Courting Innocence. Kimberly Dean
crossed her legs. She’d dressed for the appointment in a simple cap-sleeved J. Crew dress. It felt appropriate for the professional and classy atmosphere of the office, yet she was sure she’d seen the older woman in a very different environment. ‘You’re the one who was with Sienna at the hockey game.’
Nina nodded, but rolled her eyes. ‘I am. What a mess.’
That was putting it lightly. Sienna’s old boyfriend had made a scene outside the owner’s box seats at a Capitals game, and Jason had introduced the man to his fist. Unfortunately, the whole thing had been caught on nearly a dozen television news cameras.
‘There’s still a detective poking around into that, trying to decide if charges are warranted.’ Nina touched the pulse on her throat. ‘Has he talked with you yet?’
‘No. I wasn’t there.’
Nina dropped her hand and smoothed a throw pillow. ‘But you were there for Sienna when I took her home. I want to thank you for that. She needed someone to be with her.’
‘You got her out of there.’
Nina smiled. ‘Well, then we both did our jobs as her friends.’
Erin smiled. She liked Nina, too. A lot. She could see why Sienna wanted to work here.
‘Now, let’s talk about you,’ Nina said. ‘I have to admit, I was surprised when you called for an appointment. Did Sienna recommend you?’
Erin gave a sheepish smile. ‘I found her business card, and Jason told me that Luxxor is a matchmaking company. I took things from there.’
‘Yes, matchmaking…’ Nina crossed her long legs. ‘About that…We offer a specific kind of service, and we cater to very high-end clientele.’
‘I understand.’ And Erin truly did. In DC, it didn’t always matter how much money you had – although it took a lot to even get you into the game. Almost more cachet came from connections and how far back they could be traced. If qualifications were needed, she had them. ‘My father is a well-known lobbyist, and my mother is very visible on the DC social scene. I grew up here.’
‘Foster…’ Nina’s brow furrowed. ‘Your father is Harmon Foster?’
‘And my mother is Marilyn, most notably from the Daughters of the American Colonists.’
‘They are movers and shakers.’
Erin nodded. ‘So I’m told.’
‘You’re not into politics?’
‘Can’t stand them.’
Nina smiled. ‘You’re in the wrong town for that.’
Erin sighed. ‘I know.’
‘Well, with your background, you can understand our need for privacy.’ Nina sat at ease, but her eye contact was fierce. ‘Our business model isn’t the norm. We work on an invitation-only policy, and you will be required to sign a confidentiality agreement.’
‘That’s perfect for me. This is something I want to do for me. Nobody else needs to know.’
Especially not her family. Her brother, Dustin, would have a cow if he found out.
‘You’re younger than most of our clients,’ Nina observed.
‘Does that matter?’
‘Only in that our services come at a premium.’
Again, code. Money wasn’t an issue, but Erin had some requirements of her own. ‘I’m willing to pay, as long as I’m assured that your services match what I’m looking for.’
The sun shifted just enough then so that the rays cut through a vase on Nina’s desk. It sent a shaft of blue across the grey carpeting, pointing right at the company CEO. Blue symbolised confidence and reliability. Responsibility. It was a very good sign.
‘And just what is that? We specialise in short-term…engagements.’ Nina frowned. ‘I’m sorry, that was a very poor choice of words. I understand that you recently broke up with your fiancé.’
Erin’s shoulders slumped. Did everyone know? Was it stamped on her forehead? ‘You’ve talked with Sienna.’
‘You used her name as a reference. We vet all clients.’
And Sienna had put her through? Erin cocked her head. She was new to all this independent stuff, but it was rewarding to have people respect her plans and ideas.
‘She’s worried about you,’ Nina confessed.
‘She doesn’t have to be.’
‘It’s only been a month since your breakup. Are you sure you want…whatever it is that you want?’
‘I’m positive. I want to meet new people and get your advice. I want to explore what it’s like to spend time with people with different personalities and interests. I want to understand men better.’ The words came out in a rush, and Erin threw up her hands. ‘I want to date. It’s not as if I’m planning on diving into their beds and having wild sex.’
Nina paused. A corner of her mouth quirked, but then she gave a brief shake of her head. ‘My advice?’
‘Yes.’ That was the true reason why she was here. Reading the signs was the hard part. ‘I want someone to help me figure things out.’
‘Figure what things out?’
Everything. Erin toyed with the fringe on the pillow at her side. She could go home now and be safe and protected or she could trust in her gut.
‘I need to know what about me is boring.’
‘Boring?’ Nina said, her voice jumping.
‘It’s why my fiancé broke up with me.’
‘Oh, honey.’ The older woman pushed back her hair and looked to the ceiling. When her attention focused again, there was a different kind of energy about it. She seemed less aloof and more involved. When she spoke, her words were crisp. ‘Men say some really stupid things. I find you charming.’
‘There must be something,’ Erin insisted. ‘I thought Marty and I were compatible. We’d been together since we were teenagers. Maybe things weren’t exciting, but I thought we were good together.’
Nina settled her hand over Erin’s knee. ‘Don’t change yourself. Ever. Not for a man.’
The soothing blues and greys were no longer doing their trick. The tension and impatience finally broke through. Erin stood up and wandered about the room. ‘I want to change for me. I want to grow. I need to grow.’
She trailed her finger along the edge of a shelf that held various blue glass figurines. ‘I’ve always let other people take care of me, not because I couldn’t do things on my own, but because I know I rouse everyone’s protective instincts. Look at me.’
She held out her arms. ‘I’m petite, I’m cute and I’m blonde.’
‘You’re beautiful. Stunning, if you want me to be frank.’
‘I’ve had one boyfriend in my entire life.’
‘Not for lack of others trying, I’m sure.’
Erin wasn’t. She folded her arms around her waist and ventured closer to the panoramic window behind Nina’s desk. DC was awash in the colours of autumn. The capital was the ‘City of Trees’. With a height limit on city buildings, she could see splashes of red, orange and yellows up and down every block. ‘There was one guy I really liked before Marty and I began going steady, but he didn’t return my feelings. Not to mention, my brother chased him away.’
She turned back toward the middle of the room. ‘I lived with my parents until I moved in with Marty. This is the first time in my life I’ve had my own place. Even then, I still have Sienna