It had been almost two years ago that I’d been out with Josh Singer and tried to kiss him after a few glasses of wine. Given our mutual interests and our friendship over the years, I’d thought there might be the possibility of something between us, but he’d pulled away and given me the classic I only think of you as a friend speech.
I honestly wasn’t sure whether he’d ever told Haylee, about the miscue, but at this point, it really seemed moot. Anyone who met the couple knew without a doubt they were destined to be together. Although I might be envious at times of their relationship and new family, it was only because I wanted to be that happy someday, not because I begrudged them their happiness together. Hell, if anything, their bond only raised the bar and proved there were such things as second chances. Josh had obviously found his.
“See, then, putting yourself out there even when it didn’t work out the way you’d planned wasn’t such an awful thing.”
No, maybe not, but at the time, I’d been positive I’d die from humiliation. “Perhaps, although going forward, I have no intention of making assumptions or putting myself out there ever again.”
***
My initial consultation with the matchmaker, Melanie Foster, was, for lack of a better word, efficient. She was a woman who appreciated lists, which automatically made me like her. She didn’t mince words when she fired off her questions for me, making notes about what I was looking for. She also assured me she dealt in high-profile clientele and was discreet. By next week she hoped to be calling with possible matches.
After I walked out of her office, Sherman, my driver, took me to what I was now dubbing Club T for short. He’d been with me the last six years and was one of my most trusted employees. The man was in his late sixties and yet kept himself trim and in fighting shape. I had no doubt if ever I needed a bodyguard, Sherman could throw down. He was a man of few words whose voice sounded like that of Samuel L. Jackson, and he asked no questions, which is why he said nothing when he helped me, dressed in my mask and wig, out of the town car.
I was aware this was the last time I would meet Calvin before I left for Vegas tomorrow morning. This thought had me restless. There’d been something about the last few days and seeing him nightly that made me feel as though I’d gained a momentum that I was afraid to lose. However, the thought of scheduling an appointment next week and continuing to see him steadily worried me. What I absolutely didn’t need was to develop some sort of dependency on meeting him regularly.
He greeted me with familiarity and immediately inquired about my appointment with the matchmaker. “Were you pleased with the way Melanie goes about her process?”
I had found her to be quite competent with her list of questions and in the way she’d written down my absolute no-go items. “Yes, she’s quite confident she’ll find me some possible candidates as soon as next week.”
“Great. A couple of things I wanted to go over tonight. One, I’d like for you, if you’re open to it, to initiate a text to me over the weekend. Pretend you’ve just met me, we’ve gone out a couple of times, and now you’re traveling out of town. People appreciate knowing they’re on someone’s mind, and a text is a perfect, flirty way of doing that.”
Okay, I could manage that, although why did he wish to text me over the weekend if this was our last appointment? Unless he didn’t want it to be our final meeting?
“Secondly, while you’re in Vegas, do something out of your comfort zone. I’m not necessarily talking about your list, but if you’re there with friends, you should make an effort to get out and have some fun. And if any of them are in relationships, make them your wing women while you meet guys.”
“All right, I’ll try to put myself out there.”
“I’m out of the office until Tuesday evening, but I hope you’ll want to see me again next week. I know you’re busy, but I can work around your schedule when I’m able to.”
Again, I knew he was only being accommodating on a professional level, not because he couldn’t wait to see me personally, but I still enjoyed it way too much to be healthy. “Okay. By then I should have my first date from the matchmaker scheduled.”
He nodded. “And you’re good with me texting you over the weekend? If you’re not, then I understand. The last thing I want is to intrude on your personal time.”
The thought of him keeping in touch over the next couple of days gave me something to look forward to. I reasoned it was only because I didn’t have any other man texting me and could use the practice. But I think, deep down, it was a thrill to have any sort of attention, sadly enough, even from someone I was paying.
“No, no, it’s fine.” The thought occurred to me that I’d have my friends there, which might end up being really useful.
“Great. I’ll put you down for Tuesday night. By then you’ll hopefully be getting ready for your date. I have a good feeling about the matchmaker finding you someone, Kat. He’s out there.”
It was a subtle reminder that Calvin was in this to help me, which meant he was part of the process, not the solution. Meeting his eyes, I felt certain he had to make this clear with a lot of his clients, ensuring even someone as clueless as I wouldn’t misread his intentions.
CHAPTER THREE
On Friday morning I briefly went into the office to finish up a couple things so I could take a work-free, three-day weekend in Vegas. After that, Sherman drove me to the airport. Haylee had insisted that we take one of her husband’s private planes since she was bringing her baby daughter, Abby, plus her nanny. I didn’t object. This was quite the way to travel; plus, it allowed me to catch up with both her and Sasha while enjoying a glass of champagne in luxury.
As we were descending, I glanced at my phone and considered firing off a text to Calvin. He’d asked me to initiate one, but I wasn’t sure what to say.
“Please tell me your ex isn’t contacting you again?” Sasha questioned, looking over. She’d become fiercely protective since learning about his message that he wanted to meet me in person.
“He already did. I told him I was traveling out of town and would get back to him once I returned. I’m not exactly in a hurry to do so.” I sighed and realized I craved a change of subject. My divorce had become a tired topic with friends and family. Not that they ever complained, but I no longer wished to rehash old news or talk about how he’d once again upset me.
“I was actually contemplating sending a message to this guy I’ve been seeing, but flirty texting isn’t my forte. Wanna help?” I was suddenly excited about the possibility of enlisting reinforcements.
Sasha shook her head. “No way. I can barely manage the face-to-face stuff, so text flirting is definitely not my thing.”
Haylee broke out in an excited smile. “Oooh. You met someone, Catherine? Is it serious?”
“No, we only met this last week.” At least that wasn’t a lie. “But he said to text him over the weekend. However, I’m not sure what to say except, ‘Hey, in Vegas. Have a good weekend.’”
Both women laughed, and Sasha clinked her champagne glass with mine. “Sounds efficient and practical. I say go with it.”
Haylee shook her head adamantly and rolled her eyes. “Don’t you dare. When we land, you should say something like, ‘Just landed and already missing you.’ Then do one of those cute emoticons.”
“An emoti-what?” Sasha asked, clearly as oblivious as I was.
Haylee smiled and then showed us her phone. I was instantly intrigued. They had icons ranging from a face blowing kisses to a piece of shit. Evidently, there were all sorts of ways to emote oneself.
“So I download them to my phone and then blow kisses or send hearts when I flirt.”
“Or send him a horny devil and a cocktail and really get the message across,” Sasha commented dryly, causing us all to crack up.
“Ha, don’t knock it. I bet if you sent a symbol for horny devil, bed, and house, Brian would come home from the office in record time.” As soon as Haylee said this, I immediately realized the potential behi
nd some of the little symbols as a fun way to communicate.
Sasha chuckled. “I’m pretty sure if I simply texted him, ‘bed, now,’ it would have the same effect. However, I get what you’re saying. There you go, Catherine. You have your ringer in this girl for showing you how to flirt all weekend long. And you’ll have Brian’s sister, too, who knows all of those little acronyms people text. I swear I had to look up PMSL the other day. I thought my future sister-in-law had lost her mind by responding to something funny with a comment she had PMS.”
I grinned. “Even I know that one is ‘pissing myself laughing.’” I couldn’t stay current in my magazine without adopting some of the lingo of the twenty-something-year olds who were around me all the time. “But for the purpose of the guy I’ve been out with a couple times and haven’t kissed, I’m going to skip the horny devil or saying I miss him just yet.”
Haylee contemplated. “Actually, sending any kind of text implies you’re thinking of him all on its own, which is what you want.”
Calvin had said the same thing. “So what do I say?” I was ready to draft the message.
“Start off cool. Say something like, ‘Landed in Vegas, how’s your Friday night?’”
That sounded easy enough.
“Wait. Are you guys exclusive?” Sasha inquired.
Ha, the furthest from it as I was certain he had a long list of clients. “We’ve only talked, so it’s kind of premature to ask about exclusivity.”
“Then you should add after you say you landed that you’re about to hit the town. Make him wonder and wish he would’ve had the talk before you left because now you’re a hot, single woman, one who obviously has sexy friends to help set you up during a weekend in Sin City.”
Why not? I typed out my message with the help of both of them and sent it a half hour later while we were climbing in the car that would take us to the hotel.
“Just landed in Vegas ready to hit the pool, then the town. Are you having a good Fri?”
Calvin’s response came much quicker than I’d anticipated. “I am now that I’ve heard from you.”
Apparently, he didn’t need lessons on how to flirt via text. His response had my heart beating faster and both Sasha and Haylee oohing during the car ride to our hotel.
“Don’t answer him yet. You’re busy as far as he believes. But maybe before you go to bed, you can say something like ‘sweet dreams,’ so long as it’s not nine o’clock, cuz that would be lame,” Haylee offered.
Right, because I planned on being up at least until ten o’clock before I’d call it a night.
***
Saturday morning we all met poolside at Josh’s hotel and surprised the guys. The group of men consisted of Josh, Brian, Colby, Mark, and Will. You’d think among these handsome men, three of whom were single, I’d be clamoring for a setup. Unfortunately, there wasn’t a connection with any of them worth exploring.
Colby, Josh’s younger brother, said hello first with a kiss on the cheek. In all the years I’d known him, he’d always been the charmer. Not only good looking, he also had charisma in spades. He was a huge ladies’ man and I doubted he’d ever settle down if half the rumors about him were true.
As for Mark, he and I had been acquainted for quite a while, having attended many of the same events over the years. He was Josh’s lawyer and a good friend to both Josh and Brian. He was attractive and surprisingly well built, but very quiet and apparently introverted. Unfortunately, according to Haylee, Mark didn’t date at all. Not since losing his fiancée tragically a number of years ago.
And Will, as previously noted, was regrettably too young for me. But he sure was nice to look at, wearing only his board shorts and showing his chiseled abs and bronze skin.
We all hung out by the pool for a couple hours and then retired to our rooms before tonight’s planned activities for celebrating the newly engaged couple. Thankful for the time, I booked a couple of spa treatments in the hotel, eager to have a relaxing afternoon to myself.
The knock on the door surprised me, but not as much as Will standing on the other side of it.
“Hiya. I just talked Kenzie into coming with me, Colby, and Mark. We’re going to ride some go-karts, go shooting, and whatever else we may have time for this afternoon. You interested?”
I might’ve been tempted if I hadn’t already made my appointments, especially since the activities he mentioned would’ve served as things outside of my normal comfort zone and I’d promised I’d do something like that this weekend. “I have a spa thing, but thanks for thinking of me. I’ll see everyone tonight, though.”
“Sounds good.” He smiled.
As I watched him retreat down the hall, I felt a twinge of guilt over my promise to Cal that I’d put myself out there and try new things. Oh, good Lord, I’d inadvertently shortened Calvin’s name as if it was his real one and we were familiar.
Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.
So dumb, in fact, that before I needed to be downstairs for my appointments, I fired up my laptop. Nothing like making a list of reasons not to fall for Calvin to keep me on the sane path of reality. Luckily, it really only took one item for me to start laughing at the absurdity of it all.
Because you’re crazy. You shouldn’t need a list to tell you reasons not to fall for a complete stranger with a sexy voice who you’re paying to talk to you and give you dating advice. And his real name isn’t even Calvin.
***
After spending a lovely afternoon getting pampered in the hotel spa, I was more than ready to hit the town. Haylee had scheduled a wonderful dinner followed by a dance club and then the quieter venue of a bar after that. I’d had a really great time throughout, but returning to the hotel and seeing happy couples pair off was a reminder of what it was like to be in a relationship. To have that person you couldn’t wait to be alone with, someone with whom to chitchat about the night and fall into bed together. This is what I missed after being half of a couple for most of my adult life. So when Kenzie invited me to have a drink with her and Will in the hotel lobby lounge, I accepted, happy for the company.
“Where did Colby and Mark go?” I inquired.
Kenzie frowned. “Evidently to a strip club.”
“Oh.” It didn’t shock me one bit regarding Colby, knowing his reputation, but that Mark would tag along did. He always seemed so shy. What also surprised me was that Will hadn’t opted to join them, instead having a drink with the two of us ladies. But given the way he’d danced with Kenzie earlier, perhaps he was into her. Ah, young people, I mused, while feeling the buzz of one of my phones in my clutch.
I smiled when I pulled it out and realized it was a text from Calvin. “Are you enjoying Sin City?”
“That’s quite the smile for someone,” Kenzie commented with a smirk. We were sitting there alone while Will went to the bar to get us a round of drinks.
“Yeah. But how to respond is really my problem.”
“Let me see. What’s it say?”
I read her the message and realized I had the perfect teacher sitting beside me. She wouldn’t hesitate to type out a flirty response. “Any suggestions?”
“Clearly he called it “Sin City” for a reason. So maybe you respond with something like, ‘Yes, but I’m still waiting for the sin part.’”
Oooh, I loved that, typed it right in, and awaited a response. Kenzie scooted her chair closer, and I realized this could be fun. His response made me laugh.
“Oh yeah? Any ideas?”
She grinned when I flashed his response. We both were startled out of our little fun when Will delivered our drinks.
He smiled and took a seat at our lounge table for three.
Kenzie noticed his beverage of choice. “What’s with the agua, Will? You can’t hang?”
“I have a stomachache or something. I think I must’ve eaten something bad earlier. Anyhow, what are you ladies up to?” He quirked a brow, evidently taking in the two of us poring over my phone.
Why not? I thought. The m
ale perspective might be nice. “Kenzie is helping me flirt via text message with, uh, someone back home.”
“Should Catherine tell him she’s only sitting at her hotel bar or make it sound as though she’s out partaking in the sin part of Sin City?”
Confusion flitted over his face for a second, but then he shrugged. “Uh, I’d always go with the truth. But maybe take a picture of your martini and send it to him. Let him think of the possibility of what could happen tonight after your drink.”
We girls quite liked that idea. See, I never would’ve thought to take a picture. Truth be told, I needed Kenzie’s help to figure out how to send the shot of my martini glass via text on this new phone. We waited a minute, but when we heard the chirp and I checked my phone, it wasn’t from mine.
Kenzie pulled out her phone and sighed, draining her glass. “My phone is completely dead. Guess that means no text flirting for me tonight.”
Must’ve been Will’s, but unlike me, he wasn’t in a hurry to see who had contacted him. After shooting Kenzie a sympathetic look, he excused himself to go to the restroom.
As soon as he was gone, I had to ask, “So you and Will aren’t…?” If I were her age, I’d have wanted to spend time with him as he appeared to be the perfect gentleman, on top of being attractive. Matter of fact, practically every woman in the place was watching him make his way to the men’s room.
Kenzie laughed. “No, we’re only friends. I’m actually in love with someone else, a man who at the moment I’d absolutely love to whack-a-mole.”
I laughed at her form of punishment while taking in this news that she was in a relationship. “I’m sorry, honey. I’d say he’s a fool if he lets a girl like you get away.”
“Damn straight he is.” She clinked her glass with mine in girl solidarity.
After a few more minutes, Kenzie checked her watch. “I wonder what’s taking Will so long? I hope he’s not getting sick. Did you get a response to your pic you sent?”
I didn’t see Will, nor had I received a reply from Calvin. Maybe we were done for the night? Flirting was exhausting. “No response. Do I text him again?”
Teach Me Something (Something Series Book 4) Page 4