The Art of Zen, page 15
“Undefined,” he decided.
“As soon as you two define that, I better be the first to know,” Vivian said.
“There’s nothing to define,” Tia insisted.
“Hey!” Spencer protested. “You said you need to finish the mural first and I said that’s fine. Don’t write me off just yet. We still have a dinner date.”
Tia nearly choked on her soup. “It’s a date now?”
“It’s been a date all along and don’t tell me you didn’t know that. Not after the way you kissed me.”
“You kissed me!” Tia laughed.
“You kissed back.” Spencer gave her a triumphant smile. “And you liked it. Now I’m giving you the two weeks and when we kiss again, we’ll define me. Then you can let your best friend know.”
“Can’t wait to hear how the date goes.” Vivian placed her planner back into her bag and looked at her watch. “Unfortunately, I can’t stay longer. I have a meeting to get to. I’ll be in touch about the photographer.” She said goodbye to Spencer and blew Tia a friendly kiss. “Au revoir!”
Tia reached across the table for Vivian’s unfinished soup and poured it into her bowl. “She’s brushing up on her French. I’m surprised she wasn’t wearing a beret on top of that red hair of hers.”
“How long will she be in Paris?” Spencer asked.
“She leaves at the end of next week, and she’ll be there for almost a month. When Vivian takes a vacation, she takes a serious vacation. But, she’ll do some work while she’s there and travel to countries close by. She says she goes there for the art. I think she goes for the women,” Tia snickered. She sat back in her chair and took a sip of her iced tea. Sadness flashed into her eyes. “I’ll miss her while she’s gone.”
“Why don’t you go with her, or at least take a long weekend and visit her?”
“She’s been trying to get me to do that for the past few years. I’m not a very good traveler. I prefer to stay at home. But, between her leaving and me finishing the mural, I’m not sure what I’ll do with myself.”
Spencer reached toward her and toyed with a curl that escaped her bun. His voice was sincere as he searched her eyes. “Maybe after we have dinner together, you’ll want to spend more time with me, then you won’t be so lonely.”
Tia’s heart raced, though she kept her breathing calm. His eyes were cerulean pools that she wanted to dive into. Chills danced along her skin while he rubbed the lock of her hair between his fingers. “Maybe,” she responded softly.
“Do you want more lunch?” Spencer offered.
“No.” Her voice was just above a whisper. “I better get back to work.” He gave her a nod, but neither one of them moved. “Spencer?”
“Hmm?”
“Can I have my hair back?”
“Sorry.” He released the brunette curl and scooted back in his chair. He watched Tia stand up. As she attempted to walk back to her painting, he grabbed her hand in his. His thumb ran along her knuckles, tracing the streaks of black, white, and yellow paint. He turned her hand slightly, brought it to his mouth, and placed a warm kiss at the base of her palm. “Two weeks, Tia.”
“Two weeks,” she croaked out. She pulled her hand out of his and cleared her throat to compose herself. “Until then, no sweet little flirtations or kisses.”
“You thought that was sweet? I’m getting to you. Admit it.”
She walked back to the mural as she called out over her shoulder. “Two weeks, Spencer. In the meantime, hands off!”
Two weeks went by quickly. Tia endured the photographer and Vivian showing up at her loft to document her work. Then she endured posing by the mural when Spencer hired the same photographer to show up on Monday of the next week.
By Thursday, the mural was complete. Late in the evening, Tia stepped back and gave it her seal of approval. She was done. Her work had communicated to her that no more tweaks were needed. It was time to walk away. With a heavy sigh, she packed up her tools.
Spencer’s footsteps echoed hollowly into the room as he walked in and saw Tia cleaning up. In the days following their last personal interaction, he had been the perfect gentleman. No hand kisses or flirtations came from him. He kept it strictly professional, even though it killed him. He could sense the sadness coming off of her and stepped up behind her to place a hand on her shoulder. When she turned to him with tears in her eyes, it took everything he had not to pull her into his arms.
“Thank you, Tia,” he said sincerely. “You did an amazing job.”
“You’re welcome,” she responded. “It shouldn’t take me more than an hour to clean up my tools, then I’ll be out of your hair.”
“No, you won’t.” Regardless of her paint-stained clothing, Spencer planted a quick kiss on her mouth. “Dinner tomorrow?”
“Yes,” Tia answered, breathless.
He pulled his phone out of his pocket and greeted the person on the other line with a smile in his voice. “Vincenzo! How are you?” He waited briefly as his maître d answered him. “Glad to hear it. I’m bringing a guest to dinner tomorrow. A special guest. I’d like the private table by the fireplace. I’ll be in touch with you tomorrow about the details.” He filled Vincenzo in on the time and who he would bring before he hung up the phone, then grinned at Tia. “Does seven o’clock work?”
“Yes,” she repeated.
“Sounds good, I’ll pick you up then.”
Vincenzo hung up the phone and spoke to his manager, his voice was firm with a sense of urgency. “Mr. Chadwick will be here tomorrow evening with a special guest. He wants the private table by the fireplace and he’ll be in touch with the details.”
“Ok,” the manager responded. He was used to last-minute requests from Spencer. A private dinner was nothing he couldn’t handle. “Who’s he coming with?” he asked out of curiosity. Spencer usually dined with Ainsley.
Vincenzo peeked at his notes he took while speaking with Spencer. “A Tatiana Meyer.”
“Huh, never heard of her.”
As the two employees walked away from the podium and discussed Spencer’s private dinner the following evening, a restaurant patron at a nearby table perked up when she overheard their conversation. Excusing herself from the table, she told her companion she needed to use the restroom and took a peek at Spencer’s reservation for tomorrow as she passed through the lobby. Her eyes widened as she confirmed what she overheard. Her breath caught in her throat. Her heart beat a dull, steady thud. With a quick look over her shoulder, she stepped outside into the cool evening for some privacy. Her hands were calm and steady as she removed her phone from her Birkin bag and a scrap of paper tucked into an inner pocket. She kept her words brusque, as time was of the essence, and put her plan into motion. Spencer Chadwick could dine with Tatiana Meyer the following evening, but she would do whatever she had to do to make sure he saw what a mistake it would be to invite her into his life.
Chapter 12
Vivian’s voice came through the speaker of Tia’s phone. “What are you wearing?”
“You sound like a phone sex operator,” Tia snickered.
“My flight to Paris was delayed for two hours. Killing time at La Guardia means people watching, or getting drunk. Since I’m already doing both, I thought the least I could do was help you pick your outfit for your date with The Chadwick. Now tell me what you’re wearing.”
Tia fought off nerves as seven o’clock ticked closer. “I’m wearing a black silk camisole with a lace neckline, paired with my leopard printed mini skirt.”
“Excellent choice,” Vivian praised. “But wait, that’s a micro mini. Your legs are fabulous, but that might be too short.”
“I’m topping it with my taupe silk and cashmere sweater duster to cover my butt.”
“Ooh,” Vivian gushed. “That’s perfect. Shoes?”
“Knee-high Chanel boots in black.”
“Can’t go wrong with ‘fuck me’ boots.”
“That’s not why I’m wearing them.”
“Whatever. Accessories?”
“Nothing too fancy on the jewelry. Gold and subtle diamonds to complement the colors in the leopard print. Prada clutch bag.”
“Makeup?”
Tia’s voice was slightly distant as she applied one more coat of mascara. “Tasteful, but not too light-handed. Colors to match my overall palette.”
“You’re a natural. Hair?”
“I mixed it up a bit. I took a flat iron to the front and sides so I have a side bang, and layers framing my face. The back I left natural and loose.”
“Your curls are gorgeous. Lingerie?”
“Hanky Panky lace boy shorts.”
“Bra?”
“Don’t need one.”
“Bitch,” Vivian muttered.
“Oh, please,” Tia giggled. “I’d give anything to be a natural C cup like you.” She held a hand to her jittery stomach. “Viv, why am I so nervous?”
“Because you have feelings for him.”
“I don’t know about that.”
“I saw the interaction between the two of you last week. I know you don’t want to admit it, but you like him.”
Tia didn’t want to delve into her possible feelings for Spencer. She glanced at her watch and realized her date would begin at any minute. “I have to go. He’ll be here soon.”
“I want details tomorrow.”
“There’s a six-hour difference,” Tia pointed out.
“Leave me a voicemail. I can’t wait to hear. Have fun, sweetie. I love you.”
“Love you, too,” Tia responded. “Have a safe flight and I can’t wait to hear about Paris.” She hung up the phone and stood in her bathroom looking in the mirror reflection for a final once-over. “Relax,” she whispered to herself. “It’s just a meal. You’ve eaten with him plenty of times.” She exhaled slowly to release the nerves. “But this is different. It’s a date.”
Before she could talk herself out of going, her phone rang. The caller ID showed the lobby. Her first instinct was to buzz him in without a greeting since she knew it was Spencer, but she didn’t want their date to start with a lecture.
“Hello?” she greeted.
“Good girl,” Spencer’s amused voice came through the line. “Now you can let me in.”
Tia couldn’t help but smile. She buzzed him in and gathered her wallet, her keys, along with a small cosmetics bag, and placed them in her purse to keep her hands busy. Her shoulders jolted when a knock sounded at the door. She placed her hand against her chest to still her racing heart and shook her head at her girlish reaction. When she opened the door, she resisted the urge to sigh.
Spencer stood before her wearing a tailored suit in a dark shade of grey. His shirt was a deep royal blue, topped with a tie one shade darker than his shirt. The monochromatic look worked on him, and the blue of the shirt made his eyes stand out more than usual. In his hands was a small bouquet of pink baby roses.
Spencer had to remind himself to close his mouth as he stared at Tia. His first instinct was to slam the door shut behind him, cancel dinner reservations, and get her naked. Reminding himself to be a gentleman, he handed Tia the roses as he looked her up and down. “Wow... just... wow... Tia, you look gorgeous.”
“You clean up nice,” she teased.
“Me?” he laughed. “I’m not the one always covered in paint. You look beautiful.”
“Thank you,” she said softly. “And thank you for the flowers.” She walked into her kitchen and opened a cabinet for a vase. “I’ll cut the stems and arrange them when I get home. If I start now, we’ll miss dinner.”
Fine with me, he wanted to say. The idea of staying in was extremely appealing. He waited while she added water and the flowers to the vase then walked to the door and held it open. “Ready?”
“Yes.” Tia draped a black silk scarf around her neck, then stepped out into the hall with him and locked her door. “May I ask where we’re going?”
When they reached the elevator, he pressed the button for the lobby. “Chadwick’s Steakhouse.”
“Hmm,” Tia mused. “I’ve never eaten there.”
Spencer looked at her, confused. “Yes, you have. You come to get takeout you said, and I sent you dinner.”
“I’ve eaten the food, but I have never eaten there. It’s not the kind of place you go alone.”
“Not even with Vivian?”
“Chadwick’s Steakhouse is a romantic date restaurant. I have no problem with Vivian’s sexual orientation, but I don’t want to feel like I’m on a date with her. And like I said, I’m done-”
“With men,” he finished for her, then gave her a hopeful smile. “Maybe not after tonight.” As the elevator descended to the lobby, Spencer thought about the fact that Tia had never dined in his restaurant. “I like that you say Chadwick’s is a romantic date restaurant, but I don’t like that it doesn’t feel welcoming to solo diners. What would you do to change that?”
“You want my opinion on your restaurant?”
“I am always open to suggestions.”
“I wouldn’t change a thing. Keep it classy like it is, and welcoming to lovebirds and wealthy socialites. It works. Leave takeout and hot dog vendors to the singles.”
“What are we tonight? Lovebirds, or wealthy socialites?”
Tia grinned at him as the elevator doors opened. “Undefined,” she answered.
“Why do I have a feeling that’s going to be used a lot?”
“You came up with it, so blame yourself.”
“I’ll remember that.” He held the lobby door open for her, then glanced over his shoulder when a man mumbled a brief thank you and walked in without making a call or using a key. “I know this is a good area, but does it not concern you that people can walk into this building like that?”
“Like what?” Tia followed his gaze and sent a friendly wave to the man. “He lives here.”
“Yeah, but look how easy it was for him to walk in. That means anyone could get in.”
“Let me guess,” Tia drawled. “You have a private elevator that goes right to your penthouse apartment?”
Spencer raised a brow at her as they reached his car. “It doesn’t go directly into my home, but yes there’s a private elevator that goes to my floor.” When she raised a brow back, he continued. “And yes, it’s the penthouse.”
Tia nodded at Marcelo and slid into the backseat of the car after he opened the door. “Not all of us have that kind of money that allows such fine security.”
“Says the billionaire’s daughter,” he teased.
Tia gave him a sidelong glance with a grin. “I appreciate your concern, but my building is fine.”
“It could be safer.”
“And this, class, concludes Professor Chadwick’s first lecture of the evening,” Tia bantered. She let out a surprised yelp that ended with a giggle when he reached over and squeezed her knee. Never in a million years did she think Spencer would have a sense of humor to tickle her. Every moment she spent with him she realized a little more that her first impression of him was incorrect. He did have a lighthearted side. “Do you have any other lectures prepared for tonight?” she asked playfully.
“No.” Spencer shook his head and gave her a wink. “I think that’s it.”
“Thank goodness. But, if you feel one coming on, please warn me.”
“You’ll be the first to know.”
The ride to the restaurant went smoothly through the evening traffic. As the BMW pulled up in front of Chadwick’s Steakhouse, a light drizzle began.
“Mm,” Tia sighed. “I love this kind of weather.”
“I don’t mind the rain,” Spencer agreed.
“I love it when it’s cold and rainy when you go to bed, and you wake up in the middle of the night to see it turned to snow. Midnight snow is so calming and dreamy. I get some of my best work done in those times.”
Spencer studied her face as she spoke. Her eyes had a faraway look in them and a soft smile played on her lips. He wanted to lean forward and kiss her but had to remind himself again to act like a gentleman. When Marcelo stopped the car, the valet rushed to open the door. Spencer got out and offered a hand to Tia for assistance. The valet held an umbrella over them as they walked to the entrance.
“Good evening, Mr. Chadwick, Miss Meyer,” the young man greeted.
“How did he know my name?” Tia whispered.
“I told him who my guest was. Are you as protective of your name as you are of your father’s identity?” he asked, his voice hushed.
“No, I’m just not used to being addressed by name.”
“My staff is very good,” he praised, then nodded at the valet. “Good evening, Luis.”
“Luis.” Tia pondered the name. “Yet another handsome Latino in your employ. Another family member?”
“Of course. Like I said, they’re reliable and loyal.”
“Speaking of...” Tia said. “I haven’t seen Mario since... well, you know...”
“Mario’s taking a little time off to think about what he’s done. Let’s just leave it at that.”
“I thought you didn’t care.”
Spencer held a finger to his lips as they reached the front door. “I don’t. But he doesn’t need to know that.”
The door to the restaurant magically opened by an elderly gentleman with a kind smile. Tia’s face was a mask of confusion as she recognized the maître d.
“Good evening Mr. Chadwick.” He nodded at Tia. “Miss Meyer. We have your table ready. Right this way.”
“He does have a smile,” Tia said for Spencer’s ears only.
“He’s not always grumpy.”
“I think dining with the owner may have something to do with it,” Tia decided.
She took in her surroundings as they followed Vincenzo to their table. Intimate tables spaced far enough apart for private conversations were mixed in with large booths for multiple guests. Soft music trickled through hidden speakers, and low candlelight was present at every table. The table reserved for them was tucked into a far corner of the restaurant right next to a large fireplace. It was warm and welcoming, as well as private from the other patrons. Tia said a polite thank you to Spencer when he held her seat out for her. She nodded thanks to Vincenzo as he presented them with an ice bucket with a chilled bottle of champagne.
