“I need a dress, a watch for Kels, and a New Year’s outfit.” Vanessa smiled, hailing a taxi. “Kels also mentioned your investments. She’s asked me to oversee them personally.”
“You, personally? I assumed you only handled her chaotic schedule,” I commented, smoothing my coat as we settled into the backseat. Her almond-shaped eyes caught mine; she was watching me with an intensity that made my pulse quicken.
“It’s more than that. When I took over as her guardian, we built a profound bond. Later, she wanted me to step in as VP of Business, but I declined.” She smiled, noticing my eyes lingering on her lips. “I’d rather stay on her tail to make sure she doesn’t mess up. I manage the moving parts while she stays out front.”
“So you’re the filter. The invisible hand of the market.” She offered a silent, knowing nod. “I wish I had someone like that. It would save me so many headaches.”
“I can imagine. And yet, no matter how hard I try to keep the idiots away from Kels, they always find a way in.” She chuckled softly. Her phone chimed, and as she leaned toward me, her hand came to rest naturally on my knee.
On her screen, a photo showed Kelsey surrounded by women in saris. “Just so you know, a photo like this without a proper caption would cause a mid-life crisis for most people.”
“And what’s the best caption?” I whispered, leaning in closer. Vanessa stared at me, our faces mere inches apart. She bit her lower lip.
“I have no idea. The PR team handles the prose. I just send the images.” She lifted her hand from my knee to gently brush a stray hair from my face. “These are representatives from the Port Authority. This right here,” she pointed to the screen, “means she closed the deal.”
I smiled, those beautiful eyes fixed on mine. I wanted to kiss her then and there, but my internal judge whispered that it wasn't prudent. Not yet. After hours lost in high-end boutiques, we finally emerged, laden with bags.
“What’s next on the agenda?” I asked, already thinking about my visit to the nursing home to see my mother tomorrow.
“We can drop these at the hotel and head to dinner. There’s a French place I think you’ll love.”
“How about coffee first?”
After a quick reset at the hotel, we headed to a French-style café. I ordered a croissant with blackberry jam while Vanessa opted for a slice of tarte tatin. “Have you ever been to Paris?” she asked. I confirmed that I had.
“My father loved spending New Year’s there, before Kels’ parents passed away.”
“My father loved it at Christmas. But... you said your parents passed away?” I immediately regretted the phrasing, fearing I’d hit a nerve.
“I have no contact with my mother,” Vanessa waved it off. “They separated, and a week later, she was in a relationship with his secretary.”
“Your father’s secretary?”
“Can you imagine? My father was so livid he still pretends he doesn't know about my sexuality. Eventually, my mother remarried someone who better suited her 'ambitions.'”
“And is there someone in your life now?” I inquired.
“No. It’s easier this way. Besides, my father adores Kelsey. She takes care of everything he needs.” She laughed, resting a hand on her temple. “For his last birthday, she bought him a boat.”
I laughed out loud, and she joined me. “He says he’s going fishing, and he actually goes! Now he has a sailor who goes with him because I panicked about him being out alone.”
“It couldn't have been easy to convince a man with his own boat to accept a 'water chauffeur.'”
“You think I had that conversation?” Vanessa laughed harder. I felt a flush creep up my neck. “I remember walking into Kelsey’s room that day. She said I looked like a teapot with steam coming out of my nose. I told her: 'You bought my dad a boat, now you better make sure I can find him at sea.'”
“What about you? What’s your best 'lost' story?” she asked.
“My parents once lost me inside our own house. I was twelve, wearing headphones.” Her eyes widened. “There was one of those dull legal brunches. I grabbed some hot chocolate and hid in the attic to read. I fell asleep. My dad didn't find me until dawn.”
“Was he furious?”
“He called me his 'little leprechaun' and carried me to bed. I didn't find out until the next day that the police had been called.”
“And your mother?” I asked as we laughed together.
“She was hysterical. Donald, our neighbor back then, still swears he remembers her running down the street in her slippers, screaming my name.”
As we finished, we walked back to the hotel. We said our goodbyes at my suite door. I leaned in, kissed the corner of her mouth, and smiled.
