by J. P. Comeau
“Everything okay?” Gavin stood up as I did.
“I’m not sure,” I said, locking my computer. “My dad wants me in his office. Sorry to cut this short, man.”
“That’s fine, but promise me you’ll ask Annie out. Even for a cup of coffee, which wouldn’t be that weird. You guys have been friends for a while, anyway.”
I smiled and nodded, politely escorting him toward the front entrance.
After watching as Gavin pulled away, I walked down the long hallway that led to my father’s office. The carpet was maroon with gold details, and the walls were the same color. Portraits of our ancestors lined the hallway. My father often told me the same story about his great-great-grandfather, whose picture I stared at before entering Dad’s office.
Byron Truman had started a real estate company, back when he was in England. He was the one who started it all, who encouraged generations of men after him to make their own money. I often stared at his painting and wondered what my great-great-great-grandfather would say to me. Would he want me to go into business on my own, or follow in my father’s footsteps?
I walked into my father’s office and sat down across from him. Both of our offices were on the same side of the building, which meant that we both had the same view of River Valley. He was hunched over his desk, squinting through his eyeglasses to read the fine print on a document.
“You wanted to see me?”
“Yes,” he said, putting his glasses down. “First of all, how’s your day going? Productive?”
I nodded. “I got the Martelli contracts finalized. And then Gavin stopped by.” My father lifted a brow but didn’t look at me. “He didn’t stay long, though, Dad. Just a few minutes to chat about the wedding.”
“He lives on the other side of town.”
I nodded. “Yes, of course, but he goes to River Valley Dental and just had a root canal done.”
“Ugh,” Dad groaned, then leaned back and put his hands on his big, hanging belly.
Even though my parents bickered quite a bit, she fed him well.
“I wanted to talk to you about that piece of farmland,” he said. “The one that we’ve been mulling over for a while now.”
My heart started racing a bit, excited that my father was finally thinking about buying it. It was in the middle of a factory district, and the owner had been holding out forever.
“Is the farmer willing to sell?” My father nodded. “Dad, this is wonderful. I know that we own property across the country-“
“We own property in every state, son. From California to Alaska and New York. This company has expanded multiple times over the years.”
I nodded. “And Lord knows that most of the real estate we sell is worth millions of dollars. So, buying a piece of farmland might not seem that important, but I hope you’re interested in diversifying, Dad. Farmland could expand our portfolio and attract new buyers.”
“I’m on board with you, son. If we purchase the farmland, any ideas as to what we should do with it, though? Are we interested in running a farm, or would we use it for something a bit more industrial?”
“That’s a good question, Dad. I think we should consider keeping it as farmland. I know how important it is that we branch out, but as you pointed out, we own properties in every state. I say keep it local, sell it to another farmer or hell, start our own farm. Who’s to say we couldn’t do it? While most of the land around it is now industrial, it’s the only piece on that side of the county that is still zoned residential and agricultural.”
My dad was smiling from ear to ear, and I could tell that he was proud of me.
“I like the way you think, son.” He leaned forward across the desk. “Out of everything that I have ever taught you, what’s one of the most important rules of business?”
I sat back and rubbed my chin.
“To always invest in the local economy,” I said matter-of-factly.
My father nodded. “River Valley is our home, and America needs small, independent farmers. We could start our own farm, selling organic products and hire locals, or resell it to someone who wants to run a farm of their own. Just so long as we keep it in River Valley to support the local economy. I don’t think we should have an absentee landlord situation.”
“It would also help with sustainability,” I pointed out. “A new farm could sell their produce to some of the local stores, pump money back into the economy, and create new jobs.”
My mind was running a mile a minute. It wasn’t often that my father asked for that much input.
“Are you ready to take over this expansion?”
My mouth fell open. “What?”
“I want you to take over this expansion, Richard. You’ve proven to me that you have a good head on your shoulders. You’re business-savvy, too. Purchasing that farmland will be your new project.”
I fought back the tears forming in my eyes. My father was a good man, but he was never one to show too much emotion. “Are you sure, Dad? I mean, this has always been your department.”
He waved his hands in front of his face. “I’m getting a little too old to be doing all of these expansions, son. It’s time to pass the torch.”
He put a stack of papers in a manila envelope and handed it to me. After shaking his hand and leaving his office, I took a moment to look at my great-great-great-grandfather Byron’s portrait. As I held the expansion papers close to my chest, I knew he’d be proud of me for following in my father’s footsteps.
My stomach started growling as I walked back to my office. After glancing at my watch, I decided to get a bite to eat.
So, I sat down in my desk chair and pulled out my cellphone, my thumb hovered over Annie's contact information. Inviting her to lunch would be a perfect opportunity. I wanted to see how she reacted to me being in charge of the new project.
Knots formed in my stomach as I thought about Heather, who would have scoffed and rolled her eyes at me for being in charge of the new expansion. I could hear her chastising me for not going into business on my own.
I decided to ask Annie out in person. Even if she declined my invitation, at least I'd be able to see her.
7
Annie
After teaching my 11:15 AM yoga class, I made my way into the office and shut the door. Crystal was out to lunch, which meant that it was my job to oversee any students who wanted to practice yoga on their own today. I made some detoxifying peach herbal tea, and when it finished brewing, I decided to check in on Caley and Jude.
Since Julianna and Jake were on their honeymoon, Caley and Jude were staying with Mom and Dad. They lived a little way out of town, and Caley always enjoyed visiting them since it was like a mini-vacation for her. No doubt they were spoiling her, too. She usually returned to River Valley a few pounds heavier and with a few new toys and lots of new outfits after her visits.
As I dialed their house number, a few regular students walked into the studio. I waved at them through the office window. Most were senior members who enjoyed and supported each other as they learned more difficult poses.
“Hey Mom,” I said when she answered the landline phone.
She was always in a good mood.
“It’s so good to hear your voice.” I could hear Caley and Daddy talking in the background. “Caley and your father are playing a game of Uno right now.”
“That sounds like fun,” I said, watching a student attempt a backbend. “Who’s winning?”
“You know… your father,” she said with a laugh. “Even though she’s ten years old, that doesn’t stop his competitive streak.”
“Do I ever,” I replied, remembering how he only occasionally allowed Julianna and me to win a game growing up. “I bet you’re baking cookies for her, too, huh?”
“Well, don’t tell your sister, but she just loves my cakes! Especially my black forest cake. I only let her have a small piece, though.”
Julianna was reasonably strict when it came to eating junk food, a little more so than mysel
f, which was odd since I practiced a holistic lifestyle. “Is that the one that won the local bake-off?”
“It sure is! Your father loves it too, but of course he has to keep his blood sugar down. I suspect that he sneaks in a few extra bites whenever I’m not looking, though.”
I laughed, picturing Daddy hovered over the kitchen island, sneaking an extra slice of cake while glancing over his shoulder with fork in hand.
“Save some for me,” I said, eyeing my protein bar with disgust. “Any chance I could talk to Caley for a few moments?”
My mother put the phone down to go get Caley, and I decided to ditch the protein bar and order some takeout. One junk meal a week wouldn’t be so bad, or at least that’s what I told myself on occasion. I might even see if they have some cake, too.
I wouldn’t eat it in front of anyone at the studio, though. It was like my dirty little secret.
“Hi, Aunt Annie!” My face lit up as soon as I heard my niece’s voice.
“Hi, sweetie. How’s your visit going? How’s Jude?”
“I’m having such a good time! Jude’s taking his morning nap. Guess what?
“What?”
“Grandma and Grandpa let me stay up late the night before last. Plus, I get to have dessert with every meal. Mom would freak out, but I won’t tell her!” Caley and I laughed a little bit.
“That’s great! Do you miss your mom and Jake?”
“Yeah, sure, Aunt Annie. But I know they need to be alone right now. I hope they bring me something back from their honeymoon. Do you think they will?”
“You bet I do,” I told her.
Even though it was their honeymoon, I secretly hoped they'd bring me something as well. Julianna knew how much I loved English tea biscuits, and they were honeymooning in London, England. Jake and I both assumed my sister would want to go someplace tropical, such as the Bahamas, but she said there was enough sun in California and wanted a change.
I was so proud of my sister and happy for her new lifestyle with a billionaire husband and a beautiful daughter and son. Caley and Julianna had always been close, especially after such a nasty divorce from Caley’s father, Cam. Even though she was only seven years old at the time, Caley's intuition told her that her father was far from a decent person. Especially since Cam rarely made any attempt to see her once he left them. And, thankfully, Jake had become the loving father she desperately needed.
While I listened to Caley tell me everything they’d been doing, my mind drifted back to Richard. I hadn’t heard from him since the wedding. On the one hand, I knew it was for the best. It wasn’t like I had time for anything serious, anyway. Even as I sat there drinking herbal tea and listening to Caley, I knew the second we hung up that I’d get buried in paperwork, educating myself further on how to expand my business by adding a line of health food.
Where would I find the time to date?
“Tonight, we’re having barbecue chicken, corn on the cob, roasted potatoes, and sugar cookies!”
“It sounds like you’ve been eating a lot of sugar, honey. Tell grandma that you can't eat it too late in the day, or else you'll be up all night."
Caley didn’t even acknowledge what I had said about the sugar, which meant that she definitely wouldn’t mention it to her grandmother. I can’t say that I blamed her, though. And truth be told, I knew Mom would keep a watchful eye on Caley’s eating habits just like she had when Julianna and I were growing up.
She started telling me about a dollhouse that my father was building for her. As she discussed how she planned on decorating it, my mind began to wander, and I wondered if Richard was already sleeping with someone else.
Of course, he is.
He’s not a relationship kind of guy. In fact, he probably went home with a woman he met at the wedding.
All men are the same.
I tried not to picture him in bed with another woman.
Even if he did ask me out again, I had to turn him down. Everything in my life was getting better and on track. The last thing I needed was for a guy to mess that all up again.
Just then, I saw Crystal walk into the studio from her lunch break. She saw me on the phone. So to be polite, she stayed out front and helped a few students.
“Grandpa wants to talk to you.”
Before I could say anything back, Caley handed the phone over to my father. “Hey, sweetheart! How’s everything in River Valley?”
I told him all of the latest gossip since they no longer lived here anymore. Honestly, my dad was a shameless gadfly, savoring every morsel of gossip he could get his ears around.
“The Johnson’s are getting divorced, but not just because Mark had a roving eye. Turns out, so did his wife, Caroline. He came home and caught her in bed with her trainer.”
“Well, I’ll be damned!”
“From what I heard, she’ll get the house though. He wants to move to Florida, which is no surprise. He’s never liked it here.” I was just about to tell him more about Caroline when I saw Richard walk in. “Dad, I have to go. I’m sorry. A student needs me.”
“Okay, dear. We love you!”
“I love you too, Dad!”
I quickly hung up the phone and scurried onto the floor, indicating to Crystal that I needed to be alone for a minute.
Richard stood in the entryway, smiling at me and looking unbelievably gorgeous. He was wearing a grey suit that was just tight enough to show off his thigh muscles, and the black shirt underneath outlined his abs.
The same abs that were on top of me just a few nights before. I tried hard to steady my breath as I walked closer to him, noticing how the streaks of grey in his hair brought out the color of his suit.
Suddenly dating a much older man wasn’t such a bad idea.
“Hey, welcome to my studio,” I managed. “What brings you by here today?”
He smiled, once again revealing those dazzling white teeth, and leaned on the front counter. Another student walked in, allowing a breeze to waft into the studio that blew his cologne right into my face. “Are you wearing Polo Black by Ralph Lauren?”
He tilted his head.
“Guess I’m not the only man you’ve been with who has good taste,” he said.
Even the way he spoke made my knees weak.
“I used to work at Morris’s Department Store, back when I was saving up for this studio, and they sold it. It’s one of my favorite scents.”
He leaned in closer to me, no doubt wanting me to get a more potent whiff.
“Yep, Morris’s still sells it,” he said with a grin, “I love your work ethic. It seems you are always busy, busy…just like me.”
I had to steady myself on the stool behind the counter. Even though I didn’t remember a whole lot from our night together, suddenly, images of him naked and on top of me flooded my mind.
“Thanks. So, what brings you down here?” I tried to be as casual as possible. “You seem excited about something.”
“I had an amazing morning, Annie, and I wanted to tell you about it. It’s lunchtime, too. Care to grab a bite to eat with me?”
My first instinct was to accept his offer, but my intuition told me to hold back. His steely eyes could have seduced the yoga pants right off of me.
“Oh gosh, I would, but I have classes all afternoon. I planned on just having a protein bar for lunch. I’m so sorry!”
He nodded and seemed to believe my lie. I had absolutely no classes that afternoon, and I’d be ordering Italian food as soon as he left.
“That’s alright,” he said. “You look great, by the way.”
I instinctively started playing with my hair, flirting with him without even realizing it. It didn’t take me long to snap back to reality, though.
“Thank you,” I replied.
“How about I call you and we’ll schedule something, then? When both of our schedules open up? I have a lot of work to do this afternoon, too.”
“That sounds great!”
Another lie.
No
way would I see him again, unless it was at a family function, of course. He left and waved at me, and I wanted to fall to the floor. He was successful, sexy as hell, and could charm the pants off of any woman.
I made my way back to my office, with my head down, and slumped into my chair. Crystal left a note on my desk that she would be cleaning the locker rooms, which gave me some much-needed quiet time.
I pulled out the stack of papers about how to run a lifestyle brand and got to work. The first thing I wanted was to have a line of protein-packed oatmeal. Oats are a superfood, but they're also a carbohydrate that burned quickly. I started researching what type of protein I could add in prepackaged oatmeal.
My mind kept drifting back to Richard, though. I never expected him to come down here, to my studio, to ask me out. At best, I anticipated a late-night ‘are you up’ text, the kind guys only sent when they were horny. I wondered what he was so excited about, too.
It’s weird, I thought while staring at the papers in front of me. Richard and I had been friends for over a year, and neighbors for several more. I never thought of him as anything more than just that. Even though he was attractive, I had always managed to keep him at bay.
Now that I had a taste of him, however, I couldn’t seem to stay away.
There was something magnetic about Richard.
Even though I vowed never to see him again, deep down, I knew that was a lie, too.
There was no way I could stay away from Richard Truman.
8
Richard
I made my way home after seeing Annie at her studio. While I was a bit disappointed that she couldn’t go to lunch, I still felt some sexual tension between us. Even if she had been holding back a little bit, it was impossible to ignore the magnetic attraction. She looked hot as hell in those yoga pants, too.
Since she couldn’t meet for lunch, I decided to make something for myself before heading back to work.
Less than five minutes after coming home, my front doorbell rang. I was a bit surprised to see a guy holding a large envelope that I had to sign for. Legal paperwork usually went to my parent’s mansion or our downtown office. Maybe it had to do with that piece of farmland Dad was talking about.
