“I can lend you something.”
Christy smiled at Michael, taking in those deep-set eyes. They were lovely. “I guess I’d better go. My flight’s at one. Thanks for a wonderful night. You’ve restored my faith.” Truth be told, Christy didn’t want to leave. But her midwestern values kept her from saying yes to a man too easily, at least not twice in one week.
Michael shifted his weight and looked away, clearly uncomfortable. This is it, Christy thought. He’s gonna ask me not to leave, to fly back with him on his jet. He’s gonna say he’s crazy about me.
“Christy, I’m happy we met. And I’m glad you want to keep this to a friendship, too. I’ve sworn off serious relationships. That’s over for me. Been there, done that.”
“Right,” Christy said with a forced smile. “Of course.”
“Maybe we can go to some track meets together,” he said.
“Maybe,” she said.
His chauffeur drove them back to her lodge. Michael walked her to the door. After kissing her on the cheek, he said good-bye. Watching him leave, Christy realized that she had fallen head over heels for a man who trusted her to ask nothing more from him than his friendship. Well, at least she hadn’t made a fool of herself again.
Love Has No Pride
For God’s sake, Christy, I’ve gotten calls from a dozen shareholders. I’ve had to defend you to all of them. But, frankly, I have the same question. Red wine? What were you thinking?”
Normally undone by criticism from Katherine, Christy just threw herself back into the work she loved while she waited for the phone to ring. The quarter was ending and there was plenty to do getting ready for the analyst’s call and trying to close a few deals before the end of the period. She was spending a lot of time with Katherine on the numbers, which were looking good. For their young public company, every quarter mattered doubly now as they proved themselves in this new league.
A week went by. Two. Three. Four. Christy felt like she’d slammed against a brick wall. If Michael had felt even a tenth of the connection she had, he wouldn’t be able to keep his vow of a friendship. So why hadn’t he called?
On a Friday, Katherine took Christy out for a peace lunch. She couldn’t stay mad at her friend for long, especially watching her slide into this state over Michael Drummond, a man who obviously didn’t care for her. They headed for the Trattoria Dell’Arte, their favorite local bistro. They were deep in conversation about a key employee who had recently threatened to quit.
Suddenly, Christy felt Katherine tense up. She looked over to see Michael Drummond holding the door to the bistro for a lanky twenty-something brunette. Katherine gently took Christy’s arm and led her away. They passed the restaurant staring straight ahead. Katherine kept saying, “Breathe.”
Katherine stole a look back. Michael was staring at Christy’s back as though willing her to turn around. His date leaned in to touch his face, but he didn’t respond. He was watching Christy. He caught Katherine’s eye for a split second, and then turned back to his date.
Christy and Katherine walked to Three Guys Coffee Shop a block away.
“Chris, you have to get a grip.”
“There has to be a way to bring him ’round,” she insisted.
“In my experience, even men who say they want to commit usually don’t. I have never been warned off and had it not be real. The guy’s been through one of those nasty society divorces. Trust me, Michael Drummond will spend the rest of his life with beautiful, young bimbos whom he’ll dump the minute they ask for the order.”
“But you have to understand, he wasn’t like that in Davos.”
“Christy, anyone can seem real for one perfect night in a quaint Swiss village.”
“But…” Christy wondered for a minute if Katherine knew about Fran.
“Christy, bury it. You’re the CEO, for God’s sake. Move on. You’re supposed to be our inspiration. The way you’ve been mooning around the office lately, you’re not inspiring anyone.”
Feeling guilty, Christy spent the afternoon visiting everyone’s desk at Baby G, asking questions, being cheerful. She worked late on the end-of-the-quarter presentation and tried to decide how she could best position their successes.
That night, Maria was waiting for her with a bowl of hot soup and all the time in the world. Christy poured her heart out, telling her everything about Fran, Michael, the weeks of waiting, the Trattoria Dell’Arte. Maria held Christy for a long time, saying nothing. Finally Christy spoke again. “I know I need to listen to Katherine. She’s always stood by me. Remember when she put her own savings into the company, when my endorsement money ran out and we couldn’t make payroll? Katherine says he’ll never call. I should listen to her, right? She’s a pro when it comes to men.”
Maria looked at her a long time, and then she spoke. “Honey, I know you love that woman, but there are times you can’t pay attention to anyone else. I loved someone once, Renata’s grandfather, and I let him get away by listening to other people telling me to be reasonable. I’ve never forgiven myself.”
“You talk about him like it just happened. Wasn’t that a long time ago?”
“It was, and it still haunts me. That’s what I’m saying to you. Katherine may be a pro, but not at the real thing. If I hadn’t listened to other people, maybe I could have gotten Juan to stay, to help me raise our daughter. If he’d been there, things might have been different; maybe she’d be alive today.”
“It must be tough to live with regrets like that,” Christy said.
“It is. I should have followed my heart back then. At least I have my granddaughter. She’s all that’s left of the two people I loved most in the world.”
After two more weeks and still no word, Christy decided on a course of action that
