6
Sunday, April 13th
Accomplishments to Date: Eat dessert for breakfast; Go to Alcatraz Island; Visit Yerba Buena Gardens; Walk across the Golden Gate Bridge
“THIS HAS BEEN a pretty great weekend.” P.J. bit into one of the Vietnamese lobster and prawn spring rolls and moaned.
Rei speared a pan-grilled scallop from the bed of endive and watercress. “Yes, it really has.”
They were having a light Sunday supper by the infinity pool in the Nob Hill Spa. Rei had treated them both to a day of longevity, serenity and tranquility services. The soothing rhythms of Spanish guitars seemed to drift out of the water. She smiled contentedly and gazed out the window at the spectacular colors over the cityscape from Huntington Park to the Bay.
“So what’s going on with you, Rei?”
She looked away from the sunset to find P.J. eyeing her shrewdly. “Nothing’s going on. I’m just enjoying the view.”
“I’m your best friend, honey. Don’t bother lying to me.” P.J. set down her fork. “You act relaxed after all the prodding and pummeling today. But, from your expression, you still seem like you’re on edge.”
She should have known Peej would notice her mood. And she’d pegged it correctly, too. Rei felt liked she’d been both caged and set free by Dr. Solís’s call.
A part of her wanted to share the burden she was carrying, but the other part intended to keep her fears to herself. As stupid as it sounded, Rei didn’t want her to worry. Especially since P.J. would mercilessly harangue her into the doctor’s office and she just didn’t want to face that yet.
“It’s nothing, Peej. I just have a couple of things on my mind that’s all.”
“You’re thinking about your anniversary, aren’t you?” P.J.’s blue gaze softened. “You’re finally taking that List of yours seriously. Is that why you dragged me out to play tourist yesterday?”
Rei shrugged casually and chose one of the glazed plantains from her plate. “I’ve lived here all my life but had never visited those places before. Since you hadn’t, either…”
“Uh huh. As afraid of heights as you are, I still can’t believe you didn’t throw up when we got to the middle of the bridge. Why would you force yourself to go across if something wasn’t going on with you?” A slight frown appeared between her golden brows.
“Stop borrowing trouble, P.J. I just like your company and your friendship, okay?”
“Okay.” But P.J. still looked skeptical, with lines of concern bracketing her eyes, as she started eating again.
CHRIS MADE a conscious effort not to scowl at his client. It wasn’t Marvin Carrington’s fault he was in such a bad mood. Oh sure, the weekend had started off great. What could be better than meeting the woman of your fantasies and then having that sexual fantasy come true? But he’d crashed back to reality much faster than he’d expected.
How the hell could she just walk off into the night after that? He regarded himself a pretty good lover, considerate and giving. He’d tried to make his time with Jade memorable and, for him at least, it had been the best sex of his life. The whole seduction had affected him more than he’d planned.
Okay. Maybe he was blowing things out of proportion and all it had been was just sex. But, damn it, he’d felt…something.
Stunned and rejected and oddly hurt. Yeah, he knew he had no right to feel used. He and Jade had agreed up front about what they wanted and the terms had been clear. But that didn’t stop him wanting to see her again. It didn’t stop him from checking every now and then that his cell phone batteries were charged—
He startled, realizing his client had been trying to get his attention. “Sorry, Mr. Carrington. What was your question?”
“I was asking about the match profile. Do I have to put up a picture right away?”
Chris looked at the nice but chubby, balding chiropractor and smiled reassuringly. “No, not if you don’t want to. You can wait until you connect with someone.”
How long did that take anyway? Was he mentally exaggerating the bond he felt toward Jade?
“Great.” Mr. Carrington’s shoulders slumped, as if he didn’t believe it would happen either. “That will give me time to find a professional photo studio.”
“Don’t do that, Marvin. Just choose a picture from your family album. That’s the best way to let people get to know the real you.”
He scoffed. “The real me? The real me hasn’t been on a date in almost a year.”
“There is somebody for everybody, Marvin. The key to finding that person is being yourself. Remember, you’re a great guy with a lot to offer a woman.”
“Thanks.” He nodded gratefully then continued reading the brochures.
Chris made a mental note to follow up if Marvin decided to use the service—he might benefit from a little coaching. Hell, he could use a little coaching himself right now. How was he supposed to forget a woman whose image had etched itself onto his brain?
He leaned back in his chair and glanced through the two-way mirror. Lara, the office manager, was at the entrance shaking hands with a tall blond woman. The prospective client was a real looker, and even the light gray business suit she wore couldn’t hide that fact that she was built like a centerfold.
A woman like that needed a dating service? Then again, every guy from the mailman to the mayor probably hit on her. It was possible she wanted to find a man who appreciated more than her looks. He turned his attention to the short brunette Lara was greeting now. There was something familiar about her….
She was dressed in a dark blue pantsuit, her hair tightly wound into one of those complicated French styles. When she turned, he saw that she was Asian. She wore wired-rimmed glasses and an impatient expression. Her face looked bare except for pale lipstick—Chris jerked upright—and a beauty mark.
“Are you okay?” Marvin asked.
“Uh, yeah. I’m fine.” With an effort, he tore his eyes away from the window. Marvin gave him a quizzical look. “Did you have any other questions?”
“Actually, I was wondering how the e-mail thing works. Do I have to come here every time I want to check it?”
That couldn’t possibly be Jade. Could it? How did she find him. His card only had his name and cell phone number. Focus on Marvin. Focus. “Oh, um, remote access. The e-mail is set up as an intranet, but you can access it remotely through a secure section of the Lunch Meetings Web site.”
Marvin picked up the next brochure and Chris swung his head back to the window fast enough to give himself whiplash. Lara was leading the two women to her office. Now he’d get a good look when they passed by.
“What about the billing schedule, Chris. How—”
“Hang on a second, Marvin.”
Lara and the blonde were engaged in conversation, but the brunette glanced at the mirror as she walked past. The plain white shirt and dark jacket couldn’t camouflage her innate sensuality. The glasses couldn’t obscure the liquid chocolate gleam in her big brown eyes. And nothing in the world could hide that luscious come-and-taste-me-baby mouth.
That was his Jade, all right. And damned if she was going to need a dating service.
AFTER LARA VOIGT explained how to activate the computer program and took their lunch orders, she left them alone in one of the café’s partitioned cubicles. Rei clicked on the “create profile” button to begin the compatibility process. The first screen asked for contact and credit card information.
P.J. reached into her purse. “Hang on, let me get my American Express. This was my idea, so I’ll pay for it.”
“We just sat through the whole presentation. Why do I have to go to the trouble of setting up a profile?”
“The owner wants to open two other locations. The Board of Directors has dismissed me as a clueless Paris Hilton clone. So in order to convince them to let me invest in Lunch Meetings, I have to show them how well the service works.”
“I still don’t understand why the Board’s opinion matters. Your father left Hollinger/Hansen to you.”
“Daddy left me controlling interest, with the stipulation that I have to consider his cronies’ advice on all decisions. These guys are a tough sell. That’s why I need you to go through the entire process.”
Rei studied her friend’s innocent expression. “You’re full of it, Peej. You’re just trying to set me up again.”
“That, too. I’ll get a firsthand—or rather second-hand—look at how the business operates and you’ll get to meet some new guys.”
She rolled her eyes before quickly typing in her name, address, cell phone number and P.J.’s card number. The next screen came up for her to fill out a general description—a checklist on a scale of one through five, five being the most true, one being the least.
“Section one of seven? How long is this going to take?”
“Not long if we do it together.” P.J. pulled her chair closer. “Click five for clever, introverted, perfectionist and quarrelsome. Only click three for content, humorous, patient and communicative. And, let’s see, put ones for lazy, arrogant, under-achieving, optimistic and passionate.”
Rei disagreed with the passionate part. Surreptitiously touching the jacket pocket where she’d tucked his card, she thought about Chris. About the gleam of desire in his eyes and delicious softness of his mouth. About that naughty little thrill he’d somehow known about. She thought of the incredible night they’d spent together and the memory made her thighs clench against a ripple of wanting.
She’d hoped for good sex and gotten better than she’d imagined. Her pulse beat a little faster as she recalled the way his hands felt on her body and how he felt inside her. Remembering the expression of utter bliss on his handsome face, Rei felt proud of herself, knowing she’d made him as crazy as he’d driven her.
Was Chris really such a good lover, or was it because of her own change in attitude? Maybe their coupling had been so good because there was no emotional investment, no strings or complications. Because she didn’t feel the need to impress him or to worry what he would think of her after having sex “on the first date,” the sex had been the best she’d ever had.
When she’d told Chris she would call, it had been an empty promise, a kiss off to smoothly end the awkward parting. But twice today she’d almost dialed his number. Now that her inner bad girl had been unleashed, it seemed that side of her didn’t wanted to be shut away anymore.
“I’m checking a four on that last question.” P.J. looked at her. “I know you’re doing me a favor, but this isn’t going to work if you’re not honest about your answers.”
Honesty changed with circumstance, though. Rei wouldn’t have considered herself passionate before. Chris had awakened that side of her. Who would look at the conservative Commissioner Davis and guess what “Jade” had done Friday night?
“I can be passionate, damn it.”
“Put a five next to stubborn.”
Lara came back to their cubicle ten minutes later, bringing chicken salads and glasses of iced tea. “How’s it going, Rei?”
“I’m only on section three. There are a ton of questions and they aren’t all that easy.”
“Successful relationships take work.” Lara smiled before turning to leave. “Don’t forget to create a user name and password for your e-mail account.”
“What do you think, Peej? Should I use my real name?” Rei took a bite of her salad.
“That’s up to you, but personally I’d use initials or a nickname. Even with the background check, you never know who might be contacting you.”
“Okay, then. Um, how about RLD49?” P.J. smirked. “You and your football.”
“I know it’s been a decade since the 49ers made the Super Bowl, but they have a great lineup this season. Their time is coming, trust me.” Rei set up her new e-mail and moved on to the next set of questions.
The Personal Characteristics section asked her to rank things like, “I feel guilty if I am not being productive” and “I have a high level of desire for sexual activity.” The Important Qualities part asked her to indicate the traits she sought in a partner. The Vital Attributes questions required her to check off her values, beliefs and relationship skills.
Thirty minutes later, Rei finished the extensive set of questionnaires and hit the “save” button to send her profile to the database.
P.J. smiled at her with a combination of mischief and sincerity. “Here’s hoping you find the love of your life.”
CHRIS CLOSED THE DOOR to his office, barely able to keep from slamming it. Marvin’s application process had taken longer than planned so he’d missed any chance of confronting Jade before she and her friend had left.
He’d had to casually ask Lara about the appointment to find out which of the women had applied. Now that he had Rei Davis’s name, he could read her profile summary and maybe figure out why she’d given him a false identity.
Since his computer had the main server access as well as monitoring override ability, he was able to immediately pull up her file. He noticed that she’d left her occupation blank. Also the mailing address and billing address were different.
What was she trying to hide?
If it were anything criminal, the background check should find it. Beyond that, he’d have to investigate on his own, a prospect he eagerly looked forward to. Jade’s name might be a fake, however the attraction between them had been real…. Real hot. She sure hadn’t hidden her desires or her passion, not that first night in the bar nor the night they’d gone to bed.
His throat suddenly felt tight and his face was getting hot. He knew it was ridiculous to feel jealous—he only just met her—but he hated the idea of anyone else being with her, touching her the way he had. The way he wanted to again and again and again.
On a whim, Chris started the compatibility search engine to see which of his clients the computer thought she should be paired with. The search would take a few minutes, so he got up and went to the credenza for a glass of water.
The computer beeped to indicate it had finished matching the traits and attributes of the hundreds of profiles in the system. Chris went back to his desk to see which men the program had chosen. He did a double take when he saw the list on his screen, then stifled a chuckle.
He had forgotten that the tech who’d written the programming script had needed a sample profile to work from. According to the carefully coded, regularly tested and virus scanned proprietary software program, Chris and Jade—or rather, Rei Davis—were 99% compatible.
Almost a perfect match.
MONDAY AFTERNOON, Rei took the bench five minutes behind schedule.
“Is everything all right, Commissioner?” The court service clerk spoke softly as Rei hurried into the courtroom, still fastening her robe.
“It’s fine, Mary Alice.” Rei smiled briefly. “I had a lunch meeting.”
She took a deep breath as she pulled her chair under the bench. It wasn’t like her to be late. Or flustered. But that’s how she felt about signing up for the dating service. A part of her considered it nothing more than a silly favor for a friend. A part of her dismissed it as embarrassing and desperate.
Yet another part quietly wondered if maybe she’d already met someone. Someone charming and sexy and quietly assertive. A man who made her feel desirable and daring, a man who made her scream with multiple orgasms…Rei looked up to find everyone in the courtroom staring at her. She felt the heat between her legs travel all the way to her face but waved a hand to indicate she was okay.
“Let’s get started. I see Mr. Dowd and I know Mr. Bates had a family emergency. Ms. Green, I assume you’re here for Bruce Grayson?”
Shambala Green, a regal African American woman, stood up, placing a hand on the boy’s shoulder. “Yes, Your Honor. Jeff Bates asked me to take over under the circumstances. I’m sorry for the delay of this morning’s hearing.”
“Please extend my sympathies to Mr. Bates when you next hear from him.” Rei fanned the papers in front of her, looking for a particular report. “I’ve read over the Grayson file, including the police, hospital and psychologist’s reports. I’m ready to hear arguments. Mr. Dowd?”
“Thank you, Your Honor. First off…”
Rei let the Assistant State’s Attorney’s words drift over her while she watched Bruce Grayson’s face. Unlike the swaggering petulance he’d exhibited last week, this afternoon he looked like what he really was—a vulnerable child at the mercy of the juvenile justice system.
“Excuse me, Mr. Dowd. I’d like to hear from Mr. Grayson.”
The ASA stuttered to a halt at her interruption. “Ms. Green is welcome to present her case after—”
“Sit, Mr. Dowd.”
Rei turned her attention to the twelve-year-old hanging his head at the defense table. “Mr. Grayson, do you have anything to say to this court?”
The boy lifted his head and looked over his shoulder at the empty gallery. Even at a distance, Rei could see his eyes water. He turned back around, once again hanging his head, and remained silent.
She tapped her fingers on the arm of her chair. “Mr. Grayson? Bruce. You have to know the gravity of the situation. I am in the position of deciding the fate of your life for the next several years. Have you nothing to say?”
Bruce sighed deeply, his round face tightening as though he fought strong emotions. His words came out as a broken whisper. “I just…It wasn’t supposed to—I had to do it so Brandon would see…. I’m so sorry.”
Rei’s heart twisted as the boy began to cry in earnest, finally expressing remorse for what he’d done. With prompting from Ms. Green, Bruce haltingly explained that his older brother, Brandon, was a member of the Westmob gang. Bruce thought that if he passed the gang initiation, he could live with his only remaining family instead of in foster care.
When Bruce finished, Frank Dowd stood up. “Your Honor, no matter what his motivations, the fact remains that Mr. Patterson has several cracked ribs and a skull fracture. The brutal nature of the assault precipitated a heart attack. Bruce Grayson’s deliberate, and now it would seem premeditated, act cannot go unpunished.”
“And it won’t, Mr. Dowd. But what I’m seeing here is the act of a child, a misguided and confused child. My ruling is that Bruce Grayson stand trial here in Family Court, with a sentencing recommendation that he receive psychiatric counseling during his time with the California Youth Authority. Mr. Grayson, I strongly suggest you take this opportunity to redeem yourself, to turn your life around and make something positive of it. We’re adjourned.”
Bruce Grayson stared at her in grateful disbelief then nodded his head. For one brief and shining moment, he smiled at her before the bailiff led him out. Rei sincerely hoped Bruce would make the most of the second chance she’d given him and that she’d never see him before her bench again.
Monday, April 14th
Accomplishments: Try sunrise Tai Chi in the park; Sign up for French cooking class; Write a fan letter to favorite author
REI WAS WHIPPING up a cheese and mushroom omelet for supper when the phone rang. The caller ID flashed P.J.’s number as she picked up the handset.
“Will you represent me if I get arrested for popping one of Dad’s friends in the mouth?”
Rei took the sautéing mushrooms off the heat. “Bad day at the office, Peej?”
“This guy all but patted me on the head.” P.J.’s voice raised an outraged octave. “He said that since I’m so interested in this dating service, it must finally be a sign that I’m ready to settle down, implying of course that I should be barefoot and in the kitchen.”
Rei glanced down at her naked feet but decided against mentioning them.
P.J. was still talking anyway. “So have you heard anything yet? Have hundreds of hot guys begged you to go out with them?”
Rei rolled her eyes and began whisking milk into the bowl of eggs. “We just signed up this afternoon. I seriously doubt I’ll hear from anyone this week.”
“You’ll let me know, though, right?” P.J.’s tone had turned unusually anxious.
“This really means a lot to you, doesn’t it? I mean, more than just wanting to make an investment in a promising business.”
There was a pause and then she heard a heavy sigh. “Yeah, this is important, Rei. It’s about proving myself. I know you understand that.”
Kent Hollinger had been dead for over five years, but his ghost and the stipulations in his will still haunted P.J. She was smart enough to control the reins of the finance company—she just needed the chance.
“Yeah, sweetie, I do. I’ll check the e-mail right after dinner, okay?”
Hello, Rei
Welcome to Lunch Meetings. Thank you again for signing up for our services. We hope that this will be a rewarding experience and look forward to helping you find the person you’re searching for. You currently have “4” new messages in your inbox. To access them, go to www.lunchmeetings.net and log in with your user name and password. This is a secure server and you can be assured that each message has been virus-scanned.
Good luck and don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.
The staff at Lunch Meetings
Four messages already? Rei was impressed and not a little intrigued. She connected to the Internet using the computer in the spare bedroom. If the service got match results this quickly, it was no wonder the business was doing well and P.J. would be smart to invest.
Hi, RLD49
The system said that we’re compatible and I couldn’t wait to introduce myself.
I already have a high level position in waste management and a close relationship with my family. Now I’m looking for a woman who’s open to a traditional long-term commitment.
Please answer this e-mail soon.
DumpsterKing1
Rei made a face at the monitor as she deleted the message. It sounded like the King was pretty desperate. She’d dated a guy like him once. “Close relationship with family” likely meant he lived with his mother. “Looking for a traditional long-term commitment” probably meant he was anxious to marry someone else who would cook for him and do his laundry.
She opened the next e-mail, this one from Shy-GuyinSF.
Hello,
My name is Carter. This is my first time using a dating service. From your profile, you seem like a nice person.
Would you like to have lunch sometime? If so, just let me know when. I look forward to meeting you.
Carter didn’t seem that shy to her. In fact, she admired the simple honesty of his message and the courage it took to make contact with a stranger. However, she wasn’t about to lead him on by having lunch with him, not when she didn’t really want to get involved. She mentally wished him well as she deleted that message, too.
The next message was more like a form letter, using the exact wording from the list of introductory icebreakers that Lunch Meetings had provided.
Hello, RLD49
In order to get to know each other, I’d like to ask you the following questions:
1) Describe some personal habits that are important to you.
2) During a typical week, what physical activities do you enjoy?
3) What do you like to do on your day off?
And to show my willingness to be open, I’ll share my answers:
1) It’s important to me that a woman be clean shaven and that she doesn’t swear.
2) I’m not really into exercise, but I do have a treadmill in the basement
3) I like to go bird watching or visit a museum.
I can’t wait to read your answers and I hope we can have lunch soon.
SD1975
It would be a long wait. SD1975 seemed creepier than DumpsterKing1. Why ask about physical activity if he didn’t do any? Besides, she wasn’t sure whether clean shaven referred to her chin or points south. Maybe P.J. shouldn’t invest after all. With a sigh, Rei opened the last e-mail.
TO: RLD49
FROM: DCL3
HI THERE
I hope you had a good day. Mine was pretty great—I got some news at work.
Listen, I know the computer says we’re compatible, but maybe we should judge that for ourselves? If it’s okay with you, I’d like us to get to know each other a little via e-mail first.
What do you think?
Rei smiled at the computer screen, relieved that DCL3 seemed normal. His message conveyed an easy-going charm, as if they were already old friends just touching base at the start of the week. She shouldn’t answer him though, for the same reasons she didn’t reply to Carter. Why waste everyone’s time if she wasn’t looking for a relationship?
She read the message again. Then again, if she were going to help P.J. with her decision, maybe she ought to find out more. She could always break things off as soon as they went too far. She composed a quick reply, in what she hoped was the same friendly tone, and clicked “send.”