by Cee, DW
“I’m glad we ran into each other. Next week was too far away.” That was a slight exaggeration, but the dreamy expression on Helene’s face erased the guilt. Though I felt overwhelmed by her phone calls—her need to know my every move—she made me feel like a king and the last man on earth when I was with her. Her attention to me and all things concerning me bugged when we weren’t together, but when with her, it gave my ego a healthy boost.
“Michael?” Vivienne called.
“Yes?”
“I was told you lived in Massachusetts for many years.”
“I did.”
“Do you think you could help our Penny?”
“Of course. How can I help?” This was where I was the innocent deer grazing the field…
“Penny’s going to attend graduate school at Boston University and we know nothing about America. Why, we’ve never even visited the States. Would you be able to help her relocate?”
At this point, I should have asked what exactly the Whitman family expected of me, but once again, I was that innocent deer, lamb, whatever you want to call me, headed to slaughter. “I most definitely can help. For six years I called the Boston area my home. I actually still have a condo out there.”
“Splendid.” All three Whitman ladies smiled like they were models in a toothpaste commercial. “When are you free?”
Once again, I should have specified and had them clarify. I did not. “Grandfather is in Los Angeles right now, and I was headed to meet him in New York at the end of the week. Perhaps the week after?”
“Aren’t New York and Boston in close proximity?”
“Yeah, Penny. You’ll love being able to drive a couple hours into Manhattan. That city will remind you a lot of London.”
“Why that’s perfect, Michael.” Vivienne couldn’t contain her excitement. As we English would say, she was in alt! “Penny and Helene are free to travel with you this week and next. What a gentleman you are, offering to take our girls around and help our youngest get settled in a new country. Can they stay with you at your apartment or shall I arrange for their lodging nearby?”
WTF??? When had I gone from a helpful friend to a tour guide providing food and lodging? Was I hedged in by Vivienne? By my naïveté? My own stupidity?
“Mother. I think you’ve placed Michael in an awkward situation,” Helene pointed out, chiding her mother with a smile and a wink. “Michael didn’t invite us into his home. We’ll figure out Boston on our own. Penny and I are not helpless, contrary to what you and Father think.”
“But, it would be nice to have a man there with you.” The father, who shared my name, spoke for the first time this entire, overwhelming conversation. “I’d go with you but with my gout, it’s hard for me to be on a plane for too long.”
“We’ll be fine.” Helene insisted. “If you’ll fill us in on a few ins-and-outs of Boston, Penny and I will take it from there. My parents have always worried because they have two girls. They think we need a man to take care of us,” she explained apologetically to me.
Damn. Vivienne pushed me into a corner, but her daughter was giving me an escape route. What to do? Should I be the gentleman and take the two ladies with me? Since I had to be in New York, it wouldn’t be that big a deal to hang out with Helene and her sister for a few days in Boston. I could visit with some old friends and professors. It wouldn’t be the end of the world to spend extra days in the States. What did I have to lose?
“I’d be happy to escort you two pretty ladies to America.” The squeal from all three ladies elicited looks from all the patrons in the dining room. “I’m unsure how many days I can stay with you. Grandfather hasn’t spoken of his plans, and I am technically there on his payroll. But, whatever days I have free are yours.”
“Thank you, Michael.” Helene reached over and placed an innocent kiss on my cheek. “You are too generous. I will be indebted to you for helping my little sister.”
This night started off weird, but I had to say, I felt like a hero by the end of it.
Maybe I was being naïve again. Maybe I fell into their mother’s trap. Maybe this might come back to bite me in the arse. For now, I was content with my decision.
Once I landed in New York, I may change my mind…
Brendan: Shitty Decision
I left Los Angeles pissed with what had transpired. Chloe was a nod away from being convinced we could make a long-distance relationship work. As much as I was intrigued by Chloe, I was close to giving up. No woman was worth this kind of effort and headache.
That was until I got word in New York that there would be an opening in London for a VP position. I began to think that perhaps someone upstairs was telling me Chloe was the woman for me. No woman ever made me desire a future with her, until Chloe.
“I heard through the grapevine that there’s a VP position in London. Can I be in the running?” I asked my boss in Paris.
“You can, but it’s a lesser position and a lot less pay than the LA one.”
“How so?”
“First major difference is the fact that you’ll be paid in your home country’s currency and living in the home country. Because you’re staying put, they won’t pay for your lease or give you meal stipends.”
That was a huge difference on the bottom line. “What about the position?”
“Technically, the position is the same as the one in LA. The big ‘but’ to the London position is the fact that there will be absolutely no upward mobility. The head honcho in London is the company majority-owner’s son. Considering his entire family, in-laws and all, live in London, he’s not going anywhere. If I were you, I’d take the LA position. What about the sunshine, the beach, and the extra money bother you? Hell, I’d go there myself if it wasn’t a downgrade in position.”
Shit! Why was there always a catch in life? Why couldn’t we all just get along and live happily ever after?
“All right. Thanks for the info.” Now, I was more lost than ever. The only possible decision I could make would be to end what I have with Chloe and move to sunnier climates.
“You have a week to decide, Brendan. Don’t lose this opportunity.”
I needed to see Chloe again. We needed to have a come-to-Jesus meeting.
“Chloe?”
“Hi, Brendan!” Why did she have to sound happy to hear from me? It makes breaking up that much harder.
“Hey. I assume you’re in New York? Can I come by and see you?”
“Sure. I’d like to talk to you, too. We’re at the apartment. You remember where?”
“I do. I’ll see you there in about an hour?”
“Sure!”
All her enthusiasm made me wonder if she’d decided to stay with me. What would I say if she told me she wanted to keep dating? Shit. That wasn’t on my list of ‘what ifs’ with Chloe. I figured no matter how much I wanted to try with this woman, the distance would kill us before we started.
Rather than drive myself even crazier, I left for the duke’s apartment. All would be resolved by tonight.
When I arrived, I was surprised as hell at the unexpected company making a huge statement to all of us. I expected Harry Bennington and Chloe to greet me, but instead I found Penny and Helene who had travelled all the way here with Michael! What the hell was going on?
“Brendan! What brings you, here?”
“I might ask you the same question, Penny. You’ve finally left London.”
She giggled. Penny was the younger, more fun version of Helene. “I’m attending grad school at Boston U, and Helene’s boyfriend was kind enough to offer a tour of the city.”
“Boyfriend?” I asked Michael who looked awfully uncomfortable.
“Just a friend,” Helene chimed in. “Penny is full of enthusiasm. This is both our first time in New York.”
“I see,” I said, but didn’t really see any answers. “I guess your boyfriend Michael will have to show you the sights if this is your first time in the cit
y.”
“Where’s Chloe?” I asked Michael.
He shrugged his shoulders. “She said she had some errands to run and she left as soon as we got here.”
“Errands?” That was odd. “I told her I’d be here.”
“Maybe she’s coming right back.”
“Brendan O’Shaughnessy. May I speak with you a moment?” The tone of voice was unmistakable.
“Yes, Sir,” I answered immediately. “Am I in trouble?” I asked Michael.
He did that stupid shrugging thing, again. “He’s in a foul mood. Beware.”
I didn’t waste time walking into the duke’s study. “Did you want to see me?” He pointed to the chair. I silently sat as told.
“What are your intentions toward our Chloe?” The duke could be scary when he turned serious. If this was the first person any man had to go through before asking for her hand in marriage, Chloe may stay single the next decade. “Since you traveled all the way to California, this must be more than a passing fancy.” I was about to answer but the imperious duke cut me off. “But, judging by the irritation written all over you face during dinner, I take it you’re not happy for our Chloe?” I waited to see if I could talk now. “WELL?” He yelled at me.
I answered immediately, but the answer was not to the duke’s liking. “I really like Chloe, but I don’t think we will work. It’s one thing for me to be away from London. But for the both of us to be in different parts of the world with very little chance of seeing each other, we’re doomed before we start.”
He glared at me. “Why couldn’t you see one another? Whether she’s in London, Singapore, or Istanbul, you still have to get on a plane to see one another. What’s a few more hours on top of the ten-plus-hour plane ride?”
“I can maybe take off a Friday and a Monday and see her those days plus the weekend. She will work mainly on the weekends. How can we see each other? When she solely worked for you, she had the flexibility to fly to me or to meet me when I flew to Paris. Now, there’s absolutely no flexibility.”
“So, that’s it? It’s too hard; you’re giving up?”
“I’m not just giving up. I’m facing reality. Unless, of course, she isn’t taking the job.”
Damn. Why hadn’t I thought of that option? Maybe she wasn’t going to take the job and I was worried for no reason? What a load of crap. I’ve been wracking my brain when a solution was right before my eyes!
“I, for one, am glad I thought Chloe should dump your arse. You’re not worth her time or effort.” The duke got up from his chair pissed, and left the room. I followed him out hoping to understand Chloe’s mindset before we met up. I needed every edge.
As soon as I walked out, any edge I thought I might have went down with the garbage disposal.
“Chloe…”
Shit…
Chloe: Little Decisions
OH MY GAWWWDDD! If this isn’t the worst day of my life!
It started with Michael barging into the apartment with his latest woman and her sister. After the woman sized me up and down, they acted as if they owned the place. That was until the duke came out of his study due to all the commotion. It gave me great satisfaction when His Grace all but ignored the two Chatty Cathys. Before he asked to speak privately with Michael, I informed everyone I was stepping out on an errand. Grandpa Harry informed me I was to “hurry back.”
After sitting at the café and drinking more coffee than necessary, I had to return to the apartment. I had run out of hiding time. Talking to myself the entire way back, I rationalized that my reaction to this Helene woman was unfair. I was dating—was being the operative word—Brendan. Michael had every right to date and find his future duchess. I did not have a right to be upset.
As soon as I entered, Michael informed me that Brendan was here, waiting for me in the study. Relieved I didn’t have to deal with the annoying guests, I ran for shelter.
What a mistake that was! Rather than finding shelter, I found barren land—desolation at its loneliest. Brendan told His Grace all the reasons why he needed to dump me. If that wasn’t humiliating enough, the door wasn’t closed so everyone in the apartment heard and understood my humiliation.
As calmly and casually as possible, I walked out hoping no one noticed. What an idiotic thought. Everyone heard and the two sisters watched with enthusiasm. They followed my every move. It was when I heard my name spoken with guilt that made me almost lose it. I did not want anyone feeling sorry for me.
“Hey, Brendan.”
“Uh, hey. Glad you’re finally here.” He stepped toward me to…hug me? Kiss me? Comfort me? I didn’t need any of it. I would not be pitied.
“Can we get together later tonight? I’m not in the mood to talk right now.” I wished I had a better, more legitimate excuse for getting the hell out of here.
I opened the door to make my escape when I heard my name being called by many different voices.
“Chloe!”
“Loee!”
“E E Eeeee!”
These three were beautiful distractions. “Hello Ellie, James, and JR. It’s so good to see your cute faces again.”
“Play with us, Loee.”
What a perfect request from this perfect little boy. “I would love to play with you, James. What shall we play?”
He grinned a big toothy grin and said, “Lego.”
Before anything else could be spoken, I picked up JR, held James’ hand, and followed Jake as he opened the door.
The only person I spoke to was Grandpa Harry. “Whenever you need me…” He nodded in understanding.
“You looked like you were being chased by the mob.” Jake hit it on the nose.
“I’m sure you don’t want to know. I won’t bore you with the details. Emily in?”
“I’m right here. What a nice surprise.” Emily greeted me with a sweet hug. “Lunch?”
“If you’re offering, I’d love some. I haven’t had much but coffee.”
“I’ll fix us something, Emi. Why don’t you hang out with Chloe and the kids. Take it easy, today.” The affection between this couple was like reading the best romance novel.
“Are you unwell?” I asked Emily.
She giggled quietly. “I’m fine. My husband is hoping I’d be unwell, but all is good.” The way Jake kissed his wife, there were many unspoken words left hanging, but I wasn’t going to pry, no matter how much I wanted to ask.
“What brings you back to New York? I thought you were headed to London after your visit with Gram and Roland.”
“I was…” This was when I told Emily everything. “Though the real reason I’m here is to help with a wedding. Tomorrow starts my initiation with Pierre. Hopefully after this weekend, I’ll know better whether I want to do this the rest of my life.”
“Your life is about as exciting as they come.” There was a twinkle in Emily’s eyes when she giggled. “I especially like the two men vying for your attention part.”
Had she been listening to anything I’d said? “Michael has not been interested in me since he left his teenage years, and Brendan dumped me in front of the duke. He’s only waiting for a face-to-face so he can drop me in person.”
Emily was laughing more than usual. She found humor in everything I said.
“Emi?” Jake interrupted. “Everyone is stopping by for lunch. They want to say good-bye to the kids.”
“All right. Will you stay?” She asked.
“Who will be here?”
“Laney and Donovan, Nick and Bee, my in-laws, and Donovan’s parents.”
“Would it offend you if I left before they arrived? The thought of having to explain myself to everyone doesn’t thrill me. I also still feel a little awkward about talking to Laney. With a husband and twins on the way, you’d think I would’ve gotten over the being-left-at-Heathrow syndrome. I haven’t, unfortunately.” Pathetic, I tell you. I was pathetic!
“I understand.” Emily leaned in to hug me. He
r comforting ways had all three kids standing up and hugging me. It was the most adorable picture. “Where will you go now?”
“I’ll text Pierre and see if he needs help right now. I’m sure I’ll be of use, somewhere.”
