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“No, I’ve thought about that. I think the Kleins will sit in the middle. I’ll sit by Johanna, and Mr. Gherring will sit by Alexander. That way the tabloids won’t think we’re together.”
“I don’t know, Mom. After what he did—trying to spoil your chances with Henri, trying to control your life—maybe you shouldn’t let him off so easy.”
“What do you mean?”
“Maybe you should hang all over him and act like his date. If that complicates his life, that’s his problem.”
“There’s no way I could ever do that. Anyway, a stunt like that could cost me my job.”
Charlie screwed up her face. “Yep, there is that little job problem. Okay. But maybe you should meet Henri for coffee after the play. You haven’t called him yet, have you?”
“You know what, Charlie? You’re a genius. I’ll call him right now. If he agrees, he can meet me at the theater and bring me home. Johanna won’t mind—she thinks the whole thing is romantic.”
Charlie clapped her hands. “This is better than Downton Abbey!”
Henri sounded ecstatic when Anne called him. He quickly agreed to the late-night coffee date, unfazed by the fact he’d be picking her up from an outing that included Gherring. Feeling freshly confident after Henri’s charms were lathered upon her, Anne went downstairs to wait for the limousine, which would pick up the Kleins before stopping at their apartment building.
Gherring, who was already waiting downstairs, looked her way when she entered the lobby. At Gherring’s perusal, she was suddenly conscious of the side slit in the dress that revealed a bit more thigh than she was quite comfortable with. She quickly donned her leather dress coat before continuing into the room.
She heard a whistle from her left. “Oh baby—you look hot, Anne!” called Antonio. She laughed and walked over to share a hug with Antonio.
“How’re things with Rayna?” she asked quietly. “Are y’all still dating?”
He grinned broadly. “It’s great. She’s great. And I’m forever indebted to you. So, if you ever need a favor, just let me know.” He whispered, “What’s wrong with Mr. Gherring?”
She glanced over her shoulder at the furrowed brow of Steven Gherring. “Don’t pay any attention to him—he just has a bee in his bonnet over having to go to this musical tonight with some clients from Germany. And he’s trying to control my life.”
Then she giggled and whispered in his ear, “Let’s see if he dislikes Italian men as much as French men.” She gave Antonio another big hug.
“Yikes,” Antonio whispered. “Here he comes, and I think he might kill me.”
“Anne!” Gherring called as he walked toward the couple. “We should wait at the door. The limo will be here any time.”
She turned around, with her arm still around Antonio’s waist. “Yes, Mr. Gherring. I’ll be right there.” She turned her back to Gherring and gave Antonio another hug and a big wink, although the young doorman looked rather terrified facing Gherring’s glare.
“I’m ready, now,” she said to Gherring as she turned and marched past him and out the front door.
Just then, the limousine arrived and she hopped in, hoping to sit next to Johanna. Unfortunately, the couple was seated together on the short side next to the bar, so she sat opposite Johanna. Gherring joined them but left a large space between, placing his coat in the space on the seat.
Johanna chatted excitedly about the play, while Gherring and Alexander began to talk business. After a short ride, the limo pulled in at the curb in front of the theatre. Although limousines were quite common in New York, the crowd still watched to see who might emerge. Anne jumped out ahead of Alexander, to avoid being seen with Gherring. As she made her way into the theatre, she heard people in the crowd exclaiming as they recognized Gherring.
When the usher led them to their seats, she found her seating strategy was impossible to execute. “I’m sorry,” said Johanna, “but we have two pairs of tickets, one directly behind the other. So I have a plan. Anne and I will sit in the front seats for the first half, and then Alexander and Anne can trade after intermission.”
As usual, Johanna had her way, so Anne found herself sitting in front of Gherring, relieved she could ignore him for at least half of the play. She noticed people were looking in her direction, but quickly realized the attention was aimed at the man behind her. She was nervous and uncomfortable, but Johanna was talkative enough for the whole group. Then the lights dimmed and the musical began. She soon forgot everyone around her and all her worries as the story progressed. She was completely enthralled—caught up in the music and plot and emotions.
When the lights came up for intermission, Anne realized she was sitting forward in her seat, entranced.
“Hello?” Johanna tapped on Anne’s arm. She turned to Johanna, who was laughing with the men seated behind her, and heard her saying, “She’s in another world—”
“Oh I’m sorry. Did I miss something?”
“No Anne, you didn’t miss anything. I think you were actually in Oz. I’m so glad you are enjoying the play.”
“It’s… It’s amazing. It’s so wonderful! I never imagined how great it could be. I’ve never seen anything like it. And the actors are so good and their voices are amazing, and the sets, and the costumes…”
Johanna’s voice tinkled with laughter. “It’s more fun watching you than watching the play. I’ve seen it before, but it’s wonderful every time.” She patted Anne’s arm. “Would you like to visit the ladies’ room before we change seats?”
Anne nodded in agreement, abruptly feeling extremely tense about sitting next to Gherring. As they walked into the lobby, Anne told Johanna that Henri would be picking her up after the play. Johanna was delighted and promised to drop by Gherring Inc. the next day to hear about the first romantic date with her mysterious Frenchman.
