The Art of Love

by Celya Bowers

  “Hello, Peri. I couldn’t get you at home, so I took a chance that you would be here and I wanted to catch you before you went shopping,” Brendan explained.

  He came to cancel. She knew it. “Oh, is something wrong?” She desperately tried to steady her voice.

  Brendan answered slowly. “No. I didn’t ask you if you had any food allergies.”

  Peri relaxed. This man had her going through some serious changes already. “No, I’m not allergic to any foods that I know of.”

  “Brilliant. I will see you tonight.” Brendan flashed his smile at her, instantly melting her heart.

  “Are you sure I don’t need to bring anything? Maybe a blanket or something?”

  Brendan smiled and looked at Peri’s face. “No,” he said firmly. “As I said before, it is all arranged. I had better go. I am having lunch with Chelsey today. She’s having a tea party. You know, having to dress up, the whole bit.” He leaned down and kissed Peri gently on the lips. “Can’t wait for tonight.” He left the gym without another word.

  Peri stared at his retreating figure. Did that just happen? Kyla smiled and spoke in her I-told-you-so voice. “Well, well!”

  Peri looked over at her friend. “I know, you told me so!”

  * * *

  Later that evening Brendan smiled as he pulled into Triplekeg Park in Fort Worth. Shakespeare’s plays always drew a crowd. This year’s was no different. Or maybe it was. Peri was sitting in the passenger seat fidgeting. She was dressed in walking shorts and a fitted tank top, showing off her new figure.

  He parked the truck and opened her door. As he took her hand, she smiled, then a cloud of confusion settled on her beautiful face.

  “Where are the food and blankets? What are we going to sit on?”

  Brendan held her hand as they proceeded to the seating area of the park. “You are just going to have to trust me. It’s all arranged. We are in chairs, not on the ground. So your pretty clothes won’t get dirty.”

  “You thought of everything, didn’t you?”

  “I try.” Brendan guided her to the VIP entrance. “It helps being on the Arts Board of Directors.” He nodded to the attendant as they were waved through the gate.

  “And I thought you were just really into the arts.”

  “Hey, I’m on the board. This play is very popular.” He guided her to the fluffy chairs in the reserved section. Once they were seated, the second part of Dante’s plan took over.

  The meal was catered by an American bistro. Brendan, being mindful of Peri’s workout efforts, ordered herb roasted chicken, low-fat potato salad, French onion soup, and cheesecake. He’d been worried Peri wouldn’t want to eat the dessert, but Dante told him he didn’t know a woman who would turn down cheesecake.

  Brendan waited for a response, but when she still said nothing, his insecurities surfaced. “What do you think?” He opened the wine and filled two glasses.

  Peri picked up her wine glass and smiled. “This night has been so wonderful already. I think you’re pretty amazing.”

  He nodded, grateful for Dante’s wisdom. He slid his chair closer to hers. Although the nearest couple was at least thirty feet away, he wanted to be close to her.

  Once the play began, he picked up her hand, liking the feel of her warmth as it flowed through his body. Claire would never have agreed to come to an outdoor play.

  Peri relaxed as Brendan held her hand. This evening would be one for her memory book. The stars above them, Brendan whispering in her ear, Peri felt like she was the star in her own love story.

  After her second glass of wine, her inhibitions were slowly dwindling. She never held hands with a man in public, but here she was holding his hand, and no one cared. Did she dare kiss him? She decided to follow her instincts.

  After she gave him the little offering of affection, Brendan faced her smiling. “Just what do you think you’re doing?”

  She giggled. “Just showing my appreciation.”

  “Well, I like it.” He leaned closer to her, planting a soft kiss on her lips. He collapsed her armrest, so that their bodies could touch. He’d already let his down. The chairs fitted together, like a loveseat.

  He put his arm around her and kissed her thoroughly. She could barely breathe when he finally stopped. “Wow, Brendan.” She knew there was a stupid look on her face, but she couldn’t help it. “That kiss was off the charts.”

  “We’d better watch the play or you’re going to get me in trouble,” Brendan teased, his lips a breath away from hers.

  Peri agreed. Anything past kissing and she was out of her comfort zone. She definitely wasn’t ready for that. Plus, she didn’t want another picture of her and Brendan in the newspaper. “Let’s settle for a little hand-holding for now.”

  * * *

  “Ms. Reed, you have a call on line one,” Angela Kelly announced bright and early Monday morning.

  Peri looked up from the financial report she was reviewing and then pushed the intercom button. “Thank you, Angela. Who is it?”

  “Mr. Donovan.”

  “I’ll take it.” Peri picked up the phone. She always got a little tingle down her spine when he called her at work. “Hi, Brendan.”

  “Hey, Peri.”

  His voice didn’t sound right. Something was definitely off. “What’s wrong?”

  He laughed. “Do you know me or what?”

  Okay, what could possibly be wrong? she wondered. She’d just talked to him the night before and all was well. “I hope so.”

  “I won’t see you at the gym tonight. I have to fly to New York for a few days. I should be back on Friday.”

  “Oh,” Peri said, not quite knowing how to respond. “I guess I’ll see you when you get back.”

  “Peri, just ask.”

  “What?”

  “Ask me?”

  “Okay, why are you going to New York on such short notice?” She hated sounded so mistrustful, but some wounds never completely heal.

  “I’m going for an auction at Christie’s. You know, the big auction house in Manhattan. I just found out about some paintings going up for sale.”

  Okay, sounds normal. “So how many pictures can you buy?”

  “I have an open account with Christie’s on Maza’s behalf. If it seems like a good investment, the sky’s the limit.”

  “That’s an awesome responsibility,” Peri said. “I couldn’t imagine trying to balance that account. I bet the financial analysts hate you.”

  “Yeah, I have to make sure I can back up whatever I buy. I’ve had a few interesting meetings with the accounting department over the years.”

  Peri couldn’t imagine justifying a painting worth seven or eight figures. “I know you will make good choices. Have a safe trip. The gym won’t be the same without you.”

  “I hope not. I’ll call you later.” He ended the call.

  Peri hung up the phone and resumed reading the financial statement and checking it for errors. Now the twelve-page document didn’t hold the excitement it had just a few short minutes ago. Somehow knowing Brendan was going out of town had taken the wind out of her sails.

  * * *

  Three days after her phone conversation with Brendan, she wondered how she was going to make it through the day without actually seeing him. They had talked every night while he had been away, but it just wasn’t the same as seeing him at the gym or experiencing his awesome kisses. She sat at the Spaghetti Warehouse, waiting for Kyla to arrive. Since the weather was so nice, she chose al fresco dining.

  “How are things going with Brendan?” Kyla asked in lieu of hello as she took her seat across from Peri. Eating non-diet food was a customary Friday treat for the friends.

  Peri shrugged, glancing over the menu, her mind elsewhere. Finally Kyla’s voice registered. “Oh, sorry. What?” She shook her head. “Now I know how you feel when Ryan’s out of town. Brendan has only been gone a few days and look at me. I’m acting like a whipped puppy.”

  “Just think how you’l
l feel when your relationship is finally consummated.”

  Peri threw her cloth napkin at her friend. “Kyla!”

  “I’m just being real, and you know it.”

  Peri refused to let Kyla know she was right and was just about to tell her where to get off when her cell phone rang. Hearing Brendan’s voice made her smile instantly, ignoring Kyla’s laughter.

  “Hi, Brendan, how’s New York?”

  “Actually, I got back early this morning.”

  “I thought you were coming back tomorrow.” Peri could barely keep the excitement out of her voice.

  “I finished up early so I could surprise you.”

  “Oh.” Peri wished she could see him now.

  “I was thinking I could take you out for lunch since I was downtown, but I guess you are already at lunch?”

  “Yes, Kyla and I are in the West End Marketplace. Where are you?” Peri closed her eyes against the sensation of deep longing over Brendan. She would have given almost anything to see him.

  “Getting ready to head home. I had to do a few things in the office. Hey, why don’t you come over tonight and I’ll fix you dinner?”

  “Why don’t I bring dinner?” Peri shot a look at Kyla.

  “Brilliant. I am exhausted. I’m going home to take a nap.”

  “You sleep, and call me when you are rested.” Peri forced herself to calm down and end the call. She put the phone back in her purse. With a smile, she looked over at Kyla, who was smiling at her. They both laughed. “Not one word, Mrs. Stone!”

  “Can this be the same woman who didn’t think this man was interested in her?” asked Kyla.

  Peri smiled and nodded. She had changed a lot in the past two months, and knew it was due to Brendan. She wondered when she would wake up. “Let’s order some lunch.”

  “So what are you guys doing tonight?” Kyla asked, already knowing.

  “I’m going to take some food over to his house this evening. What should I take?”

  “Staying the night?” Kyla signaled for the waiter.

  “No, mother.” Peri gave her order and Kyla followed suit. The waiter left the table with a nod.

  “So do you think tonight is the night? You probably should take a box of condoms just to be safe.”

  Peri shook her head. She and Brendan hadn’t discussed anything remotely pertaining to sex since that night at the park. Thankfully, they had both put the brakes on.

  “Peri, if you’re going to keep going into a trance every time you think about him and he hasn’t even done the deed, I can’t imagine how you’ll act when you finally get some.”

  “I can’t believe we’re having this conversation in public.”

  Kyla reached across the table caressing Peri’s hand in sympathy. “Peri, I’m just kidding. I know you’re nervous about being alone with him, in an intimate situation, but don’t worry. When it’s right, you’ll know it. A big light will pop in your brain,” Kyla said.

  “You know you had me until the whole light thing.” Peri dabbed away her tears of laughter with her napkin. “I’m glad you’re on my side. At least I hope you’re on my side.”

  * * *

  Friday evening Robert parked near the address he had for Peri’s new place. It was bigger than the two-bedroom townhome they had shared. The neighborhood was quiet and his revenge seemed near.

  One thing he knew about Peri: she was a creature of habit. She always came home immediately after work, and she had to check her mail. She was anal about the mail. He watched the street traffic in his rearview mirror, waiting for her car.

  But after almost an hour he didn’t see the sporty car he’d seen her get in a few weeks ago. It was almost six in the evening. He sat in the car plotting his revenge. By rights, he should finish the job he started that night. It was her fault he flew into a rage and beat her. It was her fault he became so depressed about losing his software job and turned to drugs. She was supposed to be there to show him what a good man he was, not move up the corporate ladder instead, making him feel less of a man.

  Her promotion signaled all that was wrong with him. She was making more money than he ever could. It just didn’t make sense.

  He watched as a black sporty two door Volvo whizzed by him and whipped into the driveway. Peri jumped out of the car, dressed in a suit, heading for the front door like her life depended on it.

  Robert sat in the car for a few minutes. He wasn’t ready to make his move just yet. He could force his way inside the house and show her what he had to put up with the last two years, then have his revenge. He opened the glove compartment and retrieved two things, a small bottle of bourbon and a gun.

  He had just taken his first celebratory sip of whiskey when Peri ran out of the house, gabbing on her cell phone, dressed in jeans, a low-cut blouse that clung to her new, slender body, and a pair of heels. She hopped in her sporty car and peeled off like a teenager.

  Robert sat in the car, thinking of his next move. He was going to have to track her a while longer. Obviously, Peri’s life had changed while he was in prison. If he wanted his plan to work, he had to make sure everything was in place.

  * * *

  Peri tugged at her blouse. She should never listen to Kyla. Never. Never. Never.

  Kyla talked her into wearing a fitted lycra T-shirt that didn’t quite meet the waistline of her jeans. As she raised her hand to ring the doorbell, the shirt moved, revealing more skin. She waited patiently as she heard the deadbolt unlock and the door open. Brendan, barefoot, was dressed in a polo shirt and shorts. He smiled at her, ushering her inside the two-story house.

  “Come in.”

  Peri walked into the foyer and looked around. The house wasn’t what she expected of a single parent who only had his daughter occasionally. He had newly waxed hardwood floors. His house was spaciously furnished with expensive pieces. She recognized the designer, and knew the pieces had to be custom ordered. How much did an art director make, anyway?

  A massive painting hung above the fireplace. If she had to guess, she would have said it was a Monet. She wondered if it were a reproduction, or if it were real. Another wall held a Thomas Kincaid print and an oversized portrait of Chelsey. To her surprise, there was a picture of Peri and Kyla from the night at the gallery. Debussy’s “Claire de Lune” played softly in the background. Brendan took the sack from her hand and inhaled deeply.

  “Smells great, and you look wonderful,” he said as he leaned to kiss her.

  “Thank you. How was your trip?” Peri asked as he led her to the gourmet-style kitchen. She watched him arrange the containers on a silver metal tray. He also added bowls and wine glasses.

  “It went very well. I got into a bidding war with the curator from the British Museum, but I won. I thought we could watch some movies,” Brendan said, interrupting her thoughts, “while we eat.”

  “Do you have any movies here?” Peri thought she could have brought something from her DVD collection, but she was too excited about the evening ahead to think of it.

  “Do I? Follow me, please.”

  Peri silently followed Brendan to yet another area of the house. As they entered the family room, Brendan pointed to a floor-to-ceiling wooden cabinet beside a tall, wooden armoire. As he opened the cabinet, Peri saw at least a hundred movies from every genre; comedy, action, romance, and, of course, children’s movies.

  “Pick whatever you want to watch, and we can eat in here, if you like. I do have a formal dining room, if you would rather eat in there instead.”

  Peri looked around the room. Definitely Chelsey’s haven. There were several oversized Scooby Doo dolls, coloring books, Barbie dolls, and other toys in a box in the corner. What really made Peri’s heart turn a flip was a pallet that Brendan had made for them to relax on. “In here will be fine,” Peri answered.

  “Brilliant! Have a seat I will be right back with the food,” Brendan said. Before Peri could answer, he was gone. In his absence, she found a movie that she hoped they would both like. By
the time he returned with dinner on a tray, complete with a bottle of sangria, Peri had the movie set to start. He set the tray down on the floor, and they started eating and watching the movie. As time went on, they relaxed a little and started exchanging information.

  “I feel that I’m in Chelsey’s domain,” Peri observed. She glanced at the six-foot tall Scooby Doo doll that dominated the corner of the room.

  Brendan looked around the room. “I guess you’re right. I never realized how much of her stuff was in here.” He smiled at his dinner companion. “When she visits, we usually spend a lot of time in here. She can play, and I can work on my laptop.”

  As the evening went on Peri relaxed, and soon they were lying spoon-fashion, Brendan’s front to her back. Peri felt more secure with Brendan after a few months than she had ever felt with Robert in the five years that they’d been together. She should have been too embarrassed to lie near Brendan, but she wasn’t. All the anticipation of the day had started to take its toll on her and soon her eyelids grew heavy and she fell asleep.

  * * *

  The next morning Peri awoke in a bed. Not Brendan’s bed, she assumed because she was alone and it was a double bed. Not Chelsey’s bed, either. She surmised she must be in a guest room. It had a guest room feel. No personal objects on the wall, it reminded her of a hotel. She looked under the covers and sighed with relief. Her clothes were still intact. She heard a knock on the door as Brendan called her name, alerting her that he was coming in the room.

  He walked in with a breakfast tray complete with eggs, bacon, toast, jam, and coffee. “I thought you might be hungry,” Brendan stated. “You fell asleep pretty early and we had been drinking quite a bit, so I brought you upstairs. I hope you don’t mind.”

  “No, I didn’t mind,” Peri said. She looked at the overloaded breakfast tray. She usually didn’t eat that kind of breakfast, but didn’t want to hurt his feelings.

  Brendan saw the look in her eyes and guessed her thoughts. “I know you probably don’t eat a big breakfast, but this is all I had in the house. I’m Irish, I believe in a hearty breakfast. Next time I will get you some bagels or something else,” he said and smiled at her.