Nathan smiled widely. He kissed his mother on each cheek. He turned to Darcey and bowed. “Darcey, I believe you have just met my mother, Sissi Anderson.”
The eyes.
Darcey managed to give him a weak smile. She couldn’t believe it. The woman she was beginning to despise after one meeting over stiletto-shaped cookies and Gucci scones was to be her boss. And, possibly even worse, she was Nathan’s mother.
“I hope to meet, actually, exceed your expectations, Miss Anderson. May I call you Sissi?” Darcey was aware of the American custom of using first names even in professional settings.
“You may not, dear.”
“Oh. Well, uh, thank you so much for considering me...Miss Anderson.” She shook hands with the monster in the outfit that cost twice as much as Darcey’s savings account.
Nathan sat next to Darcey, smiling the whole time. The waiter came back with an extra champagne flute and poured champagne for Nathan.
“Congratulations, Darcey.” He gave her a toast, his stunning grey eyes sparkling like champagne.
Chapter 23
“Congratulations, darling. Los Angeles, here you come!” Luis raised his champagne flute. He wiped a pretend tear away. “Our baby is now all grown up.”
Trisha looked at Darcey with real sadness in her eyes. “I couldn’t tell you how happy Luis and I are for you. But we’re going to miss you.” Her voice croaked.
“Guys, Los Angeles is really not that far away. It’s like taking the train to Liverpool and back, which you always do Luis, or a drive to the Lake District, which you’re used to doing every year, Trisha. OK, maybe and more.” Trisha’s family owned a nice cabin in the picturesque part of England.
“But the new job is not the only reason I needed to chill with you two today.” Darcey’s two friends waited with anticipation on their faces. “Get this--Nathan’s mother is the head honcho of the magazine.” She was glad to have friends who allowed her to be real about her feelings.
“And that’s bothering you?” Luis asked.
“I accepted the job offer before I found out my future boss is Nathan’s mum.” Darcey picked up a celery stick dipped in humus, taking a bite to calm her nerves.
“I know what you’re thinking, Darcey, but I’m sure her hiring you has got nothing to do with her son. I’m sure she hired you for your talents,” Trisha assured her.
Darcey wanted to believe Trisha but she couldn’t help but think about how it Nathan’s idea she applied for the magazine gig. Had she known that his scary and intimidating mother would be her boss, she wouldn’t have sent in an application.
But then again, she reminded herself, wasn’t this what she had been waiting for? She needed a break from her dead-end job, although Carmen had been making her job so enjoyable lately. The thought of leaving the little girl was breaking Darcey’s already bruised heart.
She carefully wrote a resignation letter and was planning on handing it to Mrs. Leighton after the weekend. That would have given Darcey a month’s notice until she left for California.
She had called her family as soon as she left the hotel, away from Sissi’s haughty glare. Darcey’s mum was completely happy for her. Her grandfather had been so elated upon hearing the news about the job that he offered to visit London and take Darcey out to dinner.
“Darling, your grandma and I are so delighted. Let me know when the best time to visit will be. Grandma and I will take you to our favourite restaurant and perhaps we can watch an opera. I heard Elgin Onegin is showing for a short period of time.”
“Thanks, Grandpa. I’ll be sure to let you know.” Darcey had been so touched hearing her grandfather’s excitement for her. She knew leaving London when the time came would tear her soul apart. But her dreams were calling, all the way from sunny Los Angeles.
The buzz from her phone shook her away from her reverie.
“Hello, Nathan.” She didn’t expect to hear from him so soon after tea.
“Darcey, I have a few tickets for the ball. Perhaps you want to invite your friends Luis, Trisha and Luke? Let me know by tomorrow evening so we can add them to the guest list. I’d love to seat them at our table.”
She almost forgot about the charity dinner that Nathan was part of. It was the same charity that sponsored the Christmas tree lighting event. She looked up to see Luis and Trisha talking about Trisha and Luke’s most recent love quarrel.
“OK, can I call you back? Let me ask them,” Darcey replied.
“Sure,” came Nathan’s reply. “And, Darcey?”
“Yes?”
“Congratulations again. I can’t begin to tell you how proud I am of you.”
“Uh, thanks, Nathan.” Darcey hung up. She was annoyed.
Was he mocking me? Leading me on? How could he not tell me his mum was interviewing me? Darcey still couldn’t believe she got the job because of her talents. Nathan was toying with her and she couldn’t understand why.
“Well, sometimes he really annoys me. I know he’s a barrister but can’t he just be Luke when he’s with me?” Trisha poured herself another glass of wine, oblivious to Darcey’s confused expression.
“I understand what you mean. But, Trish, sometimes you’re a bit, bossy when it comes to Luke.” Luis was blurting out something that was quite close to the truth. The wine was kicking in and he was becoming more honest than usual.
“Ahem. Guys?” Darcey had to get their attention. “How do you feel about coming with me to a ball next Saturday with Nathan?”
Luis’ face lit up. “Of course, that’s why I own a tux, to go to balls.”
“I guess you could come as my date.” Trisha sounded as excited as Luis.
For a quick second Darcey wondered why Trisha would say that, then she remembered how her friend had been talking about a heated argument she had with Luke. The couple wasn’t speaking to each other. Trisha’s strong personality and need for order led to quarrels with her boyfriend all the time.
“No, I’m going solo,” Luis replied.
“Boo.” Trisha punched his arm.
“Maybe I should ask Nick?” Darcey suggested.
“Hmm…” Trisha shook her head. “On second thought, no. He’s Luis’s type.”
Darcey laughed. “I’m not trying to set you up. I’m merely suggesting.”
“The Greek Shipping heir?” Luis looked pleased with his bright idea.
Trisha almost choked on a peanut. “No way! He’s Darcey’s Superman.”
“No longer.” Darcey sighed.
Luis and Trisha appeared shocked.
“Whatever happened to Lois Lane and Clark Kent?” Trisha asked, genuine concern written all over her face.
“No, wrong question.” Luis corrected Trisha while giving Darcey an accusing stare. “Who happened?”
Darcey shook her head. “I think Dimitri and I are just not compatible. It’s not his wealth or his super fit body. I just..” Her voice trailed off as she remembered her talk with the handsome and gentle Greek.
She explained to her friends how friendship was the only thing she could offer Dimitri. She skipped the part where he said he might want to try to convince her he was the right guy for her. Darcey thought of how sad he sounded when he knew there was a chance she was moving to America for work. He had wished her well and asked her to keep in touch.
Darcey took out her phone again and typed a text message to Nathan, thanking him for inviting Trisha and Luis and letting him know, yes, they could all make it. She didn’t feel like calling him and hearing his voice. She didn’t trust her emotions.
As soon as she put her phone aside, her thoughts went to Dimitri. How uncomplicated her feelings were for her neighbour compared to what she felt towards Nathan. In the short span of time she had known Dimitri, he proved to be a wonderful man and friend. He was a catch, if she were to be honest. The man almost had it all. Why couldn’t she like him the way she did when she first laid eyes on him? Darcey wished her confused emotions would disappear, for her heart to mend by New Ye
ar’s Eve.
He doesn’t want me like that, she thought sadly. The man whose grey eyes haunted her every waking moment, Nathan with the gentlest touch and the loveliest kisses…
“Earth to Darcey.” Luis snapped his fingers. “What gives?”
It was pointless to deny any longer. “I think I’m falling for Nathan.” There, it was out in the open.
Luis mouth fell wide open. Trisha had an equally surprised face. Seconds later both friends were grinning and gave each other a high five.
Trish laughed. “Well, I for one am so happy for you. This is a bit surprising. But you actually both look good together.” She patted her Darcey’s hand.
“I told you so.” Luis’ stood up and did a happy dance but ended up tripping and laughing. “I knew you both liked each other.”
Darcey had to refute his claims. “No, Nathan doesn’t like me the way I like him” She raised both hands to stop them from arguing. “Remember last year when I was missing out on your social gatherings? When I had to comfort Nick from his heartbreak?”
The duo nodded like minions.
“Well, that girl Nick was so in love with was engaged to someone else.“
“What has Nick and Nathan got to do with this? You’re not making sense.” Luis stretched on the couch and popped an almond in his mouth. His movements were agile and fluid, except his face was as red as Rudolph's nose.
“Can you please let me finish?” Darcey threw a peanut at him. “The guy Nick’s girl was engaged to was Nathan, the love of his life!”
She then proceeded to tell her friends about the book she chanced upon at Nathan’s flat and how Nathan kept reminding her that he saw Darcey as a friend. She mentioned the kiss they shared at his place and how he apologized for making a move on her and blamed the medication, all the while Darcey was developing deep feelings.
“I can’t believe this. What a small world after all,” Trisha gushed.
Luis piped in, “Well, remember the whole rule of six degrees of separation? A friend of a friend of a friend of friend will turn out to be your friend or something like that.” He laughed at his own lack of eloquence.
Trisha sighed. “Is that what’s stopping you, Darcey?” Her concerned tone touched Darcey’s heart. “It’s understandable you feel bad for Nicholas, after all, he’s one of your best friends.”
Her friend’s words did lend Darcey some comfort.
Trisha went on, “Well, to be fair to Nathan, it wasn’t as if he cheated on you. I think you should give him a chance. He wouldn’t have supported your dream if he isn’t interested.”
Luis sat up. “And I knew there was some spark when we met him at the Savoy.”
Darcey badly wanted to believe her friends. She wanted to believe that Nathan could love her. But she knew he simply felt sorry for her. He was a gentleman and that’s just what good guys did—lend a helping hand. He was clearly still in love with his ex-fiancé. And Darcey couldn’t help but be torn about Nathan being the reason why Nick, her dear friend, spent nights reeking in alcohol the previous year.
She looked at her friends, allowing the new surge of mixed emotions to flow through her. “It’s all too complicated. It’s just not going to happen. Too many people will get hurt and, to be honest, I don’t really think he feels that way towards me.”
As soon as she said the words, she started to sob. All the emotions she kept hidden beneath the surface swelled and exploded in her chest.
Trisha sat next to Darcey and gave her a hug. “You think too much, dear girl.”
Luis handed her a tissue. “More nuts?”
As if on cue, Darcey’s phone rang. She wiped her eyes with tissue and smiled at her friends. Staring at her phone, she saw Nicholas’ name flash on the screen.
“Nick, what’s up?” She tried to steady her voice.
“Darcey, are you free this Saturday? I’d like to request your company at dinner in Mayfair.”
“This Saturday? But I already have plans to go somewhere, sorry.”
“Oh, really? I was hoping you could be there because--”
She waited for him to continue. When he didn’t, she asked, “Because, what?”
“You see, I know for sure Madeleine would be there. Her parents are patrons so I was wondering if you would go with me. As my date.”
“Oh, I’m sorry, Nick, but I already promised to go to a charity ball with Luis and Trisha.” She made sure to omit Nathan’s name, not wanting to stress Nick out.
“Which charity is it for?”
“The St. Luke’s Hospital one. It’s going to be held at the Claridge’s.”
“You’ve got to be kidding me!” Nick gushed.
“I’m sorry?”
“Give Love on Christmas charity?”
Her heartbeat quickened. She suddenly knew what Nick was about to say. “I think so,” she replied.
“Well, isn’t that splendid? I shall be seeing you there then.” And with that, Nick hung up.
Chapter 24
Darcey handed in her resignation with a heavy heart.
Mrs. Leighton stare back, her face stoic. “You need a raise?”
Darcey almost laughed. “No, Mrs. Leighton.” True, she did wish Mrs. Leighton had doubled her pay and apologised for all the times she yelled at Darcey but that was all water under the bridge.
The older lady’s quickly softened. “Do you find working here no longer to your liking?”
“Mrs. Leighton, I’ve worked for your family for almost five years. I first thought I’d only be working here for a short while since I really wanted to be a writer. You’ve seen my resume. You even mentioned that the only reason you hired me is because I knew what dry-cleaning is in French.” Darcey chuckled, remembering the scary interview years back with her boss.
“Where would you be working?” Mrs. Leighton took a sip of her tea, scanning the resignation letter for what was probably the fifth time.
“I got a job with a lifestyle magazine in Los Angeles. I begin the second week of January.”
Mrs. Leighton smiled. It was a genuine smile, warming Darcey’s heart.
“Carmen’s going to miss you.”
With that one statement, Darcey’s eyes immediately watered. “For what it’s worth Mrs. Leighton, I enjoyed my time with your family. I learned so much and Carmen and Max are such great kids.” She choked on her reply.
Mrs. Leighton grabbed a tissue and handed it. Darcey dabbed her eyes. “Your kids are amazing, Mrs. Leighton. And so intelligent. It was an honour to have worked with your family, especially the children. I hope you do know how precious they are. And…”
Darcey paused, unsure whether she should continue or not. A surge of courage flowed through her as memories of Carmen’s Christmas wish appeared in her mind. It had to be said.
“And I hope you know they want nothing more than to spend time with you and Mr. Leighton. I don’t mean to sound out of line but they’re such precious children and you’re so, so blessed to have them!” A tear slid down Darcey’s cheek.
To her surprise, Mrs. Leighton stood up and gave her a quick hug, squeezing Darcey’s right palm. “It’s fine, dear, you were a great help to the family. I’m sorry for the times I must have made you feel awful with my temper and all.”
Darcey couldn’t believe she was hearing Mrs. Leighton’s apology. Then, if a hug and an apology from the very English Mrs. Leighton weren’t enough of a pleasant surprise, the older lady took out her checkbook. She started writing a check and when Darcey saw the amount, she had to remind herself it wasn’t Christmas yet.
The amount was almost three months of pay. She thanked Mrs. Leighton profusely.
“Don’t mention it, dear. Please do say goodbye to Carmen before you leave. She will miss you plenty.”
Darcey was so overwhelmed by the generosity of her boss. She couldn’t believe it was the same lady she worked for during the past five years. She thanked Mrs. Leighton once more and headed upstairs to Carmen’s room. Telling her boss she had to qu
it was difficult but telling Carmen would be even harder.
She knocked on the little girl’s room.
“May I come in?”
“Yes,” screamed a high pitched voice.
“Hello, sweetie.”
“You’re ten minutes early, Darcey.”
She stared at the little blonde cutie in front of her. Carmen hugged Darcey’s waist and grinned before hopping back to bed.
Be Mine This Christmas: A Lovers in London Book Page 19