This Tangled Thing Called Love: A Contemporary Romance Novel

by Marie Astor

  Snap out of it, Claire thought. Did you really think you were the only one he flirted with? Men like Alec go through women like gloves. That’s probably some random one-night stand he brought along. There are bound to be plenty more in the future, and it serves you right to finally clear your head of these pointless delusions.

  As if on cue, her phone rang. David’s number was on the caller id, and Claire reached for the receiver for her salvation.

  “Hey.” The sound of David’s voice brought Claire back to reality, spawning ripples of guilt for her earlier thoughts. “How is your night going?”

  “Could be better.”

  “Oh, yeah?”

  “Yeah, if you were next to me right now,” Claire purred, thinking that she was a complete idiot to entertain thoughts about another man when she was lucky enough to be with David.

  “I can’t argue with you there.”

  “So, do you want to do anything about it?”

  “I’d love to, babe, but I’ve got too much stuff at the office – I probably won’t get out of here until late tonight.”

  In spite of herself, Claire’s spirits plummeted. She wished that just for once David Lawson would forget about what was expected of him and just be a man, her man. Tonight especially, she yearned for reassurance of their love. Not that she had any reasons to doubt its vitality, but she wanted to bask in its warmth.

  “Hey, babe, are you all right? You’re awfully quiet there. Listen, I have to run, but the reason I called was to talk to you about our anniversary. You remember that I asked you to keep the weekend open?”

  “Yes.” Claire bit her lip, fighting off another fit of guilt. Here was David, planning a secret weekend getaway for their anniversary while she was doubting his ability to be spontaneous. Clearly, that made her the most unappreciative girlfriend on earth.

  “I just spoke with my folks today, and they are planning a party for us. It’s going to be in their house in Westchester, so we’ll stay over the weekend. Isn’t that great?”

  “That’s so sweet of them.” Claire willed excitement into her voice. Spending their anniversary in David’s childhood home was not exactly what she had in mind, but it did not look like she would have much say in the matter.

  “My folks are really looking forward to seeing you again, and my sister will be there too.”

  “I can’t wait.” Claire hoped her voice was enthusiastic enough.

  “Me too. Well, I’ve got to run. Until tomorrow, my love.”

  “Bye, David.”

  Baffled, Claire hung up the phone. In the entire year that they had dated, she had only met David’s parents once, and that had been by accident.

  The two of them were heading for a party at one of David’s friends, when out of nowhere, there was a honking of a horn as a steel-gray Bentley pulled to the curb beside them.

  “David, my boy.” Through the rolled-down passenger window, Claire caught a glimpse of a white-haired gentleman in a tuxedo with a white scarf around his neck. Next to him sat a statuesque woman with a sable coat thrown loosely over her shoulders.

  “Dad, Mom! What a surprise. What are you doing here?” David’s face flushed slightly as a bright smile appeared on his lips.

  “We’re on our way to catch a show, but first we’re having dinner.” Mrs. Lawson announced. “Why don’t you introduce us to your lady friend and join us?

  “Get inside the car already,” Mr. Lawson instructed.

  Instantly, the chauffeur was standing by the curb, opening the car door for them.

  The car was incredibly roomy inside and the four of them fitted easily in the back seat.

  “Mom, Dad, this is Claire, my girlfriend,” David added after a barely-there pause.

  “Pleasure to meet you, Claire.” Mr. Lawson nodded as Mrs. Lawson smiled a benevolent smile.

  “Likewise.” Claire smiled, looking back shyly.

  “Do you like good steak, Claire?”

  Claire halted. As a matter of fact, she was not really a steak person, but as she felt David’s foot brush against hers, she nodded.

  “Yes, I love it.”

  “Wonderful.” Mrs. Lawson nodded in approval. “Then you’re in for a treat.”

  And just like that, David’s friend’s party went out the window, and on they headed to Keens, which was Mr. Lawson’s favorite steak restaurant.

  The dinner was pleasant, but Claire literally felt a weight lifting off her shoulders when Mr. and Mrs. Lawson finally left to see their show. It was not that the Lawsons were not friendly, but there was something distant and remote about them, as though they subjected everyone to a set of standards known only to them. Until you passed a series of unspoken tests, you would never be thought of as an equal. By the end of the evening Claire had no inkling as to whether she had made the cut, which was why David’s announcement about his parents’ plans for their anniversary caught her off guard tonight.

  She supposed that she should be thrilled about being introduced to David’s family. Most girls would kill for the chance, but on their anniversary Claire just wanted to be with David – stay up until dawn, making crazy, wild love, walk around in their underwear the next day, have breakfast in bed at two in the afternoon… But now, the prospect of the anniversary weekend at the Lawsons’ nixed all of her plans on the spot.

  Chapter 8

  “What are you doing here?” Jake inquired when he saw Claire walk into the office Friday morning.

  “Gee, that lottery ticket I bought last week did not exactly play out, so I still have to work for a living.” Claire put a cup of coffee on Jake’s desk – it was her turn to buy.

  “Thanks.” Jake glanced at the coffee distractedly. “I thought you took today off. Aren’t you going away for your anniversary trip?”

  “That’s not until tomorrow, and I wouldn’t call spending the night over at David’s parents’ house ‘going away.’” Claire sighed. It was definitely not her idea of a getaway.

  “I’m sure it will be great. Don’t you see how wonderful it is that David is going to officially introduce you to his family? And the fact that his parents are throwing you a party is a definite sign of approval.”

  “Maybe. They did not seem to be all that approving when I first met them, though.”

  “That was months ago, but now that they see that David is serious about you, they are inviting you into their family circle. You will be a Lawson before you know it. Just wait and see. In fact, I suspect that David just might pop the question this very weekend.”

  “You think David is going to propose?”

  “Why not? The setting certainly seems right, and a year is enough time to figure out if you want to be with a woman for the rest of your life.”

  “Is it?”

  “You don’t think it is?”

  “I guess.” Claire swallowed the knot in her throat. She just was not one of those girls who fantasized about diamond rings and wedding cakes. “I think you’re blowing the whole thing out of proportion, Jake. You dated that girl Patricia for a year and a half, and I didn’t see you rushing to buy an engagement ring.”

  “But that’s different – marrying Pat was never my intention.”

  “So why did you go out with her for so long then?”

  “Convenience, I guess.”

  “Don’t you think that’s a bit irresponsible? Callous, even?”

  “Yep, that’s me – a callous, irresponsible commitment phobe.”

  “That’s not what I meant…”

  Jake waved off Claire’s attempt at an apology. “But David Lawson is a man who knows what he wants, and he has a public image to uphold. How old is he, again?”

  “Thirty-three.”

  “Ah, the age of Christ. I wouldn’t be surprised that pretty soon David’s old man will hand over the reins to him, and I would imagine that the head of the Lawson empire would be expected to have a wife by his side. And why not the young and lovely Claire Chatfield, aspiring architect, daughter of two college professo
rs?”

  “For a modern guy, you have some very conservative views.”

  “Yes, well, that’s me. Mr. Conservative. You know, you don’t have to keep seeing him if you don’t want to, Claire.”

  Jake’s voice was serious now, and Claire was taken aback by his remark.

  “What makes you think that I’m unhappy with David?”

  “I didn’t say that you were unhappy; I said that you don’t have to keep seeing him if you don’t want to. The way I see it, when a girl loves a guy, she should be going gaga at the prospect of him proposing, not getting all jumpy.”

  “I’m not jumpy. If David asked me, I’d say yes in a minute.”

  “Oh, well, I must have misheard things then.”

  “Come on, Jake. Don’t get all moody on me. I’m going to spend the entire weekend walking on egg shells as it is. I should at least have the luxury of talking to my friend without picking out every word.”

  “I thought I was callous and irresponsible.”

  “You can be, but you’re also my friend.”

  “That makes me feel better.”

  ”I’m glad. Now, let me get some work done. I really can’t afford to get fired, you know.”

  Claire tried to concentrate on the drawings that were spread all over her desk – a task far easier said than done. As she stared at the endless lines before her, her mind kept thinking about the upcoming weekend. She barely got any sleep last night, spending most of the night agonizing over what to pack for the trip. David had been no help either. When she had asked him about what to bring, he simply replied that she should pack a weekend bag. Now what did that mean? Was there a special kind of bag to be packed when going to the Lawsons’ house? Perhaps this was the beginning of the test she would have to pass to determine whether she belonged among the Lawsons after all.

  Stop it, Claire thought. You’re getting paranoid. David was not like that. Sure, he could seem to be a bit uptight occasionally, but that was more because, despite his affluence and good looks, he was shy. Granted, he was not shy when it came to giving speeches in the corporate boardroom or pitching to investors, but socially, when he was out of his element, he could be shy, and Claire found that endearing. There were a lot of things she found endearing about David: the way he looked at her with his dark blue eyes, the way his blond hair fell against his boyish face, the way he stood tall and confident, all six feet two inches of him. But Jake’s comment had caught her off guard and now she could not stop thinking about it: When a girl loves a guy, she should be going gaga at the prospect of him proposing, not getting all jumpy.

  Was she jumpy? Yes, she was. There was no denying it, but that did not mean there was anything wrong with her feelings for David. The prospect of spending the weekend at David’s parents’ house made her jumpy because she wanted to make a good impression – because she loved David and wanted his family to accept her. And who said that David was going to propose this weekend anyway? Up until today, the possibility had not even entered her mind, but now, thanks to Jake, she was agonizing over the possibility. To her mind, an engagement was an intimate matter, and she hoped that if David were ever going to ask her, he would pop the question in private.

  In the middle of the day, Claire’s phone rang. It was Lindsay.

  “Just calling to wish you happy anniversary.”

  “Thanks. I need all the moral support I can get.”

  “Oh, relax! It’s going to be fine. David’s folks will adore you.”

  “I don’t think that the term ‘adore’ is in their vocabulary. But please keep your fingers crossed for me.”

  “So, have you packed your bag yet?”

  “Partially. I have no idea what to take with me. I packed a cocktail dress, a pair of shorts, and flip-flops.”

  “That’s a start,” Lindsay observed. “But seriously, here’s what you do: the cocktail dress is a must, so you can check that off the list, but you’ll also need something casual but dressy that you could wear during the day – a nice skirt or slacks and a flowing blouse. You know, the kind of thing Ralph Lauren would put on the cover of his catalogue. Did David mention any activities?”

  “He did say that they have a tennis court…”

  “So pack a tennis outfit. Make sure it’s white, though.”

  “I can’t remember the last time I played.”

  “Then just sit the game out – but don’t you go near the court in something other than white.”

  “What is this, the 1900s?”

  “Do you want to make a good impression or what?”

  “Yes. Sorry. Thanks, Lindsay.” Claire knew that Lindsay’s advice came from experience. She had dated Matthew Prince, III of Hartford, Connecticut for two years. In the looks department, Matthew was nothing to write home about. He did not possess the physique of an Abercrombie and Fitch model, nor did he have any striking facial features to speak of, but he was incredibly smart and attentive to Lindsay. Matthew ran a slew of hedge funds that had been started by his father, Matthew Prince, II who was on a first name basis with most politicians and was frequently in the society section of the New York Times. Things seemed to be getting on swell between Matthew and Lindsay, and just as she was beginning to think that he might be the “one,” Mathew broke it off, claiming that his work demanded his full attention. A few months later, he got engaged to a daughter of a prominent politician. The news made it to the society pages of all the major newspapers. After that, Lindsay swore never to date a blueblood again, but she still remembered the protocols of dating one.

  “Don’t sweat it. The weekend will be over before you know it. By the way, did David like your gift?”

  “I’m going to bring it over to his place tonight.”

  “Let me know what he thinks. Do you know what’s he getting you?”

  “No idea.”

  “I guess we’ll find out soon enough.”

  If there was a hint in Lindsay’s voice, Claire chose to ignore it.

  “Have you seen that hot neighbor of yours?”

  “No, why do you ask?” Claire hoped that her voice was level. The smallest change in cadence would send Lindsay on a hunting mission. Claire had not seen Alec since the evening when she looked into his window to find him embracing a female silhouette. Out of sight, out of mind.

  “No reason, just curious. He is kind of cute, and since I’m single, he just might be a possibility.”

  “Alec is not single.”

  “Oh? So you did see him again.”

  Realizing that she had just fallen into one of Lindsay’s traps, Claire had no choice but to recount the embarrassing incident of staring into Alec’s window.

  “And I thought you said you weren’t interested in him.”

  “And I thought you had sworn off men,” Claire countered.

  “I have, but a girl always has the prerogative to change her mind.”

  “I don’t think that dating Alec would be a good idea.” The words escaped Claire’s lips before she could think.

  “Oh, I don’t want to date him. It would be an exercise in futility after seeing the way he was drooling over you the other day. I just want you to keep your options open, that’s all.”

  “Sure, thanks for the advice. I’ve got to get back to work now.”

  With a sigh, Claire hung up. Sure, she could understand Lindsay’s distrust of David, but David Lawson was not anything like Matthew Prince, III.

  At five o’clock Claire grabbed her purse. This was going to be a busy evening. She had to run back to her apartment, pick up David’s gift, and then drop it off by his place. After that, she still had to pack for the weekend.

  “Have a great weekend.” Jake winked at her. “I want details on Monday.”

  An hour later, Claire was inside a cab on her way to Battery Park City. Cradled next to her lay David’s anniversary gift. Claire fidgeted with the bow she had tied to the wrapping. She hoped that David liked the lithograph, but then who would not like Joan Miro? The vibrant colors, the f
reeform shapes - David was bound to love it. She was sure of it.

  When she arrived at David’s condo, Claire nodded at the doorman and made her way to the elevator. David’s apartment was on the top floor, and she propped the wrapped lithograph against the railing as she waited for the elevator ride to end. Finally, the doors opened, and she turned the corner of the long hallway toward David’s front door.

  She rang the bell and waited. Moments later there was still no answer, so she rang again, only to be greeted by silence once more.

  Baffled, Claire groped for her cell phone, thinking that maybe David was in the shower or something. They had agreed for her come over earlier in the day, and she had not thought it necessary to confirm. If David had a change of plans, he would have called her. Just then, she noticed a new text message on her cell phone screen. It was from David.

  Sorry, babe. Last minute rush at the office. Will be working late tonight, but I promise to make it up to you tomorrow. Will pick you up at 10 a.m. sharp. Love, David.

  With a sigh, Claire lowered the hefty package on the floor. She had rushed all this way for nothing. The least David could have done was call her.

  She picked up her cell phone and dialed David’s number. His excuse had better be good. David’s cell phone went straight to voicemail, and Claire had no choice but to hang up. Sure, she was angry at him now, but she was fairly certain that her fury would subside eventually, and she did not want to say anything to David’s answering machine that she would regret later.

  However, there was still the matter of David’s anniversary gift. There was no way she was going to drag the lithograph back to her apartment. For the first time in dating David, Claire wished she had the key to his apartment. She had thought it awkward to ask, and he never offered, but now she saw the downside of her reticence.