
Lauren came in with a garment bag. “What’s going on here?” She hung the bag up.
“Alicia and Nathaniel kissed the other night.”
“Get out of here! Oh, you little tart, you,” she teased.
“You’re another one who’s beaming with the glow of new romance and great sex around here, Lauren.”
“I cannot tell a lie.” She smiled.
“The Austen Aristocrats are getting their grooves on,” Gabby joked.
“Speak for yourselves. I’m just going on a date, and from the looks of things there won’t be any grooving for me, unless of course Nathaniel’s into the whole schoolmarm/domestic doyenne look. Maybe I can do a cooking segment instead.”
“That’s where you’re wrong, Alicia.” Lauren unzipped the bag and pulled out a little black dress. “What do you think?”
“I love it,” Gabby said enthusiastically.
Alicia got up to take a closer look. “It’s very nice. Is this from your private collection?”
“No. I ordered it from IGIGI for you.”
“You did? When?”
“I called Yuliya, the designer and creator of IGIGI, and I told her I needed a sexy little black dress in a size 16 as soon as possible. She was able to make it happen.”
“You must have some serious special shopper points.” Gabby shook her head.
“I got it, didn’t I?”
“Do you like it, Alicia?” Gabby asked.
“It’s perfect and gorgeous. You know how much I love anything easy to wear.”
“Good. Now let’s get you ready, my dear.”
Alicia’s cell phone rang.
“Don’t you dare answer it,” Lauren warned.
Alicia ignored her and picked it up. “It could be important.” She pressed the talk button. “Alicia Archer.”
“Alicia?” Barbara stood at the layout desk.
“Hey, Barbara. What’s going on?”
“I guess you haven’t heard.”
“Heard what?”
“Ron Wilder took a sudden leave of absence. The whole office is talking about it. You saw him this afternoon. Did he say anything to you?”
Alicia’s shoulders shrank. “No.”
“I thought I’d let you know.”
“Are you okay, Barbara?”
“Why wouldn’t I be, Alicia? You’re the only one who thought he liked me.”
“I guess Leslie will fill in for him. Did he say how long he’d be gone?”
“No. No one knows.” She paused. “Listen, I need to get back to work. I’ll let you know if I hear anything. Talk to you soon.”
“Okay.” She closed her phone.
“What’s wrong, Alicia?” Gabby asked.
“That was Barbara Folsom. She just told me Ron took a leave of absence.”
“Really?” Lauren was shocked. “When’s the last time you spoke to him?”
“He was here this afternoon with some papers for me to sign.”
“Oh really?” Lauren was suspicious.
“Can you just help me get dressed, please?”
“Oh no, something happened here. You might as well spill it, sister. Otherwise you’re going on your date naked.” She paused. “Although I don’t think Nate would mind that at all.”
Alicia vacillated.
“Well?” Lauren had her hand on her hips.
“He kissed me. There, I said it. Can I just get dressed now?”
“What did you do?” Gabby said inquisitively.
“I certainly didn’t kiss him back, if that’s what you mean. I told him he was a nice guy.”
“Ouch. No wonder he took a leave of absence.”
“I wasn’t mean about it, Lauren.”
“You could have been as sweet as pie, but rejection is rejection.”
“I feel bad enough, Lauren.”
“He’s a big boy. He’ll get over it,” Gabby said reassuringly.
“Gabby’s right, and now we need time to get you ready.”
Gabby and Lauren helped Alicia with her hair, makeup and accessories. They even managed to find a black pair of pumps with the perfect balance of comfort and sexiness. Forty-five minutes later Alicia was date ready.
They stood in front of the mirror.
“You look good, Alicia.”
“Thanks, Gabby.”
“Let me do this.” Lauren went for the bra straps.
“Hey,” Alicia protested. “The girls are as far up as my bra will take them. Who do you think you are? My mother? My mother’s the only one who tries to get my boobs as close to sitting on my shoulders as possible.”
They laughed.
“I pay top dollar to keep the girls where they’re supposed to be.” Alicia turned to see the side view.
“You look good,” Lauren agreed.
The doorbell rang.
“He’s here,” Gabby said excitedly.
Alicia took a deep breath. “Here we go.” She walked towards the door, Lauren and Gabby on her heels.
“Do you have your camera?” Lauren asked.
“I have the camera in my cell.”
Alicia turned around. “It’s a first date, not the prom.” She took a deep breath and walked down the hall to the top of the stairs.
“Here she is.” Harrison looked up.
Though usually dressed in khakis and polo shirts, Nathaniel wore a crisp pair of black slacks, a blue Oxford shirt with a tie and a sports jacket. He stared as Alicia descended the staircase, unable to take his eyes off her. Lauren and Gabby were behind her like two proud mothers.
Nathaniel extended his hand to help her down the last step.
“Thank you.” She smiled.
“You look fantastic.”
“Thank you. So do you.”
He put his arm out. “Shall we?”
She took his arm. “Yes.”
“I’ll have her home at a decent hour,” he grinned.
“Have a good time, you two.” Harrison grabbed the door.
“Call us tomorrow, Alicia,” Lauren called after her.
“Okay.”
They walked out and into the summer evening air. Nathaniel opened the door of his Jaguar XJ. “Your chariot awaits, my lady.”
Alicia looked at him. “My chariot awaits?”
“I know that was corny, but how else am I supposed to act in front of a beautiful woman?”
“Nice recovery.” She was impressed.
“I try.” He closed the door and got in. A minute later they were on their way to dinner.
“Can I ask where we’re going?”
“It’s a surprise. I think you’ll like it.”
“Okay, I’ll take your word for it.” She crossed her legs.
Nathaniel found it hard not to look. Her legs looked so smooth and soft, it distracted him, and the car veered a little.
“Hey!”
“Whoa!” He quickly corrected it. “Sorry about that.”
“It’s okay.” Alicia was secretly tickled. I guess my legs look better than I thought. She smiled slightly.
He took a deep whiff. “What perfume are you wearing?”
“Oh, is it too much?”
“No, not at all. It smells great.”
“Thank you. It’s Ange ou Demon by Givenchy. My father gave it to me for Christmas.”
“It’s very nice.” Nathaniel felt that he’d soon need to cross his legs for an entirely different reason than Alicia so he sped up.
“Hungry?”
“Starving. We can’t get there soon enough.”
Less than a half hour later they arrived at the Ritz Carlton Westchester. Nathaniel pulled up and the valet helped Alicia out of the car.
Nathaniel walked over and took her arm. “Thanks, man. I’ll take it from here.”
“I’m impressed, Nathaniel. I’ve wanted to try 42 for a while now.”
“You’ve never been here?”
“No.”
They got in the elevator and two minutes later they were at 42. The restaurant offered spectacular views of Long Island Sound all the way to Manhattan. The minute the maître d‘ saw Alicia, the staff went on high alert. As Alicia walked in and saw the majestic view she forgot all about her trouble with Ron.
“Good evening. I have a reservation under the name Becker.”
He checked the book. “Yes, Dr. Becker. Your table is ready.” He turned to Alicia. “Mademoiselle Archer, it is a pleasure and honor to have you here this evening.” He kissed her hand.
Alicia was surprised. “Thank you.”
“Please follow me.”
He led them to an intimate table for two near the window and away from the crowd. Once Alicia entered the restaurant, however, there wasn’t much chance they’d go unnoticed for the night.
The maître d’ held Alicia’s seat. “Here you go.”
She sat down. “Thank you again.”
“No problem.”
Nathaniel was a little bothered by the way he fawned over his date.
“I will send your waiter over right away, Dr. Becker.”
“I appreciate that.”
As he walked away, Alicia couldn’t help but laugh.
“What’s so funny?”
“You are. You should have seen your face when he held my chair.” She chuckled.
“That’s my job. You’re my date.”
“I’m sure he knows that.”
“Well, let’s make sure he does.” He picked up the wine menu. “Hmm. Are you in the mood for sparkling wine or champagne?”
She shrugged. “You pick.”
“Okay.” He studied the list.
The waiter walked over. “Good evening. May I get you something to drink?”
“Yes. We’ll have the Perrier-Jouet Fleur de Champagne Brut 1999.”
“Very good, sir. Glass or bottle?”
“Glass. I want to keep a clear head tonight.”
“Thank you.” The waiter left.
Nathaniel casually looked at all the people staring their way. “It seems you have some fans here.”
“Maybe,” she answered nonchalantly.
“There is no maybe about it, Alicia. The place started to buzz the minute you walked in. Let’s face it, you’re a celebrity.”
“Oh, please, I’m a celebrity in the world of domesticity.” She sipped her water.
“Excuse me?” A man tapped her shoulder.
“Yes?”
“Aren’t you Alicia Archer, the host of Everyday Elegance?”
“Yes.”
He waved at a woman seated at a center table. She immediately got up. “My wife just loves you.”
“Oh, thank you.”
“Oh my God, it is you! I’m Margaret and this is my husband Lionel. I watch your show every day.”
“That’s so nice. Thank you so much.”
“I tried your recipe for no-bake lemon pie and it came out perfectly.”
“Oh, good.”
The waiter returned with the champagne. “Pardon me,” he said as he placed the glasses on the table.
“I’m having dinner with this gentleman this evening.” She tried to back out of the conversation gracefully.
“Oh, we’re sorry. Margie, she’s on a date. We should go back to our table.”
His wife turned to Nathaniel. “I’m sorry, but do you mind if we get a quick picture?” She went back to Alicia. “No one will believe us.”
Nathaniel restrained his laughter.
“Sure, but then we’d really like to order dinner.”
“Thank you.” Margaret hit her husband’s arm. “Lionel, get the cell phone.”
She pulled another chair up and sat. “Okay, honey, take the picture.”
“Okay.” He snapped the photo.
“Now can you take a picture of the three of us, please?” she held the phone in front of Nathaniel.
“Sure.” Nathaniel took the phone and snapped the photo. The grateful couple hugged Alicia profusely before they went back to their table.
Nathaniel covered his mouth. “Now what were you saying about not being a celebrity?”
“Go ahead and laugh,” she chuckled.
“This date has gotten off to an auspicious start.” Nathaniel smiled.
They managed to get through the rest of their evening without further interruption. A couple of hours later they were seated on a park bench in Saxon Woods Park with coconut tiramisu to go and two spoons.
“Cheers!” They toasted with their raised spoons.
“After you,” Nathaniel said.
“Thank you.” She closed her eyes and savored the taste.
“So you like it?”
“Yes, it’s very good.”
He tried a spoonful. “Oh yes, that is nice.”
She looked around. “I’m glad we came to the park for dessert. It’s so relaxing here.”
“I’ll say. You caused quite a stir at the restaurant.”
“I guess I did.”
“I’m pretty sure the head chef, owner and pastry chef don’t make it a habit to pull up a chair with their patrons.”
“I’m sorry about that.” She was embarrassed by the attention.
“Don’t be. It’s nice to know what life in the fast lane is like.”
“Life in the fast lane?”
“Let me rephrase that, life under the celebrity spotlight.”
“That’s a little better. Not much, but better overall.”
They ate quietly for a few minutes.
“Alicia, there’s something I want to ask you.”
“Okay.”
“It’s about your husband.”
“I see.” She paused. “I haven’t been on a date since the eighties, but I do seem to remember something about it being bad form to talk about previous relationships on a first date. At least that’s what all the magazines and books say.”
“Usually I’d agree. But in your case it’s different. You’re a…” He hesitated. “Um…”
Alicia decided to put him out of his misery. “I’m a widow. It’s okay, Nathaniel. You can say it.”
He laughed nervously.
“What about Kurt?”
“How did you two meet?”
“We met in college.”
“Was it love at first sight?”
Alicia laughed. “Hardly. I was an economics major from Long Island and he was an environmental science major from California. Kurt organized recycling programs for old exam papers and textbooks. He put student carpools together to reduce carbon emissions and planted God knows how many trees and plants to beautify the world and clean the air.”
“He was ahead of his time.”
“I know. Kurt had no use for capitalistic econs, as he called us. I minored in creative writing, so I wasn’t all bad, but still we argued and debated every time we saw each other.”
“Sounds like a love match to me.”
“Well, we were the last two people to figure it out. We officially began dating in our senior year and we got married a year after graduation.”
“Then along came Kurt Jr.”
“Yes, and we had our family.”
“You and Kurt didn’t want more children?”
“It would have been nice, but I was lucky to get pregnant with Kurt Jr. I developed some problems afterwards and after going around in circles with the doctors, I had a hysterectomy.”
“I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay. We were happy to make three our magic number.” Alicia looked far off.
“You still miss him a lot.”
“I do.” She nodded. “He was a wonderful, kind and giving man. He was so full of energy and life it was infectious. You couldn’t help but have a good time if Kurt was there. When they told us he had pancreatic cancer, he did his best to keep his spirits up. It just seemed to take him so fast.”
“It’s an awful disease.”
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sp; “That’s why I started the Kurt Archer Memorial Fund, so we could raise money for more research into all cancers and to fund environmental projects to benefit the earth. It’s what he would have wanted.”
“I bet you he’s proud of you.”
“I hope so.” She looked up. “Now it’s my turn to ask a question.”
“Shoot.”
“Do you have any lost loves, or maybe one that got away?”
“Yes, I do.”
“Really? I didn’t think any woman could resist you.”
“Oh yes, it happened.”
Alicia sat back to listen. “I’m intrigued.”
“I knew the minute I laid eyes on her she was something special. I was smitten.”
“It’s hard to think of you as being smitten.”
“Why?”
“I’ve seen gorgeous women fawn all over you and you’re a pretty cool customer. Otherwise they wouldn’t try so hard.”
He shrugged his shoulders. “They may have been gorgeous, but they were mostly lightweights. This woman was the total package. She was intelligent, beautiful and sexy as all hell.”
“She sounds perfect for you. What happened?”
“She wouldn’t give me the time of day. I mean, she was polite and all, but I could never break through. So I developed a strategy.”
“What was your strategy?” She was intrigued.
“I noticed that my nice guy thing wasn’t working, but when I teased her, I got a reaction and at least that was something.”
“And that was enough for you?”
“It had to be at the time. Now I think it’s changed.”
Alicia looked confused. “I thought you said she got away.”
“I thought she did but then she invited me to dinner.” He took her hand in his. “And I have no intention of blowing it.”
“You were talking about me?” Alicia felt more than a little naïve.
“Yes. You blew me away the minute I saw you.”
“Don’t do this, I cry at the drop of a hat.”
“A tough girl like you?” He caressed her hand.
“I’m a sap for romance.”
“Don’t tell anyone, but so am I.” He grinned.
Off in the distance someone had Jason Mraz’s “I’m Yours” playing on the radio.
He stood up. “May I have this dance?”
“What?”
“Come on, let’s dance.”
Alicia put aside her shyness, rose and they began to dance. They did a little two-step and he twirled her around the lawn.
“I’m yours,” he sang into her ear.
Waiting for Mr. Darcy Page 17