Chapter 8: Cal

Chapter Eight

CAL

I let my hand slide down her frame to rest at the small of her back. She doesn't move away from my touch, and there was a moment that I felt like she was leaning into it. It's a positive sign. The next step is moving us from fake fiancé to real marriage, and I have a feeling that there will be an opportunity at the co-op board meeting to make that happen. Harlow might not be ready, but I'm not about to let her slip through my fingers. I'll wait for her to adjust, but she needs to be tied in the meantime.

"The board is kind of intimidating, but I know several of them from the years of visiting Grams. She was well-liked, and I think their main hesitation in allowing me to live here is that I'm single without a big income. They're worried I'll bring in a renter or worse."

"What falls into the worse category?"

"Maybe that I'll start selling drugs?" She shrugs. "I'm not really sure. They just said that I needed to show that I was a stable resident, and when I asked how, Gertie said if I was married that would be enough."

"Not just engaged?" Things are already moving toward my plan.

"People are engaged for years. Gertie can't expect me to get married tomorrow or even a month from tomorrow." She looks over her shoulder with a reassuring smile. "I promise I'm not trying to lure you into marriage. We just need to pretend to be engaged for this meeting and then when my residency is approved, we'll break up. Of course, I won't tell Gertie right away. I'll just say you are off on business."

"Or I could move in."

She stumbles. "What?"

"If Gertie needs more convincing, I'll move in."

"I, ah, don't think that will be necessary."

It will be when I'm done with the co-op board. "Let's hear what they have to say," I reply noncommittally.

"This is bad," Harlow moans when we reach the library section of the building. By the doors, the woman from the lobby is gesturing wildly to a white-haired woman whose hair is tightly knotted at the base of her neck. Looks painful. This must be Gertie Calipe, co-op board president.

From Trident's research, Gertie has a rival in Bob Ives. Bob has been trying to unseat Gertie for five years now, but she has a strong voting block due to her cribbage club. All of floors three and four get together on Sundays and play cribbage all afternoon. Trident said that there was a lot of money passed around, and he suspected that cribbage was just a cover for bribes. That didn't bother me. It opened up new possibilities. If I couldn't win people over with my charm, then I'll buy them off, starting with Gertie herself. If she's bribing two whole floors in this five-story building, she will appreciate an influx of cash.

"Don't worry. It's just one vote." And who knows, maybe this woman would be open to being bought off, too. There's rarely anyone who isn't for sale these days.

"Gertie's the president. If this woman can sway her, I'm doomed."

"Let's see what she has to say. Maybe she's complaining about the plumbing."

Harlow is unconvinced.

I slide my hand from the small of back to her waist and give her a squeeze. She leans into me again. I don't know if she realizes how she's already relying on me. Her subconscious is ready to accept me. "Introduce me."

"Right. Excuse me, Gertie," she calls out.

Both women turn toward us. Gertie cocks her head in interest. The blonde scowls. "It's her." Blondie points a quivering finger in our direction. I step forward and move in front of Harlow. I'm not a fan of my woman being targeted even if Blondie is harmless.

"Gertie Calipe, how have you been? Haven't seen you since the Children's Relief Fund Ball five years ago." It was the only event Trident could find where Gertie and I had attended at the same time. We've never met, but it was five years ago, and if she had said it to me, I'd have pretended to remember, which is what I suspect she'll do now.

"Calix Line. I've been well. How is your aunt?"

Well, shit. Do she and Aunt Gia know each other? "She's good."

"I heard you cancelled a luncheon appointment with her."

That was the day I saw Harlow and agreed to be her fiancé. "Something important came up. I'll make it up to her."

"Hmmm." Gertie must think I'm mistreating Aunt Gia, which means I'll have to convince my aunt to make a call on my behalf. I'm racking up favors owed like an out of control drunk at a blackjack machine. "And your parents? Are they still in Italy?"

"You can't drag Mom away from Lake Como." It's easier for her to feed her addiction there. You can get anything delivered by boat these days.

"Since it's been five years, maybe we will see you again this year."

"I'd like to, but I don't know if the crowd will be friendly."

"Your donations are always welcome."

Gertie's set her price, but she's for sale, as if I ever doubted it. "I'll make sure that I make one this year that won't embarrass Aunt Gia."

A satisfied smile settles onto Gertie's face. "Are you here to buy Harlow's grandmothers unit?" She shifts her gaze around me toward Harlow. "I didn't realize it was for sale."

"It's not." I draw a silent Harlow to my side. "Harlow and I are engaged."