Chapter 66
Night Moves
Mike could have stayed at home since Martin and Randi were out of town, but here he sat in his car looking at the mansion. After a minute or two he got out of the car carrying the pizza he had picked up on the way home and walked toward the house.
Roger was doing a great job with the website and Mike was pleased with the results. When Celia’s mother had first mentioned that Roger was a talented website designer, Mike had doubted that anything would come of it, but he’d been wrong.
Roger had taken pictures and taped interviews for the website and had even produced a few online commercials. With a new venue for advertising, a new and different audience would be reached. Hopefully, this would mean an increase in car sales as well as more work for the Service and Parts Department.
As a family surprise, Mike had worked up a job offer for Roger. He would have a base salary with commission. He’d be in charge of web-design and advertising for all five locations.
The job would be a six-week trial but Mike was willing to guess his investment would not return void. At the worst, he’d be out three grand on a cheap venture. He knew, in his own way, he was trying to pave the way to keep Celia in California. He just hoped that his plans were not too obvious.
“I hope my son didn’t gab your ear off tonight but I’ll echo his enthusiasm and appreciation for you giving him this chance,” Celia’s mother said as she helped Mike carry their plates and glasses to the sink.
“You’re more than welcome. He appears to be a hard worker and came up with the idea of making videos and commercials on his own. It’s one reason I wanted to give him this opportunity. I hope he’ll come up with more great ideas.”
“I used to think playing with so many gadgets was a waste of his time. I’ve learned since then that we all have our own talents and we can’t fit in boxes to try to suit other people. I think he’ll be a fine employee, just don’t ask him to change the oil in any of your cars. The boy is not a mechanic. If I can ever return the favor in any way, please, just ask.”
“Duly noted, and I hate to call in that favor so quickly but if you could find some task for Roger that might keep him busy for a couple of hours, I would really appreciate it.”
“Say no more,” Vicky said, and with that she headed out to the pool. Mike wasted no time in going to the back bedroom where he kept his clothes. He changed into a white shirt and jeans, and by the time he made his way to the pool, no one was there but Celia - just as he had hoped.
“You know how to put a smile on our faces,” she said, as he approached carrying two glasses of tea, “and, you know how to clear a room.”
“All in a days work,” he said, as he sat a glass of tea in front of her and kissed her on the cheek. He set his own glass of tea on the table, pulled a chair closer to Celia and sat down. “Roger was ecstatic.”
“He sure was, and I can’t thank you enough. We’re both looking for something permanent and that’s a good start. Mom and I were talking today and she’d like to talk Dad into moving out here. The winters are going to be harder on them as they get older, and I want to spend more time with them.”
“Roger and his ideas are a good investment, and I understand what you mean about your parents. I made a dinner date with mine today. You get to a point in your life where it just hits you, they’re not going to be around forever.”
“I know. I hate to think about it, and the time I’ve wasted. The time we could have spent together, the things we could have done. I don’t like to dwell on the past, but if I could go back in time, I would change so much.”
“I know, but we can’t. We can only change from this moment on.”
“Then it’s time to start,” Celia said resolutely.
Mike smiled. “I agree. How does seven sound?”
“Seven . . . What do you mean?”
“Dinner with my parents this Friday evening at seven. Did I forget to tell you your presence is requested?” Mike took a drink of tea, giving her a smile over the top of the glass.
“Yes, you forgot to mention that important fact. I can’t go meet them. Look at me. I’m in a wheelchair. And we are not to the point where we start meeting each others families.”
“Why not? I’ve met your mother, and to be honest, I met your dad, too. So, it’s your turn. We can move the time up if that would help. My parents are not picky at all. But I must say, Mother is excited to hear there is a lady in my life. And as for the wheelchair, you won’t be in it forever and I can help you in and out. No excuses, young lady. It’s time we start forgetting the past and moving on with our futures.”
Celia gave him a tired look. “But there’s too much baggage. I dated Martin and he’s your best friend. How are we going to handle all of that?”
“I don’t know. There may be a few hurdles but what if it doesn’t matter? What if it works and we’re right for each other? Do we turn our backs on the possibilities because of ‘what ifs’?” What happened to the girl I was with last night who was willing to tell everyone we were dating if it meant we couldn’t kiss?”
Celia smiled. “She’s still here. She just has a lot of reservations and she’s tired of making mistakes.”
Mike leaned in, brought his lips to hers and kissed her. His hand moved to hers and he felt her fingers slide up to his cheek. The kiss lasted a long moment and he leaned back in his chair and spoke, his voice filled with feeling. “Did that feel like a mistake?”
She looked down at her hands and shook her head ‘no’. “Not at all, it just feels too fast. I’m still living in Martin’s house. This might just be too strange for both of us to deal with.”
Mike leaned forward resting his arms on the table. “I know this is strange, but I’m not running. I’m here, in this monster of a house when I could be in my own bed trying to forget the way I feel when I hold you. Will it be easy? I don’t know. Will I want to break something at times when I think that Martin dated you first? I suppose I will. But I’d rather try than pretend I don’t have feelings for you.”
Celia didn’t speak so he held his hand out to her. “If you want me to go, say the word. It’s not what I want but I’ll honor your decision.”
Mike hated this. He wanted to fight for her but he knew if Celia’s heart wasn’t in it he would just be wasting his time. He moved his arm and laid his hand out on the table palm up. She looked from his open hand to his eyes and slowly she reached out.
“I don’t want you to think I’m dating you for your money.’
“I don’t.”
“We will have to go slow. My heart’s rattled and I don’t know if I can take another break.”
“We’ll move as slowly as you want. If you don’t want to go to dinner with my Mom and Dad, just say the word. We’ll go at your pace. I’ll even stop kissing you if that’s what you want.”
“Let’s don’t be too drastic,” she said, and finally there was a smile on her lips.
“Good. I was going to hate to stop kissing you.”
“Me too,” she said, and she leaned back but held onto his hand. “I guess I’m in because I don’t want to give up on you either. I just want to get this right. I want to be the lucky one this time.”
Mike smiled, pulled her hand forward and kissed the back of her hand. “I’ll do my best to make your wish come true.”
“Then seven it is but you’re going to have to tell me all about your parents. I don’t want any surprises.”
“You got it. Should we seal it with a kiss?”
The smile on her lips said it all. Mike knew they were starting out on a rocky road but he hoped that from this point on things would start to level out. He leaned in, and though they’d kissed several times, this time it felt serious, it felt real. Although he didn’t want to admit it out loud yet, it felt like, maybe . . . finally . . . they were going to get the happily-ever-after they had both been looking for so long.