Chapter 7
Winter slowly moved to spring, my twenty-first birthday was fast approaching. Daddy had finally made good on his promise, made to me when I was nine or ten, to take me to Paris. We had missed my nineteenth and twentieth birthdays, and there was NO way we'd miss it again, or renege on my twenty-first! I understood daddy's time constraints this time of year, so I never complained. Pouted, yes, but never complained.
"This year, daddy?" I shyly asked.
"This year, Chloe. I've already put everything in place for the time off. It will be this year, but May, not April...if that's a good compromise?" his eyes almost begged.
I walked to my daddy, wrapped my arms around his head, pulled his firm body to mine, and kissed him.
"Parfait," I whispered.
Over the months, I dated...a bit, but mainly spent my time with Maisie. It was plainly platonic, but with the undertones of desire simmering all the time. She was spending more time at the house, everyone enjoying her company, as she ingratiated herself with my parents, Maggie and Lily.
We were going out for yet another dinner, and dancing, nothing unusual, so I broached the subject with my parents if she could spend the night, as we would be getting home late. Mom's eyebrows had a field day, her little smirk endearing by now.
"Is this such a good idea, Chloe? After all..." she said, all eyes suddenly on me.
Mum and dad had never let me have boys stay over, saying they should be able to afford a nice place to bed me, if and when. It was different with Maisie, though. They probably knew my affection for Maisie, but also knew I had taken their advice to heart...to an extent.
"Aren't you the one who told me that the person who risks nothing, or does nothing,
is
nothing and
becomes
nothing, hmm? Well, I'm doing something...slowly, though, okay? We're not dating, or anything, mom. We're just comfortable in each other's company, all right? I'm not rushing, okay? She can sleep in David's room if that will make you happy. I only think that we can stay out a bit later then, that's all," I said, not pleading, but putting my case forward.
"Okay," mom said quickly, turned, and flounced off to do the wash, saying nothing more. And that was that. She didn't say Maisie
had
to sleep in David's room
specifically
, so...
Maisie and I had met on our course at Kew two years ago, both of us having more than a vague idea of where we were headed. There was this immediate attraction, but we never acted on it. We became fast friends...as stressful as that was at times! She liked me, but we decided our friendship was more important than acting on our baser impulses...
for now.
I wasn't sure if I should be hurt. Was I not good enough? Pretty enough, smart enough? Humph! Being two years older than me, she had a bit more life experience, but that didn't seem to bother her.
As usual, it wasn't a date, per se, but I knew we'd both make the extra effort on these now-frequent
nights out. I dressed to please myself, and, if I dared to admit it, to tease and seduce Maisie, always knowing that nothing would happen.
Unusually, she was at mine much too early. Mum opened the door for her, and ushered her upstairs before I could even hug her! All I got was a cheery, "Hi!"
What was this all about? I thought.
Mom smiled at me, led me into my room, and started to braid my hair, something I had come to love, not only for the look, but for mom's hands gently in my hair.
"What's mum and Maisie up to?" I asked mom.
"Shhh...you'll see. Just sit still and enjoy this, okay," she smiled.
I sat there in my tight jeans, and satin blouse while my mom methodically wrapped, and pinned my hair.
"Love your bra, darling," she smirked, at me in the mirror.
I had just enough buttons undone to show off the light blue, lacy material. It was yet another of my indulgences, as I had few when it came to clothes! It was expensive as hell, but it was justified as I rarely bought bras. This one was so delicious, though. I just had to have...three! It was made of a soft, stretchable, almost gauze-like silk that covered my small breasts beautifully, and clasped in front by a tiny hook and a single silk ribbon.
I blushed, and said nothing.
After thirty minutes, mom was finished. She stood back and admired her styling.
"You're bloody beautiful, Chloe," she chuckled, at her mindless use of British slang. She leaned down, whispered, "I'd have you," and tucked a few stray hairs away.
"Anytime, mom...well, except for tonight," I giggled, teasing her right back.
"I'd kiss you but don't want to smudge your lipstick. Damn!" she laughed. "Here...try some of this," she said and handed me her bottle of expensive Parisian perfume that she had brought in. I sprayed a tiny bit on my neck, opened my blouse, spritzed my breasts, and handed it back.
What
'
s going on here? I thought.
"What coat are you wearing, Chloe?" she asked.
"Dunno," I said, indifferently.
"Missy!
(the word she used when exasperated with me)
We need to go shopping...soon! Sometimes you need to make more than an effort, okay? I get it...you hate shopping, but clothes can change how you feel, Chloe...and how people see you. Come on, let's see what I have. Make it special, Chloe, all right? It can sometimes make all the difference," she almost pleaded. "You're not hiding anything from us, Chloe. We all know it's Maisie, and we admire the restraint you both are showing...but there's nothing wrong with keeping a girl interested, hmm?" she smiled brightly.