4
~ Ian ~
Her smile is infectious. She looks around the space and gives a small nod, as if approving of her room, fingers drumming on her thighs.
Her eyes sweep left and right and I can only imagine that she’s already picturing how the room will look once the move is complete.
There is a brief moment of silence and I feel the absurd urge to fill it as quickly as possible.
“Obviously, if you can’t move in straight away, that’s not a problem. We can work out the finer details later.”
Teri shakes her head. “No, I can move in pretty quickly. If you want me to begin tomorrow, I’ll move in before I start.”
“So soon?” My surprise must be readily apparent because Teri smiles at me.
“I’m not exactly on one of those, uh, legitimate leases, you know? I pay my landlord for the month and we’ve never signed anything official. If I want to walk, I can walk.”
“I see.” In truth, I don’t see. That sounds like a dangerous way to live, but I’m lucky enough that I’ve never had to experience anything like it.
“Just so you know, all the rooms are the same, and I’ll never come in here without your permission.
I’m not a landlord or an employer. This is your space, not mine. ”
“Thanks.” Her warm smile turns wicked. “How many times have you been in Lorna’s room?”
A blush creeps up my neck, but I force myself not to look away from this charming young woman or act embarrassed about the way I live my life. “A few - but only ever when she asks for me.”
“I see. So your bed is mostly the one getting a workout?”
Teri’s wicked smile emboldens me. I get the urge to say something to try and shock her. “The bed. The couch. The kitchen table. The shower. One time, even the stairs.”
But my ploy doesn’t seem to have any impact. Teri’s wicked smile only deepens and her sharp eyes shine with interest. If I was trying to shock her, I’ve failed spectacularly.
“You dog, Ian. I didn’t know you had it in you.”
Now the blush creeps around my neck to my cheeks and I am finally forced to look away from those keen eyes. I turn back to the hallway and say, “Maybe we should continue the tour?”
Teri giggles from behind and follows me. I guide her down the hallway, pointing out the other bedrooms - currently sitting empty, although I can’t honestly see them getting used at any time in the future - and the luxurious bathroom.
“Now this is nice.” Teri walks past me into the space.
Her eyes scan the room, assess all the little chrome and glass features.
She examines the sink and nods to herself, as though satisfied at the shine on the fittings.
“Yeah, this is really nice. I can see why Lorna would enjoy showering with you in here.”
That little jab puts me on the defensive and I’m forced to say something in reply. “I have to know, is my relationship with Lorna an issue?”
“No. Should it be?”
“I don’t - I mean, no, obviously.”
“Besides, I didn’t think it was technically a relationship.” Now she studies my face with the same attention she pays to the rest of the surroundings. “Lorna doesn’t seem to think it is.”
“I suppose it’s not. She’s made it quite clear that what we have is loose and informal. Sometimes I feel very old trying to understand her attitudes to love and sex. I don’t really know what to call it.”
“Are you fuck buddies?”
“I… uh…” My brain misfires at the surprise of hearing her describe us in such crude, yet strangely fitting, terms. “Maybe.”
Teri runs a finger over a shelf and inspects the dust. She gives a small frown. She turns back to me. “Okay. You can show me the kitchen now.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
We head back downstairs and through the house. Teri’s head is on a swivel. I can’t tell if she’s looking around the house through the eyes of its newest inhabitant or the housekeeper. When we reach the kitchen door, I pause and extend an arm to stop her from walking further.
“Look, before we go in, I just want to say-”
Teri ducks my arm and walks through the door. I hang back, unable to stop wincing. The kitchen is still in a state of total devastation from a few days ago. I haven’t found the courage to even think about cleaning it yet.
“Good size space.” Teri turns around slowly, her eyes sweeping the room.
Unlike me, she doesn’t seem perturbed by all the chaos and clutter on the floor.
In fact, she barely seems to register it as she steps between the bottles and cans and cleaning supplies I left everywhere. “Modern appliances - that’s good.”
I let out a slow breath. Part of me had been expecting her to turn around and storm out of the house - and I would not have blamed her in the slightest - but Teri is a professional. She’s not intimidated by the mess.
“How often do you cook here?” Her eyes rest on the stove with the conspicuously clean burners.
“Not as often as I should.”
She nods. “Where do you keep the cutlery?”
I point to a drawer. She opens it and removes two forks and sits at the table, where I’ve placed the pie.
I get the hint and sit opposite her. She hands over a fork and waits for me to take the first bite.
The pie is sensational. Freshly baked, with a fluffy crust that almost melts on the tongue, complete with a filling that makes me giddy with how light and crisp and flavorful it is. I groan in sheer satisfaction.
“Wow, Teri. That’s honestly one of the best pies I’ve ever had.”
She smiles and tries to play it cool, but I can see how happy my reaction has made her. She takes a forkful and chews it slowly, nodding at her achievement. We eat a few more bites together in comfortable silence before I speak again.
“Now that you’ve seen the place, what do you think?”
“It’s amazing. A stunning home. I’ve worked in a handful of really nice places, but this one takes the crown. I can’t really believe that you want me to live here.”
“It’s the least I can do. I don’t truly know the extent to which you’ll be working, so it’s only fair to give you room and board in return. It’s a big place and a heck of a job.”
“That it is.” She nods. “I guess what I really want to know is, what are you expecting from me?”
“Expect? That’s the wrong word.” I frown and shake my head to dismiss the thought.
“That makes it sound like we’re going to have monthly performance reviews.
No, I’m not expecting anything from you, Teri.
Like I said, I need an experienced housekeeper to help me stay on top of maintenance around here.
Ideally, you’ll make sure the place is neat and tidy.
If you find any issues that need fixing, tell me, and I’ll get them sorted.
As an added bonus, I’d love to eat more of your cooking, as often as possible.
My question to you is, do you feel that I’m paying you fairly? ”
Teri shoots me a look that suggests I’m crazy and I almost offer her even more before she cuts me off.
“More than fair. God, Ian, what you’re suggesting is beyond my wildest dreams. And don’t worry, I’m going to work hard for you, I promise. No free rides just because you’re paying me so much. I’ll work seven days a week.”
“Hey, woah, there’s no need to go crazy.” Her enthusiasm and earnestness bring joy to my heart. “I’m not going to work you to death. Like I said before, you’re not my employee. You live here. If you want to chill and read a book, you do that. If you’re tired, stop. If you want to join Lorna and I-”
Her eyebrows lift up and she can’t stop a smirk from spreading over that pretty face. I immediately realize what I’ve said and launch into a flustered explanation.
“No, not like that! I mean, if we’re watching TV or in the backyard. Not in a sexual way! I promise I’m not inviting you here to take advantage of you!”
Teri bursts into laughter. I stare at her for a moment, then give a nervous chuckle. She laughs and wipes a tear from her eye.
“Your face, oh my God! Relax, Ian. It’s okay. I’m just yanking your chain. I know what you mean and I’m grateful. Truly. And if you and Lorna want some privacy, you just say. Hell, if you want an audience, you can let me know, too.” She winks. “You’re good-looking people; I don’t mind.”
Again, I don’t know quite what to say in reply. Why do these beautiful young women manage to fluster me so? I swear I wasn’t like this with Katie in my youth. She laughs again, but this time I have no idea if she’s yanking my chain or halfway serious.
“Uh, okay…” I put down my fork. The pie is delicious, but I should save some for Lorna. “What else do you need?”
“All my equipment and supplies are back home. I just need to bring them over. I guess I could order a cab. Oh, but I’ve got all my things to pack up, too…”
“I’ll drive you.” I’m up and out of my seat before I know it, plucking my car keys from the bowl with a metallic tinkle. “It’s the least I could do. Besides, I’ve got the time-”
I turn and Teri is right there. She’s looking up at me with shining eyes, her features soft.
I almost start to worry that something is wrong.
But then she throws her arms around me and kisses my cheek.
I return her embrace. She’s slender and warm and soft and smells so good.
She speaks in a soft whisper, her voice almost muffled by my chest.
“I don’t know what I did to deserve this, but thank you. I won’t let you down.”
And before I can tell her that I haven’t done anything yet, Teri releases me and walks toward the front door. All I can do is watch her gentle, graceful movements, my eyes fixed on her swaying hips. My belly tightens at the sight. I’m the one who should be giving thanks, not her…
~ Teri ~
There’s an awkward silence between us as Ian drives me to my apartment. I almost feel compelled to say something just to break the tension that has unexpectedly developed between us but I don’t. I’m content to let the tension simmer.