Chapter 61

Renee’s POV

The next morning Eric and I dance around one another in the kitchen trying to get our breakfast together while Debbie sits at the glass dining table chomping into her toast looking amused.

I reach over Eric’s head while he ducks down to get something out of the dishwasher, then I lean out of his way while he grabs a mug out of the cabinet.

I must say for not having rehearsed at all we’re in great synch.

“Who’s taking me to school today?” Debbie asks looking between the both of us. Eric and I freeze in our motion and look at one another waiting for the other to answer first.

“Not it,” I call out. “Nothing personal, Debbie,” I quickly add. She rolls her eyes and stabs her fork into her eggs.

Eric shakes his head and laughs. “Fine,” he agrees. “I’ll take Debbie to school, only because you won’t that fair and square,” he teases.

I watch Eric get back to buttering his toast and study his tailored suit and snake leather shoes. No one would ever guess that he just gave away millions and millions of dollars.

To be fair if he sells half his clothing he could make back a good chunk of what he gave away.

“I need everyone home for dinner tonight though,” Eric looks pointedly at me. “I have an announcement to make,” part of me wants to argue, but a bigger part of me is far too one goes by his announcement.

Debbie kicks her legs underneath her chair. “What is it?” She has leaning forward.

Eric tosses his butter knife into the sink. “You’ll have to wait,” he says with a shrug.

“Ugh. I hate waiting,” Debbie whines. Eric bites into his toast, the bread crunches and some crumbs fall around his mouth.

“Patience is part of hunting,” he tells her.

“So, those lessons are still happening?” I ask while brushing away the crumbs on Eric’s chin. I freeze at the realization at what I’m doing. I quickly pull my hand away as Eric’s eyes linger on mine.

“Yes!” Debbie answers from the dining room, oblivious at home something so mundane can be so intimate.

I brush past Eric and go to kiss the top of Debbie’s head. “Be good today,” I tell her and slip on my black boots. I turn my eyes back to Eric and the way he’s looking at me causes my body to heat up.

“I’ll see you for dinner,” I say trying to sound normal.

The rest of the work day crawls by. Usually my packed filled days race past me with never enough time in the day, hence why I’m always home late. Today, even as I try to keep my meetings short and to the point, I find them dragging on.

Maybe Eric’s announcement is that we are getting a divorce. That’s the only thing I could think it would be. Eric isn’t usually one for surprises.

I’m in my last meeting and I’m waiting for this client to return to her office with her idea book of ideas.

Her office is spacious with black leather furniture, tan carpet, and white walls with one entire wall covered with floor to ceiling windows that overlook the city skyscrapers.

This client sells clothes to pop-up shops around the city, if she likes my designs and I sell to her, my clothing would saturate the market.

Yet, the thought of Eric’s announcement consumes my mind.

I try to stop my shaking leg when I hear the knob turning.

She comes in with a thick binder and I restrain myself from groaning. This is going to take forever. Without taking her eyes of the binder, she plants her self on her desk and flips through the plastic pages. Her bony fingers skip through the pages as she uses a red-polished nail to point out specific photos.

“Our clients like ideas like this,” she says tucking a piece of her shiny jet-black hair behind her ear.

“Gorgeous,” I say, though I barely glance at the photo.

She takes her time finding another picture. “Some like a look that’s more cozy or subtle like this,” she says.

“Mhm,” I sound trying to convince her, or myself, that I’m truly contemplating the design.

“Maybe we should talk more over dinner,” she says snapping the book shut. She looks at me with a smile that shows off her high cheekbones.

“Normally, I’d love to but I can’t tonight have other obligations,” I say trying to sound regretful.

“Oh,” she wrinkles her nose.

“Personal obligations,” I specify not wanting her to think I have more important business with another client. She purses her red lips and eyes me like she’s trying to see through me, I squirm in my seat.

“If you don’t have the time to balance both work and personal life, I’m not sure I’ll be a good client for you as we have expectations for high turn arounds on our clothing demands,”

I take a breath before answering. “This is a one time thing that I am unable to extend working hours,” I say.

“Well, I’ll be in touch,” she says coldly. She smooths her black sweater and goes to sit at her desk turning her attention to her computer, letting me show myself out.

I curse Eric under my breath.

Finally I make it home just slightly after 6’clock.

The house smells like steak and my mouth salivates. I haven’t been home during the sunset hours in a long time I almost forgot the golden glow the house gets at this time.

I step into the kitchen where the smell becomes all consuming. Debbie is standing on a stool and helping Eric pour some glaze over roasted potatoes.

“I didn’t know you cooked,” I say to Eric.

“When there’s no one home to cook, you gotta learn,” he says it so coolly it hurts. I guess I assumed Eric just hired a personal chef after he thought I died. Then I’ve been working so late, I never thought much about dinner.

“What can I do?” I ask somewhat deservedly suddenly feeling out of place in the kitchen.

“You can set the table, it’s almost ready,” Eric tells me and I do as he says.

We’re finally all seated and the dinner before us looks like it belongs in a magazine. Eric tips the wine bottle towards my glass and I hold it up for him, red liquid slips into the glass and I realize despite eating out almost everyday at restaurants in the city with clients, this is the fanciest meal I’ve had in a long time.

“So, what’s the announcement?” I ask trying to sound nonchalant about it.

“Tell us!” Debbie demands not shying away from her eagerness. Eric smiles.

“Guess,” he says. I shrug.

“I have no idea,” I tell him because I don’t want to admit I think he’s about to say we need a divorce. Maybe he cooked this grand meal as a way to show me what I’ll be missing.

“Were moving?” Debbie says sounding sad. That’s actually a good guess.

“No,” Eric tells her and Debbie whines imaginary sweat from her forehead.

“You know how I missed your talent show?” Eric asks, cutting into his steak.

Debbie nods. Eric keeps his eyes on her and I begin to think this announcement has more to do with her than anything.

“Well,” Eric begins. “It was for good reason,” he says and takes a bite of his steak, savoring the flavor. I do the same, and though the burst of flavor and juices that explode in my mouth I can hardly enjoy it as I anxiously wait for Eric to continue.

“I met with a business partner,” he says and my eyebrows shoot up.

“Partner?” I echo. Eric nods.

“Blue Moon Group is rebranding,” he looks at me and raises his glass. “Just like you did,” he says and my head spins. “We’re becoming an exclusive children’s clothing line, inspired by Debbie,” Eric says and Debbie squeals.”you mean, I get to be your model?” Debbie says and bursts into exaggerated model poses with her one hand up on the back of her head and the other on her hip.

“More like our prodigy,” Eric corrects.

“The what?” Debbie asks.

“Wait a minute,” I interject. “So, what does this mean?”

Eric puts down his cutlery. “Like I said, Blue Moon Group is going to exclusively make children’s clothes based off of Debbie’s spunk and sass. But, there’s more,” Eric says and smiles at me. “You get all my old clients,”

I drop my fork to the floor.