Chapter 5 #2
“I’m sorry to hear you lost two women close to you. That must have been tough.”
I checked his face for fake sympathy, but damned if he didn’t sound genuine.
I shrugged. “Life goes on. Someone had to make sure the business kept going and that Keanu got out of bed each day.” Although those first few weeks had been rough.
He’d refused to bathe, barely ate, and stayed huddled in his bedroom until I marched in, dumped a bucket of cold water over him, and yelled at him to snap out of it.
Cruel? Yes. Also, the exact same thing he did to me when my mom died and I refused to go to school.
“My mom died when I was just a little kid, but my dad is still kicking around on the East Coast.”
“Do you visit often?”
“Good god, no.” He sounded so appalled. “Don’t get me wrong. I know you’re supposed to love and cherish your parents, but even though I became a success, all I hear is how I could have done better, how I should have applied myself to something more serious.”
My brow arched. “Does your dad not grasp just how serious the gaming industry is?” Just because I didn’t play didn’t mean I had no clue of the money to be made in it.
“Nope. He’s stuck in the games-are-rotting-my-brain stage. Although he doesn’t have a problem with the money I deposit in his account each month.”
“At least your dad keeps his money in the bank. I randomly come across hidden stashes of cash my grandfather forgot about. I even found some in the toilet tank when I changed the flapper valve.”
Jameson’s mouth rounded. “You’re kidding.”
“I wish. I’ve also found some in the stove hood vent. I wondered why it wasn’t evacuating the smoke from the bacon I burned.”
Jameson’s chuckle, a rich and velvety thing, tickled me all over. What happened to being businesslike? I’d come out here to show my progress on his purchase, not make small talk—in my pajamas.
“Well, if you’re satisfied with what you’ve seen…” I stated.
For some reason, his gaze settled on me and his lips curved. “Very. But I’ll admit, I didn’t come by just to look at the tables. I wanted to see you again.”
“Me? Why?” I frowned. “And don’t feed me some line about me being the hottest thing you’ve ever set eyes on and that you couldn’t stop thinking about me.”
“Those pineapples are pretty sexy, and it’s not often I meet a woman who walks around with a little lizard draped around her neck,” he stated deadpan. The corners of his eyes crinkled. “Honestly, you’re interesting.”
Just what every woman wanted to hear.
“You’re talented, know your way around tools—”
“This better not be the opening for some cheesy pickup line about playing with yours,” I interjected.
“As if I’d be so crass. I admire people with a strong work ethic and those who are honest about who they are. There’s no artifice about you. You dress as you please. Speak your mind. It’s not something I get often, and I am finding it refreshing.”
“Sounds to me like you need to surround yourself with fewer sycophants.”
“The problem with having money is they’re impossible to avoid. But you really don’t care I’m rich.”
“Oh, I do, but in my case, it makes me want to avoid you.”
“So does that mean you won’t have dinner with me?”
I shook my head. “Nope. You and I are definitely not compatible, add in the fact you’re a client and it’s a triple no.”
“Guess I can’t complain about your honesty after complimenting it.” His wry reply. “Sorry if I made you uncomfortable.”
Actually, he’d intrigued my inner woman with his interest, but the practical side of me put the hammer down before anything happened. “I’ll make sure Keanu calls soon as I’ve got your last piece done.”
“Thank you. Have a good evening, Iolana.”
“You too, Mr. Jameson.”
He paused with his hand over the door. “Mr. Jameson is my father. Please call me Apollo.”
I bit my lip. “I can’t.”
“Why?”
“Because every time I do, I picture an astronaut.”
He stood speechless for a moment before chuckling. “In that case, can you at least drop the Mr.”
“That I can do. Night, Jameson.”
I remained a moment in the shop, listening to the growl of his car engine, which quieted as he drove away. A part of me deflated that he’d so easily accepted my refusal. I mean, no, I didn’t want to date him, but I wouldn’t have minded if he’d tried a little bit harder to convince me.
If that made me a fickle woman, so be it. It had been nice to feel wanted for a second. How long since I’d last enjoyed that sensation? Too long. I really needed to start making time—
“If you’re done mooning over the man, can we go inside and get a snack? Maybe more of those orange things.”
I blinked because the tiny squeaky voice sounded close. Like really close. As in by my ear.
“Um.” I must be going insane because no way did Tigger talk.
“Hello? Are you listening? I said I’m hungry.”
I snared the little lizard and placed him on the counter in front of me.
“I am not going crazy. Lizards don’t talk,” I muttered.
“You’re right, lizards don’t. You really need to stop insulting me like that.” Tigger crossed his arms, and his expression appeared annoyed.
“If you’re not a lizard, then what are you?”
“I haven’t discovered the word in your language yet. It would seem my kind aren’t common for your time.”
“This isn’t happening. I fell asleep after dinner,” I mumbled as I paced.
“Why are you insisting on being unusually dense? We both know you’re awake, and I don’t see why you’re having such a problem with my speaking.”
“Because lizards don’t talk. It must be a brain tumor.”
“I am not a lizard!” my lizard yelled, stamping its paw.
“Then I’ll ask again, what are you?”
“You tell me? What is the word for a majestic creature with mighty wings that can soar in the sky?”
“A bird?”
“It’s like you want me to eat you.”
“I don’t know what you are. I mean, the only flying reptiles I know of are dragons, but they don’t exist.”
“Do these dragons sometimes breathe fire or ice and have vast hoards of wealth?”
“Yeah.”
“So there is a word for my kind.” Tigger puffed his chest and tilted his head. “Rejoice, my human servant, for you are in the presence of a great and mighty dragon.”
At his declaration, I couldn’t help myself. I laughed. Laughed so hard I almost peed my pineapple pajama bottoms.
And in the process insulted my pet.