Page 7 of No Fear

“Thank you.” She looked up at him with those gorgeous blue eyes, the same shade as her brother’s.

“You’re welcome. They’re assholes. Don't let them get to you. But if they bother you again, you let me or Nate know.”

The smile she’d given him had made him feel like a king.

Everything changed after the accident. He was drowning in guilt. The first opportunity he got, he’d left. Charlie didn’t just lose Nate that day; she’d lost Donnie, too.

***

STEPPING OUT OF THE chauffeured black stretch Mercedes Simon sent to pick her up, Charlie entered the upscale restaurant. She would have been quite happy to get a taxi, but Simon wouldn't hear of it and, of course, he could more than afford the personal car service.

As Simon had requested, she was wearing a dress. This was a business lunch, and she understood Simon wanted to make a good impression. It was a hot summer day in the city, so she’d chosen a simple blue empire sundress that flared out over her hips and accented her fuller figure. She wore a short white wrap over her upper arms and white sandals to match. She’d been happy with her reflection in the mirror.

As the host showed her to the table, Simon stood, and his eyes bored into her with a frown. Her stomach dropped. When she reached him, the frown turned into that expert forced smile he did so well, and he leaned in and kissed her cheek. He was sweating. Nervous? Or was he sick?

“Darling. Let me introduce you to Frank Denver and his wife Aileen.”

Charlie shook hands with them, said the appropriate niceties, and then sat. Tension radiated off Simon in waves. Doing her best to ignore it, she tuned into the conversation. Frank and Simon were working together on a project and were in the process of securing four properties around the world. This lunch was likely the first of many lunches, dinners, and other events with the Denvers. Frank and Aileen seemed nice. Owners of The Denver, a national hotel chain; they were probably in their late forties. She tried her best to join in the conversation, but in truth she had little interest in real estate development for the rich. Now, if they wanted to build schools in third world countries, she would talk about that all day.

When Frank excused himself to take a call, Aileen took the opportunity to use the washroom.

“Are you alright, Simon? You don’t look so good,” Charlie asked in genuine concern.

Simon turned to her and said in a low voice, “What are you wearing?”

She was so shocked she couldn’t think of an answer.

“You look like you are going on a picnic in the country. This is New York City, not...” He didn’t finish. Instead, taking a deep breath, he picked up his drink.

Finding her voice, Charlie said, “I am not a New York City woman. I don’t work in your world. I don’t wear designer dresses. I never have. You know that. If all you needed today was arm candy, I believe you can hire one by the hour.”

His words had hurt, and the old Charlie would have shrunk back and hidden. She’d worked hard at being comfortable with herself, but she never dreamed she would have to defend herself against Simon.

They were interrupted when a tall, thin brunette placed a perfectly manicured hand on his shoulder.

“Simon!” she exclaimed, “I thought it was you. It’s been too long.”

The woman was the epitome of Simon’s idea of a New York woman. Designer dress, designer shades, designer purse. Perfect hair. Perfect make-up. Perfect slender figure.

Charlie looked on as Simon stood, giving the woman a warm smile. “Dominique, what a lovely surprise. Are you back in New York?” He kissed her cheek, lingering a little too long.

“Just a visit for business. I leave for London next week.”

Dominique did not so much as glance Charlie’s way and Simon didn’t make any move to introduce her. Simon said, “I am in the middle of a meeting, but we should catch up before you leave.”

Charlie might as well have been invisible. She kind of wished she was.

“That would be lovely,” Dominique said through glossy lips just as the Denvers returned. “I’ll let you get back to your lunch. Call me. You have my number.” She leaned in and kissed Simon on the lips, giving him a wink Charlie could plainly see. What the fuck?

Simon smiled and sat down, jumping back into conversation with the Denvers, with no explanation of who Dominique was. Charlie made it through lunch, eating the salad Simon ordered for her. After Simon took care of the bill, the four of them left the restaurant.

“Frank, Aileen, it was lovely to meet you.” Charlie shook their hands, then waited as Simon saw them into their waiting car. As soon as the car pulled away, Simon turned back to face her, then glanced at his watch.

“I need—”

“Who is Dominique?” Charlie cut him off.

“No one. I have to get back to the office.” He pulled out his phone.