Au

Chapter 20

*******  Cliffhanger Warning  ******

“Linda!” She called out frustrated and her petite assistant came rushing in.

“Miss West?” she asked panicked and her eyes widened upon discovering the chaotic state of the chamber. Clothes and shoes of all types, fabrics and shades covered every inch of the room. The vanity was a mess of jewels and scarves and Iris herself stood in the middle of it all in nothing but her lingerie and a look of pure distress.

“I have absolutely nothing appropriate to wear!” Iris screamed and Linda studied her, shocked by her bosses insecurity. Iris wasn’t like most girls. She didn’t get nervous before a meeting and certainly didn’t second guess her fashion sense. But then again this wasn’t a meeting and Iris’s style was more business chic and less cute girl casual.

“Uh I’m sure a pair of jeans and  a blouse will do mademoiselle.” Linda offered and Iris slapped her forehead.

“I don’t own a pair of jeans Linda. All my pants are made from cotton or silk or whatever other fabric there is out there that can be used in an office setting. I’m a woman of business, I don’t do casual.” Iris walked over to her invisible bed and flopped down on to a pile of clothing.

“Maybe I should just cancel.” She admitted defeated and hid her face between her palms. Tentatively, Linda approached and she knelt down beside Iris with a sympathetic smile on her face.

“It is not so unsolvable a problem Ms. West. There is still time. Do you perhaps have a pretty dress that is not too – how you say it – flashy?” Linda asked and Iris looked up at her with defeat still on her face. Thinking on her feet Linda stood and said:

“What about the Ralph Lauren piece you wore to the Queen’s engagement brunch last year? I know it is a few seasons old but I don’t think Monsieur Allen will notice?” Linda suggested once again, looking around at the mess until she spotted the blue and white print. She unearthed the strap less dress and held it up for Iris to inspect. It was simple, fell till just below the knee and had splashes of blue along the white fabric. Two blue bars brought the ensemble together, one above a white bar at the hem of the dress and one accentuating the waist. The top half was body hugging with a sweet heart neckline and the skirt flowed loosely with gentle pleats.

“A little conditioner on your wet hair, a touch of deep purple lipstick and to wrap it all up some baby blue pumps and voilà! You’ll look magnifique!” Linda pieced the look together and the more Iris thought about it, the more she liked the idea.

“Alright Linda, I’m sold. Just substitute the pumps for wedge heels and you have a deal.” Iris prompted.

“But Ms West you shouldn’t…”

“I’ll be fine Linda. Now help me with my hair.” She assured her and Linda followed her boss to the vanity where she went to work defining Iris’s curls.

************************************

“OK, watch your step,” he said as he led her to some secret location. Her hands were in his, stretched out in front of her, and her eyes were blindfolded.

“Where are you taking me?” she asked relieved that he’d finally put her down and was letting her walk. He’d taken a cab to pick her up and when she tried to argue that she could have driven them both to their destination he retorted by explaining that what he had planned was a surprise. Before they left, the blindfold came on and she’d been sightless ever since. When they reached they’re destination he’d warned her that there were stares to be climbed and proceeded to pick her up and carry her all the way.

There were almost ten flights of stairs and to say that she was impressed (and turned on) by his strength and stamina was an understatement. She’d been worried that the effort might trigger his asthma but every time Iris suggested he put her down Barry would  stubbornly tell her that he’s fine and carry on.

“We’re almost there,” he promised a little breathlessly though Barry suspected it had very little do to with the flight of stares and a lot to do with how beautiful she looked. The minute he laid eyes on her at the top of the stairs his heart skipped a beat and his brain couldn’t string a coherent thought together. Her hair rested wild and shiny on her shoulders each curl begging to be twirled around his fingers. Her eyes were enhanced by the smoky eye make up she’d done, highlighted on each outer corner with a sky blue eye shadow. Her lips were red and inviting and the dress made her look girlish. During their drive he’d congratulated himself on the brilliant idea of using a blindfold. Her lack of sight allowed him to stare at her without seeming like a creep (more like without her knowing he was a creep).

She might not have been able to see but Iris felt his gaze on her the entire time and it made the hair on the back of her neck stand on end. In her mind she kept replaying the whisper he’d breathed into her ear when she reached him at the bottom of the stairs:

“You look amazing Iris,”

He’d said softly, almost like it were a secret he wanted to keep between the two of them. Like her beauty was something he didn’t want to share. The thought sent shivers down her spine.

Barry didn’t look so bad himself. With his usual geek-cute look, he’d opted for a pair of black skinny jeans, some sneakers and a black blazer over a white button down shirt.

“OK we’re here.” He announced and she felt him let go of her hands and move behind her.

“Just keep your eyes closed till I say OK?” his breath kissed her cheek and she nodded, goosebumps erupting all over her body.

He took of the blind fold then placed his hands on her hips and said:

“OK, you can open them.”

The scene before her took her breath away. They were standing on the roof of his apartment building with an expansive view of the city spread before them. A candle lit picnic was laid out on a table that rested in the corner of the roof top. Cushions had been neatly placed on the protruding block of concrete that gave the surrounding wall a slight “L” shape.

“Did you do all this?” she asked under her breath her heart fluttering at the thought of his effort.

“Yeah. Do you – do you like it?” he asked a little nervously and she turned around to hug him.

“I love it. Thank you.” She said, her voice breaking slightly with emotion.

“No, thank you. For agreeing to be my date tonight.” He said and she pulled away enough to look into his eyes.

“Come on, you have to see the view.” He said, leading her to the impromptu sofa he’d set up. Iris sat down side ways and took in the almost set sun. Lights were going on around the city and the sight was enough to bring tears to her eyes.

“It’s beautiful.” She said and he scooted closer to her, wrapping his arm around her shoulders and drawing her close.

“Yeah it is, but it’s even more stunning tonight cause you’re apart of the view.” He revealed softly and she felt her heart skip a beat. Iris rested her head comfortably on his shoulder and he leaned in so that his cheek laid on the crown of her head. For a moment they simply sat there, watching the sky grow dark and the city lights come on.