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“Well, I may consider that Princess.” Grant turned towards Aubree staring into her big brown doe eyes. “I owe you for waiting with Chanel again. My apologies for my tardiness. Seems like I need to rearrange some things to make sure Chanel is picked up.” Grant sighed as his eyes roamed her curves. He couldn’t take his eyes off her. Aubree giggled nervously turning her head to avoid glazing in his eyes. It was like Grant was trying to look into her soul.
“Yes, this does seem to almost be a regular occurrence. Key word beingalmost, but hey, it happens to the best of us. If you are going to be late, you can call me.” Grant raised his eyebrows and tried to hide the smirk on his face as Aubree turned beet red.
“I was meaning you can call the studio, and I will wait with Chanel. If you let me know…I mean, not let me know… you can let Mrs. Dubois know. I am just trying to help so this doesn’t happen again.”
Aubree was so nervous, and she didn’t know why. Grant was the same guy that tap danced on her last nerve and still made her want to jump on him and ride him until the next day. Standing there gazing at him Aubree knew that soon she was going to have him. Grant had a tan olive tone skin that looked like he spent the whole summer on the beach. His muscular body was evidence of the time he must put in at the gym. Everything from his light hazel eyes, plush lips surrounded by goatee, and curly black hair called to her. His physical appearance was the total opposite of Gerald’s physical appearance. Aubree was typically attracted to men with darker complexions, but Grant was the exception.
“We can exchange numbers just in case no one is here to answer the phone when I call. Let me get your cell phone.” Aubree dug through her dance bag looking for her phone when she felt a cool breeze pass her.
“Grant, honey, what is taking you so long? I thought Chanel was finished with class.” A fair-skinned woman walked through the door looking like a silicon doll. Aubree could tell the woman had work done on her whole body from the lip fillers to the melons sitting on her chest.
“Dad, why is she here?” Hands on her hip, neck ready to roll, Chanel was ready to unleash a fire storm of words. “Is she the reason you were late picking me up? Really, Dad!”
“Chanel, mind your manners. You are being disrespectful to Ms. Celeste and your dance instructor. Grab your bag so we can go.” Snatching up her dance bag, Chanel flung the front door open and stormed out to the waiting vehicle. “Sorry about that. Chanel can be a little dramatic at times.”
Celeste snorted. “A little?” Grant’s eyes turned to fire as he turned and looked in Celeste’s direction.
“We need to go. Are you done here?” Celeste stood with her hand on her hip tapping her foot. Aubree just stood there with her eyes bucked watching the couple. She had no idea that Grant had a woman in his life. This changed everything.
“You better get going if you have some place to be,” Aubree interrupted the couple before an argument began. She could tell by Grant’s expression that Celeste’s words rubbed him raw.
“Let me at least walk you to your car to make sure you get off safely,” Grant offered.
“Sure, let me grab my bag and lock up the studio.”
“Alright, we will wait outside for you.”
Grant and his friend exited the building. Aubree went about locking all the doors and setting the alarm.
“Why didn’t you introduce me to your little friend. Are you ashamed of me?” Celeste demanded.
“Cut the bull shit, Celeste. That is Chanel’s dance instructor. We are not friends; she was just talking about Chanel until you entered making demands.”
“Grant, I am not going to apologize for keeping us on schedule. You have to take Chanel to your sister’s place, go to the hotel to get ready, and make our grand entrance.”
“Celeste, you are doing too much right now. Don’t get it twisted; you asked for another chance. Not me, remember that!” Grant walked closer to the door leaving Celeste at the sidewalk. Aubree walked out the front door and turned to lock the door. She turned facing Grant but would not look him in the eye. They walked to her car in silence wondering how she missed that Grant had a girlfriend. Was the woman a lover, girlfriend, or could she be a fiancé? Aubree was going through every scenario in her mind.
“Thank you for walking me to my car.”
“Aubree, thank you again for staying with Chanel,” Grant paused gazing at her. “Celeste… It is not...”
“Grant, you better go. Chanel and your girlfriend are waiting on you, and you have some place to be.”
Aubree gave Grant her back, promptly ending whatever he had to say. She started the car, backed out of the parking space, and left Grant there watching her taillights.
***
After dropping Chanel off at Allie’s condo, Grant and Celeste arrived at the hotel for the benefit dinner. Grant noticed the side eye Allie gave him when she saw Celeste sitting in the car waving at her.
Allie quickly guided Chanel in the condo and sent Grant on his way with a “We’ll talk tomorrow.” He knew that Allie would not let him just come in and get Chanel. No, he would have to give her the complete run down of why he was with Celeste tonight. He knew what Celeste wanted, but he was definitely not giving it to her. Celeste wanted a title, position in society, power, and money. But Grant wanted a wife and mother for Chanel and a partner for life, not a woman auditioning to be the next housewives cast member.
Grant reserved the penthouse suite at the legendary historic Maison de Paix Hotel in the center of downtown Dawson Falls. The DF Children’s Hospital was hosting a benefit dinner tonight for the new state of the art Meyers Neonatal Wing. The spacious luxury penthouse suite had an open floor design that provided a breathtaking view of downtown Dawson Falls that would be perfect for entertaining with its huge fireplace and sleek modern style furnishings. There was a large dining area with a huge 10-seater mahogany table that led to a gourmet kitchen with stainless steel appliances and personal chef. The suite had two bedrooms; a master bedroom suite, and a second bedroom for Celeste and Grant to prepare for the benefit without having to share the same space. Walking out of the master suite, adjusting the diamond cufflinks and jacket of the black Tom Ford Windsor fit wool and mohair blend tuxedo, Grant was ready for the night to be over. He stood in the main entry way looking himself over in the mirror when the door to the other bedroom opened. Celeste sauntered out holding her dress up on her body.
“Can you zip me up please?” Celeste spun around so Grant could zip up her dress. Grant noticed that the black halter evening gown was cut so low in the back that the zip ran from her butt to her lower back. He knew this was Celeste being Celeste. Why would he need to zip her dress when she had been working with a team of people since they arrived?
“This is a Nova Moon Original. She is very talented. I had her make this dress for me especially for tonight.”
Grant had to admit that Celeste looked beautiful with not a hair out of place. She was ready to be some man’s trophy wife and he wasn’t looking for a trophy. Trophies were exciting to have in the beginning but eventually lost the glitz and shine that made her attractive. After Grant zipped up her dress, she turned around facing Grant with a killer smile on her face.
