Possessive Best Friend

“No, you can’t,” I say. “And you only do it when you either want something or want to check up on something. So let’s get to the point.”

He laughs but doesn’t look offended, even though I might want it to annoy him just a little bit. “All right, all right. Well, you know how we’re working on opening a new car wash up on Spruce?”

I nod. “Yeah. I saw the construction, it’s coming along.”

“Well, there’s a problem with the permit now. Can you fucking believe it?”

I laugh. “You’re on the council. Give yourself a permit.”

“Fucking can’t. Some asshole is making my life hard.” He shakes his head. “I know it’s those Lofthouse bastards. They hate that some of us little people are starting to grow out from under their shadow.”

I sigh. “I doubt it, Dad. I mean, do you really think they even notice you?”

“Of course they do,” he growls. “I’m a damn councilor.”

“They don’t mess with politics.”

He rolls his eyes. “That’s what they say.”

“It’s the truth.”

“You’re always so quick to defend that damn family. Just because you were friendly with that one girl, what’s her name? And suddenly you think you know best.”

“Lora,” I say. “And I’m just reporting what I know.”

“Well, take your old man’s side for once, will you?”

I sigh. “Fine. The Lofthouse family sucks. Good?”

“Great.” He grins at me. “Anyway, they’re giving me trouble about that car wash. Something about how the permit only allows one car at once? But we’re building a double, that’s the whole point.”

“Why?” I ask. “There aren’t enough cars in Loftville that need washing.”

He snorts. “You see how many damn trucks there are around here? Look, it’ll be profitable, trust me.”

“Fine, sure, whatever. I don’t know what I can do about your permit issue, though.”

“I don’t either, but I’m putting you on it. I’m sick and tired of dealing with that office, and besides, they’re starting to act like I’m being unethical. Me, unethical, it’s insane. But fine, sure, it’s on you now.”

I close my eyes for a moment and rub them. “Are you sure?” I say. “You have a million cronies that’ll be happy to win some points. Get one of them to do it.”

“Nope, it’s got to be someone I trust, and I don’t trust anyone more than you.” He grins at me. “So go get ‘em, son.”

“Fine,” I say.

He stands up. “Glad you’re on board. Hey, when it’s up and running, how about you manage it?”

I hesitate. “That’s a nice offer.”

“Think about it. I’ll add that on to your salary. Hell, if you want, you can be co-owner.”

I raise an eyebrow. “Really?”

“Really. I’ll put your name on it and everything. You run it yourself.”

“I’ll think about it.”

“Good. Think about it while you get that permit for me.”

“I will.”

He nods and leaves my office. I sit there and stare at my blank screen before pulling up Facebook again.

Lora Lofthouse.

She really does look good. She looks like her old self, and she’s always been really pretty, but she filled out now. Her figure is incredible and I couldn’t help but sneak looks at her long, lean legs in that short skirt of hers. And when she put her hand on my chest, I almost grabbed her wrist and pulled her against me.

I know she would’ve liked it. I know she would’ve kissed me back.

But I wasn’t sure if it was the beer talking or not. So I let it slide.

I won’t make that mistake a second time.

I take out my phone and pull up her number.Me: You make it home alive last night?

Lora: Yes, unfortunately.

Me: Oh, must be so hard waking up in that huge house.

Lora: Do you have any clue how far I have to walk to get to the kitchen so my private French chef can make me breakfast?

Me: I forgot. At least it’s keeping you in shape. Very, very good shape.

Lora: Ha ha. What’s up?

Me: I’m at work, like always. My dad just offered me co-ownership of some car wash, but it’s got all this bureaucratic red tape around it so I think he’s just dumping off an annoying project he doesn’t want to deal with anymore.

Lora: That’s still good, right? Like, you’ll own part of it?

Me: Yeah, sort of, I guess.

Lora: Congrats! Let’s celebrate!

Me: You’ll use any excuse you can to see me again, huh?

Lora: Don’t ruin this.

Me: Fair enough.

Me: I’ll pick you up tomorrow at, like, three.

Lora: Ooh, a Saturday afternoon date? What do you have planned?

Me: You’ll see. I think it’s time to introduce you to life in Loftville.

Lora: I’m intimately familiar with it already.

Me: No, you’re definitely not.

Lora: Should I be worried?

Me: Yes. But you’re going to like it.I grin and put my phone away.

I’m not going to use Lora or the Lofthouse family to get the permit. I’ll figure out some other way to do that. But I am going to take her out and show her a good time.