Performing her beauty rituals as outlined by her various allies, Remi slid into the warm bath, then rubbed her body with all the oils and lotions sold to her by the girls at the salon. Afterward, she did her makeup according to the implicit instructions from the beauticians at the spa.
In her robe, she walked toward gorgeous gown hanging outside the closet doors. Dickie had outdone himself. He’d chosen a dress fit for a princess. It was the most splendid article of clothing she’d ever owned, and she knew he’d lowered the price so she could actually have any hope of purchasing it.
The plunging neckline, decorated by crystals and beads, made her squirm somewhat until she realized how beautifully it outlined her breasts. Flamboyant, the bright red wasn’t a color she tended to wear often but it did fascinating things to her skin and eyes. Silky, tight-fitting just past her hips, and then flaring out into the skirt, with cap sleeves and almost backless, the long gown and spike heels fitted her perfectly and gave her height and poise. The elegance made her proud. All her efforts had paid off.
She couldn’t wait for Eadan to see her now.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Exactly at seven, the knock on the door revved up Remi’s heart-beats to warp speed. Oh, God! He’s here. Her hand seized her chest to stop her heart from flying right out of her body. Then she dropped the small handbag that matched her dress and fumbled when she went to pick it up. Blinking away the dryness from her eyes, swallowing the same in her throat, she wanted to run and hide behind the bathroom door. The image of his last smile and his words soothed her panic. Please kiss me before we go to the party. Please, please… please. It was the only way she’d know this wasn’t all a dream.
The second knock shocked her from her shilly-shallying and she rushed for the door handle. Shyly, she looked at the man standing there in a tux and everything inside her dropped like a stone. All her expectations, her fears, even her nervousness, fled when she saw Graeme’s stunned grin.
“Oh, oh! This isn’t good.”
“Excuse me? You’re Graeme, right? Eadan said you might have to fetch me if he was late.”
“Yep, that’s me. And you… you are Remi, or have I got things all wrong?”
“Yes, don’t you recognize me?”
“Not even a little. Remi was pretty—a rather nice girl I met only once. You’re a diva, absolutely gorgeous, and Eadan will be the envy of every man there.”
Mollified somewhat by this response, Remi gathered her dress, stepped into the hallway and shared her friendly hello-how-are-you smile. “Shall we go? I wouldn’t want to be late.”
“Yes, of course.” He lifted his arm in her direction and she gladly linked her hand there, accepting his gesture. “Just so you know, Remi, Eadan has been working unreasonable hours since he arrived home. With my father ill, me being up north and my other brother’s patient-load ridiculously overflowing, Eadan has picked up the slack.”
“I know he’s been working hard. We’ve Skyped most nights and sometimes he can barely stay awake.”
“Good. So you’ll forgive him if he acts a little strange or weird. He’s been looking forward immensely to your arrival, but I think he’s in for the shock of his life.”
Before she could answer, the elevator doors flung open and there stood Eadan, decked out in a tux that took Remi’s breath away. He was splendid and she thanked God for her own transformation.
“Remi!?” Eadan stepped back rather than rushing forward as she’d imagined he would.
“Hello, Eadan. Thank you for inviting me tonight… What’s wrong?”
Eadan looked from her to Graeme and then back at her. The glower covering his face was unmistakable and in the flicker of a hummingbird’s wing, she lost every bit of joy she’d harvested, and fear became a living thing inside her belly.
Graeme stepped toward his brother and though Remi couldn’t see his face, she had the distinct impression that his glare held a warning.
“Hey, bro. Your lovely Remi looks wonderful tonight. You lucky dog, you’ll be escorting the loveliest woman here to the dinner.” Then he play-slapped Eadan’s shoulder, harder than what Remi deemed necessary, but it worked and roused him from whatever state he’d lapsed into.
“Yes. Hello, Remi. You look… stunning. You didn’t tell me that you were on a diet.”
Hesitantly, she stepped forward. “Greta and I teamed up. I told you a little about her trouble and how I wanted to help. Well, it was easier for me to follow along with her new regime. I – I feel a lot better.”
Eadan nodded and didn’t reply. The silence grew and soon became uncomfortable.
Graeme discretely vanished, leaving them to walk into the dining room alone. Feeling silly just standing there, Remi didn’t know whether she should clutch Eadan’s arm or not. She’d counted on his support to help her walk gracefully in the high heels she’d chosen to match her dress. Knowing her penchant for falling, she’d hesitated before buying them, but Dickie had insisted and seeing as how they’d added height and made her look so fashionable, she’d relented.
Now her nervousness at Eadan’s behavior and the sight of so many strangers added to her discomfort. What had happened to her teasing, flirtatious Skyping partner? The man she’d hoped to impress with her new look. Could this icy replica be the same person? If so, why did she feel so scared and alone?
“Eadan? I’m not sure what’s wrong. I hoped you’d be happy I came.”
Her words seemed to shake him out of his funk enough for him to remember his manners. “Yes, of course I’m happy. Shall we head on in to the dining room? It seems to be filling up.”
Unsure whether she’d be welcome to touch him, uncomfortable to the extreme, Remi bravely walked beside him, concentrating on every step she took. Her breath caught when they entered the large ballroom, where round tables had been arranged to accommodate the large crowd. Turquoise leather chairs spaced around the white linen covered tables looked elegant under the fancy lighting. Remi couldn’t wait to be safely seated.
Once people saw Eadan, many approached and she was introduced all around, multiple times. Eadan’s way of calling her his friend from London slightly soothed her hurt feelings, but she would have been happier if he’d have presented her as his girlfriend.
It was as if she had disappointed him in some strange way, and as the evening progressed, it became more and more evident. The man was in a snit and nothing she said jollied him out of it. Even Graeme, who sat to her right, couldn’t work his magic. One would almost think that Eadan had sunk into a depression.
Throughout the torturous hours, he was polite but distant. When she tried to talk about his flat, he listened, giving her his full attention, but where was the enthusiasm she’d expected? The video she’d carefully taken using her phone as a kind of present to him remained closed. The thought of his half-hearted response killed any desire for her to share.
Graeme, playing the host at their table, kept the ball rolling amongst the other three couples and his own lady friend, Julia, a woman who Remi really liked. Eadan answered when spoken to, but added very little to the conversation that centered mainly on the new attractions that Scotland had for its tourists.
Remi appreciated the many suggestions of places she must visit. She laughingly bantered back and forth with some of the couples about her inability to golf and her lack of interest in fishing. Not that she wouldn’t like to take up these sports, there just hadn’t been the opportunities.
One of the older couples, both pleasant and friendly, made an offer she appreciated immensely. “Come and visit us for a few days, my dear. We can show you a lot of the attractions one shouldn’t miss. We always enjoy taking new visitors around and introducing them to the wonderful sights of Edinburgh and its outlying areas.”
Since Remi had no intention of remaining longer than it took her to remove her dress, pack and head for the airport, she took care with her refusal.
“How generous and kind of you to offer your tour guidance and home to a stranger
.”
“Oh, you don’t seem like a stranger. You’ve a lovely nature and I’m sure we’d get on famously.” The older woman’s sincerity gratified Remi and went a small way to mending some of the pain Eadan’s lack of interest had inflicted.
“I’m touched and wished I could accept. Unfortunately, work responsibilities force me to return home.” Remi reached over to pat the other woman’s hand. “But your invitation has warmed my heart.”
Eadan spoke up just then. “Yes thanks, Katy. You’re very generous.”
The woman’s direct gaze at Eadan sent a message no one at the table could miss. “I wouldn’t offer this welcome to just anyone, Eadan. But your Remi will always be welcome.”
Touched to the point of tears, Remi smiled her delight and silently thanked Graeme for cutting in. “Katy, have you ever toyed with the idea of opening a bed and breakfast on that large estate you and Bruce call home? There’s a big demand for B&Bs nowadays.”
Remi let her mind wander while the others discussed the merits of opening one’s home to strangers. Shyly, she glanced at Eadan, only to see his hand clenched tightly and him gazing at the entrance to the room as if bolting was his greatest wish.
Just then his phone rang and he seemed grateful for the interruption. “I’m sorry, everyone. It’s the hospital and I have to return. I’m on call if my young patient Jeremy takes a turn for the worse, and I’m afraid it looks as if that’s the case.”
Now Remi felt horrible. What if the poor man had been suffering over this boy and she’d only thought about his treatment of herself. Doctors must get personally involved in their cases; after all they were only human.
Eadan pulled his chair back and leaned toward her. “I’m sorry, Remi. I must go back to the ward and check on him. I’ll call you tomorrow.”
“I’m fine, Eadan. Don’t worry about me. I’ll say a prayer for the youngster.” She patted his hand, wishing she could hug him instead. Poor darling man!
Chapter Twenty-Three
“Dirty rotten weasel! Jeremy had been sent home that same afternoon, completely cured. If Remi hadn’t caught the look that Graeme sent Julia, she would have remained in her oblivious state. But she knew something was up when she saw his shock and the following scowl.
Eavesdropping, she listened as Julia questioned Graeme and heard him admit that Eadan had lied, and that the boy was fine.
Shocked, and hurt beyond anything she’d felt in many years, Remi continued to sit and finish her meal. Pretending ignorance, her acting skills kicking in, she waited until everyone had their coffees and dessert before making her move. No way did she want to sit through the speeches.
Without worrying about her clumsy ways—nothing could be further from her mind—she gathered up her handbag, thanked everyone for their kindness and with head high, she glided to the exit and straight to the elevator.
Once locked in her room, her shield cracked and she slid down in a heap of red silk on the floor, her skirt billowing around her. Crying hard, her heart broken and the pain unbearable, Remi allowed the breakdown to go on for quite a few minutes.
Devastating sobs shattered the silence. Tears gushed, the tap fully opened, and it was the need of a tissue that finally forced her to search for her handbag. Using the ones there, she swiped at the continuous stream but to no avail; they wouldn’t stop.
Not only did she cry for tonight’s pain, but once the floodgates were opened, she experienced all the hurt she’d suffered at the hands of others throughout her life. All the painful memories she’d stomped on and refused to deal with re-emerged.
Why did people treat her so badly?
Why did she let them?
Don’t give your power away! Wasn’t that what she’d said to Greta not long ago? Bowing her head in shame, she acknowledged her faults. Why did I let him treat me like that?
Breathing in, groans audible in the silence, she lay back and stared at the ceiling as if answers were written there.
What did I do wrong? No! Don’t go there. It wasn’t her fault. He had acted like a jerk—plain and simple. What made her sad was that it had been the first time in her life that she’d felt truly beautiful, even sophisticated.
Never wanting to see the idiot again, Remi’s heart hardened. Time to leave! The arse could play hot and cold to some other unsuspecting female; she wanted none of it. One last sob, and she rolled to her feet and ripped the dress off. Within a short time, she had packed her bags and was heading for the airport, and the flight home she’d managed to obtain.
Chapter Twenty-Four
No sooner had Eadan arrived home, did he begin to see the error of his ways. The text message from Graeme calling him a dim-witted chump might have had something to do with him unravelling the web of stupidity from his mind and opening up his brain to clear thinking. But he liked to think he would have reached that place himself.
The two back-to-back surgeries he’d handled for eight hours before the dinner hadn’t helped him see things straight. Again… that was no excuse for his obtuseness with Remi. He’d acted like a cad—a rotten one, if her dejection was anything to go by.
Remi had shown up for him as promised, and just because she’d looked dazzling in a dress that he’d had trouble keeping his eyes from peeling off her was in no way the poor girl’s fault. She didn’t know how much he’d looked forward to his nice Remi appearing; the homely girl with the larger body he’d envisioned cuddling. Or the clean face he could touch without any worries that he’d smear her makeup. Most of all, the soft curls his hands had itched to visit.
Like a child, he’d clung to that vision of her throughout the many weeks he’d spent away. Once he’d known she was coming, he’d imagined her warmth and comfortable presence and it had soothed his ego.
With his Remi, he wouldn’t ever have to worry about other men wanting to steal her away; she wasn’t the sort that sent out those vibes. With his Remi, he could relax his guard because she’d be so thankful for his attention, she’d lavish all her love on him. With his Remi, he could trust her…trust her to belong only to him.
Only she wasn’t his Remi at all. Not now. He’d spoiled everything with his cruel behavior and cold shoulder. There was no excuse for his actions. But to give the devil his due, he had to admit that the exquisite model who’d stepped out of the elevator had scared the stuffing out of him. He’d felt robbed of all his dreams, and like a silly spoilt child he’d pouted and had treated her abominably.
Grabbing his keys, he headed for the door. No matter how tired he was, he couldn’t sleep knowing that she was hurting and it was his fault. He had to make things right and see if he still had a chance.
He realised that it didn’t matter that the woman was a beauty and he’d sworn off that type. In her case, he knew in his heart, it wasn’t skin deep.
A quick call to the hotel and his heart dropped like a sledge hammer. The phone in her bedroom ringing out was an indication that he’d better wake up and pay attention if he didn’t want to ruin the best thing that had ever happened to him.
She’d left and he had to catch her. Explain the unexplainable. That he’d wanted her old self, the chubby, plain girl he’d fallen in love with. Not the fashion model who’d shown up tonight.
Surely he could explain it all… Oh God!
Chapter Twenty-Five
Remi stumbled into her flat in the wee hours of the morning, totally exhausted. Who knew how difficult it was to stop tears from falling in public? She’d spent the hours between leaving the hotel to the taxi ride home biting her lip and sniffling.
Glad to be able to relax, she took a long shower and washed off her new look, from the fancy fluffed up hairdo to the expensive body lotion she’d applied all over. Donning her flannel pajama bottoms with the goofy monkeys and her floppy top to match, she filled the kettle, grabbed another handful of tissues to help stem the continuous stream of tears, and headed for her room.
Except that the doorbell rang before she got there. Who in the world…?
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Carefully, opening the door only as far as the chain allowed, she peeked out and got the shock of her life. Standing there abjectly, Eadan, still in his tux minus the tie, his bloodstained eyes brightening when he saw she was at home, started to speak. “Thank goodness—you did come here.”
Trembling uncontrollably, Remi hid herself behind the door and showed only a portion of her face and one glaring eye. “Eadan, what do you want?”
“You!” He spoke quickly and stepped really close to the small opening as if he could squeeze through to get to her before she shut him out. “I want you. I want a replay on the evening, so when you step from the elevator looking like a goddess, I can bow at your feet and thank the gods you came to see me.”
“It’s too late for that. And it’s too late for this conversation. Go away!” Gathering the strength of will she’d gained after acknowledging her blame in letting herself be treated so abominably, she shut the door in his face. Only to open it again for her final rebuke. “You’re not a nice man!” This time she slammed the door harder. Then she ran to sit in the armchair and hugged herself hard.
What had she done? He’d come to apologize. Was she being a fool to treat him so harshly? He must have followed her. My goodness he appeared tired. Oh, lawdy, now look what he’d made her go and do. Being rude didn’t sit well with her or her conscience.
She slid down in her chair and laid her head on her arms. No matter what, don’t let him in. He’ll talk you out of being angry, you know he will. Why should he have it that easy? Don’t do it…
Her eyes closed for only a few seconds, she thought. When her head flopped back over the arm of the chair, it woke her and she checked her watch. She’d passed out for over an hour.
