“What do you know? You were telling me the truth.” Steve’s partner Michael laughed when he saw a construction site come into view. “When you said you were loaning our cameras to a ‘Kiki’ with a web site, I had a whole ‘nother idea, pal.”

It seemed to Steve that Michael was enjoying his return to bachelorhood more than he was. “That’s because you’re a dirty old man. Stop here.” Michael stopped the van across the street from Kiki’s house and Steve peered through the window at the activity. A lot had changed in a month. Scaffolding was up and the white paint was gone, revealing weathered gray. And there she was, looking small amidst the large men surrounding her. She was talking animatedly to that fellow Clayton and a worker up on the roof. They talked and gestured for a bit, then she started to pace. He was again struck by how lithely she moved, and how good she looked in a pair of jeans and t-shirt. Damn.

“That her? Not bad. Why didn’t you get these out here sooner, pal? They’ve been sitting by the front door for a month!”

“Never got around to getting them out here.”

“You know, Steve, you’d do a lot better with women if you learned how to drive.”

“The best ones understand why I don’t.”

“The best ones? Steve, you’d do well to get any ones.”

“Shaddap. This one’s taken, anyway.” He was a bit discouraged after talking to his pal Pete a month earlier. His first meeting with Kiki had ended on a promising note but when Pete told him who her “fiancé-in-process” was, he knew he didn’t stand a chance. He even Googled the guy and found a photo. Bad enough he was tall, but he was tall with money.

“Want me to stick around while you drop these off?”

Steve wasn’t listening, he was busy watching the scene in front of him. He wondered why she’d undertaken this project on her own, and not with her rich boyfriend. Wondered if she’d told him about her web site. He wondered if he could hear her laugh again. He wondered a lot of things.

“Can’t stay here forever, Steve. Stay or go?”

“Go ahead. I’ll find a way home.”

“Sure you will,” Michael laughed. “Good luck, tell me all about it on Monday.”

“Yeah, yeah, everything, asshole.”  He hopped out, fetched the box with the cameras, and trotted across the street.

“Hey, Kiki-cat.” She looked up at him with confusion for a second then she broke out into a smile of recognition.

“What are you doing here?!”

“That’s not a very nice greeting to someone doing you a favor.” He held up the box. “I tried calling first, but you didn’t answer.”

“I kept getting calls from work, so I shut it off,” she said with a sigh. “Sorry ‘bout that. Steve.” He liked how she paused before saying his name, like she was testing out how it felt on her lips. “How did you get here? I thought I’d have to pick you up to get those.”

“My partner Michael and I had a shoot at a school nearby. We wrapped for the week and I thought I’d take my chances. The place looks different, how’s it going?”

“How’s it going? The paint took twice as long to take off than I’d expected; one of the dormers is rotted; the heat pump is going to be weeks late and I have to reschedule the installers. There’s a weird smoky smell in the dining room. And I’m still trying to work out the best way to get the HVAC tubing in; I hate what the engineer came up with. And Fuck! That dormer!” She scowled at the roof again then sighed and turned back to Steve. “I’m sorry, needed to vent a little.” She leaned in conspiratorially. “Truth is, I don’t think I know what I’m doing.”

“Looks like you have it all under control, babe,” Steve laughed. “Having fun?”

“Actually?” She giggled. “Yeah, I am. Hey!” She exclaimed suddenly, snapping her fingers. “I’ll have extra shingles from the back when we install the heat pump. We can use those on the dormer!! Damn, I’m good!”  Steve didn’t answer, happy instead just to listen to her and her laugh. Why did a woman’s laughter affect him so?  He’d dropped women after a first date if he didn’t like how they laughed, and had dated some far longer than he should because he did. “And you, Mr. Morrison, are good for bringing these cameras! I thought you’d forgotten.”

“Yeah, my bad on that. Got busy.”

She poked in the box and counted. “Four? You said maybe two.”  She beamed up at him. “Say, can these go outside?”

He followed her eyes up to the roof. “You want me to put one up there? If I can get it wired, sure.”

“Yes, would you?”

She touched his arm, and although he’d already decided yes, he thought he’d push it a little. “Rooftop installation gets more than a coffee.”

“Right.” There was that laugh again. “Dinner.”

Another deal was struck and before he knew it, he was on the roof, positioning a camera so it would provide a good view of the offending dormer. He snagged an electrician to help install the other three. When he caught up with Kiki again, she was in the dining room with two young men huddled around her laptop. One was dressed in a suit, the other in a hooded sweatshirt and jeans.

“There you are Steve. This is Arjun; he’s my banker.”

“That was how we met, but now I’m her Number One fan!”
 
“This other bright lad is Jason, my number two fan, I guess.”  Jason grunted, barely looking up to show his face. Steve tried not to laugh at the almost-beard he was sporting.

“Nice to meet you, Arjun, Jason.” He gave Kiki a questioning look.

“You’ll appreciate this, Steve. They’re helping me with my web site, and in exchange, I’m letting them help me work on the house on the weekends. I’ve been so busy at my day job I haven’t updated it for weeks.

“‘Letting them work’ is how you repay the favor?”

The young Indian man spoke up “It sure is! I’m a admirer of Mr. Parrish’s work; it is an honor for me to do so, especially if it helps Miss Parrish.” The slightly built guy next to him nodded his head, but didn’t take his eyes of the screen. “Jason and I met online.  He hosts his own site devoted to architecture and specifically Walter Ames Parrish.”

“That’s cool.”

“It’s amazing, they have better precedent material than I do, Steve, and they’re putting it up for me. Isn’t that great? I have an audience for this after all.” Her enthusiasm intrigued him.

“I knew you would, Kiki-cat.”  He was pleased to see her lips turn up when he used the nickname. “Speaking of favors, what about that dinner?”

Kiki looked at her watch. “Almost quitting time, give me a few.” 

Steve let her finish her business and watched the boys work. “How’s it looking, guys?” he said, peering over their shoulders at the web site.

Jason shook his head. “It’ll look a lot better when I’m done.” Steve admired the speed in which he could add content, noting with  interest as the section with Parrish’s residential work was populated. “This was built right about the time as this one,” Arjun said, clicking on a few pictures. Steve wasn’t impressed with the quality of the pictures, but could see the similarities.

“That’s the best you got?”

“Yeah. Need better sources. I can find them,” Jason said, clicking on link after link.

“Let me know if you can’t find any,” Steve offered, although an idea had begun to take shape in his mind. Kiki returned when the workers had begun packing up for the weekend.

“Okay boys, drinks and dinner on me.”

“All of us?” Steve asked in surprise.

“Clayton and one other guy are coming, at least for drinks.” Steve did his best to hide his disappointment as he buckled himself in next to her. Did he really expect anything different?

“It’s just there was an idea I wanted to run by you, and I didn’t want to discuss in front the others. It could wait for another time, I suppose.” He hoped that might pique her interest. He was right.

“An idea? About what?”

“Something about your site, I didn’t want to stir up problems if they had other plans for it.”

“Maybe the boys won’t stay for coffee,” she said as they drove into the restaurant parking lot. The contractors gave their excuses after a beer. Arjun and Jason were a bit tougher to shake, but after Kiki dropped more than a few hints about being ready to call it a night, they took off too.

“Alone at last,” Steve said, trying to make his voice as low as he could.

“Yes,” she sighed, not responding to his tone. “Don’t get me wrong, the boys are a godsend but they ask so many questions about Dad. I don’t know how he did it, he was just ‘Dad’ to me.”

“I think they have a crush on you.” Steve pursed his lips in amusement.

“Oh God, no. I’m the closest thing to their idol, that’s all.” She dismissed his comment with a wave of her hand and looked around for the waiter. “Have time for coffee? I think I do.” She pulled the cell phone from her belt to check. “Oh, fuck! Look at all these messages!”  She held up the screen for Steve to see. “I’ll be up half the night answering these. Better make it a double espresso for me. Triple!”

“Whoa, step away from the phone, babe, you’re off duty now.”

“I have to call Ted, he’ll be wondering.”  She punched his speed number and waited for him to pick up. Getting no answer, she left a message and sent a text as well. “There. Should have had him meet us here for dinner,” she sighed. “Thought I would just feed the boys then go home, but then you came too.”

“Sorry. So he’s met ‘the boys’?”

“Yes, he came to see things first hand last week.”

“How’d he take it? I seem to recall you said he didn’t like the idea of your web site?”

“He wanted me to use his marketing department to run it. We talked it through. Those are two days I’ll never get back,” she laughed. “He’s funny like that, he means well, but I just need this to be mine. I’m . . . stubborn, as he always says.”

“I see.”  Steve chuckled and pointed at her left hand. “Still ‘in process’?”

“You’re nosy,” she said, curious about why he was interested. “But there actually is a ring.” She smiled, remembering the night two weeks before when Ted had given it to her. Despite all their discussions ahead of time, he managed to surprise her with it. “It was his grandmother’s. I swear the diamond is big enough to support a third-world country for a year! I can’t function with it.”  She fumbled her fingers as if she had it on.
 
“I don’t think I’ve ever heard a woman complain about a diamond being too big.”
 
“I know, I feel terrible. But I’m not a diamond girl.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”  She looked up at him in surprise and he winked at her. “What are you going to do?”

“I’ll wear the wedding band. But I’ll save the engagement ring for special occasions.” She chuckled wryly. “Like dinners with his parents!”

“Ah, the travails of the rich.”

“Oh stoppit, you don’t know me well enough to tease me.”

“We’ll have to fix that.”

“We’ll see.”  Steve smiled when she didn’t say no. “Okay, Steve, the boys are gone. What was your idea?”

“You’re off duty now; just enjoy your coffee. Want a dessert?”  He was going to prolong this evening as long as he could.

“But we’re here now, so make your pitch, fella. And yes, please. Dessert!” She sat back in her chair, studying him. What was he up to? 

“Okay, you don’t have to go for this. What Jason is doing looks great, but I think it needs something else. Something from you.”

“I don’t understand.”

Steve pulled his chair closer to the table and leaned in, talking quickly. “A lot of your Dad’s buildings are in the LA area, right?” Kiki nodded her head. “How about an architectural tour? I’d film you talking about whatever buildings you wanted. I’d give you the raw footage, you could edit it into something, or just stick it up on the site, unedited, like a video blog.”

Kiki paused to consider his suggestion. She had gotten more at ease in front of the cameras over the month, but a tour? Having videos of the other houses would be great, though. If she was lucky, perhaps they could get interior shots. “That’s a good idea, but you don’t need to waste your valuable time, Steve. You know I can’t pay you and I can’t think what I could offer in return.”

Her answer was coy, was she playing with him? Steve took a sip of his espresso in order to gather his composure. His best tack was to keep things as businesslike as possible. “It’s part of another idea I was thinking about. In return you could let me use the footage too.”
 
“Go on,” she said slowly, clearly skeptical. Steve was grateful for the arrival of the desserts so he could think of a reply.
 
“About people and their houses. How funny they get about them, sink more than they can afford into them. House proud, they call it, right?”
 
“You think I’m house proud?” Her eyebrows rose high on her forehead.

“Yes. No. In a good way, right? Not nuts. But other people get loony, don’t you think? “

“Yeah, I’ve seen that.” She had to admit, if done right, it could be an interesting topic. “But you wouldn’t make fun of me, right? Hold up my little obsession for the whole world to see?”

“You could have approval on final content, how’s that? If I do it. Shit, I haven’t even talked to Michael about this, I’m just flying by the seat of my pants here.”

Kiki found herself being drawn in by his enthusiasm. She thought if she could find the time, why not go along? It wouldn’t be a bad thing to spend an hour or two watching him run those fingers through his thick wavy hair. It looked really soft too. She felt a little funny all of a sudden. What was this? She worked with men day after day, some of them she found attractive, some she even flirted with. But not like this; none of them made her heart pound. Maybe it was the triple espresso. Or his green eyes. Or bow lips. Or the gentle cleft in his chin. Perhaps being alone with him wasn’t a good idea.

“I’m not sure I have the time, though. I’m working night and day as it is.”

“Friday late afternoons, like today?  I couldn’t do every week, either.”

“So just you, me and a camera alone in my car?”  Kiki couldn’t believe she’d said that out loud and her words hung in the air between them.

“No room for a crew in your car, is there? I’m a professional, Kiki, but if you wanted someone with us, you could ask your Ted. Or how about Pete?”  Steve hoped he could reassure her; he didn’t want to let this opportunity go by, she was the key to something, he knew it in his bones.
 
“Peter? But he’s covering the office while I’m at the site.” She thought quickly. Peter would be good, he wouldn’t let her do something foolish. “But a few hours on a Friday might be okay.”

“See?” He grinned. “We’ll work it out, Kiki-cat.”  Kiki found herself smiling back at him when the phone’s ringing brought her back to reality.

“Oh, it’s Ted. Hey baby.”  Kiki was relieved to hear his voice at last. “I’m just finishing up dinner. I’m sorry, I should have called earlier.”

Steve wasn’t sure if he should listen to their conversation; the affection in her voice was clear, he didn’t want to intrude. But if she wanted him to step away, she didn’t show it. He stabbed at his dessert, watching her discreetly from lowered lids.

“Yes, I thought the boys deserved dinner for all they’ve done, so we came to Luigi’s. Wish you could have joined us. Next time, huh? I missed you, baby.” It was clear she was trying to smooth something over. She let out a breath and when she caught Steve’s eye, she nodded. It worked, apparently.

***

Kiki watched Steve pick at his food; she could tell he was dying to hear the other half of the conversation. “Steve and I are finishing up coffee, I’m giving him a ride home, then I’ll be home. Half an hour or so, okay, baby?” Steve’s eyes opened wide when he heard his name.

“Steve?” Ted’s voice turned cool again, just when she’d warmed it up. “He one of the boys?”

“I told you. Peter’s friend, with the cameras? He stopped by with more today, so he came along with us.”   She felt that if she treated his presence in matter-of-factly, then maybe he would be just ‘one of the boys’  “He’s got a great idea for the web site. A video tour of LA Architecture.”

“And when would you have time for this, Kiki?  You’re already spending too much time on your little project as it is.” 

Her lips hardened into a line when she heard that characterization. “I told you, it comes first, right? But don’t worry, I’m not spending a second less on yours.” 

“It’s in your budget then? Or do you need money to pay this guy?”

“It’s an exchange, he might use the footage for a documentary.”  She regretted bringing the subject up in front of Steve, but Ted had pushed a button.

“A documentary about you? No, Kiki, this does not just involve you; we need to talk about this. You need release forms.”

“Release forms? Why?”

“It’s standard, Kiki,” Steve interjected, “tell Ted there’ll be some.”

“Steve says yes, there are some. He’s sitting right here. Say ‘hi’ to Ted, Steve.”  She held up the phone in his direction.

“Hey Ted, nice to meet you. It won’t be a problem, I’ll give her final approval.”  He spoke loudly so that Ted could hear.

“Get our lawyer to look at the forms before signing anything, sweetheart.”

“Lawyers? Ted! This is Peter’s friend, he’s a good guy!”  Steve chuckled and mouthed ‘thank you.’

“You should show them to a lawyer, Kiki-cat, it is a good idea so there’s no misunderstandings.”

“Really?”  Steve nodded in reply. “Well, guess what, Ted? Steve agrees with you about the lawyers.”

“Yeah? Well, good, he earns points for that. We’ll talk about it when you get home.”

“Yes, baby. We’ll talk.”  She looked up to see Steve abruptly excuse himself . She suddenly felt regret that she’d held the conversation in front of him. She was being manipulative, she knew, but Ted had given in easily enough; it was their game, after all. She’d settled the bill when Steve returned.

“Everything okay?”

“Thought you two needed some privacy.”

“Yeah, sorry about that, haven’t seen him all day. Ready to go?”  He nodded and waved his hand for her to go ahead. They didn’t speak for an awkward several minutes.

 “Listen, if my idea is a problem, we don’t have to do it.”  

“No, it’s a great idea. Ted gets all protective of the Duncan name, but it’s nothing to do with them. Right?” She gripped the wheel with determination. “When can we start?”

“I’m busy next week, but the Friday after? That should give you time to work it out with Pete. Tell him I want to hear you, not his rambling on.”

“Oh, that’ll help convince him,” she laughed. “So why not next week. Have a hot date?”

“Just with the sweetest girl in the world,” he said. “My daughter, Livvy. Olivia, I mean. It’s our week together.”
 
“You have a daughter?”  Peter hadn’t mentioned that he had kids, but why would she be surprised?

“She’s eight. Cuter than a button and smarter than a whip.”  He pulled out his phone and pulled up a picture. A brown headed girl with freckles grinned at her.

“She does look sweet. So you have decent visitation rights?”

“Yeah, three weekends and one week a month. Her mother and I worked it out pretty well. In fact, I’d say we get on better than when we were married.”

“Ah, one of those divorces. How does that happen? That you can get on better after?”

He looked down at the phone when answering. “It was one of those things that withered rather than blew up. I didn’t want what she wanted. I tried to. I thought I did. I hoped I did. Seemed like I did. But it wasn’t the life I wanted. She let me go easily enough, so she must have felt the same.”

“I’m almost afraid to ask more, seeing that I’m about to take that leap myself,” she replied. “But I’m glad for your daughter’s sake you get along.”

“Beth and I do the best we can with the situation.”  Out of the corner of her eye she saw him draw his fingers down his daughter’s face. 

“I’m sure you do, Steve.”  She touched his arm and he let it linger there. “Listen, I’m sorry to pry, it’s none of my business.”

“I don’t mind.” He sighed tucked his phone away. “Here’s my place.”

Kiki pulled over and turned to him. “You have my number,” she chuckled. “But wait, let me give you my email. She dug around in her purse for one of her business cards and a pen to handwrite her personal email on it. “One of those will usually work.”

“Except Fridays.”

“Yeah. Gotta do something about that.”

“Oh wait, let me give you mine.”  He patted down his pockets then pulled out his wallet to find one of his business cards. He opened it wide and a few things fell out. “Ah, here it is.”  Kiki reached under her feet to pick up what had fallen out. She giggled when she saw what it was.

“Guys still carry these, huh?” 

“Oh shit! I’ll take that, thanks.”

“Always prepared, are ya, Boy Scout? Or is just for show?” She tried to make out the label of the condom in the low light but he snatched it from her fingers.

“Stoppit, you don’t know me well enough to tease me.”

“We’ll have to fix that. I have a feeling you’re fun to tease, Steve.”

“What has Pete told you?”

“Nothing. Yet.” 

Steve raised his brow at her, then broke into a good natured laugh. “That works both ways, Kiki-cat.”

“True. I better bribe him.” 

Steve finished restuffing his wallet and shoved it into his back pocket. “I better go, you need to go home and ‘talk’. Oh, do you need what I just put away?”  He reached behind him and offered his wallet back to her.

“No,.” She waved him off. “We don’t.”

“Good for you. Night, Kiki. I’ll call you later to fix the details.”  He touched her shoulder and she patted his hand, their fingers intertwined for just a second before they quickly moved them away. Without an additional word, he slipped from the car and out toward his place.