“What kind of appointment?”
“Relax,” she said after Laird nearly choked on his second glass of champagne. “My meeting’s not with a rival agency. My sister’s getting married in a few weeks and my tailor needs to take a new set of measurements before she starts working in earnest on the suit she’s making for me to wear to the ceremony. I’ve got to take the train to Brooklyn so she can do what she needs to do before I head back to work.”
Laird arched his manicured eyebrows. “You have your own personal tailor? Even I don’t have one of those. Color me impressed. Is yours any good?”
“She’s the best I’ve come across.”
“That probably means you’re sleeping with her, but leave me her name and number anyway. She might be able to help me spruce up my wardrobe. I want to add some unique pieces to help me stand out from the crowd. I can’t walk around looking like everyone else, can I?”
With his vast collection of garish ties and gaudy dress socks, Laird didn’t have much to worry about in that regard. Thanks to his expensive tastes, he was guaranteed to be responsible for several lucrative sales, which would mean more money and more exposure for Grace and her father.
“Happy to oblige.” Dakota jotted Grace’s contact information on a notepad and slung her messenger bag over her shoulder. “Considering all the referrals I keep sending her way, she should put me on the payroll.”
“I know you’re being only half-serious, but that’s actually not a bad idea. With her design skills and your contacts in the fashion industry, a business partnership could be a win-win for both of you.”
Dakota liked the idea of working side by side with Grace, but the scenario seemed unlikely to take place as long as Grace’s father was standing in the way. He had been working for himself for so long, Dakota doubted he would be willing to take on a partner, silent or otherwise. “Thanks for believing in me, Laird. And for respecting my judgment enough not to put restrictions on me.”
When he offered to revise her contract, she had expected him to ask the legal department to throw in a codicil or three requiring her to quit her day job and/or limit her extracurricular activities. Much to her surprise, the contract he had presented to her hadn’t included any such language.
“Though it might not look like it from a distance, you’ve got a good head on your shoulders, Dakota. Savvy business sense, too. Thanks for choosing to stick by us even when you thought we weren’t sticking by you.”
“Like you said, we’re family, right?”
“That we are. Before you go,” he said, rising from his seat, “promise me one thing.”
“What?”
“If you wake up one morning and decide you want to do something other than this for a living, please give me more than twelve hours’ notice.”
“You’ve got a deal.”
When Dakota reached Grace’s office, she felt like she had left one party for another. The mood was so festive she was surprised there weren’t streamers dangling from the ceiling.
Grace was with a customer, so Dakota approached the de facto reception desk. Lillie was supposed to be manning the phones, but her headset was draped across her shoulders and she was dancing in her seat to the Stevie Wonder song playing on the radio at her feet.
“What’s going on?” Dakota asked.
“Haven’t you heard?” Lillie asked, snapping her fingers to the beat. “We’re going out of business.”
Dakota’s heart lurched. She had just found this place and it was already going under? “The company’s closing its doors? Since when?”
“Since yesterday. We haven’t set the official date yet, but we’re not taking any new orders either. Grace’s father sold the building to some rich developer who’s buying up the block so he can build condos or some such. Mr. Henderson signed the papers this morning. In a month or two—three at the latest—everyone in here is going to be out of work.”
Dakota looked around the room. No one seemed adversely affected by the turn of events. The dire news Lillie had just delivered didn’t match the festive vibe. “And you’re okay with that?”
“You bet I am. I’ve been working here for more than half my life. I’m sure I’ll shed a tear or two when we complete the last order, but I don’t expect to be crying long. With the severance package I’ve been promised, I won’t have time for tears. I’m going to be set for life. It’s not Kardashian money, but it’s way more than I need to get by.”
“What are you going to do with all your riches now that you don’t have to worry about making ends meet?”
“Whatever I want to, child. Whatever I want to. I won’t stray too far, though. I’ll still be around if Grace needs my help. If she can find a space to rent that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg, she’s planning to open her own shop.”
“Really?” When Dakota had asked Grace if she planned to start her own company one day, Grace had seemed content to sit back and wait for her father to hand her the reins to his. Had Grace changed her mind, or had her father’s decision to sell prompted her to be more proactive? “That’s awesome.”
“Yes, it is. And long overdue, if you ask me,” Lillie said in a conspiratorial whisper. “News like that calls for a celebration, don’t you think?”
“You read my mind.”
“You’d better be glad I can’t. If I could, I might have to bend you over my knee and spank you. On second thought, I’d better not. You might like it too much. We wouldn’t want to make Grace jealous, would we?”
Dakota gave Lillie a kiss on the cheek. “You know you’ll always be the only woman for me.”
“You’re a mess, you know that?” Lillie said with a girlish giggle that belied her advanced years. “An absolute rascal. I might have to follow Grace to her new shop just so I can see you from time to time. You’re not planning to take your business elsewhere, are you?”
“I wouldn’t dream of it.”
Even though she had been a customer for only a short time, Dakota felt invested in the company’s success—and especially in Grace’s. She cared about Grace and wanted to see her do well. Striking out on her own wouldn’t be easy for Grace. Operating a business that catered to a niche market never was. Dakota wanted to support her in any way she could. Perhaps she should make her investment financial as well as emotional. The venture was risky, but the upside was enormous.
Laird was right. With her contacts and Grace’s design skills, they could make an unbeatable team. In more ways than one. She smiled to herself as an idea began to take root.
When she and Grace had dined at La Tigra a few weeks ago, Grace had asked her if she wanted to be the captain of her own ship one day instead of a member of the crew. I want something that’s mine, she had said in response. Something I built myself.
If she played her cards right, perhaps she and Grace could build something together. Not just a business, but a life as well.
* * *
The sound of Lillie’s raucous laughter drew Grace’s attention away from her consult with her customer, a seven-year-old whose father had brought him in for the final fitting for the suit he planned to wear during his upcoming piano recital. Grace’s heart skittered in her chest when she spotted Dakota standing in the reception area. She had been simultaneously anticipating and dreading Dakota’s visit all day. The moment had finally arrived, and she didn’t know how to react.
She was glad to see Dakota—especially in the form-fitting cycling gear she was sporting as she chatted with Lillie—but she wished she could put off the conversation they needed to have. Not the one about Dakota’s order. Grace was on solid ground as long as the subject was work. It was when she allowed her focus to shift to more personal matters that she started to feel like she didn’t have a leg to stand on.
She had heard the classic “it’s not you, it’s me” speech more times than she could count, but she was used to being on the receiving end instead of the one delivering the address. She didn’t know if she would be able to get her point across with
out making a royal mess of things. She valued Dakota’s friendship. Would they be able to hold on to it after Grace told her that a platonic relationship was the only kind they could ever have? Would Dakota still want to be her friend knowing she could never be her lover?
Intellectually, Grace knew she was doing the right thing by ending things before they went too far. She didn’t have time for a relationship, and Dakota wasn’t interested in one to begin with. Once she became the face of her own company, she would have too much at stake to risk attaching her livelihood to someone with a tarnished reputation. All she needed to do was figure out a way to express that sentiment without driving a wedge between her and Dakota that couldn’t be removed. They could still have a relationship. Just not the kind either of them was looking for.
Grace ran her hands over her customer’s narrow shoulders, checking for imperfections in the seams. Finding none, she turned him to face the floor-length mirror bolted to the wall. “How does it feel?”
Zaire turned this way and that to check his reflection. “Good,” he said with a snaggletoothed grin. “How do I look, Dad?”
Ahmad Hawkins, a single father who had been working a series of back-breaking jobs to support himself and his son since his ex decided she would rather be single and free than a wife and mother, beamed with pride. “You look like a million bucks, little man.” Tossing Grace a wink, he added, “I’m just glad you didn’t charge me that much.”
“I wouldn’t dare treat one of my best customers that way.”
“I appreciate it.” Ahmad had been coming to the shop practically since the day Zaire was born. Willing to make the ultimate sacrifice, he often went without so he could provide his son with whatever he needed. He didn’t spoil Zaire by any means, but he definitely made sure Zaire never wanted for anything. He wiped his hands on his dirty work pants, reached into his back pocket, and pulled out a wrinkled envelope. “The recital’s Friday night. I picked up two extra tickets in case you and your sister would like to come. I know Z would love to see you two there.”
“Oh, he would, would he?”
“Okay, maybe I would, too.”
Ahmad had had a crush on Hope since the first time he set foot in the shop. Grace had long thought his gentle nature could provide the perfect remedy to soothe Hope’s sharp edges, but Hope refused to give him the time of day. Her official excuse was she didn’t want anyone else’s sloppy seconds, though Grace suspected Hope might choose to sing a different tune if Ahmad did something more lucrative than ride on the back of a trash truck for a living.
“I’m not sure about Hope’s work schedule. She might not be able to make it that night.” In truth, Hope had called in sick that morning and probably intended to do so until the funds from the real estate closing were disbursed. If her employer lost patience, she could be out of a job on Friday. If not sooner. “Even if she can’t attend, I’ll definitely be in the crowd. I wouldn’t miss a chance to see the next Thelonious Monk do his thing.”
“To hear Z tell it, he’s not the next anyone. He’s the first Zaire Hawkins.” Ahmad ran a hand over Zaire’s close-cropped hair, then gave Zaire a nudge toward the door. “Go get changed, little man. Make it quick. I’ve got to drop you off at daycare before I head back to work.” After Zaire scampered to the bathroom to change back into his play clothes, Ahmad held out a work-roughened hand. “Thanks for everything you and your father have done for me and Zaire over the years,” he said, swallowing Grace’s hand in his firm grip. “I’m going to hate seeing this place close. It’s been part of the neighborhood for so long the block won’t be the same without it. Once you get your new shop up and running, be sure to let me know where it is so I can keep Z looking fly.”
“I’ll be contacting everyone on the client list to let them know where they can find me if they choose to follow me to the new location.”
“Hit me up and I’ll be sure to come through.” Ahmad tucked his hard hat under one arm and grabbed his work gloves off the cutting table. “See you at the recital Friday night?”
Grace held up the envelope containing the tickets. “I wouldn’t miss it.”
“Cool. And be sure to tell your sister I said hello.”
“I’ll do that.” Though she doubted it would do any good, she would still make the effort. Relations between her and Hope had shown a slight improvement since her father announced he planned to sell the business. She and Hope weren’t besties by any means, but they hadn’t exchanged cross words in days. That was a new record for them. Perhaps the phrase father knows best applied in real life, too, not just on classic TV shows.
“Is it my turn now?” Dakota asked after Ahmad left.
“Thanks for being so patient. I didn’t keep you waiting long, did I?”
“Lillie kept me entertained. I hardly noticed the delay. I’m just glad you were the one running late this time instead of me.”
Grace knew Dakota’s comment was a humorous reference to their first meeting, but she didn’t feel like laughing. She should have followed her instincts that day. If she had, this situation would be a hell of a lot easier to deal with. Dakota would have remained nothing more than a customer, not whatever it was she had started to become.
Grace wrapped her measuring tape about Dakota’s waist. She nodded when her assumption proved correct. Dakota’s waist size had changed by three-quarters of an inch. Not a huge number, but enough to make a difference in the way the pants would fit. “I’ll take these new numbers into account, and I should be able to have your suit ready by the end of next week. I’ll text you or send you an email to schedule your final fitting. If adjustments need to be made, I should be able to get them done in a day or two. If not, you’ll be all set for the wedding.”
“Perfect.”
“Pardon me, young man, but I don’t think we’ve met.” Grace started when her father tapped Dakota on the shoulder. She hadn’t heard—or seen him approach. “I’m Clarence Henderson,” he said, sticking out his hand. “Who might you be?”
“Dakota Lane.”
“The person responsible for all those referrals?”
“That would be me.”
Grace’s father pumped Dakota’s hand enthusiastically. “My mistake. I’m pleased to meet you, young lady. Living with four women, you’d think I would be able to recognize one when I see her. I guess my eyes aren’t as good as they used to be.”
Grace was mortified by her father’s mistake. And the more he talked, the more he kept compounding the gaffe. “Dad!”
“I seem to be digging myself into an even deeper hole, don’t I?” he asked with a chuckle. “I just wanted to introduce myself and thank you for your business.”
“You’re welcome, sir. I hear congratulations are in order.”
“Grace told you the news?”
“She didn’t get a chance. Lillie spilled the beans before she could. Lillie also suggested I should take Grace to dinner to celebrate, and I wholeheartedly agree.” Dakota turned to Grace. “Would you like to go back to La Tigra so we can try some of the dishes Whitney recommended? If we go early enough, they might actually be available this time.”
“This time?” Grace’s father asked.
“Dakota and I went there a few weeks ago. I’ve always wanted to try it out, and Dakota graciously offered to accompany me so I wouldn’t have to dine alone,” Grace said, trying to cover for Dakota’s unintended faux pas. She remembered that night fondly. She and Dakota had spent several hours opening up to each other. Sharing their hopes and dreams. How ironic that the place where they had essentially introduced themselves might also be where they said farewell. “Will your sister be joining us?”
“No,” Dakota said, “she caught a flight home this morning.”
“That was a quick trip. Were you able to help her solve whatever crisis drove her to come here?”
“We had a good talk. Several, in fact. I’m sorry she interrupted us Saturday night, but I’m glad she came. Her visit gave us a chance to clear the air.”
Grace could tell how much Brooke’s visit meant to Dakota. Her eyes were just a little bit brighter, her smile just a little bit wider today. “I’m happy for you.”
“I could say the same thing to you.”
Grace’s father cleared his throat. “I’ll let you two talk,” he said, extricating himself from the conversation. “It was nice meeting you, Dakota. Grace, we’ll speak later, yes?”
“Of course,” Grace said, though she had a feeling she might not want to hear what he had to say. She had promised him she wouldn’t see Dakota in anything other than a professional capacity, and Dakota’s comments had made it clear she had been doing exactly that. Few things got under her father’s skin like dishonesty, and she had just been exposed as a liar. A bad one, at that.
“Have you thought of a name for your company yet?” Dakota asked.
“I’ve barely had time to catch my breath, let alone think about branding or trademarks.”
“I can imagine. Instead of going out to dinner, why don’t we get together someplace more private? Meet me at my place tonight after work. We can order takeout and split a bottle of wine while we wait for the food to be delivered.”
“That sounds like the perfect way to end what’s bound to be a long day.”
As long as the topic of conversation didn’t leave them with a bitter taste in their mouths.
Chapter Nineteen
Dakota headed home as soon as her shift was over. She had asked Grace to meet her at her apartment at eight. That left her a little less than two and a half hours to straighten the place up before Grace arrived. Brooke’s unannounced arrival and abrupt departure had left her apartment looking like a hurricane had hit it. Not a wimpy Category One or Two. More like a Four or Five. She tidied up as best she could, hit the common areas with a few liberal shots of air freshener, and peeled off her sweaty work clothes so she could take a shower.
“Oof,” she said when she caught a whiff of her ripe jersey. “Too bad today isn’t laundry day.”
Tailor-Made Page 21
