This Time Forever (14 page)

The next morning, Renee woke early so that she could send out an email stating that the meeting that was scheduled for 8:00 had been moved to 10:00.  As she was walking through the outer office and to her office, she was stopped by Genevieve.   “Have you seen the reports on the new salon?  It’s doing great!”  Renee said, “Yes, I even went by there and it was checked out the scheduling.  They have had to start scheduling into next year.  Can you believe it?!  Renee was beyond ecstatic.  She and Genevieve continued to walk into Renee’s office.  “Well, yeah, I can believe it.  You put everything into getting both places up and running and they are both doing great.  So, you wanna open up another one?  Renee laughed and said, “Whoa, hold on a minute.  I gotta get myself recovered from the first two.  I can’t even think about another one right now.”  Genevieve sat in the chair across from Renee’s desk and said, “So, why the sudden time change for the meeting.  That’s not something you usually do?  No, wait, don’t tell me.  You have a new lover and after a night of passionate lovemaking, you just couldn’t tear yourself away from his passionate embrace.”  Renee’s insides did a flip-flop at Genevieve’s accurateness.  The only thing she got wrong was the new lover part.  Renee quickly recovered and said, “Girl, didn’t you just hear me say I need to recover from the past few months?  Nothing nearly as exciting as that little scenario you just came up with, but it was entertaining and creative.”  Genevieve eyed Renee carefully and said, “Well, I don’t know that I believe you.  You do have that well-rested glow that only comes from a night of great sex and restful sleep.  But, whatever you say.”   Renee finished gathering the paperwork that she needed for the meeting and stood up and looked at Genie and said “See, that’s why you’re such a great creative director.  Love that creative mind of yours.”  Both ladies left Renee’s office and headed to the meeting room where everyone was waiting. 

After the meeting, everyone was very excited.   They all had come to the conclusion that there had to have been some big turn of events in Renee’s life because she did something that took them all, with the exception of Genie, by surprise.  She had given them an extended weekend.  “Since everyone has worked so hard in making this company the success that it is, I think you all deserve to have an extended weekend.   This isn’t mandatory, and if anyone just wants to come in and work, that’s fine, but for those who would like to work half a day tomorrow and have Friday off, please feel free to do so.  It’s just my way of saying thanks to all of you for helping to make all of this happen.  I also have arranged for lunch to be catered in today from Zen’s Deli.”  As everyone started to voice their appreciation, Renee said, “And, for anyone who would like, you can visit either salon and receive a 50% discount off any service or product that you purchase.  Just see Naomi to get your coupon.”  After the meeting adjourned, and as Renee was sitting at her desk going over invoices, she looked up and saw Genie and Elliott standing by the door.  “Well, look at this fine, fine man I found wandering the hallways.  Says he’s here to take you to lunch.  Please say no so I can go with him.”  Renee laughed at Genie and shook her head.  “I don’t know what’s gotten into you today, Genie, but you are too much.”  Genie shrugged her shoulders and said, “Well, let me know if you don’t go to lunch with Elliott.”  Turning to Elliott she jokingly said “My office is right down the hall . . . “  as she left Renee’s office.  Elliott laughed and Renee said, “She’s been like this all day.  I don’t know what has gotten into her.”  Elliott said “She’s a funny lady.”  He walked over to where Renee was seated and gave her a soft kiss on her lips.  The door to her office was opened, and several people saw him do it.  “Elliott, you do realize I’m at work here, right?”  He went over and closed the door and said “Better?”  He kissed her again, longer this time, eliciting a tiny moan from Renee.  “So, where do you want to go for lunch?  Sandwiches, salads, home . . . ?”  She looked at him and said, “I have so much to do today and since I got a later start that usual . . . “  He cut her off and said, “You still have to eat something.  How about that sandwich place close by?”  Renee laughed and told him that the close by sandwich place was actually catering lunch for the office that day.  “Okay, well let’s go somewhere else, then.  How about that place that serves pasta and salads?”  Renee could see that he was not going to take no for an answer and she said, “Okay, but I really need to be back here in an hour.  No longer than that.”  He laughed at her insistence on having her back in one hour and said, “Okay, okay, I promise.  Scout’s honor.”  She looked at him and reminded him that he had never been a scout.   All eyes were on them as they left the office and Genie didn’t make it any better, saying, “Awww, does this mean me and you ain’t going to lunch, Elliott?”  Renee rolled her eyes and Elliott laughed as they walked across the street. 

By the time Renee finished going over invoices and meeting with the accounting department, it was 5:15.   She had just ended a call with Elliott, who had called to let her know that he was on his way to pick her up and would be there shortly.  As she was ending the call, Genie walked into her office, looking like the cat that ate the canary.  “Well, well, well, look at you.  See, I knew there was something going on with you?  When did you two get back together?  Is he moving here?  Girl, what’s up?”  Renee laughed at Genie’s inquisition and said, “Wait a minute, now, why are you reading so much into things?  We’re just . . . “ Before she could finish, Elliott was walking into her office and saying “We’re just on our way over to Liza and E’s for dinner this evening.”  Genie eyed them knowingly and on her way out of the office said, “Just let me know before you go running off to California, Renee.”  Renee let out a big sigh as she watched Genie sashay out of her office.  “You ready, honey?” he asked as she shut down her laptop.  “Yes.  What’s this about dinner with Liza and E this evening?  I thought we’d just . . . “  He finished her thought for her and said, “Yes, I thought we’d have a repeat of last night, too, especially since you’re off the rest of the week.  But they keep asking for us to come over so I said yes.”  Renee really was very tired from last night and today, but she did want to see Liza and E so she said, “Okay, let’s get moving.  I’ll change into something else and we’ll head over there.” 

Liza had prepared a delicious dinner.  In addition to being one of New York’s premiere interior designers, her cooking skills were second to no one’s.  The meal that she had prepared was simple:  Roasted chicken with fresh vegetables and mashed cauliflower.  The chicken and vegetables were seasoned to perfection and the chicken was so tender that it was practically falling off the bone.  For dessert she made angel food cake with fresh strawberries and cream.   During dinner E proposed a toast.  “To new beginnings.”  After dinner, E and Elliott went into the game room to play a few rounds of pool, while Renee and Liza sat in the living room in front of the fireplace.  “So, we were able to finally get you two to come up for air and food.  I gotta tell you that was no easy feat.”  Renee took a sip of her green tea and said, “I’m sorry.  You know, I’ve been so busy lately.  I was hoping that once things settled down a bit, I’d have a little more free time, but it’s busier than ever.”  Liza said that she understood and added, “Plus the fact that you and Elliott have been all over each other like horny teenagers.”  Renee didn’t respond, so Liza continued, “What plans have the two of you made?  I mean is he going back to California soon?  What happens next?”  These were questions that Renee had certainly thought of, but she had no answers.  Things were going along so well.  Elliott was spending time with Matt and Kayla.  Kayla absolutely loved him and he had spoiled her a bit since being there.  Things with Matt started off shaky, but they seemed to have worked themselves out and were getting along very well.  “I don’t know, Liza.  I really don’t.  I mean, I know that he has to go back to California soon.  His job is there.   His life is there.”  Liza said “His job is there, but his life has changed a bit.  He has kids now and it appears that he and their mother have reunited.”  Just as Renee was getting ready to respond, E and Elliott walked into the room.  Elliott said, “We’d better get going.”  Renee said “Yes.  Thank you so much for dinner.  As usual, it was absolutely delicious and I ate way too much.  I’m sure I’ll sleep like a baby tonight.”  Liza said, “Or maybe not.”  Elliott smiled and E said, “Liza . . . “ Renee hugged Liza and E and thanked them again and promised them that they would go out on the town sometime soon.

Chapter 19

The next few weeks flew by.  Thanksgiving had come and gone and Christmas was right around the corner.  Elliott and Renee had been spending all of their time together
.  They made several visits to her dad and aunt.  They enjoyed spending time with Liza and Joe, and of course, they loved spending time with Kayla and Matt.  Elliott had kept in contact with his office in LA and was able to do some consulting work while in New York, but he knew that he was going to have to go back to LA soon.   What had started out being a simple few weeks’ vacation had turned into a several months’ leave of absence.    When Renee got home that evening, she noticed that Elliott seemed quieter than usual.  “Are you okay, baby?”  “Yeah, I’m fine.  I do want to talk to you about something, though.”  He led her into the living room and they sat on the sectional.  “I was talking to Daniel today.  There is a very important matter that I have to handle for a client.   I need to be back in LA next week to start preparing for it.  I’ve made flight arrangements for us to leave next . . . “  Renee sat there listening to Elliott.  She knew that he would eventually have to return to LA, but she just didn’t want to think about it.  She wondered to herself what she had been doing and thinking all this time.  She knew he had a life on the other coast and that her life was here in New York.  “Renee, honey, I want you to go with me.  You could . . . “  Renee stood up and said, “I could what, Elliott?  Just pack up and leave?  Everything I know is here.  My life is here.  I can’t just go with you.   I mean, how would you feel if I suggested that you just pack up and move here?”  She was standing up now with tears welling in her brown eyes and wetting her thick lashes.  “But Renee, I . . . “  Before he could finish, she said, “I’m going to pack my things and go back to my place.”  He tried to stop her, but she had completely shut down.  Wasn’t talking to him, wasn’t looking at him.  It hurt him so bad.  As she was walking toward the door, he said, “Please don’t do this.  I . . . “  The only thing she said was, “Good-bye, Elliott.”

During her drive back to her apartment, Renee had to keep wiping tears from her eyes.  By the time she got to her apartment, she was a mess.   Elliott had tried to call her several times.  She finally unplugged her phone and turned off her cell.   She lay back down on her bed, still dressed, feeling numb, feeling empty.  When she awoke the next morning, she turned on her cell phone and there was a text message from Elliott.  “I decided not to wait until the weekend to leave.  I’m leaving this a.m.  I’ve already told the kids bye and will see them in a few weeks”   She felt sick and lost.  Elliott had left.  She got up and went into the bathroom so that she could get showered.  After her shower, she put on her thick robe and went into the kitchen and got some orange juice.  After Elliott left, her days were all pretty much the same.   Her staff had noticed that her mood seemed to have shifted from joy to depression.  Genie, ever blunt, said “I don’t know why you didn’t go with him.  I mean, is it because of work?  You do realize that this is your company, right?  You have people to manage it for you.  If you’re needed here, there are these things called airplanes.  Hell, you could even use Skype.  Renee?  What is wrong with you?  I wish I did have a man who loved me like that.  I mean, forget the fact that he is as fine as sin, the way he looked at you, the way you looked at him . . . “  Genie didn’t go any further because she saw that Renee was tearing up.  “Oh, well, it’s done now.”  With that, she left Renee’s office.   The following day at the women’s center, Mya was a bit more sympathetic than Genie.  “Look, I’m just saying, maybe you should call him.  It couldn’t hurt just to say hi.”  Renee looked miserable and said, “I just can’t, Mya.  It hurts so bad to think about him.”  Later that day Matt and Kayla took her some lunch from her favorite Chinese place.  Kayla said, “Mom, you really need to eat.  I don’t know how much weight you’ve lost, but please just eat something, okay?”  Matt said, “Do you need me to do anything for you?”  Renee assured them both that she was fine and was just feeling a little under the weather.  Kayla and Matt didn’t respond.  They knew why Renee was so down in the dumps and it had nothing to do with weather.  Matt said, “Well, if you need us for anything, just call.”  She gave them both hugs and kisses and told them that she would. 

Later that evening as she was settling in to watch some mind-numbing reality show, her doorbell rang.  It was Liza.  She didn’t waste time with any pleasantries.  Renee had been avoiding seeing or talking to Liza since Elliott returned to LA a few weeks ago.  “There has to be something really wrong with you.  How is it that you are sitting here on your ass pining away over Elliott when all you had to do was go with him?  I mean, I can’t believe you, Renee.  Have you lost your mind?  That man is in love with you.  Haven’t you figured that out by now?  Did you not pay attention to what happened?  He came here probably to find you probably more than he came to see Joe.  He finds out he has gorgeous twins that he thought you kept secret from him.  He finds out what really happened with your nightmare of a mother.  He had never stopped loving you and you never stopped loving him.  You couldn’t even bring yourself to be with another man, and it wasn’t for lack of men not trying.  You’re a fool for letting him leave.   Renee stood up, angry at Liza, but even angrier at herself.  “You think you know everything!  I already told him why I couldn’t just go with him.”  Liza stepped closer to her and said, “Yeah, he told Joe those lame-ass excuses you came up with.  Your life is here.  You can’t just pack up and leave.  Bullshit, Renee.  This is me you’re talking to.  You’re a smart woman, or so I thought you were.  You could work all that out”   Renee knew that Liza was right.  They stood there staring at each other for what seemed like an eternity.  Liza finally said, “I’m leaving.  Call me when you come to your senses.”  Renee knew that Liza was right about everything she said to her.  She went into her bathroom and splashed cold water on her face.  When she looked in the mirror, she didn’t like the reflection staring back at her.