“Sounds nice.”
“Mmmm,” she ran her finger across his lips before quickly pecking them with her own. “I’ll see you in a bit!”
***
It didn’t take Tim long to gather his yard tools and make his way to Jessica’s house. Parking on the street, he was taken aback by the candy-apple red Mercedes parked in the drive. Her friend Elizabeth was still on the property. He had hoped she would have been long gone by now.
Wiped out from the long, hot day in the outdoor elements doing manual labor, he trudged slowly up the steep driveway, carrying his duffle bag and knocked on the front door. He could see Jennifer through the beveled glass scurry barefoot toward him with her little sisters following in her wake.
“Hi, Tim!” she greeted with flushed cheeks. Grabbing him by the hand, she pulled him into the home and didn’t give him time to respond. “Mama said you were coming and to go straight to her room and take a shower.” The three little girls craned their necks to look up at him as they walked swiftly through the foyer. For some reason, they reminded him of baby birds anticipating their next meal.
“Hey, okay. If that’s what your mama said. I’d hug all of you, but I’m filthy right now from working in the yard.” The cooler air was a welcome relief.
Poised in the kitchen with Jo-Jo on her hip, Elizabeth greeted him. “Hi, Tim. Good to see you.”
“Hey, Elizabeth.” He paused and patted Jo-Jo on the head as she wiggled in the woman’s arms. “Hey, Little Bit.” Looking around, Jessica was nowhere in sight. “Where’s Jessica?”
“Oh, she ran off to the store. Said she had some special ingredients to get for the meal she’s preparing tonight. I hope you don’t mind that she left me in charge.” Her perfectly arched eyebrow raised as her gaze raked up and down his entire body, making him uneasy.
“Nope. Don’t mind at all. Did she really want me to use her bathroom to shower? It’s been a long day, and I’m kind of grimy.”
“She insisted,” Elizabeth smirked, sweeping her palm through the air toward the bedroom door. “Now, you go on and get nice and clean.”
Tim could swear he saw the light glint off her intentional naughty smile. These girls were up to something.
Standing in the massive, marble shower with two shower heads aimed at his body, Tim relaxed for the first time all day. Washing the grime off was nothing short of pure heaven, the cool water seeping into his skin and bringing the temperature down in his hot core. Standing naked in front of the large mirror, he brushed out his long hair and tied it back. He rolled on deodorant and dressed quickly, anxious to see Jessica and the girls in a more presentable way.
When he walked out into the living area, he was bombarded with little girls anxious to get their hands on him.
“Hey!” Hoisting Julia and Jill by the waist, he carried them into the kitchen as they giggled uncontrollably. By this time, Jo-Jo was already secure in her highchair and flailed her chubby arms at the sight of him. Elizabeth perched on a barstool, sipping on a glass of wine the color of apple cider, and Jessica was busy at the stove stirring vegetables in a large wok. When she turned around, she quickly wiped her hands on her frilly pink apron and approached him with outstretched arms. Still firmly holding the girls at his sides, she hugged him in front of everyone and surprised him with a wet kiss on the mouth. The look on Elizabeth’s face was priceless.
“What can I get you to drink? I’ve got white and red wine, cold beer and a fully stocked bar downstairs if you want a cocktail. Anything you want, you name it.” Her giddiness was contagious, and her scent was intoxicating.
“Beer is good,” he said, settling the girls onto their feet. He curiously peered into the wok and pinched a snow pea from the pan, popping it into his mouth. “Mmm. What are you cooking? It smells great.”
“It’s her famous shrimp stir-fry. It’s to die for,” Elizabeth chimed in.
Jessica cupped his cheek before taking a few steps to the sub-zero fridge and grabbing a bottle of beer. “I ordered the girls a pizza. I hope you don’t mind that Elizabeth stays for dinner. She’s the one who convinced me to ask you to the Gala. She has some thoughts on the matter.” Handing him the cold beverage, she resumed cooking at the stove. Her comfortable expression gave nothing away.
“Thoughts on the matter, huh?” He twisted the cap off the bottle and took a long pull of the drink. “What kind of thoughts?”
Not knowing much about Elizabeth and her intentions made him cautious. The only thing he knew was that she had money, her last name was Rich, and she was one of Jessica’s closest and wealthiest friends. Simple questions came to his mind, like, where did they meet? How long have they known each other? Did she work for a living or was she someone’s trophy wife?
Elizabeth swiveled the bar stool and crossed her tanned, bare legs from under her short skirt and leaned her elbow on the back of the chair. “Well, first and foremost, do you own a tux?”
Tim leaned his forearms on the cold marble and stretched his back. The first question was easy. “Yes. As a matter of fact, I do.” He watched the woman give Jessica the side-eye.
“Excellent. A real gentleman owns his tux. That’s very respectable, Tim.” Her Southern accent was smooth and intentional. “For the record, this is a black-tie event. Everyone who’s anyone in this area will be there with deep pockets and designer suits. Would you happen to know the designer of yours?”
“Does it matter?” Jessica asked, turning around with her hand on her hip. The look on her face conveyed concern.
Tim decided to play along with Elizabeth’s little game. “Givenchy,” he said matter-of-factly, the designer name rolling effortlessly off his tongue. This time, Jessica gave Elizabeth the side-eye.
“Well, well, well. The man certainly knows his designers. Once again, I’m highly impressed. Do you care to indulge me and tell me where your taste in designer apparel came from?”
“Elizabeth…” Jessica warned. As if on cue, the doorbell rang. “Elizabeth, would you mind answering the door? That’s probably the pizza man. Cash including the tip is on the side table in the foyer. He could be cute.”
Elizabeth stood and straightened her skirt. “Oh, goody. Come on girls, let’s get your pizza!” All three Kaufman girls stopped what they were doing and squealed, their bare feet slapping across the floors, following Elizabeth from behind.
