Come and Talk to Me

by June Kramin

  “Sorry. He just showed up. I guess Troy couldn’t get a hold of him. Chill, girl. He doesn’t bite.”

  “Says you.”

  “Yeah, says me. So,” she said, trying to change the subject, “did you think any more on the road sales position?”

  “I don’t want it.”

  “Why not? It sounds like more money.”

  “Maybe. It’s more work for sure. Volume is higher but the margins are lower. I’ll work twice as hard, but still end up, money-wise, about where I am now. I’ve run the figures.”

  “Working hard has never bothered you before. You love a challenge.”

  She sighed and rubbed her eyes with the heel of her hand. “It’s not so much the job as how it is that Becker offered it to me.”

  “How’s that?”

  “You got it, cupcake. Use it.”

  “He did not call you Cupcake!”

  “No, but he might as well have. He wants me to show up at jobsites in short skirts and schmooze sales with tits and ass. He’s a pig.”

  “So turn him in for sexual harassment.”

  “It’s hardly worthy of that, but I’m telling him no. I don’t need to explain myself. If he pushes, I’ll quit and go work somewhere else. I’ve started a résumé in case it comes to that.”

  “That doesn’t sound right.”

  “I work at a lumberyard, Bri. It’s a man’s world. I wouldn’t take the shit if the money weren’t so damn good. The way I’m ogled every day is barely better than my previous job.”

  “Hang in there, hon.” She held up her bottle and they clinked them together.

  Van walked over to Bri and gave her a kiss. “Hiya, beautiful.”

  Reggie smiled. That’s what he called Bri last time. She at least liked the way he treated her friends.

  “Long time no see,” Bri said. “Thanks for coming to play with Troy so I can have some girl time.”

  “I’d rather sit over here and look at you two rather than stare at his ugly mug.”

  “Isn’t there a game on?” Reggie asked.

  “It’s half-time and Troy’s throwing the food on.”

  “I’ll go get the sides ready,” Reggie said as she stood up.

  ~*~

  “That girl can’t stand me as far as she can throw me, can she?” Van said to Sabrina when Reggie was in the house.

  “It’s not you, Van. Trust me.”

  “Just hates men in general?”

  “Something like that. Why don’t you go help her in the kitchen?”

  “You want me near her when there are sharp objects around?”

  She laughed. “Go help her, Van.” He stood and walked to the house.

  As Van opened the sliding glass door, Reggie called out. “Bri? Can I borrow a pair of shorts? I spilled the dressing all down my front and gotta get out of these—” Van turned the corner as she finished her sentence “—pants.”

  “Do you need some help with that?”

  “Funny. Out of my way, please.” She tried to get past him, but he put his arm out, stopping her.

  “If I said you had a fabulous body, would you hold it against me?”

  “My, you are a witty one. Please move.”

  “Why the ice storm, Reggie? Can’t we be civil to each other, for Bri’s sake? She went through a lot of trouble to pretend we both weren’t going to be here today.”

  “She wouldn’t do that to me.”

  “She did. Are you really that naïve?” He stepped closer to her. “’Cause if you are, I think it’s kinda cute.” He held her face in one hand, leaned down and gave her a gentle kiss.

  Her eyes closed for a second then sprang open. “Stop doing that!”

  “Afraid you’ll like it?”

  “Hardly.” Again, she tried to get past him.

  His arm didn’t budge. “Give me a chance.”

  She ducked under his arm and walked toward the screen door. She hollered to Sabrina that she was grabbing a pair of shorts. “And no thanks on the help,” she said as she walked to the bedroom.

  ~*~

  When she was that pissy, Reggie always drank too much, too fast. The dinner didn’t help absorb any of the alcohol. It never took her tiny frame much to feel the effects and she’d had enough to keep up with Van, who had over a hundred pounds on her. As she drank, she didn’t get mean. Rather, she started to soften. Finally looking at Van really good for the first time, she saw the handsome face, the strong shoulders, the gorgeous eyes, and, above all, his kind heart. She didn’t want to want any man, but she was beginning to like him. Her guard had been dropped and she was actually being friendly.

  ~*~

  “Pity she passed out,” Troy said as Sabrina tucked Reggie in on the couch where she fell asleep. “She was getting kind of fun.”

  “I’m going to bed, too. You two behave.” She kissed them both good night.

  The men stayed up and had a few more beers. Van had made plans to sleep over before he decided to have a few too many himself and claimed a spare room for his own, but he didn’t stay put for long. Whether or not it was the thunder rolling in across the ocean or the thought of Reggie so close, he couldn’t sleep. At two a.m. he went out and sat on the couch to gaze at Reggie’s sleeping face. His weight on the couch woke her. She looked up at him with a smile then stretched. She suddenly jerked awake as if she finally realized where she was. Lighting cracked close, causing her to jump again.

  “Don’t like storms?” Van asked.

  “Not particularly. Is it going to be bad?”

  “I didn’t hear anything. I don’t check when I’m not on duty, though.”

  “You like that? Being out on the water all day? Rescuing people that don’t have the smarts to know when to stay on shore?”

  “I do, a lot. It’s the most satisfying thing I could think of. I couldn’t think of anything else I’d rather be doing. Well, there is one thing.” He grinned.

  She only got out, “What—” before she caught herself and didn’t finish the question. Instead, she blushed.

  ~*~

  Lighting cracked again. She pulled the covers close to her chest. Reggie had been through her share of hurricanes and storms. Although nothing more dramatic than losing power for a few hours had ever happened, she never could stand the booming of thunder. Her parents never allowed her to crawl in bed with them when she was scared. Thank God for an older brother who was more understanding and often tried to fill in on love where their parents had lacked.

  Van stood up and extended his hand to her.

  “I’m fine here, thanks.”

  He waved it in front of her. “Come on. I’m not going to bite.”

  “I’m not sleeping with you, Van.”

  “I don’t recall offering to service you. The bed is more comfortable. I’ll take the couch.”

  “I’m smaller. It’s fine.” He waved his hand again. She let out a huff and stood up. He held her hand and led her to the room. “This really isn’t necessary. I’ll be much more comfortable on the couch than you will.”

  “Good point. Maybe we should share the bed,” he said as he closed the door.

  “I’m tired, Van. I don’t want to play games.”

  “So lie down and go to sleep. Come on.” He patted the space next to him. “You afraid of me?”

  “Yeah, right.” She wasn’t about to let him get the best of her. She stomped over to the bed and lay down. She pulled the sheets up and said a gruff, “Good night.”

  “Sleep tight, doll-face.”

  ~*~

  Regina was tired but she couldn’t fall asleep. She lay awake listening to Van breathing. She smelled his cologne on the pillow, nuzzled in and inhaled deeply. Her back was facing him when she first climbed in, but she had slowly turned around so she could look at him while he slept. How could he just fall asleep? Why hadn’t he tried anything? Wasn’t that the whole point? She wasn’t sure if she should be glad he was so nice or wounded that she obviously didn’t do anything for him, despite how he a
cted. What were all those kisses about? She finally fell asleep, pouting but not without having moved a little closer, just to get a better whiff of his cologne of course.

  ~*~

  Van wanted her. He wanted her bad, so bad he hoped she didn’t brush past his midsection and discover how bad. He couldn’t believe he had gotten her in the bed in the first place; he wasn’t about to push it. Something had happened to her; she didn’t trust men. He didn’t want to give her a reason to not trust him. Maybe he shouldn’t have been so forceful with the kisses before, but he knew she had wanted it…needed it. She longed for someone to love her; only it made her afraid. He wanted to be that someone and would try anything. If he hadn’t had so many beers, he would never have been able to fall asleep with her next to him. If someone could have died from arousal, it would have been him that night. The rain that fell outside had quickly lulled him to sleep.

  ~*~

  They woke up in the morning with barely room for a quarter between them. Reggie had snuggled up to him for warmth with the cool breeze coming in. He had unconsciously wrapped his arms around her and pulled her tight to him in his sleep.

  “Good morning,” he said, without hesitation.

  Her reply was a little softer. She was embarrassed. “Good morning.” She tried to scoot out of bed but he tried to hold her there.

  “Don’t go, Reg.”

  “I have to pee.” She flew off the bed and out of the room, grateful to find no one else awake.

  Instead of returning to the bedroom, she went to the kitchen and started a pot of coffee. While she waited for it to brew, she sat outside on the picnic table. In a few minutes, Van joined her.

  “There’s nothing to be embarrassed about. It’s not like anything happened,” he said after a minute of uncomfortable silence.

  “I’m not embarrassed. We’re two adults.” She rubbed her arms as if she were trying to warm up. She wasn’t cold, just fidgety.

  He rubbed her arms, trying to help. “Go on a date with me, Reggie.”

  “A date?”

  “You know; the customary ritual between a man and woman where they usually go for food or a movie that may or may not result in a good time or even better…sex.”

  She glared at him. He should have stopped while he was ahead. “Since you put it that way, no.”

  “Come on. I was teasing about the sex part. Dinner?”

  “Man, you’re a pain in the ass.”

  “I won’t quit until you say yes. Just a harmless dinner. I’ll even let you buy if you’re some kind of feminist.”

  “You’ll buy and I want lobster,” she said as she crossed her arms.

  “Deal.”

  “Coffee should be ready. I’ll go get some.”

  “I’m going to take off actually.”

  “Really?” It came out sounding like she was a lot more disappointed than she wanted it to.

  “I have to get a few things taken care of. You want to go tonight? Starting tomorrow I’ll be on duty for a week and we’re getting underway.”

  A week? I have to go without seeing him for a week? She pulled herself together. “I suppose tonight would be all right if you’re going to make me do this.”

  “Write down your address for me. I’ll pick you up at five.”

  “Four. Take me to Lahaina for dinner. I’d like to wander around Front Street for a while first…if you don’t mind.”

  “All right. Four it is.”

  ~*~

  Reggie wanted to look casual for their date, not desperate, so she chose a colorful, floral sundress. It had spaghetti straps and left little to the imagination as far as cleavage went. It had built-in support so she could go braless. It was a hot day; she welcomed the chance for a breeze blowing up her dress rather than heat sticking pants to her legs. She all but refused to wear dresses or skirts to work since her boss had suggested taking the road sales position. This date was a nice change of pace for her wardrobe.

  Van’s jaw dropped when he saw her. He could have tripped over it if he wasn’t careful. “I feel underdressed,” he finally said.

  “You look fine. I wanted to be comfortable.”

  “I like the way you get comfortable.”

  “Are you going to behave? You said a date as friends. I don’t want to be batting away innuendos all night.”

  “I’ll behave, sweetness.”

  “That, too.” Again she crossed her arms.

  “What now?”

  “What is it with you and the names? Why is it always ‘doll-face’ or something else? Just call me Reggie.”

  “Troy calls you princess. I thought you didn’t mind.”

  “I don’t mind when he does it. He doesn’t want in my pants.”

  He moved closer. “What makes you think I want in your pants?”

  “You…” She huffed passed him without finishing her sentence. “Can we go? I really have an errand on Front Street.”

  “I didn’t know I was your errand boy. I thought we had a dinner date.”

  “It’s just a stop since we’re out there. I really want to go to Longhi’s for dinner, too. Okay? Truce? Can we try not to kill each other tonight?”

  “You retract the claws and I’ll stop with the names.”

  “Fine.”

  “I’ll try to have you home before midnight so you don’t turn into a pumpkin, princess.”

  She slammed the truck door and he laughed.

  ~*~

  Van parked by the famous banyan tree, in a spot right off the Lahaina harbor. Having already done the tourist thing and learning the history of the enormous tree, Van casually walked around the car and helped Reggie out. Their destination, Longhi’s, was all the way at the other end of Front Street, but Reggie had said she wanted to walk the store fronts before they went to eat and she was sure to want to walk after eating and drinking as much of his money as she could.

  Van wanted to go for a quick walk through the harbor. It was clear he was searching for something as he studied all the boats, not just looking around.

  “You don’t look like you’re sightseeing, Van.”

  “There’s been a lot of activity here lately. I wanted a quick peek. Sometimes the ones trying too hard to be obvious are the ones that have something to hide.”

  “Are we on a date or are you on duty?”

  He reached down and took her hand. “Let’s go.” She found an excuse to break his hold after a few paces as they approached the first gift shop. She feigned interest in something and never went back for his hand.

  They strolled down the street admiring the different art galleries and specialty jewelry shops. The price tourists would pay for a gold pendant shaped like a whale’s tail or for an oyster they had to open themselves to find a pearl then buy an overpriced setting for it always amazed Van.

  They came to about the tenth jewelry store when Reggie said, “This is it. I’ll be right out.” He waited as he was told. She came out in a huff about two minutes later. “That idiot.”

  “Do I need to go hurt someone?”

  “He called me saying they had a ring I was looking for.”

  “And they didn’t?”

  “What schmuck doesn’t know an alexandrite from an aquamarine?”

  “Meet that schmuck.”

  “Really?”

  “Really. What is it?”

  “It’s my birthstone. It’s a pretty green in the sun, not like emerald green, and it’s a real pretty purple when you’re inside.”

  “The stone changes color?”

  “It does. It’s amazing. I saw one years ago and fell in love with it.”

  “Why didn’t you buy it?”

  “Because it was a gazillion dollars.”

  “A gazillion, huh?”

  “Close enough. The kid was either new and knew nothing about jewelry or misunderstood the note.”

  “Did you bite his face off? Should I call 9-1-1?”

  “No. I was nicer than I should have been, though. I would have been pissed i
f I drove all this way for just that.”

  “Happy to be of service.”

  She looked at her watch. “It’s only five thirty but I’m starved. I skipped lunch. Can we go eat?”

  “Of course. Lead me there, prin…Reg.” Again he put his hand out to her. This time, she accepted it.

  They stuffed themselves sharing an appetizer and each other’s main dishes. Crab stuffed mushrooms, steak and lobster, grilled shrimp and pasta with a heavenly white sauce were washed down with two bottles of wine instead of mixed drinks. They both declined dessert and began a slow stroll back on the other side of the street. Reggie wanted to walk by the ocean. “It never gets old for me. I don’t think I could ever live anywhere away from the water.”

  They stopped to lean over the railing and stare out at the ocean. The sun was already gone, but it was still a wondrous sight.

  “That’s why I like my job so much,” Van said. “I love the ocean. I don’t think I’d be as happy if I was in Duluth or somewhere off a lake.” He turned and looked at her. Her eyes were closed as she took in the ocean breeze. He leaned down and kissed her.

  Her eyes sprang open but she smiled. She pulled on his hand to continue walking back to the car. After a few steps she finally said, “You promised to behave.”

  “I should have set a dress code when I made that promise. You’re killing me, Reggie.”

  “Ice cream?” she asked when they came across a storefront at the Pioneer Inn that offered soft serve in a waffle cone.

  “I thought you were stuffed.”

  “I was. Now I want ice cream.”

  He laughed, pulled out his wallet and walked over to the employee. “What kind do you want?”

  ~*~

  When they reached the truck, Reggie leaned against her door and looked up at Van. He took the hint, leaned down and kissed her. She immediately opened her mouth wanting his tongue; he gave it to her. He pulled her closer and brought her off the ground with his strong embrace. Her arms went around his neck then her legs wrapped around his waist. Needing the truck for support, he leaned her back. For a second, they forgot where they were. A car’s horn blast brought them to their senses. He put her down, but lingered over one last kiss before clearing his throat and opening her door.