Sugar wasn’t smiling when Kitt walked through the door, however.
“What’s wrong?” Kitt asked sitting down in a living room chair across from her aunt on the sofa.
“I just had a call from the doctor’s office. He wants me to come in today at one o’clock. They give you good news on the phone.” Her hands shook as she touched a tissue to her eyes.
Kitt knew that was usually the truth but there might be exceptions. “It may not be anything really bad. He might even just want you to see your x-rays and show you that everything is clear.”
The next few hours weren’t going to be easy ones. Sug said she couldn’t eat a bite and Kitt and Rob had eaten breakfast together so she couldn’t busy herself in the kitchen. He’d cooked sausage and made French toast and they’d discussed anything and everything except what was on their minds. Inane stuff, mostly. Then, he’d gotten a call on the house phone and answered in the living room. When he came back, he said he had to work this afternoon. Before that, he’d been talking about the two of them doing something together.
“I’ve got an idea, Auntie. Let’s take a ride to pass the time. I want to ride by the restaurant where Rob works. Just to see what it’s like. And if you or I get hungry, we could even stop for a bite. Then I’ll go to the doctor’s office with you.”
Sug grumbled a little about wasting gas to ride to Ocala to see a building but she let it drop pretty quickly and Kitt assumed she was grateful to have company for her one o’clock appointment.
Kitt wasn’t all that familiar with Ocala and had trouble finding Fruits of the Sea, but when she did, it looked just like the picture in the phone book. Looking at the car clock, she saw it was too late to stop but she rode through the parking lot.
“Look,” she said, pointing when she spotted Rob’s Vette behind the building. “He’s here.”
“Didn’t you expect him to be?” Sug demanded. “Did you think he lied?”
“Of course not,” Kidd said, frowning. Or did I think he might have?
Rob had fibbed to Kitt. Again. Why don’t I call it like it is? I lied. But he was going to put an end to his deceit.
It had been Suzette on the phone wanting him to go to the supermarket for her and do a few basic preparations for the meal she was going to prepare. Jason was coming for dinner and she planned to cook the poor man something special. His business partner who was very jealous shot him in the shoulder. Suzette usually had Rob fix special meals such as dinner parties, but she obviously wanted to impress this guy in a different way.
Terewski had a lot of nerve hooking up with yet another woman after what went down last night. He must really love the life those women could give him. With those two out of the way and in trouble, he’d grabbed onto the one he still had on hand—Suzette. It was hard to believe she was still interested in the guy, but who knew what story he’d told her? Rob hadn’t argued with Suzette. If she wanted to pursue a gigolo, gold digger, and multi-women pursuer, let her.
Besides, Kitt was sitting in the kitchen and could walk in and overhear their conversation any minute. He’d told her he’d come by for the list, later. First, he had an errand to do.
After he dropped off Kitt at her aunt’s, he headed to Ocala where he planned to ask for his job back.
“Rob Harrison.” His old boss smiled when he walked in Fruits of the Sea. “How are you doing, fella?” Hank was sitting in a booth with a ledger in front of him.
Rob sat down opposite him. “I’m thinking of changing jobs and wondered…”
“If I’d take you back?” He waggled his bushy black brows. “Suzette too hard to work for or did she find someone else to be my man?” Hank laughed heartily.
“She called me that to you?” Rob felt the vein in his temple begin to throb. His face heated up and he clenched his fists.
“The question is, has she said it in front of you? She still comes in here to eat occasionally and I thought to myself, Rob Harrison is not going to stand for that.”
“I’m not any longer. I’ve decided it’s not worth it.”
“I figured it might be like selling your soul to the devil, working for her. I was once roped in by her charms. We dated for about a month, but she thought I owned the place and when she found out I was just the manager, it was, ‘So long, Hank.’” He shrugged. “It wasn’t any skin off my nose. She got on my nerves.
“So you’re ready to don your chef’s hat once again?” He leant forward confidentially. “I’ve got someone right now but I could take you on part-time or… This is top secret, but I’ve been hired as Operations Manager of the restaurant in a new Radisson Hotel that’s opening next month in Orlando, and I’d rather have you for my sous chef than anyone I know.” “Wow, Hank. That would be a fucking dream come true.”
“I’m going to Orlando for a week’s training and I’ll let you know. You might have to go too, if not now, later.
“To be fair, this manager job will be open too, but you’re too good in the kitchen. I would hate to see you waste your talent.”
“I’d rather cook. Too many headaches come with managing.”
Rob left there feeling on top of the world. Now, all he had to do was break the news to Suzanne. First, however he’d pick up her shopping list and help her set up the trap for Jason, the rat. It would only be fair to give her notice.
Kitt had gone in with Sugar to see her doctor. She said her knees were weak and Kitt felt like hers might be knocking. When they left, Kitt was smiling and her aunt was huffing.
“Can you believe it? He thinks I’m depressed. What have I got to be down about? A sister who isn’t speaking to me. A favourite niece I had to trick into visiting. A nosy old biddy living next door. And lumps in both my breasts.
“Of course, I’m depressed. And on top of all that, my niece is rotting in a school library and has so little self confidence she’s going to marry some toad instead of the sex-ball that’s been in love with her since high school.”
Kitt held the front door to Sug’s house open for her. The same door that Rob Harrison fell through just days ago.
Kitt led the way to the kitchen, opened the fridge, and got out a bottle of wine. She took two stemmed glasses out of the cabinet, opened the merlot, and poured. Her aunt eyed her suspiciously. “You really think Rob’s in love with me?”
“What are you? Blind?”
“A toast to your good health.” Kitt raised her glass and Sug raised hers and they clicked them together.
“I guess having the blues is a far cry better than cancer,” she admitted sheepishly.
“And you’ll feel better once you start taking your serotonin uptake inhibitor.”
“I’d feel a lot better if you’d marry Rob, stay in Summerville, and give me some great nieces and nephews. Seeing as how I was barren and as a result, I can’t ever have grandkids.”
“And you called my mother a drama queen.” Kitt nearly choked on her wine, giggling. “If I marry Rob, maybe Mother will come to the wedding and you two can make up. And if it pleases you, we won’t invite Jonesy.”
Sugar started laughing and they were both carrying on when Rob stopped by to see how her appointment went.
“You left the door open and I heard what you said. So why is marrying Rob such a hoot?” He walked over to the counter and picked up the wine bottle and looked at Kitt.
“That cabinet.” She pointed and he took out a glass and filled it.
He sat down at the table. “I wouldn’t make such a bad husband.”
“That’s what I told her,” Sugar said, grinning.
“With all this frivolity, I guess you got good news at the doctor’s, Sugar.”
Kitt recounted the diagnosis and the conversation that made them laugh. Rob scooted his chair closer to Kitt’s. “You don’t mind having a few babies to cheer your aunt, do you, sweetheart?”
“I thought you were working,” she said, blushing. She’d love to have Rob’s babies.
“Quit trying to get rid of me. I’m going
to. I just haven’t gone in yet.”
“We rode by and the place you work looks nice,” Sug said.
“Your car was there at the restaurant,” Kitt said. “What do you mean you haven’t gone in yet?”
“I…I’m running an errand for my boss. I went in but I left, and I haven’t gone back.” He emptied his glass, got up and poured refills all around. “Sugar, do you approve of your niece working as a detective?”
“What?” Sug practically squealed.
“Big mouth,” Kitt said to Rob. “Who asked you to butt in?”
“If she didn’t know, she needs to. She wouldn’t want you doing anything dangerous either. Kitt was in on a shooting last night.”
“What?” Sug paled and sagged in her chair.
“Get out.” Kitt ground the words out between her teeth. “You’ve upset her.”
“I’m sorry. Don’t worry, Sugar. I’m going to convince her to quit. I can’t have the mother of my future children getting killed.”
Kitt picked up a spoon off the table and hurled it at him. He caught it and laughed. “You throw like a girl.”
She picked up a salt shaker and Rob ran.
Rob pushed open the screen door and nearly hit a man, who was dressed like a college preppie, in the face. The guy jumped back and twittered nervously. “My heavens. Watch where you’re going.”
“Sorry.” Rob took a couple of steps backward inside the house. “Are you looking for someone?”
“Katherine. Is she home?”
“You must be—“
“Lionel.” Kitt sounded agonised as she appeared at Rob’s elbow. “You said you were going to call.”
“For directions. I found the house without them. I have a GPS and I wanted to surprise you. May I come in?”
“Of course. My friend Rob was just leaving.”
“Hold on, Kitten. I might like to stay and meet your friend, Lionel.”
She sighed audibly. “You said you had to go to work.”
“I can spare a few moments.”
“Kitten? I thought you said most people call you Kitt.”
Rob chuckled. “I am not most people.”
Kitt who’d stepped forward elbowed him in the ribs. “Rob is a long-time friend who needs to be going. Come in, Lionel.”
Lionel stepped inside, eyeing Rob warily as he made his way past. He wasn’t a bad-looking dude, but he wore an argyle vest over a turtleneck shirt. If he wasn’t gay, he was weird by Rob’s standards.
“Come meet my aunt,” Kitt said, motioning Lionel to follow while giving Rob a killer look.
“Of course,” Lionel said, “but I was hoping we could talk, Katherine. Alone.”
Rob was going to puke if he stayed. “Don’t let me get in the way. Nice to meetcha, Li. See you later, Kath.”
He left, laughing his ass off as he went. He’d take care of Suzette’s shopping and try to resist going to The Silver Spoon to get drunk.
Kitt could have slit Rob’s throat but Lionel was so pitifully nervous after Sugar’s interrogation, she suggested they go out for milkshakes in order to soothe him. He did drink alcohol but she knew he had a greater weakness for chocolate and Dairy Queen was close by.
His confession wasn’t long in coming. Ten deep swallows through a straw and Lionel laid his cards on the table with a mile-long apology. He’d decided he wasn’t ready for marriage or engagement. He was conflicted over what he wanted in life.
“Who is the object of your conflict?” Kitt asked, overwhelmed with curiosity more than regret. Was it ‘who’ or ‘whom’? She couldn’t remember.
“Chris, a research librarian I met at a conference. I am so, so sorry. You are wonder—”
“No problem. It’s okay,” Kitt said, smiling and patting his hand. “I wish you happiness.” She wished she knew if Chris was male or female, but maybe ignorance really was bliss.
Bliss would have been not dealing with her aunt, but she returned home to face Sug.
“Ah ha, I was right,” Sugar declared as soon as Kitt walked into the living room where she was waiting.
She looked as if she should have a rifle in her hand. Kitt’s thought brought a smile to her lips. “Let me guess.
“Lionel is a sissy compared to Rob although he does look better than I expected. But he’s not your type. Besides, you and Rob love each other and you both know it, so what are you waiting for? I could die of depression or lumps in my breast before you get married and have kids.
“However, something’s not right with Rob Harrison. He’s hiding something. Do you know what it is? And before you answer, it’s ridiculous that you want to be a detective. You’ll get your ass killed and then who will I leave my money to? Certainly not my sister.”
“Slow down, Sug.” Kitt held up a hand. Chocolate milkshakes were not fortifying.
She returned from the kitchen with two glasses of wine. “Lionel and I are finished. He wanted me to keep his ring but I didn’t. I don’t need a pre-engagement pearl to remind me I was trying to fool myself.
“Second, I may give up the detective business if I marry Rob, but first he has to ask me.
“And most importantly, you are not allowed to die until I present you with a bunch of little kids to babysit. But as for Rob, I have a funny feeling too.” Kitt shrugged her shoulders almost to her ears. “But what do you think is wrong?”
“His job stories don’t fit.”
“That’s what I thought. So what can we do?”
“You’re the detective. Figure it out, Ms. Ace.”
Rob knew he was skating on thin ice. He had to level with Kitt or lose her.
He’d tell Suzette today that he was quitting. He had let her get through last night with Jason Terewski, hoping she’d see what a mistake she was making. That way he could leave her in good conscience.
He’d left Kitt to spend the evening with Lionel, confident she wouldn’t fuck the nerd and hopefully would send him packing. Maybe it was conceit, but Rob thought his return was what Kitt needed to get her goals straight. And if he asked her to marry him and she did, he’d have to insist she quit Ace.
A job was in his future and—he hoped—a wife and kids.
Rob started the day off with a visit to Suzette. She was still in her robe, a silky blue concoction. And there were stars in her eyes. “Rob,” she purred as she waved him inside.
“How was your date last night?” As if I don’t know.
“Marvellous, darling. But, sweetie…” She motioned him to follow her into the kitchen where she poured them both coffees. “I’m sorry, but I have bad news. It will be easy with your cooking talent to find another—”
“Job? You’re firing me?” Rob should be glad but he was incredulous. He’d worried so about letting her down.
“Jay needs a job, and he and I are so compatible.”
“One night and…never mind. I wish you the best, Suzette. But be careful.”
“I’ll deposit two months’ pay in your account as severance, sweetie.”
Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.
“Wait, Rob. I wanted to set things straight with your girlfriend. So I phoned and told her there was never anything romantic between us. Now what do you say to that? I really wanted to do right by you.”
Kitt was deep in disbelief. Rob’s friend Suzette was his employer. He was a gigolo but Suzette assured her that there was no romance involved. Sex minus emotion? Was that what she meant? “He’s a horse’s patootie,” she told Sugar. “A kept man. Her man, Suzette called him. He was pool boy, cook, escort, chauffeur, masseur, personal shopper. You name it. Rob Harrison did everything but wipe Suzette’s ass. I hope he didn’t do that.
“Is the Corvette his? The condo? I can’t believe he’d stoop so low.”
“Calm down, Kitt,” Sug said. “I’m shocked too, but give the man a chance to explain.”
“Explain what? Actions speak louder than words. I thought he’d made something of himself.”
Sug was looking out the front window. “He just
pulled up out front in the Vette. I’ll disappear while you two talk. But take it easy on him, honey. Pulling himself up by the bootstraps was a long pull.”
She left and Kitt met him at the door. “Kitten.” Rob stood on the other side of the screen, his beautiful blue eyes shiny with unshed tears. “May I come in?”
Not too long ago, he’d fallen through this same front door and into her arms.
She nodded and he reached for her. “I’ll try to explain.”
She loved him. That was the hard part. And the good part. But she felt betrayed and hurt. She stepped back and he followed her to the couch where he’d made her come that first fateful night.
“I have another job. I went to Suzette’s to tell her I quit. And she let me go before I could. She’s hiring Jay Terewski.”
“Jason. His name is really Jason.” Kitt suddenly got it. “She’s hiring him to take your place?”
“I warned her he was a gold digger.”
“And now he’s a…gigolo.”
“Kitt Matthews, don’t you dare say or think that I was a gigolo. I got paid for what I did but there was never, ever sex or anything physical involved.”
“You promise?” She couldn’t help smiling. Maybe she should be angry but it must have been hard waiting on Ms. Hoity-Toity. “Why did you do it?”
“She offered me more money than I was making at Fruits of the Sea, and I wanted to afford a lifestyle that would impress the people who knew me as that rotten Harrison kid. But most of all I wanted to impress you. I’ve loved you forever, Kitten. I didn’t realise it for a while. All I knew was that you were constantly in my thoughts and dreams. I didn’t know what love was. I had never loved or been loved. All I knew was I had to return with something to show for my time away. Something to validate my efforts.”
Kitt put a finger to his lips. “You’ve loved me forever?” You love me now?
“More than I can say. The condo and car are mine. I mean, they’re in my name and I’m paying on both. But I don’t have any other debts and I’m getting this new job…”
“Rob. Hush. You don’t need to sell me. I love you and if you asked me to marry you, I’d say ‘yes’ even if we had to live in a barn.”
Bad Boy, Back in Town Page 11
