by Robin Kaye
The last few nights when Ben called, they debated about suggesting a change of the menu to attract a higher class of clientele, which would then increase the sale of wine and alcohol. Ben didn’t think the owner would go for it, but she proved him wrong.
Gina snagged a seat on the subway and spent her commute making notes and smiling to herself. When the subway car hit the elevated tracks in Brooklyn, she dialed Ben’s cell to tell him how her meeting went. Her eyes scanned the list of ideas she’d planned to throw at him. She really enjoyed listening to him think things through and seeing where he took them. It also felt great when she saw a hole in his logic about something he was working on. She’d saved his ass a time or two. That made up for some of the guilt she felt when she saw another deposit hit her account.
“Hi, Gina. I was just thinking about you.”
“You were?”
“Yeah, how did your meeting with the owner go? Who won the bet? I believe the loser has to take the winner out to dinner.”
Gina crossed her win off her list. “I don’t remember that.”
“It was late and you were tired. You were practically falling asleep on the phone.”
“I’m just not much of a talker.” There was silence on the other end. Gina looked at the phone to make sure she hadn’t lost the signal. “Okay, I’ll admit I’m good at telling people what to do, but this thing between us, it’s different.”
“Yeah, the whole marriage thing is definitely odd.”
“So, okay. I won. It looks like you’re buying.”
“Good. I’ll meet you at the house in an hour. Will that give you enough time to change? We have reservations in town.”
“You’re here?”
“Yeah, I flew in late last night.”
“And you want to go out tonight?”
“Why? Do you have a hot date?”
“No, but Tina’s expecting me.”
“So, call her and tell her something came up.”
Gina wondered if this would be a good time to clue him in on the fact that Tina and Sam had moved in, but then part of her said it really wasn’t his business who she lived with just as long as she wasn’t sleeping with any of them.
“Where are you taking me?”
“Someplace nice. It’s a surprise.”
“How nice is nice?”
“A cocktail dress would work.” When she didn’t say anything, he continued. “Did you do any shopping while I was away or do I have to take you?”
“I don’t need you to take me shopping. It’s not as if I don’t have plenty of other gay friends who are up to the job. As a matter-of-fact, Wayne, Rosalie’s upstairs neighbor, and I went shopping together a few weeks ago, so I’m all set.”
“Good. I’ll pick you up at 7:30.”
“I can meet you there.” She would rather break the news that Sam and Tina had moved into the brownstone in person, and without Sam breathing down her neck while she explained.
“I left my car at the house, remember? I need to pick it up anyway, and it’s not as if you can drive it in.”
Good point. Crap. “Okay, then. I guess I’ll see you at my place.”
“Our place.”
“Hey, cowboy. Your name may be on the deed, but it’s my house and you know it. You are definitely not a resident.”
“Touché. Feel better now that you’ve put me in my place?”
“Marginally. I’ve got to go, I’m almost at my stop.” She disconnected the call and prayed that Sam was working. She doubted her luck was that good.
***
Ben stood outside the well-lit brownstone and smiled. Gina must be nervous living there alone. She even had the upper stories lit. He walked up the steps and had the urge to use his key; instead, he rang the bell and was surprised when Sam answered wearing jeans, a long-sleeved NYPD T-shirt, and no shoes.
“Come on in. Gina will be down in a minute.”
Ben stepped in and shook Sam’s hand while he looked around. The coat tree in the hall held Sam’s coat and a sweatshirt that would dwarf Gina. There was a mix of men’s and women’s shoes lining the wall.
“Gina won’t let us wear our shoes in the house. She said we’ll soil the carpets.” Sam made a face. “Do you want a drink? Tina’s with her and you know how women can be.”
“Sure.”
Sam waved him toward the kitchen and pulled a beer out of the refrigerator. “We have beer, wine, and I think there might be some hard stuff somewhere. I’m not much of a drinker.”
“A beer would be great.”
Sam tossed him one. “When did you get back to town?”
“Last night.”
Leaning against the counter with his big feet crossed, Sam looked as if he owned the place, making Ben feel like the outsider. He didn’t like it. He saw subtle changes in the kitchen. A funky cookie jar on the counter definitely wasn’t on the list of furnishings he’d agreed to buy. He remembered something like it in Sam and Tina’s apartment. Not to mention the cheap dishes in the dish drain.
Since he’d moved Gina in himself, he knew they didn’t belong to her. Either she went shopping for cheap dinnerware when she had perfectly good china in the cabinet, or Sam and Tina were living there.
“So when did you and Tina move in?”
Sam took a pull off his beer and raised an eyebrow. “Observant, aren’t you? You would have made a good cop.”
Ben looked at him a little harder. “You didn’t answer the question.”
“A week or so after you left. Gina tried to give us money for a down payment on a house in the suburbs, but Tina and I don’t take charity.”
“She probably wasn’t happy to hear that.”
“No.” Sam smiled. “Not happy is an accurate description. Since Tina’s gotten it into her head that Gina’s afraid to live alone—”
“Really?”
Sam shrugged. “It’s hard to believe. I’ve seen Gina take on men twice her size and have them shaking in their shoes within a minute.”
“Are you talking from personal experience, Sam?”
“Actually, yes. He is.”
They both turned and found Gina posing in the doorway wearing a blue taffeta wraparound cocktail dress. “For your information, I am not afraid of living alone. And yes, I have made Sam want to go running for his mama on more than one occasion. You too can share in the experience, or would you rather have that dinner you owe me? Your choice.”
Ben stared at Gina and just about swallowed his tongue. Shit, she was hot when she dressed like the normal, loud Gina. When she dressed like this, she decimated him. It might be safer for him to stay on her bad side. It wasn’t half as scary as her good side.
Gina put her hand on her cocked hip. “I don’t need your permission to invite my family to move in with me. What I do is none of your business.”
Ben fought with himself to make a decision.
“Well, aren’t you going to say anything?”
“It’s nice to see you too.”
Gina took one a good long look at Ben in his suit, looking tan and edible. What did he do? Take a weekend trip to the Mexican Riviera? It would be so much easier to fight with him than to be nice. She gave him the eye, daring him to say something about Sam and Tina moving in with her. When he smiled, she did her best not to melt.
Tina came in through the swinging door and pushed Gina toward Ben. “Wow, you two look like you’re going to a prom.” Tina smiled at Ben. “You know, Gina never went to her prom. We should take pictures.”
Ben stood a little straighter. “That’s a great idea. We never did get a wedding picture, the lack of which was pointed out to me repeatedly when I was in Idaho.”
Gina stepped back and shot a venomous look at her little sister, the brat. “I hate pictures.”
Ben smiled down at her, as if he was enjoying her plight. “Come on, just take a few. I need them to prove you actually exist.”
“Who did your grandfather think you were talking to every night? The phone-sex h
otline?”
“I didn’t ask and I honestly don’t want to know.”
Tina shooed them into the living room and Ben walked to a spot in front of the fireplace over which a beautiful oil painting hung. Knowing him, it was probably priceless. He faced Gina and pulled her close. The man didn’t only look edible, he smelled good enough to eat. The musky citrus scent was impossible to ignore.
“You wrinkle my dress and you’ll be sorry.”
Ben held her tighter. “Smile, sweetheart.”
Tina took what felt like dozens of pictures; Gina had all but lost her temper by the time the doorbell rang. A perfect excuse to get out of Ben’s arms and well away from his warm body. When she pulled the door open, she came face to face with an old man with white hair wearing a western suit with a bolo tie and cowboy boots. On anyone else, it would have looked ridiculous. With this dude, though, it worked.
“Didn’t anyone ever teach you to answer the door correctly? You’re living in New York City, little lady. You don’t even ask who it is?”
“I’ve got a cop and a cowboy here and I live in Brooklyn. Manhattan is across the river if you’re lost.” She noticed a limo waiting on the street. “But then your driver could probably find it on his own.”
Someone came up behind her. Gina knew it was Ben; Sam never stood that close.
“Gramps? What the hell are you doing here?”
Gina should have recognized the sparkling blue eyes; the fact that Ben’s grandfather’s held a more mischievous glint wasn’t comforting.
“I need an invitation to visit my only grandson and his bride?”
Ben opened the door further and his grandfather stepped in, his eyes locked on Gina. Ben put his arm around her, his eyes never leaving his grandfather. “Not an invitation, but a warning would be nice. Gina, this is my grandfather, Joe Walsh. Gramps, this is Gina.”
The old man smiled and looked around the room before walking over to Sam and Tina.
Ben groaned. “Tina and Sam Corrigan, my sister and brother-in-law. Guys, this is my grandfather, Joe Walsh.”
Sam shook hands with the old guy. “Nice to meet you, sir.”
“It’s nice to meet my new granddaughter and her family, finally.” He shot a pointed look at Ben and then smiled at Gina. “You’re all gussied up to go out I assume. It’s good timing. I have a car waiting.”
Gina laughed. “So you’re leaving?”
Ben’s grandfather chuckled. “No, I’m joining you. We have a lot to discuss. Like when you’re gonna get your pretty little self on my plane to Idaho. Ben, get your wife a coat. It’s too damn damp here in New York City. Gina, just wait until you get out to Boise; it’s a high-mountain desert so you don’t feel the dampness in your bones like you do here. You don’t mind me tagging along, do you?”
Gina shook her head and laughed at him. “Why would I mind? I’m just as excited to go out to dinner with you as I am my new husband.” Ben helped her into her new cashmere wrap and shot her a warning look that she ignored. She just thanked God she remembered to take the tags off it before she hung it in the closet. Before she knew it, they were pulling up to the front of Tavern on the Green. They checked her wrap and were shown to their table.
As a kid, Gina had been caught with her nose pressed against the glass looking in at the people at high tea in a room filled with crystal overlooking Central Park. Who’d have thought she’d actually get to eat in that very room? The trees outside were covered in fairy lights; candles and crystal chandeliers lit the room and reflected off the glass walls. It was incredible, magical, and the most expensive place she’d ever set foot in.
Joe didn’t miss the wide-eyed look of wonder that crossed Gina’s face as they were shown to their table. Ben held her chair and the little filly was surprised. Joe had done his homework and had gotten a bit of information about the girl. He also knew that Ben hadn’t stayed with her the night before. Sure, he’d arrived late and it was easier for him to go to his old place, but Joe had thought a man would want to snuggle up with his new wife instead of bedding down alone in a cold, empty apartment. Seeing them together, Joe was sure he was being duped. He didn’t like it, but in the time it took them to get to the restaurant, he knew even though the marriage might be a sham, there was a hell of an attraction between the two. Even an old geezer like him couldn’t miss that. Joe ordered champagne and congratulated himself on how well his little plan was going to work.
“I thought since you have so many bedrooms in that new house of yours, I’d stay with you. I hate hotels.”
Gina was just taking a sip of her water when she choked on it. Ben patted her on the back. “You can stay at my place in the city, Gramps. I haven’t had time to move my things into the new house yet. I only had enough time to get Gina’s things moved in before I left.”
Joe always knew when his grandson lied; the boy could never look him in the eye. “You’re not going to have time to do it this trip either. Not that it’ll matter much. You and Gina are coming home with me.”
Gina opened her mouth to say something, her eyes blazed, and Joe had to admit, she was one hell of a good-looking woman when she was about to explode. Ben put his hand on hers and squeezed it. Gina was a smart girl, and she quietly simmered.
When the champagne was served, Joe raised a glass. “To Gina, I’m happy to see my new granddaughter is no shrinking violet.” He took a sip and leaned over to whisper to her. “Ben needs a strong woman who’s not afraid to stand up to him.”
“Gramps.”
Joe waved his grandson’s warning away. “That’s what Ben’s problem has been from the beginning. He went out with women more concerned with his money than the man. They didn’t want to stir the pot or anything else. No wonder the boy got bored with them. He’s certainly not bored with you.”
Gina shot him a tight-lipped smile and then started in. “Mr. Walsh—”
“Little lady, you don’t have to call me Mr. Walsh. You can call me Joe, or Grandpa Joe, or just Gramps would work too. Mr. Walsh makes me feel my age, and believe me, no one wants to feel that old. Not even me.”
“Fine, Joe. I can’t possibly go running off to Idaho with you. I just started a new case—”
Joe patted her hand and Gina slid it as fast as she could from beneath his. The girl had spirit; he’d give her that. “I spoke to your boss, a sweet young thing named Rosalie Romeo. Did you know her husband is the owner of Romeo’s, the chain of car dealerships?”
“Yes, I know all about Nick Romeo. I was at their wedding.”
“Of course you were. It’s a small world, now isn’t it? Nick and I ran into each other a few years back. That boy’s a hell of a businessman.”
“Joe, back to the topic at hand. I just started a new job—”
“I told Rosalie that you and my boy here have yet to have a honeymoon. Now we can’t have that, can we?”
“Joe—”
“It turns out you’re not much for vacations, you have a lot of time saved up. Now is the perfect time to take that honeymoon. That sweet bit of a girl, Rosalie Romeo, agreed with me when I told her it was my wedding gift to you and Ben. She said she’d personally take care of your client until you get back next month.”
Gina closed her eyes for a moment and looked as if she were trying to hold her tiger of a temper by the tail. Joe sat back to enjoy the show.
“Joe, while I appreciate the offer, I’m in the middle of a job and now is just not the right time for me to go.”
“Nonsense, it’s a done deal, little lady. You’re going on your honeymoon and we’re leaving just as soon as you pack your bags. A few weeks up at the family ranch will do you two a world of good.”
“I don’t fly.”
Joe couldn’t hold back his laugh. Hell, he was eighty years old, he’d earned the right to laugh as loud as he wanted to, even in a swanky place like this. “Wanna bet?”
Chapter 6
Ben walked into the master bedroom with his suitcase after showing Gramps to the gue
st room.
Gina slammed the door so hard the walls shook. “You didn’t warn me that your grandfather was a cagey old fart.”
“I believe I did, which is why we bought this house and took all the precautions with the prenup in the first place.”
“Does he think he can just buy everything and everyone he wants? Here’s a newsflash for you, Ben. I’m not for sale.”
Ben sat on the bed and leaned back against the pillows. “He just forced you to take a vacation. If you have a problem with that, I guess you need to talk to Rosalie. Knowing Gramps, though, I think it’s safe to say it would be a waste of time.”
He watched her pace the room. She was a little bundle of energy about to explode. “It’ll be fine. Once you’re in the plane, you can pretend you’re in a really nice bus. Why don’t we call Dr. Mike? I’m sure he could prescribe a couple of Valium to get you through the trip. I’ll wake you after we land.”
She turned on her heel. “I don’t do drugs.”
“Gina, it’s not as if it’s heroin. It’s just something to help you relax.”
“No. No drugs.”
“Fine, we’ll give you a couple shots of vodka and it’ll be over before you sober up.”
She hugged herself. “I’ll take a bus or a train. How long could it take?”
“Days.” Ben shook his head. “Gina, flying is safe. You have nothing to worry about. Besides, you’ll be with me.”
“Oh, and just what are you going to do when we crash? Sprout wings and whisk us away from the fireball? I don’t think so.”
Ben went to her and put his hands on her very tense shoulders, massaging them. “Come on, Gina. Let’s go to bed and get some sleep. Things will look better in the morning.”
She turned around and faced him. “And just where do you think you’re going to sleep?”