“So, how was the conference?”
Ian gave me a sympathetic look. “The conference was good. As for Melissa, she was there with Jonas. You mentioned you broke up, I assumed that was the reason?” he inquired.
Why is he pushing this? I didn’t want to know.
“No. Oh. I didn’t know.” I tried to stop the twitch in my face. “It’s fine. I’m happy for him,” I lied.
I took in a short breath and leaned my head against the window, soaking in the cold again to cool my hot skin, as I tried to piece myself back together after hearing Ian’s news. I’d broken off the companionship with Jonas and in just one week, he had replaced me.
What did I expect? He was gorgeous, rich, and an eligible bachelor. He could get anyone he wanted, just as Declan had said. Why would he waste his time with someone like me?
“I’m sorry, Lily. I didn’t mean to upset you,” Ian said, softening his tone in response to the crestfallen expression on my face. “For what it’s worth, I think Jonas is making a big mistake. If it was me, I wouldn’t let you go so easily.”
Easily. Easily replaced. The words stung, but from what I was coming to know about Ian, he wasn’t trying to hurt me. I supposed he was merely providing a dose of reality served up New York City style. Nevertheless, his words bit through the remains of my self-esteem.
Before the tears could begin flowing, the car stopped in front of the downtown police station, though I didn’t want to go there or be here at this moment. I wanted to be alone to lick my wounds and try to process the fact that Jonas had moved on from me. But I needed to settle what I had come for, which would require me to be brave. I needed to follow through on my quest to get rid of what was blocking my progress on becoming a new and improved Lily. I needed to press charges against Declan.
Standing in front of the building, an uneasiness settled over me. The dated architecture of the building, along with a swarm of blue uniforms amidst the less than desirable clientele had me thinking criminal. It was what my father would have classified as “a place best avoided.”
It wasn’t that my parents and I didn’t respect the police for their bravery and protection. It was just that we had our own prejudices against those needing their services, namely that they were categorically troubled or in trouble. My father would have been ashamed to see me here.
My mother, who went through the foster system in Dorchester, Massachusetts and was quite familiar with both the troubled and those in trouble, went to great lengths to ensure my world never brushed against either one. I surely hadn’t wanted to ruin her suburban utopia in Quincy by telling her that her daughter was being hurt by her then-boyfriend. I hadn’t ever wanted her to know that the world she had worked so hard to create, along with her only daughter, wasn’t perfect.
Sweat coated my body and my heart rate elevated as I placed my items on the security conveyor belt in the lobby. I couldn’t help but ponder the irony of the troubled and in trouble. It occurred to me that I was, then and now, both.
Going to the station with Ian had turned out to be a blessing, as he was able to guide me through the process and paperwork needed to file my initial criminal complaint against Declan. He handled most of the discussion. When a niggling of guilt gripped me, I only had to look at the photos of my injuries being placed in the file before me.
At the end, I was assigned a detective and a case number. The smug look of satisfaction on Declan’s face that I had witnessed earlier, when he sought to crush my spirit, also gave me the added strength to persevere in my pursuit of finally closing the door on this relationship.
I took in a deep breath of the chilled air as we stood on the sidewalk in front of the building. “Thank you, Ian. I truly appreciate all your help. We haven’t discussed legal fees….”
Ian smiled at me. “Dani would kill me. Besides, I barely did anything. I will also be connecting you to a friend, Diane Langston. She’s a criminal lawyer that will help you from here on out. She’s top of the line, but does pro-bono for…cases like yours.”
I curled my chin under. “For poor women in trouble.”
Ian folded his arms. “No. For brave women unfortunately linked to scumbags.”
I giggled. “Is that your professional opinion, Mr. Unger?”
“Yes, Ms. Salomé,” Ian said.
The car pulled up.
“I’m going to head home,” I said, pulling out my subway pass. “Thanks again.”
“I’m, of course, giving you a ride home. As well as dinner,” Ian said. “You do remember agreeing to dinner tonight?”
“I’m actually exhausted.”
I did remember, but I wanted to be alone to process. Seeing the disappointment on his face, however, I felt instantly guilty.
“But, well, maybe something light?” I added.
“Okay.” He grinned. “How about Per Se?”
I giggled at the impressive and pricey eatery. “Look at me? I’m hardly dressed for that place.”
I motioned towards my pencil skirt and loose shirt, and lifted my ballet flats. Ian’s gaze was hot on me as he moved over my body and back to my eyes.
“You look beautiful.”
My face went hot and I dipped my head. “Ian, I don’t know what to say.”
“You don’t have to say anything. I just wanted to be clear on my thoughts about you.” His lips curled up. “But we’ll skip Per Se. How about burgers? Would that be better?”
I turned my lips upward. I didn’t know what to make of his compliments, but perhaps a bit of friendly company would do me good.
“Sure.”
Ian chuckled. “That’s better.”
He placed his hand on my lower back and helped me inside his SUV. This time I let him. Ian rattled off a place I had never heard of and the divider window rose. His phone buzzed and he spoke to someone else as we sped through downtown towards the village. I turned my phone back on and found voice messages from Dani and Mary. I played Dani’s first.
“David called and told me what happened. Ian told me you were going to press charges. I know this is a huge step, and I just want you to know I’m here if you need someone to talk to. Jonas is, too.”
I swallowed. They were both extending friendship. I was still unsure about Dani, but now that I knew Jonas was with Melissa, I wouldn’t be contacting him anytime soon.
I quickly sent a text to Dani.
You’ve helped me plenty. Thank you again.
I next played the message from Mary.
“Are you still in San Francisco? I’m up to my ears with papers right now, but I’m not too busy for my best friend.”
My heart constricted. Mary. I needed to tell her the truth. Keeping this hidden from her, and everyone close to me, had always been hard. But now I felt especially compelled to tell her. Although we lived away from each other and had been moving in different directions since college, she was still my closest friend.
I had always justified not telling her because I feared she’d pressure me to end things with Declan. Once Mary set her mind on something, she was relentless. But I also knew she would be crushed by my secrecy. She thought of me as I did her, as a sister. I didn’t know what I was going to do. Truly, I couldn’t bear her disappointment.
The car stopped, bringing me away from my worries. My jaw unhinged as we got out and stood before the building. The entire space was steel and glass, with a large saucer spaceship coming out of the front of it.
“Ian. I didn’t know about this place. Is this new?”
He chuckled. “I thought you would like this, though I hope you’ll let me take you to Per Se next time,” he said confidently, holding the door open for me.
Maybe, I thought as I walked in and marveled at a replica of the Dr. Who Tardis in the corner, as well as photos from various sci-fi movies. The hostess approached us dressed like a steam-punk alien. She led us into one of the circular booths in the middle of the restaurant and left the menus with us.
“This is great,” I said, look
ing around the restaurant at the patrons.
They were a great mix of trendy hipsters, steam punks, and families. Ian reached over and squeezed my hand.
“You’re shaking,” he said.
“I didn’t realize.”
He released my hand. I took a few deep breaths until I calmed down. Breathe, I thought, and my mind wandered over to Jonas and our Tantra yoga session from a few weeks before. I attempted to hide my facial expression, no doubt a goofy grin, by picking up the water that an alien had dropped off and drank it down.
“What are you thinking?” Ian asked, a broad smile appearing on his face. “Whatever it is, please share.”
My skin heated. “Uhm. Sorry. It was nothing,” I stammered.
He chuckled. “Well, whatever it was, keep it up. That look on your face is almost as lovely as your smile.”
He gave me his own dimpled grin.
I blushed all the more. “So, Ian, did you grow up here?”
“Here and Connecticut with my brother and sister. I went to Yale, and then rebelled, as it was my stepfather’s alma mater. From there, I went to Harvard Law. After that, I moved to New York City and worked in corporate,” Ian said. “You?”
Glancing over at him, I found he was gazing intently at me. Once again, I had been spending time with a man well above my pay grade that I would never have. Was he considering me for a sexual companion, like I’d been to Jonas? No thank you. Exchanging one man for another was outside my level of experience.
I cleared my throat and said, “Boston, Quincy with my parents…then Boston University, and New York. Then I started working with Arch.”
He nodded. The waitress came by for our orders, and I picked up the menu.
“I’ll have a black hole three bean soup, and salad,” I said and handed the menu to the waitress, bracing myself for Ian to protest my choice as Jonas would have. But he didn’t.
“Saucer burger, fries, and a chocolate shake.” He leaned over close to my ear. “You must try the shakes, they’re better than that thought you were having a minute ago.”
I grinned. “Alright. A small vanilla shake.”
“So, you were living and came from Massachusetts? Why didn’t you return to Boston after Declan broke things off?” Ian asked.
My smile wilted. Ian knowing the darker parts of my life left him privy to things I didn’t care to discuss with anyone.
“Well, after my parents died, I never felt like I had much to go back to. I had my best friend Mary, but she’s doing a master’s degree at Boston College. I liked my job at Arch and my apartment in Jersey City. So I stayed.”
Ian’s seemed to contemplate that for a moment. “I just assumed it would be difficult to start over in an unfamiliar city, but let’s talk about something that will bring back your smile. So, what did you think of Star Trek’s Into the Darkness in comparison to Wrath of Khan?”
I laughed. “My friend Mary has a whole fifty-page paper she wrote in her spare time on just that topic. I’m not an old school snob. I love the new Star Trek movies. You?”
“I did, too. But nothing beats William Shatner screaming ‘Khan!’.”
We both laughed.
“So besides science fiction, what do you enjoy doing?” Ian asked.
The waitress returned with our food and I used the delay to think of something interesting that didn’t involve Declan or Jonas.
“I try to help with an art week for children that my mother established called Salomé Love Legacy. I read, and watch old movies.”
I shrugged and took a sip of my shake and moaned. It was heaven.
“Sounds good.” Ian cleared his throat. “What do you do for fun besides watch movies? Do you like to dance?”
“Well, not formally,” I said between bites of my salad. “I used to enjoy live concerts in college. A few nightclubs, but it’s not really my scene.”
He nodded and ate his burger. “Well. I’ve been invited to the Finch Fanatic Shimmy under the Stars Gala Fundraiser. Say that five times fast.” He gave me a dimpled grin. “It’s really a great night out and a good cause. Would you go with me?”
I hesitated, unsure of what to say. I wasn’t over Jonas, and with all that was going on, the last thing I wanted to do was start something new, especially since I had hoped Ian and I could be friends.
“So, what’s your answer?” Ian asked and I realized it wasn’t the first time.
“I don’t think I want to go. Thanks.”
Silence fell between us. I looked up from my soup, noticing Ian’s disappointed gaze, and instantly felt guilty. It’s only a dance, so why not?
“Oh. Okay. Sure.”
A grin spread across Ian’s face. “Good girl.”
“Never call me that. Please,” I huffed.
“Alright.”
He laughed and I laughed, too. When I stopped, he held a fry to my lips and a pang went through me at the thought of Jonas feeding me.
I took it in my hand. “Thanks.”
I plastered on a smile and ate it.
His gaze lingered on my mouth then met my eyes. “So, it’s a date.”
CHAPTER 6
“You can fit it,” Natasha said.
Her tone ebbed with surprise, as I easily zipped up the back of the black and silver gown I had borrowed from her for the gala event. I had spent most of that morning at Bliss Spa getting a wax, manicure, and pedicure. Since Dee was on vacation, I was able to get his second in command, Marco, to put my hair up in a beautiful French twist. He had even managed to cover my dark circles with “Tim Burton-esque smoke eyes.” I was called every gorgeous, gothic woman Marc could think of on my way out the door. It didn’t give me the full esteem lift I would have gained from Dee, but fitting easily into one of Natasha’s designer dresses certainly helped.
The black-jeweled gown accentuated my curves, but was modest enough to make me comfortable, except for the lace thong that I wore underneath. The thong was still better than Natasha’s recommendation of nothing at all. My favorite part of the outfit was that my mother’s diamond and silver necklace still looked fine with this dress.
As I stared in my mirrored wardrobe, I couldn’t help but recall the symphony Jonas took me to a couple weeks back. I had spent that night in his piercing blue gaze, with rapt attention on every little thing I did. His lean muscular arms had comforted me whenever I needed him. God, I miss him.
The front bell rang.
“Get your coat and clutch. Put on the heels,” Natasha barked out her orders. “You should have bought a new pair of shoes. Did you see the salt on the sidewalks, silly? These are black silk,” she scolded.
“I’ll be careful,” I promised as I slipped them on.
I exited my bedroom and sought out my handsome escort, Ian Unger. He had on a black tux. His hair was neatly styled back from his face, showing off his high cheekbones. His eyes glimmered and a smile spread across his face as I came into the room.
“You look beautiful,” Ian said.
I blushed. “Thank you. So do you.”
He surprised me by leaning down and placing a light kiss on my cheek. “Let’s go. Nice meeting you, Natasha.”
“Likewise,” Natasha purred.
She frowned when Ian’s focus returned swiftly back to me. He clasped my hand and we walked out of the apartment building, climbing into the waiting limousine that took us to the New York Pavilion for the gala event.
As we pulled up to the curb, I was in awe. The three story neo-Romanesque building lit up like the night sky. There were three rings of fire with light sparkles set in front of a large sign displaying the years dance theme: Finch Fanatic’s Shimmy-ring Stars. We moved across the stone walkway. Once we handed over the golden ticket, we entered the star-studded foyer where celebrities and socialites mixed with the wealthy and elite. I clasped tightly to his arm, as Ian walked with confidence to the table seating area for the dinner and introduced us to the two other couples at our table.
Despite initially feeling out of
place, I eased a bit as the food and drinks were served and we all settled into polite conversation.
After the meal, we watched a dance group dressed in clothing replicating the last fifty years of dance crazes. It culminated in Mark Ronson’s Uptown Funk, at which point we were all invited to join in. I was surprised when Ian grabbed my hand, and we danced together with those few willing souls that stepped out in the center.
Dancing was always a good stress reliever for me in the privacy of my bedroom. I wasn’t as sure of myself in public, but what I found was that I needn’t have worried. Ian had moves that surprised me, expertly maneuvering us around the dance floor. The crowd gave us room and encouragement. At the end of the song, Ian pulled me against his hard body as claps exploded around us. It was the perfect moment for a kiss, which he went for. With the pressure of the captive audience, I accepted by offering pressure against his lips, but not deepening it. I then moved my head and took a step back.
Ian lean next to my ear. “I’ve been wanting to do that since the moment I met you.”
I touched my lips in surprise, though I knew Ian wasn’t hiding anything from me. I also knew that he was moving too fast and far ahead of me. Walking in front of him, I felt the faint trace of his hand along my lower back as we made our way to our seats. Too much indeed.
“You’re a great dancer, Lily,” Ian said.
I shrugged. “Hardly. You’re like Justin Timberlake.”
He laughed and I joined in with him, unknotting the muscles I was tensing.
“Anyway, I enjoyed that,” he said, lightly touching the side of my face. I moved my face and picked up my wine, taking a sip. A central stage lit up, and a couple took their place in front of the microphone.
“Good evening and thank you all for attending the 15th Annual Finch Fanatic. I’m Arthur Finch, and this is my fiancée, Rita Wallis.”
The attendees started to cheer and clap.
“Finch Fanatic raises money for national charities to help children in need and combat poverty. Our last event raised over five million dollars. That’s lunch money for some of you. There has been a change in the presenters this evening. An honorable and pleasured addition to our foundation has graciously agreed to announce our list of charities that we will be sponsoring this year. It is with honor and pleasure I introduce a name synonymous with business as well as philanthropy, Jonas Crane.”
Tiger Lily: Part Two Page 4
