BEYOND THE CONTRACT

At the Art Gallery Opening

Embarrassed with the personal attention, Andrea tried to start a conversation. “Have you been working for Robin long?”

Gail smiled. “I have known Mr. Borders since he was a baby. He was the cutest baby I’ve ever seen. Don’t tell him I said this, but he didn’t have a speck of hair on his head.”

Andrea giggled.

“I was his nanny until he decided he was too old for one and became his housekeeper. There, your hair is done. Makeup, next.” With a gentle

touch, Gail added a fine layer of color to Andrea’s eyes, cheeks and lips. “One last thing.” She placed some pearl earrings and a necklace on the dresser next to a bottle of perfume.

“Thank-you,” said Andrea. “I couldn’t have done my hair and makeup this fast or efficiently.”

“You look beautiful. He’ll be wonder struck.”

“Oh, no. We’re just friends.”

Gail smiled and left Andrea to finish dressing.

After dabbing some perfume onto her neck and wrists, Andrea stepped into the living room.

Dressed in a formal tuxedo, Robin was standing in front of his wall-sized TV watching a news clip. He turned. His eyes widened in appreciation. A smile broke across his face. “You look incredible.” Andrea felt the blush burn her cheeks. She wasn’t the only incredible vision in the room. Robin had always looked handsome in his business suits, but his appearance in a tuxedo screamed sexy.

As he reached for his overcoat, Andrea looked for her winter jacket. Gail appeared beside her with a long black dress coat and a beaded handbag. Lastly she handed her a department store bag. Glancing inside, Andrea saw her neatly folded clothes. “Thank-you. For everything.”

“It was a pleasure, Miss.”

Robin held the door for her. Andrea walked through the door and as she smiled at him, she noticed the surreptitious wink he gave his housekeeper.

Gail called out, “Have a good evening Mr. Davenport. Miss Andrea.”

The elevator doors closed. Robin handed her his cell phone. “Call Hayden and let him know you’ll be home late. We are going to the W. T. Markham Art Gallery opening, just off Forty-fifth.”

She dialed. “Hi, it’s me again. I’m going to be home late. You won’t believe this. I’m going to an art gallery opening. Yes. Yes. I will. Bye.”

Chuckling, Robin asked, “Does Hayden at least like me?”

“Yes, when he found your picture in the paper he was hoping you were bi.”

Robin laughed and shook his head.

“But he is my friend and he’s suspicious of your intentions. So am I.” “Why, does he think I’m out to seduce you?”

Andrea debated whether or not to mention the little wink she saw him

give his housekeeper.

Robin interrupted her thoughts. “My intentions are to have another boring evening chatting with a bunch of snobs who don’t want to be there. And eat another of the same banquet type meal and cut a ribbon. The only salvation to this evening will be you.”

Instead of the parking garage, the elevator doors opened onto the main lobby. A polished, mauve-colored, marble floor expanded out in front of her. Andrea followed Robin through the lobby. He held the door open. As she passed by him, she caught a whiff of his musky cologne. Rich, good- looking and smells sexy, what more could a woman want in a man.

The chauffeur held the door open. Andrea slipped inside. As she scooted across the seat, she heard Robin say, “Evening Johnson. W. T. Markham Art Gallery, please.”

The chauffeur nodded, closed the door and quickly entered the car before pulling away from the curb.

Having never been in a chauffeur driven a car, Andrea tried to keep herself from giggling like a high school prom date as she discovered things like the built in bar. “What did you mean I’d be the only salvation?”

Robin brow wrinkled in confusion.

“You said, earlier, that I’d be the only salvation this evening. I’m rather nervous about this. I’ve seen a lot of movies where the girl tries to fit into upper society but fails. Miserably I might add. Total humiliation is not one of my favorite things.”

“Just be you. There is no hiding the fact that you are not one of us. Everybody who is anybody knows everyone. And don’t ask me to say that again. As to being my salvation, I can spend the evening listening to your stories rather than the ones I’ve already heard ten times. But I do suggest —” He paused, scratched his chin, then said, “that you stay close to me. There may be former or wannabe girlfriends there and they can be catty. It is a refined art to these women.”

“Now, I’m even more scared. I’ve...only dreamed of doing something like this.”

“Do as I do and act like I do. If there are fifteen pieces of silverware wait until I pick one up and copy me. If you screw up they’ll be condescendingly pleasant. They’ll expect you to. You are beneath us.”

Andrea started to speak.

“But in reality, Andrea, you are levels above us. You are real. You’re driven and resourceful and you seem to be a loyal friend to Hayden. We aren’t allowed to be ourselves. We must be seen as being what we are supposed to be. Most of the crowd fits quite nicely that way. I’m the rebel. I’d rather be in a smoky bar, watching a hockey game and drinking beer. We’re here.” He placed his hand on Andrea’s neck and pulled her close. His lips pressed against hers. “Relax,” he whispered. “You look beautiful and I am very happy to have you with me this evening. I won’t let anything happen.”

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