Better Deeds Than Words (Words#2) (40 page)

When you open this, our time together will be mere hours away, so let me try to zero in on the thoughts that I know will occupy my every waking moment by quoting Gustave Flaubert: “I will cover you with love when next I see you, with caresses, with ecstasy. I want to gorge you with all the joys of the flesh, so that you faint and die. I want you to be amazed by me, and to confess to yourself that you had never even dreamed of such transports…”

Good Lord! How badly I wanted that! Amazed by Daniel? So far, all indications pointed to the fact that fainting was a
very
real possibility. From the very first time we’d brushed knees, to our first hug under the Gatehouse Arch, to our recent encounter at Penny’s house, there was no doubt that we had incredible chemistry.

A good fainting spell would certainly be in order.

When I arrived at the office the next morning, the sight of Dean Grant’s piled-up boxes almost brought a tear to my eye. I’d been trying to block his impending departure from my mind, but now there was no avoiding it. On Monday morning, I would have a new boss.

I gritted my teeth and crossed to my desk, ready to get to work. As I reached over to turn on the computer, I found an envelope addressed to me perched on the keyboard. I opened it quickly and pulled out an invitation to that evening’s cocktail party to celebrate Dean Grant’s years of service to the college.

I sat down, contemplating this turn of events. Why was I just receiving this invitation now? And did Daniel know about it? At that moment, Dean Grant came out of his office carrying a box which he deposited on the front counter. He turned to look at me, resting his hands on his hips. He was wearing Dockers and a golf shirt—his version of a slobby packing outfit.

“Good morning, Aubrey.” He gestured to my hands. “I see you’ve found your invitation.”

I held it up and nodded. “Yep.”

Feeling like little more than an afterthought, I couldn’t bring myself to smile. He must have sensed my disillusionment, because he sighed heavily.

“I can’t blame you for feeling slighted. I haven’t handled everything as gracefully as I should have over the last six weeks or so. I’m genuinely sorry. I should have given you the invitation to the reception on Monday when I first received it. I’m the one who requested you be put on the guest list in the first place, but every time I imagined you there with Daniel, surrounded by university administrators, knowing the way you two are when you’re together…”

I suppose I could see his point, but did he really think I was so immature that I wouldn’t be able to conduct myself appropriately? I frowned, perching my chin on my hand as he struggled to explain himself.

“I spoke with Daniel, and he indicated that not inviting you to tonight’s gathering would be a terrible insult. He’s right, of course.” He paused for a moment. “I understand how difficult the last few months have been for you. I’ve tried to give you your space, tried not to lean on you too much.”

He looked at me for confirmation. I nodded. This was true. He really had backed off.

“I won’t put you on the spot today by asking how much contact you’ve had with Daniel over the last few weeks, but I have an inkling you’ve not been entirely incommunicado. All we can hope for now is that your conduct together hasn’t raised any eyebrows.”

I crossed my hands in front of me and tried to speak calmly. “I’ve done my best to live up to my promise to you, sir. I hope you know that. By the same token, Daniel and I have very strong feelings for one another, and it would have been impossible to brush those feelings under the rug completely—”

“Or to cut off communication entirely?” he asked.

I breathed deeply. “We
have
been in touch, but I assure you, we’ve been exceedingly discreet. Thankfully, the semester is over now.”

He looked steadily at me, processing my words. “I assume that means full steam ahead?”

I smiled up at him. “Don’t worry. We’ll still be cautious on campus. At least until after graduation.”

“Thank you.” He returned my smile, gentleness settling into the creases around his eyes. He walked around the desk behind me to look out the window as he spoke. “May I ask a favor, Aubrey? Something for you to think about this evening at the reception?”

“Of course,” I said, regretting the words as soon as I’d spoken them. What unrealistic promise would he wring from me now?

He turned slowly, regarding me wistfully.

“Gwen and I are thrilled that Daniel has found someone who cares about him as deeply as you do. I hope you know that. The disappointment I feel knowing you’ll no longer be working for me is tempered by the fact that I’ll see you a great deal, regardless.”

“Thank you, sir,” I said, touched by his words, but aware that he hadn’t asked for his favor yet.

“Can you try to remember that there are some incredibly opportunistic people in this world? People who would go to great lengths to ensure their own gains, even if it means destroying someone else in the process?”

I sighed and rested my hands on the arms of my chair.

“This Nicola person at Oxford did a horrible thing,” I said. “I can’t begin to imagine the misery she inflicted on your family. But with all due respect, that was a year and a half ago. I think it’s time for Daniel—for everyone—to look to the future and try to seek closure.”

“I agree,” he said. “I’d love nothing more than to forget the whole incident happened. Unfortunately, it’s not quite that simple.”

“You
do
know Daniel didn’t do anything wrong to elicit those accusations, right?” I couldn’t believe I was saying this to him, but I couldn’t help myself.

He perched on the edge of my desk, folding his arms across his chest.

“Whatever did or didn’t happen over there, he obviously put himself in a position where he could be taken advantage of by getting far too close to her. That’s his nature. In time, he’ll learn to maintain a distance. I don’t think he’s mastered that quite yet.” He smiled at me knowingly. “But I wasn’t referring to Nicola when I mentioned opportunistic people. There are a vast number of them in this world—a good deal of them right here at this university. I hate to be cynical, but my advice to you is to develop a healthy skepticism. It’s lovely to try to see the good in all people, but not always realistic.”

I laughed and leaned back in my chair. “I fear you’re preaching to the choir, sir.”

“I’m happy to hear that. Do me a favor and encourage Daniel to audition for that choir?” He glanced around at the boxes. “All right, I have to get these sorted out. I hope inviting you at the last minute like this doesn’t mean you’ve made other plans. Will we see you at five thirty over at Old Vic?”

My plans for the evening had included a shaving and plucking session followed by a do-it-yourself manicure and pedicure. But that could all wait until after seven thirty.

“I’ll be there with bells on,” I said.

“Good. I’m glad. Penny will be happy as well. She speaks fondly of you. It will be nice for her to have someone to talk to.”

He started to walk back to his office, but stopped at the door to turn back. “I’m glad you’re going to be there tonight, Aubrey. It’s been a real joy having you working here.” He looked at me for another moment before closing the door quietly behind him.

I grabbed my purse and escaped to the washroom. I’d be seeing Daniel in eight and a half hours! Now there was no point in waiting to open my last card. I ripped open the envelope, gasping when I saw the photo on the front of the card. It was a picture of the two of us in Penny’s spare room! I was lying on his chest, fast asleep, and his lips were pressed to the top of my head. He must have taken the picture with his phone. How adorable was he? I opened the card and stuck to the inside of the paper was a two-hundred-and-fifty-dollar gift certificate for La Vie en Rose—a lingerie store. On the bottom half of the card, Daniel had written:

Well, it’s official. There simply can’t be any more ways to tell you that I love you. And since I’ve run out of words, I’ll borrow some from our beloved William: “true love…cannot speak; For truth hath better deeds than words to grace it.”

Better deeds than words…I
can think of some deeds that would be quite appropriate, can’t you? In fact, to hell with words. I’d be fine with us not talking at all this weekend!

Speaking of this weekend, see that gift card up there? I’m sure you’re rolling your eyes, but I’ve kept my promise, poppet! So, now you need to brace yourself. All bets are off. La Vie en Rose is at the Eaton Centre. Spend it all this afternoon. Go crazy. Trust me-this is as much for me as it is for you. And just two words: polka dots. See you soon! ~D

I leaned back on the vanity. This was how things would be from now on. As Daniel’s girlfriend, I’d have to graciously accept gifts, and lots of them. Was this something I could get used to? I peeled the gift card off and stowed it safely in my wallet. Then I grabbed my phone to send Daniel a text.

Good morning, sunshine!
Looks like I have a busy day ahead of me…
party, packing…polka dots. ;) -A

A few moments later, my phone buzzed.

Good morning yourself, beautiful.
Your text made me very happy.
Party? I’m glad my dad got his shit together.
Packing? Yes, I’ll send a list shortly.
And I’m thrilled to hear polka dots
are on your to-do list.
Can’t wait to see you. Love you. -D

I put my phone back in my bag, mighty chipper all of a sudden. A day that had seemed rather bleak when I’d gone to bed last night was looking up.

“Hey, Penny,” I said, moving in for a quick hug.

“
There
you are.” She sighed gratefully, kissing me on both cheeks and looking me up and down. “You look lovely.”

“Thanks. I know I’m a little late. David was concerned about Daniel and me making a scene. Daniel suggested waiting for about twenty minutes for the crowd to fill in. How’re things so far?”

“Well, I know nobody in the room except Brad and his family, the punch is plentiful but non-alcoholic, and the queue at the bar is ludicrous.” Penny gestured to a line of rather desperate people across the room. “I’m bloody glad you’re here.”

I laughed and squeezed her arm.

A voice behind me interrupted our exchange. “Aubrey?” I turned and there was Gwen, glorious in a black cocktail dress, which was tastefully accented with a lovely necklace and pair of dangling earrings. Any uncertainty I might have had about how to greet her was quickly squashed as she pulled me into a warm hug. “It’s so lovely to see you.”

“Thanks, it’s nice to see you too.”

She was holding my wrist, gesturing to her husband who was chatting with three men near the punch table. He excused himself and made his way over to us. His face was flushed. He’d had quite a day between packing, fielding congratulatory calls from every corner of the university, and now this—a celebration to recognize his work at Vic.

He bent forward and whispered, “I had no idea so many people would be here.”

“Don’t be absurd, dear,” Gwen chided him, straightening his tie and patting his lapel.

“Dean Grant, you have to know you’ll be missed,” I assured him.