Lovely Dreams

by Danielle Stewart

  “Are you sure she’s still in Paris?”

  “Yes, she lives near the Peninsula Paris Hotel. Gloria always kept tabs just in case I wanted to reach out to her. Every now and then she’d slide me a piece of paper with a phone number or a restaurant my mother frequented and tell me to consider it.”

  “She lives by the Peninsula Paris Hotel? What’s her name?” He conjured up an image of the glamorous apartments in the area she was talking about. He knew many of the people there.

  “Talia Monroe.” The words seemed hard for her to get out and Tray felt a pang of guilt for pressing. But now he was glad he had.

  “Talia?”

  “I know, not that common. It’s a family name.”

  “I know Talia. Well, my mother does. They’re best friends.”

  “No,” Lauren said, stopping abruptly. “It has to be someone else. Gloria would have told me that.”

  “A different American woman named Talia Monroe who lives near the Peninsula Paris Hotel?”

  She faced him. “Best friends? You’re saying our mothers are best friends?”

  “For years. But she never mentioned a daughter.”

  Air escaped her as though she’d just fielded a physical blow to her gut. Tray again realized his mistake. “I’m an idiot. I didn’t mean that to sound as bad as it did.”

  “It’s all right. I wouldn’t think she’d have much to say about me.” Her hair fell in front of her face and she tucked it quickly back. “Let’s just drop it.”

  Tray tried to lighten the mood even though it seemed impossible. “What are the odds of that though? I might break into the It’s a Small World song.”

  “The odds are better than you think.” Lauren laughed and rolled her eyes. “Gloria is the puppetmaster even beyond the grave. Do you think Gloria knew my mother too?”

  Tray’s face crinkled with confusion. “I never heard about them all getting together or anything. Gloria was far more worldly than my mother and Talia. She was always on the move. I can’t recall a time Talia ever mentioned Gloria.”

  “She never told me she knew my mother. Or that they knew people in common.”

  “And you didn’t know she knew my mother either?” Tray asked, looking a bit baffled.

  “No.” She shook her head sadly. “I’m finding lately there is a lot I didn’t know. She talked about her travels, and I knew most of her business associates. Casual acquaintances. I guess I didn’t know her friends though.”

  Tray snapped his fingers together. “Wait a second. Am I just a pawn in this? Should I stop being flattered that she thought I was the best man for the job?”

  “No,” Lauren said with a wave of her hand as they started walking again. “Gloria wouldn’t risk you being a total nightmare for Kinross Inc. just so we could have this serendipitous moment about my mother. It had to be both. She wanted me to know our mothers are friends, and she believed you would help Layla. There’s always a master plan.”

  Tray scratched his head and realized there was even more to the situation. Did Gloria know this too? “She’s coming here, you know.”

  “Who?”

  “Your mother. She’s coming to Boston in a couple of days for the gallery opening of a friend. It’s a large event, and she’s planning every detail. Like my mother, she doesn’t travel much, but this has been her passion project. Something she’s been working on tirelessly for months.”

  Lauren leveled her face, flashing no emotion as she looked straight ahead. “I hope it goes well for her.”

  “Do you always do that?”

  “Do what?” Her brows shot up defensively.

  “Say the right thing? The measured thing?”

  “Shouldn’t we all? Polite is suddenly this big taboo. I hope whatever she does works out. What’s wrong with that?”

  “I never say the right thing.” He chuckled and stuffed his hands in his pockets.

  “I’m picking up on that.” She nudged him with her elbow playfully.

  “Aren’t you even a little pissed your mother is coming to town and hasn’t reached out to you? Don’t you want to scream or swear or something? She just left and doesn’t even try to get in touch with you? That’s not right.”

  Her voice rose a few octaves. “I’ve long since come to terms with my mother and our lack of relationship. I’m good.”

  “I’m staying for this event too.” Tray waggled his brows at her. “It’s why I booked this. My mother didn’t want to make the trip, but she asked that I keep an eye on Talia and help if she needed anything. I planned to kill a few birds with one stone.”

  “Very efficient. I hope you have a lovely evening at the event and then can go back to lounging on beaches. And does my mother really need a babysitter?”

  “Our mothers are very similar. I don’t know if it’s anxiety. Skittishness, maybe? They don’t like to deviate from their routines. If she needs anything, at least I’ll be here.”

  “That’s your thing? Playing hero?”

  “Nice guys still exist. Look, here I am.”

  “Do me a favor, if someone steals my purse, don’t try to defend my honor.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because apparently I’m not at all like my mother. I don’t need a babysitter. I don’t need to be rescued. Gloria taught me exactly how to take care of myself.”

  “You should come with me.” He stepped in front of her and forced her to stop. Stooping down some, he caught her annoyed glare.

  “You want me to come lounge on the beach?”

  He hesitated and smiled. “That too. But I was talking about the event. The gallery opening. It’s obviously part of what Gloria wanted. See your mother. Confront her. Make amends. Tell her you hate her. Just do something. Something is better than nothing.”

  “Gloria was amazing, but she didn’t know everything. I don’t see how surprising my mother and showing up when she doesn’t want to see me is going to help anyone.”

  “How do you know she doesn’t want to see you?”

  “She’ll have a lot of explaining to do to all those friends who never knew I existed.”

  “True. So forget the event. Have lunch with her or something while she’s in town. You should. If I’m part of this master plan, I’m going to play my part.”

  “Why do you care about this at all? We met a few hours ago and won’t see each other again after this. It would be much easier for you to let this go, don’t you think?”

  “I’ve known your mother for many years. She’s a good person. Charitable. Friendly. A little different, like my mother. But she’s supported my mother through tough times. Plus, I don’t want this Gloria woman to haunt me for not doing what she clearly sent me here to do. Ghosts freak me out.”

  She stepped by him and sighed. “I don’t know if you’ve noticed from our earlier exchange, but I’m not in the best state at the moment. This has been a really tough time for me. Harder than I’ve been willing to admit. I think the last thing I need is to try to work things out with my mother.”

  “Or maybe it’s exactly what you need.”

  She wiped at her cheek with a quick swipe. “I’m not sure I could handle it if it didn’t work out. I’m hanging on by a thread.” She sniffled and then drew in a deep breath. “I’m sorry. I don’t usually cry in front of prospective bosses. I don’t usually cry at all actually. I didn’t before all this.”

  He put a hand gently on the small of her back. “Good news: I’m not a prospective boss. No way I’m taking that job.”

  “So we’re both not doing something Gloria wanted us to do. We’ll have to share custody of her ghost.”

  “You can have her for the holidays.”

  “At least we settled something. Now can we just drop the stuff about my mother?”

  “Sure. On one condition.”

  “What’s that?” She narrowed her eyes and shot him a sideways look.

  “We can’t end the night like this. I’ll have to go home knowing I was a complete idiot to a beautiful a
nd sweet woman. It goes against my hero complex. I won’t sleep a wink. Insomnia is very bad for my health.”

  “I’m sure you’re up late plenty of nights, and it’s not from guilt.”

  He flashed his best playboy smile at her.

  “Come have a drink with me. Let’s end on a high note.”

  She checked her watch and sighed. “I know a place up here. Maybe just one.”

  Chapter 3

  Lauren

  * * *

  “You never ran your errand,” Tray said suddenly as they slid into the booth toward the back of the bar. It was dim and the lacquer on the wood table was chipped and peeling. The type of place best described as a dive.

  “This was going to be my errand.” She smiled playfully. “I didn’t think you’d come to a place like this.”

  “Are you kidding me? I love places like this. Paris is great but an Irish bar in Boston? Nothing like it.”

  “Lauren,” Ben called from behind the bar. His shaggy red hair was parted at the side. “I thought you’d be in earlier. You want something to eat?”

  “I ate. Thanks.”

  “A friend of yours?” Tray asked as Ben crossed from behind the bar. He slid into the booth on Lauren’s side and tossed an arm around her. She leaned in and kissed his cheek.

  “It’s been a long day, Ben.” She sighed.

  “You on a date?” He pulled the toothpick from between his teeth and narrowed his eyes at Tray.

  “No, this is Tray. He was here to interview with Kenan and Layla. Tray this is Kenan’s brother, Ben.”

  “Oh,” Tray said, looking relieved but still slightly skeptical. “Nice to meet you.”

  Ben scoffed as he squeezed Lauren a little tighter. “They make you take him out for a drink after an interview? Is dating potential employees part of your job?”

  Lauren grinned at him. Ben was her favorite. The runt of the O’Malley litter, he had the biggest chip on his shoulder. Cynical. Distrusting. Loyal. A little pissed off. That was her speed lately.

  “It’s not a date. I promise. We were just close by and wanted a drink. Like I said, it’s not the thing.”

  “The thing?” Tray asked curiously.

  “Yeah,” Ben said, taking his arm off her shoulder and leaning across the table as he stuck the toothpick back between his teeth. “You see, if Lauren is ever out on a date and the dude is a dud or an asshole, she invites him here for a drink. Then she orders a martini and that signals me to toss him out on his ass.”

  Lauren shook her head in agreement and laughed when Tray looked shocked. “It’s a jungle out there for a woman dating. You have to have a plan.”

  “So,” Ben said with a devilish smile. “What can I get you to drink? Please say martini. It’s been a slow night. Everyone is acting so good in here I haven’t had to toss anyone out.”

  A few beats of silence passed between them before Lauren let them off the hook. “I’ll take a beer tonight, Ben. Like I said, this is not a date.”

  Tray laughed heartily. “I’ll take the same.”

  Ben gave her one last long look and then hopped up. “Coming right up. But I’ll be right over there with my baseball bat under the bar if he gets out of line.”

  “He seems like an intense guy,” Tray commented as he watched Ben head back behind the bar. “You two an item?”

  “Nothing like that. When we met Kenan, Layla and I inherited his five brothers. They’re a really special group of guys. Very loyal. Very protective. I’m an only child so I welcome it. We eat together every Sunday at Layla and Kenan’s new apartment. Even though we’re busy, we make it happen. Gloria insisted.”

  “That’s charming.”

  “It is.”

  Ben came back a moment later with two beers and a long scrutinizing glare at Tray. “Enjoy. Let me know if you want a dirty martini later sweetheart.”

  “Will do.” Lauren winked playfully at Tray.

  “Did you really pick this place in case you needed to get rid of me? Do I give off the creep vibe?” Tray looked concerned as he took a sip of his beer.

  “No, I was seriously planning on coming here for a drink myself. Ben makes an amazing corned beef sandwich and if it’s slow he sits and shoots the shit with me. I close the place down with him and he walks me home. So when I said we should come here I figured you’d be way too snooty for an Irish pub. But then you looked so excited.”

  Tray deflated. “Wait, I give off a snooty vibe? I don’t know which is worse, snooty or creepy.”

  “Snooty creep is actually the worst,” Lauren explained playfully. “Those guys are fancy jerks.”

  “Noted.”

  She hid a smile behind her beer. “And what vibe do I give off?”

  He waved his hands through the air. “No way I’m answering that question. It’s a trap.”

  “Probably, but I’d still like to know. Be brave, Tray. I dare you. Tell me what you thought when you met me.”

  Tray tapped his fingers on the old table. “Honestly, you give off a great vibe. Clearly Kenan and Layla trust you. You seem very reliable.”

  “Reliable? I’m reliable. That’s your read on me?”

  “Am I wrong?” He cocked a brow at her.

  “No, but that’s a safe answer. Chicken.”

  “Boy I’m all sorts of birds to you, aren’t I? Peacock. Chicken. What’s next?”

  “I can move to the pig family if you prefer.”

  “All I’m saying is you seem like you come through for your people. That’s not a bad thing.”

  “I’m reliable.” Lauren slumped her shoulders in embarrassment. “Steadfast. Dependable. Accommodating. That’s me.”

  “Those are admirable traits.” Tray was trying, but it wasn’t helping. She knew how people saw her. Never exciting. Never surprising. “It’s just not the first trait I want a man like you spotting.”

  “A man like me?” His eyes flickered with desire and she met his gaze full on. “Trust me,” Tray said, continuing to stare deeply at her. “That’s not the first thing I spotted about you. I’d have to say your hair. It’s gorgeous. You had it pulled up at the office; I almost didn’t recognize you at the restaurant with it down. I like it down. Wild. Then your smile. You’ve got a great smile.”

  “Thanks. But I’m not foolish enough to think putting my hair down makes me even moderately exciting. Someone has to be reliable. Or the world falls apart.”

  “You could be wild for tonight,” he said, kicking his beer back and drinking it down quickly. The empty glass thudded hard against the table as he gave her a challenging stare. “I know wild.”

  “I bet you do.”

  “Come back to my hotel. You’ll forget all about being sad.”

  “That’s a very tempting offer. I just need one thing before I answer.”

  He leaned across the table and licked his lips, hungry with desire. “Yeah, what’s that?”

  “Hey Ben,” she called with a wave toward the bar. “I think I’ll take that martini now.”

  Chapter 4

  Tray

  * * *

  She’d turned down his offer. Even for a ride home, insisting Ben would walk her back to her place later. She’d called Ben off of actually tossing him out, since Lauren likely knew it would take more than a baseball bat to scare him. Tray had boxed all through his youth and his workouts kept him in fighting shape. Lauren had given him a sweet smile before waving him off and pulling up a seat at the bar with Ben.

  That didn’t even ding his ego. This was the kind of game he never got to play anymore. Women were asking his room number, propositioning him, the moment they knew who he was. At events, when the chatter of his arrival buzzed through the room, the single women swarmed. He was a rich eligible bachelor and while it had its perks, it just as often knocked the wind out of his sails.

  Lauren had been a gust in the right direction. She’d called him names, challenged him. Teased him. Turned him down. But more than anything she intrigued him. A mix of perfectly polish
ed and coy humor. Stubborn but struggling.

  He’d gone to his room, formulating a plan. He’d call the office tomorrow and ask for her. Let her know he wanted to talk more about the job offer. Dutiful Lauren would come spend the morning with him. Layla would certainly agree to the time off.

  The buzz of his phone was almost swallowed up by the hum of his thoughts of Lauren.

  “Hello?”

  “I thought you might be worried if I didn’t let you know I made it home safe.” Lauren’s sweet voice was low and quiet.

  “You got my number?”

  “I’m a doer. I can find anything, get anything, do anything. I’m very good at my job.”

  “I wasn’t worried about you getting home. I’m more concerned for the pathetic sucker who tries to give you any trouble.”

  “I wasn’t sure I made an accurate impression on you; now I know I did.” Her tired laugh sounded far off. “Thank you for the drink tonight and for not saying anything to Layla or Kenan about me being on the floor in Gloria’s office. I don’t want them to worry.”

  “If they’re your friends, maybe they should worry.”

  “I’m really fine.”

  “It’s not too late to come to my hotel room. I can have a car in front of your place. Just say the word.”

  “It’s far too late for that. Some of us have real jobs to be at in the morning.”

  “What if your job tomorrow was trying to convince me to take the COO role at Kinross? I think Layla would insist you give it a shot.”

  “You already said you don’t want the job. That’s not going to change by spending a morning with me. I’m good, but not that good.”

  “You need a break. I’m sending Layla an email. Be ready by eight in the morning. I’ll pick you up.”

  “For what? I hate surprises. I’m in no shape for some big shock. My heart can’t take it.”

  “Do you trust me?”

  “Of course I don’t. I don’t even know you.”

  “Do you believe Gloria trusted me?”