Free Waiting for Mr. Darcy by Chamein Canton Page B

Rosie was trying to calm Victor down.
    â€œMs. Blanchard.” Rosie looked relieved.
    â€œIt’s okay, Rosie. I’m here.”
    â€œThank you.” She took off.
    â€œHello, Victor. What brings you by, besides getting another chance to terrorize my maid?”
    At five feet, six inches and dressed like a chic preppy in a polo shirt and Dockers, Victor didn’t look like a diva until he put his hands on his hips. “For one thing, you can tell me why you’re making my life miserable.”
    â€œHow am I making your life miserable?”
    â€œI spent all day at the gallery trying to figure out how to stage the exhibit now that you’ve upset the balance of the universe.”
    She looked at him. “I’ve upset the balance of the universe ?”
    â€œOkay, you’ve upset my universe. I’ve done my feng shui and I finally have the perfect flow of fifteen. Then you go and add one more.”
    â€œCome now, Victor, it’s not like I added twenty more. It’s one artist and we have the space.”
    â€œThat’s not the point.”
    â€œThen tell me what the point is?”
    He stopped to think.
    â€œI’m waiting.” Gabby tapped her feet.
    â€œOkay. So there isn’t a problem. I just wanted to register my complaint. We have been doing the future fifteen for six years or something, you know.”
    â€œI know, Victor, but we can embrace change, can’t we?” She put her arm around his shoulder.
    â€œYou know, whenever you do that I never know whether you’re going to kill me or hug me. You must be at least four inches taller than me.”
    â€œI’m four and a half inches taller than you,” she corrected.
    â€œI stand corrected. No pun intended.”
    She began walking him to the door. “Victor, you have plenty of time to pull it together and make it fabulous like only you can.”
    â€œAre you playing to my ego?”
    â€œYes. Is it working?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œI’m glad we’ve come to an understanding.”
    â€œMe, too,” he said as he opened the door. “Wait a second.” He bent down and picked up a bouquet of roses. “Look what I found.”
    â€œWas that here before?”
    â€œNo, I think I would have noticed. It’s a huge bouquet.” He handed her the flowers. “There’s a card.”
    The heady fragrance of the flowers overwhelmed her senses. “They’re intoxicating.” She opened the card.
    Looking forward to tomorrow night. Nigel.
    Gabby felt herself blush.
    Victor was intrigued. “Oh, was it X-rated?”
    â€œNo. It was sweet.”
    â€œIt smells like romance is in the air this summer.”
    â€œIndeed it is, Victor, and I for one am going to take as many deep breaths as possible.” She beamed.
    * * *
    Lauren had gone through the contents of her closet without coming to a decision. She flopped onto her bed. “What am I going to wear?” She let out a heavy sigh. “There’s only one thing to do.” She picked up the phone.
    Alicia was working on her laptop, surrounded by reports. “Hello?”
    â€œHelp me, Alicia. I don’t know what to wear.” She sounded desperate.
    â€œYou’re kidding me, right? What time is he picking you up?”
    â€œEight o’clock.”
    Alicia looked at the clock. “It’s almost seven-thirty. You’re cutting it close. Please tell me you have your makeup on.”
    â€œI do.”
    Alicia was quiet for a moment. “What about that IGIGI outfit with the georgette blouse and pencil skirt? I think that would be sexy and romantic.”
    The light went on over Lauren’s head. “I completely forgot I’d ordered it. I must have blown right by it.”
    â€œYou have a sickness when it comes to clothes, Lauren. How is it you can’t remember what you just bought?”
    â€œI know.” Lauren looked over at her closet,