“Hi Anne. To tell you the truth, I don’t know why I’m here. Steven picked me up at six thirty for our date, and then he told me he’d forgotten something at the apartment. So, here I am, waiting.” She rubbed her hands in worried circles. “Anne, about Tuesday night—”
“No Ellen, that’s none of my business—you don’t need to explain anything to me. I’m the one who set you up, remember? I’m just glad you’re hitting it off.” Anne managed to say the words in a way that sounded believable. At least she hoped so.
“But I don’t want you to think—”
“Hello Ms. Best.” Steven approached from the elevator, scouring the lobby. “Where’s Henri? He didn’t come?”
“He’s not due here for another five minutes, so it looks like you missed him. I’m sure you’re terribly upset, since I know how much you like each other.”
Henri sauntered through the lobby door, and the Steven’s jaw hardened. “I like Henri just fine, as long as he stays in France.”
“I like Henri more when he’s here,” said Anne.
“I am so glad you like for me to be here.” Henri eased beside Anne, placing a
possessive arm around her back and nuzzling her neck. She did a reasonable job of acting as if this were a normal behavior. “You smell divine, mon ange.”
Steven laid his arm around Ellen’s shoulder. “Ellen, darling… I suppose I need to introduce you to Henri DuBois. Henri, this is Ellen Dean.”
Henri smiled at Ellen, but made no move to take her hand. “Ellen, you must be an amazing woman to put up with a man such as this one. My heart goes out to you.” He slid his hand up to Anne’s shoulder and gave it a squeeze, bending his head to kiss her hair.
Steven's smooth expression cracked, but he regained control. “I don’t think Ellen’s complaining too much so far.”
Ellen took this as her cue. “Steven’s been wonderful. Tonight he’s taking me to the Essex House.” Anne almost gasped, knowing this to be one of the most expensive restaurants in New York City.
“And where are the two of you going tonight?” Steven’s hand was stroking up and down on Ellen’s arm, and Anne couldn’t pry her eyes away.
“I have reservations at Daniel tonight. But only because I flew in town too late to go to Masa.”
Steven scowled at Henri’s stated plans, so Anne assumed the restaurants he mentioned were also expensive. The competitive testosterone was clogging the air in the lobby.
“You know Henri,” Anne said, “I don’t care where we go. As long as we’re together.”
Henri smiled and kissed her ear in response.
Steven’s foot tapped the floor. “So, Henri—will you be going with Anne to the Gherring Inc. Christmas party tomorrow night?”
“I wouldn’t miss it.”
“Really?” Steven frowned. “But—”
“And you must be going with Gherring, right?” Henri asked Ellen.
“I don’t know. Am I?” she asked Steven, with confusion in her eyes.
“Of course… I thought I mentioned it before.” Steven cast Henri an irritated glance. “In fact, I think you deserve a new dress for the occasion.”
“If you will pardon us, I have not seen mon ange for too long. I have not greeted her properly.”
Henri pulled Anne against him and kissed her full on the mouth. He painted shivers up and down her spine with the fingers of one hand. Her arms locked automatically around his neck. Releasing her, he guided her out the door and spoke over his shoulder. “Au revoir!”
Henri’s limousine was waiting for them. Anne crawled in and he sat on the opposite side. He wore a sad smile. “It is over, is it not?”
“What? What do you mean?”
“I am a Frenchman. I know when there is no passion in a kiss.”
“I… I was shocked. I’m not used to public affection.”