“I thought it was a nice thing to do.”
“It was nice, but he’s probably got his pride. Have you talked to him about his son?”
“We’ve talked about him a little but never in detail.”
“It sounds like you should have a conversation.”
“He said that he and his ex have a good relationship. He even gets along with her husband.”
“If he looked upset about tuition, I’m pretty sure it’s not exactly A Very Brady Christmas.”
“You could have a point. What should I do?”
“Ask him about it. You don’t have to accuse him of lying about anything, but you need to know what you’re getting into.”
“Oh, brother.”
“Just talk to him.”
“I’ll give him some time to cool down. I’ll call him tomorrow.”
“Good plan.”
“Thanks. So what are you doing tonight?”
“Randy’s coming over after work.”
“A little late night rendezvous. Nice.”
“I think so, too.”
“By the way, have you spoken to Alicia? I tried to call her but I got her voice mail.”
“I think she’s having dinner with Nate tonight.”
“Good. It’s nice to know she’s getting out.”
“I know.” Lauren took another sip. “Are you okay now?”
“Yes. Thanks for listening.” She looked at the clock. “Well, I’m going to take a bath and relax tonight.”
“That sounds like a plan. I’ll talk to you later.”
“Okay. Have a good night.”
* * *
That evening Nathaniel proved to be a quick study in the kitchen. Alicia watched as he stirred the fennel, celery, carrots, onions and leeks in the pot. She added the garlic and then the Cote du Rhone wine. While the pot came to a boil, she and Nathaniel partook in a glass of the wine.
“This is nice,” he said as he sipped his wine. “If I knew cooking was this much fun, I would have gotten into it years ago.”
Alicia laughed, then added the salt and pepper.
Nathaniel held up the thyme sprigs, rosemary and twine. “What am I supposed to do with this?”
“You’re going to make a bouquet garni of sorts.”
“A what?”
“You’re going to tie the herbs together and add them to the pot.”
“Okay. Can you help me with that one?”
“Sure.” Alicia gathered the herbs together and then took the twine to wrap them. She found it a little difficult to tie the twine. “Damn!” She was frustrated.
“What’s the matter?” Nathaniel looked concerned.
“I sometimes have problems doing small things like this. In the studio I have someone who acts as my sous chef and preps everything.”
“No worries, sweetie, I’ll tie it.”
He tied the twine. “Don’t we make a good team? Maybe I can be your sous chef.”
Alicia smiled.
“Now that’s what I want to see.” He leaned over and kissed her.
His sweetness unsettled her a little. “Now you get the ribs and I’ll pour the stock.”
“Yes, chef.”
They finished the short ribs together and Nathaniel put the pan in the oven. The potatoes were already going, and there was nothing left to do but sit and enjoy one another’s company.
“How about we go in the living room where it’s cooler?”
“Okay.”
They retired to the living room and sat on the love seat.
“How was the rest of the day in the Hamptons?”
“Not bad. Lauren and I stayed outside and out of the line of fire.”
“I take it the drive-by fix-up didn’t go over well.”
“No. Gabby has met someone and she seems to be really happy with him.”
“Does her mother know that?”
“Probably, but Bunny is Bunny. Her will be done.”
Nathaniel chuckled. “What about your parents? What are they like?”
“Walter and Loretta Carlson are actually pretty cool parents.”
“They never got involved with your love life?”
“For a long time I didn’t have a love life for them to be worried about. I certainly didn’t date as a teenager. If anything, they were more worried I was too obsessed with Jane Austen.”
“You’re a big Austen fan?”
“Oh, yes, I fell in love with her books a long time ago. I love that sexy pre-Victorian/Victorian way of romance.”
“I’ve never heard it described as sexy.”
“When you think about it, the stories are filled with sexual tension under the guise of manners. The long looks across the room between Emma and Mr. Knightley. The heated yet polite exchanges between Elizabeth Bennett and Mr. Darcy.” Alicia closed her eyes and sighed.
“I have to re-read those books. Do you like any other authors?”
“I love Edith Wharton’s Age of Innocence.”
“You consider that a hot book, too?” he asked, surprised.
“Yes. The chapter when Newland Archer slowly unbuttons Countess Olenska’s gloves to kiss her hand is one of the sexiest things I’ve ever read. It’s essentially the prelude to adultery, but you totally get caught up in the romance of it.”
“I take it you loved the movie.”
“Yes.” She smiled. “I never thought of Daniel Day Lewis as a sex symbol, but after that movie he moved to the head of the class.”
“I’m going to put that book and movie on my list, too.”
Alicia laughed. “Let me know what you think afterwards. I’ll be interested to hear a man’s perspective.”
“I will. Did Kurt enjoy your pantheon of authors?”
“I wouldn’t say he enjoyed them per se, but he was cool with my Austen Aristocrats meetings.”
“Your what?”
“It’s the club Lauren, Gabby and I started back in high school. We’re all Austen fans and that’s how we spent our Friday nights back then. Only we had so much fun, we kept it up.”
“You still meet?”
“Yes.” She sipped her wine.
He grinned.
“I don’t know if that’s a bemused look or what.”
He took her wine glass and put it on the table next to his. “It’s a ‘you’re so cute I just have to kiss you’ look.”
At first their lips touched lightly and then grew more sensual. Degree by degree their temperatures rose. However, the temperature weren’t the only thing on the rise as Nathaniel pulled away suddenly and jumped to his feet. “Shouldn’t I check the oven now?”
Alicia was a little thrown, but she recovered. “Sure.”
Nathaniel rushed into the kitchen and opened the freezer. He grabbed a bag of frozen peas and put it on the front of his pants.
“Is everything okay in there?” Alicia called.
“It’s fine. You just relax, I have everything under control.”
“Okay!”
A minute later Nathaniel put the peas back in the freezer and checked the oven. “The ribs look good. How much longer do you think?”
Alicia entered the kitchen. “Let me look.” He moved slightly so she could get in front of him. When she bent forward, her rear brushed against him. As Nathaniel crossed his legs, a mischievous grin came over Alicia’s face. Nice to know I’ve still got it. She checked the ribs. “I think we’re done.”
“Wonderful. I’ll take them out and dinner will be served.”
Alicia and Nathaniel enjoyed a wonderful dinner together before he walked her back to her place. When they kissed good night, the same passion that overcame them on the love seat returned. Nathaniel ran his hands down her back and lightly traced his fingers around her hips and back up to her neck. Her red hair felt like silk between his fingers and her perfume permeated his senses. He wanted her as he’d never wanted a woman before, but he knew it would take time.
“Thank you for dinner.”
“Thank you fo
r being such a good teacher.” He kissed her again. “I’ll call you tomorrow.”
“Okay.” She smiled and went inside.
Nathaniel waited for the door to lock and then he hurried back to his place. Although as a doctor he knew cold showers didn’t really work, he needed to do something until Alicia felt ready to be with him.
* * *
When Lauren opened her door at eleven p.m. she found a tired yet still incredibly sexy Randy at her door.
“Hey, baby.” She kissed him.
“I really needed that.”
“Well, then, please take a load off and I’ll be right back.”
Randy sat down. “Did you have a good time in the Hamptons?”
“That depends on how you define a good time.”
“That sounds ominous.” He lay back on the sofa.
“Have you heard the term ‘ambush makeover?’ ”
“Yes.”
“Gabby’s mother turned it into an ambush setup.”
“Oh, I guess it didn’t go over well.”
“That would be an understatement.”
“Poor girl. Is she okay now?”
“Yes.”
“I’m glad to hear it.”
Lauren returned with a tray with two glasses and a pitcher of cosmopolitans.
“I might not be able to cook, but I make a great cosmopolitan.”
He smiled wide. “Ah, that sounds like just the ticket, although alcohol has been known to get you into trouble.”
She put the tray down and sat next to him. “I don’t think it got me into trouble at all. As a matter of fact, I believe it got me out of trouble.”
“Is that right?”
“Yes.”
“All kidding aside, have you heard from Ken again?”
Lauren told him about Ken’s quest for the network and how he tried to get her to do his bidding.
“He texted me today and I ignored him.”
“Do you think that was wise? He’ll only keep it up.”
“Randy, I’ve been very clear that I have no intention of helping him. He’s gotten as far as he will on my back. I’m not carrying him anymore.”
“Are you sure you can live with that?”
“Yes. I’m very sure.” She took her robe off and revealed her sexy black babydoll.
“Oh, my.” Despite his exhaustion he was aroused.
“Do you like it?”
“Yes,” he said emphatically.
She raised the pitcher to pour. He stopped her. “I thought you wanted to relax,” she said.
“I’ll relax later. Come here.” He pulled her to him.
There was no need for the cosmopolitans.
* * *
Monday couldn’t come quickly enough for Gabby; she needed to find respite from her thoughts. She hadn’t heard one peep out of Nigel since Saturday, and it bothered her to no end.
Robin knocked on the door. “Gabby?”
She looked up from her computer. “Hey, Robin. What’s up?”
“I was going to go on a coffee run. Do you want anything?”
“Sure.” She rubbed her eyes. “I’ll take my usual.”
“Okay. A grande decaf latte it is. One of the interns is going to cover the phones for me.”
“Not a problem. Thanks, Robin.”
“You’re welcome. I’ll be right back.”
Gabby went back to her computer. There was another knock. Without looking up, Gabby reached for her purse. “You forgot to get the money for my latte.”
“Gabby.”
She looked up. It was Nigel. “Hi.” She looked at her computer’s clock. “I’m surprised to see you. Isn’t this the middle of your work day?”
“It is, but I couldn’t get any work done, so I decided to come over here.”
“Are you here for advice on the market? I do watch CNBC.”
He laughed. “Do you have a few minutes or so?”
“I do. Have a seat.”
He sat down. “Listen, I came over to apologize for the way I behaved the other night. I shouldn’t have flown off the handle like that.”
“It was completely out of left field.”
“I know. I haven’t been totally honest with you about my situation with my son’s mother.”
“I see.”
He took a deep breath. “I used to have a good relationship with her, but that changed when I found out she used the child support and school tuition money to pay her bills. So I went to court and now I pay his tuition directly. Ever since then she’s made it impossible for me to see, speak or spend time with Nigel Jr.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I was embarrassed.”
“Why would you feel like that?”
“I’m essentially a forty-something man who’s going through baby mamma drama.”
“So you have baggage from a previous relationship. Who doesn’t?”
“You didn’t sign up for this, Gabby. If you want to rethink this whole relationship I’ll understand.”
“Why would I do that? I want to be with you. I’m ready to take the ups and the downs.”
“Are you sure? Deidre can be a force unto herself.”
“As long as we’re together I can handle anything.”
Just then Robin appeared in the doorway. “Oh, I can come back.”
“Come in, Robin, it’s okay.” Gabby waved her in.
“Hi. Nigel. How are you?” She asked as she put Gabby’s Starbucks on her desk.
“I’m fine. How are you?”
“I can’t complain.”
Gabby held out her money. “Here you go.”
Robin walked away without taking it. “Your money is no good here. It was good seeing you, Nigel.”
“You, too.”
“So are we okay now?” Gabby asked.
“Yes.“ He looked at his watch. “I’d better get back to my office.” He got up and walked around the desk, leaned in and kissed her. “I’ll talk to you later.”
“Okay.”
Gabby sipped her latte as she watched him leave her office. Baby mamma drama with a teenager can’t be easy. She picked up the phone.
“Hello?”
“Alicia?”
“Yes, Gabby, it’s me.”
“It must be a Freudian slip. I meant to call Lauren.”
“Well, thanks a lot.” She tried to sound offended.
“You know what I mean. Of course I always want to talk to you, too.”
“That’s better. You made me sound like a miserable stepchild.”
“Sorry.”
“What’s up?”
“I guess you could say I had a little spat this weekend with Nigel, but it’s resolved now.”
“What was the little spat about?”
“He’s got some issues with his ex and their son.”
“Ex and the city. There’s nothing too unusual about that these days.”
“When we first met he told me everything was fine, even peachy. Honestly, it sounded like they were Bruce, Demi and Ashton reincarnated.”
“They’re a freak of nature. No one is like that in real life,” Alicia scoffed.
“It is pretty freaky, isn’t it?”
“I think he didn’t want to risk scaring you off, but he should have been honest with you.”
“It’s not like he’s a Willoughby.”
“The eighteenth-century version of Mr. Love em and Leave em? I should think not. But…”
“I told you we resolved things.”
“I won’t push my luck.”
“Good.” She paused. “Listen, I have to get back to work. We have a couple of new pieces coming today.”
“Okay. I’ll talk to you later.”
“Sure. Wait. Before I go, how was dinner with Nate the other night?”
“It was nice. We had a good time.”
“I’m glad to hear it.” Gabby smiled.
“I bet you are. I can hear you grinning. I’ll catch you later, Gabby. Bye.”
“Bye.”
Starbucks in hand, Gabby left her office.
Chapter 14
Over the next few weeks of the summer the temperatures weren’t the only things hot. Alicia, Gabby and Lauren spent more time with the new men in their lives. While Randy and Nigel may have steamed up the nights with Gabby and Lauren, Nathaniel’s evenings ended quite differently. As the kisses between him and Alicia got hotter, his cold showers got longer. Nathaniel thought he was in danger of getting frostbite in very inopportune places, but Alicia was worth an icicle or two.
A week before Gabby’s big new artist exhibit, the Austen Aristocrats gathered for a long overdue afternoon meeting at Alicia’s place. The three of them stretched out in Alicia’s family room with their books.
Harrison brought in a tray of lemonade and cookies. “Here you go, ladies.” He set it down on the table.
“Thanks, Harrison.” Alicia smiled.
“You’re welcome.“ He looked around. “I see you mean to catch up on old business today.”
“Oh yes, we’ve all been a little distracted of late,” Lauren said.
“That’s putting it mildly.” Gabby poured a glass of lemonade.
“Now that’s not a bad thing, girls. While I love to see you together, it’s nice that you have other interests.” He winked.
“True, Jane did have to dream these stories up,” Lauren said sweetly.
“Oh, and it’s nice to have the real thing.” Gabby grinned.
“You’re awfully quiet, Alicia. Don’t you agree?”
“Oh, sure, the real thing is better any day.” She seemed distracted.
“Well, I think I will leave you ladies to your meeting. Call me if you need anything.”
He left and closed the door.
Gabby piped up. “Okay, Alicia, I know you have something on your mind and it has to do with me.”
“Oh, for heaven’s sake. You were the one who told me he wasn’t honest about the issues he’s having with his ex over his son.”
“Yes, but I also told you we’ve talked and everything has been fine.”
“Are you sure you know everything?” Lauren asked.
“I do. I know he’s a good father.”
“I don’t doubt he’s a good father, but you’re stepping into tricky territory.”
“How so?”
Alicia sighed loudly. “Let’s just drop it. She’s gone Pollyanna on us. We’ve said our peace.”
“Thank you.”
“Let’s change the subject,” Lauren said.
Waiting for Mr. Darcy Page 20
