“No one has the kind of money Anderson’s family money has. He started inheriting large sums of money when he was fifteen. Granted, when his parents pass, he and his sisters will inherit a lot more but, Jurnee, he already has a half a billion in the bank.”
Nodding, I closed my eyes and leaned my head against the back of the sofa.
“You know what,” Otis continued once I looked at him, “I think it has very little to do with his money. Something tells me you could give a shit about whether he has money. What’s really going on in your head?”
Stupid tears began to flow. I angrily wiped them away from my face. The emotions and pain from my ankle were too much. I tried to stop the flow of tears that accompanied the wash of embarrassment that flowed through me.
“He is just too much. Like he takes up all the space in my mind when he’s not around and all the oxygen when he is. I’ve been hurt in relationships that I felt nowhere near as overwhelming or powerful as when he looks at me. I’m scared he’s going to swallow me up and then realize he could do so much better. Let’s face it, he could. Don’t know if I’d survive him walking away.”
“Isn’t that what love is supposed to be all about?”
Staring at Otis, something besides his words hit me right across the face. It was a memory of a movie I’d seen years ago about a man that falls in love with a woman from the other side of the tracks. No, it can’t be him. Jesus, what was his name.
“Look, you aren’t the only one that has been hurt. Anderson may have all the money he could ever want but look at how he lives. He’s such a hermit, it’s shocking that you got him to the park. He’s had to deal with being one of the darlings of Page Six. He’s been on his own since he was thirteen when his entire family moved away without him.”
Otis’s words morphed into something close to Charlie Brown’s teacher’s, but I continued to stare at him, trying to place who he was.
“Just talk to him and understand that this is really new for him as well.”
Then it hit me, and I screamed way louder than appropriate. “Oh my God! You’re Jeffrey Otis!”
“I am.”
He sat back in his chair and took a sip of his drink. The distance between us was far wider than the room would reflect.
“You were in that movie about falling for a girl from the other side of the tracks.”
“I was. It was years and years ago.” He crossed his legs, “please tell me you seen one of my movies since that one.”
Shrugging, I squinted my eyes together. “I didn’t really love it. Sorry, I’m not a movie person.”
“You are the best, and we are back to normal.” He laughed to himself into the glass as he finished his drink. “When you figure out who Bryan is, please don’t let him know you know. It was hilarious watching him trying to get you to recognize him.”
“Oh shit. He’s famous too?”
“Famous, I don’t know. He’s a singer.”
My hands covered my face as the embarrassment of not knowing who I was playing cards with took hold. Everyone made fun of my complete lack of pop culture knowledge. This was beyond a lack of knowledge. This was embarrassing.
“I’m sorry I–”
“Hold on. You have nothing to apologize for, Jurnee. Speaking for myself, it was great meeting someone that didn’t already have a preconceived opinion of me based on what People Magazine published. You kicked our asses at poker, but more importantly, you treated us like we were regular people. It was a fun night, and it’s been a long time since that’s happened.”
“I’m not really up on pop culture.”
“Clearly.” He stood just as I noticed Anderson standing in the doorway.
They shared a look. Anderson nodded, and Otis bent down and kissed me on my forehead. “Never change.”
“You called him.” I whispered.
“I did, kiddo. You’ll learn we don’t keep secrets from one another.”
“Thank you for taking care of me and the talk.”
He straightened up, “Since it looks like you’re sticking around, get my number from Anderson. If you ever need saving, give me a call.”
“Thank you, Jeffrey Otis.” Anderson’s eyebrows lifted at my words.
Anderson gave Otis a man hug, and they exchanged words that I couldn’t hear. Just like that, Otis was gone. Anderson stared down at me for a moment. Without a word, he lifted me off the sofa and carried me to the elevator.
“Next time, I’m not leaving.”
34
Jurnee
My breath caught the same way it had the night before when I looked up and saw him standing in the doorway. Anderson was the perfect combination of kindness, confidence, and swagger. Every fiber of my body was ready to mount the man that stood watching me. Somehow, his ‘I’ve been at the office all day’ swagger was working better than oysters on me.
“You better stop looking at me like that.”
Challenge accepted. “Oh yeah?”
In his hand, a white shopping bag caught my attention as Anderson stalked across the room toward the sofa. He bent down to kiss me, but he stopped two millimeters from my lips.
“I missed you all day.”
“You did?” Smiling like it was Christmas morning, I allowed the giddiness from his words bounce around inside me.
“I did.” Rover raised his head, and I resumed petting him.
“Jurnee.”
“Yeah.”
“Is that one of the steps from the gym on the floor at the end of the sofa?”
“It is.”
A tilt of his head, “Why?”
“It was the right size for Rover to hop up here.” Giving my very best Vanna White wave, I motioned over the sixty-pound pig laying with his head against my propped-up leg.
Anderson sat on the coffee table and dragged his hand gently over my bandaged ankle. Reaching into his suit’s chest pocket for his phone, we both looked at Rover when he snorted loudly. I giggled. In the blink of an eye, Anderson had an expression that I hadn’t remembered seeing before.
“Guess what I did on my way home?” His cold-flat tone distracted me from the designer logo that looked like one you’d see in the movie or on a television show.
“You went shopping?”
His jaw was set and his eyes slanted as I watched him place the bag on the coffee table on the other side of my leg. “I did. I wanted to get you a couple things because you were so good today.”
Shit.
“Why don’t you read the text message I received earlier?” The phone screen was turned directly in front of me.
“Um.”
“Um? Would you like me to read it to you?”
“I mean.” My shoulders stayed up by my ears in an extra-long shrug.
He cleared his throat like he was about to recite the Pledge of Allegiance and read our text exchange from earlier in the afternoon.
Anderson - How are you feeling?
Jurnee - Much better! Thanks for having Rover brought over to keep me company.
Anderson - Are you staying off your feet?
Jurnee - Yes. Do you have lotion here?
Anderson – I’ll get you some when I get there. Leaving in an hour.
He placed the phone back in his inside pocket. When our gaze locked, I smiled bigger as his eyebrows relaxed and his jaw softened. Please kiss me.
“Do not look at me like that because I’m unable to fulfill whatever the thoughts you were just enjoying. Let’s remember you’re injured. Please.”
“What’s in the bag?”
“This bag,” he held it just out of my reach. “This is a bag of goodies that I picked up for you as a reward for staying off your feet all day.”
“Oh.”
“Yeah. Oh.”
Something alerted Rover, who rose, awkwardly maneuvered himself down the step, and headed off to the kitchen.
“Anderson,” Eric yelled out from somewhere else in the house. “You guys here?”
My eyes opened w
ide. “Did he bring a friend?”
“No.”
Anderson stood and went to the kitchen to greet his friend. I grabbed the bag and happy danced as I looked inside. Several things were wrapped in tissue paper, making it impossible to steal a peek of what he purchased. The presentation of the purchase was outstanding and made me think about what type of packaging the coffee shop could have.
“Up for a little company? I brought coffee.” Eric had a unique presence. Not in a way that took from anyone else’s space but commanded attention.
“Yes, I’d love some company.” Accepting the coffee cup from Eric, I added. “And always coffee. Thank you.”
Retrieving the bag from my hands, Anderson returned to the seat next to me, placing the bag back on the coffee table. His arm stretched around the back of the sofa. When he rested his arm around me, a buzz sailed through my body.
I leaned into his chest. Whatever they were talking about was innocuous enough that my thoughts went to Anderson’s offer to let me stay here. What would that mean? I’d need to give notice.
“He’s going on vacation next week.” Anderson frowned when I looked at him.
“Sorry?”
“Rover. Samantha takes him to her parents’ farm a few times a year for some outside time.”
“Your pet pig, Rover, is going on vacation to a farm.”
“You’ll get used to it,” Eric smirked.
Eric made the chair look like it was too small for the room. He didn’t look uncomfortable or awkward. It was something else. He was like a football player and wrestler wrapped up in a tailored three-thousand-dollar suit and expensive-looking shoes.
“Tell me about your coffee shop idea.”
“That’s from left field.”
Anderson chuckled in my ear, “you don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to.”
I sat up, moving out of the cozy spot he had created around me. “I’d love to talk about it. Do you have the Starbucks app?”
“I don’t.” Eric sipped his Starbucks coffee.
“How do you not have the Starbucks app? You just went to Starbucks. He doesn’t have the app either. I don’t get it.”
Anderson retrieved his phone from his pocket and placed it in front of me. “Put it on there.”
“Well, it works like that app but in a building setting.” The Starbucks app began downloading. “From the outside looking in, New York City seems like a big place where people walk around invisible to one another. The goal of Latte Love is to turn an office building into a micro-community.”
“That’s a horrible name, but keep going.”
“Did you tell him to say that?”
“No, Love.” Anderson gave me a quick peck and a wink. “The name just sucks that much.”
“Whatever. Anyway, when folks register for the order system, it will ask for a selfie to go with the order. The selfie will add a frame with the name of the shop for them to post. Their order will have the picture attached to help with recognition. With the advances in facial recognition, we will be able to greet app users by name as they enter.”
“Adding the delivery component, businesses could provide a custom coffee delivery service for their employees. As comfort with the system and product grows, we’ll move into a coffee shop hangout spot by hosting different events to encourage people to spend downtime in the shop.”
“What about outside traffic?”
“Initially, I envisioned the shop as having an entrance from inside the building, using a small tucked away portion of the building. Anderson suggested making it front and center on the ground floor of a building. There are so many walk-up carts selling the standard three that–”
“Sorry, the standard three?”
“Black, cream, sugar.” I smiled to myself as I tried a sip of the syrupy latte Eric handed me when he arrived. Men always assume women like their coffee sugary.
“You’d want to replicate that menu?”
“I’d like to replicate that for individuals that didn’t want to use the system to order more complicated beverages. Having a basic menu for the hit-or-miss client keeps staffing dedicated to those that we’re building a relationship with.”
Eric rocked back, contemplating my idea. “So, the street access would operate as an upscale street cart while the building entrance would function as an upscale, exclusive coffee shop.”
“Can you see the merchandise opportunities?” Anderson leaned forward to rest his arms on his legs.
“Yeah, but I also see getting some interesting information from the building tenants that could be very helpful.”
“The coffee shop as a foot in the door of buildings to add to our assets.”
Eric perked up. “What are you thinking? A potential partnership with Graham?”
“He is interested in meeting with us.”
Tired of the guys talking around me, I held up my hand to stop them. “Wait, are you guys in business together?”
Eric laughed, “Anderson has his hands in many things.”
“Do tell.” I shot Anderson the eye.
He pulled me back into the nook of his chest. “I dabble when something looks interesting.”
“Dabble. You hold forty-nine percent of my company. If I’m not mistaken, you also hold the same percent in both Otis’s and Bryan’s companies. You also fund a super PAC for that Senator friend of yours. I’d say you do more than dabble.”
“Why do you work for Graham if you have all the other stuff going on?” Anderson’s chuckle had to have been from the confusion on my face.
“Those are financial investments. I work for Graham because he is the best at what he does, and I want to learn everything I can from him.”
I thought for a moment. “You have the best of both worlds. You get to learn from Graham and apply what you’re learning to companies that you have a major stake in. Nicely done.”
“Thank you. Glad you approve.” We stared at each other for a minute too long.
“I’m out. You two look like you’re going to rip each other’s clothes off any second.” Eric started to stand.
“Don’t go. We aren’t doing anything until her ankle heals.”
“Really, man. I can think of a lot of stuff that could be done with her injury.” He chuckled.
“Yeah, how about you not think of things that can be done with her injured or not.”
Eric laughed as he dropped back down in the chair.
Anderson read a text, “Markus just picked up dinner. You should stay and eat.”
“Can’t we go out for dinner?” I pouted. “I’ve been in this house for three straight days.”
“Nope. Might I remind you that you were all over the house looking for the perfect solution for getting Rover on the sofa? You’re going nowhere tonight.”
“What’s he picking up?” I was learning that Eric asked excellent questions.
“Mexican.”
Eric leaped up, “Staying and I’m making margaritas.”
“Can I see what you purchased now?”
Anderson handed me the bag and chuckled as I did another happy dance from a seated position. I hadn’t heard of 111Skin products but loved the fact that he had gone to the store to get me nice skincare products.
Turning a bit to look into his eyes, I mouthed thank you and leaned in, asking for a kiss. The sweet kiss quickly turned hotter, and his hands found their way to the back of my head, grabbing my hair. Just as I pressed into Anderson, Eric yelled in from the kitchen.
“How about strawberry margaritas?”
Anderson rested his forehead on mine. “When your ankle is better…”
“Yes, please. Thanks, Eric.” We both laughed, and just like that, it was Mexican night.
35
Jurnee
The blurred autumn colors replaced the sky-high buildings and congested streets of the City, allowing me to breathe in myself while simultaneously exhaling the tension of being in a house with Anderson.
“You’re a
wfully quiet. What’s going on in that mind of yours?” Anderson’s voice cut through the low music.
“I was thinking about Rover. It’s been fun having him keep me company while being held hostage in your… what are we calling it now?”
He cringed. “It is my house, and you were not held hostage. The doctor said you needed to stay off your ankle for several days.”
“I know. I know.” Crossing my legs in a failed attempt to elevate my ankle, I shifted my Old Navy dress to give my legs a bit more room. “Thank you very much for providing me such amazing care.”
“You’re welcome–”
“Hillsdale!” I pointed to the road sign. “I love Hillsdale!”
“You’ve been to Hillsdale?” The confusion was written on his face.
“Nah. Never been. I used to write to different city’s Chamber of Commerce for information on their city.” I twirled a few strains of my hair.
“Why?” He alternated looking at the highway and at me.
“I don’t know.” I shrugged and stared out the window. “I guess I’ve always wanted to move somewhere else but was too afraid to actually do it.”
Anderson mumbled something, but I couldn’t understand him.
“What?”
“You don’t seem so happy to move now.”
I whipped my head toward him. “Hello. This is happening really fast, and it’s a bit overwhelming.”
He squeezed my hand. “I’d like you to stay on at the house.”
“Super. That doesn’t make it more overwhelming at all.” I rolled my eyes and stared out the window. The conversation evolved over the last forty-hours, from a mention here and there to a spontaneous list of positives for moving in until I finally agreed to think about his offer.
“I’m not really comfortable not paying my own way. Plus–”
“Jurnee, the house sits empty ninety-nine percent of the time. You know I’ve been living at my parents’ place. You should accept the offer.”
Mister Manhattan: A Hero Club Novel Page 17