Pauline joined Marvin shortly after he sat down on the terrace. Randy stood nearby, watching. He didn’t expect anything special to happen, but he watched for an opening to use his last miracle if the situation warranted—anything to enhance the relationship.
“How did your meeting go?” Marvin asked.
“Nothing special. It was more of a preliminary to the meeting with the investors tomorrow morning.”
“No wasted time this weekend, I guess.”
“My boss believes our host wants to get business out of the way early.”
“Ah. That makes sense. Care for a drink?”
Pauline smiled. “Margarita, please.”
“Be right back.” Marvin got up and walked over to the bar. He returned a few minutes later.
“Two margaritas?” she asked with a grin.
“Not usually my drink, but for some reason, it sounded right today.” He set one in front of Pauline.
No sooner had he sat down, Jonathan and his wife appeared. “May we join you?” Jonathan asked.
“Please do,” Pauline answered.
Jonathan seated his wife and took the last of the four chairs at the table. “So this is Marvin.”
She smiled. “This is him. Marvin, this is my boss Mr. Rothsburg, and his wife Nancy.”
Jonathan extended his hand. “My wife gets the first name, but I can’t seem to shake my assistant here of the ceremonial title.” He grinned.
Marvin took his hand, then offered his to Nancy.
“Cut her some slack, dear. She probably sees this as a formal setting. Nice to meet you, Marvin.”
“Likewise.” He smiled.
Randy saw Jonathan wink at Pauline, who was attempting to get over blushing.
Sterling Havishaw came out at that moment, still wearing his shorts and pullover. He strolled to the center of the patio and glanced around quickly.
“Hello friends, family, investors, lawyers, and anyone else I might have failed to mention.” He scanned the guests again. “Thank you all for coming. I want everyone to have a good time and relax this weekend. Tomorrow’s meeting was planned for the morning to get business out of the way and satisfy my accountant’s requirement to allow me to make this tax deductible.”
His audience laughed briefly.
“Other than tomorrow night’s formal dinner, standard attire is casual unless by the pool. Just remember, I do have legal representation, so no skinny dipping.”
His statement brought on more laughter, followed by clapping.
“This guy loves life,” Randy said to himself with a grin.
“Enough of my caterwauling. Enjoy yourselves and get to know each other. We have a lot of work ahead—just not this weekend. There’s a buffet set up in the ballroom. Feel free to help yourselves. Above all, relax and have to great time.”
Randy grimaced. Caterwauling? Is that a real word?
The audience clapped and returned their attention to the tables where they sat.
Jonathan looked at Marvin. “Pauline tells me you’re in real estate.”
“Yes, I am.”
Does he tell him? Randy watched closely.
“I understand you are looking to get into the commercial side.”
“I am.”
“Shame you didn’t get with Pauline about that sooner. Mr. Havishaw is looking for a parcel of land for the shopping center. All his investors are here.”
“I would have felt out of place pitching. I came here to spend time with Pauline.” He glanced over and smiled at her.
Randy’s eyes grew wide. This could come back to bite him. I hope he thinks of an out.
“Admirable. I’m happy to meet you. She’s pretty secretive about her relationships.”
Randy saw alarm cross Jonathan’s face.
“Not that she’s had many,” Jonathan quickly added.
“Hey, dear. Probably a good time to quit while you’re behind,” Nancy said with a smug grin following.
“Yes. Open mouth, shove the whole foot in.” He laughed.
“Marvin is the first one I wanted to introduce,” Pauline said with a smile of her own.
“Ooh. Nice bail out,” Randy said out loud.
“Now I feel honored,” Marvin replied.
After a long pause where no one talked, Jonathan broke the silence. “I think I’ll visit the buffet.” After standing, he assisted Nancy up. “Catch you two later.”
Marvin stood out of respect and sat after they left. “What’s the plan for tonight?”
Pauline glanced over the itinerary they’d been given upon arrival. “There’s a band playing in the amphitheater a little later. Oh... Sterling’s son is the singer.”
“Interesting,” Marvin said. “Before I got here, I would have assumed Bing Crosby stuff. But after meeting his father, I have no clue.”
“Guess we’ll have to check it out,” Pauline said.
Marvin nodded. “After dinner... Shall we?”
She returned his nod quickly with a smile.
The buffet was down-to-earth food. There was spaghetti, sliced ham, beef stew, and the common vegetables, corn, green beans, broccoli, all steamed and well-buttered. A choice of hot rolls or biscuits preceded the main courses, and on a separate table, a hefty selection of desserts was arranged methodically.
Marvin picked up two plates from the stack at the beginning of the line and handed one to Pauline. “This is quite a spread,” he mentioned.
“Better than the buffet I used to visit downtown,” she replied.
“I know the one you’re talking about. It’s closed, now.”
“Yep. That’s the one.” She began to fill her plate, with Marvin following behind. Once they had all they could fit, they found an empty table and set the plates down. Napkins and silverware were on the tables along with condiments.
Randy sat down in an empty seat next to them.
“Catsup?” Marvin commented with a laugh.
“What’s so funny?”
“I just had a weird thought.”
“It must have been a good one.”
Don’t keep us in suspense.
“I don’t... It’s just that we came to this country castle, and our first meal is set up like we’re in a diner.”
Randy laughed. I don’t know too many diners that have buffets, but I get his point.
“He’s definitely living up to his reputation,” Pauline said with a smile.
“I don’t know what kind of businessman he is, but if this is any indication, I’d work for him.”
“I am... kinda.”
Marvin chuckled. “That you are.”
A waiter walked over. “Can I get you something to drink?”
Marvin glanced at Pauline.
She looked at the waiter. “I don’t want any alcohol. Do you have any iced tea?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Ooh, that sounds great,” Marvin added.
“Two teas coming up.”
“This may look like a buffet, but it sure doesn’t taste like one,” Marvin said after taking a bite of his spaghetti.
Pauline tasted the ham. “You’re right about that. This is amazing. The meat falls apart in my mouth, and the seasoning...”
“Money has its advantages, but...” His voice trailed off.
“But?”
“My impression of our host is a millionaire who doesn’t flaunt it. It’s a little hard to say that, given the décor, the pool, and all. But the atmosphere is serene. He has investors here for a big project. One would think he’d be trying to impress them. It appears he’s so confident, they’ve already been sold.”
“You have a certain way about you of sizing people up,” she said.
“It’s paid off when in my salesman capacity.”
“It works in my business, too. You’d make a good lawyer.”
Randy listened intently. They’re starting to get to know each other. I may not be needed anymore.
Marvin smirked at her, then turned his head slightly. “I don’t know about that.”
“If you don’t mind me asking, what attracted you to me?”
“You mean besides your beauty?”
Randy watched Pauline’s eyes bulge before she started to flush.
“Is that why?” she asked.
Randy glared at Marvin. Fix it.
Marvin smiled. “I’ll admit it got my attention. But the longer I studied your actions, for lack of a better word, the more I appreciated what I saw. And unfortunately, the more scared I got in trying to approach you. In all honesty, I don’t believe I ever would have, had I not fallen into you.”
Randy smiled, knowing he’d created that circumstance.
“Why not?” she asked.
Marvin pursed his lips and took a deep breath through his nose. After letting it out, he asked, “Have you ever heard that opposites attract?”
“Yes.”
“Well... I suppose it’s true to a point. You’re so organized and methodical in your approach to life.”
Randy saw a little disappointment in her eyes, as though she wished she didn’t come off that way.
“And you know that from watching me do my laundry?”
“I have to admit that since I’ve gotten to know you, I’ve confirmed my assessment, so to speak. But yes, I could tell by the way you did your laundry—the way you loaded the washer exactly the same each time—the way you folded your clothes, starting with your blouses, then to your slacks... very efficient.”
“And you?”
“Me? I’ve always been a fly by the seat of my pants sort of guy.”
Randy twisted his face. Huh?
“Meaning?” Pauline asked.
“Meaning... I do what is necessary at the moment.” He turned away and snickered.
“Now, what’s funny?”
He glanced back at her. “I just got to thinkin’ that we’re double opposites.”
Randy looked at Pauline’s confused expression. I’m with you. He laughed.
“I’m supposed to be regimented. You’re supposed to be the flaky one.”
Pauline let out a yelp with a grin. “We both don’t fit the gender stereotype, but you’re hardly flaky. Maybe you’re not as organized, but you are in control of your actions.”
“Thank you. Don’t quite know how you came to that conclusion, but I’ll certainly take it.” He smiled.
“Just a feeling. Call it... intuition?”
Marvin laughed loud enough to get a few glances in their direction.
Randy grinned. She doesn’t believe in clichés. He found it interesting that they used the slightest details of each other’s interactions to seal their impressions. This is going quite well.
* * * *
After dinner, the two went upstairs to change into something a little more fitting for the grassy amphitheater. Randy had chosen to remain outside of the bedroom, following his protocol. The couple was left to themselves.
“You go ahead and change. I’m going to find Julian and get another blanket,” Marvin said.
“Wait,” she stopped him.
He turned back toward her.
“It’s a queen-sized bed. I mean... we are adults. I’m willing to share, if you don’t have any objections.”
“Yes. I mean, sure I’m willing. I have to warn you, though. I don’t have any pajamas.”
She grinned. “I don’t wear pajamas either.”
“Um... then it’s settled. You go ahead and change here. I’ll take my things into the bathroom.”
“What’s the point?” She giggled.
He felt his face warm up, and he smiled. “True. Unless we were going to undress tonight in the dark.”
“I’d peek in the morning.”
Marvin laughed. “I’m not sure I could last that long.” He undid his belt and slipped out of his slacks to expose a pair of colorful boxers. “What you see is what you get.”
She smiled. “Not a speedo. Glad I don’t wear thongs.”
“Damn the luck.” He grinned.
* * * *
The couple emerged from the bedroom where Randy waited in the hall. One look on their faces told him he’d missed something important. What could have happened in twenty minutes? He brushed it off and accompanied them to the amphitheater.
“The bartender isn’t here yet,” Marvin said.
“No, but there’s a stack of blankets. I bet they’re for the grass.”
Marvin smiled. “They have to be.” He grabbed one and beckoned her toward the stage.
Pauline walked halfway down and chose a good vantage point from which to watch the band, which was doing sound checks at the moment. Marvin laid out the blanket, and they sat. The others slowly filled the amphitheater as much as the number of guests could.
Randy noticed a distinct relaxed atmosphere hovering around everyone. Marvin and Pauline were certainly comfortable, though they weren’t talking at the moment. They sat with their feet planted on the next level below them—Marvin with his arm around Pauline’s shoulder. She made no attempt to pull away, so Randy felt even better about the way things appeared to be going.
The band started. Mmm. Classic rock. I can handle this. Randy smiled.
“He’s got a nice voice,” Pauline mentioned.
“It matches his father’s, for sure. At least I think it does, if his father sings,” Marvin added.
“I bet you’re right.”
At the start of the third song, Marvin stood and extended his hand.
“I don’t know about this,” she said. “I haven’t danced in years.”
“Me either, but if you look at our competition, we can’t do any worse.” He chuckled.
She still hesitated a few seconds longer, but she finally gave in and took his hand.
The tune they started dancing to was a faster song than any previous, but they managed to keep up in spite of the additional length of the song caused by the guitar solo. Several left the floor after clapping.
Marvin and Pauline started to join them, but the band chose that moment to play their rendition of “Precious and Few.” Marvin stopped and took Pauline’s hand to pull her in close. As they gently rocked back and forth to the slow song, Pauline placed her head against his shoulder.
Randy’s smile displayed pure satisfaction. At this point, he decided nothing more could be accomplished this evening. He retired to the white room.
“Feeling good about your assignment?” Miles asked when Randy arrived.
“Yes. I’m sure they’re gonna happen.”
“The weekend is still young,” Miles warned.
Randy smiled. “Something happened in the bedroom. When they came out, I swear they had an even brighter attitude. It definitely carried over into the night.”
“All I’m saying is I don’t want you to leave them prematurely.”
Randy nodded. “I’ll be there the whole weekend.”
“Good to hear, but don’t think this weekend seals the deal.”
Randy raised his eyebrows. “How long do you think I’ll have to be with them?”
“Until they are secure in their relationship.”
“And how long will that be?”
Miles smiled softly. “You’ll know when it’s time to leave. Trust me.”