by Nicki Night
Fifteen minutes later, Donovan pulled into his parents’ circular drive. The sun, in the beginning of its stunning descent, cast intense orange and red hues across their meticulous landscape—colors that reinforced Donovan’s own mood.
Using his key, he entered their home. “Mom. Dad.” He repeated the call, walking through the first floor until someone responded.
“Hey!” his father yelled. “In here.”
“Dad?” Donovan followed the sound of his response. William Rivers sat comfortably in the den flipping channels, with his legs propped on an ottoman and a PC on his lap.
“What’s happening, son?”
“I need to speak to you and Mom.”
“Well, you’d better catch her before she heads out. She’s got a meeting tonight with one of those organizations she’s involved with.” Mr. Rivers craned his neck toward Donovan. “Is everything all right?”
“I just need to talk to the two of you. Ma!” Donovan raced up the steps taking two at a time.
“In here,” she called out.
Donovan found her in the master bathroom. Joliet brushed mascara on her lashes. He leaned toward her to kiss her cheek.
“Can you come down? I need to speak with you and Dad. It’s important.”
Joliet checked her lashes, painted red on her lips and pressed them together. “It will have to be brief, honey, I have a meeting this evening.”
“This shouldn’t take long at all.”
“Okay. I’ll be right there.”
Back downstairs, Donovan poured a glass of ice tea and paced the perimeter of the kitchen island until he heard his mother descend. He joined them in the family room. Sitting, he looked from one to the other.
“I need to know the history between our family and the Chandlers.”
Mr. Rivers raised a brow and looked at Joliet.
“Do we have to do this now?” she asked incredulously.
Donovan stood. “Yes, Mom.” He was firm but respectful. “Please.” His voice was softer. “It’s important.”
Joliet sighed. “You really care about this girl.”
“I do.” Donovan eased back into his chair.
“Well.” Joliet tossed her hands up. “What do you want to know?”
“What happened between you and Mrs. Rivers?”
A sigh and a long pause preceded her explanation. “It started back in college,” Joliet began.
Chapter 23
“Aunt Ava Rae is in town and wants to do dinner. I know that you usually go to the city with Donovan—”
“I’m not going to the city tonight,” Chloe cut Jewel off mid-sentence.
“Oh,” Jewel said. “Okay.” She spoke slowly. “You still haven’t spoken to him, have you?”
“What’s there to speak about? I know what I saw and days later they get the contract.” Chloe sucked her teeth. “That’s not a good look.”
The next few moments were filled with dense silence. Chloe knew Jewel was trying to choose her words.
“You’re going to just let this whole thing unravel without an attempt at least one civil encounter?”
Chloe blew out an exasperated breath and didn’t answer at first. “What about Aunt Ava Rae?” she finally asked, knowing Jewel wouldn’t have rescued her from the silence. Chloe didn’t really feel like hanging out but couldn’t refuse quality time with her aunt. As the mother of four boys, their aunt viewed Chloe, Jewel and Jade as the daughters she’d never had. She was fun, refreshingly honest and full of witty yet solid advice. They adored her. Sometimes El became a little envious.
“She wants to have dinner with us,” Jewel said. “She tried to call you.”
Chloe moved the phone from her ear and looked at her call log. She had indeed missed a call from their aunt. “Where are we going?” she said, putting the phone back up to her ear.
“Not Josephina’s,” Jewel said with a slight snort.
“Jewel!” Chloe didn’t think it was funny.
“You two need to talk and stop acting like children,” Jewel said matter-of-factly, referring to Chloe and Donovan.
“I told you, there’s nothing to talk about.”
“I’m forever on your side, sis, but I don’t believe Donovan would have seduced Jacqueline or anyone for that matter to close a deal. He’s a good guy. That’s below his standard. Believe me, she isn’t the first beautiful client they’ve had. I just think the two of you need to sit and have a civil conversation before you just walk away. I love the woman you’ve become since the two of you have been dating. I don’t want to have to say goodbye to her.”
Jewels words provoked Chloe’s curiosity. “What do you mean, you like the woman I’ve become?”
“You’ve changed. You’re lighter, perkier. And the smile that slides across your face at the mere mention of Donovan’s name makes it seem like someone turned the light on.”
“Really?” Chloe hadn’t thought about it. Being with Donovan made her happy on the inside and it showed on the outside. She remembered her mother asking what was up with her the day she came to work humming. That’s why the past few days without him were so hard. He would have spent at least a few evenings at her house during the week. She missed him so much—especially at night when she lay alone watching TV trying to rid her mind of him. His touch felt like phantom caresses. “I’ll see.” She wasn’t going to commit to anything.
Donovan was probably pretty angry with her. Chloe had accused him of having no integrity and could only imagine how she would feel had someone made those claims against her character. She was torn.
“What time is dinner?” Chloe asked, not wanting to think about the situation anymore.
“Seven. I could pick you up on the way,” Jewel offered. “Jade said she’d meet us there because she’s going out after.”
“I’ll be ready.”
“Good. See you around six forty-five.”
Chloe hung up the phone and sat on the chaise in the sitting area off of her bedroom. Jewel’s words stirred in her mind. Chloe hadn’t spoken to Donovan since their heated interaction. She’d ignored a few missed calls even though she longed to hear his voice, craved his touch and missed the flutter that erupted in her stomach every time he crossed her threshold.
However, she wasn’t totally convinced that he was completely innocent. She just didn’t want to be taken for a fool in case it was true and right now she wasn’t sure what to believe. Donovan had clearly been upset when he left her home the other day. Since then, she second-guessed what she thought she saw but how else could they explain the contract going to the Riverses immediately after?
Chloe sighed and headed to her walk-in closet. Time was passing and Jewel would soon be at her door. Still wavering, she tried to put the thoughts of the situation between her and Donovan behind her. She had a much bigger issue. Even if Donovan was innocent, after the way El responded to losing the contract to Joliet, how could she ever admit to her mother that she was serious about him?
Maybe she could use their circumstance as a clean break. That way she’d never have to deal with the family drama that was sure to come from their relationship.
The thoughts proved easier than the actions. She could walk away from Donovan now but she didn’t really want to. She cared for him and loved that he coaxed parts of her to the forefront—aspects she thought had been buried for years. He made her live again, indulged her passions and forced her to put herself first for a change. It felt great. Even being mad at him hadn’t changed that.
Chloe stood at the entrance to her closet but looked off into space, past the clothing that hung there. Huffing, she pulled a black romper from a hanger. Putting it up to her frame, she tilted her head and stared at her reflection in the full-length mirror.
Again Donovan entered her thoughts. They wo
uld have been on their way to the city by now, in the car singing along with the radio, laughing and stealing kisses at stoplights. Not tonight. Things had changed so fast.
Chloe freshened up and dressed. The second she pulled her romper in place, her cell phone rang. She told Jewel she’d be down in a few minutes. Chloe finished getting dressed, drew on eyeliner, brushed on mascara and painted a coat of gloss on her lips before heading to the car.
“You look cute,” Jewel said when she reached the car. “Let’s go. I’m running late and Aunt Ava Rae is already there.”
Jewel shaved a cool ten minutes off the drive to the restaurant. By the time they reached their destination, Chloe’s right foot was numb from pressing nonexistent brakes on the passenger side of the car. Her hands cramped from holding the bar over the door so tightly. She didn’t have to look to know that her knuckles were blanched.
Jade and her aunt were at the bar when she and Jewel went inside. Aunt Ava Rae slid off the bar stool and pulled both of them into a tight embrace.
“How are my girls?”
“Good, Auntie,” Chloe said. Seeing her aunt’s beautiful face gave her the first genuine smile since she’d seen Donovan with Jacqueline the week before.
“Mom said to tell you to stop trying to steal her daughters,” Jewel said, giving her aunt a good laugh as she communicated their ongoing joke.
“Whatever! El is just jealous!”
Ava Rae held her finger up toward the hostess and she led them to a table. The four eased into animated conversation. Jewel’s accounts of recent dates kept them laughing and entertained right through their appetizers.
“When you finally find the right one, I’ll let you in on a few secrets to keeping things hot, fun and fresh.”
“Oh, Auntie!” Jade said. “Spill it. I want to know now.”
“These secrets are reserved for ‘the one.’” Ava Rae curled her fingers into air quotes when she said, the one.
“Tell her what you told me, Auntie.” Jewel’s excitement at Ava Rae’s advice was evident.
Ava Rae looked at her questionably. “Specifically, what do you want me to share with her?”
“The information about the keys to a man’s admiration,” Jewel said matter-of-factly.
“Oh yes.” Ava Rae took the most elegant sip of her wine that Chloe had ever witnessed. Her motions were delicate and mesmerizing.
Chloe nodded, remembering when her aunt had that conversation with her.
“Keys to a man’s admiration?” Jade looked puzzled.
“Yes, girl. Listen closely because it sure does work. You see how Uncle Benjamin practically worships the ground she walks on,” Jewel added.
“Do I need to take notes?” Jade held up her phone.
“Maybe.” Chloe laughed. “It gets intense.”
Ava Rae placed her wine glass on the table. “The first key is femininity.” Jade’s head reared back at Ava Rae’s comment. She held a hand up, gesturing for Jade to keep listening. “Men instinctively respond to it. It can be as simple as the arch of your back, a sweet smile, the dip of your shoulder or playful bats of your eyelashes. It’s akin to the honey instead of vinegar cliché. Men don’t even realize they’re being pulled in.”
“No way!” Jade’s mouth dropped. “You mean act like a damsel in distress.”
“No. I mean, act like the lady that you are.” Ava Rae looked around the restaurant. The girls craned their necks following her eyes. “I’ll show you. Watch this.” Ava Rae held up her hand summoning their waiter. “Excuse me,” she said, her back rigid. “Can I get some more water please?” Her tone was dry.
“Sure,” the waiter said and walked off, not paying much attention.
Jade looked puzzled.
“Keep watching.” The manager of the restaurant had been walking around greeting patrons at their tables. Ava Rae winked at Jade. Jewel and Chloe giggled, knowing what was coming.
“Good evening.” He bowed slightly. “Are you lovely ladies enjoying your meals?”
“Yes, we are.” She dipped one shoulder forward and smiled sweetly. The manager’s eyes brightened and his smile spread further across his face. “I have a question.” Her voice was lighter than when she spoke to the waiter moments before.
The man floated to her side of the table. “I hope I have an answer.”
Did my aunt just giggle? Chloe said to herself and sat back to take in the scene.
“I absolutely love this place but I must say I was a little disappointed during my last visit.” She subtly batted her eyes. The way she shifted in her chair reminded Chloe of the easy movement of silk. Ava Rae tilted her head and smiled again. “The service was a little slow. I assumed it was because it was a little crowded but that had never happened before.”
“No. We can’t have beautiful customers walking away disappointed. I’ll tell you what, your drinks and dessert are on the house tonight.” The gentleman looked up. “Carlos.” He waved another waiter over. “Bring these ladies a bottle of our finest.” He paused and looked at the wine glasses on the table and then planted his eyes right back on Ava Rae. “That looks like a Cabernet,” he said.
“You’re good.” She arched her back and lifted her brows, seemingly impressed.
The manager smiled proudly, pleased that he’d fascinated her. “Bring them my favorite Cabernet Sauvignon. You know which one. Also, have the chef prepare a nice dessert sampler for them. Make sure he adds the tart. It’s on the house.” He turned back to the women. “You’ll love it!”
“How sweet of you?” Ava batted her eyes again. The gesture was more pronounced than the moment before.
Taking Ava Rae’s hand in his, he rested his other hand on top. “It’s my pleasure. Enjoy, ladies.” He kissed the back of her hand before leaving the table without paying much attention to the rest of them. It was almost like they weren’t even there.
Just as he walked away, the waiter returned with the water she requested. “Thank you,” Ava Rae said, void of all the sugary sweetness she’d just laid on the manager.
“You’re welcome,” the waiter said indifferently before walking away.
When the waiter was out of earshot, Ava Rae sipped her wine and looked at Jade. “See the difference?”
Jade’s mouth dropped. The girls burst out laughing.
“The other key is subtlety. There’s power in femininity as long as you don’t abuse it. You’ll have them tripping over themselves to cater to you without even realizing it. Believe me. I’ve studied it.”
“Whoa!” Jade was amazed, but for Chloe, it was a refresher, though she hadn’t used it lately.
She thought about applying what she’d learned from her aunt to her relationship with Donovan. The second that thought left her mind, she remembered they didn’t have a relationship anymore. A wave of sadness cloaked her. She tried to literally shake it off.
“Now, Chloe.” Ava Rae grabbed her attention. “What’s up with that Rivers boy?”
Chloe’s mouth fell ajar. She recovered quickly and tossed a scathing glare in Jewel’s direction. Jewel looked away.
“Never mind how I know.” Ava Rae waved off her reaction. “What are you going to do about him?”
“I think we’re done.”
“Why? Because of your mother?”
“That and other things.” Chloe focused on the stem of her glass. “Although I’d love to know what happened between those two.”
Ava sat back, allowing the waiter to place the dessert sampler in front of her. “She never told you?”
All three of them shook their heads.
“Do you know?” Chloe cleared her throat, realizing she sounded a little desperate.
Ava nodded, digging a spoon into the enticing tart sitting pretty on the plate full of decadent desserts. The girls watched intently,
waiting for a clue to fall from their aunt’s mouth. They wondered if she would tell what she knew.
“They used to be the best of friends,” Ava Rae started. “Their fallout was painful and ugly.”
Chloe, Jewel and Jade passed shocked looks amongst themselves.
“I shouldn’t be the one telling you this, but I know my sister-in-law won’t tell you willingly.” Ava Rae trained her eyes on Chloe. “And it’s obvious that you like this young man so I feel compelled to share what I know.” Ava Rae sat back and sighed. “Your mother was dating this guy—a ball player. His name was Gary—Gary Barnes,” she recalled. “He was a charmer but arrogant as hell.” Ava Rae twisted her lips in disgust. “Yet absolutely gorgeous! To El, he seemed like a sweet, sweet teddy bear. It was their junior year. She and Joliet were roommates and he lived off campus. One night, everyone was supposed to meet at his place for a get-together. El would arrive late because of work. Joliet got there first. By the time the others arrived, Joliet was gone. Gary shared that Joliet came on to him and he had to kick her out. El was furious. They got into a heated argument and Joliet asked to have her room switched.”
“Oh my goodness!” Chloe said. Concern spread across their faces.
“After that, Joliet beat El out of a job at a place where they interned together. El was convinced Joliet had somehow sabotaged her opportunity. When she married your father, El did everything to keep Joliet away from my brother even though we had all been friends for many years—growing up together in the same neighborhood. Their friendship spiraled into the nasty competitive rivalry it is today.”
“Do you still speak to Mrs. Rivers, Auntie?” Chloe asked.
Ava Rae shrugged. “Occasionally, but she and I weren’t the close ones as youngsters. She was part of Bobby Dale’s crew of friends. I never got involved in their stuff.”
