by Ami LeCoeur
“That’s how you know about the Shelter and the work they do?” I asked, putting it all together. “That’s your business relationship?”
He nodded, smiling at both of us. I relaxed a little. I couldn’t help liking him a little more, knowing that he dedicated time and resources to helping these women get back on their feet. He couldn’t be such a bad person, then. Just a little over-the-top and maybe too full of himself. But this new knowledge was enough to make me consider his offer a bit more seriously. Maybe I’d been a little quick to dismiss him at our exploratory meeting.
And now, even if nothing came of his business offer to me, he’d given me a great idea. Next week I’d look into ways that I, too, could hire interns from the Shelter. It would be a great way for them to gain business experience and expand their resume. That was something I could thank him for.
I excused myself as Grant turned the conversation to discussing Annie’s internship. The champagne and water I’d consumed freely all evening was suddenly catching up with me.
As I left to find the restroom, I felt Grant’s eyes on me. I even glanced back at one point to find him staring, and he didn’t look away when I caught him. Instead, he grinned and tipped his head, acknowledging his interest.
This man definitely felt no need to be shy or demure. I almost laughed. He had a lot of nerve, but he wasn’t bad to look at. And he seemed like a solid business person. The fact he was active in helping women in need made him somewhat more attractive to me as a result. All things considered, I decided that maybe I didn’t mind him watching me.
It wasn’t until I stood in line at the buffet table that he cornered me again. This time around I was more receptive to his attention. “So, have you decided you’re joining the Board?” he asked, walking beside me as I got my dinner.
“I’m still unsure,” I admitted. “I certainly have the resources, but I want to be able to commit the time. When I go in, I go all in. I would hate to find myself too busy to make a real difference.”
“I think just your presence on the Board would make a difference,” he said. “A successful young woman who can be displayed in the organization’s literature is always impressive. If donors know the Board includes a shining example for these women to follow, someone for them to aspire to become, it could mean more money and an even wider reach.”
“You think so?” That was something Emma had alluded to as well.
“Besides.” His voice dropped to an almost intimate murmur. “It would give us the opportunity to see each other more often since I come to many of the meetings and most of the events.”
I did my best not to react to his comment or its implications. But seriously, I wasn’t sure how to take this guy. One moment I’m thinking about how noble he is, and the next moment he drops something like this? I indulged him with a smile. He wasn’t repulsive—far from it. Matter of fact, he was pretty gorgeous, smooth, confident, charming. Maybe a little too charming. Regardless, I couldn’t help liking him, at least a little. If for no other reason than for his contributions to the Women for Shelter program.
Even so, I didn’t yet trust him enough to have a drink with him after the event, which was why I turned him down when he asked me.
“I’m sorry,” I said, getting my purse and wrap. “It’s already been a long evening, and I’m very tired.”
“What about tomorrow night? How about we have dinner together?”
It was a flattering offer, but since I was still seriously considering his business proposal, I didn’t think it would be a good idea. “Thank you for the offer, but I really don’t like to mix my business and private life.” I hoped he would be gentleman enough to leave it at that. After everything I’d been through the past few months, especially with Jimmy, the last thing I wanted was a failed affair getting in the way of my business.
“Oh, come on. Don’t you know that combining work and pleasure can be the most fun of all? You shouldn’t be so rigid.” He smiled, turning on his veritable charm in an attempt to convince me, but I stayed firm even as I bristled a bit at the label.
“Thank you, but I really do have to pass.”
He shrugged. “Well, then, good night.” He smiled and tipped his head at me like he’d done earlier in the evening. “Perhaps another time.”
He walked away, and as I left the ballroom, I saw him approach Annie. I was glad to see him give a talented girl like her a chance, even if I thought he was being just a little too persistent in his approach with me.
Chapter Seven
“Ugh. I’ve really needed this. I had no idea how much I needed this.” I closed my eyes, reveling in the feeling of the masseuse’s hands on my shoulders.
Tammy and I were side-by-side on massage tables, enjoying one of our rare spa days. It had been months since the last one—I’d canceled twice already. Considering that I had a date with Kris later that night, I thought it best to take no chances.
“I keep telling you, honey. You have to take time for yourself.” Tammy turned her head to the side, facing me. “You can’t keep running at the pace you’ve set for yourself without burning out. And where will your business be then?”
I saw her point and nodded in agreement. In my defense, it was tough to maintain a self-care regimen when the concept was so foreign to me. Working out and eating healthfully—for the most part—were as far as it normally went.
“It’s been a difficult few months,” I admitted. “At least work is going great. But otherwise…”
Tammy winced. “I can’t tell you how sorry I am that I ever introduced you to Scott. I really had no idea beforehand. What a mess. It really bothers me that I subjected you to that.”
I shook my head. “Don’t worry about it, sweets. I mean it. It’s life, right? Live and learn. I’m a big girl. I can handle it. And hey, I can’t find my prince until I kiss a few frogs, right?” We both chuckled at my poor attempt at humor. At the moment, it was the best I could do.
“You’ve kissed more than your fair share, my dear, at least from what I’m hearing.”
“Don’t remind me.” Something in my voice made her drop the whole thing… for the moment, at least. The rest of the massage passed peacefully in silence, with only the relaxing music in the background. I was grateful my best friend managed to wait until we sat side-by-side in pedicure chairs to pick at the scab once again.
“You have to stick to it, you know. You can’t give up.”
I turned my head away just far enough so she couldn’t see me roll my eyes. “Did you ever stop to think that maybe you found the last good man out there?”
Tammy shook her head. “Oh, he’s amazing alright, but he’s not the last amazing man in the world.”
“You know that for a fact, do you?”
The girls working on our feet snickered at our banter. I was glad they were entertained, at least, even if I was more than a little miffed at Tammy. I didn’t enjoy my dirty laundry waving in front of other people’s faces. Even if it was being waved by my best friend, who was looking out for me in the only way she knew how.
“Don’t let a few bad apples spoil the bunch,” she said, placing her hand on my knee.
I laughed. How like her to mix metaphors.
“What do you expect when they’re all a bunch of fruits?” I asked, my second attempt at humor for the day.
She looked at me strangely, and I had to explain the joke to her. “Apples don’t come in bunches. Only bananas or grapes do. Apples are more of a barrel or basket fruit.”
Well, anyway, I thought it was funny.
“But, when it comes to letting them ruin things, I figure I’m in the apprenticeship mode as far as learning how to avoid it,” I admitted.
“I know you are, honey. And I think you’re doing a pretty good job of it too.” She turned to the pedicurist, choosing her shade of nail polish. Then it was my turn to choose. I thought about the date with Kris. What would he like? Most men liked red, I reasoned. I chose a deep, rich shade.
Tammy’s eyebrows shot
up. “What? No classic nude? Pale pink?”
“No. I feel like stepping away from being so bland.” But that’s all I said, watching as my toenails seemed to bleed with polish, the manicurist spreading the red evenly over each one.
“Why not?” Tammy leaned toward me, nearly sticking her face in mine. With my feet literally in somebody else’s hands, there was no way I could escape her. “Who are you trying to impress, girl?”
I sighed resignedly. “I have a date tonight. Okay?”
“Okay?” Tammy chortled. “And why would you hide that from me, you dork? Who’s the lucky guy?”
“You’ve never met him,” I told her. “His name is Kris Morton. He’s a blues guitarist. I’ve seen him play twice. He’s really good.” I told her how I’d run into him at The Cellar, and how he’d invited me to his next show that evening.
“Ooh, how fun! A musician! Hey, if nothing else, you know he’ll at least have rhythm.” Even I could laugh at that one, and the pedicurists giggled along with us.
We had our nails done next, with me choosing the same shade as my toes. Tammy couldn’t get enough of teasing me, and I decided to let her have her fun. It was really just relief, I knew—she was happy to see that I wasn’t moping around over Scott. If I dated Kris and things went well, Scott would definitely be a thing of the past. Just a stepping stone on my way to happiness.
“Are you having your hair done today, Miss Pilsner?” The spa manager smiled down at me after lifting the cucumbers from my eyes once my facial was finished. I already felt like a new woman and was glad Kris would be seeing me at my best.
“Yes, thanks. Just a trim.” I liked keeping my hair long, but I also liked it neat. I was lucky to have kept my natural shade, too. None of my friends were old enough to go gray yet, but a lot of them had changed colors frequently over the years. I couldn’t see the purpose of keeping up with current fashions the way Tammy did, sitting in a chair with her head covered in foil.
By the time we left, I asked myself why I’d let so many months pass since my last spa day. I realized it was the same question I asked every time. For whatever reason, even after I scheduled with Tammy, more often than not I’d put it off or find some excuse to back out.
Yet, what I needed more than anything was to learn how to take better care of myself—especially if I was considering the added work of expanding my business, not to mention joining the Board at the Shelter. Self-care would be critical to my sanity.
Tammy was right about that, at least.
Chapter Eight
“What do you think about this one?” Tammy held up a slinky red dress that looked as though it would barely cover her backside.
“What are you trying to do?” I asked. “Get yourself arrested?”
“Ouch.” She returned the dress to the rack. “A simple yes or no would suffice, sweetie.”
I sighed, following her to another rack where she looked for dresses. I’d already filled two shopping bags of my own at the last store, so I was content to wait while she shopped. “I’m sorry. It’s been an interesting week. A lot of old ghosts are coming back to haunt me.”
She looked up, concern showing in her eyes. “This isn’t about your date with Kris? What’s going on?”
“The usual. You know how my luck’s been lately.” She grimaced. “Oh, there have been some good things too. I just need to stop thinking about the yucky stuff and get on with my life. But some interesting things have been happening lately.”
“Oh? Well, tell Mama Tammy. Maybe I can help.”
I wasn’t quite sure where to start. I hadn’t told her about Grant and his proposal. When I described him and his interest in the business, her face lit up.
“That’s fantastic! You should definitely buy yourself something nice today to celebrate.”
“So that’s your advice? Retail therapy?” I chuckled. “Do you really think it’s so great?”
“Well, yes! I mean, this is what you been wanting, right? The chance to expand. Only now, you’ll get to do it without all the hassle. You won’t have to fund it all yourself. It’s a win-win, sweetie.”
She had a point. And in some ways, I had to agree with her. I reminded myself it was better to look on the bright side than to worry about everything that might go wrong.
“What’s the story with this Grant guy, huh? You said he’s a little older, dashing, debonair. I like him already.”
“He’s also a bit of a pill,” I said, trying on a pair of really cute shoes that had caught my attention. “He’s strong, domineering and has to be in control. I mean to the point of being overwhelming. He dominates the conversation, no matter what the conversation is about.”
“That’s never fun, but hey, maybe he’s just trying to impress you.” Tammy threw two more dresses over her arm to try on in the dressing room. I followed her there.
“Like he has to impress anyone.” I laughed. “But he has some redeeming qualities. In addition to being obviously very good looking and wealthy, he does work with the women’s Shelter,” I said, moving on to his positive characteristics. “And he’s clearly smart and successful, so he has that going for him.”
“Good, good.” Tammy’s arms and legs were visible, but nothing else with the door between us.
“Yeah, well even with all that, I’m still not sure about him. He made a smarmy comment about how fun it would be to mix business and pleasure, and it didn’t sit well with me.”
Tammy came out, rocking a classic boat neck, flare-skirted black dress that came to her knees. I gave her two thumbs up.
“You need to lighten up a little, Sarah. And you know I say that with love. You’re a very attractive, successful young CEO of your own business. Why wouldn’t he find you attractive too?” She went back inside the dressing room, and I tried to ignore the way her words stung. Was she right? Did I need to lighten up? Sheesh, wasn’t I trying? What more did I need to do?
“Well, at least I enjoyed Emma’s fundraiser on Friday,” I said, speaking through the door. “I learned a lot about the organization. They do really important work that makes a difference in those poor young women’s lives. And I have to admit, knowing Grant was involved in that has me being a lot more tolerant of his demeanor.
“You know, I just thought of something.” I stood on tiptoe, glancing in at Tammy while she pulled on another dress. “You’re such a clothes horse. I bet you have a million things you don’t wear anymore. Maybe you could donate them to the Shelter. They try to outfit these women in professional clothes that will help them land a job.” I thought about Annie, the way she tried to fit in at the event in a dress that clearly came from a low-end shop, probably on clearance. How much it would help her self-esteem to wear something stylish and flattering. Besides, if she was going to work with Grant, she would need a better wardrobe.
“Sure!” Tammy laughed. “And it’ll give me an excuse to buy more clothes!”.” I shook my head, laughing, and waited for her to finish up.
“Hey! You should buy something for Grant. Something he would like to see you in.” I heard Tammy’s teasing tone and could imagine the look on her face. I stuck my tongue out at the door.
“Remember the last time I mixed business with pleasure?” I scrunched up my nose. “That didn’t go so well. What a mess. Why would I want to keep going down the same painful road?”
The door opened, and Tammy leaned against it. “Sweetie, all that stuff is history. Some of it years in the past. This is now. You have to move on if you’re ever going to be happy. I want you to be. You know that, right?”
“Of course. But I need you to make me a promise, just the same.”
“Name it.”
“If you see something wrong, anything at all, no matter who I’m dating, you’ll step forward and say something. Please don’t hold back like you did with Ronnie. I’m a big girl. I can take it. And I think by now our relationship is safe.”
Tammy winced, remembering as well as I did. “You got it. And you have my promise it will
never happen again.”
Chapter Nine
I stepped into the concert venue, my heart pounding. I asked myself why it was such a big deal, why I was so nervous. After all, Kris had seemed a pretty laid-back person. Besides, I was sure he’d be too busy to spend much time with me. He’d invited me as a courtesy, or to show off how great his band was. I just wished I didn’t feel so nervous, so jumpy. Maybe it was the bad luck I’d had so far. I reminded myself to chill out as I explored the space, doing my best to ignore the naggy little Nervous Nellie voice in my head that wouldn’t shut up.
The venue was impressive, but still more intimate than a full-blown arena. The lights were up so I could see that the audience sat at tables rather than in rows like you’d expect at a concert. I liked that. It was different, cozier. More like your typical bar. A little funkier, more laid-back, easier for friends to relax and socialize during the set instead of sitting shoulder-to-shoulder or getting shoved around in a crowd.
The stage was close to the audience, and not so high up or remote as you’d expect in a typical concert. I watched the crew members performing sound checks and wondered what it would be like to stand on the stage, playing to the audience. The view would certainly be different from what it was down here.
I was the CEO of a very successful small advertising agency, used to being in the limelight, yet it was hard to imagine what it would be like to be a musician up on stage. Having all eyes on me, all with the expectation that I would perform and delight.
I chose a table near the front where I could watch the activity and settled in to be a quiet observer. I was earlier than I’d promised, but I’d hoped—and expected—to get a few minutes with Kris before he started the show.
It wasn’t long before he stepped onstage, talking with an all-black-dressed crew member. His eyes fell on me and crinkled into a grin, full of obvious appreciation. He seemed genuinely happy to see me, and I knew the day at the spa had been the right move, from the relaxing massage down to the expert blow-out which had left my hair full and shiny. Just more reason to make sure I indulged on a regular basis.
