Be My Valentine: The McClendon Holiday Series, Book 3

by Sean D. Young

  “Good morning, sir,” she said, batting her eyelashes and giving him a bright smile.

  “Yes, good morning. Jacques Germain to see Roger Fields, please.”

  “You can have a seat. I’ll let his assistant know that you’re here.”

  “Thank you,” Jacques said, throwing his coat over his arm.

  She picked up the phone and pressed a button. “Connie, Mr. Germain to see Mr. Fields.”

  Jacques walked over to the empty chairs in the reception area and sat for only a couple of minutes.

  “Mr. Germain,” the receptionist called out to him.

  Jacques stood and strolled to the desk.

  “Mr. Fields will see you now. His office is at the end of the hall.”

  “Thank you,” Jacques replied.

  When Jacques stepped into the office, he noticed for the first time the thick burgundy carpeting that covered the entire space of the huge office. The luxurious furniture, regal desk with a sturdy leather chair that matched, deeply tufted cream-colored sofa, side table and lamp were situated on the other side of the room. As many times as he’d been in that office, he’d never noticed it before.

  Jacques found Roger standing over by the floor-to-ceiling window with his hands in his pockets. The skyline view of New York from his office was one of opulence and splendor and was simply breathtaking, especially at night. It had only been a month ago that Jacques walked into that same room to give him a signed copy of his resignation. And now he was back.

  “Good morning, Jacques,” Roger said, extending his hand to him.

  “Good morning,” Jacques said, shaking his ex-manager’s hand vigorously.

  Roger offered him a seat at the little table in the corner of the office. “Can I get you anything? Coffee, tea?”

  “No thanks. I’ve had my coffee for the morning,” Jacques said, watching Roger sit in the chair just across from him. “I just stopped by to see you before going down to the lab.”

  Roger nodded. “The lab is yours, Jacques. Anything that you need we’ll see to it that you get it,” he said.

  “I’m looking forward to our new relationship,” Jacques said, throwing his right leg over his left. “Things have a funny way of working out.”

  “I agree. They seemed to have worked out for the best for everyone. That is, everybody except for Harlan.”

  Both men threw their heads back and burst into laughter.

  Jacques stood and reached for Roger’s hand. “I’ve got to go, so I can get to work.”

  Strolling to the door together, they stopped, turning to face each other. “We have accommodations for you with corporate housing. See Connie and she’ll give you everything you need,” Roger said.

  When Jacques came out, Connie was standing, waiting for him. She rounded the desk and hugged him. “Hello there,” she said, giving him a grin that showed all her perfectly straight white teeth.

  “Connie, it’s good to see you,” Jacques said, releasing her.

  Stepping back around to her chair, Connie picked up a manila envelope and handed it to Jacques. “This has your confirmation for corporate housing. Just go to the desk and they’ll give you the key. The form for your badge and passcode are in there as well. You know where to go and have your picture taken, right?”

  “We don’t have those visitor badges anymore?” he asked her.

  Connie shook her head. “No, after…” she started, but didn’t finish.

  Jacques knew exactly what she was referring to. He’d just go get his picture taken. “Okay, is there anything else I need to know?”

  “Good to have you back, Jacques,” Connie said before taking her seat.

  “Thanks, Connie. I’ll check with you later.” Jacques placed the envelope underneath his arm and headed for the elevator. When the gleaming chrome doors slid opened, he stepped inside.

  He was back.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  After hanging up the phone, Patrice sat, staring silently into space. She searched her thoughts trying to figure out how she had found someone, fallen in love, was sure that he loved her and now it seemed as though she’d lost him for trying to do something to help someone in trouble all in a month’s time.

  Needing to talk to someone she trusted, she picked up the phone and called Faith.

  “This is Faith.”

  Patrice swallowed hard and blinked back the tears that suddenly appeared when she heard her sister’s voice. “Hey, sissy.”

  “Treecie, what’s wrong?” Faith asked.

  “Oh, nothing, but everything,” Patrice said, hoping that Faith couldn’t hear the tears in her voice.

  “Everything like what?”

  “I think that Jacques and I are finished.” Just saying the words formed a knot in Patrice’s stomach.

  “Finished?” Faith paused. “Finished with the deal or finished with the relationship?”

  “I’m pretty sure, both.”

  “Where is Jacques?”

  “Back in New York at his old company.”

  Faith sighed. “Damn. That’s a turn of events.”

  “Girl, you don’t know the half of it. Last night’s events took the cake,” Patrice said. It was a nightmare. She almost couldn’t believe everything that had occurred. “I don’t want to keep you. I just wanted to hear your voice,” Patrice said.

  “Are you sure you’re okay?” Faith said.

  Patrice could hear the concern in her sister’s voice, but she couldn’t go any further with explaining the situation. It was breaking her heart. “I’ll tell you all about it later. You have a good day, sissy.”

  “You too, Treecie,” Faith said. “Listen, everything will be alright. Don’t you worry about it.”

  It was hard for Patrice not to pour everything she felt all out to Faith on the phone, because if she did, Faith and the rest of her sisters would rush to her side.

  Patrice felt like a failure because she didn’t complete the fragrance project. She had no idea whether or not Jacques left any notes or the sample that he’d used for testing. She wouldn’t draw a conclusion until she spoke to Jacques later on. She still believed that he would be professional about the business agreement, even if their personal relationship was over.

  Patrice stayed in her office, made a few insignificant phone calls all while she waited for Jacques to call her back. She was both disappointed and slightly surprised by the end of the day when he still hadn’t contacted her.

  Later that evening, Patrice, tired and weary from the events of the past few weeks, walked into her apartment, surprised when Nikki greeted her at the door. Leaning against the wall, she unzipped her boots and set them aside.

  “My you’re all smiles. What’s going on?” she asked Nikki.

  “Patrice, they found my father,” Nikki said with excitement. “The people your mother told me about. They found him.”

  “They did?” Patrice said, her heart overflowing with joy. Her excitement for Nikki over-rode her anxiety.

  She urged Nikki to walk with her into the living room. “When did you find out?”

  “Today,” Nikki said, shoving her hands between her knees. “I even spoke to my dad. He’s coming to get me.”

  Patrice could understand her reaction. She hadn’t seen her father since she was a small child. “I imagine you’re pretty nervous about seeing him.”

  “Yeah, but I’m excited too. It just feels weird.”

  “You can do it. It’s going to be fine. When is he coming?”

  “In a couple of days.”

  “Where will you stay when you get there?”

  “That won’t be a problem. My father has property there, but he said he wants the baby and me to stay with him for a while.”

  Patrice threw her arms around Nikki and embraced her. They both shed tears of joy.

  * *
* * *

  The next day, Patrice rose slowly and sat on the side of her bed with her face resting in both hands. She was exhausted, but had to press on.

  Patrice picked up her cell phone and looked at it. No call from Jacques. She tossed the phone on the bed and slid her bare feet across the carpeted floor. She went into her bathroom to shower and get ready to start her day.

  As she was putting the finishing touches on her makeup, she smiled back at herself in the mirror and said, “We still have the deal that will put Good Scents on the map.” She felt if she said it over and over again, it would be true. Then she frowned. “I just don’t have a man anymore.” Pushing that last thought aside, Patrice walked out of the room preparing to leave the apartment.

  Patrice started her car remotely and stared out the window. She noticed the white cloud of smoke billowing from her tailpipe. She realized then, that it was very cold outside. After giving the car a few minutes to warm, she bundled up. Once she stepped out of her building, the cold wind nearly took her breath. She rushed and jumped into her car and headed toward the boutique.

  The weather was way too cold outside, so Patrice decided to stop at Starbucks. She found a parking space, hopped out of the car and bounced into Starbucks and ordered a tall passion tango brewed tea and a pastry.

  Spontaneously, she decided to sit down and drink her tea instead. She studied the stream of customers as they stepped up to the counter and ordered their custom drinks. She glanced at a couple nestled in the corner, taste testing each other’s drink. Watching them made her feel a little sad, so she turned toward the window, and watched the cars as they crept bumper-to-bumper along Michigan Avenue.

  She finished her tea, hopped back into the car and only then had she realized that she’d left her cell phone on the passenger seat of the car. What she saw made her heart skip a beat. She had two missed calls—they were from Jacques. But he didn’t leave her a message. She decided to wait until she got to the comfort of her office to return his call.

  Walking into the building, she greeted everyone and went straight to her workspace. Hanging up her coat and hat, she flopped down in her chair behind the desk. She took her cell phone and stared at his name.

  Okay, Jacques, is this business or pleasure?

  She pressed the call back button and waited for him to answer.

  “Hey,” Jacques said.

  “I’m sorry I missed your call,” Patrice replied.

  There was a long pause when neither of them spoke.

  “Patrice, you were asking me about the finality of the deal for distribution.”

  His words were like a slight punch in the stomach. It’s just business.

  “Yes, I need to make sure that I’m not missing anything,” Patrice said, trying to keep her voice flat and unemotional.

  “We’ll get together tomorrow night, if you’re available.”

  “I have no plans. You will be relieved and happy to know that Nikki has found her father and in fact they are leaving around noon tomorrow.”

  “Well, good for her. I hope that she is able to get her life back on track now,” Jacques said. “Okay, returning to the business at hand. I will call you tomorrow evening when I arrive in Chicago.”

  “Thank you,” she said.

  Patrice pressed the button to break the connection, trying to ignore the tiny dart of uneasiness that pierced her heart.

  * * * * *

  Jacques completed his day in the lab, so he grabbed his things and made sure that everything had been put away. As he was leaving the building, he ran into Connie.

  “What are you doing for dinner tonight, Jacques?”

  “Nothing special, what about you?”

  “Why don’t we go out so we can catch up?” she suggested.

  “What did you have in mind?” Jacques asked. It had been a while since he’d had an opportunity to sit and talk to Connie.

  “How about we go to Sparks?”

  “Sparks. I haven’t been there in a while. Sounds good to me.”

  The pair walked outside and Jacques hailed a taxi to take them over to the popular steakhouse.

  Jacques opened the door and Connie stepped inside first with him following behind. Reggae music filled the air and immediately the smell of burnt incense hit his nostrils. The scent floated throughout inside of the taxi’s cabin. He and Connie looked at each other and then laughed.

  Jacques leaned forward. “210 E 46th Street, please,” Jacques told the driver, who was wearing a green, red and yellow knit hat. His dreads hanging way beyond his shoulders.

  Jacques looked at Connie. “I know I’m back home now.”

  Ten minutes later, they emerged from the cab and Jacques gave him a large bill. They weaved their way through the crowded sidewalk to the entrance of Sparks.

  Sparks had been around since the late 1960s and it was one of the best steakhouses in New York City. It was made famous by John Gotti when he staged the assassinations of the Gambino crime family boss Paul Castellano in 1985. It had two main rooms, as well as private rooms for parties, separated by the bar area, all made up with old-world wood-paneled décor, antique furniture and the walls lined with a gilt-frame painting of the Hudson River school.

  Jacques looked at Connie as they entered the building. “By the way how did you get reservations for this place? Who do you know?”

  Connie smiled and said, “Roger.”

  Jacques lifted his eyebrows in surprise.

  “Yes, Roger,” Connie repeated. “He is so happy to have you back. He would have flown you to Paris for dinner.”

  They checked their coats and sat in the bar area and chatted for twenty minutes before the maître d’ called them to be seated.

  Connie leaned to the side past the huge menus they were holding. “So Jacques, this move to Chicago, is it permanent?”

  Jacques nodded. “Yes, I’ve already purchased a home.”

  “You did what? I guess it is serious. Have you sold your place here?”

  “Yes, my sister worked with another agent here and got it done. I’ve only been in my home for a week or two.”

  “So, you’ll be working for Fairchild remotely?”

  “Yes, as a contractor,” Jacques replied.

  The server came to take their drink orders. Since both had frequented the popular steakhouse before they ordered their entrée as well.

  “You’re going from New York City to Chicago.” She tilted her head and smiled.

  “What?” Jacques wanted to know.

  “That’s what I’m waiting for you to tell me. Not what, but who?”

  Jacques understood what Connie was saying to him.

  “Her name is Patrice.”

  “The same Patrice that you’re working with on the fragrance?”

  “Yes,” he said. “You still catch everything that goes on in that office, don’t you, Connie?”

  She waved at him. “Chile, I run that office.”

  They both laughed.

  “True. At least it was when I was there,” Jacques said.

  “Hmm,” Connie nodded her head. “It still is.”

  The server returned with their order. Jacques had a sirloin, which was juicy, tender and full of flavor. Connie decided on the steak au fromage, which was also tender and flavorful.

  “I hope I’m not being too nosy,” Connie said. “But business and personal? Has it become sticky?”

  Jacques clasped his hands together on the table and moved forward. It caused Connie to do the same. “You are being just bit nosy, Connie. But we’ve been friends a long time.”

  “Ever since I came to Fairchild to work for Roger.”

  “I’ll tell you, Connie. It’s not so much the business affecting the relationship or vice versa. But one of her employees has a troubled life and Patrice felt it was her responsibility to save h
er.”

  “Are you serious about Patrice?”

  “I’m in love with her and now that the issue with the woman has been resolved, I can hardly wait to get back home to see if we can recapture what we had before it was interrupted.”

  “I hope I get to meet her,” Connie said.

  “I’m sure you will because I found out today that they are going to have another launch of our fragrance here in New York. I’m sure that Patrice will be here as well.”

  Connie grinned. “I’m really happy for you. I don’t think I’ve ever heard you talk about a woman in this way before.”

  “It’s different for me, but she’s truly very special.”

  They finished their meals and prepared to leave. Stopping at the coat check to retrieve their belongings, they walked outside together.

  Connie turned and hugged him. “This was great. I’m so glad I had the chance to spend some time with you while you were here.”

  “Me too. I’ll be leaving in the morning, but I’ll be back.”

  “Don’t forget to make it a point to introduce me to your girl.”

  Jacques kissed her on the cheek. “I won’t.”

  Jacques hailed a cab for Connie. He opened the door and waited for her to climb inside. Closing it behind her, they waved at each other until the taxi was out of sight. He then got a cab for himself. He couldn’t wait to get home to his girl.

  * * * * *

  The next day, Patrice asked her mother if she would go down to the shop just in case Fantasia needed help. She thought Fantasia was doing a great job training Sheila, but having Myra there, she wouldn’t have to worry. Patrice wanted to be home to see Nikki and Katrina off.

  Patrice went down the hall to check on Nikki and found her on the bed folding Katrina’s clothes, putting them in the suitcase.

  “Almost ready?” she asked, walking into the room.

  “Yes. I don’t have a lot to pack,” she answered, laying a red top in the luggage.

  “Did anyone tell you where your father would be coming from, Nikki?” Patrice wanted to know.

  “Milwaukee, Wisconsin.”

  “That’s not very far from here. A couple hours drive, maybe,” Patrice said.