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“Before I moved in, I sanded them and put a few coats of polyurethane on them.”
She glanced at the fireplace. “And . . . that could use a coat of paint, or something. But I’d wait until you get the walls done.” Luna folded her arms, waiting for his reaction.
Gaines put his hands on each of her shoulders and kissed her on the forehead. “You are a genius, Luna Bodhi Bodman!”
It wasn’t exactly the reaction she was hoping for, but the evening was still young.
* * *
Cullen must have tied his tie three times before he got it right and comfortable. He combed his hair back with a little gel. Then he wondered if it was too much. Over the top. Luna had told him to do it, and she had a very good eye for aesthetics. Plus, she would never steer him wrong. He was still a bit reticent about the cologne. Luna showed him how to apply it. Instead of spraying it directly on himself, he was to spray it up in the air, over his head. “You want to get the scent but you don’t want to knock her out,” Luna told him. “Women spray the space in front of them and walk through it so the mist settles on their body and clothes. For guys, you don’t need the whole shebang. But, if your hair smells good, you’ll smell good.”
He felt ridiculous spraying expensive cologne in the air, but as Luna would say, “Go for it.” He gave it a test run by spraying it a few feet in front of him. He got the drift. He chuckled to himself,No pun intended. Then he tried it for real, spritzing his Hugo Boss arm’s length above his head.
He checked his tie for the zillionth time and decided he should get moving even if he was early. He was getting jittery and didn’t want to second-guess his attire. Even if he had to drive around the block a few times, it would be better than standing in front of a mirror.
He grabbed his keys and gave Wiley a rub. “Anything in particular you want to watch on TV?” The dog looked up at him as if to say,“Et tu, Brute?”
Cullen responded with, “I know. I know. Everyone is abandoning you tonight. I should have planned a playdate with Ziggy and Marley.” Wiley began to wag his tail. “Oh no, that’s not what I meant.” Wiley moved into a prone position and pulled his paws over his eyes.
“Jeez. OK. How about I put on Cartoon Network for you?”
Wiley picked up his head.
“I thinkLooney Tunesare on. MaybeSpongeBob?” Wiley’s tail began to bounce, and he lifted his head.
“You got it!” Cullen could not believe he was having a conversation with his sister’s dog. But it wasn’t the first time either. Cullen picked up the remote and set the TV to the channel as Wiley made himself comfortable on the sofa. Cullen chuckled. “You are one smart pooch!” Wiley woofed in agreement.
* * *
Chi-Chi didn’t know if she should dress full-on Nigerian with one of her fabulous caftans or go urban with a black halter jumpsuit and one of her stunning necklaces and matching bracelet. She decided to show off her art and plucked the black jumpsuit from her wardrobe closet. She picked the silver plastron collier necklace with the large polished amethyst stones, with matching earrings and cuff bracelet. She wore amethyst eye shadow with a very thin silver eyeliner. Highlighter on her cheekbones and peach matte lipstick finished the look. And she looked good. Even if she said so herself. She pulled on a pair of two-inch block sandals so she would be slightly shorter than Cullen. Chi-Chi stood five-seven in flats, so the spike heels were out of the question unless she wanted to look Cullen square in the eye. She opted to be slightly demure. Besides, the sandals were much more comfortable.
She kept checking her watch and thought about Luna. Chi-Chi resisted the temptation to call her while her sister by another mother was at Gaines’s house. Maybe a text? Why not? Luna could choose not to answer. Chi-Chi picked up her phone and tapped.
How’s it going?
Within a few minutes she got a ping.
Great. He’s outside grilling steaks! I’m a bit nervous.
Chi-Chi tapped back.
Ha! Me too!
Luna responded.
OMG. He’s here!
Chi-Chi typed back.
Have fun! Ciao for now!
Luna signed off.
Chi-Chi heard a car door open and close. She took a long inhale and an equal exhale, then opened the door.
Cullen had to catch his breath. She looked spectacular. He could barely speak. “Chi-Chi, you are radiant. Beautiful. Not that you aren’t always beautiful, but . . .” He was sputtering.
Chi-Chi helped him out. “Thank you. You look quite handsome. The color of the shirt brings out the green in your eyes.”
