One String (Lighter Ones)

Chapter 13

Ricky

I remind myself that working for Parker and Stevens has been my goal for years. When I learned Marilyn had an internship there, I was damn impressed. I’d already done my research and knew what a prestigious firm it was. Making it down to the final group of applicants for…they haven’t told us…however many positions, is an accomplishment.

Then why, as I stand in front of the bathroom mirror, feeling the stiffness of the new shirt and working to create the perfect knot in the new tie, aren’t I excited about my opportunity?

Kyla stands in the open doorway. “You look good, Rich.”

“Do you want to go to a dinner with me?”

She looks down at the tight pants and blouse she’s wearing—professional from the waist up for her televisits with her patients. “I’m afraid I’d need more notice. And I’m even more certain that I’m not your first choice.”

“Seeing as I only met you this morning…” I don’t finish the sentence.

“My landlord said the water heater should be fixed by Monday. I’ll be out of your way after that.”

Exhaling, I smooth the tie and button one button of my suit coat. “You’re not in my way. Max is the one with the revolving door.” I turn to Kyla with wide eyes. “Sorry if you’re not supposed to know that.”

She laughs. “I know that. It’s why I brought my own sheets for his bed.”

Since Max is at work, Kyla and I are alone in the apartment. To be honest, it’s less weird to be with his sister than with one of his many girlfriends. “How did you two turn out so different?”

She crosses her arms over her chest and leans against the doorjamb. “Do you want the sister’s answer or the psychotherapist’s answer?”

“Are they different?”

“Of course. A sister sees things through a particular lens. Max is my little brother. Do I wish he had my drive? I do. We’ve been different since we were kids. When we were very young, he followed me everywhere I went. As we grew up, he started finding his own way. Our parents were pretty hands-off. When they finally started to notice him, they couldn’t understand why he didn’t strive for more.”

“He’s content,” I say. “Sometimes too content.”

Kyla laughs. “As a therapist, strictly from observation, because Max doesn’t want to be psychoanalyzed, I think he watched me work my ass off with little to no recognition from our parents and decided it wasn’t worth the effort. They noticed him more when he screwed up.”

“What about you?”

“I didn’t accomplish what I have for anyone except myself. I’m happy with where I am and what I do. The hard work paid off. The thing is, Max is happy with where he is and what he does. What about you?”

I think about the answer. “I think I want a job, something to make all the work of going back to college worth it. I’m not sorry I chose to go back. Maybe I’m sorry I didn’t do it sooner, but then again, I didn’t hate farming.”

Kyla’s eyes widen. “I didn’t know you farmed.”

My smile widens. “I didn’t know Max had a sister.”

“There’s nothing wrong with going solo to a dinner. I do it all the time. That’s where Max and I differ. I’m comfortable being alone. He seeks companionship.”

“He gets it—a lot.” I nod, silently asking for a clear path from the bathroom.

Kyla steps back.

Making my way to my room, with the door open as I throw a few last-minute items into a backpack, I say, “I don’t want Max to sleep in my room, but I’ve decided to take a friend up on an invitation. After the dinner, I’m heading down to Riverbend for the weekend. You can sleep in here, in case Max comes home with a friend.”

“Are you serious?”

“You’ll probably want to use your own sheets.”

“Thank you. I’ll have it clean and ready for you by Sunday night. Show the people at this dinner that you are confident without a plus-one.”

“Thanks, Dr. Brenner. I suppose I should take your advice.”

Opening the door to the apartment, I’m met with a beautiful blue gaze, one I never expected to see. Words fail me as I take in Marilyn, from her hair twisted behind her head, to her mesmerizing eyes, turned-up nose, red lips drawn into a bow, to lower. The long coat she’s wearing is unbuttoned, giving me a peek at the black dress beneath. The neckline scoops just enough to catch a glimpse of the round globes of her breasts. The dress tapers at her waist, showcasing her curves, the material ends at her mid-calves, and she’s wearing high black heels.

I finally manage to articulate my sentiment. “I can’t believe you’re here.”

“I don’t bail on a friend, even if I never want to see him again.”

“You look amazing.”

“Rich.”

Marilyn’s eyes open wide, and her expression hardens. I turn to see Kyla standing behind me, holding my backpack. “You forgot this…” She stares at Marilyn.

“Forget it,” Marilyn says with a shake of her head. “I’m an idiot.”

I reach for Marilyn’s hand, not allowing her to bolt. “Stop. She’s not?—”

“I suppose this is Max?”

Kyla’s smile grows. “I’m Max’s sister.” She looks at me and back to Marilyn. “Are you the woman Rich upset?”

“It’s hard to know if I’m the only,” Marilyn responds. “He could have a long list.”

Regaining my ability to speak, I begin introductions. “Marilyn, this is Kyla. As she said, she’s Max’s sister. Kyla, this is Marilyn, the woman I mentioned.”

“He more than mentioned you,” Kyla says. “I’m glad you changed your mind.” She tilts her head toward me. “This guy has it bad for you.”

“We’re just friends,” Marilyn says dismissively, before adding, “It’s nice to meet you, Kyla.”

“You two play nice at the dinner,” Kyla says, nudging me forward and closing the door behind me.

I meet Marilyn’s gaze. “I don’t know what to say. I thought I’d blown everything.”

“You did.”

“You’re giving me another chance?”

“I realized if I didn’t show, I would be the one who didn’t follow through. For the record, I don’t want to be the reason you don’t follow through on your dream.”

“Thank you,” I say sincerely.

“Also, I Ubered here.”

“Good.” Offering her my arm, I go on. “I’ll drive. I like the idea of you in my car.”

At the sight of my arm, Marilyn narrows her eyes.

“If we’re dating, we should probably touch.”

“No strings.” She lays her hand in the crook of my arm. “There is something I need to warn you about. I learned today that my ex will be at the dinner.”

“Your ex?”

Together, we walk down the hallway to the outside door. The streetlights shine down through the darkening sky, sending circles of illumination onto the sidewalks and parking lot. I lead her to the passenger door of my Sonata.

“I expected you to drive a truck,” she says.

“I used to. This is a hybrid and better on fuel economy.” I open the door. “And isn’t filled with mud.”

Marilyn smiles as she sits down into the bucket seat.

I can’t help but notice the shapeliness of her leg as her dress rides up. “I still can’t believe you’re here.”

By the time I get around to the driver’s seat, Marilyn is buckled in. “About this ex? Were you two serious?”

“Not really. Remember when I told you I’d taken a date to the dinner before I was hired?”

Nodding, I start the car. “Real but didn’t last, is what you said.”

She inhales and leans her head back against the seat. “His name is Bryce, Bryce Perkins. He also works at Parker and Stevens. We met during my internship. He works in talent acquisitions.”

The car warms as we move into traffic. “So, he’s involved in hires?”

“He’s part of the team. I didn’t think about it when you first asked me. I didn’t think about it until earlier this afternoon when he asked me to accompany him to this same dinner.”

My smile grows. “You decided to go through with this dinner to get back at him. You still like him.”

“I don’t still like him,” she corrects. “He’s boring and narcissistic.” Her smile blossoms. “I guess Devan had a point.”

“What point would that be?”

“If I don’t like someone, I forget about them.”

“You didn’t forget about me.”

“That would be hard, seeing as we’ve been dating off and on.”