Whispered Confessions (Touched By You) (9 page)

“He’s very quiet, but I think it will just take time for him to open up to us. I’m not going to force it. Ellis didn’t need for him to talk. They play ball together, which is the best for a four-year-old. I just tucked him in bed and he went right to sleep. He didn’t cry. Better than I expected for his first day.”

That had been a week ago. And seeing Asher at the zoo, Natalie could tell he was doing fine. Clearly, he was attached to Jazzy. He clung to her, and whispered in her ear when he wanted something. It was touching to see. The day at the zoo had wiped him out, and he slept with his head on
Jazzy’s lap while they sat at an outdoor table drinking lattes.

“He loves animals,” Jazzy said. “We are thinking of getting him a puppy.”

“He’d love it. Asher is adorable. I had such fun with you both today.”

“He is a doll, isn’t he? And in only one week, he seems to have relaxed with us a lot. I can’t imagine what it would be like to be so young and lose your parents. I found out his father died suddenly of an undiagnosed heart condition, only a year before he lost his mother.

“His father was a runner, and exercise aggravated the ailment. One day he was out running at the track, and the main artery to his heart collapsed. Someone called emergency, but he died before the paramedics could get there.”

“How did you find that out?”

“A neighbor used to babysit when his mother went to work at her bookkeeping job. She talked to social services and gave as much information as she could. I think she would have taken Asher, but she’s in her late fifties and not in a position to raise a child.”

“And there are no relatives?”

“None that anyone knows of. Just a few friends.” Jazzy looked down at Asher, and seeing that he was sleeping peacefully, continued. “His full name is Asher Ethan Cooper, though I hope to change his last name to Larsen soon, if the adoption comes through.

“He remembers his mother, although I’m not sure how much. In his things was a picture of his mother. He will point to it and say, ‘Mama.’ But he doesn’t show emotion, just says the word. I don’t know that he understands what happened to her, since he was so young at the time. And it’s been so long. Maybe one day he will talk about her. We decided to put the picture in his room, in case he felt more secure that way.”

“That’s a good idea. So, you are okay with all that?”

“Absolutely, if I were his biological mother, I’d want his new parents to let him remember me.”

“He’s a lucky little boy. He has two mothers.”

Jazzy smiled and stroked his cheek. Asher shifted but didn’t wake up. Hopefully the legal adoption would go through. Anything else would just be wrong. Her sister loved him, and so did Ellis.

Natalie loved him too, for that matter. And she thought of having a baby of her own. She would have a family with Tanner. Children were important. Seeing Jazzy experiencing the joys of motherhood made her want a child. Knowing that Tanner wanted a family was reassuring.

As close as she was to her husband, and as much as they talked, Natalie hadn’t discussed having a baby. But Tanner had made plans for their children, just assuming that was what would happen. Men were so rational about life sometimes. Natalie wished she wasn’t so emotional, but there was nothing she could do to change that. It was just her nature; she’d always been that way.

“What are you thinking?”

“Oh, about being a mother,” Natalie said. “You are a natural with Asher. I’d like to have a baby when we are ready. But that’s the thing. Tanner knows I want a family, but I’m not sure if he really does. Maybe he assumes it will happen because I want it. But it’s important for him to want it too.”

“Tanner will be a good father. Every man wonders if he will measure up. Ellis isn’t sure. Even though I tell him as long as he loves Asher, it will work out. And I’ve seen Tanner around Asher, and other children too. You just need to talk about it.”

Natalie smiled. “How did you get to be so smart?”

Jazzy laughed. “I just know the people I love, that’s all.”

New York Fashion Week was one of the five major fashion weeks in the world, along with Paris, London, Milan, and São Paulo. Natalie had attended each of them at one time or another, finding them all exciting. She looked forward to seeing the new innovations and stunning creativity.

Yet exhibiting her personal designs added to the thrill. Thus, when GR Fashions included Natalie Baker Designs in their winter show, it was one of the highlights of her career. Aspiring designers, handpicked by Gianni Rinaldi, were included in the lineup.

Were it not for her team, Natalie wouldn’t have been able to get everything together. Under the smooth direction of her CEO, managers were put in charge of everything from hiring models and tailoring outfits to securing makeup artists and hairstylists. A creative director was hired to liaise with Natalie concerning the creative elements of the show.

The last week, Natalie was frantic about what to wear and took Leona shopping with her. “You aren’t the one strutting down the catwalk, you know,” Leona chided.

“It doesn’t matter. I’ll be there, meeting some really important buyers. I just can’t decide what to wear. I have nothing.” Natalie knew Leona had seen her closet, filled to the brim with designer clothes. It didn’t matter. Nothing was exactly right.

Under Leona’s calming influence, Natalie found a dress she liked and could feel confident wearing to the event. The gray Dolce & Gabbana macramé dress was body skimming, with prettily scalloped edges. It was elegant with subtle sex appeal. The macramé was see-through in the sleeves, upper bodice, and from mid-thigh to the knee. Underneath was a silk sheath, giving the image of a slip underneath.

The theme of the event was understated elegance, and Natalie felt the dress was perfect. She wore it with lace open-fingered gloves and her Valentino leather pumps. Leona approved.

On the day of the event, Natalie had her makeup professionally done, and her hair styled in thick curls. She wore a delicate pearl broach to set off the elegant look. With nervous anticipation, she looked in the mirror. She wanted to look professional, yet trendy and sexy. The outfit worked.

Tanner
approved. “You look ravishing.”

Natalie smiled, needing the confidence booster. He’d taken the day off to be with her, knowing how important the event was. The fashion show could catapult her into the stratosphere of New York fashion if the buyers liked the clothing she’d designed. Being included in the RG fashion show meant a lot of visibility for her company.

During the show, Natalie was running on adrenaline. Some of the time she was backstage with the models, attending to last details. The other part she was sitting beside Tanner in a daze, disbelieving the models strutting the catwalk were displaying garments she’d created. It wasn’t her first fashion show; it was just the most important.

Photographers milled about with their cameras, getting shots of the models. Natalie was too distracted to pay attention to them, or even to watch the audience of affluent buyers. Her only goal was to get through the main part of the event without any mishaps. When the show was finally over, everyone stood and began milling about.

Cocktails and wine were served with hors d’oeuvres, and the place buzzed with attendees chatting to each other. Natalie’s head was spinning. She was excited, and tried not to think of the buyers’ response. She would know soon enough.

One of Natalie’s assistants came up to her, applauding the success of the event. “You think so?” Natalie said.

Tanner kissed her, and said he’d be back in a minute, leaving her to continue talking.

Natalie chatted with her assistant and a few others that came up to speak with her. She felt a little weak after running on adrenaline for hours. “Excuse
me, I think I’ll go find some of that champagne.” On her way over to the tables, a waiter in a tuxedo offered her a drink from his tray, which she gratefully accepted.

The place was packed, and everyone seemed engaged in conversation. Across the room, Natalie could see Tanner talking animatedly to two men. She assumed he knew them, which he likely did. In his business, fashion buyers also bought handbags and other luxury goods. Tanner might find good connections at the event.

Relaxing for a moment felt good, and Natalie didn’t mind that Tanner was occupied. But her time alone was interrupted when Gianni spotted her. He was with a group, but broke away from them to come over and congratulate her.

“Good show, Natalie. You should be pleased.”

“You think so? It was stressful.”

“Mind if I sit down?”

“Sure, please do. How has the reaction been so far?”

“Good, even better than I expected.”

“That makes me feel good. I was so nervous.”

“You shouldn’t have been. You’ve done fashion shows before.”

“Yes, but not one of your shows.”

“It’s true you have some key buyers here today. In fact, there’s someone I’d like to introduce you to. You can see for yourself his reaction to your designs.” Gianni stood and took Natalie’s gloved hand long enough to help her up.

Following Gianni, she looked around for Tanner but didn’t see him. Well, he knew where she was. He’d find her.

Gianni ended up introducing her to several buyers, and Natalie forgot all about her anxiety over the high-profile show. They flattered her work, and not just with words. Apparently they were placing orders, and that meant more to Natalie than hearing compliments. She was engrossed in the conversation, answering questions, and laughing.

Beside her, Gianni deflected any business questions, and in his usual confident manner, kept the conversation flowing. Business turned to pleasure, and the group began telling stories of things that had happened at other fashion shows, many quite funny or unexpected. They were all laughing; Natalie along with them.

Sipping her champagne, Natalie was finally into the spirit of things. At one point, Gianni said something about her talent and put his arm around her shoulders. It was a friendly touch and she thought nothing of it, until she felt a strong arm around her waist.

“Tanner,” she said, looking into the furious eyes of her husband. She was about to introduce him, or do something to defuse the situation, when he pulled her away from the group.

“We have to be going,” he said sharply, and ushered her away.

“What are you doing? I was in the middle of meeting some of the buyers.”

“Yes, I saw that,” Tanner said tersely. “I see it was quite a pleasure, especially with Gianni there.”

“Of course, he was there. It’s his show.” Natalie had a feeling she knew what this was about.

“
Which gives him no right to have his hands on my wife.”

Yes, she was right. Tanner had reacted to seeing Gianni with his arm around her. It would do no good to tell him it was as innocent gesture, not when Tanner was as furious as he was at that moment. She let him guide her to the limo, but if he thought she was going to tolerate his behavior, he was wrong.

Natalie slid into the back seat of the limo. Tanner got in on the other side and raised the privacy panel so Andre wouldn’t hear them fighting.

He knew he had gone too far after seeing the look on Natalie’s face. It had just happened before he’d had time to think. He’d looked for her in the crowded room and spotted her with a group. As he’d g
otten closer, he’d seen Gianni.

When he saw Natalie next to Gianni, he didn’t like it. By the time he got to her, Gianni had his arm around her. He exploded. Blind fury had clouded his mind, and he’d just reacted. Now he was in the car with her, and she was furious.

“You can’t do that, Tanner.”

“What? Leave with my wife?” He knew playing dumb wouldn’t work, but it was all he could think of.

“No, get so upset. That was business. Those buyers probably don’t know what to think. And you didn’t even give me a chance to say goodbye to Gianni.”

Tanner said nothing. He didn’t know what to say. He looked out the window, not ready to look at Natalie. Fury still boiled in his veins, and he didn’t want to make things worse.

Natalie looked over at Tanner but he just sat there stiffly, not even apologizing. She guessed he was too mad for that. But she was mad too, and she had a right to be. “Uh.” She let out a sudden gasp of air in frustration. “You make me so mad sometimes.”

At home, Natalie kicked off her shoes and stood in the middle of the room with her hands over her face. The utter impossibility of dealing with her husband’s jealousy rendered her speechless. She wanted to shout at him and make him stop. No matter what she’d done to show him there was no competition where he was concerned, Tanner persisted in taking issue with any other male attention.

Tanner stood behind her, and seeing the distress she was in, he wrapped his arms around her. “Are you okay, baby?”

Natalie started to cry from anger and frustration. “What happened in there, Tanner?
Just because he had his arm across my shoulders for a moment?”

Tanner hesitated. Could he explain? Would she understand?