Page 125 of Out on a Limb
“I’ll call your assistant when I’m back in my office.” Helen turned toward Julia and I, widening her eyes as she barely tipped her head toward the door.
I chugged a few swallows of water before wiping my mouth and standing up. I smiled at the waiter. “Thank you.”
Julia grabbed me as we chased after Helen and Gabriel. She leaned into my ear. “I thought it was good.”
“Itwasgood.” I whispered back as we stepped out of the room. “But I don’t think we’re the kind of people they’re catering to.”
“We’re young.” Julia smiled at an older man as he shuffled across the lobby. “We’re hip.”
“The fact that you just called us hip means we are not even remotely what they’re looking for.” I motioned to Helen. “She is what he’s looking for.”
Julia snorted. “That’s for freaking sure.”
Gabriel stood very close to Helen, all his attention focused only on her as they continued their conversation.
“I mean, can you blame him?” I tipped my head to one side. “I wonder what Sylvia would talk her into wearing?”
A slow smile spread over Julia’s face. “I bet whatever it was, Gabriel would have a heart attack over it.”
It felt awkward to move into Helen and Gabriel’s bubble, so Julia and I stayed back a few feet as they continued to talk about the vision Helen had for what would hopefully be a much more modern version of the stereotypical beauty pageants that focused on fluffy dresses and stage makeup.
I was a little excited about it, especially as a woman raised by a man who put physical beauty above just about everything else. I was all about teaching the younger generation that who they were mattered so much more than how they looked.
Finally the conversation seemed to wind up. Gabriel offered Helen his hand. “I look forward to seeing you again.”
“I appreciate your flexibility.” Helen slid her hand into his and stepped closer, saying something I couldn’t quite hear, before turning and walking straight toward the doors.
Whatever she said left Gabriel staring after her, a stupid smile on his face.
Julia grabbed me and started dragging me through the crowded lobby. As soon as we were out the doors she started cackling. “Helen, that man just fell in love with you.”
Helen dug through her purse as she walked toward my Jeep. “As long as he fixes the food he can love me all he wants.”
“You are amazing.” Julia shook her head. “I bet he’s already talking to the chef.”
I stopped at the side of the Jeep and looked Helen up and down as the gears in my head started to crank. “Does that happen to you a lot?”
She settled her sunglasses onto the bridge of her nose. “Does what happen to me a lot?”
“Men jumping to do what you ask.”
She smiled slyly. “Definea lot.”
This was what I needed. Someone smoother than Andrew and less obvious than me. “Do you know anything about safety deposit boxes?”
One of Helen’s perfectly arched brows lifted. “No. Should I?”
“I need to get into one.” I looked from side to side as I stepped closer. “But I don’t know how.”
I’d Googled it, but it seemed like every bank had different rules and requirements.
“And you can’t just go ask?”
“Without seeming suspicious?” I shook my head. “No.”
Helen studied me for a second before giving me a little nod. “Fair enough.” She pulled open the back door. “I’ll do it.”
“You’re awesome.” I jumped into the driver’s seat. “I appreciate it so much.”
