by Mia Ford
I slipped it on and walked back to my car.
I sat down in the driver's seat and pulled out my phone to see there were still no calls or messages. I ground my teeth and dialed Jenna's number again. Finally, she picked up.
"Lucas your father will be going home at the end of this week," Jenna said without saying hello.
"Well, that's good to know. I'll catch a flight out there on Thursday so I can…"
“Catch a flight out here for what?” Jenna snapped.
“To see my father.” I shook my head in disbelief.
“Well, your father and I already talked and decided it wasn’t necessary for you to come all the way home.”
“What?”
“Yeah. I mean, really, what would you do here, Lucas? It isn’t like you have any kind of nursing skills or anything that might help.” Jenna laughed. “Besides, your dad and I were discussing his business and…”
“You and my dad were discussing his business. You with all your worldly real estate knowledge?” I snapped.
“Your father’s office in Minnesota isn’t doing all that great and he wants you to take what you’ve done in New Hampshire and do it in Minnesota.”
I didn’t say a word.
"It'll be a hefty pay raise, of course, and Ned Miles is retiring in a year so you'll be head of the region. I think it's a great opportunity and it would really help your father breath easier and just focus on getting better if you would agree to do this."
What could I say? My whole mouth dried up but my eyes started to water. My dad was recuperating but didn’t want to see me? He and Jenna decided I should go to Minnesota? Don’t come home? I swallowed hard but there weren’t any words I could say. My mind was a total blank.
“You can’t be selfish at a time like this, Lucas.”
“When does he want me to go?” I asked.
“He thought as soon as possible would be best. So I can tell him you’ll do it?” She pushed.
"Yeah," I muttered. "I'll go to Minnesota."
Chapter 24 – Tilly
All I could think was that I was going to kill Sandy when I saw her. Not only was Karl too touchy-feely but his choice of topics for light conversation was highly questionable. Plus, I think he was a borderline drug addict and alcoholic.
“Man, I did so much coke last night.” He said after introducing himself to me at the bar. “I just wish I could lay in bed. Did you ever feel like that? You just want to lay in bed?”
"Yeah," I replied. "I've had days like that."
“Let me ask you if you could lay in bed all day would you wear panties or nothing at all?”
I tilted my head as if I were a dog hearing a high-pitched noise. Yes, Sandy was going to get a beat down when I saw her again.
Thankfully she agreed to meet Karl at a place that was closer to her house than his. Felix’s was a fairly upscale restaurant and bar that I’d been in a couple times with clients and some of the partners from work. When Karl mentioned meeting me here I assumed he had been here before and that was an encouraging sign to me.
But as soon as he opened his mouth I could smell the liquor. His eyes were red around the edges and although he wasn’t ugly his initial impression was not a good one. Not to mention he gave my breasts quite a bit of attention. If eyes left fingerprints my tits would be covered with them.
“You know, I need to use the ladies room. I’m not feeling all that well.”
“Really?” He looked genuinely concerned. “Maybe you’d like to go back to your place. I’ll be happy to give you a back rub. I know that always makes me feel better.”
“Ha.” I chuckled. “I don’t think that will be necessary.”
“Come on.” He insisted. “Maybe you’d rather have a foot massage. There are some places where that is considered the ultimate foreplay.”
"I'll be right back," I said as I scooted my stool away from the bar. As I walked to the hostess podium I looked back. Karl was not looking at me but was instead ordering another drink for himself.
If you walked out of the bar area you could go to the left to the main dining room or you could go to the right where the entrance was. I went to the right.
I stood behind the pretty girl with the tight blond bun and black dress so I couldn’t be seen.
"Hi," I whispered. "I've been here a couple,times for lunch."
“Yes, I recognize you. You’re usually with Gray & Stein. It’s nice to see you again.”
“Aren’t you sweet to remember.” I smiled. “I need your help.”
The woman leaned in closer to me suspiciously.
“I’m on an absolutely horrible date. I mean, the worst you could ever imagine. I’m going to leave and I was hoping that you or maybe the manager could tell that guy at the bar that I’ve left after about five minutes.”
The hostess turned around and looked at Karl.
“The guy in the white shirt and tie?” She confirmed.
“Yeah, that’s him. He’s drunk so maybe if there is a male manager around or one of your bigger waiters they could pass the message along. I don’t think he’d start any trouble with them. But you’re a pretty little thing. I’d hate for him to do anything stupid.”
“I have a brown belt in karate.” She whispered. “I can take him.”
“Well, I don’t think you’ll need to use it but it’s good to know for future reference.” I slipped her a twenty dollar bill and smiled.
“Hey, do you have a business card?” She asked. I pinched my eyebrows together and nodded my head yes. “Drop it in the bowl. I’ll make sure you get a free lunch. I’d hate to think you didn’t at least get a meal out of your date.”
“Aren’t you the sweetest thing?” I gushed. Quickly I pulled out one of my business cards and dropped it in the fishbowl. “Thanks again and I’ll see you soon.” I winked. But as I turned to push my way out the revolving doors I stopped in my tracks. I didn’t know whether to laugh, cry or run.
“Tilly?”
I stiffened my back and squared y shoulders like I was getting ready for a twelve round boxing match.
“Lucas Prine?” I said the name like it tasted bad in my mouth. “This has got to be the unluckiest night of my life.”
“I can’t believe this. What are you doing here?” he looked happy and handsome and I could smell his cologne that was still spicy and warm and inviting and it made me madder by the second.
“I’m trying to leave. What does it look like.”
Out of the corner of my eye, the hostess's head went from the bar to me to Lucas back to me and back to the bar again like she was watching some bizarre tennis match.
"Well, wait. Have you eaten? Maybe you'd just like to have a drink. It's just too weird running into you like this. Are you here for business or vacation?"
I couldn’t believe all the questions. Who did Lucas Prine think he was? I knew exactly who he thought he was. He thought he was the cat’s ass. Well, I had news for him. I wasn’t the same girl he knew in high school. This wouldn’t end well for Karl or Lucas Prine.
Chapter 25 - Lucas
When I stepped out of my car I had the feeling that something was happening around me. I couldn't put my finger on it. The city seemed to be moving at its normal pace. But my gut sensed a shift in the air and as soon as I walked into Felix's Restaurant I saw her.
Tilly Grant was talking fast to the hostess. Her arms were waving her face was animated and something had her very excited. Her hair was shorter cut in a sexy bob with bangs but her body had remained perfect in every way. This was not the same girl I knew in high school. This was a woman who looked like she had everything.
Whatever was going on it was obvious she was happy. Maybe she just had a really great dinner or maybe she knew the hostess and they were friends. I couldn’t tell. All I could see what that it was Tilly and she was right in front of me. In Minnesota. I didn’t believe in signs but it would be pretty hard to deny the coincidence staring me in th
e face.
It never occurred to me she could be on a date or maybe married. She might have had half a dozen kids waiting for her at home. All I thought of was myself, as usual. That inevitably brought the past into focus.
For a split second, I remembered our last conversation those years ago. Maybe not each and every word but I remembered the gist of it. That explained why her smile fell away so quickly when she saw me. I tried to act casual but she wasn't having any of it. What had I done?
“If you’ll just step aside I’d like to leave.” That was her only response to my dinner invitation.
“Tilly.” I choked. “Can we talk? I’m so shocked to see you right now.”
She pushed past me and out the revolving door. I followed right behind her and heard her grunt in disgust.
“What do you want?” She barked.
“I just want to talk to you.” I put my hands in my pockets like a kid being scolded for breaking a window with a baseball. Except the comparison made me realize I broke more than that. Only a woman with a broken heart could have so much hatred in her eyes. Still, I wouldn’t look away from her. I couldn’t.
“Talk to me? Like you did six years ago on Christmas? Did you really think I’d forget that? How many people have you spoken to like that in your life? Too many for you to count, I’m sure.”
“Tilly. So much has happened.”
“That’s right. So much has happened." She stomped up to me and for a moment I thought she was going to slap me. Still, I didn't flinch. I was ready for it, almost hoping for it. But, like everything Tilly did, she surprised me. She had tears in her eyes. "I could go into it and tell you how different things are for me. I could brag. I could try and one up a billionaire spoiled brat but I'm not going to. You don't get to know anything about me."
“Tilly, if you’ll give me a minute. Sixty seconds to explain.”
"Explain." She laughed. "Sixty seconds. Go." She folded her arms in front of her pushing her beautiful breasts up high. I didn't let my eyes stay there. I looked into her eyes that were red but still so beautiful.
“It’s hard to know where to start but I’m here in Minnesota to run my dad’s office. He just had heart surgery and Jenna told me not to come and visit. Can you believe that? She said she and my father thought it would be best if I just got to work. There was no need for me to come back to Chicago. That’s what they think of me.” I stood there and waited for her response.
“So you’re dad and Jenna are still together?” She asked quietly.
"Yeah. They got married four, five, six years ago. I don't remember."
“Were you at the wedding?”
“No.” I chuckled bitterly. “They had a small ceremony with just her family. I was supervising a major overhaul at our New Hampshire office and couldn’t get pulled away.”
“I’m sure you complained about that to anyone who would listen, didn’t you.” She patronized. “Did you tell them how Jenna is only after your dad’s money? How she can’t be trusted? Did you tell them how much you hate her?”
I stepped back.
“It’s funny.” She continued. “I’ll bet you could take those three sentences and substitute your name for hers and find out what she is telling all of her friends. Lucas is only after his dad's money. He can't be trusted. I hate him so much." She started to laugh.
I watched her face and she looked like she was really enjoying herself.
“My gosh, Lucas. You and Jenna are exactly alike. Exactly!” She nearly doubled over laughing. “No wonder you can’t find a way to get along. You’re two peas in a pod.”
The suggestion was horrifying. I was nothing like Jenna. She was a bitch who used people like my father to get what she wanted.
“Look. I’d love to stay and make fun of you some more.” Tilly handed a ticket to the valet standing at a small wooden podium who instantly took off running. “But one pathetic date at a time. No worries, though, Lucas. I don’t want your money.” She pointed to my Ferrari that was parked right in front of the restaurant. I was suddenly embarrassed it was there. That had never happened before. “I never did. I only wanted you. But now I don’t even want that.”
A cranberry-colored Lexus pulled up where we were standing. Tilly stomped around to the driver's seat, handed the valet a tip and climbed in. She couldn't get out of there fast enough. With screeching tires, she pulled into traffic and sped out of sight.
The valet stood staring at me.
Without thinking I went into the restaurant but as I looked around I suddenly didn’t feel very hungry.
“Can I help you?” The hostess chirped.
She was a beautiful girl. Up until ten minutes ago, I would not have thought twice about seducing her and bringing her back to my apartment to fuck and then toss out as soon as the sun came up, if not sooner. But not now.
Like I had said there was a shift in the air.
“The woman who just left?” I approached her hoping that my good looks were enough to get her to help me. “Did she have a reservation? Would you happen to have her number on it?”
“Even if I did I couldn’t give it out. I’d get fired for that.”
"Are you sure you couldn't help me out?" I reached into my pocket and pulled out two hundred dollars. I was feeling especially generous.
“I don’t know. You could be a stalker or a lunatic or something. To be honest she didn’t look too happy to see you. Poor thing. Such a pretty girl who seems to have terrible luck with guys.”
“Why would you say that?”
“She was sneaking out on the guy at the bar.” She jerked her head to the left. “White shirt and tie.”
“Did she say why?”
“She didn’t have to. The guy came in loaded to the gills. I can only imagine what he was saying to her.”
“I really could use your help.”
“I don’t think so.”
I slyly took her hand and slipped the two hundred dollar bills into her palm.
“I’m not a stalker. My name is Lucas. I own…I mean, I work for Cambridge Logistics. I can promise you that the last thing I want to do is hurt that girl. I’ve done that enough. I muttered shamefully.
The hostess looked around then leaned forward.
"I can't give you her number. But she dropped her business card into the bowl." She nodded toward the giant fishbowl with business cards in it to win a lunch or free cocktails or something. I gave the girl a wink, peeked over the top and saw the name Telula Grant on the card lying on top.
Without hesitation, I reached in and pulled out the business card and read it.
Senior Associate Attorney. The Gray & Stein Law Firm.
“Thank you.” I think it was the first time I ever said thank you in my whole life. The hostess smiled.
“You’re welcome. Good luck.” The hostess smirked.
Before I could leave the guy in the white shirt and tie came up to the hostess station. He was good looking but not nearly good enough for Telula.
“Hey, did you see a woman with short brown hair and a tight skirt, big boobs walk past here?”
“Yes. She asked me to tell you she left.”
“What?”
“She left.”
I watched the man stand there stunned. Without saying another word he strolled back to the bar and ordered another drink. Within a few seconds after downing a shot of some brown liquid he was on his phone. I was sure it wasn't a backup date.
It may not have been the best idea but I decided to have seat at the bar.
When I sat down I could hear his one-sided conversation.
"I don't even know what to say. But I thought we had a good connection here. I didn't know you were a stuck up bitch."
The words made me wince. Not because this drunk was saying them but because I had done the same thing.
Mr. White Shirt and tie rattled off a couple more insults that any high school boy could come up with then hung up. He looked over at me an
d clicked his tongue.
“Rough night?” I asked innocently.
“You have no idea.” He replied. “I just got stood up.”
"No," I smirked.
“Yup. She snuck out on me. Just now. Not five minutes ago. Left me with the tab, too.”
“She just left here?” I acted shocked. “Not that tall brunette. Short hair.” I put my hands in front of me to measure her breasts. The guy nodded enthusiastically. I continued to play dumb. “That was who you were on a date with? Wow.”
“I know, right.”
“How did you meet her?”
“A buddy of mine fixed us up.”
“Really? A girl like that doesn’t get many dates. That ought to tell you something.” I waved down the bartender and ordered myself a Manhattan and a round for my new friend.
“Thanks, man.” He nodded. “Cheers.” He raised his glass and tossed back the shot of Jack Daniels. Before I could ask another question he scooted over to me.
“My buddy told me that she hadn’t been on a date since high school. She was all work, work, work. That she never dated.” He leaned closer to me and I was nearly struck blind by the heavy alcohol on his breath. “You know a woman with a body like that doesn’t just sit at home with her cat. She’s doing something.”
“What do you think that is?” I sipped my drink.