Just Like That

Oh. Holt as in, Holt Constructions. He wasn’t kidding when he said his friend owned the company.

“Andy, this is Mel.”

“We ascertained that.”

Pete flips him off, crossing to frown down at the blueprints. I can see they mean nothing to him. Not so much me. My eyes rove over them with interest.

“Residential or commercial?”

Andy comes to stand beside me, a smile playing over his lips, interest lighting his eyes.

“Residential. Ten floors of condos. Studio through to two four-bedroom penthouses. You read blueprints.”

“Mel’s thinking of starting an interior design business,” Pete comments, dropping my hand to toy with my hair. I blush, keeping my eyes glued to the blueprints on the desk. He sounds kind of…boastful. Like he’s proud and showing me off.

“Is she now?” Andy asks, sounding thoughtful.

“Yep. Thought she could use some introductions into the industry.”

My eyes widen. Shit. That’s why we’re here? My head snaps up, swiveling from one to the other. They trade looks, having a silent conversation above my head - the kind Bee and I used to have all the time - and Andy shrugs.

“I mean, we haven’t engaged an interior designer on this project yet.” He gestures to the blueprints. “I’d be happy to give you a trial run.”

“A-a trial?”

“Yeah, we’ve set up a studio and two-bedroom temporary showrooms on the floor below. To show potential buyers. They haven’t been painted or decorated yet. The flooring hasn’t been laid yet either. You can work with the guys to kit them out, soft furnishings, the works. If I’m happy with them, we can include your new company as the designer on the project to work with buyers to design their spaces.”

“You offer that service?” I’m surprised, not a lot of construction companies offer such a personalized service.

Andy shrugs. “We’re boutique and relatively small fish. We have to offer something to set us apart. We find this is something that appeals to potential buyers, to have that service included in the price.”

“I mean, that would be amazing. When can I start?”

Andy chuckles. “What’s your schedule like?”

“Uh, I graduate next week, but after that, I’m free as a bird.”

“Why don’t you come in the Monday after your graduation? I’ll let Barbara know you’re coming. Be prepared. She’s…something else.”

“I’d love that! Thank you so much!”

Andy nods, smiling, and claps Pete on the shoulder. “Now fuck off. I’m busy, and unlike you, I don’t have a fancy name to coast by on.”

Pete flips him off, taking my hand again as he leads me out of the office. I wait until we’re in the elevator alone to leap at him. Pete catches me, hungrily kissing me back.

“Not that I’m complaining,” he chuckles, “but what was that for.”

I grin up at him. “For believing in me. For helping me with my dream.”

Pete’s fingers stroke lightly over my cheekbone. “I’ll do everything in my power to help your dream, Tinker Bell. And I will always listen.”

He lowers his mouth to mine again, and I sigh happily, opening my lips to allow his tongue access. Could he be any more perfect?

PETE

Mel told me to meet her here. Her parents were supposed to be here too, but her mom’s best friend had a stroke. Mel told them to stay in Mt. Vernon and help where they were needed. She’s going to drive up to see them in a few weeks with pictures.

Because she was going to be without family, I wanted to pick her up and take her to lunch before the ceremony, but she was too nervous - and I think a little sad that Bee wasn’t here graduating with her. So I’m going to take her for dinner after. I’ve already organized the family table.

Finding a seat, I fix my eyes on the sea of capped and gowned students. I can’t spot Mel in the mix, but she’d be slightly to the front of the middle - being an L.

I can’t remember much of my graduation five years ago. My parents were there. There was a party to celebrate, then Andy and I hit up Cabo. I had been toying with taking Mel to Spain or somewhere for a graduation vacation, but she’s been so endearingly excited about starting work for Andy. She has sketches upon sketches of ideas for his showrooms. It’s adorable.

I have stayed at her apartment every night since I got her back. She’s slowly packing the place up, so it’s increasingly like living in a storeroom. Mel agreed to move in with me, but she keeps saying shit like it will only be temporary until I can find a place I can afford.

Fuck that. Once I get her in, she’s never leaving. I have a plan I am working on to make that a reality. Step one will go into effect today.

The speeches start - just as boring as those given at my graduation. I keep searching the backs of heads, trying to guess which one is Mel.

Finally, they start calling out names, and people make their way across the stage to receive their degrees one by one. I only care about one, though, clapping hard when Mel dances gracefully across the stage, grinning and laughing as she accepts her degree, shaking the Chancellor’s hand.

I go in search of her through the milling crowd after they throw their caps in the air.

“I did it!” she squeals, leaping into my arms and pressing an excited kiss to my lips. Laughing, I hug her tight.

“I’m so proud of you, Tinker Bell.”

“Let me get out of this heavy gown and fix my hair, and I’ll meet you in the drinks tent.”

I let her go, making my way through to the marquee tent set up on the lawn, collecting two glasses of mediocre sparkling wine, conversing as people recognize me, and come over. I’ve had two hard sells of law graduates who would be happy to take unpaid summer internships at Rampwood & Stein.

“Should I come back? You seem busy?” Mel’s teasing voice breaks through the current graduate listing his attributes.

“No,” I growl, handing her the plastic flute and hauling her against my side, anchoring her there, like a ward against more eager graduates. She giggles, snuggling against my side, sipping the sparkling wine like it isn’t tart and almost undrinkable.

“Drink up,” I murmur into her ear. “We’re going for a celebratory dinner.”

“Okay,” she giggles excitedly, taking another large sip. I take a mouthful, grimacing and swallowing it down.

“Mr. Rampwood?”

We turn at the photographer’s voice. He holds up his camera. Sighing, I keep Mel against my side, offering a smile as he snaps a shot.

“Thank you, Mr. Rampwood.”

Nodding, I turn back to Mel, thankful that she drains her flute and hands it to me.

“You haven’t finished yours.”

Smirking, I place them both on a server’s tray, taking Mel’s hand and leading her to the parking lot. “I’m waiting for the real stuff.”

She laughs, skipping along excitedly. I have to grin. Her excitement is bubbly and contagious. Andy always teases me that I’m too serious – middle-aged before I’ve even left my twenties – but I like the feeling I get around Mel. Like I feel lighter. Less pressure. She makes me feel carefree and happy. That’s why I’m in love with her. And why I need her to agree to stay with me forever. Time to put step one of that plan into action.

She smiles at the hostess as we walk into the restaurant, happily walking through the space and eagerly taking her seat overlooking the marina.

The waitress immediately brings over the bottle of champagne I called ahead about. She opens it with a flourish, pouring two flutes and melting away. I’ve pre-ordered so that they won’t appear with the menus. I’ve discovered Mel loves the idea of a surprise tasting menu. Tonight will be all surprise for her.

Saluting her with my glass, I grin. “Here’s to you. All graduated and starting your own business.”

Mel giggles, sipping her champagne, making her this is delicious face. It’s a face I would happily watch all day. It’s the sexiest thing.

“I haven’t started it yet. I don’t have any money.”

“Ah,” I smirk, reaching into the inside pocket of my suit jacket and removing the envelope that was dropped off at my office two days ago. I slide it across the table, and Mel’s eyebrows shoot up as she hesitantly picks it up.

Flipping it open, she peeks inside, her mouth dropping open before her wide eyes dart up to mine.

“That’s so much money! Is this real?” she breathes. I smirk at her, picking up my champagne flute again.

“Oh, it’s real, Tinker Bell. I told you I’d sort it.”

“Maybe I should send you in to organize things for me more often,” she murmurs, staring at the check again. I watch her process what this means for her company dream and carefully stow the envelope in her clutch purse.

“I have another gift for you.”

Mel’s eyes dart back to my face, and she grins mischievously. “Did you buy this one yourself?”

“I did.”

“Let’s see it then.”

Reaching back into my pocket, I pull out the other envelope, this one thicker and heavier. Mel blinks as I slide it across the table, picking it up in confusion. When she looks inside, her frown deepens, and she pulls out the checkbook, holding it up.

“Your checkbook?” She flips through it, frowning. “I don’t get it.”

“It’s a blank checkbook,” I hint.

“Yeah, I can see that. Is this a Rampwood thing?”

I smirk. That’s Mel code for a rich people thing. “No. It’s a Pete thing.”

“You’re going to have to explain it to me, sorry.” She grimaces, still holding up the checkbook.

“My graduation present to you is a blank checkbook to redecorate my condo.”

Mel’s eyes widen, dropping back to the checkbook as her mouth opens.

“Seriously?” she breathes.

“Seriously. You can do it in your downtime from starting your business. You can even set up one of the rooms as your office before you find a commercial space to suit you.”

“This is the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me.”

“I want you to be comfortable there. It’s going to be your home too.”

She tries to hide her smile, but I see it anyway. I think step one in my get Mel to live with me forever plan is a success. Time for step two.