Chapter Six A New Suit #3
Madison set two champagne flutes on the cocktail table. “No jelly jars?” Viggo teased.
Without blinking an eye, Madison responded, “They’re in the dishwasher.”
Viggo chuckled and poured the foaming elixir. Each raised their glass. “Cin! Cin!” Madison said happily.
“Sk?l!” Viggo replied with the Norwegian toast for respect and shared joy. He settled into the plump cushions. “So, Empress of Fashion, you look lovely tonight.”
Madison smiled coyly. “Thank you.”
Viggo glanced toward the kitchen and spotted three bowls on the floor with the words, Mario, Luigi, and H2O. He then asked, “Did you leave your fur family in Smuggler’s Cove?”
“Yes, I didn’t want to stress them out. Besides, they seem to be enjoying the screened-in porch. Lots of birds and squirrels for entertainment.”
“Seems like the entire family is enjoying their stay at the shore.”
“Yes, Olivia is volunteering at the community center. Lincoln is teaching a few online classes.”
Viggo was debating if it was a good time to ask if she had given any more thought to making a permanent or semipermanent move to Smuggler’s Cove. And just like before, she pulled the words from his head.
“Oh, I have some exciting news! I’m extending the rental of the house. I spoke to the owner earlier this week, and she is giving me a two-year lease.”
“That’s fantastic!” Viggo was sincerely excited. “Will you commute back and forth to the city?”
“Maybe two or three days a week. Depending on how long the meetings go, I’ll either stay here or take the ferry back.” Madison sipped her champagne, waiting for another reaction.
“I’m really glad you will be sticking around after the summer.” He smiled at her warmly.
“Me too.” She held her glass high. “Here’s to another new adventure.”
Viggo clinked her glass, then asked, “Tell me. What have you conjured for my ensemble?” He took a sip.
“All in due time.” Madison wiggled her eyebrows.
Their comfort level was palpable. Madison thought again about their friendship. It wasn’t forced. It was easy to be with each other. She set her glass down and turned her body toward him. “I am delighted you were willing to humor me tonight.”
“I am delighted you asked. I get to see part of your world.” Viggo peered into her soul. Or so it seemed.
“You’ve seen plenty of my world,” Madison said, chuckling.
“Not this part.” Viggo took another pull of his champagne.
“Are you familiar with Superman?” Madison asked curiously.
“Of course. What good red-blooded man is not?” He cocked his head. “Why do you ask?”
“You are about to witness Bizarro World,” Madison said, referencing the fictional planet shaped like a cube, where everything is backwards.
“Oh, is Lex Luthor invited?” Viggo grinned.
“Possibly. You haven’t met any of the board of directors yet.”
Viggo almost choked on the fizz from his drink. He coughed and apologized. “Sorry.”
Madison was relieved she could be herself, leaving room for a more intimate conversation.
Even a relationship. It dawned on her that she was always trying too hard to convince men she was worthy of them.
Something had flipped a switch in her head.
She found someone she believed was worthy of her.
He respected her, her work, her family. Finally, a man who wasn’t in competition. It was refreshing.
She set her glass down on the table and got remarkably close to his face. “Are you ready for the reveal?”
“Been waiting all day.” Viggo was tempted to kiss her, but now was not the right time. He also didn’t want to mess up her beautifully applied makeup.
“Wait right there.” Madison stood and walked into the bedroom area. She quickly returned, carrying two hangers. One had a beautifully tailored light gray, silk and linen suit; the other, a white silk shirt.
Viggo’s face showed a combination of surprise and appreciation. “Wow. Are you sure that’s for me?”
“I wouldn’t have it any other way,” Madison said, parroting his earlier sentence. “Let’s see if Elio worked his usual magic.”
Viggo approached the magnificently altered garb. “Madison, this suit is magnificent. It’s going to spoil me.”
“It was the least I could do. Now go inside and let’s see how it looks.”
Viggo plucked the hangers from her fingertips and walked in the direction of her gaze.
He almost halted, realizing he was going to be setting foot in her bedroom area, but he soldiered on.
He tried not to scan the room for any additional hints of her personality, but he noticed a stuffed cat on the bed.
The cat looked a bit worn, but he thought it was sweet.
He carefully dressed, and a few minutes later, he appeared in the living room.
“What do you think?” He spread his arms and did a 360-degree turn.
“I think you look quite handsome.” Madison knew she was understating his appearance. He looked incredible; something the magazine could have covered: Men of the High Seas.
“So, do I get to keep it?” Viggo asked sheepishly. “Not that I’ll have anywhere else to wear it.”
Madison winked. “Stick with me, kid.”
He had every intention of doing so.