2 Good

by Celya Bowers

  “Hey, babe.” Darnell smiled, handing her the gifts. “A little peace offering. You know that girl meant nothing to me. Now am I forgiven or what?”

  Madisyn had heard this same trite apology many times over the last twenty-four months, and could recite it verbatim. Probably the old Madisyn would have told him everything was fine and pretended that it was. This time she was ahead of the game. It had taken her two years, but she was finally wising up. “You know, Darnell, it really doesn’t matter.”

  He sat on the edge of her desk, carelessly pushing the stack of mail to the floor and making no attempt to pick it up. “Thanks, babe. You know what’s good for you. I knew you’d understand, just like you always do. There’s just something about beautiful women I can’t resist.”

  As if that was a proper apology for finding him in bed with another woman. She wanted to wipe that overconfident look off his face. “You don’t understand, Darnell.” She placed the gifts on the desk. “I’ve been your fool for the last time. So take your flowers and candy and leave.”

  He stood abruptly, anger clouding his pecan-brown skin and marring his handsome face. “You’re going to be real sorry, Madisyn. No man wants a big woman like you.”

  “I believe the lady asked you to leave in a nice polite manner,” her new boss, Damon Bridges, said. “Would you like me to call security?”

  Darnell turned and faced Madisyn’s new and very uptight boss. He had at least three inches on Darnell.

  “I believe I asked you a question.”

  “You’re going to be real sorry, Maddie. Real sorry. You know what happens when things don’t go my way.” Darnell turned his cold eyes on her, then snatched the flowers and candy off the desk and stomped to the elevator.

  Mr. Bridges looked at Madisyn. “Are you okay?”

  Madisyn tried not to let her emotions take over. “Yes, I’m fine. Just some trash I put out. Thank you.”

  Damon sat in a chair and looked at her. “It’s a good thing I decided to come in early today. I’m sorry he put you through that, Madisyn. If he bothers you again, please let me know. I’ll toss him out personally. It’ll be my pleasure.” He rose, walked into his office and closed the door.

  Madisyn sighed. She was making quite the impression on her new boss. Her life had to get better.

  * * *

  Friday evening, Madisyn stepped into the Mature Alliance building in downtown Dallas. She was suitably impressed, to say the least. She had expected the interior of the place to reflect the exterior of the dilapidated building, but as her mother used to say, ‘Never judge a book by its cover.’

  The inside had been completely redone to reflect the hope of the new organization. Several classrooms were on either side of the hallway. The rooms were furnished with new desks, chairs, and computers. The only thing missing was students. Madisyn couldn’t wait to get started. She, too, was feeling hopeful.

  She walked further down the hallway to the volunteers’ meeting area and found none of the other volunteers had arrived yet. Being raised in a sports-inclined household, and knowing everything about sports, she recognized several of the area professional athletes standing around chatting. Where were the women from the party who were so eager to sign up?

  “I’m glad you could make it,” Aidan said, falling into step beside her. “Most of the other ladies who expressed an interest cancelled out.”

  “That’s too bad. They’re missing the chance of a lifetime. I have another friend who’s also interested, but she had class tonight,” Madisyn said, hoping to soften the blow of the other women bowing out.

  Aidan smiled. “Good. We can never have too many volunteers. As it is, I had to enlist the help of some of my friends to get started.” He nodded to the opposite side of the room.

  Madisyn snorted. “Friends? You have members of the Dallas hockey, football and basketball teams. I’m shocked there aren’t any Texas Rangers here tonight.”

  “I don’t know any of those guys. Besides, it’s the middle of summer and it’s baseball season. I wouldn’t dare ask those guys in mid-season.”

  Madisyn understood. “Makes perfect sense.”

  Aidan laughed. “Come on, I’ll introduce you to the guys,” he said casually. He put his arm around her shoulder and led her to the group of men.

  Madisyn nodded. Was this man really going to introduce her to several of the top area professional athletes? Keisha would have a fit when she found out what an opportunity she’d missed. Madisyn looked at her clothing and shook her head in disgust. She should have worn something more exciting than the business suit she’d worn to work. Drab gray, her father called it. Drab gray with a plain white shirt. Boring.

  As they approached the men, Aidan leaned down and whispered in her ear, “Don’t worry, they don’t bite.”

  Madisyn looked sideways at him. “Promise? I haven’t had my rabies vaccination, so they’d better not.”

  “You got jokes.” Aidan stopped in front of the guys and introduced her. “Gentleman, may I present Madisyn O’Riley, one of our volunteers. Madisyn, meet Jonathan Sizemore, Brent Taggot and Marcus Jackson of the Dallas Stars.”

  Madisyn shook the large hand of each man. He continued the introductions, “Bruno Taylor, Kenyon Frazier and Brad Green, also my fellow teammates.”

  Madisyn nodded. Like she needed to be told these men were some of the highest paid players in the National Football League. “Hello,” she said dumbly.

  He led her to the last group of men. “These are my friends from the Dallas Mavericks, Demonte Phillips, Dylan Hertz, and Matthew Hurley. All these men are at your disposal, Madisyn. If you need any assistance they will be happy to help you.”

  “I don’t understand,” Madisyn said.

  The men smiled at her, then looked at Aidan. “Well, Madisyn, since you’re the only volunteer to show up tonight, you’re the volunteer liaison with the athletes.”

  Either she’d taken some stupid medicine without her knowledge or Aidan had forgotten to tell her something. “Aidan, what on earth are you talking about?”

  “You get to coordinate the schedules between athletes and the clients. I’ll give you all the necessary information and phone numbers. These guys aren’t just volunteers. We’re all investors in Alliance. Initially, we hadn’t planned on participating, but you’re our only volunteer. We all want this program to succeed and are willing to do whatever it takes.”

  Slowly the pieces were coming together. “And since I’m the only volunteer to show up, I get the joy of being program director on this side of things, right?”

  “Yes. With us being so high profile, we can’t sneeze without it being on the nightly news. So if we want to offer privacy and confidentiality at the center, we need someone who’s not going to cause a media frenzy when we’re trying to plan something or come to volunteer.”

  She knew enough about Aidan to know he was very focused on the program, and apparently so were the other players. “And I wouldn’t cause a frenzy if I plan something for the Alliance.”

  “I hope I didn’t offend you.”

  Madisyn laughed. “Oh, heck no. I’m used to being good old dependable Madisyn.”

  Aidan looked her up and down. “I would say good and dependable, but not old. Do you still want to volunteer?”

  “Of course. You think a little extra duty is going to stop me from doing this? Please! You should see what I do at work.”

  He patted her shoulder. “Aisha said you’d give one hundred and fifty percent. She also said being around a lot professional athletes wouldn’t turn your head. And she was right on both counts. Most women would have been trying to size up who was available and who wasn’t.”

  “Yeah, who wants to be around all those muscular guys anyway?” Madisyn said sarcastically. She hoped lightning didn’t strike her down for that remark.

  The other men laughed at her statement. “Why don’t we get started?” Aidan asked, gathering up a pad and pen. He motioned for her to take a seat in one of the plush c
hairs. “We want to be able to open in about six weeks. I know we’re going to have to get some books and other supplies. I’m afraid that’s going to be your department. My attorney set up a corporate account at the local bookstore and an office supply to get you started. Just give your name, and if there’s any problem give me a call.” He handed her a business card. “That’s my home and cell number. The bookstore and office supply store are listed on the back.”

  Madisyn took the card with hesitation. It was like being handed the key to Fort Knox. She’d have to find a secret place to keep it. Keisha was forever rummaging through her purse for something or other. Apparently Aidan had the same thought.

  “I don’t have to tell you how important it is for our personal information not to get out. We want people at the center to feel their privacy won’t be compromised. We can’t do that if our own information gets out. We have to maintain close security not only for them, but ourselves as well.”

  “I quite understand. I’ll keep the information locked up and safe,” she promised. “Now what about scheduling?”

  “That’s where your dynamite administrative skills will come in.” He handed her several pages of computer printouts. “These are copies of the registration forms, the times the clients are available, when we’re available, etc.”

  She looked at the mound of papers. Talk about a huge undertaking…And this wasn’t even her day job. “Let me see if I understand this correctly,” she started. “I’m to buy the books, get the supplies, and make a schedule everyone will love in less than six weeks?” She couldn’t keep the incredulity out of her voice.

  Aidan grinned at her. “Pretty much.”

  She loved a challenge, and she couldn’t ask for a bigger one than this. “Sign me up.”

  “Great. Let’s celebrate with a little dinner. What do you say?” Aidan asked.

  Madisyn couldn’t believe it. She knew it wasn’t a real date, but it could be a little practice for the next man. And what reasonably sane woman would turn Aidan Coles down?

  * * *

  Dinner was at Houston’s, an upscale restaurant known for its international gourmet cuisine and located in north Dallas. After much debate, Madisyn followed Aidan’s Cadillac Escalade. She parked her Chevy Trailblazer next to his, said a quick prayer and got out. Aidan was at her side before she could close her door. After she armed the SUV’s security system, he grabbed her hand and led her inside.

  As soon as they entered hand in hand, Madisyn and Aidan were whisked away to a cozy alcove not visible to the public. The secluded room came staffed with a personal waiter. Madisyn was speechless at the high level of service in one of her favorite restaurants.

  “Madisyn, are you all right?” Aidan asked. “Would you like to go somewhere else?”

  She shook her head, nervously picking up the menu the waiter had placed on the table. “That’s not it. I’ve never seen this side of the restaurant. I usually come here once a month with my sister-in-law. We’ve never had our own personal waiter.”

  He nodded. “I think that’s why I love this place so much. I can eat here and no one bothers me. It makes me feel normal.”

  Madisyn, like most ordinary people, had never thought of the downside of being a celebrity. “Normal is something I take for granted. I wouldn’t have guessed something as simple as a gourmet meal eaten in peace could be the highlight of your day.”

  “Very much so, but tonight it’s also the company. They have great food here. I usually eat here a couple times a week in the off season. I’d love to fix their kinds of meals at home, but I don’t cook much. At all would be a better description. I was thinking about taking a gourmet chef class.”

  Madisyn knew why he didn’t. He’d cause too much commotion and no one would learn a thing. Being a celebrity wasn’t all it was cracked up to be. “How about I make a deal with you?”

  He grinned at her question. “What do you have in mind?”

  Madisyn didn’t like the grin on his handsome face. His male brain probably thought she was propositioning him. “Not to toot my own horn, but I’m a pretty good gourmet chef. Amateur, you understand. I could teach you the basics.”

  “What’s in it for you?”

  He had every right to be suspicious, she realized. In Aidan’s high profile world, no one did anything for free. “Nothing,” Madisyn said honestly. “You’re doing so much for the center, maybe this is my way of saying thank you for having so much faith in me to purchase the books and supplies.”

  He mulled over her answer, probably dissecting it to death. “And where would we have these so-called lessons?”

  Okay, she hadn’t thought out her generous gesture that far. “I really hadn’t thought about it. My dad has a pretty big kitchen and could accommodate us. He usually plays golf on Saturday mornings with my mom, so we’d have it all to ourselves.”

  “Why can’t we do it at my place? That way I’d be assured of privacy,” Aidan said casually.

  “But I don’t know where you live.”

  Aidan smiled. “You will by my first cooking lesson. How about Saturday morning of next week? What will we cook for my first lesson?”

  Another part of the plan she hadn’t worked out when she opened her big mouth. “How about we start with something simple like scallops with cilantro sauce and Asian slaw?”

  He cleared his throat. “That’s simple? Sounds like a full-course meal.”

  Madisyn laughed. “Okay, how about a quiche?”

  He shook his head. “How about some man food? All those eggs…girly stuff. How about steak and potatoes? Now that’s something I can sink my teeth into.”

  “That’s the second week’s lesson.”

  “Oh, well then, you got a deal.”

  * * *

  The next day, Saturday morning, Madisyn met her friends at Girlfrienz Day Spa near downtown Dallas for a day of pampering, gossiping and just having an old-fashioned good time with her best friends.

  After dinner with Aidan the previous night, however, a good time with friends might be too much to hope for. Nothing was likely to compare to an evening with Aidan. He was funny, insightful, and just easy to be around. It was the best non-date she’d ever had. She still couldn’t believe she’d agreed to give him cooking lessons. At his house, no less. Lord only knew where this man lived.

  Shaking off thoughts of the mess she’d gotten herself into, Madisyn entered the spa’s waiting room. As usual, she was early and her friends were late. She waved at the receptionist and took a seat in the waiting area. Her cell phone jangled just as she opened the latest issue of Body and Soul. She answered the call with a smile. “Hey, Daddy.”

  “Hey, baby girl,” said Ben O’Riley in his boisterous morning voice. “Are you going to come for dinner tonight?”

  “Of course. You know you and Mom are my standing date on Saturday nights.” Even when things were semi-good with Darnell, she still had gone to dinner with her parents every Saturday night.

  He laughed. “You know we like nothing better. But we do want you to find a nice man, settle down, and give us some grandbabies.”

  Here we go. “Daddy, I’m fine. Right now, you’re my nice man.” Madisyn was now on her parents’ to-do list. They’d made it their job to find her a good man. She decided a subject change was in order. “You’ll never guess who I met this week,” she teased her father. He loved mysteries.

  “Is he son-in-law material?”

  “No, better. He’s professional football material.”

  “Okay, I’ll bite. Who?”

  “Aidan Coles.” She tried her best to keep her voice level and very matter of fact.

  “You’re kidding. I hear he finally got the funding for his pet project.” Her father kept up with all the sports news. If a professional athlete sneezed her father knew about it.

  “I met him at Mature Alliance. He heads the charity for it. I’m on the committee. He seems very nice,” Madisyn said, not mentioning having had dinner with him the night before. Her fath
er would view it as a marriage proposal.

  “He’s one of the few Dallas Cowboys that doesn’t have some kind of mess linked to his name. He’s about to retire, isn’t he?”

  “I don’t know. I think he’s over thirty. Probably time,” Madisyn said, omitting the fact that she’d volunteered to give Aidan cooking lessons.

  “You’re right about that. How about I take you out to dinner tonight?”

  She could see through her father’s transparent attempts to set her up. Again. “Okay, Daddy, who is it this time?”

  “You know, you sound just like your mother. It’s Bob Carson’s nephew. He’s here on business and is flying back to New Jersey on Sunday. I thought you two might get along.”

  Her father and his buddies had made it their life’s work to find her a good man. Each attempt was worse than the last, but still they tried. “Now, Daddy. If I did happen to hit it off with this guy, I could very well end up marrying him and moving to New Jersey.” A little reverse psychology never hurt when dealing with hard-headed parents.

  “You know I can’t have that, baby girl. You’d be too far away. Your brothers would go nuts. Okay, so I’ll tell Bob’s nephew to take a hike and it’ll be just us.”

  Madisyn smiled. “Thank you, Daddy. See you at seven.”

  “You got a date.” He ended the call.

  Madisyn sighed and folded her phone shut. Another dating disaster averted. She felt like jumping up and shouting praises for being single, but just then her friends sauntered in. “Can’t you guys be on time for once?”

  Keisha, dressed in some very tight shorts, a skimpy halter top, and high-heeled sandals, waved her remark away. “You know how hard it is to get here. You live just ten minutes away, Maddie. I live on the other side of town and I had to shake my sister Nosha in the process.”

  Madisyn nodded, used to hearing the saga of Keisha and her siblings. “I keep telling you that you need your own place.”