Here is a little "best friends" interaction and "family fun" with Erik, Evie, and Julius.

Thanks to Mlle.Fox for the fashion tips and all her wonderful input. She makes me look good.

I am going to assume that the missing reviews are attributed to the Christmas season and everyone going crazy...I hope they will catch-up and review when life slows down again.

Carry on.

MAN OF SORROWS

CHAPTER 16

"See, I told you it would look marvelous on you." Meg bragged, staring at Christine's reflection in the mirror. "I told you that you have gorgeous legs, a slender waist, and a nice set of boobs – use them to your advantage."

Christine lifted a brow and continued to stare at the woman in the mirror – she looked confident and happy, and could possibly pass as sexy – if the lighting was just right.

"I'm not even sure he has noticed me." Christine insisted. "He's probably not interested."

"He's interested…trust me." Meg stated. "Come on, let's go look at shoes."

"You don't think this skirt is too short?" Christine mused.

Meg laughingly scoffed and rolled her eyes.

"Christine….it's only about two inches above your knee; stop fretting."

Christine had never worn anything so form fitting and she was a little worried about the color – tan – she would have never thought to buy anything in that color. However, she had to admit that it looked good on her.

On their way to get shoes, Meg noticed a lilac colored, scoop neck tank top and snatched it off the hanger. Not far from it, hung a lilac cardigan.

"This will go perfect…go put these on - you're going to look so wonderful!"

Christine couldn't help but smile at the enthusiastic gleam in Meg's eyes, she loved doing this.

"Okay, okay…give me a minute."

Christine headed back into the dressing room and emerged looking every bit the sensually sensible woman that she was.

She caught Meg's eyes and smiled broadly, "I love it, Meg…I never thought I could look like this."

The scoop neck of the tank top swept over the tops of her breasts like a lovers breath and exposed enough cleavage to wet Erik's appetite – something she very much wanted to do.

"There are a couple of accessories you need and a pair of shoes…then we're done."

A wide, dull gold belt for her waist, bangles for her arms, and a gold necklace topped off the outfit, and Christine picked out a pair of tan wedges to give her a little more height. They were both very pleased with the purchases and left the store arm in arm with packages in tow.

Over lunch, they began discussing the specifications for the date. For once, Meg was giving advice about Christine's appearance and Christine was actually considering it.

"Just wear a little eye shadow and mascara, and a touch of natural lipstick to make him focus on your mouth."

"My mouth?" Christine questioned.

"Yes, because you have a very wonderful mouth, Christine, very kissable and soft looking…" Meg stated. "…and if I recall correctly, he also has a very sensuous, kissable mouth."

Yes he does! Christine affirmed to herself. She smirked at the hints her friend was dropping, "So, I suppose it would be safe to say that you expect us to kiss?"

"It is your third date…that's usually the way things go."

"Technically, it is only our second date, the night he drove me home after the gallery opening does not count…at least not to me."

Meg smiled and whispered, "Believe me, Christine, with a man that gorgeous – it counts. Take each moment and make it count…that's what I say." Meg just stood there for a minute, a contemplating look on her face, "I really think you should lose the glasses...they'll just hinder that kiss your going to get."

Christine put her hands on her hips and raised a brow, "Meg, you know I'm practically blind without them...besides - who said we were going to kiss - he may change his mind about me."

"Oh please...you're just being self-deprecating...stop." Meg hated Christine's self-degrading attitude.

"You know, Meg, for someone who claims not to believe in romance and love at first sight, you certainly have a romantic side." Christine chastised.

"I don't believe in those things for me, but you long for them and I believe in them for you." Meg corrected.

"Meg, you do know that Rafe is serious about you, don't you?"

Meg dropped her eyes and didn't say anything. She seemed to be frowning and Christine wondered what thoughts were going through her head.

"Meg?" Christine called. "I can't believe you expect me to take a chance on love and you refuse to do the same."

"So, you do love him!" Meg injected, lifting her head and hoping to get the conversation away from her and Rafe.

After all the years that they had been friends, Christine knew Meg - probably better than she knew herself. She stared her down and made her think about her feelings toward Rafe.

"Not every man is your father, Meg."

Tears sprang to Meg's eyes at the mention of her father.

"I know, but Daddy started out as a sober, well-disciplined man…it was after Mama died that things changed."

Christine moved to the chair beside her best friend and took her hand in hers.

"Meg, that still didn't give him the right to touch you like he did or make lewd remarks toward you…you understand that, right?"

Meg nodded slowly; it had taken her years to get over the emotional damage her father had caused. She finally packed her bags one night and just left him to wallow in his own self-pity.

"He can't touch you anymore, Meg…he's gone." Christine comforted. "You've made a life for yourself and have a successful career…you have a wonderful man in your life…"

He had been dead two years, and Meg still heard his poisonous words in her head every night.

"…Rafe loves you…don't throw his love away simply because you fear that getting close to him will turn him into your father."

Meg drew Christine into her arms and two friends hugged fiercely.

"I love you, Christine, what would I do without your level-headed approach to things?"

Christine smiled at Meg and wiped her tears away with the pad of her thumb, "Probably be just as successful, just less interesting."

They laughed, finished lunch, and headed back to Christine's apartment.

♫♫♫

Erik hadn't been certain what time Evie and Julius would show up, but he knew that they would; especially after he had been so late coming back from taking Christine home.

The gallery didn't open until 10 am on Saturday, but he wasn't surprised to hear them knocking on his door at 7:30 am.

"I can't believe you are here this early, interrupting my beauty sleep…" Erik teased. "…I am years behind."

"In that case, rise and shine, Sleeping Beauty." Evie teased back.

"Don't you have a photo session to be at or designs to promote…something?"

Evie chuckled at Erik's good humor. It was rare from him, especially in the mornings.

"No, I'm on holiday for a couple of weeks, Dharma is handling things…" Evie squinted her eyes and a mischievous grin spread across her face, "…did she kiss you, brother, is that why you are in such a good mood?"

Erik frowned, and a look of shock crossed his features, "No, we've only seen each other twice, and neither one of those times constitutes as a date…I wouldn't even presume to kiss her."

Evie raised a brow and pursed her lips, "Really Erik, one would think you are living in the nineteenth century with your proper ways."

Julius was enjoying the show; watching Erik and Evie was like watching a live comedy team – sometimes.

"I did ask her out…and, surprisingly, she accepted…we are going on a picnic Sunday afternoon."

"A picnic…I like that, Erik, very laid-back and casual; it gives you a chance to see each other in a different light." Evie stated.

"True; and it is the last nice weekend that I am sure we are going to have this year, so I am going to take advantage of it."

"Make it a day she won't forget." Julius suggested.

Erik shook his head and tried not to look nonplussed, but he knew it wasn't working.

"Spill it Erik, what's bothering you?"

He shook his head so lightly that it was almost unnoticed, "It terrifies me, Evie…getting close to another woman." His sparkling eyes searched her face for a moment before they dropped to his lap, "I just don't get what she sees in me."

In truth, Erik yearned for the simplicity that Christine offered. Her vision of the world was uncomplicated and she seemed to be a black and white person with few, if any gray areas.

There was no guile, no trickery…just her, and for some unknown reason, she seemed to be genuinely interested in him.

"In time, Erik…in time you will understand it all." Evie assured him.

"I know Evie, I know." Erik acknowledged.

His heart was lighter than it had been for years and Erik found that the fear he had lived with for so long - the fear that his demons would resurface and try to ruin him again - had subsided. Those demons were under lock and key…and they were never getting out.

"I'm going to go take a shower; then, I am going to whip Julius in a game of Risk before I have to get busy on some designs…The Carlton Hotel in Montreal is my next project."

Julius started to object, as he never won game against Erik; the man could have been a strategist for the military – he was just that brilliant.

However, Erik seemed to sense his unease before he could vocalize it, "Don't worry, Julius…I'll go easy on you."

He smirked and walked into the bathroom, leaving Evie and Julius to reflect on the genuine change they had seen in him.

"He's in love, Julius…I know he is."

Julius nodded in agreement and reluctantly sat up the Risk board, knowing that Erik's, "I'll go easy on you", meant he would prolong the agony of the inevitable loss.

TBC