Zuri Day - Decadent Desire

“I’m a psychologist, not a medical doctor. I’m opening a private practice.”

Another pause, this one a bit longer. “Come to give my dad some competition, huh? He’s the go-to shrink in this town. Has treated patients here for over thirty years. So good luck with that.”

“I have no desire to compete with Dr. Johnson or anyone else. Mental illnesses and behavioral disorders have steadily increased through the years that he’s practiced and are still on the rise, which means, unfortunately, there are likely to be enough clients for both of us.”

“That’s what a couple other doctors thought. One still has an office here, though I heard she teaches at a community college to supplement her income. Guess the one or two people who slipped past my father weren’t enough for her to pay the bills.”

“Thanks for the encouragement.”

“You’re welcome.”

Julian pondered Natalie’s words as he gazed out the window. It was a beautiful day. During the festivities in Louisiana, the mercury had climbed to ninety degrees and above. Too hot for Julian, even for July. Or any other month. He much preferred the seventies experienced during Northern California summers. The office’s location on the building’s fifteenth floor offered unobstructed views of the town’s tony square and the sprawling fields and ranches of Paradise Valley beyond it. His brother Warren owned one of those ranches. He thought how good a horse ride would feel but knew that with the work ahead of him, today wouldn’t be when he got to do it.

“Where’d you graduate and do your internship?”

“Graduated from Columbia.” Julian walked back to his desk and sat. “Interned in New York.”

“Impressive, Doctor. Why’d you decide to come back here?”

Julian looked at his watch. Time to focus on the matter at hand—hiring an assistant. If she was as nosy now as she had been in high school, the Natalie he remembered could keep him on the phone all afternoon.

“Probably the same reason you did, to do business in my hometown. Speaking of which, I assume your call is regarding the information I filled out online?”

“Yes, Superior Staffing is my company, and yes, PC is still a very small town.”

They shared a laugh. “Indeed. Will you be able to assist me, considering I’m viewed as your dad’s competition?”

“Ha! Dad has probably forgotten more than you’ll learn.”

“Ouch!”

“Just calling it like I see it. You’re no competition for him. As for an assistant, I do have a couple qualified recruits in mind who, based on what I know so far, would be good matches. At least from the online questionnaire that you filled out.”

“So how do we proceed? I’d like to get someone hired as quickly as possible.”

“Normally I’d set up the first appointment and send them over at your earliest convenience. But since it’s you, a friend I’ve known since grade school, I think a follow-up interview is in order, one done in person so I can be sure to select the most appropriate candidates for the position. What about dinner tomorrow night at Acquired Taste?”

“I’m busy most evenings. How about lunch, around noon?”

“Perfect. See you then.”

“And Natalie, no practical jokes, okay? The little kid is all grown up.”

“You sure have, and quite nicely. I pulled up your profile online.”

“Good. Then I’ll be easy to recognize. See you tomorrow.”

Julian dodged Natalie’s flirty comment. He remembered her popularity in high school and had known several of the guys she’d dated. Pretty girl. Funny, too. He wanted her assistance in finding a competent assistant, but nothing more.

* * *

“Another great show, Nicki!”

“Thanks, hon.” Nicki hugged Paige, her friend and cast mate. “Had to take it to the next level to shine beside you!”

“That’s right, girl! Razzle!”

“Dazzle!” They high-fived. “If these previews are any indication, opening night is going to be huge.”

“Is Julian coming?”

“That’s the plan. What about Mike?”

“I don’t know. He’s always working.”

“Hmm, the detective sounds like someone else I know.”

The two laughed, locking arms as they walked down the dark and narrow backstage hallway to the exit just off Forty-Ninth Street. As usual, a group of theatergoers circled the exit, waiting for a chance to get a snapshot. Maybe even an autograph or a selfie. Most were there for Paige, the famous pop celebrity playing Rapunzel. But a lot of fans loved the best friend added in the modern retelling of the classic fairy tale and waited for Nicki, who played her. Though tired, Nicki obliged them. Countless times, she’d been that fan, waiting for her favorite star. Dying for an autograph. She’d dreamed of being that star since she was ten. And here she was.

Paige turned to her. “Hey, my car’s here. Want a ride?”

“Seriously? Of course!”

The driver stood next to the rear car door he’d just opened. “Good evening, ladies.” A nod and smile accompanied the formal greeting.

“Joe, this is Nicki. Nicki, Joe.”

“Hello, Joe.”

They slid into the back seat of a roomy town car. Nicki rubbed her hand across the soft leather seat. “Is this one of the perks of being the star?”

“Thanks to my agent. I wouldn’t have thought to request it on my own.”

Nicki settled against the seat and sighed. “Lifestyles of the rich and famous.”

Paige leaned forward toward a panel of buttons and raised the privacy partition.

“Ooh, fancy! Just like in the movies.”

“I thought you’d like it. But I put it up because you had something to tell me.”

The reminder sat Nicki straight up. “Oh my gosh, girl, you won’t believe it. And I’m telling you right now. This can’t be repeated. If I hear it back, I’ll know where to come.”

“Don’t you know you can trust me by now?”

Nicki did. The entertainment business was cutthroat. Jobs on Broadway were limited. Competition was fierce and few made friends, Nicki included. Paige had been the exception. The two had met while doing regional theater, ironically both having boy troubles at the time. They commiserated and eventually met each other’s boyfriends—Julian and Mike. Shortly after the play ended, Paige moved to New York. They’d been besties ever since.

“Remember a couple years ago when Julian and I broke up?”

“Like the for-real breakup, because you turned down his marriage proposal and broke the guy’s heart? Yep, I remember.”

“Dang, Paige, did you have to say it like that?”

“To clarify which off-and-on we were talking about? Yes, I did. Besides, isn’t that what happened?”

“Anyway...remember my rebound guy, the pro basketball player?” Nicki placed air quotes around his title.

“Told you that he played pro ball, left out that he hadn’t had a contract in years?”

“I still can’t believe I didn’t google his ass.”

Nicki paused and looked out the window. A mental replay of meeting Vince Edwards played in her mind.

Late-night party uptown. Private. Rooftop. Being beautiful seemed the price of admission. A stranger approached while she sipped a drink. Introduced himself as Vince Edwards, a pro basketball player. He’d sure looked the part. Tall, attractive. Muscles and dimples in all the right places, with enough raw manly swagger to bottle and sell. When they hugged she got goose bumps, but along with the excitement came a foreboding feeling. She ignored it and gave him her number.

A couple of weeks into the romantic whirlwind, behaviors began to surface that had reminded Nicki of her earlier apprehensiveness. The first was declaring his love for her a week after they met. The second was falling in love with her brownstone that—number three—he wanted to move into after the second week. Nicki saw more red flags after this request than those waved in Arrowhead Stadium at a Chiefs football game. But she’d continued to date him. Until the fourth reason—a woman named Brittany. The woman with whom he currently lived. The woman who’d threatened to kick him out for cheating, and not just with Nicki. In a calm, almost pleasant voice, the astute stranger had passed along a few pertinent details Vince had not shared. Multiple children. Gambling habit. No new sports contract or endorsement deals. Nicki thanked the woman and meant it. Got back with Julian a short time later, thankful she’d dodged a bullet.