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“What is it? I’m not filling out anything else,” I said between clenched teeth, narrowing my gaze at him. The last thing I wanted to do was talk to anyone right now. But then I came to my senses and realized he was only doing his job. “Sorry. How may I help you?”
He gave me a nod. “Mr. Crane would like to speak with you. He can drop you at home afterward.”
A nervous pounding of my heart grew in my chest. I wasn’t sure if I should. After all, I didn’t know him personally, and he was a powerful man; anything could happen. But I was too curious not to go.
My day really couldn’t get worse, could it?
So this is how the other half lives.
The plush, black leather seats were comfortable, but I was fidgety when I climbed into the back seat and sat down next to Paul Crane. The divider between us and the driver and bodyguard up front rose, instantly muting the sound of the other cars and city noise. I could only hear my uneven breath and his—which was steady.
I took a deep breath in an attempt to ease my racing pulse, and my nostrils filled with his sandalwood spice scent. The aroma could’ve been his cologne, but whatever it was, it added to his handsome exterior and irresistible magnetism that permeated the enclosed space. He had that “it” factor that threw me off my game. Never in my life had I worked so hard to control my senses. I didn’t want him to know how attracted to him I was. A woman like me would probably never hit his radar. Yet he asked me to come with him and quietly studied me as the car moved with traffic down the street.Why?
“I want to know what happened at New Solutions Family Planning,” he finally spoke. I immediately twisted in my seat. Had he talked to Dr. Casey after I left? Did my storm out cause a scene? I didn’t want to answer. Therefore, I said, “I’m sorry, Mr. Crane, but I signed confidentiality agreements stating not to discuss what happened or my reason for being there.”
“I’m on the board of New Solutions Family Planning, and you signedourconfidentiality agreements. I’m familiar with your submission if that helps you. Now, I want to hear in your own words what happened with Dr. Casey.”
So Paul Crane wasn’t a client.
My brows furrowed. “Is this a test or something? Because I’ve already been turned down, and I can’t afford to fail again. Sorry.” I chewed my bottom lip.
“I’m not testing you, and you won’t get in trouble. Now answer.” His tone was authoritative, and like a switch, all that upset me came flooding out.
“Dr. Casey was filled to the brim with hubris. After speaking with me for a few minutes, she decided that I was too dreamy, unpredictable, and inexperienced to be a surrogate. Forgive me for not moaning over my birth parents. Mom and Dadaremyfamily. Once committed, I would never turn my back on a couple who were counting on me. I’m not a sexual person, so I’m not motivated, nor would I feel restricted if I had to be monogamous or even go without sex if I got pregnant.” My voice was loud and my tone snippy, and I’d forgotten to whom I was speaking.Shit.
My face burned, and I was sure my head would explode. I squeezed my eyes shut and rubbed my temples. “Please excuse my frankness. It’s been a long day.” That was when my stomach decided to growl loudly.I shrank into the seat, hoping to disappear.
Then I heard a rumble next to me, and it was his laugh.
“In Dr. Casey’s defense, she’s exceptionally intuitive. But I understand your frustration. I have a lunch meeting. Would you mind joining me?”
My mouth fell open. “You want to have lunch with me? Why?”
“Because you’re hungry,” he said. “And now you know that I’m on the board, which means I have a say in the final decisions.”
Another wave of nerves twisted my stomach muscles.He’ll judge me.
“But please, relax,” Paul added.
How could I?
“Tell me, what do you love about New York City?”
“Honestly, I love everything. I love the beautiful architecture, the museums, the variety of specialty shops, the fast pace, people from all over the world, and the music. There is so much to see and do. It’s creatively stimulating and exhilarating,” I rambled on, then glanced his way. He was staring at me with a soft smile on his lips.
I grinned. “You must hear that all the time. You grew up here?” I asked though the Crane family and their life in NYC were public knowledge.
“Yes, I did, but I enjoy hearing your thoughts as a new person in the city. Where have you been so far?”
I chewed my lip.Should I tell Paul the truth?I’d only been on a trip to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Otherwise, I walked around the city and window-shopped after class. When I went to a private sale, I only observed what others could afford to buy to get ideas for clothing trends. The most exciting thing I’d done was go to discount clothing stores for bargain bins, something I learned during the first week of school. But Paul was waiting for my answer.
“My favorite place was the Metropolitan Museum of Art. I enjoyed the sculptures and paintings, but what I loved was the Costume Institute.”
“I’ve been there. Was there a particular one you felt drawn to?”
“Honestly, all of them. There wasn’t a piece I didn’t love. The precise embroidery on Dior’s May dress and all of the Callot….”
“Callot Soeurs,” he said in perfect French.
