Chapter Fifty-Four

When Helen admits it's her first time in the coffee shop I chose for our meeting, I find it hard to hide my surprise. I'm not exactly sure if it means she doesn't usually go out or just hasn't had the chance to discover this place yet. Nevertheless I don't feel like I should ask, so I help her with her order instead.

Another shocking moment comes when she declines my suggestion to eat cake, commenting that she only trusts what she bakes herself. "Who knows what they put in the dough," she points out and I have no choice but to deprive myself of my favorite caramel cake, which could have made this forced meeting a little less unbearable.

In the end she orders a cup of decaf coffee, while I go for the real thing, sensing this could be a long hour in Kurt's sister's company. I make a mental note to get back at Kurt for this someway. I know it's not directly his fault, but he's related to her, so it's only fair.

By the time our coffees arrive, I have second thoughts about asking Helen to attend the fashion show. Why would I want to stay in her company longer than necessary and deal with her again on the weekend? I shouldn't have to deal with her at all, it's not like we have to get along, I don't suppose Kurt will think any less of me if we don't.

"Is there something wrong?" My companion points out that I'm probably getting worse at pretending to enjoy her company, so I remind myself that this meeting was my idea on the first place.

"I'm sorry, I'm just a little tired," I admit, then I realize I probably shouldn't mention work, she might think I just want to rub it in her face that I have a job, while she's still a stay-at-home mother. The only difference is that she can afford to be one, while I can't.

"I appreciate that you still found the time for this," she comments with a smile I find all too fake, but it's not like my smile is any more honest. I do not want her to suspect anything though, so I decide to try harder to play nice with her.

"Of course," I reply with my sweetest smile, "in fact I'd like to invite you somewhere afterwards." I swallow my inner protest, since I already told Kurt I would ask Helen about the fashion show, I have to stand by my word.

"Really? Where?" she seems genuinely surprised at my suggestion, she was probably already counting the minutes until our goodbye as well.

"My friend has a boutique nearby, where she also sells her own creations. She's organizing a charity fashion show this Saturday, the money will go to our children hospital this year. You may have heard about it." I'm quite sure she has, her husband is a doctor after all.

"Yes, we are going to attend with my husband," she confirms my guess.

"Well I'm going to be one of the models," I admit with a flustered chuckle, "and my friend told me someone canceled on her, so we'd like you to consider joining us on the runway."

It's written all over her face that my offer came completely unexpected.

"Do I look like a model to you?" she chuckles nervously.

I understand that she feels that way, not that I think she has any reason to be self-conscious about her looks. I can't possibly approve of the clothes I've seen her wear, but in Alicia's dress, with proper makeup, I don't doubt that Helen would look just as presentable as any of us.

"Neither of us are, but it's usually fun up there. The audience can be really grateful," I do my best to encourage her.

"I don't know," she replies hesitantly.

"I don't mean to push it, but maybe you can come with me to see the dress and decide afterwards?" I suggest, knowing Alicia will be able to help me convince her. And maybe if we do this together, it will somehow break the ice between us.

"I guess there's no harm in that," she accepts with what I consider her first genuine smile and I reach for my coffee hoping the rest of the afternoon will be a little more agreeable.

o-o-o

Alicia finds it just as hard as me to suppress her eye rolls, while listening to Helen's complaints about the dress, but she bears it nevertheless. I'll need to thank her later, since she's doing it for me, more than for the sake of the show. In the end Helen seems quite satisfied with the result and agrees to attend the show, and I'm relieved our time together is almost over. We quickly discuss the details and once Helen's out the door I can finally let my guards down.

"Please tell me you have some Scotch in there," I beg Alicia with my eyes. I need something strong, as a reward for surviving Kurt's sister today.

"I'm afraid there's only wine," she responds apologetically.

"I'll take it, I still need to drive home anyway."

I go inside her office and come out with two glasses of white wine.

"You also need to try on your dress though," she reminds me of the original goal of my visit, but takes the wine glass from me nevertheless.

"I already got exhausted by listening to her," I taste the wine and sit down, relieved that I don't have to pretend anymore.

"How did your talk go?" she asks, although the answer is probably written all over my face.

"I can't say we made too much progress," I sigh. It's clear that Helen and I aren't on the same page, we basically have nothing in common.

"Maybe the show will bring you closer together," she notes hopefully.

"I doubt it," I shake my head and finish my wine quickly.

"You aren't in the best mood," she observes.

"I'm sorry, I'm just very frustrated, she's a handful. I'm going to tell Kurt the truth, that I can't stand his sister," I state and I'm almost tempted to get my phone and tell him right now.

"You can't do that," she points out. At least one of us can still think clearly.

"I know," I sigh and I feel the need for another glass of wine, but I should probably wait until I get home.

"But you can let him help you with something," she comments with a playful smile I don't quite understand.

"With what?" I inquire with a confused look on my face.

"Stress release," she replies with a serious expression and when the meaning of her words reach my mind I burst out in laughter. "I'm serious," she insists, but I can't stop laughing. And I'm actually grateful for it.

"Where's my dress?" I change the subject quickly.

"It's right behind you," she points in the direction.

I stand up and grab the dress to disappear with it behind the curtain, as I feel the need to hide from her and maybe consider the suggestion without letting her know that I do.

o-o-o

By the time I'm inside my car I make up my mind to listen to Alicia. She only wants what's best for me after all.

I'm not even sure where Kurt is at the moment, but he picks up the phone fast, which is definitely a good sign.

"Hey, how did it go?" he inquires and from his tone I suspect that he was already waiting for my call.

"It went well, I guess, she agreed to do the show," I try to sound cheerful and the wine I consumed makes it easier to achieve that goal.

"Wow, I'm speechless," he notes, it feels actually good that I managed to surprise him.

"Are you still at work?" I get to the reason for my call, without actually revealing it to him.

"Nope, just arrived at home." His answer is exactly what I've been hoping for.

"Is Keith there?" I ask cautiously.

"Doesn't seem like it," he replies hesitantly, probably trying to guess my intentions.

"Can I come over?" I arrive at the most important question and I'm quite certain about his response.

"Now? Sure." His hesitation is gone and I claim to hear the satisfaction in his voice. He probably has no doubt why I want to come over either.

"I'll be there in ten."

o-o-o

"It's far from me to complain, but what exactly was this?" His adorable question makes me chuckle.

I entered his front door maybe ten minutes ago and now we're lying in his bed exhausted, in each other's arms. Alicia was right, he was able to help me release all the stress. I should probably feel bad for using him, but like he said, he has no reason to complain either.

"It's me missing you," I go with a version of the truth and when he begins to smile my lips find his again to unite them in a kiss. "Even Gina expected me to show up with you yesterday," I remind him that we are actually allowed to spend more time together now, so there's no reason we shouldn't.

"Really?" His smile widens and it suits him very well.

"You are grinning too much," I point out with a chuckle.

"I'm sorry, is that not allowed?" he asks teasingly.

"Kiss me," I order him and let myself get lost in his arms once again.

A half an hour later I leave Kurt's house in a completely different mood than I had been in all day. There was a moment when I even considered staying the night and the reason for that had nothing to do with stress release. Truth is I'm actually missing him when we're not together and I can already see this need to be with him take over my fear of losing my independence very soon.