21

Their avoidance of each other had turned into a dance of sorts. Whenever in the same vicinity, they rarely looked at each other. Though Gwen often stole glimpses of Arthur when she thought he was unaware. Sullenness seemed to engulf him, a dark stormy mood that followed him wherever he went. Others chalked it up as Arthur being Arthur and the recent buoyant behavior he had displayed when he was with Gwen, became a figment of their imagination. Had she done that to him? Gwen didn't want to believe she had such an effect on anyone, let alone Arthur. When their eyes did meet across a board room table, his gaze lingered too long, as if to memorize her face he might never see again.

"What have I done," Gwen asked Merlyn as they walked down a street in her neighborhood one weekend. Oddly enough, since her relationship with Arthur had ended, Merlyn and become closer. He admitted he wanted them back together, because a happy Arthur was a safer one. However, he understood, their friendship could stand on its own with his mercurial boss.

"He asked me how you're doing," Merlyn said softly, while sipping fruit smoothie gotten at one of Gwen favorite stores. She'd gotten one herself but had no real appetite for it.

"We're just not right for each other," she lamented.

Merlyn rolled his eyes, drained the last of his smoothie and toss the cup in the trash at least ten feet away. For the first time, Gwen saw a hint of anger in the young man's face.

"This game you play with each other, this damn back and forth. Each time played out again and again like some bad cosmic joke. The rest of us have to watch. Will they get it right this time or will we have to hope it finally ends."

Gwen's brows furrowed in confusion at Merlyn's sudden anger and exasperation. He acted as if she and Arthur were some prepubescent teenage having a spat over and over again.

"I'm sorry that you feel that way," Gwen said defensively. "I'm sorry Arthur and I can't behave like you want. This time the hero doesn't get the girl." With that, Gwen tossed her drink in the trashed and walked away. She only got a few feet before Merlyn caught up with her. His wide apologetic grin tempered her anger as he pulled her into a hug.

"Ignore me. Arthur is being a prat. I'm learning to have a thick skin."

"Sorry," Gwen said. "I'll talk him. I'll make him understand this is best. He shouldn't take it out on you."

Merlyn shook his head as if this was the stupidest idea she ever had. "For the rest of the day, let's not talk about Arthur or what you did or didn't do. Okay?"

Gwen agreed, but knew that Arthur was never far away from both of them. They would always be tied to Arthur in some fashion. Now they had warm summer day, a walk along the East River and good company. The weekend would end soon enough, bring with it, its own new set of dilemmas. With friends like Merlyn, she knew she could face them.

Gwen sat in Chevalier's downtown studio amazed at what the designer had done in a few weeks. Designs for a Garneau's Fall Collections had been done and samples manufactured. His energy had taken everyone by storm. Garneau's stogy style never had a chanced with Chevalier's critical eye and talent. Despite his youth, he had a commanding presence. It was an attractive quality Gwen found distracting.

"This is very New York, very urban." Chevalier explained as he flipped threw a collection of sketches.

"It's all beautiful to me," Gwen said, smiling up at him. He'd invited her to the studio, for last minute preparation for the Fashion Gala. When he flipped to the last page of a beautiful flowing gown of pale lilac, it almost took her breath away. "This is gorgeous."

Pleased with himself, his dark eyes alight with admiration. Since he's arrival to New York, Gwen tried to make his stay in New York a pleasant one. He's life had changed abruptly since Kiera found him in Paris. It seemed like a new beginning for them both with Garneau.

"It's for you," he said.

Gwen was taken aback.

"What!" She stared at him and then the drawing. The style appeared different than the rest of the collection. Though it had Chevalier's signature fresh style, it was totally Gwen. She didn't know what to say.

"A gift, for helping me so much. Without you, the collection wouldn't be finish. More importantly your help with Garneau and making the transition beneficial to both of us." Chevalier said softly.

Rendered speechless by the gesture, Gwen picked up the sketch and marveled at the brilliance that was Chevalier."

"This is impossible," Gwen said, finally turning to him. His smile was infectious and she knew he wouldn't take no for an answer.

"Marie with take your measurements and the dress will be done by the Gala. I know you are going because Keira has insisted on it and she's right. No one else had guarantees Garneau success more than you," Chevalier said and took her by her hand.

The gesture seemed intimate and personal and it gave Gwen a sense of unease. She knew the designer liked her and she admitted a fondness for him. In many ways he was the opposite of Arthur, playful, opened and humble.

"How can I thank you," Gwen asked, knowing Kiera had insisted she attend the Gala. At first Gwen refused, but Kiera wouldn't accept that. The Gala was more than Garneau's coming out party, it would be hers as well. Finally, away from the shadow of Alistair and Arthur, everyone would she was more than capable of running a company.

Gwen understood Keira's determination to prove herself. She saw the ambition in her eyes when they sat at board meetings and her voice often marginalize by Alistair or Arthur. Gwen wanted to help her prove it as well.

"Please let me escort you to the Gala that will be thanks enough." Chevalier said.

Gwen had to remember to breath. Not only would she wear a designer gown to the most sort after event in the city, she would accompanied by its designer. All she could do was nod and be taken away for a fitting by one of Chevalier's assistant.

Gwen floated on a cloud of air when she returned to Penn for a late afternoon finance meeting for Garneau, Arthur's presence made her pause. She hadn't expected him there. At the head of the board room table, he barely looked up as he took reports from various departments reporting on the status of Garneau and the upcoming Gala. When it was Gwen turn to report, her throat suddenly went dry. Without acknowledging her distress, Arthur poured a glass of water from a carafe placed by him, got up from his seat and placed the glass in front of Gwen. An awkward moment lingered when she didn't know what to make of the gesture that drew attention from everyone in the meeting. To put the moment to an end, Gwen took the glass, sipped and then began her report. It took but a few minutes to give the update. Enough time for Arthur to regain his seat and ask questions. She answered, keeping the replies short and to the point. At the meeting's end, he thanked everyone. With the Gala just days away, he wished those attending to have a good time and be proud of the accomplishment they'd made with Garneau.

As people left the small conference room, Gwen lingered. Arthur remained seated as he perused various reports given to him, one of which was hers. He seemed to make a point of ignoring her presence. Yet, she'd promised Merlyn she'd speak to him. It had been weeks since he'd left the flowers and the note asking her to love him. She hadn't understood at first what he'd meant. Was he asking for forgiveness or understanding or both? When Gwen didn't know how to start the conversation, she gave up and headed for the door. When she felt more certain about how she felt, maybe she could talk to him – maybe.

"Kiera tells me that you will be going to the Gala with Chevalier?"

His words froze her. She hadn't thought about Chevalier or the dress or the date to the Gala. She knew Arthur had to attend and the night would be awkward. Gwen didn't know how to bring the topic up of her attendance and accompanying Chevalier. Leave it to Kiera to expedite things.

"Yes, it's he's way of saying thank you for all the work I did with Garneau and the Gala," Gwen said as she turned to face him. His focus still on the reports, he barely acknowledged her present. When he finally looked up, blue dark eyes bore into her.

"Maybe he knew flowers wouldn't work." He cocked his head to the side. "Heartfelt notes are waste of time."

"Arthur please," Gwen begged and she came by his side. She could not take his anger. "I want us to be okay."

When he stood to face, Gwen imagine this had been the face judges and opposing attorneys saw. Arthur's cold and clear eyed gaze cut deep. Did he hate her now?

"I went to see her," He said, his voice low and tight.

"Who?"

"Cassandra."

Gwen's eyes widen in surprise. Did he think she was still a threat to Penn? Or was this Arthur being Arthur leaving nothing unknown or a possible threat.

"Why?"

"I had my reasons. What surprised me was her opinion about you?" He gave her a studious expression.

"What…opinion," Gwen asked, but wasn't sure she wanted to know the answers. Cassandra and Arthur having a conversation that didn't include betrayal, criminal prosecution and a small dark cell played out in her head.

As if sensing her trepidation, he leaned in close, taking up her personal space the way he always did. Gwen looked for the kindness in his eyes but found none and it made her take a step back.

"I'd been resigned to it, you know, not having you in my life. Certain I could move on, let you move on. Oddly, Merlyn suggested I talk to that Cassandra woman. I thought that once again the idiot had lost his mind. Eventually, I did. Because I couldn't make sense of the idea of living without you. She made me a cup of tea and I got over my initial inclination to strangle her. She's persuasive, a little mad and but persistent."

A smile curled the edges of his lips, as if amused by a memory. He gathered up his papers into a neat pile before returning his attention back to her.

"She had a lot to say about you," he said.

Gwen's body trembled from Arthur's intense focus. She began to know how prey animals felt caught in the sights of predators.

"She said you were the key to my humanity and not turning into my father." Arthur smirked. "If I had the sense God gave me, I should treat your termination of our relationship like an act of war."

"What!" Gwen croaked out in disbelief. Arthur seemed amused by this.

"At a loss for words, that's a shock." It took only two strides for him to be inches apart. Without warning, his hand pressed into the back of her head as he pulled her into a kiss.

Her body betrayed her as every nerve cell ignited at his touch. He soothed an ache in her she'd forgotten as his lips pressed into hers, filled with all his wanting. Gwen tried to breath but couldn't. She tried to think but the effort to protest fell away. They were in the middle of a Penn conference room with an open door and she didn't care. When he pulled away, she actually moaned at the loss of contact.

"I can't wait to see you in your dress, I heard it's beautiful," Arthur said, still wearing that knowing smile. "Oh, I plan to bring a date, someone pretty."

"What!" Gwen mumbled on unsteady legs. "A date?"

"Chevalier will need someone to commiserate with," he said before he stepped away. Giving her one last look, Arthur turned and left. Gwen stood unable to move, but swayed a bit.

"What the…"