Chapter 6
Saturday night, Vi was supposed to meet her bestie, Carmie, at the Majestic, a dine-in movie theater, to see a new film. But there was so much to talk about, they changed their get-together to The Come on In, a blue-collar diner Blake had mentioned the other night, some five miles south of the 709.
The cafe was crowded, but Carmie had arrived a few minutes earlier and put their name on the wait list. Meanwhile, they huddled on a bench outside, bundled up because in early April nights tended to be chilly.
“I didn’t have time for lunch today, and I’m really hungry,” Carmie said. “You wouldn’t believe how busy we were.” She worked for Port Simms Apartment Rentals. “It’s like this every spring. What’s so important that you traded a movie and dinner night to talk?”
Vi was about to tell her everything when the hostess paged them that their table was ready. “Let’s order first, then talk,” she said when they were seated. “I know what I want—a burger with cheese, onion rings, and a glass of shiraz. It goes well with burgers.”
“A great pairing,” Carmie agreed. Then laughed. “We sound so sophisticated.”
Vi grinned. “Well, of course.”
As soon as the waitress left with their orders, she updated her friend about DD Telecom.
“Unbelievable.” Carmie shook her head. “Are you planning to stay there?”
Vi had never considered leaving. “Why wouldn’t I?”
“If it were me, I’d look for another place to work, just in case.”
“I don’t have anything to worry about. Our company is too big to fail.”
“Until it does. After what happened to my mom, I’m paranoid.” Carmie’s mother had been laid off when the hardware chain where she worked had declared bankruptcy and was swallowed up by a bigger company that’d promptly laid off most of the workforce.
“DD laid off half the staff, but they kept me. They value my skills, and I’m sure I’ll be okay. I have so much more to tell you.”
“What could be bigger than that?”
“Just wait.” Vi shared what she’d told Rose.
Carmie’s jaw dropped. “Your grandma is engaged? I’m so jealous.” She’d been expecting her boyfriend Chris to propose for a while.
The food arrived and the conversation continued. “The engagement isn’t good news,” Vi said. “But this yummy food helps.”
“So good. I want to know about Blake.”
She sounded a lot like Rose. What was with the fixation on him? Vi tried to change the subject. “Don’t worry about Chris. He’s bound to propose eventually.”
“Fingers crossed. Now, about Blake…”
So much for changing the topic. “As I said, he’s Malcom’s grandson.” Also super smart and delicious to look at. A strong, straight nose, navy eyes and long eyelashes she envied, a sensual mouth—no wonder he exuded confidence. But, ugh, that hair was a shaggy mess. She had to repress the urge to shove it off his forehead. At the same time, she envied how nice and thick it was. The opposite of her flyaway hair, which wasn’t likely to hold its style.
His judgment wasn’t so good, either. Bad enough he’d hired his girlfriend to take an important job. Not a smart move businesswise. On top of that, he’d broken up with her and she’d quit—no surprise there. Other than needing someone to replace her on the job, he didn’t seem to care about her at all. More proof that good-looking men who knew their effect on women used it to suit their needs. Sleep with them, move on. She’d been fooled once. Never again.
It was a good thing she wasn’t attracted to him. He wasn’t attracted to her, either. Men like him didn’t give women like her a second look, a simple truth that had been seared into her. The only reason they were in contact was to strategize how to stop their grandparents from making a mistake they’d all regret.
“You haven’t known him long, yet you seem awfully familiar with him,” Carmie persisted.
She wouldn’t let up until Vi told her more. “When your grandparents make a snap decision like ours did, you become allies fast.”
“Are you sure that’s all he is?”
Her friend’s knowing look bothered her. “We just met, Carmie. Anyway, he’s not my type.” She wasn’t about to mention tomorrow’s meeting. No sense stirring her friend up even more.
“Why, is he good-looking?”
Vi frowned. “What kind of question is that? But, yes, he falls into that category.” Understatement of the year when looks-wise, the man ranked way up there. Except for the hair.
“I only ask because you always shy away from cute guys.”
For good reason. “There’s nothing wrong with being realistic. It saves me a lot of disappointment.” Although, truth be told, most of the guys she dated disappointed her. The important thing was, she didn’t get hurt.
“You’re still letting Devin mess with your life, and I wish you’d stop. He doesn’t deserve to be a speck of dirt under your shoe.”
Carmie and Rose were the only people who knew about how she’d foolishly overlooked Devin’s shortcomings and begged him to stay. Ugh.
“I happen to know that he’s been divorced three times,” her friend went on. “He barely graduated from high school and works for a roofing company as a day laborer. Right here in Port Simms.”
Vi gaped at her. “He lives here and you never told me?”
“To tell you the truth, I never thought much about it. I didn’t think it was important.”
“You’re my bestie, Carmie. You should’ve said something. What if I’d run into him?”
“He’s been here a while and you haven’t yet. And, yes, I guess I should’ve let you know. He upset you so much, and I worried you’d go through that again.”
“I get it, but I don’t need you to protect me.”
“You’re right. I’m sorry.”
“I forgive you. When did he come to Port Simms?”
“I believe he moved when he married his second or third wife.”
“How do you know all that?”
“Social media. Look it up. Not all cute guys are creeps.”
“I know that.” Vi didn’t see the point of developing feelings for a man who could have his pick of women far more attractive than she was. Why take that chance? “Can we stop talking about this now and order dessert?” She signaled their server.
They ordered, and Carmie went on. “One more thing—you’re a beautiful woman, and don’t forget it.”
Hardly. “Maybe you need an eye exam. I’m smart and good at what I do, but I’m average looking, and that’s okay. We both know Rose is the beauty in my family.”
“You’re every bit as pretty. Where’s your self-confidence? Ooh, here comes dessert. I love hot raspberry cobbler with ice cream.”
There, the conversation ended. As they finished the meal and parted ways, Vi shook her head. How had her tell-all turned into a pep talk instead?
Vi was strangely excitedto see Blake’s new bike store, not to mention the man himself. Only because they needed to hatch a plan to stop the grandparents from making a huge mistake, and two heads are often better. Or so she assured herself several times. She liked Blake a little too much, a man she barely knew and handsome to boot. Clearly, she was out of her mind.
She reached the bike shop determined to ignore her unwanted feelings. A blue van bearing the BW Bikes logo along with the phone and website link was parked in front of a brand-new two-story building.
Apparently the building was still under construction. A prominent Coming Soon sign listed a coffee house, a food market and the bike shop.
The door was unlocked. She knocked to announce herself, then let herself in. Blake headed toward her. A black BW Bikes tee hugged his chest, which was broader than she’d realized, and emphasized his flat belly. Faded jeans that fit like they were made for him hinted at powerful legs. He greeted her with a friendly smile and a warm look in his eyes. Either he knew his effect on her or he found her attractive.
As if. Yet, want to or not, she felt all fluttery, like a high school girl with a crush. Refusing to stare at him one more second, she shifted her gaze to the store-in-process. The drywall was up but not painted. Windows, dusty from construction debris, added light to the room. The floor was concrete. “This is a great space, and a wonderful place to open your new store. Are you going to leave the cement floor as is?”
Blake shook his head. “I found a rubber flooring similar to what’s in the first store. It’s easier on the legs and feet.”
“I hadn’t thought of that. Do you know where you’re going to put everything?”
He gestured at an unfinished counter. “Payment and order desk there. Bikes in the other room, merch on the wall over there. My office is in the back. Ace Recruitment is closed weekends and I’m in a hurry. I hired a former employee who used to work at the first store. He’s become a friend and cycling buddy and knows the ropes.”
“That’s great. Do I smell coffee?”
He nodded. “I stopped at Hastings on my way here and picked up coffee and doughnuts.”
Did he have to be so nice? “No way. How did you know I was craving both?”
His lips quirked. “Wild guess. After all, it’s midmorning on a Sunday.” He nodded at a pair of stack chairs with a little wood table between them. “Have a seat and help yourself,” he said and set the coffee and the bag of assorted doughnuts on the table.
Vi filled both mugs and chose a doughnut. “Sometimes I meet my bestie, Carmie, at Hastings,” she said as she dug in. “The coffee and doughnuts are excellent. I wonder if the cafe in this building will have treats as tasty.”
“I’m counting on it.” Cupping his mug in his big hands, he settled back and stretched out his legs.
She caught herself glancing at a certain part of his lap. She didn’t think he noticed, hoped not. Her face went hot, and she cleared her throat. “Have you heard from Malcom?”
He shook his head. “What about you? Anything from Caroline?”
“No, and I’m not sure I want to talk to her until we have a game plan in mind.”
“I’m on board with that. What’s this idea of yours?”
“It’s not well thought out, but as soon as it popped into my mind I liked it. Gran talked about contacting her life insurance company and cashing in her policy. My plan is to do my best to talk her into leaving it alone for now. Here’s my reasoning. Finding a decent senior retirement home these days is impossible, but what if we find her an apartment where she can stay until she and Malcom get to know each other better and decide for sure whether they want to get married?”
Blake tapped his finger on his lips. “That’s not a bad idea. Where did she live before?”
“In an apartment. She was tired of living by herself and ready to try living in a place filled with seniors.”
“Grandpop felt the same way. She likes it there, right? She probably won’t want to go back to apartment living even for a little while. Not if she’s as stubborn as you say.”
Vi blew out a breath. “It’s a long shot, I know, but still worth a try. What’ve you come up with?”
“Nothing yet, except I keep thinking about the stubborn streak both our grandparents seem to have.”
He wrinkled his brow in thought, not unlike his grandpa, and she had to ask. “Are you as stubborn as Malcom?”
After a moment, he answered. “I’d say I’m more tenacious than stubborn. What about you? Are you like Caroline?”
“I don’t give up easily, and I have my own opinion about things. Does that qualify as stubborn, and what’s the difference between it and tenacity?”
“Finally a question I can answer. Tenacious is determination to get what you want, going after it, and making needed adjustments along the way till you get it. Like when I searched for the right location for this space. I found out about this building and contacted the builder. His terms weren’t what I wanted, and he didn’t like my offer, so we negotiated until we reached an agreement. Stubborn is refusing to change your mind, period. Sound like anyone we know?”
“Certainly does. Where did you learn the difference?”
He gave a modest shrug. “I picked it up in business school. Same one Grandpop graduated from.”
In that respect, not unlike Malcom. “Where did you go to college?”
“The University of Washington both for my undergraduate degree and MBA.”
“One of the top ten best MBA programs in the country. I’m impressed. I also graduated from the UW, but I never saw you.”
“With around fifty thousand students at the Seattle campus, that makes sense. What did you study?”
“Psychology.” She’d worked her way through college to pay her way and was proud of that.
“Tell me you’re not going to analyze me.”
His wary expression made her smile. “I wouldn’t know how.”
“That’s a relief. There’s a lot of crap in there.” He pointed at his head.
She wanted him to say more, but they were here to figure out how to slow the grandparents down. Stroking her chin like the long ago analysts in white coats she’d seen in old movies, she teased in a really bad accent of a German analyst, “You sound like a very interesting case. Tell me more.”
His laughter bubbled through the store. “We should get back to brainstorming.”
“Before I forget, my sister had to sign a prenup before she married Peter. Does Malcom expect Caroline to do the same?”
“That was one of the first questions I asked him. His lawyer is drawing it up as we speak.”
“At least he isn’t so blindsided by his so-called love to overlook that. Do you think Gran knows about it?”
“That’s a good question.” Blake squinted her way and seemed to be lost in thought. “If she doesn’t know and he springs it on her, would she be willing to sign it? If not?—”
“Maybe they’ll both take a step back. I don’t know her feelings about that, except she wasn’t happy when Rose signed hers. If she doesn’t like the idea, it’d be a good time to suggest she rent an apartment for a while.”
“We need to find out ASAP. I’ll be busy most of next week. Why not invite ourselves to dinner tonight. Unless you have plans.”
On a Sunday evening? Vi’s social calendar wasn’t exactly hopping. She’d planned to order takeout and stream a movie, but liked Blake’s idea. “Good plan. At the moment, slowing them down is at the top of my list.”
“I’ll call Grandpop right now on speaker phone.” As he dialed, he signaled for Vi to be silent.
Malcom answered, sounding surprised. “Hello, Blake. Is there a reason why you’re calling?”
“Yeah. I want to have dinner with you tonight, if there’s room at your table.”
“The dining room is closed Sundays. You know that.”
Blake raised his eyebrows at Vi. “I’d forgotten. Where are you planning to eat tonight?”
“The Sea Captain’s Café. Caroline and I have been several times.”
Her mouth watering—the restaurant served fresh-caught fish that was excellent—Vi licked her lips.
Blake nodded his agreement. “Why don’t Vi and I join you? We’ll carpool. What time should I pick you up?”
“Listen to you two harp at us to rethink what we’ve already decided to do? No.”
Well, shoot. There went that idea. Vi frowned, but Blake held up his finger signaling her to wait. He spoke in a calm voice. “Dinner ended abruptly the other night. It’ll be a way for the four of us to get to know each other better.”
A pause, then, “All right,” Malcom said, sounding less-than convinced. “But one word about us changing our minds and we’ll walk out. Picking us up is out of your way. It doesn’t get dark till around seven-thirty. We’ll drive ourselves. We like to go early and get a table before the place gets crowded. Meet us there at five.” Without another word, he disconnected.
Vi was flabbergasted. “Did he just hang up on you?”
“That’s his way of ending a phone call.”
“But you’re his grandson.”
“He is who he is.” Blake grinned. “And we’re all set.”
They high-fived each other, a brief contact of palms. No big deal, yet her body hummed. Probably because it’d been a while since a man had touched her in any way. Pathetic. Appalled at herself, she shifted in her chair. “I don’t know if we’re all set or not. You heard his warning.”
“We’ll work that out on the drive there.”
“Five o’clock is early for dinner. I haven’t eaten there in a long time and don’t know what to wear. What do you suggest?”
His gaze roved over her, from her tie-dye sweatshirt and well-worn jeans to her loose ponytail, making her feel acutely self-conscious. “What you’re wearing now is fine.”
Did his eyes have to fill with the warmth she’d noted earlier? Her cheeks burned, but she knew better. Every straight male gave a woman that look, regardless of whether or not she appealed to him. They were wired that way. “These are my grungy clothes. I can’t wear them to dinner.”
“Up to you. I’ll pick you up at your place.” He handed her his phone. “Pull up your contact info. I’ll do the same.”
They held their phones close together and shared the info. She put her jacket on to leave. At the door, she paused. “We still need to figure out a subtle way to bring up the subject of the prenup so they don’t feel ambushed. It’d be nice to figure that out in advance.”
“Like I said, we’ll come up with something on the drive to the restaurant. If not, we’ll play it by ear.”
“I don’t do well without a plan.”
“I’ll pick you up at four-thirty,” he said, effectively waving her concern away.