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“Oh . . . hello,” she stutters.
“Mrs. Barrett, it’s a pleasure to finally meet you,” he says as smooth as silk. She stares at him.
“Mom, we need to go,” I say trying to break the trance.
“Yes, of course,” she manages, regaining her bearings. “You must come for dinner one night. I would love to get to know the man that has my daughter’s heart.” Oh for the love of Pete.
“Yes, I would love to,” he replies. I run upstairs to get my purse and make my way back down again before she says something stupid.
“Okay, let’s go,” I say to Chase. I turn to my mom. “I’ll be home later.”
“Have fun you two.” She waves as we head out the front door.
As we pull away, I can see my mom watching from the front door. It makes me feel like I’m still in high school and going out on my first date. Sheesh. Before I know it, we are speeding off toward Manhattan on the Expressway.
“You mom seems very nice,” he says.
“Yes, when she wants to be. It’s me she makes crazy.”
“I understand.” He reaches for his iPod and tosses it to me. “Why don’t you find something to play.”
His playlist is just as eclectic as his Pandora station, maybe even more so. There are songs from Van Halen to Phantom of the Opera and everything in between. I decide since it’s Sunday and I’m feeling kind of mellow to play some Norah Jones. Come Away With Me is one of my favorites. Her voice is so soothing, so melodious. I close my eyes and absorb the soulful sounds. I can hear Chase chuckling. “Interesting choice of songs,” he says.
“I felt it fitting,” I quip back. “Technically, I am coming away with you, moving here to the city.”
“True,” he says smiling. “She has a beautiful voice.” He starts to sing along. Reaching across the center console, he places his hand over mine. He strokes my hand with his thumb. “I can’t wait until you’re living within walking distance.”
“Me too.”
A short hour later, we are in Manhattan finishing our brunch. He remembered how much I enjoy brunch and found an elegant buffet in midtown. I’m happy they have bottomless mimosas. Considering we’re going furniture shopping, and I know he’s going to want to pay for all of the largesse, I need as many mimosas as I can drink to deal with the stress.
We exit the restaurant and walk toward the 59th Street bridge. I thought we were going to furniture stores, but I guess he has other plans. Chase stops in front of a huge antique store. “Let’s take a look in here first, to get a sense of your taste in furniture.” Not what I had in mind but looking can’t hurt. He holds the door open for me, and we enter.
The store is huge. It’s compartmentalized into miniature rooms. I don’t know where to look first there are so many choices! As soon as we enter the shop, we are approached by a sales associate dressed in an expensive designer suit.
“Good afternoon, my name is Jonathan,” he says with a smile. “Is there something I can help you with today?”
Chase answers before I even think of what to say. “We’re looking to furnish a large penthouse,” he begins. Seriously! I look over at Chase. His lips quirk up into a smile. I roll my eyes at him, which makes his smile grow wider. Jonathan’s entire demeanor changes in a nanosecond. His stance becomes taller and straighter, like he’s trying to impress Chase.
“What style or period are you looking for?” He directs his question to Chase.
“That’s why we’re here. The penthouse is for Olivia.” He gestures in my direction. “She doesn’t know what she wants.” I can see Jonathan’s eyes change into dollar signs. This is going to get ugly. Jonathan steps toward me smiling like he has won the lottery. If Chase has his way, he will.
“Do you like dark wood or light wood?” His question seems simple enough.
“Dark, I guess.”
“Good choice, oak has fallen out of fashion anyway,” he murmurs. “Do you like plain or fancy?”
“I’m not sure,” I mutter. I’ve never gone furniture shopping so I don’t even know what I’m looking for. And the pieces in this store look nothing like the internet research I was doing. “I know I don’t like boxy furniture. My mom has this French table with angels on it. I always thought it was pretty.”
“Good, that’s a start. Why don’t you come with me, and we’ll start with bedroom furniture.” He motions to the middle of the store. I follow Jonathan and Chase follows close behind me.
There are so many different shapes and sizes and colors, it’s making my head spin. As we walk, I find a room that catches my eye. There is a beautiful inlaid dresser with a black marble top, a pair of matching inlaid nightstands with marble tops, and an inlaid vanity. I stop and look over the set. Chase is behind me, his arms around my waist.
“Do you like this?” he asks nuzzling my ear.
“It’s pretty,” I murmur distracted. He’s very good at distractions.
