Chapter 8

 

Lexie

 

What the heck just happened?  One minute I’m trying to stave off an attack of a crazy lady, the next I’m dating Mr. Sexy himself, Gabriel Parker. After Kim takes my place, I walk slowly back to the lion's den, er, I mean Mr. Parker’s office.  As soon as I round the corner, I see Katya, and she sees me.  “I’m, uh…”

“Go in,” she says coldly.

I open his door and step through. Cammy and Mr. Parker are sitting in his rather large sitting area that’s adjacent to his main office. There’s a large, dark brown leather sectional sofa and chair that looks like it came from the 1950s or 60s.  They sit rather low to the ground, and they look clean and sleek.

“Hey Lex!” says Cammy cheerfully.

“Hi, Cammy.”

“Have a seat,” says Gabriel as he pats the seat beside him. I’d prefer to take the chair, but Cammy’s got that.

Sitting as far away from him as I can, I fold my hands onto my lap and wait. Cammy starts, “Well, it seems you two are a couple.”

Gabriel rolls his eyes, “Cutting right to the chase, I see.”

“Why wouldn’t I? You’re the one who got the ball rolling.” Cammy turns to me, “Here’s the deal, Lex. Gabriel is in the paper again. This time, he supposedly knocked up that crazy lady out there and left her at the altar.”

“Uh, huh.”

“My suggestion to him was to date someone for longer than a night.”

“Hey!” Gabriel interjects. “I’m not that bad.” When Cammy just stares at him, I giggle.

“What does that have to do with me?”

“I told him he needed to date someone average––someone real.  When he was backed into a corner out there, he went with it and chose you.”

“Gee, thanks,” I mutter.  Don’t get me wrong. Gabriel Parker is every woman’s dream man. Besides his height and general build; he’s got an ass that could be on a professional athlete it’s that round and firm. Well, I assume it’s firm. I’ve never touched it nor will I ever get to touch it. It’s merely an observation.

Imagining what lies beneath the perfectly tailored shirts and suits is what dreams are made of.  The problem is, he’s a man-whore. Combine that with the fact that he only dates tall, stick-thin women and you can see why this isn’t going to work.  I’m not tall, not thin, and not for him.  No one will believe he’d settle for someone like me when he could have Heidi Klum. Heck, I think he used to date Heidi Klum.  Ugh. “No one is going to believe that he,” I say pointing at Gabriel, “would date someone who looks like me.”

“What are you talking about?” Cammy and Gabriel say simultaneously.

“I’m no Heidi Klum.”

“No one is,” says Cammy like that made a lick of sense. 

“Heidi is.”

“Heidi isn’t all that,” grumbles Gabriel. “She’s not perfect.”

“You know what I mean. I’m not his usual, um, date.”

“I like all kinds of women. You’re fine.”

Fine?  What in the hell?  No wonder he’s never been with someone longer than six hours. If he tells them all they are ‘fine’, they’d be out the door in a flash. “Never the less, it won’t work.”

“It’s got to. I’m sure it’s already out there that Gabriel Parker has found his one true love.”

I gag a little bit. “This isn’t Cinderella.”

“Kind of. You’re Cinderella, and he’s the prince.”

“Speaking of Cinderella. We need to get you over to Saks,” adds Gabriel as he checks his watch.

I cough loudly, “Saks?”

“Yes, Saks. You’re going to be attending openings, galas, and cocktail parties with me. You’ll be rubbing elbows with Chicago’s elite. You’re going to need clothing.” He peers down at his phone and smiles. “I just sent a text to my personal shopper. She’ll meet you there in an hour.”

“What? Why?” I can’t afford to shop at Saks.

“Well, while I disagree with many of the things that our unwanted guest said, she’s right about your clothes.”

“Excuse me?” I squeak.  I love my clothes.  I’ve worked hard the last few years to build my wardrobe the way I wanted it.

“They are a little, how can I say this nicely? Idiosyncratic.”

“Idiosyncratic? You said you liked my clothes.”

“I do. Just not when you’re on my arm. Take tonight for example; you need to dress the part.  Don’t worry; I’ll pay for everything. It’s the least I can do.”

“Tonight? What’s tonight?”

“Nothing too extravagant. Just a gallery opening.”

“Mr. Parker, I haven’t agreed to any of this. I need time.”

“Please, you’ll need to start calling me Gabriel. And, you’ll have time to think about it on your way to Saks. You’re meeting Victoria in the Formal and Eveningwear department.” Gabriel stands up and walks over to the large table in the center of his room.

I look at Cammy. She’s a little pale.  “Cammy? I can’t do this. You know I have feelings for…someone else.”

She leans forward and whispers, “It’s only temporary.  We just need to get past this deal with, Christine, the psycho woman. After that, you’ll be free to pursue Archie.”

I feel the burn of tears threatening to break free, but I suck in air.  I’m not going to cry.  No! What I’m going to do is go to Saks and refuse to pick anything out.  I love my clothes. They fit my personality.  No fancy schmancy ‘personal shopper’ is going to make me buy things I don’t feel comfortable in, no way.