A Christmas Worth Billions (Countdown to Christmas Book 4) (12 page)

Lily pulled on her jacket and the coat David had let her borrow, then followed him out to the car. “Can we stop by to say good-bye to the kids?”

“Sure. What’s the address?” David opened the door to the Mercedes and let her in before going to the other side.

Lily gave the directions and ran inside for a few minutes before coming back to the car. Mary and Patrick waved as they pulled away. This was the first actual date Lily and David had been on, and David couldn’t help the nerves that were piling up. He wasn’t supposed to have to go through this all over again.

“Having second thoughts?” Lily asked.

David took her hand and squeezed. “Never.”

Chapter 8

Lily’s thoughts and emotions were so out of control, it was making her sick to her stomach. She was thrilled to be going out with him, but this was a really big event with hundreds of people she didn’t know.

David turned on some Christmas music, and it helped calm Lily’s nerves. Something familiar was exactly what she needed right then. She watched out the window as the scenery flew by. As they got closer to the city, the traffic picked up.

“So where is this party?” Lily asked.

“A reception hall near Broadway. It was . . . my favorite.” His obvious pause was followed by a clench of his jaw.

Lily felt a pang of guilt. “It was your wife’s favorite, right?”

David sighed. “Yes. She loved attending events there, even when we weren’t necessarily invited.”

“Is that one of the joys of being famous? You get to crash events without getting in trouble?” Lily asked, laughing.

David chuckled. “You could say that, but having us show up just meant more publicity for whoever was holding the event.”

That had to be nice. Lily couldn’t imagine having that much power. But then, she’d seen it in action with the press. He’d seemed so calm as he helped lead them away from the diner.

“We’re going to get there a little early, so we have time to go to lunch first if you’d like.” David changed lanes and turned down a side street.

“I’d like that. I forgot to eat breakfast this morning.” She’d been planning to eat when she got to the diner, but then the newspaper article had driven all thoughts of food out of her mind.

David pulled into a parking garage and found an empty spot. “It’ll be easier to walk from here. Besides, we’re not too far from where we’re going.”

“Sounds great.” Lily climbed out of the car and took David’s hand. They walked down to the street and into a building to take an elevator to the top. The doors opened to a restaurant with breathtaking views of the city. The décor was more modern than her diner. Paintings with bright splashes of color lined the walls, and the booths were high-backed with plush red cushions. Waiters and waitresses bustled about, taking orders and bring in food.

“I can see what you’re doing,” David whispered close to Lily’s ear. “No comparing your diner to this place. It’s beautiful, but the food doesn’t compare to yours.”

“I can’t help it. The diner is all I’ve known for years, and I can see how much updating it needs. But that’s sweet of you to say.” Not that the updating would ever happen. She’d be closing on Monday, after the threats she’d received over the phone that morning. She shoved it out of her mind. No need to dwell on it.

A waitress pulled out two menus. “Right this way, Mr. Fleschmann.”

David winked at Lily as they walked toward a table in the back. “I might have come here a few times before.”

Lily shook her head and laughed. She sat at the table and looked down at the menu in front of her. Everything was over twenty dollars, including the appetizers. Several of the dishes were ones she’d toyed with at her diner, but they never caught on. People in town were perfectly happy with burgers, pancakes, and chicken Parmesan, so that’s what she’d always go back to making.

“Order whatever you’d like, but I recommend the salmon or the prosciutto-stuffed chicken. Both are amazing.” David took a drink of his water.

“Just how many times have you been to this place?” Lily set her menu aside and folded her hands in front of her.

David grinned. “Too many to count. It’s my favorite place to bring clients.”

The waiter came over, and David ordered the salmon while Lily decided to try the chicken. She’d already been eyeing it before David had recommended it.

“So your office is nearby, then?” Lily asked.

David gestured toward the window. “See that building over there, standing above the others?”

“Yeah. That one’s yours?” Lily’s eyes widened. It had to be over eighty stories high.

“No, it’s the one next to it. My dad had tried to buy the other one years ago, but they weren’t willing to sell. I’m glad they didn’t, though. I have a top-floor office, and it makes me dizzy to look out.”

If it was anything like the view Lily could see from her table, she could understand that. She took a drink of her water and set her napkin on her lap.

“Hey, look at me.” David waited for Lily to meet his eyes. “You’ll be fine. There’s no need to be nervous. Just watch what I’m doing and follow.”

“I can’t help it. Sorry.” Lily spread her hands out on the table, trying to calm down.

David put his hand over hers, and his warmth helped her relax. Tingles ran up her arm, and she concentrated on his deep brown eyes. “Better?”

“Yes. Thank you.” She leaned back when the waiter brought a tray of bread to the table. She took a slice and buttered it. The bread almost melted in her mouth when she took a bite of it. “Oh, my.”

“I have to admit, this is my favorite part of the meal. I’ve been known to sneak it out of the restaurant before.” He took a bite of his bread.

“I’m sure they loved that.” Lily took another bite, then wiped her mouth. “I’m going to run to the restroom. Please excuse me.”

The bathroom was just as fancy as the rest of the restaurant, and actually had someone sitting there with towels. As she walked back to the table, she caught a few whispers and glares from other patrons. She checked her shirt and hair, wondering what they were so upset about. It wasn’t until she caught a snatch of “David” and “that woman” that she realized what was going on.

Her face was burning by the time she sat down, and she stared at the salad in front of her.

“Hey, what’s going on? What happened? Your face is bright red.” The concern in David’s eyes only made things worse.

“People were talking about us. I’m not used to that.” Lily stabbed her lettuce and took a bite, but didn’t really taste anything as she choked it down.

David’s eyes narrowed. “Who was it?”

Lily shrugged. “It doesn’t matter. I just wasn’t expecting it. Has everyone in the world heard you’re dating me?”

“Probably. Those reporters were pretty relentless.” He sat back while they set down his salmon.

The chicken was set in front of Lily, and even though she’d lost her appetite before, the food looked amazing. She took a bite, and the flavors burst in her mouth. This was a dish she would have to play with and make for herself.  The prosciutto gave the chicken a richer flavor, and the asparagus and other steamed vegetables accented it perfectly.

“Good?” David asked.

“Amazing.” She took a bite of David’s salmon and shared a piece of her chicken. “Wow, the salmon is cooked to perfection.”

“Definitely. This is why I bring my clients. We get the account more often than not when we come here.”

* * *

Once lunch was over, David and Lily walked over to Times Square. Lily stared in the windows as they walked past different shops. She stopped at a newsstand to pick out a postcard for Ann, but David pulled her away before she could choose one. He glanced back nervously, but wouldn’t say anything when she asked him what was going on.

They walked into a building, and David pushed the elevator button. He was tense and quiet, and totally unlike the David she knew. When they stepped into the elevator, Lily moved closer to him.

“How do you stand these things? It feels like my stomach is going to drop through my shoes.”

David wrapped his arms around her. “I guess I hadn’t thought about it. I’m just used to it by now.” The elevator stopped, and David gave her a quick kiss. “Prepare to be pampered.”

Lily’s eyes widened as they walked into a large office building. Mannequins dotted the office, wearing different styles for the winter season. A man in a sharp suit came forward and shook David’s hand, then Lily’s.

“Lily, this is Mr. Walker. He owns this company.”

“Nice to meet you.” Lily’s heart was beating rapidly, and she had to shove her hands into her pockets to stop them from shaking. She didn’t know much about fashion, but she’d heard of this place. Suddenly, she felt completely underdressed.

“Ah, Lily. Such a beautiful name for a beautiful lady. We’ll take good care of you. Follow Nikki and Ella through those doors, and they'll make sure you're breathtaking for tonight. David, you come with me.”

Lily opened her mouth to protest, but Nikki and Ella had hold of her arms and guided her away. They had her take her coat off and stand on a small pedestal while they circled around her, muttering to each other.

Nikki finally turned to her. “Go into that dressing room, and we’ll hand you gowns to try on. Come out here, and we’ll see which one works for you.”

Lily did as she was asked, and waited for the gowns. The first was a deep-blue dress with black embroidered roses along the skirt and bodice. She tried it on, but it was too big. She opened the door for them to see, but they immediately made her shut it and change.

This went on for several more gowns before she finally tried on a dark red dress that fit her form perfectly. She left the dressing room, and the girls squealed in delight. They pulled her over to the pedestal and again circled her.

“It’s perfect. I didn’t think the mermaid style would work for you, but I was totally wrong.” Ella helped Lily down. “Now, go change, and we’ll work on your hair.”

Lily walked back into the dressing room and changed into her jeans and button-up shirt. They were her nicest clothes, but they seemed so drab next to the dress she’d been wearing. She hung up the gown and left the dressing room.

“Okay, sit here.” Nikki guided her to a chair and pulled the ponytail holder out of Lily’s hair. “Oh, dear. You haven’t had a trim in years, have you? No worries. We’ll take good care of you. First, a wash.”

Lily wanted to point out that she’d washed her hair that morning, but figured it wouldn’t do any good to argue. She only hoped she recognized herself by the time they were done with her.

* * *

When they had first started the makeover, Lily couldn’t imagine it taking five hours to get her ready, but what she hadn’t counted on was the amount of poking and prodding she’d have to endure. They plucked her eyebrows, gave her a manicure, chopped off a couple inches of hair, then added highlights, and ended with a pedicure.

As they neared the time for the party, Lily slipped into her dress and walked back out to have her makeup done. They helped her slip on heels and handed her a jeweled
purse
before declaring her ready for the event. It wasn’t until then that they finally allowed her to look in the mirror.

She’d known this woman once, a long time ago. The makeup and hairstyle had taken years off, and she remembered what it felt like to be beautiful. She forced herself not to cry. She didn’t want to mess up the makeup they’d worked so hard on.

“Thank you. I don’t know how to repay you.” Lily hugged Nikki and Ella and wiped her eyes.

Nikki smiled. “It was our pleasure. The beauty was there—we just had to uncover it. Now go. Your date is waiting for you. Oh, wait. We almost forgot.” She handed Lily a thick wrap to wear over her dress. “There we go.”

Lily took a deep breath and opened the doors to the main office. David stood there, stunning in his black tailored tuxedo. His expression when he saw her told her everything she needed to know.

“You look stunning.” He hugged her tightly before turning to Mr. Walker. “You have outdone yourselves. Thank you for your help.”

Mr. Walker shook David’s hand. “It’s our pleasure.”

David put his arm around Lily and guided her toward the elevator. As soon as the door shut and they started going down, David pulled Lily closer.

“Did you have fun?”

“I felt a little like a pincushion here and there, but yes, I enjoyed it. Thanks again. I’d forgotten what it was like to do more than throw a ponytail or bun in my hair.”

Outside, a sleek black limo sat in front of the building. David opened the door and gestured for Lily to climb in.

“You got a limo? You didn’t need to do that—we could have walked.” She settled in, and David sat next to her.

“It’s a bit of a
drive
, and I didn’t want us to freeze before we got there. Besides, this way I can do this.” He leaned forward and kissed her softly at first, and then with more passion.

Lily’s heart thudded in her chest as she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him back. By the time they reached the reception hall and David pulled away, Lily was breathless. She kissed him lightly one more time before adjusting her wrap and checking her hair to make sure nothing had escaped the French knot. David wiped his mouth, and Lily reapplied the lipstick Ella had put into her purse.