Tish shuffled out of the guest room preceded by Socks and saw her friends already seated at the dining room table for their regular Sunday brunch. She yawned and stretched, her eyes noting the clock which told her she’d slept past eleven.
“Well, look what the cat dragged in,” said Madison. “Literally.”
She covered another yawn, then held her head due to a slight hangover. “Morning, guys.”
Rory studied her face. “She doesn’t look too bad for someone who got in at seventeen minutes after one.”
Tish’s jaw dropped as she sat down. “What the hell, Rory, are you spying on me?”
Madison nodded. “She does that. You have to get used to it while you’re living here. She thinks we find it endearing for some odd reason.”
“I was up late reading and happened to see you,” said Rory.
A.J. rolled her eyes. “Oh, what a crock. You’ve got the friggin’ Hubble telescope across the street.” She turned to Tish. “I already got them up to speed to the point I left. So, details about the white knight. C’mon, spill.”
Tish grabbed a glass of orange juice and smiled. “We had a nice time. Could have talked all night.”
“They pulled up in the driveway four minutes after twelve,” said Rory.
Tish glared at her. “Yeah, and then we talked.”
“Talking doesn’t usually fog up the windows of a car.”
“It was humid!”
“In October? Pffft. I hardly think so.”
“Good God, Rory, you should work for the CIA. Fine, we talked and then we made out a little.”
Rory leaned back and smiled at her. “Considering the kiss he planted on you when he walked you to the door, it looked like more than a little. Talk about a tonsillectomy.”
Tish slapped her hands on the table. “Okay, stop it!”
Everyone laughed as Rory reached over and gave her a hug. “I’m just yankin’ your chain, sweetie. We’re all happy you met someone nice. Who is obviously attracted to you.”
“Yeah, and amazingly he’s unattached. That woman we saw him with in the restaurant turned out to be a partner at his law firm. By the way, Madison, he said my eyes are spectacular. So thanks for the makeup job.”
“You didn’t need makeup for that, I just brought them out. But I’m glad he noticed.”
A.J. laughed. “You shoulda seen the guy when I took her glasses off. He got a good look at her eyes and it was like he got hit with Cupid’s arrow. Bada bing. Though I must say, his are pretty spectacular as well and he’s cute as hell up close. The boy is seriously doable.”
“But they just talked, remember?” cracked Rory.
“The plus one he had at the wedding was very doable, and he didn’t,” said Tish.
A.J. laughed a bit. “I’d call her a plus two considering the fake boobs. I think if you pricked one with a pin she would have flown around the room like a deflated balloon.”
Tish laughed. “She was rather top heavy. I’m surprised she didn’t tip over. Looked like every man’s fantasy from a porn magazine.”
“Yeah, I showed them a photo I took with my phone,” said A.J. “But apparently she wasn’t his fantasy. Give the guy credit for not thinking with the wrong head.”
Rory flashed a sinister grin. “He didn’t look like he was only interested in Tish’s mind.”
Tish looked at the ceiling. “Please, God, take me now.”
A.J. patted her on the back. “Hey, I’m impressed that he ditched the cheap bimbo and came back for the classy chick. Gotta love a guy with priorities like that.”
“So what’s next?” asked Madison.
Tish started dishing out food onto her plate. “We’re going to try to have lunch one day this week and then Saturday he’s taking me out.” Socks jumped into her lap and started to sniff her food. “Sorry, kitty, this stuff has salt in it. Not good for you. I’ll get you some treats as soon as I’m back in my body.”
Madison picked up her cat, Bumper and set him on her lap. “You find out if he likes cats?”
“The topic didn’t come up.”
“Surprising,” said Rory, “considering all the talking you two did.”
Tish rolled her eyes. “Next week I’ll have him drop me off around the block.”
“Don’t know if it will do you any good,” said A.J. “She’s probably hacked into the city’s traffic cams.”
Rory shook her head. “I tried, but their security system is too good.”
*
Spencer arrived at his office to find Ariel sitting at her desk. She bit her lip as she looked up at him, obviously trying not to laugh. “Okay, Ariel, what’s so funny?”
“Oh, nothing. I, uh, read a funny joke on the internet.” She snickered a bit.
He gave her face a closer look and knew she was lying. “C’mon, out with it.”
“You had some…deliveries…this morning. They’re in your office. On your desk.”
“This oughta be good.” He headed to his office and couldn’t help but laugh at what he saw.
His desk, covered with dollar bills and condoms. A steel pole on a stand in the corner. A small wrapped package with a bow on it. “Very nice, very nice.”
Ariel couldn’t hold it in any longer and burst out laughing. “I heard about your plus one. Actually, I think everyone heard about her.”
“Well, there were a couple hundred lawyers and a few judges at the wedding. I don’t wanna go near the courthouse for a while. God knows what Judge Barrow thinks of me. And I’m gonna kill Chad for setting me up with her. I’m meeting him today for lunch and I will get even.”
“I must say, as practical jokes go, it sounds like a good one. He showed me her picture when he came by this morning to drop all this off. Sorry I missed it. A guy like you on a date with a girl who looked like a stripper.”
“Yeah, she was the polar opposite of quietly beautiful.”
She pointed at the package. “So, you gonna open your gift?”
“You obviously already know what’s in there, right?”
She shrugged and looked at the ceiling. “I can neither confirm nor deny the contents—”
“Yeah, right.” He opened the package and found an assortment of porn movies. “Very funny. Ah, and such clever titles. You’ve Got Male. Frisky Business. My Bare Lady.” He started picking up the dollar bills. “I’m keeping the cash. I earned it. Consider it combat pay.”
“So, she was that bad, huh?”
He shook his head. “I’ve never been more embarrassed to be with a woman in my life. However, the night actually ended very well.”
“Oh my God, Spence, you slept with her?”
“Give me some credit, Ariel.”
“Well, beneath the classy Boy Scout exterior lies the male of the species. She looked like every man’s fantasy.”
“She wasn’t mine. Anyway, guess who else was at the wedding?”
“Hopefully not a photographer from Page Six.”
“Nope. The object of my affections of late. Tish McKenna.”
“Oh, shit. And she saw you with a cheap bimbo? Damn, Spence, I’m so sorry. Did she say anything?”
He laughed. “No, listen, she actually helped me out.” He told her the story. “So the evening turned out well.” He blushed a bit.
“Well, how about that. I know you never kiss and tell, but from the look on your face I can tell without you saying anything. So I’ll just ask you if there were sparks?”
“Oh yeah. Enough chemistry to blow up a lab. ”
She took his chin in her hand and studied his face. “Yep. My sweetheart of a partner is definitely smitten.”
He held out his wrists as if to be handcuffed. “Guilty as charged. It was all I could do not to call her yesterday to see if she wanted to spend the day together.”
“Glad you didn’t. Women like that don’t want to be smothered and usually like to take things slow. I can tell you’re excited about this one but do your best to play it cool. So, you’re taking her out Saturday, right?”
“Yep.”
“Where are you taking her?”
“No clue. Need your help on this.”
“What, you can’t come up with a place to have dinner and a good movie?”
“She’s different, Ariel. I want to really make an impression on her. So give me some ideas that will really impress a smart woman.”
She tapped one finger on her chin. “Hmmm. I just thought of something you have obviously overlooked.”
*
Spencer shook his head at Chad as he headed toward the table where his friend was already seated. His tall, burly law school chum stood up to shake his hand. “I can tell from your look that you’re plotting some revenge.”
“I haven’t started yet, but I wouldn’t let my guard down if I were you. You never know when an Acme anvil might drop on your head. And you might want to get someone else to start your car for a while.”
They both took their seats. Chad couldn’t help but laugh. “You have to admit, she was not what you expected.”
“That’s putting it mildly. Where the hell did you find a girl like that?”
“A buddy of mine dated her a couple of times, which, as you can imagine, is about as much as anyone with a brain could stand since she has the IQ of a potted plant to go with a pickled liver. He said the girl should live on Coney Island because she qualifies as a carnival ride. And considering you came back to the reception, I assume you did not partake of that excursion.”
“Didn’t have a prescription for penicillin handy. Besides, she was out cold and I like my women conscious. So what possessed you to fix me up with her?”
“Oh, we all thought since you have such a thing for super classy women we’d set you up with someone who was the direct opposite. And I knew you would show up since you’re such a good friend of the bride.”
Spencer picked up the menu. “I was worried she’d be upset. I hope everyone knows it was a joke.”
“Yep. Even the bride and groom. However, we did not foresee the sprained ankle scenario and you sending her over to my table to dance. Very quick thinking on your part.”
“Actually it was someone else’s idea. So did you enjoy that bump and grind?”
“Actually, since she didn’t talk it was not unpleasant. Hell, she offered to do me in the coat room. Hard to turn down a girl with a body like that, but I didn’t have any antibiotics either.”
“Gotta love old fashioned girls. By the way, you’re paying today and I’m ordering the lobster.”
“Fine, you deserve it. Meanwhile we all found it rather curious that you returned and spent the rest of the evening with a woman who did seem to be your type. So what’s the story on the tall classy-looking blonde? She’s kinda pretty. Nice body. Got some dangerous curves.”
“Met her last week and had lunch. We really hit it off and I’m seeing her again this weekend. By the way, you’ve already met her.”
Chad shook his head. “I don’t think so.”
“Don’t feel bad, I didn’t recognize her either. It was a long time ago. She was in our class at law school. I think you even sat next to her in the front row. Remember our valedictorian? Mrs. Spock?”
Chad’s eyes widened. “That’s the Vulcan attorney? Damn, she’s changed. And if you like her she must have grown a personality.”
He smiled as he nodded. “She has. And you should see the woman in court. She’d blow me away if I ever went up against her. Honestly, I’ve never seen anyone with her style. But it’s devastating.”
“Huh. How about that, number one and number two in our graduating class are dating. Anyway, back to the wedding reception, I saw you leave with her at closing time. Did you—”
“No, of course not. You know I don’t do one-nighters.”
“You must have hit it off if you’re going to see her again.”
“Yep. Actually I can’t wait.”
Chad studied his face. “This one’s different, huh?”
“Yeah. She seems really special. I get a good feeling about her. But it’s early.”
“Knowing you as I do, you’ll take your time.”
*
Tish arrived at Benny’s cart on Tuesday morning, not seeing Spence. “Hi, Benny.”
He turned and smiled. “Hey, Tish from the hotel.” He reached into the cooler and handed her a bottle of orange juice. “You missed him. He was here earlier. Had some meeting in the suburbs and got an early start.”
“Well, I’m meeting him for lunch tomorrow anyway.”
“So, I must assume that went well last week. Considering how long you guys were in the restaurant.”
Tish shook her head. “Good God, is everyone spying on me?”
“Not spying. Look, I’m here all day and the restaurant is in my line of sight.”
“Uh-huh. Maybe if you crane your neck around the utility pole.”
“What can I say, matchmaking is fun. Besides, my two daughters are married and I miss looking out for a single woman.”
“Nice save. But anyway, yeah, lunch was great, we’re on the same page. Lot in common. He’s really nice.”
“And how was the wedding?”
“What, you following me too?”
“Geez, Tish, get with the program. Spence told me about it and how you saved him from some cheap floozy.”
“He told you?” She stood up straight, eyes wide. “Really? What did he say?”
“Sorry, I’m not that kind of matchmaker and this isn’t high school. Suffice it to say the interest you have in him…well, the feeling is mutual.”
She couldn’t hold back a smile. “That’s all I get? No details?”
“Sorry, that’s it. I will not share the other side’s playbook. But at least you know I’m not giving him anything either. I simply bring two compatible souls together. It’s up to you guys to make the connection. However…”
“Yeah?”
“I will say I feel very good about this one.”
“This one? You’ve done this before?”
“Three times.”
“And?”
“All couples still happily married.”
“That’s really impressive, Benny.”
“I have a knack for knowing when two people go together.”
“And you feel that about me and Spence?”
“Big time. Actually, more so than the previous three.”