G-Men: The Series (91 page)

I gave him a hand gesture that was definitely not mom-approved. “One of your own, huh?” I playfully tossed a few couch pillows at him.

“Sorry, sorry,” he laughed, shielding himself from the barrage of pillows. “But hey—we can still hang out, yeah?”

I loved the idea of having a gay male BFF.

Let’s be honest here, folks. It’s every girl’s
dream
to have a gay guy bestie, right? I mean, I’m a huge fan of “Sex in the City.” Carrie Bradshaw had Stanford Blatch; Charlotte York had Anthony Marantino and I definitely wanted a Stanford Blatch or an Anthony Marantino of my own!

“I don’t know,” I said in a teasing voice. “Are you sure you won’t mind hanging out with a straight female?”

“Mind? Of course I don’t mind. Every gay guy wants a gorgeous, straight, female to drink daiquiris with him poolside. It’s the American dream. You’re like the ultimate hot-guy bait. Don’t you know anything, girl?”

“Well, now that we’ve settled
that
, let’s go meet my folks.”

“Showtime!” Eli said, taking my hand as we left to walk down the beach to their condo.

Dinner with Mom and Daddy went well. They both seemed to like Eli a lot. Daddy and Eli talked sports (yes, gay guys enjoy football like anyone else). It was nice having Eli with us because Mom didn’t bring up Darin’s name at all. I was grateful for that. I knew she presumed Eli was a romantic interest for me, which was fine. I didn’t feel any explanation was necessary.

After dinner, they invited us back to their condo to play euchre. Mom poured a glass of wine for all of us, and it was adding to the buzz I’d gotten at dinner. I wasn’t used to wine. I was never sure how it would hit me. I realized it was affecting my ability to play euchre when Daddy sighed for the third or fourth time at my throws. He was so damn competitive at everything.

“Let’s change partners, Denise,” he suggested. “You take Darcy; Eli’s mine.” For some reason, that struck my funny bone and I started giggling uncontrollably. I felt Eli kick my brand new pair of Prada’s from underneath the table.

“Darcy, are you alright?” Mom asked, her brow furrowed in concern.

“Squueeekhehe,” I giggled, nodding my head up and down affirmatively.

“No more wine for her, Denise,” Daddy replied, taking a serious tone. I changed places with Eli and we started the next game. We were just a few rounds into it when a loud, banging noise against the wall started. It was rhythmic, getting louder and faster and then the moaning started.

“Oh dear God, Martin, they’re at it again,” my mother hissed, throwing her playing cards down on the table. I looked over at Eli and saw a slow grin appear. The female was moaning loudly and as she continued on, her tone got shriller.

“I swear that broad’s going to break glass one of these times,” my father said with a laugh, shaking his head.

“Martin!” my mother scolded. “We have guests.”

“Then they’ll hear for themselves in about twenty seconds.” We all strained now to listen and sweet
Jesus,
my father was right! That bitch’s moans reached a high soprano pitch that rivaled anything Renee Fleming could’ve belted out.

“Are you sure there’s even a man in there with her?” I asked, giggling. “All you can hear is her screeching and moaning.”

“Oh yes,” Daddy answered; “Trust me, he has his moments too.”

“I mean, the vulgarity they scream,” my mother commented again. “Disgusting.”

Everything had pretty much quieted down next door for the time being. I wasn’t in the mood to continue playing cards.

“I’m really sorry you had to hear all of that, Eli,” my mother said, patting his shoulder.

Ahh…Geez. She probably thinks it gave him ideas.

“I’m tired of cards, Eli. Let’s go out on the terrace. I could use some salt air to sober up a bit,” I said with a sigh.

“Great idea, darling,” my mom replied, starting to clear the table. “You two enjoy the ocean view. It’s spectacular.”

I found my shoes under the table where I’d kicked them off and slid back into them. Eli held my chair out for me like a perfect gentleman. He was scoring so many points with my parents. I could tell by the looks of approval that passed between them all evening. I had to bite my lip to keep from laughing out loud at the thought.

Eli opened the French doors leading out onto the large terrace, and I walked out onto the wooden floor. We could hear the waves splashing against the break wall on the beach. The stars were out, casting their reflection against the ocean. It was magnificent.

“Mmm,” I sighed, leaning against the rail as we both looked out over the water. “I love the beach, the ocean, the sand—all of it. I so envy you. You get to work here all year round.”

“I haven’t got the job yet, and I have no applicable experience. It’s kind of a long shot.”

“Yeah, but I mean they wouldn’t have flown you here unless you had a good chance of being hired, right?”

“Wrong. I paid my own way. Nothing’s guaranteed.”

“What will you do if you aren’t selected then?”

“I’m not sure. I don’t have a Plan B yet.”

“You could always move to D.C., you know? I’m sure my father could use you in his business. That’s where I’m going to work after graduation.”

“What kind of business is it?”

“He owns a consulting firm for international marketing and communication. He founded it more than twenty-five years ago. It’s called “Sheridan and Associates.” I’m going to be one of the associates soon. My father promised me a position before he retires. He eventually wants me to run the whole show there.”

Eli let out an impressed whistle. “That must be nice…to have a career waiting for you. I don’t know, we’ll see,” he shrugged. “I have my heart set on staying here, you know? I studied International Culture and can speak Spanish fluently. I’m not sure those skill sets would fit your father’s business.”

“What do you mean? You’re bi-lingual and he does international marketing, for Christ’s sake! Of course you’d be a great fit. I mean, it’s something to consider as a Plan B, right?”

“Sure, sweetie. Hey, do you wanna do something for New Year’s Eve?”

“
Hell
yeah. I have the perfect outfit.”

“Somehow, I knew that,” he chuckled, giving me a hug. It was in that brief moment of silence we both heard a male voice clear his throat from the next-door terrace. I leaned over the rail just a bit to have a look.

Oh. My. God.

I felt my heart race as E.J.’s eyes looked over into mine and a slow, sardonic grin graced his handsome face. I realized that he’d been out there the whole time, eavesdropping on our conversation. Holy shit! I backed up quickly so the wall between the two terraces obscured his view of me.

“What?” Eli mouthed to me, looking confused. I didn’t answer him, just shook my head, putting my index finger up to stay quiet. A moment later, I heard the terrace door from next-door open and a female voice.

“Are you coming in to bed?”

“Be right there, Lacee,” his soft, sexy voice replied.

Skank!

I turned and went back inside the condo, Eli following behind me, still trying to figure out what the hell was going on. “I’ll tell you about it when we walk back to my villa. I’m ready to go.”

We said goodnight to my parents, who ended up inviting Eli to breakfast the following morning. Seriously, I was pretty sure I was going to have a sore jaw the following morning from trying to hold back all the laughter at the thought that my parents were currently thinking Eli and I were some kind of an “item.”

Eli and I walked down the beach towards my place. I told him about my meeting up with E.J. and introducing myself as ‘Nicole,’ and the rest of it.

“Is there someone special in your life?” I asked, after we’d walked several paces in silence.

“There was,” he replied. “It was over before I left Denver, though. I guess I came here for the same reason as you, to heal. Only difference is, I want to remain here permanently. There’s no way I’m going back to Denver.”

I looked over at him, tucking a stray piece of hair behind my ear. “Then don’t,” I replied. “Seriously, if this thing doesn’t work out for you, you should come and work for my dad with me in D.C. The guy friggin’ loves you, and Denver doesn’t want you anymore.”

He nudged me in the ribs, and I gave him a wink.

“So,” I said with finality in my tone, “if the job interview doesn’t go well, I’m considering you as a gift shop item and am taking you back to D.C. with me.”

I really liked Eli. He was easygoing, gorgeous, and I just felt, I don’t know…
effortless
around him. Like I didn’t have to try and impress him. Plus, I kind of wanted to see the girls at the office completely fall all over themselves as they’d try to get him to go out with them.

I may just have to bring my camcorder.

“Yes, ma’am,” he said with a salute and a grin. We’d reached my villa by this time.

“Be by early in the morning to pick you up for breakfast. Sleep well.”

“Night, Eli,” I said, closing the door to my villa behind me. “You do the same.”

^{chapter 4}

Of course I wasn’t completely ready the following morning when Eli came by the villa to pick me up for breakfast. I invited him in while I rushed to finish up with my make-up.

“Okay, I’m ready,” I said, slipping my sandals on as Eli opened the door for me, following me outside the villa.

Now timing’s a funny thing. If this was a movie, who do you think would be jogging past my villa on the path, looking totally sexy and hot, just as Eli was closing the door behind us at this early morning hour? You guessed it: E.J. And he was without his skank, Lacee. He looked over at me and Eli and in that brief second I could’ve sworn a dark scowl crossed over his face. And then he was gone.

Breakfast with Mom and Dad went well. They were taking to Eli as if he was going to be their son-in-law some day. I supposed eventually I’d have to explain the relationship. Now wasn’t the right time.

My Dad coached him on his interview scheduled for this afternoon with the resort. They were chatting together as if they’d known each other forever. My mother was talking to me about going shopping this afternoon—my favorite thing. She mentioned having dinner tonight, alone, which was kind of strange. I was sure they loved Eli, so I was sure it had nothing to do with them giving me some sort of parental lecture on “taking things slowly.” It sounded as if they wanted to have some sort of a serious discussion with me.

Mom and I shopped all afternoon. I’d told Eli to call me later in the day to let me know how his interview had gone. He promised he would. Back at the villa, I had some time to kill before meeting my folks for dinner, so I called Lindsey. I missed my BFF, since I hadn’t talked to her in over a week.

When she answered the phone, I heard all kinds of chaos in the background.

“Hey Darce, where the hell you been?” she asked, with an irritated tone

“Your phone works as well as mine,” I responded with a laugh.

“I know that. I guess I just wasn’t’ sure what to say to you. I mean, I hate what Darin did to you and trust me, I told Taz everything and he’s royally pissed. I had to beg him to just stay out of it and not say a word to Darin. You don’t need that S.O.B. thinking that he broke your heart or anything.”

“Thanks, Linds. Actually, I’m thinking maybe he didn’t break my heart after all.”

“Oh?”

“No, it’s not like what you’re thinking. I haven’t met anyone else. Well, actually I
have
met a really great guy, but he’s gay.”

“Shut up!” she shrieked. “What are you thinking?”

“I’m thinking that it’s really great having a male BFF, that’s what I’m thinking.”

“He’s not going to replace me, right?”

“No one could replace you.” I was hearing all kinds of commotion in the background, including a dog barking furiously. “Where the hell are you?”

“Oh,” she laughed, “we’re over at Mom and Slate’s. Mom bought a puppy for Bryce. She thought it would help him kind of get over his jealousy thing with the new baby. The dog’s hyper as hell and Slate’s having a fit. Want me to call you later?”

“That’s okay, Linds. I’m going to dinner with my folks. They came in from Cancun yesterday and we’re hanging out. I’ll talk to you as soon as I get back to D.C. I’ve got a lot to tell you.”

“I can hardly wait. I’m so happy you’re dealing with all of this. I miss you!”

“Miss you too. Give Harper a kiss for me and tell Taz hey.”

“I’ll do it. Love you.”

I smiled after our call ended. I was ready to go back. I no longer feared seeing Lindsey, Taz or anyone else that reminded me of Darin. How could this be? Why did I no longer feel destroyed and heartbroken? Maybe it was meeting Eli, or the feelings that I’d felt when I met E.J. that provided proof that I hadn’t really loved Darin the way I thought.

As I reflected, I realized that I’d never once felt the butterflies in my gut that I felt when I was with E.J. that evening. I thought that it was just about a good ol’ rebound fuck, now I knew that it was something different. It was something very foreign to me and I liked the fact that it was scary on top of that. I wanted to pursue those types of feelings, and the way I looked at it, if it happened with some stranger hundreds of miles away, it could happen again with an appropriate man. I wasn’t into pining for man-whores and that’s exactly what E.J. seemed to be.