Our Wicked Lies by Gledé Kabongo (story read aloud TXT) 📗

“Well damn, Eliot. You sure set me straight. I wasn’t trying to put down Alicia by implying you had ulterior motives for taking her on the trip.”

“Yes, you were. But I forgive you.” He stood up. “I have to go. I just came by to say that I care. Congratulations again on the Tigress Magazine feature. I’m looking forward to the party. Alicia is going all out.”

“She’s too good to me. I don’t deserve her friendship.”

Eliot said nothing on his way out.

CHAPTER 14

Alicia arrived at the country club a half-hour before the party’s official kickoff at six. She trusted the staff who had impeccable taste and service, but she wanted to give the place a once-over and iron out any last-minute issues before the guests started to arrive. With all but five having RSVPed yes, a total of forty guests would be attending.

With stunning views of the eighteenth green and the Boston skyline, the Wyndham room was perfect for a late-April celebration as spring marched on.

A table loaded with extra copies of Tigress Magazine sat near the entrance. Kat, in a Stella McCartney pant suit and flawless makeup, dazzled on the cover. She was the epitome of the successful, in-control boss lady the headline alluded to.

“Make sure you get photos of Arnie Tillerson and anyone else from Tillerson Brenner together with Kat, once she arrives,” Alicia said to the photographer. “It should be on the shot list we discussed.”

She imagined the flashes from his camera creating the Hollywood red-carpet feel as uniformed servers floated throughout the room, enticing guests with a variety of scrumptious appetizers. “It’s really important,” she added.

After the photographer assured her that he had everything under control, Alicia glanced at the wall clock. It was already after six, and people were starting to arrive. As she moved toward the open bar, Lily and her boyfriend, Jeff Barnes, intercepted her.

“Hi, Mrs. Gray. Thanks for letting us crash your party,” Jeff said. “I told Lily I think it’s cool that she’s surrounded by powerful women, like you and Mrs. DeLuca. She has some great role models to look up to, although she’s already a strong woman in my opinion.” He flashed a megawatt smile, revealing teeth white enough to qualify him for a toothpaste commercial.

“Isn’t he the best?” Lily gushed. She wrapped her arm around his waist, as if laying claim to her enlightened man before someone snatched him away. “He’s not at all intimidated by girl power.”

“It is my pleasure,” Alicia said. “We have crudités, nuts, and meatless appetizers, so help yourself.” Jeff was vegan, and she’d made sure to add items to the menu so he and any other non-meat eaters wouldn’t starve.

“Thank you. Um, is Mr. Gray around?” Jeff’s eyes darted around the room.

“He’ll be here soon.” Alicia chuckled under her breath. Jeff was afraid of Eliot, who took every opportunity to promise he would turn Jeff into mincemeat if he messed with Lily. Eliot thought Jeff was a nice kid, but Eliot didn’t want him taking liberties with his daughter.

“Maxim and Richard are here,” Lily said. “But no Kat.”

“She likes to make an entrance,” Alicia said. “I bet she’ll be here any minute now. In the meantime, I’ll say hello to Maxim and Richard.”

Kat made her entrance at six forty-five, on the dot, wearing a body-flattering, pink halter dress, paired with strappy sandals with crystal embellishment. Her hair and makeup were flawless. The room erupted in applause as she sashayed in and immediately began preening for the camera. She laughed and gestured appropriately, as she worked the room like a pro.

A half-hour later, she moved toward Alicia with a beaming smile on her face. She really does look stunning, Alicia thought, but as Kat got closer, dismay clenched around Alicia’s chest like an iron fist.

She’s wearing my bracelet! What the…?

The fiery brilliance of the eighteen-karat gold and diamond Cartier piece almost blinded Alicia. It was identical to the bracelet Eliot had gifted her on their fifteenth wedding anniversary, five years ago, the one she’d worn to dinner at the Eifel Tower. An exact replica now adorned her friend’s wrist.

Alicia had worn the bracelet to a charity gala at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, and Kat had gushed over its beauty. It was extraordinary, but what made it priceless to Alicia was the special inscription.

Alicia and Eliot had been at a hotel in the Berkshires celebrating their anniversary and had spent the entire day in bed. Her jaw dropped when Eliot, with a grin as wide as the Great Plains, opened the dark red box and presented her with the diamond-studded piece, as a tribute to their passion and romance. Before he placed it on her wrist, he’d read her the inscription.

To Alisia. My heart. My love. My forever.

As she’d gazed at the spelling that demonstrated the proper pronunciation of her name, Alicia recalled her mother, Margaux, telling the story behind how it came to be. One day, while pregnant with Alicia, Margaux stood in line at a bakery when the man ahead of her greeted the server who wore a nametag, with the name, Alicia. The man was British and called the server “Alisia”. Her mother had been so taken with the elegant pronunciation, she’d decided Alicia would be the perfect name for her daughter, but with the British pronunciation.

However, the plan backfired. As a kid, no matter how many times she corrected teachers, classmates, and strangers alike, they all stuck with the American pronunciation. After a while, she just gave up trying to correct them.

Eliot had fallen in with the crowd, calling her “Al-ee-sha”, but that day she’d realized that he hadn’t forgotten her mother’s story. As the bracelet glittered on her wrist, Alicia had been overcome with Eliot’s thoughtfulness. That bracelet was so special to her, not because it was Cartier, but because of what it symbolized—a man who cherished her.

Kat had said that it was the most romantic