June (Calendar Girl #6) (11 page)

All of this was absolutely delicious, but nothing prepared me for the face. Angels could have wept at a face like that. Mocha-colored skin with fierce black hair and pale hazel eyes stared back at me. The eye color was a cross between green and brown but light enough against that dark skin to stand out as uniquely as my own. And I wasn’t being conceited. I’d heard my eyes were incredible since birth. If I’m out and about, I’m told every day by random strangers how amazing, or cool, or neat they thought the pale green color was. This guy, my next client, Mr. Latin Lov-ah himself, had eyes that dazzled.

I took in the pic in its entirety. A gold, bulky necklace hung around his neck with a chunky heart layered with diamonds covering its surface sat at his sternum. On anyone else it would have been gaudy or tacky. On him, it added character and fit the persona of the heartthrob Latin lover he claimed to be. A pair of pouty, cherub-like lips formed a sexy smirk, and I knew just from this one picture that I intended to get me some of that.

“Day-um,” I said in my best Latina accent.

Millie cackled. “Figured you’d like that. Am I forgiven for the oldie but goodie?” she asked referring to Warren, my sixty-five year old client.

“Oh yeah, big time.”

“Good, I’ll send the details and make the arrangements. You’ll be headed to Miami, Florida for this gig.” Miami? I held back the woot woot. “Was there anything else?” Millie asked.

“Oh yeah, one more thing. Why is he hiring me?”

The line went very quiet. I let myself fall back onto the bed. “Auntie…”

“He wants you to be the lead in his new video. Some single he’s releasing later this year.”

“A video? As in a music video? Like where I’ll have to dance and act?” The acting part wasn’t so bad. At least it was closer to what I had originally planned on doing with my life.

“Yes, darling. You’ll do whatever they want. I don’t know. Look hot, pretend to love Mr. Love-ah, dance, you know, whatever the youngsters like seeing nowadays.”

A noise like a cat dying escaped my lungs. “Auntie, I don’t dance.”

She smacked her lips. “Well, I guess they’ll teach you, won’t they. He wants you. Saw your art from the Love on Canvas campaign, apparently bought one of the pieces. When he saw the Hawaiian campaign come out and the pics of you with Weston Channing and Mason Murphy in the smut mags he said you were his ideal flame for the shoot. Whatever that meant.”

I shook my head and blew a loud breath, the force expanding my cheeks with the effort. “Okay, I guess I’ll just see what happens. Miami sounds fun though.”

“Glad you think so, doll-face. I need to go, I have a client waiting.”

“Okay, but oh crap! One more thing: Maddy’s engaged.”

“Excuse me? I just sent the girl a present for her twentieth birthday. A gift card to Starbucks that should keep her in coffee for the year. What do you mean, she’s engaged?” He tone was a tad hostile and I understood why. Aunt Millie did not believe in the sanctity of marriage. Hell, I wasn’t sure I believed in it after what my parents and Aunt Millie had gone through.

“Says she’s in love with the guy. Just moved in with him, too. I’ve met the guy and the family. They’re really nice…uh, normal even. Very much a perfect TV family.”

“Those are the ones that are the most fucked up.” She cursed which she didn’t often do.

“I know, but I got a really good feeling. Besides, they are going to finish their bachelor’s then get married in a couple years.”

Millie huffed loudly, sounding very put out by the news. “Unless she gets pregnant first. Then her dream of being a scientist and all the work you’ve put into paying for her schooling is gone. Poof. Disappeared in the blink of an eye and replaced with a snotty, shitting, crying ball of flesh that ties you down for the rest of your life.”

“Wow, tell me how you really feel.” I threw back trying to lighten the heaviness that had taken over the conversation.

“I feel she’s too young to be committing to some college prick with a loaded dick.”

I pursed my lips and thought about the best way to approach this. “I’ll make sure she’s taking care of the baby factor and that the doors are firmly locked down. But they really are waiting for a couple more years. The moving in together bit, I can’t help but be relieved about.”

“If it’s about money, I’ll send her whatever she needs to get through the year.”

“It’s not about money, Auntie. It’s about her being in love and feeling safe. The neighborhood is not the best and she’s all alone in Pops’ house. Ginelle drives by the house, but like you said, she’s young, and of course beautiful and naïve. I don’t want her getting hurt. If playing house with her fiancé is going to keep her safe, I’m all for it.”

Aunt Millie inhaled audibly, her breath sounding even more ragged then before. “Fine. I just worry about her.”

“Me too, but it’s all good. I’ll keep you posted.”

“Please do.”

“Love you, Aunt Millie.”

“I love you, too, my darling girl.” And the line went dead.

Well, fuck me running; that was an incredibly uncomfortable call I hadn’t anticipated. Of course, the highlight was the sexy Latin Lov-ah. I made a mental note to download some of his songs on my iPod so I could listen on the plane and get up to date with his tunes before I became the face of his next music video love interest. The only problem is that this white girl cannot dance. I didn’t even know what the hell people were talking about when they said, ‘raise the roof’, or ‘drop it like it’s hot’. One song I shimmied with said something about, “She hit the floor…next thing you know…shorty got low, low, low, low, low.” Why was it sexy to smack the floor and get low? Did the woman sit, or kneel? I guess kneeling could be sexy if the girl was mimicking giving head, but I couldn’t imagine that would be a popular dance move.

Oh well. Perhaps I’d look up some of his videos on YouTube so I could hit the floor and get low without embarrassing myself.

***

Once my things were laid out on the bed, I took a trek through the enormous mansion in search of Kathleen or Warren. I found Warren first in his office. Lightly, I knocked on the door, not wanting to be too disruptive.

“Come in.” His grumble came through the hard wood door.

I entered and he looked up, and stopped whatever he was writing. “Are you ready to fly out tonight?”

“Yep. Hey, I had a question if you don’t mind me asking.”

His bushy brows rose. He gestured for me to sit in the chair opposite his desk. “Is Kathleen coming along on the trip?”

He shook his head. “No, why?”

This time my eyebrows rose. “I guess I just find it odd that you aren’t taking your girlfriend with you.”

He set down his pen and clasped his hands into a steeple, resting his chin on his fingertips. “Frankly, it never dawned on me that she would be interested in going.”

“When was the last time she took a vacation?”

Warren’s gaze drifted over to the window as he thought about it. “I can’t say that I recall.”

“And, when was the last time you took her out to dinner.”

His head jerked back. “Dinner? She makes dinner for me. It’s part of her job. Why ever would I take her out to eat?”

I closed my eyes, exhaled slowly, and counted to ten. “Warren, this is going to sound harsh, but it’s for your own good, and I think you can handle it.” As his eyes slanted, a line appeared at the top of his nose. Clearly, he was distressed. “You are not treating her well.”

His shocked expression surprised me. This couldn’t be news to him. “I beg to differ. Kathleen has run of the house, sleeps by my side every night, buys the finest flowers, food…”

“That’s all for you!” My tone came out biting and he opened his mouth then closed it again. “I’m sorry.” I leaned forward and put my hand over his. “Warren, you’re keeping her locked in this house as your staff, not your girlfriend. You don’t take her on dates, buy her flowers.” He opened his mouth to speak, but I cut him off. “You let her buy flowers for the house. That’s not the same as a man who cares about you bringing you a bouquet he picked out or sending you some himself.”

He leaned back in his chair. “Go on. You obviously have more to say. Say it.”

I licked my lips. “The woman loves you. Would do anything for you, yet you keep her here as if she’s a secret you’re embarrassed about.”

His entire face got red. “Did she say that?”

I shook my head. “Not in so many words, but that’s the gist I got. You come home to her every day; you let her serve your meals, don’t eat with her, and expect her to lay down with you every night and just be okay with it?”

“I...I…huh, I believe you have me at a disadvantage, dear one. I’m not even sure how to respond to that.” He ran a hand through his salt and pepper locks.

“It’s just I see the way you look at her. You’re in love with her, right?”

Without even hesitating, he responded. “Of course, I love her. I have for years; I would never be unfaithful to her.”

“Then why are you parading me around like your little tart when you have a beautiful woman who would love to play dress-up and stand by your side if only to give you support. And furthermore, take her out on a date. Buy her a present. Get her some flowers, even if you pick them from the gardens.” I pointed out the window to the green landscape beyond. “Tell your son about her. Stop hiding her in the dark. She wants nothing more than to be with you,
really
be with you in all the ways that matter most.”

Warren nodded and glanced out the window, his mind obviously now on something else. I could only hope he’d consider what I’d said and make some moves. Faith was all it took, and I had faith that he’d make the right decision.

I stood up and moved to leave. “Mia?” The hairs on my neck tingled and I hoped he wasn’t about to filet me for being incredibly intrusive about his love life.

Turning around, I faced him. A soft smile slid across his handsome face. “Thank you for being bold enough to put an old man in his place.”

That earned him a huge grin. “Of course.”

“When you see Kathleen, ask her to come to me.”

“I’m pretty sure she’d have no problem with that.” I winked and then skipped out of his office to find his girl. Things were about to change in the Shipley household, definitely for the better.

Chapter 9

New York City was everything I’d ever dreamed of and more. The city was teeming with people, lights, towering buildings, and the best part…diversity. Every nationality, color, creed, ethnicity were all represented in one giant melting pot of mankind. I loved it. Every blessed second of the noise, the grit, the bodies pressing and pushing, weaving like mice in a maze trying to get to the other side of wherever they were going felt like an experience. A part of my life I’d not be able to forget if I tried. There was too much life to be had and seen in a place this vibrant.

“Mia honey, are you coming?” Kathleen asked, holding open the door to one seriously fancy hotel. The Four Seasons was known for its ostentatious price tag that only celebrities and one-percenters could afford. Looking out over this incredible city, seeing it through newborn eyes, I was in love. I didn’t care that I was riding my clients coat tails, serving as an escort, looked at by this group as a gold-digging whore. Not a care in the world. In that moment, I felt nothing but blessed that I’d gotten the opportunity to experience something I might not ever have had otherwise.

“Yeah,” I whispered, eyes still glued to the spectacle of square shapes piercing the sky with their flat and pointy tops. Unique, carved out architecture gave every building an intricate feel, making them each one of a kind in a long line of smashed together structures.

A hand closed around my bicep and tugged. “Come on city girl, the view from our suite on the fiftieth floor will blow you away.”

My eyes widened. “Were staying on the fiftieth floor?”

She chuckled. “Yep.”

“How many floors are there?” I asked, craning my neck to view the top of the building. It wasn’t the widest only showing four windows across but it had a charm to it. The architect definitely spent some time on the design, making it seem more special. It’s lines weren’t hard, they had a curved bull nosed edge feel with a step-up approach from the bottom level to the top.

“Fifty-two. Warren wasn’t happy that we didn’t secure the penthouse, so don’t mention it.” Like the thought would have popped into my head. “A few of the other men going to the event secured the two top floors for their parties,” she continued to explain while pulling me into the opulent lobby.

My heels clacked loudly against the marble floor. The dark marble was cut into a spider web-like design with wide grout lines that were surprisingly white. You’d think something like that would get dirty, especially in a town where people were coming and going and the weather could be unpredictable. White stone columns dotted the space as a bellman led us through to the elevator. Warren had already taken care of check-in and was waiting for us at the luggage cart when Kathleen dragged me along.

Once inside the suite, I about swallowed my tongue. I’d never seen a room so beautiful.

“I take it the accommodations are to your liking, Ms. Saunders?” Warren asked, amusement evident in his tone.

There weren’t words. Shock overtook my ability to speak. Instead of responding, I just nodded and took in our surroundings. White, cream, and gold were the prevailing colors, giving the space an ethereal yet comforting feel. As if a person could sit down and stay awhile…maybe forever. Windows surrounded most of the room, allowing an open view of the city in all its grandeur.

The room was nothing but utter brilliance. A shiny black piano sat in a corner as if waiting for a willing body to tickle its ivories. It made me wish I had a musical bone. I didn’t. Technically, I could carry a tune. Most actors could, and I was no exception, but it wasn’t as though I had a gift or anything. That pretty much summed me up in a nutshell. Jill of all trades, mediocre at best, gifted at nothing.