CHAPTER FIFTEEN Chad

"You look nice, honey," Mom whispered in my ear, inhaling deeply after hugging me. "And you smell great, too."

"I forgot to wear the pink polo," I said. "I know you wanted me to."

She backed away and surveyed my outfit. "This yellow tank top flatters you as well."

"By the way, I'm not interested in Mr. Hicks, Mom," I insisted, following her back to the kitchen.

"I know that, but I think it'll be nice to get to know our new neighbor. And, you never know."

"I know," I stated. "Plus, the man thinks I'm nuts."

"Did he say that?" she asked. I shook my head. He actually hadn't. "See? You're wrong already."

Just then, I noticed our guest's car arriving through the kitchen window. "He didn't even walk over," I complained. "What a snob."

"Alex?" Mom yelled. "Our guest is here." She slapped my butt and pointed to the front entry. "I'm sure he isn't a snob," she corrected. "Now hurry and go greet Mr. Hicks, honey."

Dad came around the corner. "I've got it," he yelled.

I motioned in his direction. "See? Dad has it," I said, heading for a sofa and away from the kitchen. I'd decided to lie low during our guest's visit. I'd already witnessed how judgmental he could be and planned on avoiding being tonight's target.

"Get in here," Mom hissed, motioning toward me. I shook my head and grabbed a Sports Illustrated magazine off the coffee table and pretended to be engrossed in a sports story. Mr. Judgie didn't need to know that I knew absolutely nothing about sports.

I heard Dad greet our guest and listened as they exchanged compliments. Mr. Hicks was going on about how much he loved the way our house sat above the ocean and the amazing landscaping in front. Dad was sure to tell him that I had designed and installed the landscaping myself as a senior in high school.

Dad was busy kissing his client's ass about what a wise choice it was for Mr. Hicks to purchase the neighboring house. "I believe it'll be a terrific long-term investment, Cole."

My father and my friend Perry were cut from the same cloth and, coincidentally, both had a business relationship with Mr. Hicks. My father was an early investor and advisor for his software innovation, and Perry managed his assets. Frankly, I was exhausted with how the world was so money-obsessed.

"I agree with you, Alex," Mr. Hicks replied. "I'm enjoying the beauty and the quiet of a smaller city. Being from New York City, the peace has been wonderful."

Our guest came into the large area where the kitchen, dining room, and an open rec room were located. The space was oversized and casual. Mom preferred her formal areas to be on the other end of the house. As a family, we ate, relaxed, and lived in this giant room that was surrounded by windows, affording a spectacular view of the Atlantic Ocean.

"Chad," my father began, moving to Mr. Hicks' side. "Our dinner guest is here."

I wanted to remain seated and blend in with the furniture, but knew how disappointed Dad would be with that type of behavior. Plus, I was raised better than that and genuinely appreciated good manners.

I came to my feet and crossed the room. "Hello, Mr. Hicks. And welcome." I held out my hand even though we'd previously met. "My mother has prepared a terrific dinner that you will love. I can promise you that."

He took my hand and, surprisingly, held it for a moment too long before letting go. Our eyes connected, but neither set gave a single emotion away. He was a handsome man, and all of his attributes were on full display. His upper body was barely concealed by a form-fitting black T-shirt, where his chest and biceps were the stars of the show. Casual golf slacks hugged his thighs and stretched around something obvious. I diverted my eyes before they widened with desire at my discovery.

"I'm sure of that," he effused, turning to smile at Mom. She beamed in return. Who wouldn't? The man was spectacular to look at. "But please call me Cole. May I call you Chad?"

"You sure can," I said, heading back to the sofa before Mom cut me off and herded me to the kitchen island. She had a board full of delights to show off and, apparently, I was going to attend the unveiling.

"I was telling your father how stunning the front yard looks," he began. "The landscaping looks like it was done by a professional, but he said you did all that, Chad. Is that true?"

"I did," I stated, waving him off like it was no big deal. "I drew it all up and organized the types of plants as well as the layout. I couldn't do it all by myself, though. Pops was nice enough to employ some extra helpers for that summer, and voilà!"

"Truly stunning," he repeated.

"Thank you, Cole," I responded, wondering if I sounded phony with my gracious host dialogue attempt. "What can I get you to drink?" I asked, doing my best to impress Dad's client and Mom's apparent bachelor charity case for her ladies' tennis group.

"Mineral water to start," he replied. "I'll see how I do before I risk my behavior with alcohol."

Mom slid her arm through his and moved him to the island. Like I said, she had a work of art laden with her prized organic goodies to show off. "You must sample the local cheese," she cooed. "I'll make sure you know where to purchase the best cheese and the freshest produce in town," she added.

I returned with a glass of mineral water and a lime twist. Cole raised his eyebrows at his drink. "Everything okay, Cole?" I inquired.

He took the offered drink and raised his eyebrows at me. "Most folks go with a lemon twist. How'd you know I preferred lime?" he asked.

I tapped the side of my head and grinned. "Intuition, I suppose," I answered, staring directly into his dark blue eyes. His eyes narrowed for a millisecond before he gathered himself. He'd understood the subtle dig.

"Chad fancies himself as a bit of an intuitive soul," Dad mentioned, eavesdropping and attempting to keep his disapproval from showing. "We indulge him because quite often he's spot on."

"Thank you for that, Dad," I replied. "I appreciate the support."

Cole glanced toward Dad. "I witnessed it firsthand, Alex," he stated. "Initially, I was caught off guard by his refreshing take on life, but I'm becoming a believer," he added, holding up the crystal glass of water. He plopped an olive into his mouth from Mom's board, moving it to the inside of his cheek, a sly grin on his face. Mom was pleased. For what, I wasn't sure. Was it the eating of the olive or was it the way he smiled at me?

I was shocked at him jumping right into the reason he'd fired me. I hadn't planned on him going anywhere near the matter. In fact, I was perplexed that he was actually standing in our house. If I was him and had fired someone's kid from a job, I sure as heck wouldn't be in their home, eating and visiting.

"Trust me," Mom began. "You have no idea what Chad can sense. We used to be worried about him, but we've come to see it as a real gift."

Cole was nonplussed by Mom's glowing assessment of my unusual nature. "I could have used advance notice though, Maggie, because I think I blew it with Chad the very day I met him," he said, keeping his gaze on me. "He reminds me of someone very dear to me, and I think I may have overreacted because of that."

I smiled at him. "I'm not one to hold grudges, Mr. Hicks," I said. I stepped to his side and handed him a small appetizer plate that Mom had stacked alongside her wonderful spread. "How about you make my mother happy and load this up," I said.

Mom and Dad watched me carefully. I'm sure they wondered if I was being a smart-ass or my usual cordial self. "Handsome and polite," Cole said. He turned to my parents. "You've obviously done a terrific job with this one," he complimented.

"We had to. He's our only one. And when he's on his best behavior, Chad can be hard not to love," Mom stated. "I'd watch yourself with my son, Cole," she advised. "He's quite something when you get to know him."

I frowned at my mother's obvious attempt at matchmaking. "Then I suppose it's a good thing that I'm quite a bit older than he is," he answered brazenly. I was surprised he was so open about his sexuality, but I knew my folks and they'd gathered all the intel.

"I wouldn't be too con…" Mom started to reply, but I held up a finger.

"I've got this, Mom," I interrupted, before facing Cole. "Age is of no consequence to me when it comes to matters of the heart, Cole," I began. "A loving and spiritual being is ageless."

Dad cleared his throat. "I warned you, Cole," he remarked. "Maggie, can we please eat before Chad scares our guest away?"

"No worries, Alex," Cole said, slowly moving the lime around the rim of his glass. "I've had experience with these types. And I'm quite enjoying discovering another."

Mom quickly glanced at me. She'd heard it too.

Maybe I had misjudged this Mr. Hicks fella.