The In-Between Girl

by Michelle Maris

  "Yes, but first I've got something better. I'd like you to be my date at my firm's Holiday party next Saturday night."

  "I'd love to. What's the attire?" Erica asked.

  "For you, Formal and something red."

  "And sexy!" Erica added.

  "My dear, sexy would have a hard time avoiding you. You could wear a potato sack and look sexy."

  "Teddy Adler if I didn't know you better I would think you were a dirty old man." Erica teased him.

  "Good, then I still got it. My dear, don't you worry about a thing, I'd bet money Derrick has no intention of putting a ring on that wretched girl's finger."

  "Thank you, Teddy. I feel better."

  "I'll pick you up Saturday at seven. Write down my number."

  Erica jotted down Teddy's phone number, and after they had hung up, she texted him all her information. She felt significantly better after speaking with Mr. Adler. She thought it fortuitous that he seemed to show up for her when she needed him.

  Chapter 9

  It’s The Most Wonderful Time…

  Teddy texted her when they were a few minutes away. Erica looked in her full- length mirror, one last time before she headed downstairs. She stared at her reflection in the mirror. Erica knew she was a beautiful girl, but tonight she felt like a princess. She found a red Halston Heritage long sleeve gown with a deep front slit. It was tasteful yet sexy. Because the neckline opened in a V shape down to her waist, Erica adhered bra plunge cups to each breast. She moved around in different poses checking to make sure the girls were secure. Once satisfied she grabbed her clutch, locked her apartment and headed downstairs.

  Teddy mentioned he had a surprise for her and not to wear a coat. As she walked into the lobby of her apartment building, Teddy's limo pulled up. He exited the car before the driver could open the door. His Santa Claus face brightened when he saw Erica walking towards the double doors.

  "Awe, Erica, if only I were thirty years younger, I'd steal you from that fool. You are stunning." He held out both his hands and reached for Erica. He kissed both her cheeks and asked her to spin. "I already know I have the best-looking date at the party."

  Erica surprised him with a giant hug. "Teddy Adler, I'm so glad to know you!"

  "Oh, I forgot! My surprise." He leaned into the car and reached across the seat. He pulled out a stunning mink coat. "This was my wife's fur coat. I know girls your age are against furs, but I want you to have it and wear it proudly. It was my wife's favorite, and I don't want to give it to just anyone. I want you to have it."

  Teddy held up the coat, and Erica spun around sliding each arm in a sleeve. Teddy brought the coat up over her shoulders. Erica turned to face him modeling the coat. "Just as beautiful as my wife. This makes me happy."

  "Thank you, Teddy. I will cherish it."

  Teddy stepped back while Erica stepped into the back of the limo. The Holiday party was at The Four Seasons. Teddy loved The Garden restaurant and hosted the party there for years. When they pulled up in front, the doorman opened the door. Teddy stepped out holding out his hand for Erica. "Are you nervous?" He asked her as she looked up at the hotel.

  "No. I'm excited and thankful that I can share this evening with you."

  "What about Derrick? He'll be here."

  "Derrick has Julie. Tonight I'm going to enjoy myself with my date."

  "If I die tomorrow, I'll die a happy man. And then I'd get up to heaven and have to explain you to my Beatrice." They both laughed.

  Teddy offered Erica his arm. She laced her arm in his, and together they walked into the room. Tonight she felt like a princess, and not someone's in-between girl.

  The Garden looked gorgeous all lit up for Christmas. The towering Christmas trees twinkled with white lights and there were designer Ginger Bread houses all around. Teddy checked Erica's coat and resumed his position by her side. Beautifully dressed people filled the space. As soon as Teddy and Erica walked in, the noise level dropped and heads turned.

  Teddy whispered in Erica's ear. "Notice the people that greet me first. They're the one's who want to make partner. They don't know I've already chosen my next partner."

  Erica giggled and thought about Derrick. Would he be in that mix?

  Simultaneously, Derrick and Erica's eyes met. She gave him a small smile then her eyes wandered to his right. Julie stood all five foot two of her with a smug look on her face. Erica looked away.

  Teddy introduced Erica to everyone. It seemed he intentionally left Derrick for last. Thankfully by the time they got to Derrick, Julie was nowhere near him. "Derrick, I'd like you to meet my good friend and date for this evening, Erica.

  Erica extended her hand but Derrick wasn't having it. "Really? We know each other." He leaned in and kissed her. He nuzzled into her ear and whispered, "You are the most beautiful woman here."

  His warm breath lingered on her skin, and she whispered back, "I thought you were going to say something about my tits."

  He stood straight up and looked into her eyes. "No, no more. You deserve better than that."

  At that very moment, Julie marched over. "I thought that was you. What are you doing here?"

  "Julie, Erica is Mr. Adler's date." Derrick, disgusted by Julie's obnoxious tone, spoke to her like she was a child, a spoiled, bratty child.

  Mr. Adler took this opportunity to put his two cents in. "And isn't she the most beautiful woman in the room? Twirl around for them, Erica."

  Erica leaned into Teddy's arm. "You're making me blush."

  "You are beautiful." Derrick added. Julie's face scrunched up like she had an opened wound and someone rubbed coarse salt in it. Erica glanced at Derrick, his eyes roamed over her body ignoring Julie's vexation at his deliberate snub of her.

  Julie pulled Derrick by his arm. "Honey, let's say hello to Andrew and Lee."

  Derrick's feet didn't move. "I have something I'd like to discuss with Mr. Adler if you can spare him, Erica?" As he spoke, Julie stomped away.

  "My dear, get us some champagne and eat something. I saw caviar. Go eat and I'll join you in a few minutes." Erica smiled at Teddy and left him to talk with Derrick.

  Teddy eyed Derrick up, turned and stood shoulder to shoulder with him looking out at the room. "Man, you are a fool. I can't believe I made you partner." He talked without moving his lips.

  "I won't argue with you. I'm a fool in love. She's beautiful, inside and out. I'm glad you brought her." Derrick admitted.

  "It's Christmas, and she is my gift to you." Teddy laughed as he took a drink off the passing waiter's tray.

  "I wish I could take my gift home tonight."

  "I'm sure you do." Teddy sipped his drink. "When are you cutting that awful excuse for a girlfriend loose?"

  "Sometime after the holidays."

  "You hoped it'd be sooner, what happened." Mr. Adler asked.

  "She invited her parents to stay with her for three weeks, I couldn't end it with her parents here. I swear she does things like that when she feels me withdrawing."

  "She called Erica." Teddy's revelation surprised Derrick. "She invited her to your New Year's Eve party."

  "And I suspect you will be her date."

  "Of course. I jumped on that the second Erica mentioned it, but that's not all... Your girlfriend told Erica you were proposing to her on New Years."

  Derrick choked on his drink. "Where the hell did she get that idea?"

  "I don't know but you got your hands full with that one." Mr. Adler looked around before he continued. "My boy, Erica can never find out that you confide in me. Hers is a friendship I'd like to keep and honesty is her way. I would disappoint her if she learned I kept things from her."

  "She'll never know, but I think she has a serious soft spot for you-she'd forgive you." Derrick laughed, "And by the way, you let her call you Teddy."

  "I know, isn't the sound of my name on her lips a beautiful thing?” Mr. Adler raised his glass to Derrick. "Now, let's eat, get a little drunk and have fun." Mr. Adler turned to fac
e the party. "Where's my girl?"

  "Listen, old man, when I came into your office to talk I didn't think you'd make any moves on my girl."

  "Oh don't worry I won't make any moves on your girl, Julie is not my type. Anyway, I have my girl, and she's hot!"

  "Watch yourself old man; you know what I mean." Derrick and Mr. Adler watched Erica laughing as a group of men flocked around her.

  "It looks like I'm not the one you need to worry about." Mr. Adler patted Derrick on the shoulder and walked away laughing.

  Derrick searched for his girlfriend. When he found Julie, she sat alone at a table with a scowl on her face. He walked up to the table and looked down at her.

  "Do you plan on sitting here all night looking miserable?"

  "You did this to me." She said. She folded her arms across her chest.

  "What did I do?" Derrick asked as he looked around making sure no one was in earshot.

  "You're in love with her."

  "I have a history with her. She's my friend, and I care about her."

  "You have a history with me as well." Julie raised her voice as she uncrossed her arms and slapped her palms on the table.

  "I've known her longer. She and I met right after I finished law school." Derrick dropped his voice and sat in the chair next to her.

  "You told me you two met at your engagement party. She was a friend of your fiancé."

  "I met her years before that and though I never talked to her after we first met, I thought about her constantly." Derrick dropped his chin to his chest. "Please, drop this. We'll talk about it but not tonight. This is not the time or place."

  As angry as Julie felt, she'd never embarrass herself in public. "No, you're right. But we will discuss this."

  Derrick stood up. "I want a drink, do you want something?"

  "No." Julie turned her head away from him.

  "Suit yourself." Derrick walked away leaving Julie there to pout.

  The partygoers continued without slowing down. Around ten o'clock, Julie asked Derrick if they could leave. He said no, yet, she insisted she wanted to leave, so he walked her down, hailed a cab and sent her home to her apartment but not before she threatened him. "If I find out you behaved inappropriately..."

  Derrick shut the door before she could finish her sentence. He walked back into the hotel a free man, entered the restaurant and searched out that red dress.

  Derrick stood back and watched as Erica charmed the pants off everyone. Her personality magnetic, at first her beauty makes her unapproachable but one minute with her and she invites you in. Unless your Julie who's insecurities run deep than you'll never get past Erica's beauty. Derrick put his own hang ups about Erica fitting in to his lifestyle aside for the evening. On Teddy's arm, no one would reject Erica. She looked stunning. She had excellent taste; the only problem was that sometimes her clothes didn't cover enough of her body.

  But tonight in that red dress with its plunging neckline and the slit that traveled up to her mid thigh, Erica could wake the dead. Before the night ended, Derrick needed to be alone with her. He needed to make it clear that he does not intend to marry Julie.

  The music played and people started to dance. Mr. Adler stayed by Erica's side talking to some of the other partner's. Derrick should be amongst them but the partners waited until after the New Year to make their chosen candidate known. He had to keep things concealed until then.

  Derrick interrupted their little assemblage to borrow Erica for a dance. Teddy ushered Erica from the center of the group and handed her off to Derrick. "Enjoy my dear." Teddy kissed the top of Erica's hand.

  Erica smiled and slid her hand in Derrick's. They glided to the dance floor and once there he pulled her close to him. Bing Crosby sang Swing on a star while Derrick and Erica danced their version of the Foxtrot. Next, a haunting rendition of Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas sung by Frank Sinatra came on. Derrick pulled Erica to him and they slowly moved together in place.

  "Erica, look at me."

  Erica looked at Derrick, as he suspected, tears welled in her eyes.

  Next, White Christmas by Bing Crosby played.

  "Erica, don't cry." Derrick took his thumbs and wiped her eyes.

  "You're getting married."

  "No. I'm not getting married."

  "But she told..."

  "No, Erica, I'm not getting married to Julie."

  Erica rested her head on Derrick's shoulder, and they continued to glide around the dance floor as Frank Sinatra crooned about Christmas Dreaming.

  The evening felt magical. Besides dancing most of the songs with Derrick, Erica took turns around the dance floor with Teddy making him the happiest man in the room.

  Looking around the room at the smiling laughing faces warmed Teddy's heart. His life was a success and though his wife, Beatrice, was no longer with him to enjoy it, Teddy Adler had new friends. Friendships he would nurture as long as the good Lord allowed.

  The Evening ended with everyone on the dance floor swinging together to Bing Crosby and the Andrew Sisters gleefully belting out Here Comes Santa Clause.

  As everyone expressed their gratitude and gathered their things, Christmas music still played overhead. Teddy wrapped Erica's coat over her shoulders.

  "Nice coat." Derrick raised an eyebrow to Teddy.

  "Thank you. It was a gift." She turned to Teddy and cupped his chin. "From Santa Claus."

  "I know the very one." Derrick extended his hand to Teddy Adler.

  "You're coming with us." Mr. Adler snubbed Derrick's hand. "You two will drop me off, and my driver will take you both home."

  Erica turned and looked at Derrick. Her eyebrows knitted together as she worried her lip between her teeth. Erica didn't want to suffer the wrath of Julie if she found out. Derrick answered her unspoken thought. "Don't worry about her."

  The limo pulled up to a magnificent townhouse on the Upper East Side. "This is me." Teddy reached for Erica's hand. "My dear, you made me a happy man. You made being without my Beatrice this evening much easier."

  Erica touched his cheek. "Teddy, again, I'm so glad to know you." They kissed each other's cheek then Teddy shook Derrick's hand. "Take care of my girl."

  "I intend to."

  Teddy's front door opened and a man in a suit greeted him. Teddy waved back at the limo as the man behind him removed his coat. Erica and Derrick waved then closed the window. Derrick pushed a button and spoke. He recited Erica's address as the limo took off.

  In silence, they sat as Frank Sinatra sang Noel over the limo's speakers. Derrick reached across the seat and took Erica's hand. They looked at each other still saying nothing. When the limo pulled up to Erica's building, they both didn't move. They looked out the window at her apartment. Derrick turned to her and broke the silence.

  "I'll walk you to the door."

  Erica shook her head. The limo driver stood outside the door waiting for his cue. Derrick reached for the handle but the limo driver was one step ahead of him. Derrick stepped out and offered his hand to help Erica out.

  "I can take it from here." Derrick told the driver.

  Derrick rested his hand on Erica's lower back as they walked towards the double doors to her building. The security guard peeked his head up over the desk, gave them a smile, and went back to looking at something on his desk.

  "Erica, I wish I could going upstairs with you."

  "I know, but that can't happen. You need to clean up your house first and figure out what you want before that can happen again." She took his hands in hers. "I won't be your in-between girl, anymore." She dropped her head staring at the ground.

  "What does that mean?" Derrick lifted her chin. "Look at me. What do you mean by that?"

  "I'm the girl you slept with while waiting for the right one to come along."

  Derrick stepped back. Anger raged over him. "Is that what you think?" He pulled his hands away and worked them through his hair. "Fuck! Did I make you feel that way?"

  Erica shook her head.
"Isn't that what I was. I feel you're embarrassed by me. I think you're afraid I won't fit into your life, that's why every girl you date is the exact opposite of me."

  "God no. I don't know. You're just different, and I wasn't prepared for it. Fuck, I'm a real piece of shit." He grabbed her and held on to her. "Erica, I'm sorry. I'm crazy about you. I never wanted you to feel that way. My thinking is all fucked up. Erica, I need to get my shit together and I will. Just wait for me."

  Erica shook her head not because she agreed but because she didn't know what to say. Wait for him. What did that mean? Derrick scared Erica. He slipped into serious relationships with girls that were not right for him. He needed to get his shit together but did he know what that meant.

  Derrick leaned in and kissed Erica's lips. The intensity of the kiss quickened. They let their hands roam over each other's bodies while they devoured each other. Derrick's erection pressed into Erica's hip. Attempting to get closer, they rubbed their bodies against the other to no satisfaction. Derrick could be inside of Erica, and it wouldn't be close enough.

  Erica pulled away. "You should go." She panted.

  Derrick's breathing labored, he shook his head in agreement. He turned and walked back to the car. When only a few feet from her, he turned around. "I had a dream about you the first week I got back to New York. It was a few days after we ran into each other."

  "What was it about?" Erica asked as she tilted her head in interest.

  "I sat in a meadow. I could smell the sweet grass. The thick green blades of grass felt cool under my skin. I felt the warmth of the sun on my skin. You were there, but you floated above me. You wore a long gauzy see-through white dress, and you were barefoot. You were doing flips, and circling me, you'd scoop down and gracefully shoot back up to the sky. Your shiny black hair curled and flowed around you. The sky was a perfect blue with a few big beautiful fluffy clouds."

  "What were you doing while I was flying?"

  "Trying to grab you, reach for you but you'd only whip past me leaving a trail of sweetness behind, and I tried breathing it in." He paused, "You looked happy, you were smiling and giggling. You were having so much fun and I wanted to join you but I couldn't. I could never catch you, and I couldn't fly. I tried so many times, I gave up and flopped down in the sweet green grass and watched as you moved through the sky above me."