"It's been a great day, hasn't it" he said.
"I suppose."
"You should mingle and talk to people."
"Derek, I don't know anyone here. How am I supposed to have a conversation with them when I don't know anything about them?"
"You know Ellen and Cynthia and Colleen."
She laughed sarcastically. "They hate me."
"What is wrong with you?"
She didn't want to have this discussion right now. "I'm just tired, I guess."
Wes joined them at the table. "Damn, this is a boring game today."
"It'll be over soon, only about five minutes left on the clock," Derek said.
"I think I'm going to get some salsa and chips. Would either of you like some?" Jenny asked.
"That sounds good. Yes, please," Derek answered.
"Could you bring some nachos and cheese for me?" Wes asked.
"Sure. Be right back."
Jenny walked over to the buffet and filled three plates, two with salsa and chips and one with cheese and chips. She turned to go back to the table and saw that Colleen and Cynthia had returned and seated themselves so that Jenny would have to sit next to Wes instead of Derek.
Balancing the three plates on the walk back to the table proved to be a difficult task in itself. But, when her foot caught on the carpet, the plates went flying and landed right on Colleen, who had just returned to the table. Salsa, cheese, and chips covered her sweater and slacks.
"Oh my God! Look what you did!" Colleen shouted.
"I'm so sorry. It was an accident. I tripped on something."
With most of the people in the suite drinking alcohol throughout the afternoon, laughter began trickling around the room and that seemed to infuriate Colleen even more.
"You did this on purpose!" She picked the chips from her sweater and threw them on the table.
"No. I tripped. I swear." She looked at Derek, whose eyes seemed to pierce through her.
Cynthia rushed over to Colleen’s aid. "Come to the restroom with me. We'll get you cleaned up."
"My clothes are ruined, thanks to you," Colleen said as she passed Jenny.
"I'll pay for them."
"You can't afford it."
Colleen and Cynthia left the room and Jenny sat down between Derek and Wes. Ellen had also joined them and the caterers had started cleaning the mess.
"It was an accident. I swear."
"Perhaps you should leave, dear," Ellen suggested.
"Ellen, please," Derek said.
"It would keep a confrontation from happening for the second time today."
"Second time?"
"Why yes, Derek. Colleen told me that Miss Marshall had words with she and Cynthia in the hallway at halftime."
Derek looked at Jenny.
"Cynthia tried to give me cab fare to leave. I didn't start anything. They did."
"I think Ellen's right. We should leave before they come back." He stood and so did Jenny. After getting their coats, they left.
Neither said a word as they made their way out of the stadium and to Derek's truck.
Once out of the city, Jenny broke the silence. "I'm sorry, but it was an accident."
"I hope it was."
"You don't believe me?"
"I don't know who to believe. I did see you talking to Colleen and Cynthia in the hallway."
"So, you saw her try to give me the money?"
"I had hoped you were making friends with them, but I never saw her try to give you money."
Jenny sat back in her seat. Colleen's remark about her being Derek's charity case kept echoing through her head.
"Why did you bring me here today?"
"What? I brought you here because I thought you'd enjoy the game."
Wrong answer. She was so confused. One minute he seemed to genuinely care for her and the next time, he acted like they were no more than acquaintances. She then remembered Colleen telling her about next Wednesday's date with Derek. She wondered if it was true, but didn't want to come right out and ask.
Derek turned his truck into Jenny's short driveway and put it in park.
"Do you want to come in for some coffee?" she asked.
"I don't think so. I'm tired."
She started to open the door, then paused. "Would you like to come over for dinner on Wednesday night?"
"Wednesday? I, ah, actually I think I'm busy on Wednesday night."
"I see." She took a deep breath. "Well, thank you for taking me to the game and, again, I'm sorry about what happened." Before giving him a chance to respond, she jumped out of the truck and closed the door. Fighting tears back, she marched to her front door and went inside.
After an hour of feeling sorry for herself, she got up off of the couch and logged onto her computer searching for art gallery shows in Cincinnati. She finally found what she was looking for. The Edwards Gallery web page showed an art show opening Wednesday night featuring four new local artists. Colleen's name was listed as one of the artists.
"Damn, they were telling the truth." Then, after noticing something else on the site, an idea popped into her head. She picked up the phone and made a call.
* * * *
On Wednesday night, the limousine pulled up in front of the Edwards Art Gallery. First out of the car stepped Wes and Cynthia, followed by Derek and Colleen. The men wore tuxedoes and the ladies in formal gowns.
At the entrance, the gallery owner, Kenneth Edwards, awaited them. "Welcome, please come in. Mr. James, Ms. Michaels, we're so honored to have you both attend."
"Thank you. I'm anxious to view Colleen's paintings," Derek said.
"There's been so much interest in her paintings already. I believe you may have some good sales tonight, Ms. Michaels."
"That's wonderful to hear. Mr. Edwards, I'd like for you to meet Wesley Forbes and I'm sure you know Cynthia Snow from the local news," Colleen said.
"Welcome to both of you. Thank you for coming." Edwards shook Wes' hand. "Ms. Snow, it's an honor to meet you. Please, go right in. There's champagne and hor d'oeuvres being served."
"Thank you," Derek said. Colleen took Derek's arm as they walked into the gallery, followed by Wes and Cynthia.
When they found Colleen's paintings, several guests started talking to her. Cynthia stayed next to Colleen while Derek and Wes took a few steps back out of the way. A server stopped with a tray of champagne and both men took a glass.
"Do you want to try and get some racquetball in this week?" Wes asked.
"Tomorrow after work is good for me."
"That works for me too. By the way, where are we going for dinner tonight?"
"Englert's."
"Good choice. They have great food. Did you buy Colleen anything for her showing tonight?"
"I'm having flowers delivered to her at the restaurant later."
"Good move. She'll love that." Wes took a drink of his champagne and looked around the room. "Isn't that Jenny Marshall over there?"
"What? Where?"
Wes motioned behind Derek who turned and looked. He was mesmerized at how beautiful she looked in the strapless black gown. Her hair was pulled up and a single strand of pearls circled her neck. "Yes, that's her."
"She looks damn good in that dress."
"She sure does."
"I don't think I've ever seen Colleen so pissed as she was Sunday with salsa all over her clothes. It was all I could do to keep from laughing," Wes said.
Derek considered going over to talk to Jenny, but just then a young man brought her a glass of champagne and placed his hand on her back.
"Looks like she's here with a date."
"Yeah. How 'bout that."
"Derek, I sold a painting," Colleen squealed as she and Cynthia joined the men.
He was still looking at Jenny, who then made eye contact with him and smiled.
"Derek, did you hear me?"
"Yes, I did." He turned his attention back to Colleen. "Congratulations."
She leaned her face
over toward him and he gave her a peck on the cheek.
"Hello, Derek." Jenny and her date had walked over.
"Jenny, hello." He pulled at his tie feeling a little choked suddenly.
"It's nice to see you, Colleen, Wes, and Cynthia, I see you aren't too afraid to wear white again after my little accident Sunday." Jenny laughed and turned to her date. "I tripped and spilled salsa all over Colleen's white sweater."
"I didn't expect to see you here," Derek said.
"I didn't either, but Stefano is showing some paintings tonight. Oh, I'm sorry I didn't introduce you. This is Stefano Bianchi. Stefano, this is Derek James, Wesley Forbes, Colleen Michaels, and Cynthia Snow."
"It is a pleasure to meet you," Stefano said with an Italian accent.
"I saw your paintings. You're very talented," Colleen said.
"I might be interested in purchasing one," Cynthia added. “Would you mind showing them to me?"
"I would be happy to." He extended his arm to Cynthia and with Colleen taking his other arm, led them over to his paintings. Wes fell into step behind them.
"I suppose we should go with them." Derek held his arm for Jenny to take, but instead she caught up with Wes and took his arm. Derek followed behind all of them.
By the end of the evening, Stefano had sold four of his six paintings, with one being purchased by Cynthia. She tried hard to talk him into delivering and hanging it himself, but he kept coming up with excuses that he couldn't.
As the group drove away from the gallery, Derek watched as Jenny and Stefano stood hand-in-hand.
"Wes, I still think you should have bought one of Stefano's paintings," Cynthia said.
"My walls are already full. I don't need another painting. If I had bought any, I'd have gotten one of Colleen's. No offense, Colleen, but like I said, my walls are full."
"I understand. I'm happy to have sold two of them." She grasped Derek's hand and gave it a squeeze. "So, where are we going for dinner?"
"I made a reservation at Englert's," Derek said.
"Oh, I love their food."
The drive to the restaurant only took a few minutes and as soon as they were seated inside, the Maitre'd brought Colleen the bouquet of flowers Derek had delivered.
"Oh my goodness, what's this?" Colleen squealed.
"There's a card," Derek pointed out.
She opened the envelope, removing the card and read it to herself. "Oh Derek, thank you." She leaned over and kissed him. "They're beautiful."
"I need to visit the ladies room. Colleen would you like to come too?" Cynthia asked.
"Yes. I would."
That left Derek and Wes alone. "That sure was a surprise seeing Jenny at the show tonight," Wes said.
"It was."
"Did you know she was seeing someone else?"
"No, I didn't."
The waiter approached their table with the wine list, handing it to Derek.
"Please bring a bottle of Maderia for the ladies." He looked at Wes. "I'm going to need something stronger myself."
"I could go for that. Bring me a bourbon on the rocks," Wes requested.
"Me too, but make mine a double," Derek added.
By the end of their dinner, Derek had drunk so much, he felt dizzy. Colleen had to steady him on the walk to the limo. The driver dropped Wes and Cynthia off at Cynthia's apartment building first.
"Are you sure you don't need me to help you get home, Derek?" Wes asked after he got out.
"I'll see that he gets home. Thanks, Wes," Colleen answered.
"She'll see that I get home," Derek managed to say. "Goodnight."
Wes closed the limo door and the driver continued onto Derek's house.
The next morning, Derek woke up with his head feeling like someone had taken a hammer to it. He needed coffee. After relieving himself in the bathroom, he started toward the kitchen. When he walked by his den, he heard a noise and pushed the door open.
"Good morning," she said, sitting at his computer wearing nothing, but his pajama shirt.
"Colleen, what are you doing here?"
"You don't remember? I'm not surprised. You drank so much last night."
"But, why are you here?"
She got up and put her arms around him kissing him right on the lips. "You insisted I spend the night." She walked toward the kitchen, grasping his hand. "Come on. I made coffee."
He followed her to the kitchen where she poured him a cup.
He took a drink. "I need to get to the office."
"No, you don't. I called Ellen and told her you'd be late."
"You called Ellen?"
"Well, I didn't want her to worry about us when we didn't show up this morning."
"I'm going to shower. You need to leave." He left the kitchen heading back to the bedroom.
She ran after him. "I don't have my car here. "You'll have to drop me off at my place so I can change clothes. All I have is the gown I wore last night."
Now in the bedroom, he grabbed a set of keys from the top of the dresser and shoved them in her hand. "Here, take the car out back and leave it at the office at the end of the day." He walked into the bathroom and slammed the door.
A few moments later, he heard her call, "See you at the office, Derek."
He turned on the water in the shower and stripped off his clothes. Stepping in and letting the hot pulsating water run over his head and down his body, he thought, what did I do last night?
Barbecue Pulled Pork Sandwiches
1/2 C. sugar
1/2 C. catsup
1/2 C. lemon juice
1/4 C. Worcestershire sauce
Garlic Powder
Layer all ingredients in the order listed above in a large measuring cup. Sprinkle garlic powder on top and mix well. Apply to meat just before it is done.
Prepare pork roast as desired. After meat is done, shred and add sauce. Stir well. Serve on buns.
Chapter Eight
As Derek drove to the office, he dreaded walking in and facing Ellen. He hadn't intended to sleep with Colleen, but knew Ellen had likely been thrilled to hear the news. If he didn't have contract bids to sign, he would've stayed home.
He waited until the afternoon to come in, so at least his headache had somewhat subsided. His thoughts then drifted to Jenny. He knew they weren't exclusive, but he hadn't been prepared to see her with another man last night. He wondered if this was what jealousy felt like.
Until last night, his relationship with Colleen had been plutonic and for several reasons, that's how he wanted to keep it. Why did I drink so much? The answer was clear; he didn't like seeing Jenny with another man.
He parked his truck in his regular spot and saw his blue Mustang, the car he let Colleen drive home this morning, parked nearby, When he entered Ellen's office on the way to his, she wasn't at her desk. Good, first encounter averted. He walked into his office.
"Well, well, so glad you finally decided to join the living again." Ellen stood next to his desk.
"I wouldn't have come in at all if I didn't have to sign those bids." He sat down at his desk. "Do you have them?"
"I just brought them in." She slid a stack of papers on the desk over to him. "And, Colleen brought your car keys in. She said to call her."
He looked over the forms and started signing them. "Thanks."
"Oh, Derek, I'm so happy that you and Colleen are finally together. You both make a wonderful couple."
"Please, Ellen, I don't want to talk about it. Do I have any messages?"
Ellen stared at him. "Wes called. He said his court case was postponed and he was hoping you could leave early for your racquetball match. He should be here soon and that girl called about planning the menu for your New Year's Eve party." She handed him the pink message slips.
"Her name is Jenny and you know that. Here, make sure these are in the mail and postmarked today." He handed her the papers he just signed.
"I'll take them to the post office right now."
Just then with a
knock at the door, Wes stuck his head in. "Good afternoon."
"Hi, Wes. Come on in. Thanks, Ellen. Would you close the door on your way out?" She left and closed the door. "Have a seat." He popped two aspirins in his mouth and following with a drink from a bottle of water.
"You look like hell, Derek."
"That's how I feel too. I'm sorry, but I don't think I could play one game of racquetball right now."
"You did hit the sauce a little hard last night."
"You don't know the half of it."
"Do tell."
"When I woke up this morning, Colleen was at my house wearing my shirt that apparently she slept in."
"So, you two hooked up. What's the problem?"
"The problem is that I didn't want to sleep with her and I don't remember a thing that happened."
"I'm not surprised. I've never seen you so drunk. What the hell was going on with you?"
Derek raked his hand through his hair. "I don't know. Maybe I didn't like seeing Jenny with another man."
"Wow, I never thought you would have a double standard when it came to women. You know, you were with another woman. I'm sure Jenny doesn't like that."
"I know. I know, but there's nothing between Colleen and I."
"I've got news for you friend, there is now."
"Please don't remind me." Derek put his head in his hands.
"What are you going to do?"
"I have really messed things up." He looked back up. "Jenny called today."
"What about?"
"I wasn't here. Ellen said she called about the menu for my New Year's Eve party. I haven't called her back yet. I'm actually thinking about canceling it."
"Why? Your New Year's Eve parties are famous. You're feeling that way because you're hung over. How about we head out of here and get an early dinner?"
"That sounds like a great idea. I really don't want to be here if Colleen stops by."
The men drove to the Riverside Café and took a table near the window that overlooked the Ohio. The waitress brought their menus.
"What can I bring you to drink?" she asked.
"Just coffee for me," Derek said.
A Kitchen Affair Page 10
