by Parker, Ali
“Both,” she answered. “I keep telling Patrick we need to branch out. He is worried about scammers and likes things the way they are.”
“But you don’t?” I questioned. I felt a little deceitful for getting inside information. It wasn’t my intention. Patrick might just be putting out some feelers. I didn’t get the impression Mae knew anything about Patrick’s interest in giving up his business. I didn’t want to cause a rift in the family.
“I think we could do more. It feels a little stale. I don’t know. I don’t think either of us knew what we were getting into when we took over the business. We have different ideas. I feel like we’re just kind of coasting, which isn’t terrible, but it isn’t exciting.”
I nodded. “I get it. Life is too short to not be excited about what you do. It’s why I do what I do.”
“I can see how much you like your job,” she said. “Your passion and excitement shine through.”
“What are you passionate about?” I questioned. “What makes your heart race?”
There was a light blush on her cheeks. “I’m almost embarrassed to say I don’t know. Is that bad? I’m almost thirty and I don’t know what I want to really do with my life. I do love the history and the excitement of securing a new shipment of artifacts, but I’m not sure if it’s my thing.”
“What about the fashion thing?” I questioned. “Is that something you think you might want to pursue?”
“No, I’m over that. I was young and had my head in the clouds. I don’t know the first thing about cutting-edge fashion.”
“You look pretty fashionable to me,” I commented.
She laughed. “Because I went to a store or flipped through a magazine. I can dress myself but I’m not about to be the woman who decides what other people wear.”
“I know what you mean. I’m all about grabbing what’s comfy.”
“You look good in a suit,” she said.
I looked down at the jacket. “Thank you. It always makes me feel like my dad. I only wear the suits if I am trying to impress someone.”
Her eyes flashed. “You don’t have to impress me.”
“But it doesn’t hurt.”
“How many tattoos do you have?” she asked.
I chuckled. “You noticed.”
“Hard not to. Do you try to hide them?”
I thought about it. “I don’t try to hide them, but I keep them covered. People tend to be intimidated by tattoos. Do you have any?”
“No, I’m not that brave. What are your tattoos of?”
“I’m a history nerd,” I confessed. “I have some hieroglyphic writing on the inside of my bicep. I have an Egyptian pyramid and just kind of random stuff.”
“Sounds interesting,” she said in a soft voice.
I wanted to offer to let her see them but figured that might be a little presumptive. I didn’t want to put her off, especially when we were having such a nice time.
“Have you thought about getting any ink?” I asked.
She shrugged. “Only when I’m drunk.” She burst into laughter.
“That is always dangerous.”
The waiter returned, bringing us menus. We both ordered the house specialty, filet mignon. We chatted a bit more about local happenings and what we planned to do for the summer. It was strange to be talking to her. It had been a long time since I felt comfortable enough with a woman to talk about my life. She was an old friend and had known me before the money. I didn’t have to pretend or shield what I revealed. She knew most of the skeletons in my closet.
“Would you like to get dessert?” I asked after we had finished our meals.
She smiled. “I’m good.”
“Are you ready to go home?”
She hesitated. “No. Can we go somewhere and get a drink?”
I nodded. “I would like that.”
“We can take advantage of the driver,” she said with a laugh. “It must be nice not having to wait on an Uber.”
“It is very nice.”
I got to my feet and waited for her. I placed my hand on the small of her back as we walked out of the restaurant. I saw the looks from the other men in the restaurant. I wasn’t jealous, but I was possessive. She was mine for the night. I shot dirty looks at a table full of men that were openly drooling over her. For just tonight, I was going to pretend she was all mine.
Chapter 9
Mae
I sipped the Moscow Mule, slowly stirring it with my straw as I studied Tyson’s face. My brain was trying to see the boy I knew. I saw hints of that boy, but the soft, boyish features were gone. In their place were sharp, manly features.
“You’re staring at me,” he said.
“I just can’t believe you are here. Grown up. Like a real man.”
He chuckled. “That tends to happen. It’s been what, fifteen years?”
“Give or take a year.”
“You’ve changed, too,” he said. “You’re all grown up. Like a real woman.”
I smiled and sipped my drink. He had chosen a quiet lounge. It was dark with lots of amber lights that set a very romantic tone. I liked the privacy. I liked the quiet. It made it nice to have a conversation in a public place but without the need to shout over loud music.
“Do you remember when we first met?” I asked.
He cringed. “I don’t know if I remember the exact moment, but I remember when I noticed you.”
I laughed. “When I begged you and Patrick to take me to the mall that one day? You guys were going out with some girls and were wearing gallons of cologne. I made fun of you, and Patrick got mad. Then you guys left me.”
“I don’t think I remember that incident. I remember a time when Patrick and I were playing XBOX and you yanked out the cords because he said something about your hair.”
I tried to remember. “I don’t remember that.”
“You and Patrick always intrigued me. You fought like crazy, but if anyone ever said anything about you, he would kick their ass.”
I wasn’t sure I believed that. “Only he was allowed to pick on me.”
“He teased you.”
“You teased me,” I shot back.
His eyes sparkled with that familiar mischief. “You are fun to tease.”
“It certainly didn’t feel like that. You guys were bullies.”
“I’m sorry if I ever hurt your feelings,” he said, reaching across the table and touching my hand. “I swear, it was all teasing.”
“It’s fine,” I assured him. “Patrick was a punk and you were just following suit.”
“You guys seem to have overcome those days,” he said before pulling his hand back.
“We have. Patrick and I are very close. We’ve been through a lot together and we understand each other.”
He nodded. “He was always so protective of you.”
I smiled. “I suppose, but it did get a little annoying.”
“Do you remember that guy, Gage something?” he asked.
I groaned at the mention of the boy’s name. “Unfortunately, I do. He stood me up at the homecoming dance. I was so embarrassed. He asked me to go as a joke. I was so stupid. I didn’t know it was a joke. Everyone else did.”
“Patrick didn’t, but when he found out, he wasn’t happy. Did Gage ever apologize?”
“He did but it was bullshit. He didn’t mean it.”
Tyson grinned. “Oh, I think he did. Patrick let him know in no uncertain terms that he was a piece of shit.”
My eyes widened. “Is he the one that gave Gage the black eye?”
Tyson took a drink. “I cannot confirm or deny anything.”
“Oh my god!” I gasped. “He told everyone he got it in football practice.”
“That sounds like a good story.”
“I didn’t know,” I said. I had a new appreciation for my big brother. “What about Tiny Tony?”
Tyson laughed. “Oh shit, that was a rough one. Tony was not an easy mark. Patrick took a couple of hits on that one.”
“T
ony was like three times his size!”
He nodded. “Yep, but when he found out what Tony did to you, Patrick saw red. Tony didn’t show up to the party alone. Things got dicey.”
“Did Patrick get hurt?”
“Not too bad,” he said.
“How many guys did he fight?”
“That night? There were four of them and the two of us.”
I looked at him. “You?”
He shrugged. “I wasn’t going to let my friend get his ass kicked.”
“Thank you,” I said. “I guess it’s a little late but thank you for defending my honor.”
“You are welcome,” he said. He put up a hand, asking for another round. “Did you ever tell Patrick about us?”
He asked the question in such a low voice, I almost didn’t hear him. I looked into my own glass. “No.”
“Probably for the best. I waited for him to come after me. When he didn’t, I figured he was too pissed to do anything.”
“Is that why you disappeared?” I asked, looking into his eyes.
He shrugged. “Part of it.”
“You didn’t have to do that. Patrick would have gotten over it.”
“I’m sorry,” he said. “I’m sorry for all of it.”
“Don’t be,” I told him. I was not interested in opening old wounds. “It’s in the past and I think it should stay there. Life happens. We’ve both moved on and it doesn’t look like either of us is suffering from it.”
He smiled. “I suppose not.”
“Did you ever marry?” I asked. I was fully prepared to blame the alcohol for the brazen question.
“Nope. You?”
I rolled my eyes. “Absolutely not.”
“Did you get close?” he pressed.
I slowly shook my head. “Not even a whisper. I did the college thing. I had some fun. Then I got home, and it just felt like there wasn’t time for fun.”
“Wasn’t time?” he questioned.
“Okay, I didn’t want to bother. Dating is a hassle. The men I met were just more work than I cared to deal with. It was just easier not to date.”
“I get that.”
“Did you ever get close?” I asked. I hoped he said no. I didn’t want to think about him being in love with someone else.
“No. I did the college thing as well, but I really didn’t have a lot of time.”
“Because of the double majors,” I said.
“Yes.”
“What about after college? I’m sure you have had lots of opportunities.”
The waitress brought our fresh drinks. I noticed her smiling at Tyson. He handed her a fifty and told her to keep the change. She winked before walking away, purposely exaggerating the sway of her hips. “I learned some hard lessons after I got started in the business.”
“What do you mean?”
“Not only did people start noticing me for the wrong reasons, but I figured out I was not a good boyfriend.”
I laughed. “You figured out, or you were told?”
“Both. Relationships take work. They take time. The few girlfriends I did have let me know I was too reserved, too withdrawn. I wasn’t present literally and figuratively.”
“I’m sorry,” I said but I wasn’t the least bit sorry. I was glad women didn’t want him. That was a terrible thing to think, but it was true.
“It’s okay. I realized I didn’t have the energy to take care of a woman. I am barely capable of taking care of myself. A woman deserves better than me.”
“That’s not true,” I told him. “Any woman would be lucky to have you.”
He took another drink. “Maybe, but I guess we’ll never know.”
“Have you sworn off women? Are you thinking about becoming a monk?”
“Hell no,” he exclaimed. “But I’m careful these days. I travel a lot and I don’t want to give anyone the wrong idea.”
I wasn’t sure if he was talking directly to me or speaking in generalities. “I get it. I know I’m in no position to get mixed up with anyone.” I didn’t tell him I was the new pseudo-mommy to a teenage girl.
“Can we say we’re still young?” he asked.
“I think we can,” I answered with a smile. “That’s our story and we’re sticking to it.”
We took our time with our drinks. I knew I didn’t want the night to end. I noticed him check the time and realized it was getting late, but I didn’t want to go.
“Would you like another drink?” he asked.
“I probably shouldn’t,” I said, even though I really wanted to.
“I’ll text the driver,” he said.
We walked out, the cool spring air waking me up a little. When we got into the car, I scooted over to the other side. Again, I had to fight the urge to curl up next to him. We were friends. Two friends that were out for a drink.
When the limo pulled to a stop in the parking lot of my building, I didn’t make a move to get out. He made no move to get out either.
“Would you like to come up for a drink?” I softly asked.
I could see him struggling with his answer. I suddenly felt like an idiot. My cheeks turned red.
“Mae, I want to, but I probably shouldn’t.”
I nodded. “You’re right.”
“Trust me, I want to, but I—”
I stopped him, saving him from saying something that would just make it that much worse. “Maybe we can grab lunch again one of these days.” It was an open, vague invitation. If he never called again, it would allow me to save face. He wouldn’t have to feel guilty and we could just move on like the situation never happened.
“I’m going to be leaving town on Monday. If you would like to come along, I would be happy for the company.”
I stared at him, wide-eyed. “Seriously?”
“Yes. You said Patrick does all the traveling. You could go with me, unless you have something more pressing to do here.”
I didn’t. Well, I did. I had Hayden to think about. I kept forgetting it wasn’t just me anymore. “Um, I can make some arrangements,” I heard myself say. “If you’re serious. I don’t want to be a burden.”
“Mae, you could never be a burden.”
“Okay, then. Can I call you tomorrow and let you know if I can make it work?”
“I would like that. Call me. Please.”
I smiled. The embarrassment I felt earlier faded. I made a move to get out of the car, but Tyson climbed out first and reached for my hand. I climbed out and stared up at him. This was always the worst part. Was there a kiss or not?
“I should go,” I whispered when he didn’t make the first move to kiss me.
I couldn’t handle another rejection. I had already thrown myself at him once. I didn’t want to do it again. “Call me,” he said without making a move to stop my fleeing.
I headed inside the building. I walked into my empty apartment and leaned against the door, closing my eyes. I was getting into some dangerous territory. It was too easy to fall into old habits. I had to remind myself Tyson was off-limits. He had made it very clear he wasn’t interested in getting into a relationship.
I wasn’t either. But I was also not interested in a friends-with-benefits situation. If Patrick ever found out, he would never forgive me. Patrick could be very old fashioned. He thought of himself as my protector, even if I was more than capable of handling myself. I smiled, thinking about the stories Tyson told me. Thinking of Tyson beating up the asshole that spread some pretty nasty rumors about me made me get the warm fuzzies.
I wanted to go away with him, even if I didn’t know where we were going. That meant I needed to pack. I would ask Patrick to take Hayden. If he had meetings, I knew Carrie would happily take her in. Thankfully, Carrie worked from home and had a very flexible schedule. Hayden loved Ben, and Carrie could probably use an extra pair of hands. It would give her more time to work.
I kicked off my heels and opened my closet, scanning the contents. I needed to find out where we were going before I made any o
utfit choices. I took off the dress, hanging it up before looking at myself in the mirror.
Was I good enough for a man like Tyson? I wasn’t one of those rail-thin model types.
He had complimented me several times. I hoped they were heartfelt and not just empty platitudes.
Chapter 10
Tyson
I walked into the living room of my massive home and flipped on the big screen. I was planning on doing very little for the day. I had some research to do but nothing that required me to leave the house. I liked to window shop. My window shopping included me browsing through current archeological digs as well as checking the latest catalog inventory from some of my frequent go-to dealers. I had learned a long time ago to stick with people I knew or that had been referred to me.
I was just settling in when I heard the gate buzz and then open. Only one person, besides the housekeeper and groundskeeper, knew the code. Both of them were off for the day, which meant it was Alec. That was unusual. He never stopped by. We weren’t that kind of friends.
I walked to the front door and watched him get out of his little sports car. “Hey,” I said.
“Hey.”
“What brings you by?” I opened the door and gestured for him to come inside.
“I need to talk to you about the trip.”
I nodded. “Okay. Want a drink?”
“I’m good.”
I walked back to the living room and turned off the TV. “What about the trip?” I had not told him we were going to have a guest along for the ride. I didn’t think it mattered.
“I’m not going to be able to go,” he said.
I gestured for him to sit down. I sat on the couch, stretching one arm across the back as I looked at him. “Really? Are you sick?”
He laughed. “Nope. I don’t get sick. I have to go to Seattle.”
I raised my eyebrows. “Seattle? Are you going on a scouting mission?”
He winced. “Not exactly.”
I could see he was holding back. I dropped my arm, my relaxed pose fading a bit. “What are you doing over there?”
“First, let me tell you about Israel.”
I nodded. “Okay, what about Israel?”