“What about you?” Kiki lifted her seat belt, pressing her back against the car door.
“Me?” Taddy adjusted the air-conditioning vent to blow on her face. The rental car’s newness was making her nose itchy.
“When we left the police station, Mr. Truman didn’t take his eyes off you.”
“Yes, he’s got hawk eyes.” They are also golden and change colors from green to brown and make me go into Candy Land. Her palms became slippery, causing her to grip the steering wheel tighter. She sat taller in her seat, clenched her thighs together and pushed down on the gas with her right foot. “Warner is…handsome.”
“Handsome?” Kiki repeated. “Next to Dejon, he’s the hottest man I’ve ever seen. When Mr. Truman stepped outside, the women on the sidewalk fell over each other. Even men stare at him.” She giggled.
“You’re exaggerating. Warner’s tall, he’s easy to spot.” The airport’s signs came into view. Kiki’s first flight would take her to Paris. It boarded from Terminal Deux.
“I’ve never seen muscles as large as Mr. Truman’s. Those arms, my goodness. I’d love to see you happy and with someone…similar to him.” Kiki studied Taddy’s face, waiting for a response or for her to reveal some tidbit she’d missed.
Taddy shifted the car down a gear and pulled into the traffic lined up at the airport’s entrance. “Thank you for worrying. I’m fine. Mr. Lee pedicured me before I came to France.” She winked. “I have my friends, my staff, my money—I’m good.” Lies, but if she kept saying this rubbish out loud, maybe she’d believe it.
“Do you remember when I started at the agency?”
“Vaguely,” Taddy joked.
“You mentioned your fondness for red? You said you’re as intense as the color.” Kiki rolled up her window. “You said red helps people to make snap decisions, and embodies strength and power.”
“I remember.” She’d lived by red.
“As we’ve worked together this year, I can say those descriptions suit you.” She gave Taddy an admiring stare, one Taddy never witnessed from any employee.
“Your words mean a lot to me, thank you.”
“Do you know what else comes to mind when I think about you and the color red?” Kiki’s eyes filled with tears.
She pulled the rental up at the drop-off spot, pressed on the brake and threw the transmission into park. “No, what?”
“Your passion for life, the confidence you have within you to move forward and the love you give to others and deserve, but never expect in return.” Kiki grabbed the doorknob.
I love you, Kiki, thank you for saying this to me. It means more than you know. Taddy’s throat tightened. Hot tears came down her face. Quickly, she wiped them away.
If Kiki noticed, she didn’t say anything. “I hope you give someone a chance someday. Dejon even said you were quite the catch.”
She laughed. “Tell Dejon thank you.” Reaching for Kiki’s shoulder, she confirmed, “I’ll see you back in Manhattan in one week.”
“Only if we don’t talk about Cannes or your porn collection ever again.” Kiki wiped her eyes dry.
“Darling, it’s a deal.” Taddy hugged her. “Give your parents my best.”
“Will do.”
“One question—did you see Manuel Coq de la Grande in action?” Taddy wanted to lighten the mood before she left.
“Uh-huh.”
“Tell me everything!” The way Manuel would manhandle his ladies with all that deep penetration, smacking, choking and hardcore fucking, she’d surmised the women didn’t act, they orgasmed for real, and in multiples.
“I took photos. I’ll email them to you. I may sell them on eBought.” She held out her tablet computer from her purse and showed a few photos. “You’re worried I won’t be back.”
“True.”
“You have my word. In a week, I’ll be ready to rule the media world with you.” Kiki pulled her duffle bag from the backseat.
“Thank you for the reassurance. Bye, darling.” Taddy waited until Kiki stepped into the terminal before starting her drive back into town. She thought about her assistant and how much she’d grown over the last year and how happy she was for finding Dejon. It was possible flying four thousand miles to meet a guy wasn’t so bad, minus a night in jail.
Kiki’s words replayed in her head. “The love you give to others and deserve, but never expect in return.” After years of being labeled a ruthless bitch by her staff, Taddy found significance in her assistant understanding how much she cared. It may have taken a decade with thirty or forty associates, but finally one of them noticed. If she could just do it for her personal life, she’d be set.
Warner came to mind, sending a quiver through her body. As much as she tried to push him from her thoughts, he didn’t go away.
Once on the main road, she reached for her cell. Noon in Cannes meant sunrise in Manhattan. Taddy texted Lex, “Awake?”
Her cell rang in response. Smiling, she answered, “Morning, Lex.”
“Hey, stranger—you’re up early.” Lex greeted her and sounded as if she was already hours into her day. “Wasup?”
“Glad I caught you. I’m in Cannes for work and wanted to hear your voice.” She accelerated, taking a free lane.
“Aw, how sweet. I miss you too.” From behind Lex’s voice, Taddy thought she heard a snipping noise.
“Where are you?”
“At Easton’s showroom.”
“It’s Sunday…”
“I’m cutting fabric.”
“Why?”
“To get my collection finished.”
“How’s it coming?”
“I’m running low. I worked ‘til about midnight yesterday and came back in at five this morning.” Snip, snip, snip.
“You sound tired.”
“Thank God for Vitamin B shots, huh?” Lex laughed but Taddy could hear the exhaustion in her voice.
“Why don’t you go home and get some rest. Take the morning off and—” She cut herself short, as the spa suggestions rose to her lips. It reminded her of Kiki’s persistence for a work-life balance. It annoyed her when she’d heard it so she understood Lex’s position. “Get some rest.”