‘’I don’t want to take the chance. What if someone sees me going into his office? At least with Dr. Stuart I can go early in the morning before he sees any other patients and get on with my day.”
Nathaniel shook his head. “We don’t live in the Dark Ages.”
“Oh, you don’t think so?”
“No.”
“Let me tell you, speaking as a full-figured African-American woman, I know it still exists.” She let out a heavy sigh.
“You never struck me as someone who worried about size.”
“That’s because I don’t worry about it. Other people do.” She paused. “I was lucky enough to be raised by parents who always told me I was beautiful. I will admit it was a little hard to be full-figured at Miss Porter’s Boarding School, since most of the girls there would have given up a limb before they gained an ounce.”
“I know the type well.” He shook his head.
“Thankfully I had Lauren, Gabby and the Austen Aristocrats, which made it easier for me. I also had a husband who loved me. All of me.”
“I don’t know many people who can say that.”
“Neither do I. Kurt always said I should have been more than just a lifestyle editor, because not only did I love it, I lived it. I looked forward to planning menus, going grocery shopping and entertaining friends and family. Nothing gave me greater pleasure than making a home for him and Kurt Jr.” Her voice caught and she took a moment to catch her breath.
Nathaniel rubbed her hand.
She wiped her eyes. “They were the most wonderful days of my life. After I lost him, I felt like a rudderless boat, just floating there. I didn’t know what to do and that’s when I decided the best thing I could do was share it with others. I would show people through something as simple as cooking how they could turn their house into the kind of home I had with him. It gave me a purpose and direction.”
“So off you went.”
“With a vengeance. I had a vision of a lifestyle brand from the moment I wrote my first cookbook. As a magazine editor it didn’t take much for me to find a publisher, but getting a cooking show was a lot harder. When Lauren pitched me to her production company, they weren’t sure because I didn’t fit the mold. I wasn’t the typical young, perky or thin host viewers were used to seeing. They didn’t think I would do well with the target demographic, but I knew I was the real thing and I proved it with one hell of a demo. We were green lighted for only eight episodes and the response to this full-figured woman was beyond what they expected. A year after my first season, I was syndicated. Now, you’d think it would be easy for me to find investors and launch a magazine, but it wasn’t. I had to court a lot of people.”
“People like the Three Stooges?”
“Yes,” she groaned. “Still, I put up a good deal of my own money for Archer Omnimedia.”
“You made it happen.”
“I had to. And when the time came, people told me I couldn’t take my company public. I did and disproved all the naysayers. Still, I’ve had to prove I belong as the chief executive of the company I started. What man has to do that?”
“I get it. I also get that this is as much about Kurt as it is about you.”
“Does that bother you?”
“Of course it doesn’t bother me. What bothers me is at the end of the day, you have to take care of yourself and although I wasn’t fortunate enough to meet Kurt, I’m pretty sure he’d agree with me.”
“He thought I was a workaholic, so you’re probably right.”
“See. Of course, if you let people know about the MS, you’ll relieve some of the stress of keeping this secret.”
His words fell on deaf ears. “You know what, Nathaniel, I’m a grown-up. I don’t need you to tell me what to do.”
“I wasn’t trying to tell you what to do. I just think you need to slow it down. You can’t do everything.”
“What is that supposed to mean? I can’t do everything because I have MS, right?”
“Don’t put words in my mouth.”
“That’s what you meant. You know, I’m not in the market for an owner.”
“What?”
“You heard me.”
“You don’t mean that.”
“Of course I do.”
Nathaniel picked up his jacket. “I’m going to leave before I say something I regret.”
“You do that.”
Nathaniel rushed past Harrison. A few seconds later the door slammed.
“What happened up here? I leave you for a little while and all hell breaks loose.”
Alicia wiped her eyes. “Nothing.”
“Those red eyes don’t say nothing to me.” He sat on her bed. “Talk to me.”
“Nathaniel tried to tell me what to do, and you know how much I hate that.”
“He was doing nothing of the sort. He cares about you.”
Alicia looked away.
“You goaded him into a fight so you could send him away, didn’t you?”
“I’m sick, Harrison. I’ve never thought of myself as a sick person before today. How can I burden someone with this? Nathaniel has had his choice of young, healthy women. Why would he choose to be with a woman he knows is sick?”
“He loves you, Alicia. You’re not a burden to him.”
“Maybe I’m not one today, but what about tomorrow, next week or next year? Does a healthy man really want to be saddled with a woman with a chronic disease?”
“Nate came into this with his eyes open. Don’t forget he’s the one who rescued you from the pool.”
“I know. But it’s one thing to be a one-time hero. It’s another thing to carry the princess around on your back all day. I care about him too much to do that to him.”
“Bull. You’re just afraid of what you’re feeling.”
“I’m not changing my mind. I can’t do this to him. He’s better off.”
“What about Gabby’s event?”
“I suppose we’ll go together, but that will be it.”
Harrison shook his head in disgust. “You know, my dear, I love you like a daughter and sometimes I’d like to put you over my knee.”
“I’m sorry, Harrison.” She flashed him a look with her sad brown eyes.
“That’s not fair.”
“I have to do something.”
“Well, if you have to do anything, it’s take a nap. Can you do that for me?” Harrison got up.
“Okay.”
When Harrison closed the door, a flood of silent tears streamed down Alicia’s face. She did love Nathaniel but she couldn’t stand the thought of being the albatross around his neck. She knew it would hurt for a while but she felt it was best to let him go without guilt.
* * *
With Randy busy at the restaurant, Lauren went back to her apartment to relax for the rest of the afternoon. After she put her keys down, she checked her messages as she got out of her clothes.
You have two new messages.
“Lauren, it’s Ken. Football season is coming up quickly and I haven’t heard from you. Give me a call.”
Lauren shrugged it off. “I’m not calling him.”
The second message played.
“Lauren, you know I’m serious. If you’re serious about staying in that apartment, you’ll do what I asked you to do.”
“He’s got some nerve,” she huffed as she went into her closet.
The phone rang.
Lauren walked out and checked the caller ID just in case it was Ken. It wasn’t. It was the restaurant.
“Hello?”
“Hey, honey, how are you?”
“I’m good, thanks. How’s it going there?”
“It’s chaos as usual, but I do have some news to share.”
“Cool. Can I assume it’s good news?”
“It’s very good news. The New York Times is doing a feature on the restaurant.”
“Oh, that’s great news.”
“Thanks. I’m really excited.”
“You sho
uld be. It’s not easy to get in the pages of the Times.”
“I know. So how was Alicia’s launch?”
“It was great. A lot of people turned out for it.”
“That’s good. Maybe one day I’ll have my own line of kitchenware.”
“Don’t be surprised if it happens. All it takes is a lot of determination and hard work.”
“And you have to know the right people.”
“That’s true, too.”
“You know, I’m really looking forward to Friday night.”
“So am I.”
“Not only will I finally meet Alicia and Gabby, I’m going to have the most beautiful woman in the room on my arm.”
“Aww, that’s sweet of you to say.” Her voice faded.
“Okay, what’s on your mind?”
“Nothing. Don’t worry, I’m fine.”
“I’m not buying that for a minute. I know it has to do with Ken.”
She let out a heavy sigh. “He called.”
“Did you speak to him? What does he want now?”
“No, I wasn’t here. He left a message about the same thing.”
“Lauren, I know you want to handle this yourself, but the NFL season is fast approaching. He’s only going to ramp it up.”
“I know. He left two messages today.”
“Have you thought any more about my offer? I’m serious.”
“I know you are, and I really appreciate it.”
“But you’re not going to take me up on it, are you?”
“Probably not.”
“What if I make it a loan?”
“I still wouldn’t do it. Listen, sweetie, you don’t know how much it means to me that you offered.”
“Okay, I won’t pressure you. But I’m not taking it off the table.”
“If you insist,” she laughed.
“I insist. Listen, sweetheart, I’ve got to run but I will see you Friday night.”
“Okay.”
“I love you.”
“Love you, too.” She hung up.
Lauren stretched out on her bed. She knew Randy was right. With the NFL season fast approaching, the situation with Ken would get worse before it got better, and if she thought he was a pain in the butt before, he’d be a royal pain the longer she made him wait.
“That’s it,” she said aloud, smiling. I love you Randy. You just gave me what I need to get this handled. She picked up the phone. Now I’ll call Joe.
* * *
With Rosie gone for the day and the big exhibit around the corner, Gabby decompressed with a cup of tea and tuned the world out for a while.
The doorbell interrupted her thoughts.
Who in the world could this be? She looked at her watch as she got up and pressed the intercom. “Yes?”
“Hi, Gabby, it’s me,” Nigel answered.
“Nigel? I’ll be right down.”
A moment later she was downstairs and in his arms. They kissed in the foyer.
“Come on up.” She took his hand.
“I wish I could, but I have a car waiting.”
“Oh, okay.”
“I came by to tell you how much I enjoyed meeting your mother.”
“Good. She liked you, too.”
“I’m glad.” A serious look came over his face.
“What’s wrong?”
“I had a chance to think while I was away…”
Gabby’s heart went into her stomach.
“Maybe I shouldn’t show at the exhibit, given our relationship. I know we started dating after you took my painting, but I don’t want to blemish your reputation, and if any of the other artists who didn’t make it in hear about it, that’s just what could happen. I don’t want to be responsible for that.”
Gabby was beyond relieved. “Oh.”
“What do you think?”
“Nigel, I really appreciate the gesture. Still, the fact is you’re in the show because of your talent. Your painting is amazing and once people see it, they’ll know why you’re one to watch.”
“Are you sure?”
“Listen, you are not getting any preferential treatment. I pick the artists and Victor sets the exhibit up.”
He smiled. “Okay. Now I can get to the real reason I came here straight from the airport.”
“Which is?” she asked anxiously.
He wrapped his arms around her. “I missed you.”
“I missed you, too.”
“And more importantly, I love you, Gabrielle.”
Gabby’s heart leaped. “You do?”
“Yes.”
“I love you, too.” She melted into his arms again and they fell into a passionate embrace.
A car horn honked.
Gabby reluctantly pulled away. “I think that was for you.”
“I don’t want to go, but I have to.”
She kissed softly. “We’ll see each other on Friday.”
“I can’t wait.”
“Neither can I.”
Just as he was about to open the door, he pulled her to him. “How about one more to hold me over?”
“Sure.”
They quickly fell into another ardent embrace until the car horn became more persistent.
“Okay, I’d better go. I forgot I have people in the car with me from the firm.”
She laughed. “Tell them I’m sorry.”
“The heck with them. You know how long I had to wait at the baggage carousel? I think we’re even.” He winked as he closed the door.
* * *
Still on air from the night before, Gabby walked out of her front door for the Starbucks a few blocks from her house. It was such a gorgeous morning that, after she ordered a venti latte, she decided to sit and watch the city go by at one of the outdoor tables.
“Excuse me.” An attractive and petite African American woman with a cute bob stood there.
She looked up. “Yes?”
“Is anyone sitting here?”
“No. Go right ahead.”
“Thank you.” The woman sat down.
Gabby quietly sipped her coffee.
“You’re Gabrielle Blanchard, aren’t you?”
“Yes. Have we met?”
“No. My name is Deidre Simpson. I’m Nigel Jr.’s mother.”
Gabby’s jaw dropped. “How did you…?”
“How did I know about you? I make it my business to know everything about my son’s father’s life, which apparently includes you now.”
Gabby was uncomfortable. “Listen, this is between you and Nigel. I don’t think it’s appropriate to talk to me.”
“Why shouldn’t I talk to the woman who’s in bed with my son’s father?”
People were beginning to look. “I understand that you’re upset, but this has nothing to do with me.”
“Oh, really? You’re not the one who told him to go for joint custody?”
“What?” Gabby stood up.
“Listen, I know you’re some rich big shot, but I’m here to tell you that I’m prepared to fight for my son.”
“This is between you and Nigel. I don’t have any say in it.” Gabby started to walk away and then she came back. “You know what, I hope you do what’s right for your son, because he’s the one who will get hurt if you don’t work this out. That’s all I have to say.” Gabby turned on her heel and walked like she was on fire. She flipped her cell phone open to speed dial.
“Hello?”
“Nigel?” She was a little out of breath.
“I was just about to call you. Are you excited?”
“I’m excited all right, but not about tonight.”
“That doesn’t sound good. Did something happen at the gallery?”
“No, the gallery is fine. You’ll never guess who I just ran into.”
“Who?”
“Deidre.”
“What? How in the hell did that happen?”
“Funny, I was about to ask you the same thing.”
“I should have known. I served her
with the court papers for the custody issue.”
“It would have been nice to know that you decided to go for joint custody.”
“I was going to tell you, but your mother was there, and I had to leave for that appointment.”
“Okay, but you could have said something last night.”
“I suppose I got caught up in making my declaration.”
“Nigel, this isn’t the kind of thing that should have slipped your mind. I was blindsided. More than that, how does she even know about me? She actually showed up at the Starbucks near my house. What are the chances of that happening by coincidence? You know how many Starbucks there are in Manhattan alone?”
“I know.” He sighed. “She must have been tracking me again.”
“What do you mean, tracking you again? She’s done this before?”
“Her younger brother is a P.I. She used him to try to find dirt on me the last time we had a child support hearing.”
“I wish you had told me.”
“I’m sorry. What did she say to you?”
“It’s not important.” Gabby was annoyed.
“She probably thinks you’re the one who put me up to going for joint custody.”
Gabby was at her front door. “I really didn’t need this today.”
“I’m sorry.”
She rubbed her head. “Listen, Nigel, I know you’re sorry, but I’ve got a headache now. I need to lie down.”
“Are you going to be okay?”
“Right now isn’t the time to talk. I’ll see you later.”
Still flustered, Gabby went straight to her room and flopped onto the bed. Getting ready for her big night lost a bit of its luster, but the show had to go on.
Chapter 17
While Alicia waited for the car to arrive, she checked her reflection in the mirror. From the living room Harrison could see her checking the clock.
“It’s about twenty seconds later than the last time you checked.”
“Who asked you?”
“I’m just saying.” He closed his book. “You’re waiting for him, aren’t you?”
Alicia and Nathaniel hadn’t spoken since their fight. She’d been tempted to call to apologize, but her pride got in the way.
“If by him you mean the driver, you’re right.”
The doorbell rang. Harrison got up. “I’ll get it.” He walked past her to the door. It was Nathaniel. “Hey, Nate, it’s good to see you. Don’t you look spiffy.”
Waiting for Mr. Darcy Page 24
