One Unforgettable Favor

by Nicole Vidal

  I smile and chat with Billie while Cash and Peter catch up. Connor is standing dutifully beside me, even though Cash hasn’t let go of my hand. We sit with Cash’s siblings, but not his parents. As we take our seats, I chat with Billie, Caroline, and Sam’s assistant, Savannah. She’s is breathtaking. Her flawless skin, dark hair, and piercing blue eyes compliment her sharp wit. She started working with Sam about four months ago and reluctantly agreed to accompany him tonight.

  Dinner service starts promptly, and we dine on the delicious food. Even Auggie seems to be enjoying the meal. That’s certainly saying something.

  After the first two courses, the ladies and I take a trip to the powder room to gossip a bit. Connor dutifully follows me after I assure Cash repeatedly that I will be fine with his sister and future sisters-in-law. He smirks at that part. It might be a dream on my part, seeing Auggie and Caro together in the future. As dinner wraps, a few couples take to the dance floor.

  “Will you join me on the dance floor? It’s the only place I’ll be able to hold you against me and it won’t be frowned upon,” Cash whispers so only I can hear him.

  “I want nothing more than the heat of your hands against my skin,” I reply near the shell of his ear. I love that I can make him squirm. Cash leads me onto the dance floor, pulling me against him. His big, warm hand grips the exposed skin of my back.

  “Are you going to tell me or let me wonder?” he asks, sliding his hand lower on my back.

  “I’m going to keep you guessing until we get home. It wouldn’t be any fun if I simply tell you. Would it? Plus, that hitch in your voice is quite sexy.”

  “You think I’m sexy?” Cash’s eyes bore into mine.

  “You are everything I never knew I needed in a hot, sexy-as-hell package.”

  “I love when you curse. Do we need to get out of here right now, Miss Barnett?”

  “We can’t leave yet, Mr. Morgan, but I love where your mind is.”

  Cash spins me away from him and twists me back, holding me even closer. After a few more ballads, the pace of the music increases, and Cash leads me off the dance floor. As we walk toward our table, I catch a glimpse of Mr. and Mrs. Waller.

  45

  Cassius

  “We should say hello to Mrs. Waller,” Noelle suggests, and I dutifully follow her.

  “Noelle and Cash, it’s wonderful to see you,” Mrs. Waller says as we approach. She looks lovely in a tailored, sequined suit. Mr. Waller looks unhappy to be in attendance, but his suit makes him look dapper, nonetheless.

  “You as well.”

  The four of us chat about Mason and their upcoming move and how Noelle was instrumental in helping Mason cope with his mother’s death. Her fingers tighten around mine as Mrs. Waller heaps on the praise. Nothing Noelle does for herself, me, or her students is for the praise. It’s for the betterment of the person or relationship. She’s the only truly selfless person I have ever met. That reason alone is why I plan to put her first every single day for the rest of my life.

  “Son,” my father bellows from behind me to the left. Mr. and Mrs. Waller discreetly walk away. My distaste for my parents is held by the Wallers as well.

  “Father.” I try my best to keep the edge off my voice.

  “Miss Barnett, a pleasure to see you again.”

  “Mr. Morgan,” she replies with a fake, tight smile. When Noelle smiles, truly smiles, her warmth affects everyone around her. She’s weary of my father. It’s understandable given what I’ve told her. I slide my arm around her, guiding her close to me. The tension in her body relaxes but only slightly.

  “I want to speak with you about your trust. Our attorneys have reviewed the provisions, and arguably you have skirted violating the employment rules. Your mother and I don’t approve of your latest endeavor. However, she is hell-bent on stopping the payments. She will once she finds an appropriate means to do so.”

  “As I said before, I’m making this career change either way. If you and Mother feel the need to cut me off from my trust, so be it. I don’t need the money.” Noelle tightens her grip on my fingers. “Here she is now.”

  My mother joins our tidy group. Noelle’s fingers clench my hand so hard I think she may break my fingers. The tension has returned tenfold. I glance over at her and see fire in her eyes.

  “Cash.”

  “Mother.”

  “Aren’t you going to introduce me to your lady friend of the moment?” My mother knows nothing about my personal life. I highly doubt she would remember any date I’ve been on before her dreadful setup with Brittany.

  “Mother, please—"

  Before I get a chance, Noelle interrupts me. “I genuinely thought your wonderful children were exaggerating. Not having had a mother figure for the last ten years, I thought there’s no way you’re as evil and manipulative as they suggest. Yet you are. They may have even been sugarcoating you a tad. How dare you pretend you’ve never met me before while pretending to be someone else.”

  I shiver at Noelle’s words and look between her and my mother, neither woman giving any ground. It’s hot as fuck that my fiery woman is going toe to toe with my mother.

  “Mother, what is she talking about?” I’m giving her the opportunity to back out of her lie.

  “I have no idea.”

  Resolute, Noelle continues. “What should I call you, Mrs. Morgan? Margaux or Elizabeth? You stalked me. You invited me and my student on walks in the park. For what? To what end?”

  “You aren’t good enough for my son.”

  “You don’t know me.”

  “I don’t need to know you. I know your type—beautiful, orphan, gold digger. As soon as you can, you’ll quit your job and bleed my son dry.”

  Enough.

  “Mother, your behavior is unacceptable. She should bring charges against you, although I’m sure you failed to step over the line for criminality. Have a good evening.”

  “I will cut you off, Cassius.”

  “You do what you need to do.” I turn with Noelle and walk away from my parents. I’m fuming. I knew my mother’s required level of civility barely rises to the level of hatred, but this is over the top even for her. We approach our table, and Noelle grabs her clutch. I nod to Connor who is calling for our car.

  My phone is incessantly vibrating in my pocket. I’ll deal with it later. As we approach the door, my father impedes our exit. I turn, effectively sandwiching Noelle between myself and Connor.

  “Son, I was unaware of your mother’s subterfuge. I will address her actions later. If you would like to petition for the release of the corpus of your trust a bit early, I’ll support it.”

  Maintaining my poker face proves difficult. He would break ranks with my mother? Color me intrigued. It makes me wonder what other misdeeds my mother has committed aside from adultery and betraying my sister. Is there more? My stomach roils at that thought.

  “Miss Barnett….”

  Noelle steps to her left only enough to see my father’s face.

  “I apologize on behalf of my wife. Her actions are unacceptable. I would have hoped that our daughter effectively cutting us out of her life would be enough for Margaux to change her ways. That doesn’t seem to be the case. I sincerely apologize. I have never seen my son happy until he met you, and for that I’m grateful.” My father extends his hand to me, and I take it. As I release his hand, I note that my siblings and their dates are standing in a line at the top of the staircase. Margaux is noticeably absent.

  Connor bids us farewell once we arrive at home. I thank him for his assistance. I’m glad he was with us, even though it turned out to be unnecessary, a fact I will dispute to Noelle until I die.

  Noelle is pacing on the terrace barefoot with a glass of wine in her hand. Occasionally she stares up at the stars. I could stand here and watch her indefinitely, but I prefer to hold her in my arms.

  “I’m sorry, sweetheart. I didn’t know.”

  “You have nothing to apologize for. You warned me. You said yo
ur parents were…. It’s a fault that I see only the good in people, that I fail to see when I’m being played. Honestly, I feel used. Luckily, I didn’t share anything with her. I just can’t understand what she would gain, other than a breakup.”

  “Your ‘fault,’ as you call it, is nothing of the sort. It makes you, you. That is where I get caught up as well. Sharing my life with you shouldn’t matter in the slightest. It has nothing to do with the turbulent relationship I have with my parents. That’s on them, mostly her.”

  The intercom rings, and I move to answer it. I return to her, kissing her thoroughly before the door opens. “I will need to wait to determine if you are wearing panties a bit longer.”

  “Why?”

  As I start to respond, my siblings and their dates step into our home for an unplanned afterparty because I failed to check my phone.

  “Apparently, they need details tonight.”

  I grab more glasses and a few bottles of wine. Auggie and Caro sit side by side on the couch. Billie curls up on Peter’s lap on the love seat. Savannah is sitting on the couch adjacent to Sam’s chair. After a brief chat about what went down with Margaux, I declare the subject closed. We drink, laugh, and dance for a few hours on the terrace instead of the Plaza ballroom. It’s fantastic.

  As she sets the last glass to dry, I move behind her, drawing my fingertips from low on her back to the curve of her neck. Goose bumps materialize as my fingers rise.

  “You really shouldn’t do dishes in a custom silk gown,” I murmur against her bare skin while sliding my hands over her body to determine if she followed through.

  Turning in my arms, she responds, “Perhaps we should address that,” before wetting my lips with her tongue.

  Slowly and purposefully, I dance her to our bed to spend the night pleasuring her.

  46

  Noelle

  Near one in the afternoon, we stumble to the kitchen for food. At least we got some sleep. I lost count after three mind-numbing orgasms. The intensity of us increases each time we make love. Our first kiss has nothing on us now.

  As Cash rushes out the door to the office, I start my yoga practice in the living room. Yoga in the rain is not a fun endeavor. My goal for this week is to set a schedule, complete the plans for my five clients, tweak the intake form a bit, and reformat the fee schedule.

  Even though I no longer work with Mason, Cash has been working at home in the afternoons before boxing with Evan. I try not to entice him to stay home. He’ll miss the guys when we move.

  Midweek, as I sit to get started on my plans, I check my phone for texts and emails. There are a few texts and an email from Mallory with an update. Unfortunately, there is nothing to report on the brick-and-mortar center currently. I scroll through my texts.

  Kate: Hey there! Your condo is fantastic! How are you?

  Me: Hey! It is! I’m glad you love it there. I’m well. You?

  Kate: We’re good. Really good. I miss being able to drop in on you.

  Me: I miss you too. Say hi to Keyton for me. Love you.

  Kate: I will. Love you too.

  I would like to say it was hard leaving California, but it wasn’t. Sure, I miss Kate and my cute condo, but the plan was never for me to stay there as long as I did. Who knew I would be looking to move closer to Nicholas again?

  Nicholas: Hi. I saw your press release. Well done.

  Me: Thanks. That was all Cash. At least we aren’t a story anymore.

  Nicholas: Just be vigilant in the city. Out here, it’s much easier.

  I consider disclosing Cash’s plans, but he wants to tell everyone at once. He hasn’t indicated how he plans to pull that off, but I bite my tongue.

  Me: I will. I need to get back to work. I love you lots.

  Nicholas: I love you lots more.

  My phone rings with an unknown number, yet I answer anyway.

  “Good afternoon, Noelle speaking.”

  “Yes, this is Shelly Coulter. I’m the owner of the Bright Horizons Center. Jeremy Ellerbee is one of my students.”

  “Hi, how can I help you?”

  “During our daily meeting, my manager, Ivy, was raving about you and your plan. She also mentioned that you were looking to purchase a center in addition to your developmental plans.”

  I refrain from doing a happy dance, just barely.

  “Yes, she is correct. Are you looking to sell yours?” It would be perfect! It’s within commuting distance of the airport for Cash. I wouldn’t need security when Cash flies. Let’s add in the fact that Nicholas and Kelly are nearby, along with Billie and Peter. Plus, the Nubble, the Perk, the inn, and Dunne’s are all within a reasonable drive.

  “I am. I would love to set up a teleconference with you. First, though I would like to send you the information for the center—budgets, curricula, staff, etc.”

  We discuss the best way for her to send the information, and I end the call, indicating I would get back to her soon. As I press end, Cash strolls into the house.

  “Hi, how was your morning?” I greet him as he tugs off his tie.

  “Not too bad, you?”

  “What will happen if I stumble upon a center that is for sale? How would that work?” Reeling in my giddiness is difficult. I watch as he processes my words.

  He moves to me, wraps his arms around me, and spins us in a circle while he asks, “Really? Where? How? That is fantastic!” He presses his mouth to mine while lowering me to the floor. After some seriously early celebratory kissing, Cash pulls back slightly. I answer all his questions, and he answers mine. Armed with his information, I email Mallory and let her know about the opportunity.

  Over a delicious spaghetti dinner, we discuss a host of subjects from when to tell our siblings, where to live, a car, and when we want to move.

  “I would prefer to be near the water, but I don’t want to sacrifice land. If we could have an acre or two near the water, that would be perfect.” I state my preference.

  “Do you want to be near Nicholas?”

  “I don’t need to be next door, but I wouldn’t be opposed to it either. I would be able to have dinner with my brother on occasion and you could with Billie. Anything less than a flight would be ideal.” We talk more about budgets, how many bedrooms, etc.

  “I’ll send some options to Jacob to get his initial opinion on security concerns.”

  “Can I pry a bit?” I ask. “You can decline to answer after you hear the question.”

  “You can ask me anything.”

  “What’s the deal with your trust? Why do both of your parents keep attempting to use it as leverage?”

  “I’ll answer you. First, I know you don’t care about my money. As I told you before, if I thought you did, you wouldn’t be here now. If you had to rank my net worth and Nicholas’s, whose would be higher?”

  I consider my answer carefully. “I would say they are close to equal, bearing in mind that the last balance sheet I saw of Nicholas’s was two movies ago.”

  “Fair enough. I agree. My parents created a trust for the four of us at birth. My siblings and I receive a set amount of money each month. There are strings attached to the money, such as gainful employment, never tarnish the Morgan name, and acting with class in public when requested as a family like the gala. At age thirty, we can request the corpus be turned over to us for investing on our own.”

  “Okay. You are gainfully employed, and you will be as the owner of Pemberton too. What am I missing?”

  “Margaux believes that certain professions are beneath a Morgan. Anything in the service industry or something that requires creativity is not an acceptable profession.”

  “Yet Billie is a fashion designer and Auggie is a chef who wants to run a restaurant.”

  “True, but Billie is a separate case because she’s no longer subjected to the terms of the trust. When she learned about mother’s affair, she essentially walked away from the family, including her trust. To bring her back, my parents sold her loft, liquidated her trust, an
d turned the money over to her, no strings attached. To date, Billie hasn’t touched any of the money, nor has she spoken to my parents.”

  “She was at the gala though?”

  “Billie and Peter met at the gala three years ago. Her attendance is about their relationship. She didn’t speak to our parents at the event. My parents allowing Auggie to draw from his trust for his restaurant is a step in the right direction, but deep down they believe he’ll fail. Thus, proving their point that service jobs aren’t good enough.”

  “What about you?” I ask contemplating his words.

  “My parents believe that Sam and I rely on our trust to survive, that he and I party and squander our salaries from our jobs. That is wholly inaccurate. We have taken our trust payments, pooled them, and invested wisely for the last eight years. We will offer to pool Auggie’s once he starts earning a living.”

  “Why not just have it out with your parents?”

  “I haven’t foreclosed the idea yet. My mother’s treatment of you was abjectly evil, and I won’t tolerate it. However, my father’s apology as we left has made me pause. He has never stood in opposition to my mother about our trusts or our relationships. They were always a united front until the gala. Sam and I intend to talk about it tomorrow in more depth.”

  I ponder his response and realize it’s up to him and Sam. I don’t need him to have it out with Margaux. My words spoke for themselves.

  47

  Cassius

  I’m tense since I struck my deal with Mr. Edson and Mr. Elliott. I’m meeting with Stacy to finalize both deals. Unfortunately, I’ll be waiting an additional two months for Mr. Edson.

  Noelle: Where are you flying this weekend?

  Me: Portsmouth. Do you want to come?

  Noelle: Yes, if there’s room.

  After three hours reviewing and signing. I have set in motion two deals for my dream job, thanks to my perfect woman. Without her, I never would have fathomed taking this leap. This weekend we will tell our siblings and search for a home.