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“What’s this woman got? A magic pussy? I’ve never heard you talk like this.”
A protective urge rises in me. “Never talk about Millie like that again, okay?”
Mike nods. “I can respect that.” And I know he can. We went into business together five years ago, built this shop into something we can be proud of, and while Mike might have bad luck with women, I know there isn’t a better guy on Earth.
I get to work, looking at the queue already here, and start working in bank two on an SUV that needs a new transmission.
A few hours later, it’s my lunch break and I make the call to the real estate agent who sold my mom’s place after she died. George answers on the second ring and I tell him what I’m in the market for.
“A nice starter home. Three bedrooms, two baths. A detached garage would be great. Something with a yard, not too far from town.”
“Okay, that’s workable. What’s your price range, son?”
I tell him, knowing I’ve kept my portion of my mother’s estate in a secure account for the last few years.
“That will really help things in terms of finding a place. What’s your timeline?”
“Soon. I’m calling the bank after we hang up.”
“Okay,” George says. “So, you’re a motivated buyer, I like that.”
“Hey, and if there’s a place with a picket fence, that would be awesome.”
George chuckles. “Why are you in such a hurry to have the whole nine yards? A young man like you could get a condo. I keep telling my daughter she should move into one of those new places. They have pools and restaurants--all the bells and whistles.”
“No thanks, I want the kind of place a woman would call home.”
“Well, congratulations, son. It’s good to hear you’ve found someone. I’m sure your mother would be very proud.”
I don’t correct him. I like the idea of him thinking I have someone. And he is right, my mother would be proud.
“I’ll be in touch, Moxon.”
* * *
After work, I do my best to clean up before heading to the bank. It goes smoothly, mostly because I don’t have any debt, no student loans, no loan sharks after me. I may be a manwhore according to Millie, but I’m not a fucking fool. I take care of myself, just like I took care of my mother the last five years of her life.
The bank manager, Linda shakes my hand and lets me know the paperwork will be coming electronically for me to sign. I thank her, heading back to my truck when the phone rings.
“You got an hour to look at a place? Just came on the market.”
I jump in the truck, feeling like all of this is too good to be true.
Chapter 8
Millie
I’m just getting out of the shower when the auto shop leaves a voicemail letting me know the Beetle is ready. The cardio class was no joke, I may take it three afternoons a week, but my love handles aren’t budging. Not that Moxon seemed to mind.
I don’t care about putting pretty panties or a push-up bra on if my makeup looks good. And even though it all does, it’s not for Moxon, it’s for me. I’m going to the auto shop for business, not pleasure. Once I’m all ready, I reach for my handmade, one-of-a-kind, card, and slide it into my purse.
I call a cab and it takes longer than expected to arrive. But I refuse to complain, I’m just glad my Beetle was able to be repaired. Losing that car would be such a bummer. I saved up for it when I was seventeen. My dad offered to buy me something new, but I was adamant about this pale blue bug.
On my way to the shop, I text Dad. My plan is to spend time with Dad, so I can’t get caught up in something with Moxon. Like getting in his pants.
Hey Dad! Wanna get dinner tonight? It’s been a while!
He texts back right away. Can it be a later dinner? Say seven? At Juliana’s Cafe?
I reply with a yes, and then scroll through my emails on my phone and see a new one has come in my inbox. My eyebrows raise as I read it. The distributor I sent my samples to has already sent a response.
We’d like to meet you face to face to discuss the possibility of working together. Your line of cards is fresh and has a firm understanding of what twenty-first-century customers are looking for in their greeting card purchases. We would love to invite you to Los Angeles to discuss potential acquisition opportunities.
It’s from the largest card distributor in the business, Best Regards. I press my lips together to keep from squealing in delight.
“You okay, there?”
I look up from the screen and see that the driver is looking at me in the rearview mirror. Oops, guess I let a squeal escape after all.
