Chapter 7
CHAPTER
SEVEN
Francis
Sitting there caged in Kendall’s arms, fury reared up inside of me. My former boss took so much away from me. I should be ready to go all in with this wonderful man in front of me, but instead, I was having to negotiate how to spend time with the first person to really see me in forever.
“Your terms are acceptable, Mr. Liang. I’d like an addendum, however.”
His words were playful, but the determined gleam in his eye let me know he was taking this gravely serious.
“Let’s hear your addendum.”
He nodded. “Sex doesn’t ever have to be on the table, and I’ll still want to spend time with you.
At my age, you learn to recognize that good people don’t come along that often.
Especially not good men who cook a mean fried rice dish, who can dance and paint and look this exceptional in a crop top.
Not kind, funny, generous, sexy men who kiss like romance is the point, not the tool. ”
He stepped back to give me some space, and I leaned forward, my weight on my hands on the counter.
“That was quite an addendum. Do you mind clarifying a few things?”
“Certainly.”
He backed farther away. I slid down from the counter.
My cheeks and neck had the loveliest sting from his stubble.
I wondered if it would be less if he shaved, though his coarse hair would likely do more damage freshly shaven than grown in the bit that it was.
I loved it. Couldn’t wait to feel it all over, but that was not the point to this conversation.
“What do you mean by romance as the point and not the tool?” I asked him.
He leaned his hips against the counter across from me and crossed his arms over his chest. “Some people think romantic gestures are a means to an end. They view them as transactional. You do something romantic for your partner, and they give you something in return. Then there are those who expect the overtures and take them for granted.”
“That’s been your experience?” I asked. It was an interesting theory. I wanted to see where he went with it.
“It has. My take is that romance for romance’s sake is where the pleasure lies.
Having a partner who brings you flowers, or in your case food, or who caresses your cheek or kisses you like they have nowhere else to be…
all that is romance for romance’s sake. You fed me because it pleases you to see people eat your food, right? ”
“Right.” Perhaps with his age and experience came a wiser perspective on how people treated their partners. I felt luckier than ever that this man wanted to spend time with me.
“And me coming over here with my wrench was simply me trying to help, not in hopes of getting in your pants.”
I barked out a laugh and then covered my mouth with a hand. “I mean, it works in porn.” I couldn’t help my saucy response, but he had to expect that from me by now.
He tucked his chin and raised an eyebrow at me. “I’m being serious, Francis.”
“I’m sorry. Please continue.” I pressed my lips together to fight a smile. Serious though the topic may be, I was having the time of my life discussing these things with him.
“If I kiss you, it’s because I’m happy kissing you. If I want more, I’ll ask for it, and I’ll be perfectly okay if you’re not ready. That’s all.”
My playful smile fell, and I cleared my throat. “That means more to me than you could know. I do want more. When I’m ready. I want it now, but I want it all with you.”
“Even if that means sharing me with my job, my creep and mess, my family?” His voice sounded vulnerable in a way I hadn’t expected to hear from him.
“All those things,” I said, curiouser and curiouser. “Even your creepy mess.”
“Well, all right,” he replied, and I was treated once more to his beautiful smile. “Are we still on for our dinner date tomorrow?”
“Absolutely,” I breathed. “I’m going to venture into town for the first time tomorrow to shop for supplies. Is your friend available to Zoom?”
“He is. He’s excited.”
“I’m excited. Now, I’m going to show you to the door, thank you immensely for coming to my rescue, and I’m going to finish my mural.
I want it to be ready for you to see it tomorrow.
” My heart pounded at the thought of seeing him tomorrow, and the day after, and the day after.
Like a regular deal. Could it be that we’d just fallen into a natural thing?
Was I nuts to be so strict about everything?
No. I was being responsible, because if I jumped into this before I was ready, I could really hurt both of us, and though he was older and had way more life experience, he could still be hurt. I’d sensed it before, and I’d never allow myself to be the cause of that.
“I can’t wait.”
I took his hand and led him back to the slider. “We really used our words, didn’t we?”
He leaned down and pressed a kiss to my cheek. “Words are vital in a negotiation, wouldn't you agree?”
“I would. I’m looking forward to more negotiations.”
He sighed and stepped out the door, holding my hand until the last minute.
“Me too. For now, I’ve got to go negotiate with the creep and the mess who are expecting to be fed, especially the ones who will be ravenous when they see my new treats.
” He picked up the containers of crickets and shook them a little. “Time tomorrow?”
“Oh… six?”
“Perfect. Good evening, Francis.”
“Bye, Kendall.”
I closed the door and watched him walk down the path to his house. The list tonight was clearly going to include calling the landscaper to get started on Project Neighborly Path.
I wandered back over to my mural, grateful that I’d thought to slide my paints into a plastic bag to keep them from getting dried out, and I was able to get right back to work.
I scrolled through my playlists and turned on the one I’d simply called Dreams, and the song “I Can Dream About You” by Dan Hartman, an eighties banger, came on.
I swayed to the music as I took in the mural. I thought I could get most of it done tonight and perhaps save the stenciling for the morning. Then cleanup and phone calls to the landscaper and a plumber, then shopping, then cleaning myself up in time for my date.
I never made it out of the house the next day. I ordered the groceries through Instacart and was rushing to finish dinner when my phone buzzed at five forty-five.
Reptile Wrangler: This is the part where I must ask for patience.
Saucy Neighbor: Hit me.
Reptile Wrangler: I got called to the station this afternoon to cover for the captain. I thought I’d be back, but he’s had a delay. Do you mind postponing dinner for a bit? We can Zoom with Kimo, and by the time we’re done, I should be able to get there. I hate even asking.
How could he think I’d be upset? He had an important job, I was more flexible than him, and I didn’t get the sense that he would have asked if it wasn’t important.
Saucy Neighbor: Not a problem at all. I’ll keep the food warm, and it will be ready when you are. Send me the Zoom link, or do you want to use mine?
His next text was the link, a thank you, and another apology.
I appreciated that he worked to use our time wisely, and I couldn’t wait to sit at the table and eat with him.
I went into my office and grabbed my laptop.
I set it up on the kitchen counter, logged into the link, and started packing up the food while I waited for him to log on.
“Hey,” he said when he came on, his voice full of frustration.
I’d had my back to the screen, and when I turned around to give him my cheeriest smile, my tongue nearly lolled onto the counter.
“You okay?” he asked with a chuckle.
I pressed a hand to my chest. “You didn’t mention I’d get the full fire boy uniform treatment. I would have been better prepared.”
He gave me a lopsided grin, which was almost as endearing as his big, bright, beautiful smile.
“I apologize for not warning you. I know, it has certain effects on the lay population. I told you, it’s a requirement. Part of our public service.”
The navy-blue collared shirt, with LT Warren on the name badge and some lines and stars and things that I didn’t know the significance of, sat nicely on his chest and shoulders.
“We’ll have to talk about all that,” I said, gesturing with my hand in a circle as I shook my head.
He looked down at himself. “Should I wear this to dinner? I was planning on changing—”
“Leave it, for goshness sake, Kendall. Are you kidding me right now?”
Another face popped up on the screen as I was fanning myself, and Kendall and I both laughed.
“Buddy, how are you?” Kendall’s blue eyes nearly disappeared as he smiled widely for his friend.
“Howzit, brah? You still at work? Isn’t it time for you to retire again?”
“I’ve got eight more years, three minimum till I hit my three percent, and I didn’t expect ageist comments from you.” He shook his head in mock disgust as Kimo laughed.
“I’m messing with you, dude. Hey, Francis, I’m Kimo Awana.”
“Great to meet you, but if you want to mess with him some more, feel free. I’m enjoying this.”
Kendall gave an awkward chuckle. “Kimo, this is Saucy Neighbor Francis Liang. Francis, this is the genius I spoke to you about, who’s a year older than me and should keep that in mind when he wants to give me a hard time.”
“Noted, brah. Florida is lonely without you, man.”
Kendall tilted his head. “Miss you too, buddy. Weather’s way better out here. I’m in a great place. Can’t wait to have you visit. You think you have some time to work on our project? Francis, I already sent him the measurements, so he has an idea of how big an area we’re talking about.”
“I’ve for sure got the time once I’ve finished up with a few things here. Lani and I were talking about coming out that way for a bit anyhow. She misses her family there in the Bay Area, you know how it is, plus her mom’s been sick.”
He rubbed a hand over his bald head. He was a big guy with island-bronze skin and dark brown eyes that crinkled at the corners to indicate he laughed a lot, but he wasn’t laughing now.
“Oh, buddy, I get it. I’m sorry. You need anything? Lani doing okay?”
He blew out a long breath. “She’s looking into doing some travel nursing. Pay’s good. And we got the fifth wheel. Let me talk to her. This might be perfect timing.”
“Hey, man, you know my place is yours anytime. Tell Lani I can talk to Erin over at the hospital.”
“And Kimo, I’m not sure if Kendall told you, but I’m building an artists’ retreat here.
I don’t know anything about your situation, but I’ve got space and resources.
I’d love to set up a metal shop for folks to be able to come take classes and even rent space to working artists. Just throwing that out there.”
Kimo wiped at his face… but it was Kendall’s expression that had me worried. Had I overstepped? I opened my mouth to apologize, but Kendall’s frown softened, and his lopsided grin was back. I wasn’t sure what that meant, but I would hope for the best in this scenario.
“I don’t know what to say,” Kimo finally spoke. “That’s a generous offer. Let me talk to Lani, and I’ll let you know.”
“My place is yours, brother. You know it.”
“But isn’t it also your scaly homies’ place, too?”
Kendall rolled his eyes, and his smile widened. “Tell Lani they’ll behave, and assure her that I’ve got no venomous creatures. I know she worried about that.”
“A’ight. I did manage to draw up some ideas before all this happened, so I’ll email those to you. I don’t know what your budget is—”
“We’re quite flexible,” I blurted out. Then realized I should have let Kendall answer. He just gave a cough-laugh and shook his head.
“You figure out what you guys need first,” Kendall said. Then he looked up and away from the screen and put himself on mute.
“Ooo, must be important fire boy business,” I said.
Then I sent Kimo a private message in the Zoom chat with my number and asked him to call me when he had a chance. I had an idea that I wanted to surprise Kendall with, regardless of what was decided about the fence.
Kimo grinned and gave me a hang-loose sign just as Kendall came back.
“I gotta wrap up here. Captain’s back. Kimo, let’s talk tomorrow.
Francis…” He gave me a stern look, and was it wrong that it was kinda hot?
Probably it was the uniform, but heavens to Betty White, I was way more turned on than I should have been, especially after how much I’d freaked out the night before.
“Yes, sir?”
He laughed in a deep “you’re in so much trouble” tone at my response.
“I’ll be there soon.”
My heart absolutely stuttered in my chest.
We all signed off the Zoom call, and I sucked in much-needed air.
Was I in trouble? Was he upset? Had I overstepped?
I had to hope that when he arrived, we would continue our negotiations.
They might get heated, so I had to be prepared.
I may have initiated a hostile takeover in his eyes, and I didn’t want that.
I wanted to make a deal that benefited us both equally, and I wanted to help his friend, because that was the business I was in now. Making dreams come true.
I just hoped that would be true for me, too.