Her Best Match: A Romantic Comedy (The Best Girls Book 1) (8 page)

May shook her head. “I’m a little confused. So the problem is you don’t want to go the play with Mr. Gherring? You’d rather go with Henri?”

“It’s not that I don’t want to go to the play with the Kleins and Mr. Gherring. It’s just that I know Mr. Gherring doesn’t want to be seen with me in public.”

“And why wouldn’t he want to be seen in public with you?”

“Well, I’m not his type. I’m not young and beautiful like the women he usually dates. I’m just a hick from Texas. What if people thought we were, you know… together-together?”

“Well I guess that’s his problem isn’t it? He didn’t have to go. He had an excuse already.” May snuffed a bit. “And I think he’d be lucky to have you. There’s nothing wrong with you.”

“Well, I guess it’s his own fault. I think he just likes to control people’s lives—especially people like me. He doesn’t respect me enough to believe I can think for myself.”

“Well, dear. You should just go to that play and have a good time. Gherring will just have to deal with the consequences of his attempt to control your life.” She smiled and winked. “And you can still call Henri.”

“Yes, you’re right. I can. Thanks May. Everything sounds better since I’ve talked to you. I’ve got to go and get ready for tonight.”

“Good luck, dear. What are you going to see?”

“I’m so excited. My first New York City musical—we’re going to see
Wicked
.”

Charlie assessed her mom’s appearance on Skype as she twirled around in her newly acquired dress. “I’m so jealous, Mom—you get to see Wicked. And now you’re making friends from all over the world, although it sounds like Henri wants to be more than friends.”

“So, do you like the dress?”

“Yes, it’s adorable. But maybe you should wear Giselle.” Anne had an extremely sexy, black formal dress, with a deep v in the front and a really deep v in the back. Charlie and Emily had pitched in together to buy the expensive dress, which they nicknamed for its designer, and they’d each worn it for very special occasions. Both girls had agreed their mom should take Giselle to New York City.

“No way—I’m not wasting Giselle on this outing. Anyway, I’d look silly wearing a formal.”

“I’m just kidding,” Charlie said. “Your new dress will be perfect. What shoes are you going to wear?”

“I’ve got these cute wedge heels.” She held up her shoes to the camera.”

“Oh yes, those are perfect.”

“Yes, and I won’t lose my balance in wedges like I do in those spike heels.”

“So let’s get this straight—my mom is going to see a play in New York with Steven Gherring.”

“No,” Anne shot back quickly. “I am
not
going with Mr. Gherring. I’m going with Johanna and Alexander Klein, and Mr. Gherring is going also.”

“But aren’t you going to sit together?”

“No, I’ve thought about that. I think the Kleins will sit in the middle, and I will sit by Johanna and Mr. Gherring will sit by Alexander. That way the tabloids won’t think we’re together.”

“I don’t know, Mom. After what he did, trying to spoil your chances with Henri, trying to control your life, maybe you shouldn’t let him off so easy.”

“What do you mean?”

“Maybe you should hang all over him and act like his date. If that complicates his life, that’s his problem.”

“There’s no way I could ever do that. Anyway, a stunt like that could cost me my job.”

Charlie screwed up her face. “Yep, there is that little job problem. Well, okay. But maybe you should meet Henri for coffee after the play. You haven’t called him yet, have you?”

“You know what, Charlie? You’re a genius. I’ll call him right now. If he agrees, he can meet me at the theater and bring me home. Johanna won’t mind—she thinks the whole thing is romantic.”

Charlie clapped her hands. “This is better than Downton Abbey!”

Henri sounded ecstatic when Anne called him. He quickly agreed to the late night coffee date, unfazed by the fact he’d be picking her up from an outing that included Gherring. Feeling freshly confident after Henri’s charms were lathered upon her, Anne went downstairs to wait for the limousine, which would pick up the Kleins before stopping at their apartment building.

Gherring, who was already waiting downstairs, looked her way when she entered the lobby. At Gherring’s perusal, she was suddenly conscious of the side slit in the dress that revealed a bit more thigh than she was quite comfortable with. She quickly donned her leather dress coat before continuing into the room.

She heard a whistle from her left. “Oh baby—you look hot, Anne!” called Antonio. She laughed and walked over to share a hug with Antonio.

“How’re things with Rayna?” she asked quietly. “Are y’all still dating?”

He grinned broadly. “It’s great. She’s great. And I’m forever indebted to you. So, if you ever need a favor, just let me know.” He whispered, “What’s wrong with Mr. Gherring?”

She glanced over her shoulder at the furrowed brow of Steven Gherring. “Don’t pay any attention to him—he just has a bee in his bonnet over having to go to this musical tonight with some clients from Germany. And he’s trying to control my life.”

Then she giggled and whispered in his ear, “Let’s see if he dislikes Italian men as much as French men.” She gave Antonio another big hug.

“Oh my god,” Antonio whispered. “Here he comes, and I think he might kill me.”

“Anne!” Gherring called as he walked toward the couple. “We should wait at the door. The limo will be here any time.”

She turned around, with her arm still around Antonio’s waist. “Yes, Mr. Gherring. I’ll be right there.” She turned her back to Gherring and gave Antonio another hug and a big wink, although the young doorman looked rather terrified facing Gherring’s glare.

“I’m ready, now,” she said to Gherring as she turned and marched past him and out the front door.

Anne stood shivering outside. “I didn’t mean we needed to wait outside the door,” muttered Gherring. But she stubbornly refused to return inside. Ten minutes passed. Anne was feeling like a Popsicle and finally beginning to regret the pride that kept her standing in the cold.

“Really Anne, we should wait inside. This is ridiculous,” Gherring complained.

Just then, the limousine arrived, and she hopped in, hoping to sit next to Johanna. Unfortunately, the couple was seated together on the short side next to the bar, so she sat opposite Johanna. Gherring joined, but left a large space between them, placing his coat in the space on the seat.

Johanna chatted excitedly about the play, while Gherring and Alexander began to talk business. After a short ride, the limo pulled in at the curb in front of the theatre. Although limousines were quite common in New York, the crowd still watched to see who might emerge. She jumped out quickly ahead of Alexander, to avoid being seen with Gherring. As she made her way into the theatre, she heard people in the crowd exclaiming as they recognized Gherring.

When the usher led them to their seats, she found her seating strategy was impossible to execute. “I’m sorry,” said Johanna, “but we have two pairs of tickets, one directly behind the other. So I have a plan. Anne and I will sit in the front seats for the first half, and then Alexander and Anne can trade after intermission.”

As usual, Johanna had her way, so Anne found herself sitting in front of Gherring, relieved she could ignore him for at least half of the play. She noticed people were looking in her direction, but quickly realized the attention was aimed at the man behind her. She was nervous and uncomfortable, but Johanna was talkative enough for the whole group. Then the lights dimmed and the musical began. She soon forgot everyone around her and all her worries as the story progressed. She was completely enthralled—caught up in the music and plot and emotions.

When the lights came up for intermission, Anne realized she was sitting forward in her seat, entranced.

“Hello?” Johanna tapped on Anne’s arm. She turned to Johanna who was laughing with the men seated behind her and heard her saying, “She’s in another world—”

“Oh, I’m sorry. Did I miss something?”

“No dear. I think you were actually in Oz. I’m so glad you are enjoying the play.”

“It’s… It’s amazing. It’s so wonderful—I never imagined how great it could be. I’ve never seen anything like it. And the actors are so good and their voices are amazing, and the sets, and the costumes…”

Johanna’s voice tinkled with laughter. “It’s more fun watching you than watching the play. Of course, I’ve seen it before, but Wicked is wonderful every time.” She patted Anne’s arm. “Would you like to visit the ladies room before we change seats?”

Anne nodded in agreement, abruptly feeling extremely tense about sitting next to Gherring. As they walked into the lobby, Anne told Johanna that Henri would be picking her up after the play. Johanna was delighted and promised to drop by Gherring Inc. the next day to hear about the first romantic date with her mysterious Frenchman.

As the lights flickered to signal the end of the intermission, Anne returned to the theater to take her place next to Gherring. She continued to talk with Johanna until the lights dimmed and the second half began. At first, she sat stiffly in her chair, but soon she was absorbed in the excitement of the musical production. Occasionally, she sensed Gherring looking at her, but when she glanced his direction, he seemed to be ignoring her presence.

Then the two lead characters began to sing the emotionally tugging duet,
For Good
. Anne couldn’t help herself, as tears streamed down her face. She thought of all the people in her life that had loved her and effectively changed her life
for good
. Sniffling, she dug into her purse looking for a tissue, but Gherring handed her his handkerchief. She looked up, gratefully mouthing, “Thank you,” and he simply nodded, a slight smile on the face that had looked so grim the entire evening.

When the play ended, she clapped so hard she thought her hands would break. She even threw in a shrill wolf whistle, at which her three companions stared in amazement or perhaps mortification. But she didn’t care. She would’ve thrown flowers at the feet of the actors if she were able. Gherring must have enjoyed the evening despite having to go with her, because he actually smiled and talked pleasantly as they walked out of the theater into the lobby. Suddenly, his expression became a glower.

“Hello, Anne!” exclaimed Henri as he took her hand and raised it to his lips. “You look very beautiful tonight. And who is this lovely friend you have with you?” he asked, indicating Johanna.

“You must be Henri,” Johanna addressed the dashing man with twinkling green eyes. “You are just as charming as Anne described. But you are wasting your flattery on me—I am already taken,” she said as she took Alexander’s arm. For his part, Alexander seemed unfazed by Henri’s flirtations.

“Oh, that is sad for me, but lucky for him.” Henri smiled teasingly. “But this one beautiful woman is already too much for me.” He tucked Anne’s hand in the crook of his arm.

Gherring spoke between clenched teeth. “What are you doing here, Henri?”

“I am here to escort the beautiful woman home, with a little detour
en route
.” He winked at Anne. “And we should go now. I have so little time with
ma jolie femme
.” He led her quickly out the theatre doors. She didn’t look back, but she felt Gherring’s intense stare. She knew Johanna would report Gherring’s reaction when she came by the office the next day. They strolled along the street, teeming with people despite the late hour.

“Henri, maybe this was a bad idea. Mr. Gherring looked really angry. What if he fires you?”

“He cannot fire me. On paper I work for Gherring, but only by agreement, by contract, with our company, La Porte. We have joint ventures with Gherring Inc.
Mon père
, my father is chairman now, and I will be chairman in two years. Monsieur Gherring needs me.” He chuckled a bit. “But he does not like me, that is for certain.”

Then he stopped and his eyebrows drew together “
Mon dieu
! He could fire
you.
Je suis désolé
. I am sorry—I was not thinking. I should take you back?”

Anne considered for only a moment. “No. I’m not going back. I can’t let him think he can control whom I date. He’s only my boss at work. If he fires me, I’ll just go back to Texas.” She took Henri’s arm and started walking again. “Now tell me about Paris… Is it as beautiful as they say?”

Emily’s face looked irritated as she Skyped with her mom. It was Wednesday night, and Anne was reporting in to her daughter. Unfortunately, Emily had learned of her mom’s date with Henri from her sister, and now she was demanding details. “I can’t believe you didn’t even call me.”

“Well there just wasn’t time…”

“But you called Charlie. You even showed her the dress before your date.”

“Okay, I’m sorry, I’m sorry. But you’re still my favorite.”

Emily knew this game well. “But didn’t you tell Charlie
she
was your favorite?”

“Yes, but of course I was lying to Charlie. You’re the real favorite.”