Best in Bed

by Cheryl Dragon

  “Good, she’d love to have you.” And I’d love the diversion. All the focus would be on them and I’d get some credit for my matchmaking skills.

  The old aunts said there was a gift in the family for it. They’d been praying and working on me for at least five years and nothing had worked. Maybe I had the touch for others, but was cursed not to find a match for myself.

  “We’ll stop by at least. I’d rather torture my parents if they’re willing to sit through it.”

  “I think they will. They won’t admit defeat that easily. You’ll have to go a few rounds before they give up. Nick ready?” I asked.

  “Tux shopping tonight. What about you? Do you have a dress?”

  “Sure, I have that green velvety number I got on clearance last year after the New Year’s dresses were marked down. It’s fitted, yet not revealing. Did you warn Jen to get Tim a tux too?”

  “Done,” Lori chirped. She was so happy I could hear it over the phone. Thank God I had to work tonight so I didn’t have to see it firsthand.

  “Good. If he walked in wearing a suit your mother would faint.”

  “Maybe I should make Nick just wear a suit and watch Mom have a fit?” Lori mused.

  “No, don’t make him look clueless to bait them. I bet he’d look good in a tux. Pull that hair back into a short ponytail and give him a clean close shave and he’d blend well.” I didn’t want Lori to set up a huge blow out at the party. Her parents would start enough trouble.

  “The tux and the hair are no problem. He likes that stubble look though.” Lori made contemplative noises on the other side of the line. “We’ll see. I would like to see him like that. He’d look so much younger without that scruffy layer of a beard.”

  “Not like it’ll take him long to grow it back either. A week at most.” I really didn’t care about Nick’s appearance. He wasn’t a slob or a jerk so why set him up? Obviously, he wasn’t my date, and Lori liked to push the envelope. Her parents would be pissed enough. “Don’t give the parental units more ammunition.”

  “You’re right. You’re right. I’m going to put the best Nick forward. I have to go back to work. See you later.” She hung up before I could even respond.

  “Bye.” I pressed the off button and glanced at the clock. I’d made no use of my morning. I needed to go shopping. It was too late now.

  The best I could do was get out of the chair and make my way to the kitchen. Picking up a notepad and pen, I opened cabinets and the fridge, making a list of what I needed. I’d stop after work and get it all. The stores would be less crowded then. I hated the holiday crowds so I normally scheduled my trips around them.

  As I finished my list, the phone rang again. Who the hell could it be now? “Hello?” I answered.

  “Marina?” It was a man’s voice, not a family member. I didn’t recognize it at all.

  “Yes, who’s this?” I dropped the notepad and pen on the counter and leaned against it in my fuzzy robe and kitty slippers. I had to shower and dress yet so this better not drag on.

  “This is Louie from the Rattler. I told you I’d give you a call. Is this a bad time?”

  Louie? Damn, had I really given him my number? Probably to get rid of him. Not that he was a bad guy. I didn’t need this now.

  “Hi, Louie.” I had to be nice. He was harmless and I knew him from high school. That probably was why he held little appeal. I knew him at his gawky and geeky stages. And he’d seen me at mine.

  “I was wondering if you’d like to grab a drink or dinner one night.”

  Great. I get a guy I don’t want asking me out and the guy I do want, won’t say a word. What to do? What to do? I knew he’d take the heat off of Nick. He wasn’t the tux type. At least I wouldn’t be alone.

  My common sense vetoed that thought. First, you didn’t accept a first date during the holidays. Too much pressure. Secondly, if I took him to any holiday function that would give him minimum of boyfriend status which he hadn’t earned. Bottom line, I didn’t want Louie.

  “You know Louie, it’s the holidays. I have a lot of parties and family stuff for the next few weeks. How about you give me a call after New Year’s and we’ll try to do lunch?” I hoped he’d get the hint.

  “Sure, I know it’s a busy time, I just didn’t want you to think I was blowing you off. Talk to you later.” He hung up and I exhaled.

  “You waited a week.” I rolled my eyes at the phone and hung up. I didn’t want him anyway. Not my type at all. Of course, my type wasn’t working out so well. Was that my problem? Maybe, but the thought of dating Louie made me sick. That wasn’t the answer.

  I finished my list and got in the shower. I dressed for comfort and only bothered with minimum makeup to keep my face from drying out in the windy Chicago air. I tossed the shopping list in my purse and made sure I had everything.

  I needed to stock up on wine again. This little game of mine had caused a large thirst. I made sure I had my license too. Not that I really got carded anymore, but occasionally you’d find a new employee who carded everyone and their grandmother.

  With no energy to move, I forced myself to go out into the hall and locked the door behind me.

  “Hi,” a man said behind me.

  I turned. Nick. I couldn’t catch a break today. “Hi, Nick. On my way to work.”

  He nodded. “I’m going in late today.”

  “Perks of being the boss.” I smiled. “Glad you and Lori worked things out.”

  Nick grinned. “Thanks for pushing her. She told me about the little game.”

  I shrugged. “You know how she gets with her birthdays. I had to do something or she might have panicked and married the first halfway normal snob her mother threw at her. Luckily, her mom usually picks guys that seem nice, however twenty minutes with them and the loser comes out.”

  “I’m guessing she’s fixed you up a couple of times?” Nick asked.

  “I put a stop to it real quick. Her mom lives in a different world. Don’t worry, you’ll get to visit. It’s an adventure.” I headed to the elevator and he went back into the apartment.

  The one day I don’t feel like conversing with people and they’re coming out of the woodwork. Now I couldn’t wait to get to work and avoid this emotional relationship and deep conversational crap for a while.

  ~* * *~

  It’d be a slow day, few people brought their pets in for routine stuff around the holidays. Though there would be the inevitable cat ate tinsel and chewed on the lights, which could be more dangerous. I wandered in and chatted with the techs. There were a lot of boarded animals for the travelers so staffing levels were high, but there wasn’t a lot of activity.

  I dropped my junk in the office and noticed Dr. Percy was working. He owned the animal hospital and was about a hundred years old and liked to come in now and then. His wife was our office manager.

  He never came in, especially not over the holidays. His wife was home cooking already. She’d called to invite me if I could pop in. Sometimes I felt like their adopted kid.

  “Hey, old man,” I said affectionately. “You get lost or forgot to fly south for the winter?”

  He grunted and kept reading. “Had to check on something. You here all afternoon?”

  “Yeah. Need something?” I asked.

  “Later.” He waved.

  I shrugged and headed to the front. No patients, so I ducked in the back. My litter of kittens was now officially ready for adoption. We’d held off announcing it because too many people gave them as pets for the holidays and ended up returning them.

  So, they were all still there. I took them out and played with them a bit. Gave them a little free check up on their reflexes as they darted after toys and each other. All healthy, playful and socializing well.

  The door rang. I stayed with the kittens. If they needed a doc, they’d get me. Probably just another animal to be boarded.

  “Marina?” Dr. Percy poked his head in. “Can I talk to you for a minute?”

  “Sure
.” I piled the little balls of fur back into their cage and headed for the office.

  I sat down and he closed the door in his puttering old man fashion. He dropped into his chair with a sigh. “I need to retire.”

  Not a surprise. We’d known that for years. The question was what would happen with the place when they did. “Big plans?” I asked.

  “Maybe moving somewhere warmer. The frigid winters here are just getting to my wife’s arthritis too badly now.” He nodded. “We don’t just want to put this place up for sale.”

  “I understand.” Was he firing us all? Closing up shop to sell the property and move. Not the old man. Not days before Christmas.

  “We want you to buy it.” He looked at me as though I should’ve known or suspected.

  “I’m sorry, you want me to what?” I must’ve heard him wrong. Not possible.

  “Buy the place. Then, we’ll know it’ll be run well. It’s a good location. Business is good and customers are loyal.” He handed me a folder. “Financial statements for the past ten years. It’s profitable.”

  “I’m sure it is. I can’t possibly afford to buy this place. The location would make it worth, I can’t even imagine.” I shrugged. I was flattered, but this was far more than I’d planned for today.

  “That’s what loans are for. You think I didn’t have one?” He handed me another folder. “Women seem to get them easier for small businesses. You won’t have a problem either way. Here are some forms and programs my wife found.”

  I didn’t take the folder right away. I was frozen in my chair. No April Fools. No joke.

  He waved the folder at me. “I’m not getting any younger. Take them.”

  I added that folder to my lap, but didn’t open either one. “Are you sure?” I asked.

  “Of course, I’m sure. I’ve watched you here. You’re good, everyone likes you, listens to you, and you don’t take crap. No reason not to settle in and start paying off that loan while you’re young. Unless you don’t intend to stay in Chicago?” He looked concerned.

  “I never planned to move.” I shook my head. That wasn’t the problem. “It’s just such a big thing. You never mentioned it before.”

  “If I had, it would’ve meant picking a time or giving you an idea. I wasn’t sure when I’d be ready to let go. Most of our friends have moved away and we want to be near them and somewhere you don’t have to worry about ice and snow. Now is a good time for me. You take your time. Think about it. I don’t want an answer now. I want you to read all that stuff and let me know after New Year’s. You’re off starting tomorrow right?” he asked.

  I nodded. I’d take December 23rd through the day after New Years off to so I could make all the parties and family stuff without missing anyone.

  “Well, then you’ll have time to ponder it away from here. It’s not just a job. It’s a business decision so make sure you’re ready. I know you are, and I’m not going to be around to tell you so.” He wagged an arthritic finger at me. “You have to want it.”

  “Okay.” I didn’t know what else to say. He was offering me his life’s work. “I really appreciate this confidence in me.”

  “Don’t think you aren’t up to it? You are. And the boss gets to make their own schedule.” He grinned.

  “One of the perks.” I nodded.

  A knock on the door ended the conversation. “I need a doc out here for an exit exam.”

  I nodded to the old man and set the pile of papers next to my bag before I headed out. “Who’s leaving?”

  “We sold your runt.” She handed me a file.

  “I thought we weren’t letting any of them be adopted until after Christmas.” I’d gotten attached to that little runt. Occupational hazard. It didn’t happen too often to me.

  “It’s not for a present and he’s a regular customer.” The tech shrugged. “I didn’t think you’d mind.”

  I glanced down at the paper and smiled. “You’re kidding?” I looked at the tech in disbelief.

  “He asked for you.” He pointed to exam room two.

  I knocked briefly and opened the door. Monster greeted me instantly with a wagging tail and cold nose in my hand. “Hi, Monster.”

  Seth tried to catch his leash. I got to it first. His hand hit mine and I did my best to ignore it. I handed Seth the leash and he secured Monster to the table so he wouldn’t go wild. “Glad you were working. They said you’re off for a week or so after today?”

  “Yeah, I’m taking the holidays off. Too many family gatherings and holiday parties to deal with. So you decided to take home our little runt?” I stroked the little kitten on the table who looked lost without her siblings.

  “She and Monster seem to get along okay. Besides he needs someone to play with while I’m at work or he’ll wreck the place.” Seth shrugged.

  “Keep an eye on them for a while. They get along now. There could be territory issues and she’s still pretty small to defend herself. The claws would do some damage though.” I did the routine checks on her. I knew she was healthy, but it was policy. I spotted a cat size carrier on the counter next to me. The man planned ahead!

  “Do you have a name for her?” I made notes in the file in my usual scribble. I tried not to look at his body in jeans and a t-shirt. He’d taken off his wool coat, the heat was a little high in the room, and I couldn’t help, but be distracted by his form.

  “No, I’m not very creative,” he admitted. “Any ideas? You must see every name in the book.”

  “Well, an all black cat who ends up on the doorstep of an animal hospital. My sick sense of humor would call her Lucky. I’m sure you’ll do better.”

  “No, I like it.” He picked up the two-pound fur ball and looked her in the eye. “What do you think, Lucky?”

  She licked his nose. Seth laughed. “I think you have a winner.”

  I wrote in the name and checked when her shots were due. “You have a couple of months before her next round of shots. We’ll send you a reminder card in the mail. She can’t be fixed for a few more weeks when she gains enough weight. That’s highly encouraged. Any other questions?” I asked.

  “Declawing?” He dislodged her claws from his shirt.

  “I wouldn’t. Especially not with a dog in the house. She has to have a way to defend herself and he’ll bite a lot harder than she will. Just keep them trimmed. Nail clippers are good. No matter what people say, declawing a cat hurts them.” I got some out of the sanitizing solution and took Lucky from him.

  “You pull back the paw pad and make sure she stops wiggling. Then just get the tips. Don’t go too low. When she’s bigger, it’ll be easier to see. And a scratching post is a must. Train her to use it and you’ll be fine.” I did a couple and then handed the clippers to Seth. With great intensity and determination in his face, he trimmed the rest carefully.

  My mind wandered while he was working. Not to my business proposition, which was more than I could take in at the moment. Back to Lori and Jen. The deal was no regrets. They didn’t have any. Lori tried and won. Jen tried, failed, then found someone else and got rid of her virgin status for more fun. And what had I done? Nothing different.

  I reviewed. Not one thing different. Talking to Lucas, I’d talk to any of the idiot ex’s if they called. Pushing Lori into mischief. No problem, I did it all the time. For her own good, of course. What had I done? I got asked out by a club owning, aging college kid. Not for me.

  It was now or never, I decided. If he said no, I just wouldn’t look after his animals anymore. There were plenty of other good vets in the office.

  “Seth?” I started and stopped when he looked up.

  “What?” he asked.

  “About all those holiday parties I have to go to. You’re probably really busy now too, right?” This was smooth. I’d laugh at myself if I weren’t so nervous.

  “Actually, no. I don’t have a lot of family. My brother and his wife aren’t far so I’ll take Monster and Lucky over there Christmas day. Other than the company party, I
’m not overbooked. Why?”

  “I was just wondering...” Spit it out, Marina. You can do it. It won’t kill you. “If you’d like to go out sometime? With me.”

  My eyes darted to the cat. As though the words hadn’t just left my mouth.

  “Is that allowed?” he asked.

  “Allowed?” I repeated. “What do you mean?”

  “I just thought you might have a rule against it, office or personal policy. I mean, you must get owners hitting on you all the time.” He shrugged.

  “No, no policy and definitely not hitting on me all the time. Not a lot of single men, I guess.” It sounded good anyway, even if it wasn’t an answer from him. How did men do this? I so much preferred being a girl, but for now, I had to follow it through. “Is that a yes?”

  “Absolutely. I’d have asked you out. I didn’t think it’d be appropriate.” He stuffed his hands in his pockets and grinned.

  I knew I was blushing like Jen would. “Great. When’s good for you?”

  “What about those parties? Aren’t you booked?” he asked.

  “Depends if you want to see how the other half lives?” I teased.

  “What do you mean?”

  “My friend’s parents are loaded and they have this formal fancy party the Eve of Christmas Eve every year. It’s lobster, caviar, and the best champagne. My friend put me down for a guest, even though I’m not seeing anyone. If you want to join me, I promise the food and alcohol will be good.”

  “It’s not a family thing?” he asked.

  “No,” I assured. “Not for a second date. You’ll meet my friends. That’s enough.”

  “Second date?” he asked.

  “Yeah, if you’re free for dinner, we could break the ice tonight.” I wasn’t going to waste two days waiting to see him. Breaking the rules was working. He was a by the rules sort of guy, and that was fine with me.

  “All I had planned for tonight was settling in Lucky so I thought I’d order in. Do you like Chinese?”

  I nodded. Dinner at his place. Even better.

  “Then it’s four for Chinese. Why don’t you come by about six o’clock?”

  “Sounds great. I’ve got your address.” I nodded to the file. “See you then.”