Ford's eyes widened. It was just easier to say Ford was my date rather than this is the man I live with—along with his handsome and also single roommate—who was being paid to turn me into a classy broad. It was a mouthful.
“Clifford Rutledge.” He kissed her hand like a gentleman from a black and white movie before shaking the man's hand. My heart fluttered.
“John.” The older man nodded to Ford’s name tag. “I see you’re a donor as well. What work do you do?”
Rather than correct him, Clifford dived into a whirlwind of four-dollar words and didn’t stop until he was loosening his tie and a little sweaty. John frowned and nodded but I could tell he had no frickin’ clue what Ford was talking about. I exchanged a look with Kathy and she shook her head like men were another species she had long ago given up on.
Slightly to the side, she said, “John used to get the same way when he’d talk about his surgeries. I never had any clue what he meant.”
Ford stopped and took a drink when they started speaking on stage. He was clearly not happy with his delivery either. He wiped sweat from under his mask with a fancy handkerchief from his pocket. I squeezed his hand under the table and smiled. He frowned deeper. I rolled my eyes. It was our favorite routine.
When the presenter finished asking for money, Ford made another attempt to explain his work. John scanned the crowd, looking for an escape no doubt, so I jumped in.
“The gist is that this man is going to change the world, Dr. Carlisle. His research will allow small towns to be completely rejuvenated, from the ground up.”
Both men looked at me.
I went on, because it was like watching a puppy trying to jump over a six-foot fence when Ford tried to explain his research. “Public transportation and government funded programs will coordinate to provide services to communities, allowing citizens access to both educational and recreational activities. This, in turn, will allow the citizens to integrate more fully into society, broadening the tax base and jumpstarting the capabilities of the next generation. It's a win-win that improves the lives of the current citizens and the future generation.” I stood up and brushed out my skirts. “Now, if you will please excuse us both. I’m owed one more dance.”
“What a lovely idea.” John smiled and looked at his wife. “I shouldn’t waste such a beautiful date.”
We all set our glasses down and slid to the dance floor. A small band played smooth jazz music. Ford pulled me close and I blinked up at him in surprise as he gently rocked me to the music.
I reached up and poked his brow until his frown smoothed out. “What’s got that brain of yours all worked up?”
“How did you know that?”
“What?” I asked.
“About my research.”
“You told me.” I shrugged.
“Yeah, but you sold it.”
“I appreciate how surprised you sound.”
He smirked. “I’ve been committed to this idea my entire adult life and have never been able to express my thoughts so succinctly.”
I shrugged and moved closer to him, using the crowd as an excuse. “Maybe you’re too close to it. I’m not bogged down by the details.”
He hummed and it vibrated through my body.
After a few more minutes of swaying, I asked, “So, did I pass your test?”
He gave me a look that said he was not amused. But lately, I found myself more and more interested in pushing his buttons. Using a hillbilly accent, I said, “I know I can be a little hard to talk to, what with my humble upbringing, but ever since I got shoes for my feet and a real ed-u-mah-cation, I talk pretty.”
“Alright, very funny.”
“I think that big fancy doctor man thought I was real special.”
“Suzie.”
“Maybe one day I’ll be a real lady and won’t embarrass you no more.”
“Suzie.” He was short. He was distant and thoughtful, more so than normal, but he also had this intensity I couldn’t nail down. To be honest, it freaked me out a little. I didn’t know what to expect from him.
I started making banjo sounds fromDeliverance. I was two seconds from lifting my skirt and slapping my knees like at a hoedown when he placed his hand over my mouth and pulled my body close to his. “Stop. Just stop.”
