“I don’t remember your name on the guest list,” Finn said. “A late addition?”
“That’s right,” Jerome answered quickly. “Laurie called me to fill an empty seat.”
“And I ordered him to bring his checkbook for the auction,” she added, jabbing his ribs with her elbow. “Do you have it?”
“Right here.” He patted the chest of his tux. “What do you want me to buy for you?”
“I have my heart set on this Bach tour in Germany,” Laurie said. “Of course I’ll have to take a boat to cross the ocean.”
“Still don’t like flying?” Jerome asked.
For some reason it irritated Finn that Jerome knew this intimate secret about her.
“It’s ten days, all over Germany,” said Laurie, “and you get to walk in Bach’s footsteps. The tour guide is an organist who plays Bach compositions on the organs in each of the churches where Bach composed the pieces.”
“A Bach tour?” Finn pulled the auction program from his inside coat pocket. “I don’t remember that being an auction item.”
“Page two. Fifth item. See it? You don’t know about it because I got the donation all on my own. It includes a two-day trip to Warsaw at the end, for a Chopin tour.” She practically danced on her toes. It was the trip of her dreams, and Finn wasn’t about to let some other man take her. Especially one who might’ve been abusive.
“It’s a trip for two. Are you planning to go with her?” Finn gave Jerome a measuring look. “You’re a fan of Bach?”
“Sure I am.” Jerome stuck out his jaw. “I love the Moonlight Sonata.”
“That’s Beethoven,” Laurie said, with a chuckle, as if the mistake wasn’t a travesty. “I helped you learn this for Music Appreciation class at State. Remember? Moonlight has nine letters and so does Beethoven.”
“Bach. Beethoven. Same difference. Both start with a B.”
Laurie seemed to think Jerome was hilarious.
Finn disagreed.
When new arrivals forced Finn to resume his duties at the banquet room door, Laurie’s wound-up muscles finally relaxed. He’d been a lot more antagonistic than Laurie expected. Especially since Jerome hadn’t said or done anything remotely romantic.
“I guess this job pays pretty well,” said Jerome. “That ice around your neck must be worth fifty grand.”
“Four times that,” Laurie corrected, holding up a trembling hand. “And these earrings are a hundred grand and this ring is about a quarter of a million.
“Is that an engagement ring?”
“No, it’s an auction item, and I have to model it. That’s why I’m wearing it on my right hand.” She checked the necklace clasp, yet again, to be sure it was secure. “I have to wear this set all night. Any other woman would probably love it, but I’m scared to death. I’m supposed to be walking around showing it to all the women, but I’m thinking I should stay here and let them come to me.”
“We can’t stay.” He glanced over his shoulder toward Finn, who appeared to have
one eye glued to Laurie while he welcomed another donor to the event. “We need to hide from that boss of yours. I get the distinct feeling he doesn’t like me. Does he have something against blacks?”
“Maybe he hates football players,” she teased.
“That’s worse.” He winked and gave her an affectionate squeeze.
“It’s not because you’re black. He likes me, just fine.”
“Yeah, but you look more Hispanic. You’ve always taken after your mom.”
“Whatever. He’s not prejudiced. He’s just…” She hesitated to reveal their almost-relationship. “He tends to be a bit overprotective, and he doesn’t know you’re my brother.”
“We probably shouldn’t make it public, yet.” Jerome frowned, rubbing the neatly trimmed beard that contrasted with his shaved head. “You don’t need to work for a jerk like that. You can be my personal assistant. I’ll double your salary.”
“Wow. What would my job be? Trimming your fingernails?” She rolled her eyes. “No offense, but I didn’t get my MBA to be your personal assistant.”