*Remi prettied up to go to Dickie’s, more to please him than any other reason. The chap had a growing reputation and distinct flair for knowing what suited a woman. More than likely that would be why his shop in town, Delightful Designs, had risen to such heights that every red-blooded, style-loving female yearned to purchase at least one outfit there.
From the first day when Remi had appeared in answer to his ad for a bookkeeper and found him in his office literally ripping at his hair, papers scattered all over his laptop, on the floor and piled on chairs, she’d become his lifesaver and eventually, a good friend. He’d hired her on the spot and blessed the day she’d come into his life.
Thanks to him sharing the news about a coming vacancy, she’d found her home in this building. She’d even helped the guys redecorate their apartment and had had a blast during the whole process. Now, she considered both Dickie and Frank’s companionship vital in transforming her social life from mediocre to entertaining. They always held wonderful parties and amusing evening get-togethers.
Earlier, Dickie hadn’t elaborated on the guest list but, nevertheless, she made sure her mass of curls were restrained in a chic hairstyle with barrettes to tame the bulk. She’d also added the makeup he’d shown her how to apply, chosen his favorite black outfit which the devious devil had forced her to buy on a markdown she questioned to this day. Other than the extra bulk on her hips and butt that was soon going to disappear, she thought she looked nice.
Frank answered the door to her knock, kissed her cheek in his effusive way and accepted the expensive bottle of wine she knew was their special brand. “Sweetheart! It seems forever since we’ve had the pleasure of your company. Tonight is an occasion. We have someone here we’re just dying for you to meet.”
Not sure why her pulse picked up its rhythm to a suffocating level, she followed him into the room where the star of her most recent fantasies waited, smiling a greeting.
There was absolutely no excuse for what happened next. Remi knew a footstool sat in front of the armchair. What the hell, she’d placed the blasted thing there herself. So why she tripped over it was a shocker to her and the three men who rushed to help her up.
“Are you hurt?” Dickie looked as if tears were not far off. Frank flitted around her gesticulating, his hands flapping the air in agitation, which just made her bite her lip to stop from breaking into hysterical laughter. How in the world did she get herself into these asinine situations?
*
Eadan had to laugh, he couldn’t help himself. And he knew she saw when his control slipped and the chuckle broke loose. To her everlasting credit, rather than pulling the hurt card or being angry, she’d winked at him, straightened her clothes and accepted his hand to help her gain her feet. “You know, it’s been years since I’ve suffered from clumsiness. I can only attribute my recent lapse to…” She purposefully left the silence long enough to gain everyone’s attention before she finished the sentence. “…my needing glasses.” It earned her a laugh and relaxed the tension.
Dickie, assured of her well-being, scurried around getting her some wine and playing the delightful host. The man was astoundingly sensitive to the world around him, an intelligent, big-hearted chap. Therefore, Eadan wasn’t surprised when he’d picked up on their recognition. “I believe you two have met, yes?”
Both she and Eadan agreed at the same time, “Yes.”
“Good, I wanted to bring you together because I knew as soon as Eadan saw the wonderful home you created for Frankie and me, he’d be wanting to talk to you about redoing his flat. Am I right, Eadan?”
From the moment he’d stepped into their pleasing surroundings, and seen the symphony of colors that had transformed every one of their classy rooms into a warmth and symmetry of milk-chocolate and teal, with delightful touches of lime greens and purples, Eadan had known the person who’d worked this magic to be gifted. And he wanted the same attention to detail for his home also.
“Yes, of course you’re right, Dickie.” He turned to find Remi’s stare glued to his butt. Aha! Gotcha! “You’ve a wonderful eye, Remi.” He enjoyed seeing her gaze swing to the floor, her lovely blue eyes full of confusion. “Your knack of choosing different shapes and knowing which shades would be perfect is charming and impactful. I really would like to hire you, if you’ll agree.”
*
Remi decided then and there that the gods were smiling on her for some strange reason that she wouldn’t question. Instead, she couldn’t say yes fast enough. “When did you want me to start?”
“How about I take you to dinner tomorrow evening and we can discuss all the details then. I’ll pick you up around seven pm.”
Stuttering, furious that her old habit appeared out of the blue, at the precise moment she wanted so badly to make a good impression, she stumbled her way through her acceptance, finished her wine and decided to leave before she fell through the coffee table, or performed some other equally foolish stunt.
Anyway, she had an early date tomorrow with Greta, and nothing would keep her from following through with their plans. Especially now when she had an opportunity to work closely with the man whose very presence stimulated all her cravings and made her tongue feel like it been sucked down her throat. If she could relax enough in his presence and not have to be aware of her shape, then just maybe, she could attract him. Maybe he could see her as a woman he’d like to know better.