The Best of All

by Vanessa Miller

  “A lot of New Yorkers and New Jersey folks have relocated to Charlotte.”

  “So you think it’s the transplants to the city who are down here causing all these accidents?”

  “Could be. I mean, this is kind of crazy.” Surry pointed to a spot on the north side of 77. “Look, there’s another accident.”

  Ian’s focus was now on being careful as he drove this stretch of highway, but he still couldn’t get that dress Surry was wearing off his mind. “So...is this the only dress you have that makes a woman feel like ‘a queen for a day’?”

  She shook her head. “I developed lots of dresses with the feel of royalty. I actually call it my Nubian Princess line, and it was this line that attracted the department store chains to my designs.”

  “How well is the Nubian Princess line doing in your store?”

  “I haven’t started selling them in the store yet. I designed them for the chain stores because they wanted something different. The dresses are beautiful, so I just hope the deal will still go through.”

  “Trust me, you don’t have a thing to worry about.”

  Surry glanced over at Ian with wonderment dancing in her eyes. “Ian, you don’t know much about the fashion industry, yet you sound so confident you’re starting to make me believe that everything will turn out all right.”

  He nodded. “In my world, it’s not what you know, but whom you know.” He winked at her. “I got this.”

  She smiled and leaned back in her seat.

  They made it to Monroe’s grand residence, got out of the car and headed for the door. The butler answered. Ian whispered in Surry’s ear, “How would you like to have one of those?”

  Surry shook her head. “Too formal.”

  The butler welcomed them in and pointed them toward the parlor. And Surry continued, “I don’t care how much money I make, I think I’ll always answer my own door.”

  “I guess I know what not to get you for Christmas.”

  Ian grabbed hold of Surry’s hand as they walked into the parlor. Monroe and his wife, Barbara, were standing close to the entrance. Monroe turned slightly toward the entrance and then his eyes did a double take. Ian grinned. Monroe was probably thinking the same thing he was thinking.... Surry was going to be the most beautiful woman in the room.

  “Well, my boy,” Monroe began, “I guess I see why you didn’t need my help with that matter we discussed.”

  “That’s right, sir, I think I’ve got it covered,” Ian said, turning to Surry. She grinned back at him, handling the charade beautifully. He then turned to Barbara Monroe and said, “Mrs. Monroe, I’d like to introduce you to my date, Surry McDaniel.”

  Barbara held out a hand for Surry. “I’m Barbara, dear. And where on earth did you get that divine dress?”

  Surry shook Barbara’s hand and opened her mouth to respond, but Ian cut her off.

  He turned to the governor and said, “Before we answer that, Surry, may I introduce you to Governor Monroe. He led the great state of North Carolina through a revitalization period that brought the banking industry to Charlotte and aided in the growth this state is now experiencing.”

  “He has to say those nice things about me,” Monroe said as he held out a hand for Surry. When she took it, he added, “Very nice to meet you. Now I see why Ian’s eyes light up when he speaks of you.”

  “Is that right?” Surry asked with a sideways glance at Ian.

  “Uh, Mrs. Monroe, back to your question.” Ian lifted Surry’s arm, allowing the Monroes to get a full view of the dress. “Surry is a designer. She made this dress herself.”

  “You don’t say.” Barbara put her hand to her cheek. “I’ve never seen anything so elegant. What is the name of your dress shop?”

  “Designs from the Motherland, but I’m located in Houston.”

  Barbara’s face dropped. “That’s too bad. I don’t get out to Houston much.”

  “Don’t worry,” Ian assured her. “Surry’s designs will soon be in stores all over the U.S. We’ll keep you posted.”

  “But until that time, I could mail you a catalog and I can just send you whatever you see that you like.”

  “Perfect.”

  Two other guests arrived, so Ian and Surry made their way around the room. “I think you made Barbara’s day.”

  “Are you kidding?” Surry whispered in Ian’s ear. “Having her wear my designs while she and her husband are out campaigning...she just made my day.”

  “Do I at least get a peck on the cheek for introducing you?”

  “Ian, you don’t have to make up reasons to receive kisses. I kind of like kissing you. So, I’d be more than happy to do it again. But not right now.”

  He looked at her for a moment, stunned at the fact that she would admit even the slightest attraction she had for him. But kissing was a long way from wanting a commitment, so he still didn’t know where he stood with this woman. So he simply nodded. “I’ll get back with you on that later this evening.”

  “Ian!” A woman waved from across the room.

  Ian’s and Surry’s heads swiveled in the direction of the beautiful woman headed their way. “Is that the governor’s niece?” Surry asked with a scowl on her face.

  The woman was in front of them before Ian could answer. She said, “I’ve been trying to get with you since our first meeting. My uncle wants the two of us to work very closely—” her voice purred as she talked “—on this project.”

  Surry hooked arms with Ian. She was almost glaring at the woman standing in front of Ian as she asked, “What project are you and Ian working on?”

  “It’s highly classified,” she said, still looking at Ian. “I really couldn’t discuss it with you. Sorry.”

  Feeling a bit uncomfortable with the way Reese was dismissing Surry and with the way Surry was glaring at Reese, Ian positioned himself in the middle of the women as he held on to Surry’s hand. “Reese, I don’t believe you’ve met my date, Ms. Surry McDaniel.”

  Reese gave a quick hello to Surry and then turned back to Ian and boldly asked, “So, when do you think you’ll be back in Charlotte...alone?”

  Ian felt Surry’s nails boring into the fleshy part of his hand. “I don’t plan to come back...alone,” he answered, and then the pressure of Surry’s nails subsided.

  “Have it your way.” Reese flipped her long hair over her shoulder and then strutted off like a woman who’d been told of her beauty one too many times.

  Surry kept her voice low, but she let Ian know how she felt. “That was rude.”

  “A little,” Ian admitted. “But you didn’t have to draw blood.” He lifted his hand and rubbed the spots where Surry’s nails had dug in.

  “Sorry about that. I was trying to remain on my best behavior like you asked me to, but that woman really ticked me off.” Surry’s eyes were squinting with anger.

  “I appreciate that you kept your cool. Now, just know that I’m not off fooling around by day and dating you at night.”

  Surry turned a cold shoulder to him. “It’s really not my concern what you do with your time.”

  “Mmm, that’s why I’m in need of stitches.”

  Surry laughed. “Stop being a big baby. I didn’t dig my nails into your hand that bad.” She then pulled his hand toward her, turned it over and saw the marks she’d made. Surry then lowered her head and kissed the marks. “There, does that make it all better?”

  Ian was speechless. Surry had done it again. In a room full of people, she managed to make him see only her. He wanted her all to himself, and he didn’t know what to do with his feelings because he was so tired of being overlooked by this woman. Ian didn’t know if he was imagining things, but she seemed to be into him. She had certainly softened since their first few interactions. But would she reject him at this point?

&nb
sp; * * *

  Had she really just kissed Ian’s hand? Was she losing her mind over this man? What was wrong with her? Where was her pride? She was the one with the “queen for a day” dress on, but if she was kissing Ian’s hand, she might as well bow down to him and be done with it. Turning slightly this way and that to see if anyone saw what she’d done, Surry caught a glimpse of Reese glaring at her. But no one else seemed to be paying them any attention.

  She put Ian’s hand down and stepped back. Clasping her hands together, she asked, “So, when do you think lunch will be served?”

  “Barbara will be seating us soon, I’m sure.” Ian glanced around the room and then turned back to Surry. “Do you mind if we mingle? I see a few people that I need to speak with and hopefully arrange a meeting or two.”

  “For when you come back to Charlotte?” Surry tried to ask as nonchalantly as possible, but in truth, she had been shocked when Reese mentioned that Ian would be back in Charlotte. But she really didn’t know why she was shocked, because if Ian was going to be working with Governor Monroe, it only made sense that he would live where Monroe lived. But the thing that bothered Surry even more than the fact that Ian would possibly be living in Charlotte, was the fact that it mattered to her.

  They walked around the room, making small talk with city officials. Ian collected business cards and passed his out. Ian was in his element, having a good time and making connections. They sat down for lunch and once it was over, Ian was back on the networking game. That grin on his face was priceless as far as Surry was concerned. That was the reason she noticed the minute it left and Ian’s eyes became cloudy and unreadable.

  She turned toward the entrance, where Ian’s eyes had been focused, and watched as an older gentlemen walked in with swag to match his swag. He was slapping hands and passing out cards just as Ian had been doing. Surry noticed something else also. The man looked like an older version of Ian.

  Seeing the astonished look on Ian’s face, she leaned into him and whispered, “Do you know that man?”

  “Unfortunately, I do.” With that, Ian strode off in the direction the man was headed.

  It looked to Surry as if there was about to be a massive collision, worse than anything they had witnessed on Interstate 77.

  Chapter 9

  “Ian, my boy, look who’s here,” Monroe said as he and Walter Duncan stood slapping each other’s backs like long-lost friends. “I’ve been begging this guy to come and see me for months. He decides to show up the week you’re here.”

  Now Ian knew why he was “boy” and “young man” with Monroe. It wasn’t his age. It was because Ian’s father was pulling the strings. And if a man needed his daddy to pull strings for him, he might as well be called a boy.

  Ian stepped up to them. He looked from Monroe to his dad. “Is there something that you two want to tell me?” Ian asked as he tried to hold on to his cool.

  “No, no, son.” Walter patted Ian’s shoulder. “I had some business to attend to in Charlotte. So, I thought I’d come over and check you out. You don’t mind your old man being here, do you?”

  “Not at all. Knock yourself out.” Ian walked back over to Surry, put his hand on the small of her back and whispered into her ear. “Do you mind if we leave now?”

  Looking up at him, she smiled sweetly. “I’m ready whenever you are.” Ian began walking her out of the room. Surry pointed toward Monroe. “Don’t you need to tell him that we’re leaving?”

  “I’ll get with him tomorrow.” Ian rushed her out of the parlor. They made it as far as the front door before their escape was halted by Ian’s dad.

  “Son,” Walter said as he came into the foyer, “are you going to leave without introducing me to this lovely woman?”

  Ian rolled his eyes heavenward and then turned to face his father. “This is Surry McDaniel.” Ian pointed toward Surry and then said, “Surry, this is my father, Walter Duncan.”

  Surry and Walter shook hands. “Nice to meet you, sir.”

  “It’s my pleasure,” Walter said. “Since Ian left home for college, I never get a chance to meet any of his ladies.”

  “Surry and I are just friends, Dad, so just leave it alone, okay?”

  Walter gave Surry a suggestive grin as he said, “If my Ian is fool enough to let you get away, he’s no son of mine.”

  “Same old Dad, huh?”

  As if remembering something he’d long forgotten, Walter’s eyes widened as shame crossed his face. “I didn’t mean it like that, Ian.”

  “Yeah, I’m sure you didn’t. I’ve got to go.” He grabbed hold of Surry’s arm and walked out the door.

  Walter held on to the doorknob as he told Ian, “I’m staying at the Ritz-Carlton. If you’d like to talk, come see me.”

  Ian kept walking. There was nothing for him to say to his father. He just wanted to get away. Everything had been going so well. He had the woman he wanted on his arm, the game-changing job and the respect of his peers. Then his father walked in the door and he was nineteen and feeling like a failure again. Why the man would interfere in his life now when he was making it happen on his own, Ian didn’t know.

  “What happened in there?” Surry asked once they were in the car and headed back to the hotel.

  “I’m good.” He had a stranglehold on the steering wheel and a scowl on his face. “Do you need anything before I drop you at the hotel?”

  “You’re not coming in?” Surry asked as if he were dropping her at her home in Houston.

  “I need to clear my head. I’m going to drive around the city for a little while.” He put his hand against his head as he squinted. “I think I need to pick up a pain pill also.”

  Surry opened her purse. “I have some Tylenol. When we get to the hotel, I’ll get you a bottle of water before you go off on your drive.”

  “Don’t put yourself out on my account.”

  Surry’s eyebrow rose at that comment, but she kept her voice level as she said, “I don’t mind helping you, Ian. I don’t want you driving all over town with an aching head.”

  She sounded as if she actually cared about him. On another day, Ian would have analyzed that. But he just didn’t have time to wonder about his love life when his career was falling apart. He pulled up to the hotel.

  Surry jumped out of the car and left her passenger door open as she said, “Don’t drive off. I’ll be right back with the water.” She hurried into the hotel, asked the desk clerk for a bottle of water and then ran back outside and jumped in the car. She handed Ian the bottle of water and then gave him two pain pills. “Take these.”

  “Look at you, being all bossy and acting like somebody’s nurse or something.”

  “Just take the pills, Ian.”

  He took them, handed her back the bottle of water and said, “Thanks.”

  “All right, so will I see you later?” Surry asked.

  “I’ll be back around six to take you to dinner.”

  “Sounds good.” Surry got out of the car and headed back into the hotel as Ian drove off.

  Down the street at a stoplight, Ian took out his cell phone and called his father. When Walter picked up, he said, “I need to see you now. I’ll be at your hotel in an hour.”

  * * *

  Surry was confused by what had transpired this afternoon. One minute he was commanding the room, taking names and collecting numbers, and the next thing she knew, he was sulking and blowing people off.

  Crazy thing was, she didn’t care which Ian she was dealing with. Surry liked them both and wanted to be with him whether happy, sad, sulking or mad. Maybe she needed a shrink because she truly didn’t understand the hold this man had over her.

  Her phone rang, pulling her away from her thoughts. It was Danetta. “Hey, girl,” she said when she answered.

  “Are you wa
tching the news?” Danetta asked excitedly.

  “No, I just walked into my hotel room. What’s up?”

  “Turn it on. John Michael is on CNN.”

  Surry picked up the remote, turned the television on and then channel surfed to CNN. “I don’t see him.”

  “It’s on commercial. They showed John Michael’s picture a few minutes ago and said they had further information concerning the fashion industry scandal that broke last week.”

  “He’s probably just spewing more lies.”

  “It’s back on. Hush, let’s listen,” Danetta said.

  John Michael’s short and balding figure was standing in front of a podium. He held on to the sides of it and leaned into the microphone. “Thank you all for coming. I’ll be brief.”

  “Who dressed this man?” Surry asked as she spotted the skunklike jacket he was wearing.

  “Hush, girl, let’s hear what the tacky little man has to say.”

  “I’m sorry for wasting everyone’s time,” John Michael began. “But Surry McDaniel did not steal any of my designs. My assistant was simply mistaken in bringing the matter to my attention. Again, I apologize about all of this.”

  John Michael then turned and walked away from the podium while reporters screamed unanswered questions at him.

  Surry’s mouth was hanging to the floor.

  “Why would John Michael take the word of his assistant without checking the matter out himself?” Danetta asked.

  She picked her jaw up and said, “He’s just lying. There was no assistant making accusations. It all came from John Michael, and now he’s trying to save face.”

  “Assistant or not, I wonder what made him change his mind so fast?”

  Surry knew exactly why John Michael had changed his story. It’s not what you know, but whom you know, Ian had said. And as sure as she knew her name, Surry knew that Ian had found a way to get to John Michael. “Ian did it,” Surry said proudly while clapping her hands as if she’d just seen an awesome performance and needed to respond in kind.

  “What did Ian do?”