Her silver fox companion had parked near a playground in Queen Anne, a nicer area in Seattle just south of Greenwood, where she currently resided. The northern part of Queen Anne Avenue boasted amazing shops, and she and Rupert did their share of window shopping. Though he walked with a cane and slight limp, his impairment hadn’t slowed him down much.
He told her his favorite places to eat, pointed out a few idiots and numbskulls to steer clear of (he had a beef with a pet supply store owner for some reason he refused to elaborate about,) and treated her to lunch at 5 Spot, an American eatery that made the best Val Verde Scramble. She’d ordered breakfast in the afternoon while Rupert had gobbled down sweet potato pancakes.
As they sat drinking coffee to wash down brunch, she tried again to pay for their food.
“Nonsense.” Rupert slurped his coffee. “You’re new to town. It’s my treat.” He leaned closer and winked. “Besides, I’m hoping rumors will circulate that I’m dining with a beautiful younger woman. Make my girl, Willie, jealous. It’s good for her to know I’m still quite a catch.”
“But you are. Handsome, charming, and you know everything about everyone.” She smiled, enjoying herself.
He nodded. “I’ve lived in Queen Anne going on fifty years. The town has changed a lot, but it’s still home.”
He called it a town. She thought of it as just one nicer area in a grand city. “Is this your favorite neighborhood in Seattle?”
“I’m biased, but yes. Green Lake is nice. Magnolia too. The Downtown area is pretty busy. Have you been to Pike Place Market yet? You know, the farmer’s market? Where they throw the fish around? It’s right on the water.”
“Not yet. It’s on my to-do list.”
“I’d take you down there, but I promised Willie I’d help with a new cat we found.”
“Oh?”
He nodded. “Willie started a hometown rescue for strays over a year ago. We’ve been taking them in, fostering them, then helping the animals find places to live. I don’t suppose you want a cat or dog?” Before she could remind him she’d just moved into her apartment, he shook his head. “Ah, never mind. Aunt Tilly has a no pets policy. Too bad. You look like a dog person.”
“My mom has a dog. Vanilla. He’s a mutt with a lot of border collie in him. A sweetie and a great guard dog.” The thought of her Vanilla gave her a touch of homesickness. “I miss him.” She surprised herself.
“Pets bring out the best in us. And the worst, sometimes.” He sounded sad. “But you know, we’re not here to talk about animals. What brings you to Seattle, Erin?”
So Tilly hadn’t mentioned Cody, apparently. “I came because of a man.” She shook her head and confided, “It didn’t work out. The problem is, everyone back home told me he was no good. I spent a lot of money and time to get to here. Now if I go back, they’ll all know they were right.”
“Can’t do that.”
“No. Plus, I’m learning to like it out here. It’s more expensive, but it’s all so alive. And I like being on my own.” She paused. “Though I won’t lie. I’d like to make some friends and start getting out more. Except I work for Tilly and from home, so making friends isn’t as easy.”
“Now don’t you worry about that. I know just the person you need to talk to.” He smiled. “In fact, I know everyone around here.” He laughed. “You want to make friends, I’m just the person you need. So, we talking gal pals or finding you a man? Because if you’re looking for a man, my girl Willie is the one you want to talk to. She’s got connections.”
Erin blinked. “Connections?”
“Oh, not with strippers or escorts or anything. She’s done with all that.”
“Not what I’d meant.”Done with all that?
“But she’s a woman who knows all about matchmaking and making it stick. She can read people.” He studied Erin. “Come on. You need to meet her.”
Which washow Erin found herself in a very strange situation with no one to blame but herself. She should have said no the moment Rupert had mentioned strippers in conjunction with Willie. But he’d been so nice, and he was Tilly’s nephew. Besides, she’d had nothing better to do all day. It had been good for her to get out and see new things.
At least the current nuttiness kept her mind from Smith. Every time she thought about him and what he’d done to her on Sunday, she grew lightheaded. God. How did the mandothat to her? They barely knew each other, yet he brought her to orgasm so easily. She’d been with Cody for months and it took forever for her to climax, and usually she had to make that happen herself.
“So, what do you think?” Willie asked.
Erin brought herself back to the present, aware she needed to find some kind of excuse to leave. Soon. Before she broke down in hysterical laughter and offended her hosts. Willie fit Rupert. She seemed small and delicate, but then she opened her mouth and swore like a sailor, truck driver, and New York taxi driver combined. She had tanned skin, wrinkled with age, and striking hazel eyes. Yet she wasn’t exactly pretty. Memorable for sure. She wore a shawl over a housedress that looked as if it had been in style in the 70s.
She matched her house for sure. The décor could only be called eclectic. Besides the motley group of cats and dogs lying around, most with battle wounds—torn ears, a missing eye, a stump of a tail—she had a bunch of collectibles. Erin noticed a few Hummels and a Lladro along with some strange looking figurines all set on doilies in a hutch. Upon closer inspection, she blanched. Some of those figurines looked to be…er…engaging in sex.
“Like my Sixty-Niner? That’s a favorite of mine,” Willie said, seeing Erin’s attention.
Erin blushed and heard Rupert chuckle. “It’s very…interesting.”
“Sure is.” Willie winked at Rupert. “My honey tells me you want a man.”
