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“No. I wouldn’t feel guilty about accepting a five-dollar cup of coffee.”
“Exactly. Now, for the sake of argument, let’s go ahead and say five hundred dollars in super rich CEO land is equivalent to five dollars in waiter land, because money has a much different value to someone like him. The exchange rate varies depending on just how obscenely wealthy the CEO in question is, obviously, but you get what I’m saying. To you, it seems like a lot. To him, it’s pocket change.”
“I see what you mean.” It didn’t really make me feel better, though.
A few minutes later, Aleksei arrived. He smiled at me as the hostess brought him to his favorite booth, and I waved and hurried to the bar.
When I brought him his glass of wine, he said, “Hi, Timothy. You look beautiful.”
I struck a pose. “It’s the apron, isn’t it? I agree that it’s particularly fetching.”
“You’d look beautiful in anything.”
“Flatterer.”
We chatted for a while, and then I brought Aleksei his usual meal. Also as usual, he lingered over a cup of coffee until closing, tipped me way too much, and was waiting out front when I got off work.
On our way home, I leaned into him. He kissed my forehead, and I turned to look at him and asked, “Instead of just dropping me off tonight, would you like to come in? My housemates are having a few people over. It’s nothing fancy, just drinks, maybe a little dancing, and some good company. I think you might enjoy it.”
“Oh. I um…I don’t think so, but thank you for the invitation.”
“No problem. Just thought I’d ask.”
“You’re disappointed.” I really thought I’d hidden it.
“No, not at all.” I didn’t want to make him feel bad, and really, I should have predicted that a party would be outside his comfort zone.
The pink Victorian looked festive and lively when we pulled up a few minutes later. Someone had decorated the porch with strands of colored lights, and I could see people dancing in the living room, through the large bay window.
I thanked Aleksei for the ride and gave him a hug as I said, “See you tomorrow.”
When I let go of him, he started to say something. But then he stopped himself and nodded.
I felt a little deflated as I climbed the stairs and went inside. But then I had to pull up a smile, because the party was in full swing. Lark saw me first and exclaimed, “Yay, you’re home!”
A moment later, his boyfriend Dylan joined us and handed me a cold bottle of beer as he said, “Welcome home, Timothy. There’s a mountain of food and plenty more drinks in the kitchen.” Then he grabbed Lark’s hand and said, “Dance with me, baby,” and the two of them slipped into the crowd.
I took a sip of beer and headed upstairs to change, which was when I discovered a huge, muscular guy sitting on the top step, petting a cat. I’d seen him at a few events, and I said, “Hi there. You’re Tracy Garcia, right?”
“Yeah, sorry, I’m blocking your way.” He slid over so I could get past him, and then he said, “You’re Timothy, right?”
“Yup.”
“I came here with a couple of friends, and they’ve been dancing all night. When I saw the cat, I followed her up here. I hope that’s okay.” The skinny black cat was purring as she rubbed herself against Tracy’s knee, and he ran his hand down her back.
“Of course.” I squeezed past him to the second floor landing, and then I crouched down and scratched the cat’s ears.
“Is she yours?”
“No, but she may end up becoming the pink Victorian’s newest resident. She wandered in through the open kitchen door last week and stuck around. We’ve tried to find her owner, but no luck. Since one of our landladies has started feeding her, I’m pretty sure she’s here to stay.”
“Have you named her?”
“That’s a topic of much debate,” I said. “There’s a list of name suggestions on the fridge. My housemates keep adding more, so we’re up to over twenty options. They range from Velma to Flapjack to Princess Fluffy Butt von Cattington the Third.”
“Wow.”
“I know.”
“Well, whatever her name is, she’s really sweet.”
I sat down when the cat started to rub against my leg and said, “Yeah, she is. She’s pretty shy, though. It took three days before she trusted me enough to let me pet her, but I see she warmed up to you right away.”
Tracy smiled shyly. “Kids and animals always love me. I don’t know why.”
“I do. It’s because you’re a nice person, and they’re excellent judges of character.”
He murmured, “Thanks for the compliment.”
It was surprising to see him blush. He looked like such a tough guy with his muscular build, and the fact that he was ex-military was obvious. But it seemed there was more to him than met the eye.
