Invitation to Love (13 page)

As
their meals of spicy Jamaican shrimp and chicken tenders were being served, she
wondered if she indeed detected a short tone in his voice. After all, she’s
doing her best to live up to her end of the bargain; It helps knowing how well
she’s doing. But again, maybe she’s just being a little sensitive. So, she
brushed it off and concentrated on her meal.

“Michael,
is that your building?” Remi asked as she munched on a long french-fry.

This
time, Taryn welcomed the endless questions, and just left the rest of the lunch
conversation between him and the girls.

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At
his request, Taryn and the girls would meet him at his office twice a week and
have lunch with him. She speculated it was for the sake of the media, so they
would report some positive news about his new family, thus killing those
rumors. She wondered what scandal they would jump to print if they knew the
truth. The idea made her shutter as she flipped through the line of evening
dresses the boutique owner had wheeled into her dressing room.

The
three weeks they’ve been married has been like a well-planned itinerary.
Michael would come down for breakfast, leave out, then come home at night for
dinner where they’d exchange pleasantries. Not once has he attempted to touch
her; Not even a kiss for appearance sake. Outside of the usual praises about
her looks, he seems to find it easy to disregard her. Remi and Rachel receive
more attention.

She
stood in front of the full-length mirror in her slip, critiquing everything
about her: Her long legs, nice waist, and full breasts. Why hasn’t he tried to
persuade her to his bed by now? If she’s so “desirable” as he once put it, why
hasn’t his patience just exploded and he insists she moves into his room this
minute? Such fantasizing was laughable. The way he’s been acting lately, that’s
not about to happen anytime, soon. He’s just as reserved as she started out to
be. (That’s right, started out)

At
first, her moral strength not to get emotionally involved held control. But,
with each passing week, that control dissolved helplessly when she would catch
him looking at her; Or when his smiles has her yearning for his touch. And
something else that’s difficult for her to admit is the fact that in the
beginning, it was easy to think of him as a friend despite his good looks and
her attraction for him. Then, everything was long distanced. Now, being close
to him on a day to day basis, and getting to know him one on one, has her
desire for a platonic relationship being slowly eaten away by her desire to be
with him in every way. But of course, his disinterest in her makes her too
proud to let him know that. If he wants her, he knows where she is. (Be careful
what you wish for)

She
pushed those thoughts away with a sigh, took an evening dress off the hanger,
and slid it over her head. Tomorrow night there’s going to be some sort of
celebration dinner for the growing success of the movie Michael invested in,
honoring Hal Connors, the producer-director; They’re expected to be there.
That’s why she’s standing in the dressing room of a small boutique going
through racks of expensive dresses.

“Mummie,
the lady wants to know if you got a dress on, yet.” Rachel peeked her head
through the curtain.

Taryn
suddenly realized she had been in there for some time, and followed her out.

“Wow,
Momma,” Remi jumped off the plush chair she’d been fidgeting in. “You look beautiful.”

“You
think so?” she pivoted in the mirrors to examine the black, silk dress with the
sparkling Italian lace overlay.

“Oh,
yes, ma’am,” the saleslady agreed. “You look stunning. I have stockings and
high-heels that will match perfectly.”

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Taryn
sat back into the cushions of the sofa having just confirmed the time with the bonded
child-care service Michael recommended. She glimpsed at the business card with
raised lettering advertising the name. It had been confirmed that someone from the
Holly Tree Sitting Service will be over to care for Remi and Rachel while she
attended the gala. The doorbell had her sitting up. But, before she could take
one step, Remi raced out of nowhere to answer.

She
stood peeking out of the side glass panel. “It’s David, Momma.”

“That’s
Mr. Holster to you; And let him in, please.”

During
the times she and the girls visited Michael at the office, he would always make
an appearance to greet her. Once, he treated them to a tour of his office while
they waited for Michael to return from a meeting. Although, she’s aware of his
attraction for her, he’s always been the perfect gentleman, and sees no cause
to be unduly worried. She likes him, and is grateful that at least somebody
notices her—Michael certainly doesn’t.

“David,
come on in,” she motioned for him to join her.

“Hi,
Taryn,” he patted Remi’s head as he passed her.

“Is
this a social call?” she eyed the cylindrical cardboard tubing in his hand.

“I
wish it were. I brought these diagrams over for Michael. He left the office
early today; I thought he might have come straight home.”

“He’s
not here, yet. Would you like to wait for him?”

“Sorry,
but I have to run. I’ll just leave them here for him.” He placed them on the
glass coffee table. “Will I see you tonight?”

“Oh,
you’re going to be there, too?”

“Everyone
will,” his excitement for the upcoming evening emanated his smile. “Save me a
dance?”

“Of
course, I will.”

“Momma,
Michael’s home,” Remi called from her look-out.

David
and Taryn waited as she opened the door for him. After greeting her, he stood
fixed for a surprised moment upon seeing the two of them standing there. Taryn
caught that strange look in his eyes again—That look he always has whenever
David’s around.

“David,”
he came all the way into the room. “What are you doing here?”

He
reached down and picked up the cylinder from the table. “These are the diagrams
you needed for the staff meeting tomorrow evening. You left before I could give
them to you.”

Michael
took the cylinder, looked at him, then held his gaze on Taryn as he asked. “Is
that all you wanted?”

Taryn
wondered if she was being sensitive again. Was there a hidden meaning behind
that question? And, did David pick up on it, also?

“That’s
all,” he lifted his hands then let them fall back against his thighs. “I’ll see
you tonight. Bye, Taryn.”

“How
long has he been here?” Michael asked when he left out the door.

“A
few minutes before you arrived.”

His
eyes jetted over her blue leggings and tunic top. “I think I’ll rest before the
ceremony,” he sighed and grabbed up his case. “Would you send one of the girls
to wake me in an hour?”

“Aren’t
you hungry?”

“No,”
he replied without even looking back as he walked away for the stairs.

He
always seems to be short on words lately, not to mention his temperament
whenever he encounters David in her company. Could he…? No. He’s not jealous—is
he? She put her hand to her mouth and let out a short giggle. (Maybe, his armor
is crumbling a little)

“Momma,”
Remi tugged at her as she and Rachel stood observing her strange outburst.
“Can’t we please go with you tonight? Staring at the baby-sitter all night is
no fun at all.”

“Remi,
remember I explained this is a grown-up affair; And, you promised to be a good
girl about this.”

“I
know,” she shrugged and revealed a playful grin. “I thought I’d ask just one last
time, anyway.”

“Can’t
blame a girl for trying,” Taryn tickled her.

Two
hours later, Taryn stood at the top of the stairs and watched as Michael,
looking elegant in his black, evening suit, conversed with the sitter the
agency sent over. She touched at her pinned-up hair before joining them. The
gray-haired woman looked up as she sauntered down the stairs and smiled,
causing him to look up, also. His brows lifted at the sight of her, keeping an
appreciative eye on her the entire time she descended each step.

“Taryn,
this is Mrs. Castleberry.”

“What
a lovely dress, Mrs. Vande-xx,” she offered her hand to her. “Now, where are
the children, I’d like to introduce myself to them.”

“They’re
in the kitchen,” Taryn pointed toward the back. “They’re eating dinner, or
better yet, picking at it.”

“At
the risk of repeating myself, you look very beautiful tonight,” Michael said
when Mrs. Castleberry excused herself.

“Thank
you. So do you.”

In
an unexpected gesture, he stepped forward and touched a short but firm kiss to
her lips, disorienting her already weakening reserve.

“Sorry,”
he smiled. “You’re so enticing, I couldn’t resist. Afraid I took some of your
lipstick away, though.”

“You’re
wearing it,” she shyly looked away to her sequined purse to open it.

He
took a white handkerchief from his coat pocket and wiped the traces away. While
she touched up her lipstick, Mrs. Castleberry rejoined them with Remi and
Rachel skipping on each side of her. After hugging them good-night, and
reminding them to behave, they left.

The
black limousine crawled its way along the boulevard behind a long line of
others stopping in front of the Bellshire Hotel to let the social crowd out.
Taryn leaned forward to view the throngs of people gathered ahead. It was like
a night at the Oscars, with spotlights dazzling the night sky, gowns reflecting
all the lights, and a red carpet to advertise their importance. Her vision of
what this would be like didn’t even come close.

“Michael,”
she slid back in her seat. “This producer friend of yours must be very popular.
I’ve never been to a party this big.”

“Hollywood
parties are always this big,” he laughed.

“This
movie of his must be something. I can’t wait to see it. What’s it about?”

“It’s
a suspense about a blind serial killer who happens to look like Prince.”

“Does
Prince know that?”

“Yeah.
He’s probably here cashing in on the publicity.”

When
the limousine finally pulled up to the entrance of the hotel and stopped, her
heart began pumping.

Michael
took hold of her hand and whispered close to her, “Get ready, Taryn, you’re
about to make headlines.”

She
soon realized the significance of his words as they emerged from the car to multitudes
of screaming and cheering fans roped off to the sides; Cameras flashed
continuously in her face. Her fingers tightened around his hand as they
proceeded toward the entrance. She reminded herself to act as if she goes to
these things regularly, and to keep that smile bright.

“Michael,
Access Hollywood,” the petite, dark-haired journalist waved to them from her
spot along the carpet.

The
cameraman behind her aimed his lenses at them. Taryn’s eyes widened from the
realization that she was actually face to face with a star reporter of one of
her sister’s favorite shows. Nora will certainly see this when it airs, so she
waved the I-love-you sign.

“Hello,
Shaun,” Michael smiled graciously.

“This
must be the new bride we’ve been hearing so much about,” she greeted a very
petrified Taryn. “Well, I guess now that you’ve settle down, this puts you in a
whole new light, doesn’t it?”

“There’s
nothing new about it, Shaun. It just proves that you can’t always believe what
you read.”

“Amen
to that. And, how are you and your children adjusting to your life here, Mrs.
Vande-xx?”

Taryn
had to will herself from her frightened coma and respond into the microphone
held out to her. “Everything’s wonderful, thanks.”

“And,
is Michael as exciting a man as he seems?”

“Exciting
doesn’t even begin to describe him, and that’s coming from experience.” She was
a bit embarrassed at how easily that flowed from her.

“Well,
I guess that says it all. Thank you, Michael, Mrs. Vande-xx, and enjoy the
gala. You heard it here, folks,” the reporter’s voice trailed off as they
headed off with the camera still on them.

As
they moved forward, it was E.T.’s turn to investigate the new Mrs. After that,
it was Mario Lopez from Extra who welcomed her to L.A., asking pretty much the
same questions. As he held the microphone toward Michael, listening to his
replies, she couldn’t help noticing those dimples she and Nora used to swoon
over. (They’re just as beautiful in person) She cast an impish glance into the
camera, pointed at him, and wowed for Nora’s sake. And, when Mario touched her
arm and wished her a fun evening, she thought for sure her knees were going to
buckle, giving opportunity to all those cameras as she lay straddled on the red
carpet with the sound of digital clicking surrounding her. But, she held her
composure.

Once
they were inside, Michael held her hand to his mouth and kissed it. “You were
great.”