Sharon jumped up to give her a hug. “I’m so glad you’re here. Blake and I have been wanting to celebrate with our families ever since the news was confirmed. But we had to wait for Kurt to come back from Asia.”
Kurt put up his hands. “Hey, wasn’t like I wanted to spend three weeks over there. Blame your husband. He’s the CEO.”
Cynthia turned to Kurt. “You’ve been in Asia all this time?”
“Left the day we did the photo shoot.” Kurt stared intently at her. “I thought I’d told you that?”
Cynthia just shook her head, her thoughts spinning.
“Was a hell of a trip too,” Blake said, then turned to his frowning mother. “Sorry. Heck of a trip?” He tried to look contrite.
“Sorry Mom, but that is about the best way to describe it.” Kurt grabbed his beer and took a swig. “Got food poisoning the first night. One of the companies we visited wanted us to experience some culture and took us through the night market. I should have known better than to buy food off one of those carts. Especially since it didn’t exactly have a long line of locals waiting to buy.”
“That’s why you look so skinny.” Marjorie shook her spoon at him.
“Well, that’s also partly Cynthia’s fault.” Kurt turned to her, his eyes glinting. “She’d been working me hard to get me ready for that photo shoot. Said she didn’t want me to have a pot belly.”
“What?” Cynthia looked at Kurt in surprise. “I did not—”
“And she put me on this hideous diet,” Kurt continued as if she hadn’t said a word. “I’ve never eaten so much dry chicken and fish and bland steamed vegetables in my life.”
Sharon’s eyebrows rose. “Cynthia cooked for you? And it was bad? I don’t believe it. She’s a gourmet. I used to beg her to invite me over for dinner.”
Cynthia squirmed in her seat, not wanting to look directly at Sharon. Sharon knew about her plan to cook bad food intentionally. Surely she hadn’t forgotten. She peered a little closer. Sharon’s nose was twitching a little, a telltale sign that she was pulling someone’s leg. Sharon was up to something.
“Is that so?” Kurt turned to Cynthia, his eyebrows raised.
Cynthia tried valiantly to keep a straight face, but at Marjorie’s chuckle, she lost it. She started giggling.
“You laugh now.” Kurt’s face took on an aggrieved look. “My staff was starting to think I had mental issues, I was so cranky all the time.”
“So that’s why you were such a butthead,” Blake said, grinning.
“Blake, really.” Marjorie’s chastisement lost a bit of its bite when she started laughing. She walked over and put her hands on Kurt’s shoulders. “Poor dear. You must have done something to make Cynthia upset. She’s a fabulous cook. And I mean better than some of those big name chefs at those fancy places you insist on taking me to. I should know. I’ve been the beneficiary of some of her meals during the foundation planning sessions.”
“Who me?” Kurt put a hand to his chest and gave them a wide-eyed look. “I was coerced into posing for a calendar as if I was a piece of meat. And all I asked for was Cynthia’s company for a few workouts.”
Cynthia snorted. “All you asked—”
“So I’m thinking Cynthia owes me one now,” Kurt continued right over her protests. “And I’ve decided that she’s going to accompany me to all the foundation events leading up to the big night. She’ll be my date.”
“What?” Cynthia spluttered. “Don’t you think I’ve—” She stopped when she received a hard kick under the table from Sharon. She looked over at her in surprise. What the heck?
“What a wonderful idea,” Sharon said, giving her the look Cynthia knew from years of friendship meant shut up and I’ll tell you later. “Cynthia has to be there anyway, and that way Blake and I can have company.”
“But—” Another hard kick received under the table had Cynthia setting her mouth in a hard line. She tried to catch Sharon’s eye.
Sharon ignored her, turning instead to Marjorie. “And you’ll be there for the ball and auction as well, right? Let’s go all out and get one of the box seats up front, near the stage and dance floor. Didn’t you say there were some still available?”
Cynthia watched as Marjorie and Sharon exchange an odd look.
“I’ve already got one. And I was wondering how to fill it.” Marjorie clapped her hands together in delight. She turned to Cynthia. “I know it’s a lot to ask of you, to put up with all of us, but seeing as you have to attend anyway, please say yes. I would love to have a table filled with family.”
Cynthia looked around the table. Four expectant faces awaited her answer. She knew she was being abnormally meek, but she had a hard time saying no to the effervescent older woman. And despite being highly annoyed by Sharon’s actions, let alone the fact that she was probably going to have an enormous bruise on her leg tomorrow, she couldn’t say no to her best friend either.
At least that’s what she told herself as she nodded slowly to Marjorie. The fact that she was going to be out with Kurt socially didn’t factor into it at all, right?
But as the dinner progressed, with everyone enjoying Marjorie’s delicious cooking, she finally figured out that little niggle that had been bugging her earlier. If Kurt really wanted to be there with her, why didn’t he ask her out, as in a real date? Why all this silliness with basically coercing her to do what he wanted? Hadn’t they played that routine already?
Chapter 14
“That doesn’t look like a work-related activity.” Sharon teased Cynthia when she walked into the Grandma’s Antiques office a few days later.
“I consider it compensatory time for medical injuries acquired from my employer.” Cynthia kept her gaze on the website she had open on her screen. The Napa valley bed and breakfast was perfect for Kurt’s fantasy weekend. The 19th century mansion with its leaded glass windows, surrounded by rose gardens, trickling fountains and picket fences promised romance and seclusion.
“Planning a getaway?” Sharon prompted.
“I’m ignoring you.”
“Oh let it go.” Sharon waved a hand impatiently in her face. “You were going to miss a prime opportunity.”
“For what, to make more of a fool of myself?” Cynthia clicked on the ‘Packages’ link. Yep, the ‘Celebrate’ package was perfect. What woman wouldn’t want two nights with Kurt that included a Swedish massage, champagne, fresh flowers, and chocolate-dipped strawberries—all provided in a Victorian-decorated room with a real fireplace and old-fashioned tub for a luxurious bubble bath?
Sharon peered over her shoulder. “That looks right up your alley. You could even wear some of those period costumes you’re so fond of. Maybe even with a corset?”
Cynthia’s hand hovered over the ‘Book this Package’ link. “I’m arranging Kurt’s fantasy getaway weekend, as ordered. This is not for me.”
“My mistake,” Sharon said, shrugging her shoulders. “And you were, you know.”
“I was what?” Cynthia asked, a frown creasing her brow. She entered the credit card information Kurt had supplied her with. And not for the first time thought about how completely he trusted her, first the keys to his house, now his credit card. She could have bought all kinds of stuff with this credit card information by now.
“Missing a prime opportunity.” Sharon put a hand on Cynthia’s shoulder to swivel the chair, so that Cynthia faced her instead of the computer. “He was giving you a chance to show him that you care about him.”
“You’re hallucinating. He is not, and I repeat not interested in me.” Cynthia tucked the printout of the reservation confirmation into a folder.
Sharon stared at her for a moment. “What happened?”
Cynthia swiveled the chair back so she faced the computer again. “I don’t want to talk about it.” She defiantly hit the confirmation link. “There, I’m done. Last thing I have to do for his weekend. He better appreciate it. But if not, too bad. I plan to be far from the phone that weekend. And the
sooner this silly auction comes, the better.”
“My, my, my, someone’s in a bad mood.” Sharon took off her heels, put a hand on the small of her back and stretched. “For someone who doesn’t care, you’re pretty animated.”
Cynthia scowled at her. “Look, you got your way. I’m going to be at the next couple of events and the final auction with Kurt, and you and Blake. Don’t put more into it than there is.”
Sharon put her hands up in defense. “Okay, okay. Got the message.” She slipped her shoes back on with a grimace and turned back toward the stairs heading down to the main sales floor. Over her shoulder, she left a parting shot. “But you know you’ve just created your own fantasy weekend. I’ll bet you’ve rented a convertible to drive up the coast with too.”
Cynthia winced, thinking of the blue convertible Mustang she’d arranged to have Kurt borrow for that weekend. That was just because the dealership wanted to support the foundation, and it would be great advertising for them to have Kurt and his auction winner be photographed in one of their best vehicles, she told herself.
Problem was, she had trouble convincing herself.
Chapter 15
The doorbell rang ten minutes before Kurt had said he would pick her up. Kurt was early. Early! What man did that? Cynthia gave a sigh of relief that she had been so nervous about this event that she had started getting ready an hour before she’d needed to.
She made her way to the front door of her condo, stopping to take one last peek in the mirror in the entrance area. The royal blue silk blouse with its wide sweetheart neckline showed off her décolletage, covered the part of her upper arms she wasn’t fond of, nipped in at the waist and then flared out in a tiny peplum. She pursed her lips and looked at herself critically for a moment. It was a style she would never have worn a couple of months ago, but it works now, she thought. When she had a chance, she would update the skirt too, but for now, the simple black column did the job.
Taking a deep breath, she opened the door, and stood there stunned for a moment. Kurt wore a close fitting, but traditional tuxedo with a simple, black-studded white shirt and bow tie. It fit him so beautifully, she assumed it was custom made. He’d cut his gorgeous curls way short since the photo shoot. He had a simple white carnation in his lapel and held a bouquet of dahlias in a deep, almost black, wine red. He looked like a dream, and he was hers for tonight anyway.
“Well look at you,” Cynthia said, trying for a nonchalant tone, even though her heart was racing. “You clean up nice.”
Kurt leaned over to kiss her on the cheek as if it was the most natural thing in the world. “You look beautiful.”
“Trying to keep up with my pretty boy.” She patted his cheek, keeping her tone light.
Kurt frowned. “You know I hate that term.”
“When the shoe fits…” Cynthia winked at him. “So are those flowers for me, or are you going to carry them like a prop all night? Because they do look good on you, you know.”
“Would you cut that out? Of course they’re for you.” Kurt practically shoved the flowers at her. He ran his hand across the back of his neck. “Is this event going to last super long?”
Cynthia’s heart sank. He didn’t want to go, that much was obvious. So why had he insisted she go with him? Deflated, her tone came out sharper than normal. “Trying to figure out soon you can escape before we even get there?”
Kurt looked up quickly. “No, no, not at all. It’s just that I’ve got something else—”
Cynthia interrupted him. “You’ve got something else planned and you need to know how soon you can leave without seeming impolite.” She turned to put the flowers in water.
Kurt stopped her before she moved more than a couple of steps. “Why are you being so touchy?”
“It’s not like I asked you to come with me to this event, Kurt. And I have to stay long enough to make my speech and do my thing as a board member.” Cynthia couldn’t bring herself to address Kurt’s real question. “So if you have to leave, then leave. I’ll get a ride home with someone.”
“Seeing as what I have planned later involves you, that wouldn’t work too well.” Kurt brushed an errant hair out of her face. “And if I bring you, I take you home.” He scowled at little at her. “Do you think so little of me?”
Cynthia sighed. She felt like an idiot. The man had come early to a date with her, even if he hadn’t actually asked her out as he should have. And he had brought her flowers. But she had jumped all over him. “I’m sorry.”
“Why?”
Kurt didn’t have to explain the question. Cynthia knew what he meant. She took a deep breath. “You make me nervous.”
Kurt raised his eyebrows, brought his hands to his chest in an exaggerated gesture of innocence.
Cynthia giggled. “Yes. You.” She put the flowers down, and turned to face him, pointing a finger into his chest. “I mean, look at you. Mr. Movie Star Handsome.” She drew back and pointed at herself from head to toe. “And look at me. A somewhat less pudgy than before, but definitely not model gorgeous woman. Everyone is going to be looking at us and saying why is he with her?”
“Cynthia,” Kurt said softly, putting his hand up to her face. “I wish you would stop doing that. I’m with you because I want to be with you. And what I see is a beautiful, real woman with a pretty face...” He kissed her on one cheek and then the other. “Beautiful blue eyes…” He kissed her near the side of each eye. “A body with great curves…” He put his arms around her and drew her in close. “And a very kissable mouth.” He leaned down to brush her lips with hers.
Cynthia looked up at him in a daze. “Really?” Had he really just kissed her? Kissed her! Voluntarily! Could that mean that Sharon was right?
“Really.” He chuckled and tapped a finger on her nose, breaking her momentary spell. “And while I’d like to continue in this vein, I thought you had a speech to do?”
“Oh my gosh.” Cynthia put a hand to her face. Of course not. What had she been thinking? If he’d really been into her, he would have continued, wouldn’t he? Wouldn’t he? “You’re right. I totally forgot.” She peeked at her watch. “Good thing you were early. We’ve still got time.”
Kurt looked startled. “I was early?” He pulled up his jacket sleeve and frowned down at the empty paler patch of skin where he normally wore his watch. “That’s got to be a first.”
~ ~ ~
The Bocher Foundation’s ‘Contributor Appreciation Dinner’ brought many of the city’s most philanthropic citizens together every year. Kurt had attended before as an escort for his mother, and knew a number of the attendees through his business network. But Cynthia’s natural ease in moving from group to group truly surprised him. Here was a woman who not only seemed to be acquainted with just about everyone in the room, she knew details about their lives that she used to make even the quietest person join in with her in animated conversation.
He thought back to some of the women he had dated, the ones his brother had jokingly referred to as his latest arm decorations. While he knew it wasn’t exactly politically correct, Blake had a point, as they did little more than smile when he’d done the obligatory socializing his position required. Cynthia, on the other hand, clearly belonged in a class of her own. He had practically turned into her arm decoration, because she carried the conversations with such ease.
As they traveled together about the room, Kurt’s admiration grew. Cynthia had the little old ladies laughing and patting her hand. The younger women preened when she admired their appearance, or asked about their children. She had been kissed on the cheek by an annoyingly large number of men around his age, a fact that had Kurt holding back uncharacteristic jealousy. And she even managed to adroitly deflect the impolite comments of an older gentleman, putting a warning hand on Kurt when she’d felt him tense up, ready to intervene.
“You should have let me say something,” Kurt told her, after they’d moved on to their dinner table. “That was downright rude.”
&nbs
p; “He’s from another era,” Cynthia murmured. “He’s had some strokes that rewired his brain a bit. He’s less inhibited now, so he sometimes blurts out things that in the past, he probably wouldn’t have. So I let it go. He’s harmless. Besides, if you’d affronted him, Mrs. Bocher wouldn’t be too happy. That man is her brother.”
“No excuse.” Kurt let out a deep breath and tried to school his features to a calmer place when he caught Cynthia’s amused look.
As they settled into the dinner, Kurt noticed Cynthia just pushing her food around. He gave her a little nudge to draw her attention away from the annoyingly chirpy woman on her other side to whisper. “It’s not as bad as some conference dinners, why aren’t you eating?”
“Too nervous,” she replied in an undertone.
He raised his eyebrows and waited for more.
“About the speech,” she whispered, but couldn’t say more because at that moment, the emcee of the night, a local radio personality, introduced her.
“And now, please help me in welcoming Cynthia Rowe, who will be giving a talk about the Bocher Foundation’s work. Cynthia is a local businesswoman, part owner of Grandma’s Antiques, a store I’m sure many of you are familiar with, as well as a marketing consultant. Cynthia has volunteered for the Bocher Foundation for many years now. I’m sure many of you in the room tonight have encountered her considerable skills in negotiation…”
The emcee paused as laughter came from the audience.
He looked directly at Kurt and Cynthia’s table. “I got conned by Cynthia into doing her first ‘Hunk of the Month’ calendar seven years ago. I know, it’s hard to believe…”
The man stepped away from the podium to pat his rather large pot belly to more laughter. “But I have Cynthia to thank for my wife, Alisa, who bought my fantasy weekend at that first auction, and we’ve been together ever since. So all you bachelors of this year’s calendar, be forewarned, you may not be in the same boat next year.”
Loving Mr. July Page 10
