“Mom.” She hoped to hell Frazer hadn’t heard that. He was a head taller than most of the people here except for Tug, and her mother was always on the lookout for a guy who’d throw some extra inches into the family gene pool. Her other two sisters had fallen for short men.
“It’s certainly not a deciding factor, but it doesn’t hurt his cause in my book.”
“There’s no cause because he’s not my boyfriend.” She hugged her mom again. “We need to go.”
“Go where?”
Good question. “Um . . .”
“Forget I asked. You obviously want to be alone with him. I don’t blame you. He’s very cute.”
“’Bye, Mom.” She grabbed Frazer’s arm. “We need to leave or we’ll be late.”
“Late for what?” her dad asked.
“The movie, Sam,” her mother said and winked at Dulcie. “They want to catch a movie.”
“Which one?”
“You wouldn’t have heard of it.” Her mother waved them off as she propelled her husband back to the party.
“We’re going to a movie?” Frazer pulled his keys out of his pocket as they walked down the block to where he’d parallel parked. Naturally he was skilled at it.
“Not unless there’s one you want to see.”
“There isn’t, but it sounded like you had one picked out.”
“No, I wasn’t planning on a movie. My mother made that up to help us extricate ourselves from the party.”
“Oh. Well, that was nice of her.”
“I’ll bet my dad wanted to know what baseball team you’re for.” She lengthened her stride to keep up with him.
“He did, but that was fine. He invited me to go to a game sometime.”
“Would you?”
“Sure, why not?”
“I thought you were barely tolerating the whole thing tonight. If you go to a game with him you’ll be letting yourself in for more of the same.”
“That wouldn’t be terrible. I got more used to it towards the end, but I am curious about something. Why didn’t you tell me what to expect?”
She had an attack of conscience because she’d considered it and had rejected the idea. “I thought about mentioning that it might be a little crazy, but you seem fine when the BMUS staff goes for a beer and pizza brainstorming session and that can get a little out of control.”
“Yeah, but not like tonight’s deal. Plus they think we’re practically engaged.”
“That part surprised me. I thought when I brought out the app they’d understand you were there on business.”
“Not so much.”
“No, and I didn’t see that coming. But I knew in advance about the games because they’re a tradition for birthday parties and I should have told you. “ She took a deep breath. “Maybe I was afraid if I said anything you wouldn’t have gone.”
He met that statement with silence.
“You would have skipped it, wouldn’t you?”
“Yes, but –”
“Frazer, I’m so sorry.” They’d reached his car and she turned to face him, remorse churning in her stomach. “I don’t know what I was thinking, dragging you into my family’s nutso birthday party.”
“I’m not sorry.”
“You’re not?”
“No. I’m not saying I loved all of it. If I never have to play Pin the Tail on the Donkey again that’s fine with me. But your Grandma Betsy’s a riot and Henry’s a cool little kid. Anna’s something else, too, and Tug’s an interesting guy. “
“Tug’s great.” The butterflies in her stomach settled down. Frazer hadn’t had an awful time, after all. “I don’t think you talked much with my sister Jen but Tug and Jen are perfect for each other and they’re amazing parents.”
“I can tell that from watching Henry and Anna.”
“My sister Amy’s baby slept through it, but she’s going to be a fantastic kid, too. My sister Emma’s due to deliver any minute. I can’t wait! And you’d love my cousin Steve if you had a chance to talk with him. My Aunt Maddie and Uncle George helped out in the kitchen a lot so you probably didn’t interact with them, either, but they’re my godparents. ” She became aware he was regarding her with an indulgent smile. No doubt she was boring him to tears. “Yeah, okay. I’m done. Sorry. Again.”
“It’s okay. You love your family.”
“I do, but I need to shut up about them. I also should have warned you what you were getting into. I think I didn’t because . . . actually I know why I didn’t. I wanted you to meet them. Plain and simple.”
“Why?”
Her face grew warm, but thankfully the darkness hid her blush. “I like and admire you, but you’re a little hard to get to know because you’re – please don’t take this the wrong way – you’re a bit closed off.”
“So I’ve been told.”
“But I can’t help thinking there’s a lot going on under the surface that nobody realizes. Then you had that fistfight with Rylan.” She’d never forget watching the two brothers brawling in Frazer’s office, supposedly over Miranda, the nutritionist who’d been hired as a consultant for the veggie app. But after the dust had cleared, Rylan had moved in with Miranda and Frazer seemed fine with it.
He took off his glasses and pinched the bridge of his nose. Not long ago he’d had two shiners as a result of the fight. “I don’t usually lose it like that.”
“That’s what everybody said.” She hesitated, but she’d gone this far, so she might as well put it all out there. “The thing is, seeing you going toe-to-toe with your brother convinced me that something is bubbling under that reserved exterior.”
“I doubt it.”
“How can you doubt it? I saw the fire in your eyes that day. It gave me the shivers.”
“You were afraid?”
“No.” She wouldn’t have said this in broad daylight, but they were standing in the dark so she decided to chance it. “A little bit turned on.”
He drew in a sharp breath.
“That’s probably not an appropriate thing to admit under the circumstances.”
“Probably not.” His voice was husky.
“But it’s why I wanted to bring you to this party tonight. I was curious to see if being around my wild and crazy family would make you cut loose a little. In a way, it did.”
He stood there without saying anything for several long seconds.
Finally she couldn’t stand the silence. “Looking back over my motives, I can see that they were manipulative, and technically we are in a business situation. You have every right to discuss this with Charlotte.” Dulcie hoped he wouldn’t mention her behavior to the HR director. It could mean she’d get fired and she loved working at BMUS, partly because Frazer was there.
“I’m not planning to discuss this with Charlotte.”
She let out a breath. “Thanks. I want to keep my job.”
“I want you to keep it, too. I can’t imagine anyone else sitting at that receptionist’s desk.”
“Really?”
“You keep the office running like an atomic clock.”
His praise was unexpected but wonderful to hear. “I get that from my mom. She’s been organizing our big family for years.”
“Attention to detail is what we need. I was impressed with how you used the app during dinner.”
“Thank you.” She’d entertained a tiny hope that he’d chosen her because they’d get to spend time together this weekend.
“You’re the perfect candidate to evaluate whether the app works out in the field.” He paused. “At least that’s what I told myself.”
That hope flared to life again. “But there’s more to it?”
He sighed. “I think there’s a hell of a lot more to it. You’re not the only person who’s mentioned that I might be a little too locked down. Miranda told me the same thing before the fight. She advised me to hang out with someone who would shake me up.”
“Like me?”
“Yep.”
Dulcie
shivered with excitement. She’d never expected him to reveal anything that personal. Apparently he had some ulterior motives, too.
“Are you cold?”
“No.”
He hesitated. “Turned on?”
“Not exactly. It’s just that I’ve wanted to get to know you better and when you tell me stuff like that, I think maybe we’re on the right track.”
He laughed softly. “You know what? I really like you.”
“I really like you, too.” She gazed up at him. Any other man might take the opportunity to try out a kiss, but this was Frazer. He didn’t act on impulse. “I guess we should leave.”
“Do you want me to take you home?”
No. “I don’t know if you remember, but I promised I’d make it up to you for tolerating my crazy family.”
“I won’t hold you to that.”
“Yeah, you’re probably tired, huh?”
“Actually I’m not tired at all. I’m sort of wound up.”
That made her very happy, indeed. “Then we should do something fun.” She glanced at him as inspiration hit. “When was the last time you played goofy golf?”
“I don’t know. When I was in high school. I thought it was pretty lame.”
“Doesn’t have to be.”
“No?”
“Come on, Frazer. I challenge you to a game of goofy golf.”
“Are you sure this is a good idea? You’re wearing your TGIF shoes.”
“Not a problem. But I’m warning you, I play to win.”
“Me, too, and I should warn you that I have a huge advantage.”
“How could you? You haven’t played in more than ten years.”
“True, but according to my test scores, I’m some sort of mathematical genius.”
She smiled. “So what? Goofy golf isn’t about math.”
He returned her smile. “That’s what you think.”
Once they were on the road, she directed him to her favorite little course about five minutes away from her parents’ house, Gopher Hole Golf. It wasn’t the most elaborate one in the area, but she considered it the most fascinating. She was also very good at playing it. She’d annihilate Frazer unless she took pity on him and decided to sandbag.
Each hole was designed as if gophers had been busy creating mounds and tunnels everywhere. When someone made a hole-in-one, a little gopher popped up from a canister next to the green and chattered. Dulcie cracked up every time. But that wasn’t the most intriguing part of the course. She could guarantee Frazer had never seen anything like it.
“Not a lot of people here.” Frazer parked near the entrance.
“Gopher Hole Golf is an acquired taste. Not everyone appreciates it the way I do.”
He glanced over at her. “Sounds like you know the place well.”
“Worked here four summers in a row.” She congratulated herself on thinking of this entertainment option. She hadn’t consciously begun the weekend with a plan to introduce Frazer to her world, but it was turning out that way.
“So I’m dealing with a Gopher Hole Golf expert?”
“I won’t lie to you. I hold the course record for most consecutive games under par.”
He grinned. “Excellent. Let’s do this thing.”
After tucking some money in her pocket, she asked Frazer to lock her purse in the trunk. They walked into the small building that housed the equipment and six refurbished pinball machines. A couple of college-aged guys were playing, and Frazer paused, obviously interested.
“We can do that later if you want.”
“I’d like to. My dad rebuilt an old pinball machine when I was in high school. Still works great.”
“I’m guessing you’re a pinball champion if you had one in your house.”
“I do okay.” He gazed at her with a cute little smile. “Don’t hold any records, though.”
“You think you’re going to beat the pants off me, don’t you?”
“I probably wouldn’t have phrased it that way, but yes.”
That made her laugh. He was so going to lose. “We’ll see.”
The kid at the counter knew her and wouldn’t take any money. “It’s late, and the light’s out on fifteen so technically I shouldn’t charge you ‘cause of that, anyway. You’ll be the last two on the course before we close it.”
“But we can still play pinball when we get back, right?” She was miserable at pinball and Frazer might need to soothe his battered ego.
“Yeah, sure. You can stay while we’re cleaning up the course.” He handed her a couple of balls and her favorite putter.
Frazer took a while to choose his putter. She watched him with amusement. No doubt he was calculating the exact length he’d need for his six-foot frame. He could calculate away and it wouldn’t help him much.
When they reached the first hole, she picked a few leaves off the artificial turf. Someone had recently painted the brown cement mounds that dotted the area. Each had a hole in the center and anyone unlucky enough to hit a ball in there would end up with many extra strokes. A brick rim surrounded the green, which curved off to the left where the cup was located.
She looked over at Frazer. “If you want, I can give you some tips before we start.”
He surveyed the terrain. “Looks straightforward to me. Ladies first.”
“Okay.” Placing her lucky red ball on the rubber mat, she imagined it navigating cleanly through the obstacles and dropping neatly into the cup. Then she hit it sharply. The moment she did, the flat surface became a maze of bulges that snaked toward the hole as if gophers were tunneling under the artificial turf.
Frazer gasped. “What the hell?”
She ignored him and focused on her ball. Mentally she sent it rolling between the valleys while avoiding contact with the cement mounds. It stopped inches from the cup, and all the bulges deflated again. “I’ll just tap it in.”
“Yeah, go ahead.” Frazer had walked the perimeter and stood on the brick staring at the flat surface. “That was unexpected.”
“The owner used to work for Disney. He knows his pneumatics.”
“Obviously.”
“Want some tips, after all?”
“Nope.” Frazer adjusted his glasses. “I memorized how the snaky things ran before they deflated. I’ve got my trajectory.”
“But –”
“Seriously. I wasn’t kidding that I have an advantage in this game. It’s basic geometry with a little physics thrown in. Plus I factored in your speed and I need to send my ball down a fraction faster to get it in the cup. Thanks for going first.”
“You’re welcome. Good luck.”
“It’s not luck. It’s science.”
She just smiled. The ridges would inflate in a different pattern the next time, but he’d have to find that out the hard way.
Chapter Three
“Son of a bucket! The ridges were different!” Frazer stared at the yellow ball that had bounced around aimlessly and rolled backward until it lay at his feet. Once again the green surface was flat.
Dulcie stood on the brick border looking smug as hell with a sparkle in her eyes that plainly said I told you so.
“Okay, maybe I need some info, after all.” It pained him to admit it. “How many cycles in the program?”
“I don’t know.”
“You must know. You’ve played this course a million times.”
“And I’ve never figured out the pattern. Other people smarter than me have tried and failed, but you’re welcome to give it a shot.”
“I might.”
“But before you put too much effort into trying to predict the ridge patterns, you should know that Sherman, the owner, keeps the program a secret and switches it up whenever he’s bored and wants to mess with people.”
“Which means I might be able to figure out the pattern for tonight but tomorrow it would be different.”
“Yes.”
He rubbed the back of his neck and gazed at her. “I’m amazed he’s still
bringing in business. Don’t people get frustrated?”
“They do if they approach it seriously. But if they decide to play for the heck of it they usually score fairly well. The looser they are the better.”
“So the best way to play this course is drunk.”
“That’s one solution.”
“Is that how you’ve broken par so many times? You get smashed first?”
“No. I have a secret weapon.”
“I’ll bet it’s the password to Sherman’s computer.”
“Nope. That would be cheating. Actually, I pretend I’m Yoda.”
“Yoda from Star Wars?”
“No, Yoda my next-door neighbor.” She laughed. “Yes, from Star Wars. There’s only one Yoda and I’ve loved him ever since I was a kid. The first time I played this golf course I was twelve. When I saw how hard it was, I thought what would Yoda do?”
He stared at her in fascination. There was a lot more to Dulcie than he’d ever imagined. “Are you saying you just think the ball into the cup?”
“Pretty much.”
“There’s no logical reason why that should work.”
That got her attention. “Are you telling me you don’t believe in the Force?”
Oh, boy. He was about to say something sacrilegious. “No, I don’t.”
“No? But I’ve heard you guys talk endlessly about those movies. You love them!”
“I love the movies, but they’re fantasy. I was raised by an astrophysicist and an engineer. Science is like a religion in our family. There’s nothing scientific about the Force.”
“Frazer Krause, I’m flabbergasted! My sisters don’t believe, either, but I thought you of all people would.”
“Sorry.” She looked so disappointed that he almost wished he’d lied to her. “But I’ll go with your staying loose philosophy. That makes sense to me. I’ll try that with my next shot.”
“Okay.”
He felt as if he’d just killed Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny. Maybe the Tooth Fairy, too. “Listen, if thinking about Yoda works for you, then you should do it. Staying positive is always a good thing.”
Her jaw firmed. “It doesn’t just work for me. It plain works, whether you believe it or not.”
“Yeah, well . . .” He didn’t want to argue with her, especially not about this. He had a hunch his buddies, despite being computer nerds, entertained the possibility of the Force being real under certain circumstances. He’d never been able to.
It's All Geek to Me (Nerds & Geeks Book 3) Page 2