Chasing Vivi(22)

"They wouldn't know that until after they killed us."

I chuckle. "Can you imagine their disappointment? Killing us over a pile of worthless crap."

"Hey, Viv, this stuff means something to you, though."

With a slight shrug I say, "I suppose."

"How'd you end up at an expensive boarding school? I know it had to cost a shit-ton, if Beckham went there."

"It's a long story. Maybe I'll tell you over a glass of wine. No, make that a bottle or two."

"That bad, huh?"

"I don't know. Maybe. Maybe not."

"I have a good shoulder if you ever need one."

When I turn to look him in the eye, I notice through the streetlights  illuminating the interior of the car, the kindness radiating from his  face. He pats my leg and pulls me against his side. "If you ever want to  talk, I'm here, just so you know."

"Thanks, Eric. I appreciate that."

We unload my stuff and tote it upstairs. Eric laughs at me when I attach  the little motor to my mattress and blow it up. "You'll see. This thing  is really great."

After it's blown up, I put on the sheets that I located in one of the  bags. Eric walks back in and hands me a few blankets. "Here. I noticed  you only had one. Just in case you get cold."

I jump up and hug him. "Thank you." I don't tell him how I slept in  front of the space heater to stay warm at night. It might freak him out.

"Okay, give it a test and tell me what you think."

He lies down on it and grins. "Not too bad really."

"See. Told ya."

"Since we don't have any shifts tomorrow and it's still early for a  Saturday night, do you want to go and grab a pizza? I know this great  place and I'm starved. And it's only a couple of blocks from the club I  was telling you about. We can stop there afterward and I'll introduce  you if you'd like."

"Yes! I'm hungry, too, and that sounds great."

We throw our coats on and go. The restaurant is busy but not extremely  so. We place our order and grab a booth as we drink our beers.

Eric likes to chat and tells me he's from a small town outside of the  city. He has a brother and sister, and his dad is an attorney. "Mom  stayed at home while we were growing up, but when we got to high school,  she pursued her passion for interior design. That's how I became  interested in it. She'd bring home fabric and paint samples and I went  crazy. I begged her to bring me along on jobs. So I studied it in  college."

"That's pretty cool. Why didn't you go to work with her?"

"Because she's in the burbs and I want to be here. I want to make a name  for myself-you know, on the commercial side of it with real estate  developers."

"I guess this is the place to be then."

They call out our order number and Eric goes to grab it. The pizza is  delicious and we practically inhale it. When we finish, we walk over to  the club.

It's a really cool place with a mixed crowd of twenty and thirty  somethings. Eric takes me to the bar and introduces me to Lucas. He's  tall, blond, and totally hot. Blue eyes the color of the sea draw me in  and I feel my mouth curving into a huge smile.

"Hi, I'm Vivienne."

"Nice to meet you. How much experience do you have?"

"Absolutely none."

His mouth drops open a bit. Clearly he wasn't expecting that response.  "We get super busy in here late and I need someone who can keep up."

I jump in and say, "I can learn. Fast. Ask Eric. He just trained me."

"She's right. She mastered the art of waiting tables in four days. You know how busy we get."

He taps his fingers on the bar. "You probably waited tables in college  or something. Everybody's done that before, at least once."

"I never had."

"Never?" His eyes narrow as he assesses me.

"Not once. The truth is I'm looking for a job in IT. My degree's in  Computer Science and Engineering and I'm trying to get back into my  field. Until then, I need the money."

"You really are a quick study then?" he asks. His skepticism appears to be fading.

"Eric can attest to it."

"I'll give you a trial run for a few days. If you can't pick it up, I'll  have to let you go. We'll do some week nights when we're not as busy."

"Perfect. When can I start?"

"We're closed on Sunday. Is Monday good?"

"Monday's perfect." Lucas and I shake hands and that's that. I have job  number two. And then I think of something. "Hey, Lucas, if I find my  real job, I'll give you fair warning, too."         

     



 

"Thanks, Vivienne."

"Call me Vivi."

Eric and I order a drink to toast my second job. "Thank you. You've been such a big help to me already."

"You're welcome. Here's to a long and fruitful friendship."

We clink our glasses together and drink. As Eric swallows, his eyes  bulge. At first I think he's choking, but when I go to slap his back, he  waves me off.

"You okay? I thought you were choking. I was getting ready to administer the Heimlich."

He doesn't answer, only stares. And then I know why. The heat warms me from behind and I know exactly who's standing there.

Without turning, I say, "Hello, Prescott. Care to join us?"





Chapter 14





Prescott





I walk into my favorite club, and who should I find sitting at the bar  but Vivi and her new little pal. It seems everything in my life is  centering around her these days. Not only is she fucking taking over my  thoughts, but now she's also invading my hangouts. She's probably going  to be using my personal stylist, massage therapist, and shopping in the  same stores I frequent before I even know it. Fuck, how will I cope?  Isn't that the question of the year?

Her little friend stares at me like he either wants to run or fuck me.  No, wait, that's not it  …  he's not sure how to tell her I'm here. It  makes me curious as to what she's told him about me. Probably that I'm a  giant prick, which would be accurate. Let's see if I can live up to my  description.

"I'd love to join you two, Vivi. Is this your new roommate? Eric, isn't it?"

"Yes. Eric, this is Prescott. Prescott, meet Eric." We shake hands and I  give him the death grip. He winces. Vivi kicks me. I give her my most  charming grin.

"So, how was the move from your elegant apartment, Vivi?"

"No need to be nasty. It was fine." Her lower lip sticks out a bit and I want to bite it.

"Are you nice and settled? All homey-like?" I wiggle my brows.

"What's up with you? Why are you being such a jerk?" she asks.

"Just living up to your opinion of me, I suppose. Eric, what type of  business are you in? Besides the waiting tables thing. Or is that your  lifelong ambition?"

"Prescott," she huffs.

"It's fine, Vivi. Actually, no. I'm an interior designer trying to get my business going."

"Ah, I see. Like that's a unique field."

"All right. I think we'd better leave, Eric. This place has become a little too nasty for my taste."

As she stands, I grab her wrist. "Eric, why don't you run along like a good little boy and let Vivi stay."

"Let's get something straight, Prescott. Nobody makes decisions for me. Now let go."

I unclamp my fingers and she straightens. "Come on, Eric."

I watch as they walk to the opposite end of the bar and speak with the  blond bartender who's in here all the time. Eric pays for the drinks and  they leave. I really was a bastard, but this is my hangout and maybe  they'll think twice about coming back in. I've also successfully burned  all my bridges with her. It's probably for the best. No use in keeping  any hopes open. I've thought about it since last night and realized that  Vivienne Renard will never give me a chance no matter what I do. So I  may as well let her see the man she thinks I am.

I sit at the table, crushed by my own actions. Eric is a nice guy, no  doubt. Vivi wouldn't be hanging out with him if he weren't. I reminded  myself of my father then, and it's a bitter pill to swallow. Anything  remotely similar to him makes me cringe.

"Hey, mind if I join you?" Glancing up, a redhead with big tits leans  toward me. She wears a low cut shirt that exposes even more of her ample  cleavage. They're globe-shaped and shoved high toward her chin, an  indication that her boobs are artificial. High-profile is the term I've  heard used to describe them and these definitely fit the bill. If they  were any higher, they'd bump her in the nose.

She doesn't wait for an answer before sitting down and moving into my space, a space I hadn't intended on sharing.

"Actually, I sort of wanted to be alone."

"Oh. Rough night, huh."

"Something like that."

"Maybe I can take the edge off for you." She offers me a knowing smile,  but I'm not in the mood. Funny thing, I haven't been in the mood ever  since I saw Vivi in that fucking coffee shop.

"I'm sure you could," I say noncommittally.

"And I'm damn good. You'd be a happy man for a long time." She licks her lips.