Where the Lotus Flowers Grow (35 page)

“You encourage him. Just as you let him into your bed every night. He belongs on the floor.”

Stephen looked at me questioningly. I shrugged.

“Who’s Charlie?” I asked, afraid of the answer.

“Whoever he is, he’s sure getting a lot of action,” Stephen muttered.

“Their dog,” Mary said. Bill burst out laughing.

Oh, thank God.

Mary tapped her glass with a spoon. “I heard about this tradition where we all go around and say something we’re thankful for. Shall we try it?”

I nodded. “Sure, sweetheart.”

She turned to Stephen to start. He cleared his throat. “I’m thankful the strip clubs are open tonight.”

“Stephen!” I barked, although I sort of wanted to chuckle.

Mary tensed, and everyone looked uncomfortable. He sighed and started again. “I’m thankful to have people to spend Thanksgiving with.”

Bill was thankful for his daughters and said a special prayer for the one in the service, which we all said with him.

“It’s your turn, Miss Lucille,” Mary said.

“I’m thankful the strip club gave me the night off,” she said.

We were all silent for a second.

“So is everyone at the strip club,” Dorothy muttered.

Everyone at the table, including Lucille Seville, broke into laughter.

“In all seriousness,” Dorothy continued. “I’m thankful that no matter how large the gap exists between the old and young, we can still laugh together.”

“I’ll drink to that,” Stephen said, lifting his glass. We all toasted.

Mary went next. “I’m thankful, grateful rather, for friends who mean so much they become family, and family who can get past their struggles and become friends.”

I smiled at her, mouthing the words, “I love you.”

Mary inspired me in all ways. She was the catalyst for my passions. But even more, she made me want to be a better man.

When we finally quieted down, I cleared my throat. “I’m thankful for the girl at the other end of this table. The one who challenges and supports me.” I stood. “Mary, there’s something important I need to ask you.”

She gasped, a blush creeping into her cheeks. “Yes, Liam?”

“What’s burning?”

Her jaw dropped. “Shit.” She ran into the kitchen. I followed her.

She took out a blackened dish. I had no idea what it was except, judging from the smell, the onions I had chopped were definitely in there somewhere.

“I forgot about it,” she said.

“We’ve got plenty of food.”

“I thought you were going to ask me to marry you. Pretty mean, Liam.”

“I’m sorry for teasing you. But you’ve made me wait so long, you can wait just a bit, can’t you? A proposal is a thing of grand gestures. I want to make it perfect for you.”

Her lips twitched, fighting the smile. I tickled her until she gave in. “Okay, I forgive you.”

“Are you guys coming out here?” Stephen called. “The strip clubs are opening soon.”

Mary

The sisters Seville shook their heads every time I modeled a new outfit. “Well, this is the last one,” I said, walking out in an understated knee-length black dress with slits on the side.

“Dear, that’s a lovely gown, but it belongs on a lady of mature years,” Dorothy said, pouring me some tea. “Someone our age.”

Lucille huffed. “Speak for yourself. I wouldn’t wear it.”

“I couldn’t find anything. I went to at least ten stores. I even used a personal shopper. But whatever fit in the waist, didn’t look right in the bust. I don’t have time for alternations.”

Dorothy handed me a cucumber sandwich on a tiny plate. “Well, you are well endowed. That’s a blessing and a curse.”

“It’s hopeless,” I said.

Dorothy’s teacup rattled when she set it down. She clapped her hands, animation coloring her gray eyes. “Sister, do you know what I’m thinking?”

“I can barely figure out what I’m thinking these days.”

“The Givenchy beaded gown.”

“What is that?” I asked.

“My second, and by far wealthiest husband, Hubert Rourke, bought it for me at a Sotheby’s auction. It was originally designed for Audrey Hepburn. Luckily, Miss Hepburn and I shared the same svelte figure, so tailoring wasn’t necessary. I bet you’d fill it out well.”

“I couldn’t.”

“You must,” Dorothy said, standing. “I’ll go fetch it. I’ve kept it in immaculate condition all these years. It’ll be wonderful to see someone wear it again.”

The dress was nothing short of spectacular. It hugged my curves, with a plunging neckline and open back. Tiny crystal beads were sewn into the fabric and outlined the hem. It was a work of art.

“Wow,” I said, staring at myself in Dorothy’s full-length mirror.

Dorothy adjusted the straps. “This is a true vintage couture piece. I knew you would do it justice.”

The reflection in the mirror was of a sexy, confident girl, who, until recently, had been a stranger to me.

“You’ll have to wear your hair up,” Dorothy said.

I gathered it in a low bun.

“No, dear, all the way up with a few scandalous wisps in just the right places. This is backless dress, and you have just the back for it. Hiding that would be akin to draping an oil cloth on the shoulder of Apollo. Show it off.”

I thought of the scar on my back and how it would look. It wasn’t just marred flesh. I’d let it define me and make choices for me. I wasn’t going to do that anymore. I wasn’t going to hide. In this room with the Seville sisters, I felt my dadima’s presence looking down at me and nodding with approval.

“You’re right,” I said.

Mary

Liam and I were in a hotel once again. His stepmother’s home was a few hours’ drive from the city, so we stayed at the Wilshire Montauk. He jerked his head toward the bed, his eyes smoldering. I was tempted, but he looked too perfect in his tux. Meanwhile, I still wore the hotel robe.

“Later, sir. We’re running late.”

“I hate how right you are. Let me check your ink, at least.”

He brushed the hair away from my neck. Liam had held my hand the whole time Tony worked on recreating the lotus flower from Liam’s rendering. I’d been thinking of a tattoo ever since I met Tony. What better symbol to show I had emerged clean, regardless of the darkness in my past? Liam had rubbed the ointment on it every night.

He ran his fingers over it. His touch made my body shiver with need. “It’s healed.”

He referred to the tattoo, but I felt healed in all ways.

“I hope these match your dress,” he said, holding out a velvet box to me.

“Liam!”

“It’s not a ring.” My body slumped. I’d been so hesitant before, but now all I wanted was to marry him. He kissed my shoulder. “Don’t be disappointed. We’re going on a trip tomorrow.”

“A trip?”

“As soon as we leave here, we’ll head straight for the airport. Then we’re off to Hawaii for a few days.”

“But…”

“I called Tony. He switched your schedule around. I packed you a suitcase, although you might need to buy a few things. I even remembered your passport.”

“Why do I need my passport for Hawaii?” I wondered if I’d gotten my geography mixed up again.

“You’ll need photo ID. It’s the only one you have.”

I turned around. “I want to, Liam, but I promised to help Marcus’s mother with her job interviews. Besides, can you take another holiday with the IPO coming up?”

“First, she has a job and an apartment now.”

“What do you mean?”

“I took care of it. They’ll have a home and be moved in before Christmas. When we get back from Hawaii, I told her we’d help them paint. We’re both pretty handy at that.”

Both Liam and Stephen had written large checks to the shelter. So large they could accommodate additional families and start new outreach programs. But this…this warmed my heart so much, I could have melted into a puddle. “Liam, you sweet, sweet man. I love you.”

He pressed his lips against my forehead. “Second, things are going very smoothly. Stephen can handle it for a while.” He settled his hands on my hips. “C’mon, lover, walk on the beach with me again.”

“I can’t wait.”

“Open your gift.” He tapped the box I was holding. “This is just a little something I picked up. Consider it an appetizer.”

I lifted the lid, blinking against the shine of emerald earrings done in a paisley design. “These are gorgeous. They’ll look beautiful with the dress.”

“You would be beautiful in anything, Mary.” He smacked my bum. “Or nothing at all. In fact, I think I want to paint you in nothing but these earrings.”

“Seriously, Liam, you and your dolphin-sized libido need to leave me alone.”

He laughed. “Baby, you’re about to make the great white shark in me come out.”

* * * *

My mouth dropped as I took in the dazzling ballroom with its sparking chandeliers and massive Christmas tree. I walked with nervous steps, hoping the heels didn’t buckle on me. A firm hand pressed against my lower back, giving me the boost of confidence I needed.

“This is some dress. I’m not going to be able to keep my hands off you,” Liam said, his whisper heavy and husky.

“Then don’t.”

“No worries there. Come and meet some people.”

He introduced me to so many people, I forgot all the names. We sipped pale champagne and chatted casually. Stephen joined us. He and Liam even exchanged a few jokes.

“Mary, meet Janet Waters. She designed the interiors of several of our hotels.” I shook her hand. Stephen stiffened beside me.

“I love your dress. It’s stunning,” she said. She had hair the color of strawberries. There was something familiar about her.

“Thank you.”

The air stilled when she glanced at Stephen.

“Hi, Jan,” he said. “Didn’t know you were coming.”

“Liam invited me.”

“I see,” he said, sounding disinterested, although his fingers tightened around his wineglass.

Liam led me to the dance floor. I noticed Stephen, standing in the corner, talking with Janet.

“Who is she?” I asked Liam.

“She went to college with Stephen. I believe they dated for a bit. He suggested her for this job. I have no idea why he was acting so cold to her. Then again, I rarely get what’s going on inside his head.”

I got it. It dawned on me why she looked familiar. She was the picture behind the picture in Stephen’s office.

Liam looked down at his watch. “I’m counting down the minutes until we can leave. I hate this house.”

“I’m sorry.”

We danced through two songs before they announced dinner. Liam and I sat apart during the meal. Stephen was seated next to me. He downed one drink after another, keeping his eyes on Janet’s back the whole time. Once she turned in his direction, he looked away.

“How are things, Mary?” he asked.

“Wonderful. What about you?”

“Can’t complain. I’m going to get some air.”

“May I come?”

“I wouldn’t mind the company.”

He helped me from my chair. We went outside to a heated patio. I worried it would be cold, but the heat lamps made it feel like a warm summer night. Everyone else was still inside. The naked trees stood close together, their branches twining as if they were embracing. A shiver ran up my spine. Stephen leaned against a railing and lit a cigarette.

“I didn’t know you smoked.”

“I have to keep some vices.” He smiled at me. “How’s therapy?”

“It’s good. Liam is going to start coming with me, too. How’s your therapy?”

“Not bad. I’ve been clean for over a month.”

I bumped his shoulder. “You have? That’s great.”

“I got a keychain and everything.” He bumped me back. “I never really thought about myself as an addict since I always managed to function in my life. I figured as long as I maintained a balance, I was fine. I just needed something to take the edge off once in a while.”

“And now?”

“I figured out I need edges in my life. If you make the pain disappear, how would you ever recognize the pleasure?”

“True.”

He stubbed his cigarette on the railing. “I hate this house,” he muttered.

“Liam does, too.”

“One thing we have in common.”

I gestured inside. “You love her, don’t you?”

“Who?”

“Janet, the girl with the red hair.”

“I love all redheads.” He wiggled his eyebrows. “They’re freaks in bed.”

“Don’t lie to me. That’s why you always ask the agency to send one. Do you pretend they are her?”

“You’re a brazen one. Yeah, you got my number. What of it?”

“Why don’t you tell her how you feel?”

“Some ships sail too far and deep to anchor. Understand?”

“Ummm, no, I have no idea what that means.”

“I couldn’t give her what she wanted then, and I’m certainly not capable of it now.”

“What did she want?”

“The usual—marriage and kids. Security. Anyway, I let her go. That’s what you do for someone you love. You let them go so their dreams don’t die.”

“Rubbish.”

“What?”

“Rubbish. If you loved her and she loved you, then you fight. You fight for the person you love. You work hard to make each other’s dreams happen or create new dreams.”

“Look at you, Miss Freud.”

“Sorry, yaar, I spoke out of turn.”

“What does that mean? Yaar?”

“It’s Hindi. It means…friend.”

He smiled, a real smile, not a trace of condescension in it. “C’mon, yaar, let’s go inside.”

They were clearing dinner. Liam’s hand pressed into my back, his spicy masculine scent intoxicating me. “There you are. I’ve been looking for you.”

“You found me.”

“It was easy. I just followed the gazes of all the men in the room. I think I liked you better when you wore my huge sweaters.”

My laugh was cut off by the woman approaching us. “Hello, Liam. I suppose your mother never taught you, but it’s rude not to greet your host.”

Liam’s jaw tightened, but he maintained the smile. “She did teach me that if I didn’t have anything nice to say, I should shut my mouth.” He turned to me. “Mary, this is Lorna Wilshire, Stephen’s mother.”

The woman embodied elegance in her floor-length gown, her hair the color of spun gold. “Also Liam’s stepmother.” There was judgment in her stare. I wanted to take a step back, but Liam’s arm kept me grounded.