“Yeah, a bit tired. Flying from one city to another and back in one day can do that to you,” I said yawning.
“Let’s go, then,” he said getting up “We still have a long way,” I nodded, stood up and grabbed my hand. We left like that, holding hands. Before leaving, the lady in the sorbet counter, who was now my guru, I’d decided, gave Brian a paper bag.
“What’s that?” I asked while we walked to his car.
“For you,” He said giving me the bag as he closed the door to the car once I was comfortable. I opened the bag and I found a pint of sorbet, “Yay,” I said clapping my hands.
“I hope you like the flavor,” he said once he was on the driver’s seat.
“What is it?” I took it out of the bag looking for the flavor.
“White chocolate,” he said and I swear I had a tiny orgasm just by thinking of it. Well, it was better to have a tiny sorbet induced orgasm than none at all, right?
“Oh my god. You just made my night, you know?” I said looking at him.
“I’m glad,” he said holding my hand, again. During the next hour we talked about everything, his family, he was an only child, my family, I barely said anything. It was a nice chat, nothing too deep. I was afraid that our relationship would not go past that. Being polite, friendly, holding hands, but would it has what a relationship needed? For that matter, what did a relationship needed? What were the components of a good relationship? Anyway, for my sake, and because Patrick was so sure that I wouldn’t be able to have something serious with Brian, I was going to try.
“Safe and sound...” I heard Brian’s voice interrupting my very stubborn thoughts. I turned to look at him.
“Hmm?” I asked because I didn’t want to look like I wasn’t paying attention to him. I wasn’t, though.
“You are home, safe and sound,” he smiled and I nodded. He had already unbuckled the belt and was leaning against the door.
“Thank you for the sorbet. You know that is exactly what I needed after a long day,” I said squeezing his hand. Damn right, I was going to try and make this work.
“Thank you for letting me,” he said squeezing back and leaning in. Then came a kiss. Oh Well, bring it on.
He kissed me and it wasn’t a goodbye kiss; we kissed for a long time, there were a bit of fondling and I felt like a teenager making out in a car in front of her house, afraid of being caught by her dad. In this case my dad would be Patrick.
“I better go in,” I said breathing fast. “The sorbet might melt and that would be a tragedy,” I said smiling trying to reassure him.
“You are right, we can’t let that happen,” He said as he opened his door and walked around the car to open mine. We walked to the front door and he held the bag with the sorbet while I opened the door with my keys.
“Thank you,” I said taking the sorbet.
“I’ll see you tomorrow,” he said putting his hand on my cheek and giving me one last kiss.
“Good night, Brian,” I said while he went to his car. He waved and I watched him leave. I sighed and closed the door.
It was a bit past 8 that meant that Patrick may have already eaten so I decided that I was going to go to the pool house, put the sorbet in the freezer and change into my pj's before going to the office to see if Patrick needed anything.
“How was it?” I jumped at the sound of Patrick’s voice which I assumed came from the kitchen. I went to the kitchen and found him sitting on the floor.
“What are you doing there?” I asked while placing my purse and the sorbet on the breakfast counter. There it went my chances of changing into pj’s before attending to his needs.
“Waiting,” he said smiling. He was wearing a white t-shirt and his suit pants. “So how was it?” he asked again. Was he asking me about the kiss? That’s creepy.
“How was what?” I asked leaning in the stove.
“The sorbet, of course,” he smiled.
“Oh,” I said “It was amazing, Patrick. Today I declared that sorbets are my thing now,” I nodded and to that he laughed out loud.
“What flavor?” he asked.
“Watermelon,” I said and he widened his eyes “I know, magnificent I tell you,” I looked at the sorbet on the table and decided that I didn’t care if Brian had bought it for me I was going to share it with my best friend. Wait, what? Had I just called him my best friend? Well, what else would you call the guy that you share everything with and that you trust the most? A boyfriend, but that wasn’t Patrick so best friend was the other title that fit. Wow, I had a BFF. Nice!
“Look,” I said grabbing the pint and reaching for two spoons and then sat on the floor next to him “White Chocolate sorbet,” I opened the lid and we both stared at it as if it was the Holy Grail. Patrick grabbed the spoon and tasted it, I wanted him to be the first to taste it, I kind of hated that he wasn’t there with me to see all the flavors there were in the shop.
“Lucinda, I will never ever eat anything else in my entire life,” he said closing his eyes. I took a spoon and tasted it. Yeah, the sorbet made you believe that you could survive only on it.
“Sweet Baby Jesus,” I whispered and Patrick laughed out loud spitting half the sorbet he was eating. “Patrick,” I said shoving his shoulder “You don’t spit a white chocolate sorbet, ever,” I said while he kept on laughing doubling over in the kitchen floor. I couldn’t help but laugh as well.
“God, there is something in this floor I swear,” I said holding my stomach.
“I know I’ve had the best laughs of my life in here,” he nodded.
“Me too,” I said while digging in the sorbet. “You looked tired when I caught you in here earlier,” I said looking at him.
“I was,” he nodded “the sorbet,” he made a pause to look me in the eyes “has a relaxing effect on me.”
“I know what you mean,” I nodded. I didn’t. “Did you find a solution or anything that resembles to that? I asked and he shook his head.
“No, I guess I will have to let this go. It’sn’t the first project I put on hold,” he shrugged. It was really sad because he really wanted this to come through, especially because he was looking into it as a personal project.
“We’ll make it real. You’ll see,” I said grabbing his hand and he nodded.
Surprisingly, that night there were no midnight snacks or girls I had to kick out which meant I got to sleep most of the night. I say most because I had weird dreams about E-course and Stinson. However, none of these dreams gave me a solution to the situation Patrick had on his hands.
The rest of the week went by quickly but not easily; Patrick seemed kind of down and I thought it had everything to do with the Stinson deal. Brian and I went out two other times after work, once for dinner and some other time just for coffee. Both times involved a trip for a pint of sorbet and a lot of kissing. By then I thought I would have this stupid infatuation one was supposed to feel when you were dating someone but I didn’t feel anything besides a huge appreciation for how easy going was Brian. I was not stupid we were both adults in our 30s and I knew that this kissing in the car wasn’t enough but I couldn’t help to hear Patrick’s voice telling me not to have sex with Brian. During our dates my mind was always drifting off, thinking about work, about what I was feeling and, most of the times, wondering if Patrick had been able to have dinner on his own. Once I said this out loud and Brian reminded me that Miranda was there to make sure he didn’t burned down the place. I guess that was right but I couldn’t help but feel that I was not doing my job.
By Friday I was ready to scream or, at least, go home and drink a whole bottle of wine. I had gone to New York every single day, missing lunch every day and finding the replacement for it, a sandwich, salad or pasta, on my desk every time. I had fought over three confidentiality contracts with a ferocity that I made me questioned myself if I had missed my call and I should have gone to law school and to make things worse I had to take care of one of Patrick’s bimbos that appeared on May, Inc’s reception
demanding to see Patrick. I was ready to run away; I think I let one tear out in the bathroom but that was a complete accident because the people on May, Inc. hadn’t seen me cry yet and I was not about to give them the pleasure.
“Lucinda!!!!!!!!!!!!” I jumped in my seat and looked at Harriet that had spilled some ink on the desk. Patrick was worst than ever.
“Yes Patrick?” I said going into his office and closing the double doors behind me.
“Regina is coming over to have lunch with us so you can meet and then you can have her meet Tracy,” he said sitting down on his leather chair. I just stood there looking at him.
“I thought you said I had to arrange a meeting at your place with both of them. Today,” “Sit down, for fucks sake,” Touchy! I took a seat “I did tell you that but my lovely sister insisted on meeting you first and the princess won’t accept no as an answer,” “Ok,” I nodded “reservations?” I asked as I saw him walking to the glass windows “She made them. We are leaving in 10 minutes,” I nodded and got up to leave “We are not coming back, Lucinda. After lunch we are going home. I need a break,” I nodded again. It was not unusual for Patrick to go home after lunch but whenever he did it wasn’t to take a break from work; it was to take a break from people.
I was making some final phone calls and saving what I was working on the computer when Patrick burst out of the office his coat on his hand. “We are leaving,” he said and I hurried to grab everything I could and run after him.
Once we were in the car he said “I’m sorry,”
“Don’t worry, Patrick,” I said looking out the window. I knew when to back down to avoid conflict “It’s just…,” he said and I turned to look at him that was looking at me. He sighed “I hate when things don’t go my way,” I nodded.
“I know,” I said. I knew he felt that way and I knew the feeling; the frustration and powerlessness that came with it’s something that I hated to deal with. This job had helped me to work with that.
So, finally, I got to meet Regina Maynard. I thought I would encounter a horrible, entitled 17 year old girl. I didn’t like teenagers; they are scary. Regina turned out to be an amazing person a bit too bubbly for my liking but amazing all the same.
“Oh Lucy,” she said hugging me once she got to the restaurant she had chosen “My mother has told me everything about you,” Everything? Really? Did Elaine know EVERYTHING about me? I didn’t know everything about me, I was sure. I guess my face showed a bit of confusion.
“All good things, darling,” she gave a squeeze to my arms. Regina was beautiful; she looked a lot like Patrick. She had long black hair, to the middle of her back and blue eyes. She was dressed in a cream laced dress and was wearing pink pumps.
“Big Brother,” she said and hugged him. I immediately saw the amount of love Patrick had for his sister. His eyes lit up in the minute she walked in the restaurant and his smile was one that I had never seen before. Patrick, the big brother.
Lunch, as I discovered, was not to talk about the party but, as Regina put it, “to finally meet the woman that could put up with my brother’s crap,” I laughed awkwardly and looked out the window for the 10th or 20th time. I had noticed a bunch of photographers outside the window snapping pictures at what seemed our direction.
“I’m sorry,” I said interrupting their conversation “Patrick, is it me or those people are taking our picture,” Regina made a face and Patrick laughed.
“Oh didn’t you know, Lucinda?” he said looking at his sister “Regina here is quite the socialite. Paparazzi are part of her life now.”
“Really?” I turned to look at her “how do you become a socialite at 17?” I asked. I was genuinely curious.
“Inheritance from my brothers,” she smiled and looked at Patrick “Hey,” said Patrick “I am not a socialite.”
“Yes you are, I just happen to like it,” she said smiling “You are going to tell me you don’t like the attention?”I asked Patrick and crossed my arms.
“Not the photographers, magazines and gossips. I hate that. Though, I had enough during my teen years to pass it on to my little sister,” he shrugged.
“Between you and Stuart, I had enough Stuart to be famous the minute I was born,” she smiled.
We ate and talked for a long time because, really, with Regina it seemed that there was no end to a conversation. She would go on and on with monologues that would require very little participation on our behalf. It took a small silence when Regina was taking a deep breath for Patrick to speak.
“Why don’t you continue the chat at my place, Gina?” asked Patrick giving the universal sign of “check,” to the waiter “The party planner will be there and you can start planning your birthday party.”
“yay,” said Regina clapping.
“You go out first, please,” he said motioning to the photographers “see you in a bit,” she said and walked out of the restaurant as if she was walking a catwalk. All the photographers snapped pictures of her while she striked a pose for them while she waited for her car.
“She loves it, right?” I said looking at her
“She’s a natural,” he said looking at her as well.
Once we were ready to leave most of the photographers were gone but there were a couple that lingered to get Patrick’s picture I guess.
“C’mon,” he said putting his arm around me in a protective way. I heard them scream “Patrick,” a couple of times but, unlike Regina, he didn’t stop.
“Ugh,” he said shaking his head when we were in the car “get ready, tomorrow they’ll say you are my girlfriend,” he sighed. It seemed that his good mood was sucked away by the flashes. He also seemed a bit of an expert the way he handled the paparazzi. I made a mental note to do some research about his relationship with the media back when he was a teenager.
When we got to the house Regina was already there. She didn’t hesitate in making herself comfortable on the living room.
“What took you so long?” she asked as we appeared on the front door.
“We had to fight a few photographers,” said Patrick sending her a murderous look. Regina shrugged
“Can I offer you anything, Regina?” I asked still holding my coat and purse in my hand.
“Coffee would be delightful,” she said putting her hands on her knees. She really was such a socialite.
“Patrick?” I asked him.
“The red tea, please,” he said sitting next to Regina “I’ll just wait here until Tracy gets here, I have a lot of work,” I just nodded.
“Hey Lucy, you are early,” I heard Miranda say as I enter the kitchen.
“He’s not having a good day, Miranda,” I told her “They need a coffee for Regina and a raspberry tea for Patrick.”
“I’ll be right there, Hun. Why don’t you go change into more comfortable clothes,” she asked me and I just nodded I did need to be more comfortable. I felt that something was bothering me. Maybe Patrick’s mood was contagious.
“Miranda will be here with your drinks in a minute. I’m going to change if that’s ok with you Patrick,” I looked at him and he just smiled.
“Sure, go, Pepper,” I nodded and left.
“Pepper?” I heard Regina ask.
“Long story,” He said.
I guess I didn’t realize how tired I was because the moment I sat down on the red couch to enjoy a sip of wine I fell asleep. I woke up to find Patrick’s face inches away from mine.
“What the hell, Patrick?”I screamed and Patrick jumped.
“Well, we were worried and wondering what was taking you so long,” he said smiling.
“I guess I just fell asleep,” I said getting up from the couch “Go change. Tracy is already here,” he told me while he drank a sip of the wine I had poured myself. I ran up to my room and just put on some jeans and a hoodie.
“Ready,” I said grabbing my yellow note pad from my purse and we both went to the house.
“There you are,” said Regina once she saw me “we were worri
ed,” “I’m sorry. Hey, Tracy, how are you doing?” I said giving her a hug and then sitting with them.
“She was asleep,” said Patrick trying to contain his laughter “Thank you Patrick,” I said giving him a look.
“Of course she was, Patrick. Give the girl a break, she has to deal with your nonsense every single day,” said Regina shaking her head “you should give her a vacation,” she said looking at her brother.
“I did,” he said looking at me “she just won’t take them,” “I’m not even going into that,” I said “now leave,” I told him and we went into fool party mode.
Regina was his brother’s sister indeed. She had very specific ideas about her party. She wanted everything in purple with a bit of white, gold and black but basically the main color had to be eggplant purple. She wanted chandeliers, several dessert tables, especial drinks and expensive party favors. Tracy threw some ideas around that made Regina bounce on her seat. I was thankful Tracy existed I had no idea how I would’ve come up with so many ideas if I had to do so.
Around 4 Tracy and Regina left after agreeing to go and pick the club in which the party would be held. Patrick had 4 clubs in Philadelphia. I went looking for Patrick to the office to see if he needed help with anything, he always did. To my surprise he was not in the office or the library; that was very unlike him but maybe he decided that he wanted some alone time and took that break he talked about in the offices. I sent him a text message letting him know that I was done with the party planning and decided that I was going to work a bit on the Stinson case. I had as a personal challenge to give Patrick some solution or alternative to that.
I went to the pool house and opened every file I had on the case on the desk on my tiny office. There it was all I needed to know about E-course, spread in front of me; there was no way I wasn’t going to find something important. I got a text from Patrick letting me know he was working out at the gym and to let him know when the dinner was ready.
Patrick was very interested on E-course because he wanted to prepare people of May, Inc. Through online courses that provided the knowledge that the company needed. E-course had the infrastructure and the experience and May, Inc. had the money.
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