“As near as I can tell, you and I are idiots,” Trevor said.
Davidson nodded his head. “Yup.”
“And I still have a job?” Trevor asked.
“Yeah, but I’ll tell you something, I wanted to fire you. Marla talked me down.”
“So, you’re saying, at bare minimum, I owe Marla flowers?”
“Lilies are her favorite,” Davidson said.
“Understood.”
“She pointed out that you were doing what you’ve been doing for four years…anything possible to get the job done. I find I like your determination when it’s directed at potential clients, but not at me.”
Trevor nodded his head up and down. “Fair enough.”
“Good. Now let’s talk about this nonsense of you and Piper not being a real couple. I don’t know what you all were playing at, but I saw something there. How do you know her?”
“Well, it’s kind of a long story. Her older brother is my best friend. I’ve known her since she was six. Truth is, I did take her to her high school prom. And I thought the girl I took to prom would make the perfect girl next door.”
Davidson stared at him stone-faced until his lip quivered, then he leaned back, holding his stomach as he let out a laugh.
“I’m glad I amuse you.”
“Boy, you’re in love with her. From the way you talk about her, you’ve definitely been in love with her since prom, if not before. All you need to do is go get the girl.”
Trevor flinched. “Yeah, that might not be so easy.”
“Why’s that?”
“I said some things.”
“You could apologize.”
“The wound might need a bit more than a Band-Aid.”
“Then get some gauze, but mark my words, you’ll be miserable if you let her go.”
“She finds my history to be a huge disappointment.”
“You’re a part of her history, just focus on that part. She liked you then. And I just happen to know where you can find her, if you’re interested.”
Trevor tilted his head. “What are you talking about?”
“She’s meeting Marla and me at Taps tonight. I owe Marla big time so I’ve agreed to go dancing. Seemed fitting for Marla and Piper to have their dancewear meeting there.”
“Marla’s not mad at her then?”
“The thing is, my wife is all fire and the flame burns hot, but fast. She gets over things quickly.”
An idea formed in Trevor’s head. He wondered if he could pull it off…or if it would even work. One thing was for sure, it was his best shot. Maybe his only shot. “What time is this meeting?”
“Seven.”
“I’ll be there by eight.” He headed for the door, but turned back. “Can I have the rest of the day off?”
“You just got here.”
“Yeah, but if I’m going to get the girl, I have a few things to do first.”
“Fine, fine.” Davidson shot out of his chair. “Oh, and consider this dinner tonight your congratulatory dinner on your partnership.”
He froze, afraid to move, to even take a solid breath. “You’re still giving it to me?”
“I sure as hell can’t give it to Rachel,” Davidson said and shuddered.
Trevor marched back to Davidson’s desk and shook his hand. “Thank you. I thought I’d lost the shot. I just—really, thank you.”
“You deserve it.”
“Oh, I almost forgot.” Trevor pulled the papers out of his inside breast pocket. “Consider this my first act as partner,” he tossed the papers on the desk and walked away.
“Good God! How did you manage this?” he called to Trevor right before Trevor stepped out the door.
“I made the connection a while ago. I reached out and it just happened to be the right place and the right time.”
“I’m impressed. Excellent work! I’ll announce this tomorrow when I announce you as partner. I had planned to today, but since you’re not going to be here and all, I’ll hold off.”
“I appreciate it,” he said, stopping with his hand curled around the edge of the door. “Thank you, Davidson...for everything.” Trevor ducked out with no time to waste. The drive to his parents’ house was a good hour from the city, and if he knew his mother, she had held onto his old stuff.
He needed it.
Piper packed the dress she had modified when she’d gotten back from her trip, and her two sketchbooks. She was sure the dress was the right choice for the tribute to Shakespeare, the Romeo and Juliet segment of the dance, but just in case Marla had a different vision, Piper wanted to be prepared.
Next, she needed to find something to wear. Taps was a new jazz club on the west side and she had been wanting to go there since they opened, but had never managed to find the time. She opted for something a bit different tonight. A bit of old Piper and new Piper. She still liked pretty things, after all, and just because she had begun the effort to embrace her true self didn’t mean she didn’t like to dress up and look pretty.
She pulled out a black wrap dress with white polka dots the size of quarters. The loved the swish of the soft fabric against her skin. She matched the dress with a pair of black velvet kitten heels, a strand of pearls, pearl stud earrings, and pearl crusted combs to hold the sides of her hair, while the rest waved down her back.
She spun in the mirror and smiled. She’d achieved a classic look and kept that look in mind when she did her makeup. Red lipstick, absolutely. A bit of smoky eye shadow, blush, and mascara finished off her look.
Then she met her own eyes and caught a glimpse of the sadness there.
Amazing how just a couple of days with a person, combined with the right chain of events, had the power to make a person feel like their life had become an unfamiliar world they needed to learn how to navigate all over again.
She hated it.
Not that it mattered. She had a job to do and she’d do it.
She took a cab to Taps and arrived five minutes before seven. She met a tall, redheaded hostess at the entrance. “I’m Piper Bradley. I’m here to meet Davidson and Marla Williams.”
“Of course, Ms. Bradley, right this way.” Piper held a shaking hand to her stomach and took in a deep breath. She and Marla had hashed out the situation from over the weekend while they talked on the phone, but seeing them in person, looking them in the eye, well, the thought terrified her.
The hostess led Piper to where Marla and Davidson sat at a round table next to the dance floor. As she approached, she noticed Marla’s stunning emerald green scoop-neck dress with a single solitaire diamond necklace that winked from her chest.
Davidson stood and pulled out Marla’s chair. Always the gentleman.
“You look beautiful, Piper,” Marla said with a warm smile and a hug.
“Thank you, you do, too,” Piper said. She meant it.
“I have the pleasure of having dinner with the two most beautiful women in the city. I’m a lucky man.” He pushed in each of their chairs for them and took a seat.
“I’m surprised you’re not still mad at me,” Piper said to Davidson.
“Well, I have to say—”