“Hey.” I grab her hand over the table. She keeps her eyes on her coffee. “I’m sorry about last night. I hate that I had to leave you like that.”
“Hmm.” She nods and avoids my eyes.
I stand and walk over to her chair and pull it towards me. With my index finger and thumb, I tilt her chin up. Her eyes eventually meet mine.
“I’m sorry Amelia. It won’t happen again. I promise.” I place a soft kiss on her lips, and I can feel her melt into me.
There she is.
“It’s okay. Work comes first.” She shrugs. “I just missed you last night, that’s all.” She smiles weakly. “I swear I’m not that needy.” She nudges my arm.
I shake my head and smile. “No Amelia. You come first.” I wink.
That earns me a slap on the arm and an infectious giggle from Amelia. “You idiot.” She pulls me in for another kiss.
“I’m serious babe. I’ve put in my time. My company has been my top priority for years. But that changes now. I’m not giving you a reason to spook and run out on me. I’m here to stay.” I rub my hands up and down her arms as I watch her smile slowly widen. “Now hurry up and eat, I’ve got a surprise for you today.” I grin.
“Surprise? Oh God. In your world I have no idea what that could be. Hmm, is it an invitation to dinner, or a small island?” She taps her chin dramatically.
“Stop being a smart ass and hurry up. We’ve gotta leave here in an hour.”
She opens the brown paper bag and frowns. “There’s only one bagel sandwich here. What about your breakfast?”
I hover over her closely. “Don’t worry babe, I fully intend to eat before we leave.”
* * *
We’re in the car driving down fifth avenue.
My morning with Amelia already has me feeling like I’m on cloud nine, but we’re just getting started.
She leans over and whispers in my ear. “Last I recall, we’re not supposed to be seen together in public until after the holidays,” she mockingly scolds.
“We won’t.” I interlace our fingers. “Don’t worry, I’ve thought of everything.” I bump her shoulder with mine.
We pull up to Bergdorf Goodman’s exclusive VIP underground parking garage.
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Amelia mumbles. “Please tell me you’re not going to pull aPretty Womanon me, Evan.”
“Let me guess, another Julia Roberts movie?” I chuckle.
Amelia grabs my forearm with superhuman strength. “Please tell me that you’re joking, and that you actuallyhavewatched Pretty Woman?!” She sneers.
“Yes, Amelia. I’ve watched Pretty Woman. You can retract your claws from my arm now, thank you very much.” I pull out of her grasp.
Teddy parks us in front of the service elevators, and I get out and open the door for her. We make our way up to the personal shopping floor, and she keeps chuckling and smiling to herself. To be able to get free access to her inner monologue right now…
We are greeted by a group of personal shoppers. At the very front of the line is my personal savior, Maribel.
I met her years ago when she was working the perfume counter downstairs, and I was trying to figure out how new money was supposed to smell. I assumed that my axe body spray needed to go at that point and she was kind and knowledgeable about all things fashion.
Maribel is a Spanish woman in her early sixties who had to enter the workforce later in life due to the untimely death of her husband.
She was new to being a working mom, and I was new to not wearing sweatpants every day, so together we forged a bond. She became my personal shopper, therefore receiving all of the hefty commissions that came from my purchases. The store offered to place me with a more experienced personal stylist, but I refused, and have exclusively worked with Maribel for the last decade. Something that Maribel constantly reminds me that she is grateful for, even though I’m the one who feels lucky to have her.
“Hola, mi Evan.” She kisses both of my cheeks. “I see you have brought company today.” She smiles as she eyes Amelia.
“Yes, I have. Maribel. Meet Amelia, my girlfriend.” I beam.
