"No, you're glad I clean up so well." Nick squeezed me tighter.
“Actually, I really prefer you naked. Jeans and t-shirt are better if you must wear clothes. However, you do clean up very well.” I adjusted his tie like a fussy girlfriend. “You always did surprise me.”
What I really wanted to do was open his collar. He had the sexiest neck. That’d have to wait for later. For the moment, I was completely content.
“Did I survive round one?” he asked.
"So far so good. There will be major retaliation and reaction from the parental units. This was the shock meeting in public where they can't make a scene. At least, not too big." I felt the need to warn him just in case he thought the worst was over.
Better yet, I had to offer him an out. “Are you sure you want to take this on? It’ll be a long time before they settle down or leave us alone completely. My parents don’t take losing well.”
"They can lose you or accept me. Either way, do I look scared? This time I’m not going away. Even if you tried to get rid of me." Nick looked me right in the eye. “I love you, Lori.”
“I love you, too,” I confirmed. I broke my mother's cardinal rule. Public displays of affection were inappropriate, unladylike, and vulgar. Tough shit, I kissed my mechanic boyfriend in the middle of my mother's snobby holiday party and didn't care who saw.
Chapter Eighteen
Marina’s New Normal Life
The weeks after Christmas were insane for me. Dr. Percy had taken my agreement to buy the animal hospital to heart. He’d had papers drawn up and sent over before my vacation was even over.
I’d already applied for the loan and things seemed to fly through faster than I expected. Call it old-world paranoia, but I’d never been big on debt. My student loans weren’t that big, thank you scholarships, and no car loan because no car. The apartment was leased and the rent was reasonable. Not paying stuff late had paid off to give me an excellent credit rating.
That and the rosary vigil by my mom and her sisters made the big bank bless me. I was magically in debt up to my eyeballs like the rest of the world.
The closing took place at the bank and I dressed for it. Being a vet, I rarely got to wear what could be called a suit or anything really professional. So, I went all out. The black pants flared, the subtle silver blouse was fitted, and the trendy cut jacket was long.
I felt like a professional. I’d even received an application to join a businesswomen’s organization in Chicago. This was real.
I arrived ten minutes early and was offered coffee, tea, and water by three different receptionists in the loan department. I’d always avoided big deals with my money. After seeing my sister and brother-in-law struggle to get a mortgage approved, I had been content to lease the apartment from Lori’s dad at a friend of the family rate.
Maybe now I’d look into buying a car or maybe even buying an apartment in the city one of these years. Owning a business made paying rent look like a waste. I wouldn’t end up owning anything or getting any money when I moved out. First, I had to get used to owning a business. Maybe then a condo I could call my own.
Dr. Percy arrived with his wife, both smiling ear to ear. Damn, I’d just realized I’d have to replace her. Mrs. Percy did all of the scheduling and a good deal of the paperwork. My first management decision—I’d need an office manager.
Shelley was Mrs. Percy’s right hand. Maybe Shelly’d get a promotion. That’d go over well. Shelly was dependable, well liked, and always there. Good first move.
Of course, I’d have to hire another vet eventually. Percy had cut back his hours to almost nothing about a year ago. That was less critical as long as I kept myself on my regular schedule for now.
Before I could exchange more than a hello with the Percy’s, we were ushered into a room with the bank representative. My brain couldn’t absorb all of the legal blather.
I’d had Nick’s lawyer look over the papers before I even read them so I could ask questions of someone knowledgeable. He’d helped Nick when he bought the garage so that was a relief. I’d convinced myself there was a clause in there taking my first-born if I missed a payment. The lawyer promised there wasn’t and I hadn’t found anything odd.
For about twenty minutes, we signed things. I’d never written my name so many times in my life. It felt like the ultimate Catholic school punishment. My hand cramped and my signature was barely recognizable by the end of it. Luckily, I had a manicure scheduled for tomorrow so the damage could be undone.
Then it was over. I was handed the keys and I felt it was real for the first time. We were shown to the lobby and told our copies would be mailed in a week or so. It was all a blur really.
“Bye, dear.” Mrs. Percy hugged me.
“Bye? Are you guys leaving already?” I asked.
“We’re heading down to Arizona to stay with some friends for the worst of the winter. Don’t worry, we’ll be back for the spring to sell our house. No point in putting it on the market with the deep snows ready to start.” Mrs. Percy smiled hard. They were ready for this change.
“Sounds perfect.” I smiled.
“If you have any questions, we’re not leaving until this weekend. Not that you don’t already know how it all works. You can call me anytime. I’m keeping the cell phone.” Dr. Percy patted his pocked and hugged me. “I won’t be one of those puttering retired old men who can’t handle technology. I may even get a computer so you’d better email me.”
“I will. Thanks.” I watched as they puttered out of the lobby and into the brisk wind to get in their brand new Cadillac.
For a moment, I just stood there. Free and without responsibilities no longer described me. I’d just signed away my life, it feel oddly good. I stepped out of the bank as someone who owned something. I had more than a degree and some furniture.
I started looking for a cab. I had to get back to the apartments. Today was moving day for Lori and I’d been enlisted to help with last minute stuff.
Honestly, I couldn’t wrap my brain around the urgency. Her dad owned the building. The building manager hadn’t, as far as I knew, leased the new apartment to anyone or threatened to have her stuff tossed if she stayed an extra day. That was Lori. Miss Independent now, with Nick of course.
“Where do you think you’re going?” A voice called in my direction. I knew that voice.
I turned and saw Seth leaning against a shiny new black Lexus.
“What are you doing here?” I walked over.
“All signed and officially a grown up?” he asked.
I nodded. “I thought you had to work today?”
“I lied to throw you off my little surprise.” He shrugged. “Get in.”
“This is your car?” We’d always taken the El or a cab from my place. We’d only been dating a few weeks. Maybe the car was new or just a lease.
“I never said I was poor. Get in.” He held the door open waving me in.
I hopped in and examined the inside. Lori’s car was nicer, but this was good too. I’d never had a boyfriend with money. He rounded the car and dodged traffic to get in the driver’s side.
“You’re not an illegal sort of pharmacist, are you?” I asked.
He laughed. “No, totally legal. My grandfather was a stock market dabbler before it was the thing to do. He didn’t blow it and did a little trust fund stuff. I turned that into some serious cash with pharmaceutical and med tech stocks. I invest in what I know.”
“So what does your brother do for a living?” I snuggled into the heated seats. A girl could get used to this. Way to go grandpa! And he played with stocks too. Maybe that was my fate with men, stock traders. At least Seth was a lot more fun than Lucas.
“He’s a cop.”
I laughed. “A cop? A Chicago cop?”
Seth nodded and looked at me like I’d lost it as he pulled out. “Why is that funny?”
“I don’t know. He’s rich with a trust fund and deals with the worst this city has to offer. I have to work.
I never understood people who don’t have to work and still do.”
“Come on, your parents hated what they did?”
“My dad only wanted to put in his years and get his pension. My mom went to work after dad retired to get away from him. Her bakery is like her second kitchen. Work is work.”
“What about Lori?” Seth shrugged.
“Lori’s parents didn’t do the trust fund thing, they spoiled their kids, kept the cash in their name. Control is everything there.” I took off my gloves and ran a hand over the leather. “This is nice.”
“Thanks.” He didn’t seem to care that I loved his car. “I thought Lori liked being a lawyer.”
“She loves it.” I nodded, toying with mirrors and compartments.
“If Lori had all the money in the world, you think she’d stop?”
I shrugged. “Probably not, she might be more selective with the cases she took or start her own firm though. It’s the freedom, I guess.”
“What about you? Would you really stop working?” he asked.
I thought about it for a minute. “I might. At least for a while. Maybe I’d do it a couple days a week just to keep myself in the swing. I think it’d be different if you didn’t have to work. That’s the real problem with work. The have to part. If you’re rich and wanted to take a vacation at the drop of a hat, you do. You see us working stiffs don’t have the luxury.”
“Actually, you’re a boss now. You don’t count as a working stiff anymore.” He grinned. “Ever notice I don’t have the tensest schedule in the world?”
“Actually, yes. Some of the girls were commenting on how you didn’t seem to have a consistent day job or shift or whatever. I should’ve known you weren’t normal. Pharmacists need to fill meds at all hours of the night. My cousin is a pharmacy tech at a chain drug store and loves the midnight shift.” I studied him. No, still cute. He might be rich, but he hadn’t turn into a frog yet. “You’re really a rich guy and not normal at all. I like that.”
“For that I should take you back home and cancel my surprise,” he threatened.
“Why? Where are we going?” Home was where I’d expected us to be headed.
“You’ll see.” He nodded.
I started paying attention to his driving instead of his car and had no idea where we were headed. He pulled up to a building and had the valet, who addressed him by name, take the car.
“What are we doing?” I asked.
“Aren’t you ready for lunch. It’s nearly one.” He guided me through some etched glass double doors. I found myself in an elegant restaurant.
“I’m not dressed for this,” I whispered.
“Don’t worry, neither am I. We don’t have to be.” Seth nodded to a guy in a tux and we were shown to a quiet table with a gorgeous view.
“Reservations?” I asked.
“My sister-in-law owns this place. It’s nice and keeps her out of trouble when the kids are in school. She’s not here today or I’d introduce you.” The staff members greeted him by name, first name, as they passed.
I nodded and glanced over the menu. Seth was well off. No, not possible. My brain was still processing this. I knew pharmacists pulled in a good income, but a trust fund? I couldn’t even attempt to process the prices I was seeing on the menu. Was that dinner or my loan payment for the month? No lie, he was a rich guy.
“It’s all great. The pastas sauces are amazing,” he recommended.
I nodded and then remembered I didn’t have all day to play. Lori, damn. “Do you think we can be back at my apartment by three?” I asked.
“Sure. Trying to get rid of me? I knew you’d hate me for my money.”
I looked over the menu and laughed. The fake pout was priceless. Thank God, he was teasing. “It’s not the money, though, you could’ve told me before. We went to Lori’s parents’ party in a cab. I’m surprised your family doesn’t know her family.”
“All rich people don’t know each other and their type of rich seems different than my family. Besides, if I’d told you, how would I know if you liked me or my bank account? You’d be surprised what’s out there. Some women are after any straight single guy with a little money.”
“Fair enough. Any more secrets? I don’t want to find out you have five kids or insane ex-wives or something.” If he thought I was going to be sweet and perfect because he was loaded, I’d better squash that right now. This relationship wasn’t even a month old yet.
“No, no kids or ex-wives. I’m only thirty. I haven’t had time for that much trouble. What’s happening at three o’clock?” he asked.
“At three?” Oh, right. I wanted to be back by then. “Sorry, I promised Lori I’d help her wrap some of the very expensive breakables in her apartment. She and Nick are moving to a new apartment today.”
“I’ll help,” he offered.
Yeah, okay, the millionaire helping us pack. “You don’t have to. Lori hired movers so most of it went earlier today, I hope. It’s just some figurines and crystal she wants handled personally. We’re going to wrap and Nick has a truck to take over these boxes. It won’t take long.”
“Good, then you can cook me dinner.”
I froze. Me? Cooking was not my best skill. “I’m not really great in the kitchen.”
“Jen said your mom owns a bakery.” He looked surprised. “You can’t cook?”
“I’m not great. Mom does have a bakery. I take care of animals. If you want to risk it, I’ll try. Don’t blame me if you need your stomach pumped.”
“We can call delivery.” He nodded. The waiter arrived and we ordered lunch. Today was going to be all about the food, I could see.
“Considering you just invited yourself over, you’re paying.” I pretended to examine the Wedgwood china and smiled. Expensive little bread dishes. His financial situation was still sinking in.
“Considering the fact that you just put yourself in businesswoman debt, I’m definitely paying.” He winked. “You did a big thing today.”
I felt a wave of seriousness hit me. “Promise me there are no more surprises.”
“What’s wrong?” His voice lowered and sounded just a bit nervous.
“Nothing’s wrong. The animal hospital is a great move for me. You’re having money isn’t a bad thing. My mother always warned me not to date a man who had less money or education than I did.”
“Education, we’re about even and money isn’t a problem.” He shook his head.
“I just can’t take any more shocks or surprises today. Okay?” I sipped the water already on the table. “Let’s get the weird stuff on the table.”
“I promise, no more shocking revelations. Unless you think my being an identical twin is shocking.” His face read honesty, no hint of a joke.
That was unexpected. I thought about it. “Not shocking, still I think it’s good information to have. What if I ran into you in the city, only it wasn’t you? What if it was your twin brother and he was making out with another woman. Then it’d be a problem. Remember what I did to Tim, and I wasn’t even dating him at the time.”
“The warning comes back to haunt me.” He laughed. “You never actually dated Tim. Right?”
“Right, he was supposed to be Lucas whom I did date a few years ago. Lucas has since gotten married, so he’s no threat. Don’t worry, it’s complicated. Just trust that my friends know me well. If they get to know you better they might give you a few more warnings.” I had to keep him on his toes. “Of course, that’d take some of the fun out of me.”
“I prefer to be surprised. You know about my brother now. What about your family?”
“Four sisters, all married. They all live on the south side. In the suburbs mostly.” I shrugged, not knowing what else to share. “You know my mom owns a bakery with her two sisters. I have six first cousins from those two aunts alone. My dad was a union guy and has been retired in front of the television since before I started college. Which made my mom open the bakery.”
“Sounds like a fun fa
mily.”
“If you’re still around for Easter, we’ll see how you feel about meeting the mob in a concentrated dose.” That would be a true adventure. My turn for questions. “Your twin is the cop or do you have more than one brother?”
Seth nodded. “Just the one brother. I preferred a line of work where I’m not a target.”
“I think I prefer dating a pharmacist to a cop. From a safety standpoint anyway.”
He just grinned at me. Lunch arrived and we could barely stop talking. I’m not sure what it was about. The topics varied and flowed.
The fact that he’d never mentioned his money or that it didn’t seem to impress him only impressed me more. He talked about his family, his nephews, and the pets with animation and affection. And he actually listened to me when I talked. Not like most men I’d been out with.
It wasn’t the money that impressed me either, I realized. I’d even forgotten about it once the shock wore off. He was one of the good ones. As my mother would say, don’t let this one get away!
Mom didn’t have to worry. I liked him a lot.
~* * *~
Shortly before three, we arrived back at the apartments. Jen and Lori were already wrapping and Nick and Tim were moving boxes. Sweating and grunting like they were studs. I wished I had time to get my camera and get this moment on digitally transferable media.
“Impatient to be rid of your friends?” My cute way of announcing our presence.
“About time you got here.” Lori didn’t even look up. “I’m behind schedule.”
“Was there any doubt?” I grinned at Seth. “Where do you need us?”
“Come in, I don’t want to dwell. I want everything moved and done tonight. Then I can have you all over for dinner.” Lori was dressed in ratty jeans and a worn old t-shirt I suspected belonged to Nick.
She was so serious about the move, I tried not to laugh as she pulled me in and put me to work on her Waterford crystal. Nick was apparently in charge of the manly endeavors.
“You’re going to cook?” Jen sat up from her wrapping and stared.
“Lori, cook?” I shook my head. No way I’d buy she’d gone that Martha Stewart on us.
Best in Bed Page 23
