Chapter Six

 

 

 

Matt pulled at his tie, straightening it for the umpteenth time since the ceremony had started. The lights were bright and starting to get hot after the long speeches that had been made by the mayor, president of the school board, the student president of the drama club and now Cherise Baxter. The constant waving and smiling at the audience each time he and the contractor were thanked was getting tedious. Even though he knew he wasn’t really hoping for a disaster, Matt would have given anything to have his responder number called, simply to give him an escape.

The sound of applause brought his attention back to the audience. Cherise was looking expectantly at him, and with a deep sigh, he joined her at the podium. He resisted the urge to once again tug at the tie he wore. He shook her hand carefully, steeling his expression to smile as she tugged him down to press a kiss to his cheek.

She left him at the podium, where he turned to once again face the stage lights. He drew the index card from his pocket, reading the speech the company marketing team had written for him. “Thank you—all of you for your support of this project. With generous donations, our company was able to design and build this performance hall to LEED certification standards. With efficient use of energy and water and by using building materials that have left a minimal impact on the environment, not only will this hall give our youth a superior performance venue, but we can also be confident that it will leave the world better for those children. We are proud to have been a part of the future of West Haven.”

Applause rose as Matt bowed his head briefly to the audience. His were the final remarks prior to the reception in the lobby, leaving him grateful to depart center stage. The heat from the lights and all the eyes on him were making him sweat.

The crowds in the lobby didn’t improve the situation, to Matt’s disappointment. A constant press of people crowded around him, congratulating him on the addition to the school. He smiled through the handshakes and the effusive praise before catching sight of familiar faces over the heads of well-wishers. He lifted a hand in greeting and as his friends made their way toward him between pockets of people enjoying the free drinks and hors d’oeuvres.

“I think you were tough to spot, even in this crowd,” Matt joked to Aaron Derrick. “Those extra four inches didn’t help much.”

“Whatever you say, shorty.” Aaron nudged Matt in the ribs. “Good job here. The place looks great.”

Matt nodded, smiling down at Marcy. “Got a hug for me, Marce?”

“I suppose,” Marcy replied, smiling prettily up at him. She wrapped her arms around his middle for a quick squeeze. “Everyone’s right, you know. You did a great job designing this. I think it rivals some of the concert halls I’ve been to in the city.”

“Aw, Marce, you know that wasn’t the point. But thanks anyway. This is something this school’s needed for a while.”

Aaron agreed, “Especially after how big the school’s gotten. I don’t think they could fit the whole band in the gym anymore for their concerts.”

Matt made a ‘hmm’ of agreement, his attention suddenly drawn to an area of the room that had emptied slowly. He didn’t have to see her face to know it was Claire who’d caught his attention. The shape of her trim hips in the straight-legged red pants would have stopped any warm-blooded male in his tracks. He watched, only halfheartedly listening to Marcy and Aaron’s commentary. Claire looked different in pants and with her hair up than she had the previous night. Her top looked soft, the way it moved with her movements. Maybe it was just that effect making her appear gentler, but Matt couldn’t forget the cold expression he’d seen on her face the night before.

“So then he pinned me down on the bed.”

The statement from Marcy made Matt’s attention snap back to the conversation. “I’m sorry… What?”

Aaron threw his head back and guffawed. Marcy smiled sweetly. “You looked a little distracted there. Something on your mind?”

Matt smiled, admitting she’d caught him staring. “Sorry. Just a blast from the past. You know?” Needing to distract himself, he grasped the subject she had broached. “That’s something I’ve been meaning to ask, though. Am I going to see you out at the Sanctuary this weekend? I hear there’s another collaring ceremony going on.”

The look that passed between Marcy and Aaron could only be described as ‘satisfied’. “I think we might be there,” Aaron conceded. Marcy grinned at him in response, leaving Matt looking between the two as he came to understand.

“Hey, congrats, you two!” Matt slugged Aaron in the bicep in brotherly affection. “And you didn’t tell anyone? I just saw Jen and David yesterday, and they didn’t say anything!”

Marcy’s smile drooped. “Oh, well, with Lila moving out, we haven’t seen them much lately. Jen’s been really busy, I guess. I really should call her to make sure they’ll be there. If it hadn’t been for them, Aaron and I might not have gotten together.”

“Yeah, we would.” Aaron edged closer to her, wrapping an arm around the petite woman’s shoulders. “The universe wanted it to happen, remember? But it would be great to have her there.”

Matt nodded. “She wants to do a dinner party. Maybe call her?”

Marcy’s response was lost as Kayla barreled into their midst. “Oh my God, save me! She’s heading my way!” She edged between Matt and Aaron, using her brother’s height to shield her from the view of the room.

“It’s okay, Kayla.” The response came from the other blonde, the one Kayla had been talking to—the one in the red pants. Claire approached from the same direction Kayla had. “Mrs. Baxter walked right past.” Her gaze met Matt’s and went distant. “Hello.”

Matt tugged his tie again and barely got a ‘hi’ in before she turned her attention to Marcy.

“It’s good to see you again, Marcy, Aaron.”

“Claire, I love your pants. Where did you find them?” Marcy gushed. “And are those real Manolos?”

“Thank you, Marcy. Your dress is adorable.” Claire’s response sounded odd and Matt turned to look back at her, noting that she was peering at him as well as she continued. “The trousers are Diane von Furstenberg and…um…yes, Manolo Blahniks.” She stepped closer to Matt. “Um… You have”—she pointed to his cheek—“just there…”

Confused, Matt put his fingers to his cheek and rubbed. Looking down, he saw the garish shade of lipstick that had been on Cherise Baxter’s lips. “You’re kidding.”

A tissue appeared in his field of vision and he took it with a mortified glance at Claire’s expression of barely hidden mirth. Marcy, Aaron and Kayla laughed as he scrubbed at the mark. Matt glared at them. “You couldn’t have given me a little heads up? I was onstage with this, shaking hands for a half an hour with this. Some friends you are.”

The laughter continued until Kayla’s ended with a squeak. “Dragon lady, eleven o’clock,” she whispered urgently. “Get me out of here!” She tugged on Aaron’s sleeve, dragging him away to the tune of shouted goodbyes. Marcy trailed behind, leaving more sincere congratulations on the success, just as Matt and Claire were joined by Cherise Baxter.

“Matt, darling, what a lovely job!” the woman crowed. “We really have done it! Of course, I still wish we could have done something about these atrocious colors.” Cherise’s pointed stare rose to the band of tiles that showcased the school’s team colors.

“I tried my best, Mrs. Baxter.” Matt shrugged at Claire, who he realized had turned all her attention to the other woman.

“I’m not sure you’ll remember me, Mrs. Baxter,” Claire began, holding her hand out. “I’m Claire Wallace. I went to school here with your son.”

Cherise waved her ring-laden fingers. “Of course I remember you. You ran off to the city to sell something.”

Matt saw the smile on Claire’s face harden slightly then take on the pasted appearance he’d seen the night before. Her smile, stiff and polished, was designed for a sale.

“Mrs. Baxter, I’m in real estate. I have a reputable firm that specializes in luxury properties. Do I remember correctly that you have a home near the city? Chas always loved spending weekends there with you, if I recall.”

The response to Claire’s observation caused a change in Cherise Baxter that Matt could hardly believe. She fluttered and puffed with pride. “Why, we do. And I miss our weekends at the beach house. How lovely of you to remember!”

Matt watched Claire continue the conversation masterfully, talking Cherise into the concept of selling a house that hadn’t been used in years and moving into the heart of the city, where she would be surrounded by comfort and convenience. In awe, he witnessed the practiced ease with which she slipped a card into the other woman’s hand, ending the conversation expertly while making Cherise seem to think it was her idea to depart.

Coolly Claire turned back to face him, scowling at his expression.

Matt realized only then that he gaped at her, his jaw slack and his stare disbelieving. Composing himself, he pointed after the older woman. “How?” he asked simply.

The corner of her lips curled up and she lifted a shoulder. “A magician never tells,” she replied, surprising a laugh from him. “Honestly, it was just years of practice with people like her in the city. I deal with a lot of people who have an inflated sense of self-importance. Comes with the job, you know?”

Suddenly she looked like Claire again, the Claire he remembered. Her tone relaxed, her smile was more genuine and Matt felt that pull at him. “Do you want to get out of here?” he asked, cringing at the repeated sentiment from the night before.

Her expression closed off. “I didn’t think that went well last night, did you?” Her arms crossed over her chest, lifting her breasts and nearly derailing his intention.

“No,” he cautioned, mostly to himself. “Not like that. Just to talk. Coffee?”

She sighed, her narrowed eyes assessing. “Okay, fine. Just coffee. Is B.J.’s still around?”

“Sort of,” Matt replied. “Meet you there.”