Free Lovers & Liars by Jean C. Joachim Page A

two-bedroom suite at The Plaza. You’ll be safe from me with your own room.”
    I’ll never be safe from you. “I’ve
only been to New York City once. When I was at Kensington.”
    He
stopped in his tracks. “Never been to New York?”
    “Not
really. One museum trip with school.”
    He
laughed. “You’re in for a treat. You’re going to see Gunther Quill’s New York.
Pack all the fancy clothes you have and a warm coat. It’s chilly there in
October.”
    Erica
got goose bumps. Another princess for a
day. She turned her attention to booking their trip while Gunther hunkered
down in his office, making deals and working out contracts.
    At
lunchtime, Dorrie Rodgers picked her up and took her
shopping. The choreographer, Gunther’s former fiancée, knew how Erica should
dress. They went to several shops on Rodeo Drive, charging everything to
Gunther.
    That
night, Amy was shocked to see Erica return home loaded down with bags and boxes
from tony Beverly Hills shops. Erica tried to ignore the snide comments from
her roommate, chalking it up to jealousy, but it irked her.
    “Why
can’t you be happy for me, Amy? You have Garth. I have nothing but work. And I work
a lot harder than you ever did. Don’t you think I deserve some reward?”
    “I
worked just as hard as you do. You have a bad attitude. Go ahead. Go to New
York. Sleep with the bastard for all I care. I’m moving out.”
    “Fine.
Go.”
    “How
will you afford the rent without me? Move into Gunther’s place? Become his
mistress?” Amy screwed up her face into a most unattractive expression.
    “No,
stupid. Find a smaller, cheaper apartment. Good riddance. You’ve been jealous
of me from the beginning. I’m making enough now, I don’t need a roommate.”
    “That’s
right. Then you can bring Gunther home for your…trysts.”
    “Jealous
that maybe Gunther might be interested in me and was never interested in you?”
    “Aha!
So he is planning to sleep with you?”
    “Actually,
no. I’ve booked separate rooms at the hotel. Gunther has respect for me. I make
his business better. You never did. You almost lost him Dorrie Rodgers as choreographer on the TV series because you forgot to give her the
contract. I’d never make a mistake like that.” Erica held her chin up. He’s not taking me for sex. He’s had plenty
of chances. He’s taking me because he likes me, and I’m good for business.
    “Good
luck with the dragon, Erica. You’re going to need it.”
    “Fine.
Be out before the first of the month, so I can terminate the lease.”
    “You
can count on it.”
    Amy
went into her room and slammed the door. Erica slumped onto the sofa,
exhausted. She piled the new items up next to her. She had begun to dislike Amy
more and more, but still, living alone would be hard. Now, she could afford it,
but it would mean postponing buying a new car or cutting back on money for her
step-siblings.
    Is Gunther taking me to New York
for sex? I don’t think so. Would I mind? I’m not sure I can be around him
twenty-four seven and resist him. Damn, Amy. Trying to ruin my fun. Erica
smiled. A suite at The Plaza, dinner at
La Côte Bleu, walks in Central Park. She leaned back into the cushions and
closed her eyes. Every scullery maid has
a right to dream.

 
    *
* * *

 
    Erica
loaded her suitcase into the trunk of her rust bucket. Her breath came in short
spurts, and her hands were clammy. A limousine was scheduled to pick Gunther
and her up at the office and whisk them away to the airport at noon. She could
barely concentrate enough to drive. This
will be better than any vacation I could plan.
    She
arrived before nine so she could finish a few tasks before they left. She
printed out their boarding passes, tucked them into her bag along with the
hotel confirmation, and began to answer email.
    “Ready
to fly away with me?” She jumped as Gunther’s smooth, deep voice startled her.
She turned around to see him as she had never seen him before. He was wearing