Annie's Rainbow - Fern Michaels [57]
“I just had a horrible dream. I guess it’s all the excitement,” Annie said as she dabbed at her face with a tissue from her purse. “Plus, I didn’t eat today. Are you ready for lunch? We could watch a movie while we eat if that’s okay with you. I ordered some very good wine to go with lunch.”
“Then, let’s do it, girl.”
“You look pretty darn spiffy, young lady,” Elmo said as he walked Annie to the taxi that would take her to the Grayson Coffee Company. “You will charm those Hawaiians right out of their sarongs.”
Annie giggled. “They don’t wear sarongs here, Elmo. I’m not even sure they wear grass. skirts. The women wear colorful island gowns called muu-muus. I have one I can model for you. I’m going to get one to take home to my niece. Are you sure I look okay?”
“You look better than okay. You look like a model in that dress. Tip the hat a little. Didn’t know women still wore hats,” Elmo grumbled.
“Everyone wears them in the sun. It sure is hot. Don’t keep the dogs out too long and make sure they have plenty of water.”
“I’ve been baby-sitting these dogs for years. I guess I know how to take care of them. Still beats me how you got the condo management to agree to dogs,” Elmo continued to grumble.
Annie rubbed her thumb and index finger together. “It’s called money, Elmo. I’ll call you when I’m heading back. We’ll go out to dinner, walk around a little if you feel up to it, drink some wine on our terrace, hit the sack, and do some sightseeing tomorrow. We’ll rest up and head for Maui the next day. I think Maui is the prettiest island of them all. See you later.”
In the taxi, Annie took great pains to smooth her dress and sit up straight, so she wouldn’t be mussed and wrinkled when she showed up on Parker’s doorstep. Would he be there? Would he join in the meeting? How would he look? What would he say? She’d rehearsed her responses and initiated others the night before until the wee hours of the morning. She didn’t want to think about the possibility of Parker not being in the offices. He’d said he worked long hours, sometimes from five in the morning till ten at night. Who was Kiki Aellia? His assistant? A partner? An executive secretary? She didn’t even know if Kiki was a man or woman, not that it mattered. She should have asked Tom for more details.
Annie stretched out her legs. The- panty hose had been a mistake, but her legs were so white she felt embarrassed. Sheer Nude at least gave her a hint of color on her legs and gave the sexy, strappy sandals a little zip. The lime green linen dress was perfect for the climate. The pearl daisy pin, a gift from Elmo that first year, was pinned on her shoulder. The lime green ribbon around the band of the delicate straw hat was a perfect match. She looked professional and felt as successful as she looked.
If she’d ever felt inferior to Parker Grayson, that feeling had been wiped away. It had taken her a few years to realize her tirade against the coffee king had a lot to do with her own insecurities and feelings of inferiority as well as the other nebulous feeling that wouldn’t leave her. She closed her eyes and thought about all the awards, all the accolades, all the honorary degrees, the ceremonies, and the write-ups that had been bestowed on her these past years. Being awarded Businesswoman of the Year was something to be proud of. Animal rights organizations had bestowed four Golden Paw awards on her in the last four years. She had so many golden keys to cities all over the country that she’d lost count. “Well done, Annie Daisy Clark,” she murmured under her breath.
“Here we are, miss,” the taxi driver said, getting out of the cab to open the door for her. “It will be no problem to wait for you.”
Annie shrugged down her dress and took a deep breath as she adjusted the gold-and-leather chain of the Chanel bag on her shoulder. Please let him be here. Please, please, please.
She was so beautiful she was almost intimidating. Almost. Annie extended her hand, “And you are