“Oh. Sorry.” She giggled. “I think he’s trying to protect my virtue, but I’ll tell you know. Yes. We had sex.” The phone muffled. “She’s my best friend, of course I will tell her. Alright. If you’re too uptight.” She whispered into the phone, “We’ll talk later.”
I giggled. “I look forward to it. How long before you need to get back to Boston?”
“I’d like to get back by Wednesday morning. I’ll leave tomorrow afternoon, I suppose.” Her voice trailed off. The car slowed and I looked out the window. We were on Twenty-Third and Park Avenue, only a few blocks from the restaurant.
“Anyway, well,” she broke into a deep throaty laughter. “Stop Ian, or I’ll tell her what you did to me,” she threatened then screamed with laughter.
I laughed. “We’ve arrived and I have to go. I’ll see you later.” From the noises they were making in the background, I suspected she hadn’t heard me.
I PULLED OUT MY brush and quickly raked through my hair and touched up my makeup, not wishing to get any more saucer-eyes photos like the ones in the tabloid. David helped me out of the car and informed me Jonas would be here shortly. I stood before the beautifully carved stonework and red awning and couldn’t believe how much my life had changed in such a short amount of time. I went from eating chicken salads at my desk to waiting for the Jonas Crane to join me for lunch at Gramercy Tavern. Heady.
“Why are you standing on the street?”
I turned and found Jonas and he took my breath away. He still had that effect on me, and from a shift of my eyes at the passersby gaping at him, he had the same effect on everyone he met. He was oblivious, of course, his gaze steady on me.
“I was just…uh, waiting,” I answered, suddenly tongue-tied. I spied a cameraman a few feet away and my smile tightened. Jonas placed his hand on my lower back and moved us toward the front door, which David was holding open for us, and we made our way inside the restaurant.
Jonas’s entry caused the same sensation as he had on the street. He was even stopped a few times, though he took it in stride and was kind to each and every person that approached him. But he kept me close to his side, and I felt myself falling in love with him all over again, just from all I knew about the man.
We sat down and Jonas ordered for salads and red snapper for us, as well as scotch for himself and a pinot grigio for me. “You like red snapper. I remember,” he said as a preemptive response to my disapproval of him ordering for me. It wasn’t coming. I did, indeed, like his selection. “Sounds good.” I said, taking a sip of the water that had just been brought out to us.
“We’ll be attending the New York Art Alliance Standing Up for Mental Health Art auction on Wednesday. Samuel will be sending you information. I want you to pay particular attention to director Penelope Carmichael.”
I took out my notepad and pen from my handbag and jotted down the information. “I’ll look at it when I return. Is there any reason her in particular?”
“Penelope is the director at New York Art Alliance, which is a longstanding staple of the art community in New York. She also heads art programs and charities in the Tri-State area. She would be a great contact for your program. Samuel will be dropping off cards on your Love Legacy. I think you need to work on improving your brand, but that will come,” Jonas said.
“I always wanted to do so, but I was hoping to hire someone with the raise I was to get from landing you at Arch,” I said and took a sip of water.
“I want to help,” Jonas said and tensed, clearly waiting for another protest by me. The program wasn’t about my ego though, and I wasn’t about to pass up assistance from one of the best business minds in the world.
“Thank you, Jonas,” I said.
His mouth formed a broad smile. “You’re welcome, Lily.” The waiter returned with our drink orders. After a sip of my wine, I told him, “Isla approved the visitation.”
Jonas grimaced. “I’m still not happy with the idea,” he said, drinking his scotch.
“We talked about it. She suggested I simply read a statement,” I said. “It would give me a chance to say what I need to without expecting much from him in the form of an apology. I don’t know how well that will work, though, with the way he usually behaves with me.”
“You won’t be alone. I’ll be there and so will Diane. I just don’t want you to have unrealistic expectations. It sounds like Isla helped with that some,” he said, buttering a piece of bread from a basket on the table and placing it on my plate.
“Yeah,” I said. “I think we’ll need to visit Kate again, to go up a size in dresses. I know I’ve gained weight,” I said, eyeing the bread.
“Sounds good to me,” Jonas said, giving me a flash of his perfect teeth. I blushed for him and ate the bread.
“You’re still shy after all I’ve done to you,” he said pointedly. That only made me blush more and I scowled at Jonas.
Our salads were brought and we started eating them. I paused between bites. “Any news about what’s going on with her book?” I asked and looked around the restaurant.
“Legal delivered a few reminders today to her and her father. I expect to hear something soon,” Jonas responded and took another sip of his drink. “I think that will clear that up.”
“I’m really sorry about Phil. He and Dottie seemed so nice,” I said, reaching over and putting my foot against his leg.
He lifted the corner of his mouth. “Friends make the worst enemies. I’m not bothered. We stopped seeing as much of each other after they moved to Florida, and even less when we backed his company. What are you doing?”
“I’m giving you support without disrupting your meal,” I said innocently after the waiter removed our salads.
“I thought it was called footsie,” he said, lifting the corner of his mouth.
I moved my foot a little higher up the leg of his trousers.
Jonas gave me a dark look. “I really don’t have the time, but I’m willing to forget about the cameras and we can continue in the car?”
I blushed and quickly removed my foot, swiftly putting my shoe back on. “You’re right. I don’t know what I was thinking.”
“I did enjoy your support,” Jonas said. I glanced at him and his gaze was fixed on me. I gave him a small smile and we ate our main course before sharing a Gramercy cookie plate for dessert. Silence fell between us as the time approached for him to leave. I glanced at him between bites. “Can I come to the airport?” I whispered, staring down at my plate.
“I think it would be best if I drop you off first,” Jonas said softly.
I took in a shaky breath and dipped my head. “Oh.”
“Tiger Lily,” he said. I wouldn’t look at him. I couldn’t.
He asked for the bill and settled it, then took my hand and moved us quickly out of the restaurant.
Jonas ran his hand over my back. “Is it wrong to love how much you want to be with me?” He kissed the side of my head then helped me into the car. I inadvertently crawled into his lap and froze, having forgotten about the photo possibilities.
“I don’t care,” he whispered and cuddled me. I placed my hand on his shoulder and pressed my lips against his neck before closing my eyes and resting my head on his shoulder. He didn’t say anything, just held me close and occasionally gripped my waist or caressed my thigh as we rode back to Tribeca. The ride was short. Too short. And when we stopped, so did my heart.
“I’ll call you later,” he said. “The second I can, I’ll head home. And then it will be the two of us away together soon.” Jonas pressed his lips against my forehead. He moved back and tilted up my face, stopping the progress of the tears on my cheeks with two kisses.
“My smile. I need it,” he requested in a gentle tone and waited for me to compose myself and wipe my tears away. I looked into his eyes that shone back at me.
I swallowed hard, my mouth quivering up into a smile. “I love you,” I said.
“And I love you.” He gave me a hard kiss on the lips. Then he knocked on the d
oor for David to open it. “Go inside quickly,” he commanded, his voice faltering.
I let out a sob as David opened the door and helped me out of the car. I followed his instruction and hurried to the building, not stopping until the front door of the loft was pressed against my back. There I allowed the rest of my tears to fall.
I got up early the next day and set up my own mini workstation in the living room. With Jonas gone, and not needing to go out anywhere myself, I let my hair down. Or, rather, up in a messy pile on top of my head. Between that and my favorite tank top and sweats, I was happy and homey.
I researched Penelope Carmichael and the New York Art Alliance for Jonas over breakfast. And then I worked on editing changes to an updated version of the manuscript Gregor had sent me last week over lunch.
Mary didn’t come back, but I didn’t begrudge her that. I wasn’t really up for hanging out after Jonas left anyway, and I had a feeling I knew what it was she was swept up in.
Jonas did send me a text letting me know he had arrived safely the night before, and another this morning to let me know he would be working hard all day so he could return to me tomorrow. I couldn’t wait. I missed him already.
I tried on the dresses Kate had delivered and found they fit—just barely. Like I suspected, I had gained weight. I was one step closer to moving forward with my life.
Next on my list was to pen the statement I wanted to read during Declan’s visitation. What exactly did I want to say to him? No. What did I want to say for myself?
I spent a couple of hours trying to figure it out. On my third draft, and after I devoured reheated pizza, the front door buzzed. Before I could jump to answer it, in walked Mary, doing a stride of pride with a sheepish grin on her face. She was followed by Ian, who walked with a bit of a swagger.
I raised my hand. “No apologies. It’s all fine. I understand, Mary,” I said, cutting her off before she said anything. She simply smiled my way.
“Ian.” I nodded his direction. “Thanks for driving Mary back.” I wasn’t even being nosey, but I still got a tense jaw from him, followed by a one-word response. “Yeah.”
“I’m here for the rest of the afternoon. I can get my flight tonight,” she announced.
I sighed and smiled. I was going to miss having her around. “I wish you could stay longer.”
“I told you I can drive you back,” Ian said to her, tugging on her scarf.
She grinned at him and swiped his arm. “You ride, you don’t drive.”
“Then I’ll ride you back,” Ian said with a straight face.
I was just about to gag at Ian’s cheesy pick up line, when Mary gave him a husky reply. “I’d like that.” She was eating it up and asking for seconds. I turned my head back and watched Ian pulled her against the front of his body and do a two-hand lift of her ass.
I covered my mouth to suppress my laugh. I couldn’t wait to tease her good about it when he left.
“Okay. Uhm,” she said, pulling herself back from his kisses. “See you in a few hours?” she sounded breathy.
Ian gave her some kind of grunt in response and kissed her in a way that made me want to give my eyes a shower. She was groping him too, like she couldn’t get enough. He’s sexually intoxicated her.
Ian practically strutted to the door, with Mary getting more kisses and gropes in before it finally closed. When it did, I decided I had held it in long enough and burst into a fit of laughter. She resisted at first, but then gave in and joined me. “Laugh it up. I guess I deserve it,” she said after we stopped, plopping down next to me on the couch. “I’m going to need a vacation from this break.”
I smirked at her. “So much for Ian being off-limits, eh?”
She covered her face with her hands. “I don’t know what I’m doing.” She positioned herself to face me. “Neither of us is looking for anything but fun, so it’s still a fling. You don’t have to worry, though. We’re going to be friends, or friendly, after we end things tonight. We’ll still be fine to stand as your best persons in your wedding. And to be joint God parents of your children.”
“I wish,” I muttered and stared off dreamily. Mary knew me well. I always wanted to fall in love, marry, and have children, just like my parents. In my heart, I wanted to marry Jonas and have his children. But would Jonas ever want that? I wasn’t sure.
I let out a puff of air and tilted my head down. “I’m not sure he will want to marry again,” I finally said. “Or have more children.”
Mary looked at me for a moment, and then said, “I would normally say it’s kind of early in your relationship to discuss marriage and kids, but you are living together now. Maybe you should at least have a conversation about what you both want before saying he doesn’t?”
I laid my head on the couch. “I guess I’m afraid. It wasn’t that long ago he wanted me only as his sex companion. He’s divorced and has a teenager. He told Melissa…” I stopped myself. He also told her he didn’t think he could love again, until he met me. Could it be possible he would marry me?
Mary came close and put her arm around my shoulder. “I’ve seen him. He absolutely loves and adores you. You can give the both of you more time. But if I’m wrong and he doesn’t want to marry you, then you’ll know soon enough and can choose to move on. It’s not good to leave your dreams behind to fit someone else’s. So, think about it. And then bring it up with him when the time is right.”
“I will,” I said and swallowed. She hugged me.
When she released me, I looked at my laptop and moved my cursor. I didn’t want to discuss this anymore.
“So, what are you working on there?” Mary asked, taking the hint. Her jaw dropped open as she read over my statement. “Declan? Now you’re writing to that loser?” There was disgust in her tone.
“Not exactly.” I replied, filling her in on the upcoming visitation.
Her top lip curled up. “I have a few words I’d like to say to him. It would be worth missing classes just to tell Declan what I think of him.”
I shook my head. “He’s not worth it.”
“True.” Mary stood up.
“After I read this statement,” I said. “I’m putting him, and everything that happened, behind me.”
Mary nodded. “I’m glad.” Then she stood and said, “I’m going change and pack. Then we can talk and watch an old movie?”
“I’d like that,” I said. As she left the room, I went back working on my statement. After a while, Mary returned, dolled up Dee style. Her hair and makeup looked flawless, and she was even wearing a V-neck that totally highlighted her cleavage.
“Must be good,” I teased.
Mary put on her glasses. “Yes. It is. Too good,” she admitted. “But please keep that to yourself. I’m trying to play it cool.”
I hid my incredulous expression. I was happy to see Mary letting her hair down and enjoying herself, as she usually spent her time doing homework and research during our visits. I pointed out as much to her as we went into the kitchen to get snacks for our movie.
“It has been a stressful semester,” she acknowledged. “I took too many courses to try to finish my degree program early.” We looked through the refrigerator, and Mary took out a shake for me and a bottled water for herself.
I pulled out the container of fruit and started filling up two small bowls. “How were your grades after the mid-terms?”
“Good,” Mary said, grimacing before adding, “Though I’ve got a feeling that when Hans finally signs off on our independent project, I’ll be lucky if I get a B.” She said it like it was a curse word. And for Mary, it was. She prided herself on her top honors and record in academia. So I knew this wasn’t something easy for her to share or admit.
“When did this happen?” I asked, coming over to stand next to her.
She hunched her shoulders. “He sent an email today indicating as much. He suddenly has a problem with everything I submitted.” She collected spreads and muffins on the counters and we walked them bac
k into the living room.
“What can I do to help?” I asked once we were seated.
She shook her head and flipped through the movies on the rental list. “I’m handling it. Now let’s watch...Notorious.”
I wanted to press, but I could see she didn’t want to discuss it. I also knew if she was in serious trouble, she wouldn’t be sitting here. So I let it go. At least for now. “Alright, but if I can help, let me,” I said and popped a grape in my mouth.
“I will,” she said, facing the TV. “How many times have we seen this movie?” she asked, changing the subject.
“Not enough,” I said, giving our standard answer. We laughed.
We spent the rest of the time eating and talking through the movie. The time went by fast. Before we knew it, Ian had returned and was ready to take Mary back to Boston.
“I’m a call a way if you need me. I love you,” Mary said and let out a sob.
I hugged her tight. “I’m here for you, too. Thank you for coming to visit. I love you.”
After she left, I finished up on the computer and ate dinner. I found a link from Gregor in my email of a group of cats dancing to Queen’s “We Are the Champions.” Arch was celebrating, and now so was I. I replayed it and danced along. The kind of dancing you only do when you know no one else can see you.
The front door opening stopped me mid-chicken dance. Jonas had returned early and was laughing at me, clearly having seen more than I would have liked. But I didn’t care. I closed the distance between us and yielded to his arms, which were open and waiting for me to fill them.
WE ARRIVED WITH a few minutes to spare at Arch Limited. The media had descended on the Midtown building to cover Jonas’ book announcement. At least that’s what the morning was supposed to be about, though it was also our first official public engagement as a couple.
We were both pressed and dressed, Jonas in a fashionable black suit and white shirt with his freshly trimmed hair coiffured back. As for myself, I was dressed in a black knit dress and pumps and wore my hair in a ponytail. Walking hand-in-hand, we made our way through flashing lenses across the stone courtyard and up to the glass-door entrance of the lobby, where the announcement was set to take place. It was packed with smiling staff. A small aisle led up to a podium with three banners, one each with the logos of Crane Holdings and Arch Limited. A central banner draped in a sheet remained covered. I imagined it would be revealed at the start of the press event.
Tiger Lily: Part Three Page 22
