A Life More Complete(113)

“Hear what?” he asks

“Hear me. I asked you what you’re wearing to the party tonight. I’m glad you’re listening to me.”

“I don’t do costumes. It’s a party with people I do business with. You think I’m gonna show up dressed like Napoleon Dynamite? No.” He huffs and uncrosses his feet. “And just so you know, I don’t listen to you. You talk just to hear yourself talk. I’ve gotten really good at tuning you out.”

“Thanks,” I mumble as I check myself out one last time. Bob strolls in through my front door just in time to keep my annoyance with Tyler from erupting into World War III.

“OMG!” he squeals when he sees me in my costume. “You look amazing. Just like her. Crazy what a wig can do, isn’t it?”

Bob’s wearing a white lab coat with the name Dr. Sapirstein embroidered on the upper left hand side. He has on a three-piece suit and a fully gray fake beard. I touch his face and giggle at how he looks. “You ready?” he asks.

“Yep. Let me say good-bye to Ty.”

Tyler’s hand flies up over the back of the couch and gives me a dismissive wave. “See ya,” he yells his voice even and his tone wry.

“I guess that’s good-bye,” I say looking at Bob. He shrugs his shoulders as I follow him out the door.





---Chapter 37---





I’m having so much fun with Bob at the party I hardly notice the time. It’s Bob that brings it to my attention making me wrinkle my nose in disgust. I don’t want to leave. It’s nice to spend time with people who enjoy my sense of humor and have no predetermined ideas of how I should behave.

I look down at my costume and suddenly I feel foolish. I’m about to meet Tyler at a party thrown by someone he does business with, who happens to own a beach house in Malibu and something tells me it isn’t the kind I’m picturing in my head, all the while dressed as a woman carrying the spawn of Satan. What the hell am I thinking?

Bob walks me out front his arm draped over my shoulders and my head resting against him. I’m exhausted just thinking about having to spend the rest of my evening with Tyler. A black Mercedes SUV pulls up in front and Bob motions toward the SUV. I give him a questioning look.

“Did you really think I was going to let you take a taxi to Malibu? Not a chance, sweetie. You and your precious cargo will be riding with Edward.” Bob waves a hand at the vehicle and like magic a large, burley man in his late thirties exits the driver’s side. His hair is cropped close and his face impassable. “Krissy, this is Edward, my father’s driver and since my father is old and rich he’s already in bed asleep. Probably has been for at least two hours,” Bob says as Edward tips his head slightly. “So you are the lucky recipient of a chauffeured ride to Malibu.”

I lean into Bob, my body heavy as I wrap my arms around his waist. He pulls me closer and gives me a quick kiss on the forehead. “You didn’t have to do this. You are so good to me,” I say as he slaps my butt.

“There’s not a chance in hell I’m letting your cute little pregnant ass get in a cab. I love you far too much for that. Get moving. You don’t want to be late to meet your prince charming.”

“I wish,” I mumble as I climb into the back seat. “Enjoy the rest of your night and again, thank you.” My eyes begin to well with tears. Bob cares far more than Tyler ever will.

“Have fun, love. I’ll miss you,” he says as he blows me a kiss and closes the door.

I hand Edward the address and lean back into the soft leather of the captain’s chair in the second row. The hum of the engine is relaxing and the smell of leather calms my nerves. I can’t remember a time when I was chauffeured around in an expensive car when I wasn’t with a client. The darkened windows and quiet stillness block out any offending thoughts as we ride through the night. The quiet begins to bother me when Bob’s voice comes over a speaker in the car.

“Hi, love. I just wanted to make sure you were doing okay. Edward tells me you’re nearing your destination, but that you look tired. If you’re too tired please have Edward bring you home.” I smile at his kindness and also wonder how in the world I didn’t hear his conversation with Edward.

“I’m fine, Bob. Tired, but I’ll be all right. How did I not hear you talking to Edward?”

“He has an ear piece and he is very discrete.” I know he is smiling. I can hear it in his voice. “I’ll check on you tomorrow. Seriously, though, if you’re tired go home. I don’t want you exhausting yourself, especially not for Tyler and his pompous work friends.”