Page 17 of Bargain with the Bachelor
Actually, I wasn’t. I watched as Kristal walked away, trying to make sense of the nonsensical.
She’d grown up on Oceanview Avenue with the kind of house and car and lifestyle I’d only dreamed about back in high school.
Now I was living in a mansion on Eastport Bay’s version of Billionaire Row—albeit a leased one I was sharing with six housemates for the time being—and Kristal was waiting tables. What a reversal of fortune.
Cursing myself for being so awkward and tongue-tied, (An oversizedant? Really?) I vowed when she returned, I’d pull it together and actually talk to her like a normal human being, find out what was going on in her life.
What could possibly have happened?
Her father had died a couple months back, but Kristal was his only child—she should have been all set financially just from the inheritance alone, not to mention the life insurance Richard Bianco must have had.
Maybe she wouldn’t want to discuss it. We didn’t know each other that well… in spite of that blistering few minutes of intimacy we’d shared last summer at the Charity Relief Ball.
That unexpected—and much replayed—encounter was the reason I hadn’t attended her dad’s funeral.
It was already undoubtedly such a hard day for her, I hadn’t wanted to compound her misery by showing up and possibly making her uncomfortable with her boyfriend and family and friends standing nearby.
I had sent a card and flower arrangement to her house—who knew if she’d even seen it? That had been the last contact between us.
But now… she was here, and I was here, and well… frankly I was going to die of curiosity if I didn’t find out what was going on.
Maybe she was just bored and wanted to get out of the house. Did heiresses do that kind of thing?
When she returned with my lunch, Kristal seemed much more in control than she had earlier—or than I felt myself.
“The brisket burger with beer-battered onion rings… and one cup of sugar with a side of coffee. See? I got it right, Ant-Man,” she quipped.
“It’s perfect,” I said, once again kicking myself over my stupid joke.
The happy anniversary couple got up and moved toward the door, and I lifted a hand in a wave to them.
“Enjoy the rest of your day.” They beamed at me and left, holding hands.
Kristal smiled at the interaction while I pulled out my wallet and handed her my credit card. “Do me a favor? Tear up their credit card slip and put their meals on mine.”
“Sure.” She smiled and cocked her head to one side. “That’s so nice. Friends of yours?”
“No, we just met. But it’s their twenty-fifth anniversary. In this day and age, that’s a monumental accomplishment. Itshouldbe celebrated.”
“I agree. Maybe I should follow them out to their car and ask how on earth they did it.”
Kristal’s cynical tone made me curious. “How’s Harry doing?”
Her expression flattened. “I hear he’s fine. He left the firm and went out on his own. I haven’t spoken to him in a while. Will there be anything else for you?”
A pilot light flared to life inside me, setting my blood to simmer.
She’s not with Harry anymore.
“No. Thanks.” Kristal turned to go, but stopped when I said, “Actually…”
“Yes?” She turned back to me, wearing an alert expression.
“I’m wondering… why are you working here?”
Her entire body tensed, her tone adopting a defensive edge. “It’s a nice place to work. My dad’s old friend runs the restaurant group that owns it. He gave me a job.”
I shook my head. “No… I mean I know it’s a nice place. It’s my favorite restaurant. I just wondered why you’re working at all.”
