“I do.”
Joel nodded and stared at him contemplatively. To say he had been shocked at being summoned to James Gilroy’s residence would be putting it mildly. Even though Joel mixed with the elite because of his parents’ money, he was not in the same league as the man sitting across from him. “It has to do with Elena.”
James nodded.
“That’s why you told me to keep the meeting a secret. I have to tell you right now that I don’t care who you are but if this is going to hurt her….”
“It’s nothing like that.”
“Then please enlighten me Mr. Gilroy. From what I understand, ten years ago your son almost destroyed Elena’s life and she is still reeling from it.”
“I want to make it right.”
“Oh?” Joel leaned forward.
“Yes,” James moved forward and clasp his hands in front of him. “My wife and I were the reason for the breakup.”
“You thought Elena was not good enough for your precious son.” Joel said contemptuously.
“His loss by the way.”
“And that is something I intend to rectify.”
“By doing what?”
“By bringing them together.”
Joel’s eyebrows lifted. “Really? How on earth do you plan on doing that?”
“By throwing a party.”
“Let me tell you right now that is not going to work. Elena will not come.”
“It’s not going to be here. My wife is in charge of a charity that has to do with the arts, and I happen to know that Elena is interested in the arts.”
“She is.” He nodded. She likes museums and things like that.”
“I am extending you an invitation and ask that you have her accompany you.”
Joel stared at him for a moment uncertainly. “She just started seeing someone.”
“The doctor?”
Joel laughed briefly. “You checked on her.”
“I just wanted to see if she was married or anything like that.”
“The guy really likes her.”
“Has she moved on from my son?”
“No and I have been doing my best to make that happen. He does not deserve her.”
“He was only trying to protect her.”
“By tearing her heart out.”
“He is still in love with her.”
“Oh? Does he know you found her?”
“No and after what I did – what his mother did, he is not going to want to hear anything from us.”
“So you are engineering this elaborate plan to bring them together. What if it backfires?”
“I don’t see why it should. Look, all I want is to make up for the harm I caused.”
Joel shrugged. “Okay fine. What about your son?”
“His mother will work on him.”
*****
“No.” Elena aid firmly.
“Why not?”
“I am behind in my deadline and you know that I like to stick to my schedule. I have been out with Ben the last couple of nights and getting up late.”
“I think you are spending too much time with the good doctor.” Joel said casually as he plucked off a dead leaf from the orchid she had been babying for months.
“What?” Elena stared at him in shock. He had called and asked if she was home and told her that he was on his way over. “Correct me if I am wrong but weren’t you the one who pushed me in his direction?”
“I just have a feeling that you are not interested in the poor guy. Has he jumped your bones yet?”
“No, not that it’s any of your business.” She told him as she walked into the kitchen to rescue her stew. He followed behind her and perched on one of the stools.
“It’s a charity event that includes artist, amateur up and coming artists showing their works and getting a chance to be discovered by some wealthy benefactor to go on to the next stage. A lot of starving artists will be there, and I might just be persuaded to purchase a painting to hang….” He looked around the dreary cream wall and grimaced. “To improve on the scenery.”
“I am fine with the walls.”
“Darling you are killing me. Look, I am in between dates right now and I don’t want to go there all by myself.”
She poured the wine and handed him the glass. “I am sure you have no shortage of dates. Get out your little black book!”
“Darling this is not the dark ages. There is no longer any need for a little black book when there are modern devices. But the point is, I want to go with you. I want you on my arm wearing ….” He took a sip of his wine. “We need to look at your closet.”
“You are not buying me another dress.” She said firmly.
“Who said anything about a dress? A claret colored pants suit with a vest and a scarf or something short and sexy with knee length boots.” His eyes lit up as he examined the possibilities. “Please say yes darling.”
“When is it?”
“Saturday.”
“Today is Wednesday.”
“So many days to prepare. I have a feeling that it is going to be a night you will never forget.”
*****
“No!”
“Darling I really need you there.”
“I did my due diligence and attended your party Mother. I am not in the mood to go to a charity event. Besides, I am going to be busy.”
“Darling, I really need you there.” She repeated.
“Is this another ploy to get me to have a conversation with Father?” Chad asked suspiciously as he opened his fridge and examined the contents.
“No, this is just a mother asking her son for a tiny favor.”
“Your favors always have motives Mother.”
“Not this time darling. I am really trying to right things between us. I am asking you to meet me a quarter of the way.”
“Okay, “he said with a sigh as he took out some leftovers from two days ago. He needed to go shopping. “But I am bringing someone.”