Secrets of the Tulip Sisters

“What do you get out of it?” he asked. “To run my showroom?”

“No, thanks. You don’t really need someone to run it. Once it’s set up, it’s just there to give people ideas.” She crossed her legs. “The bigger problem is time. You and Leo are busy enough without spending time with customers, especially when they can’t decide if they want wallpaper or a flush toilet. Hire a salesperson to handle the sales and follow up on the orders. I’ll oversee the renovation of the showroom and purchase the initial stock. I’ll come in a few hours a month to change things around and order in new samples.”

She drew in a breath. “As for the interior design work, I suggest you offer a package. Customers can order everything themselves or they can work with me. I’d be contract labor. When I’m needed, I’d be here. Otherwise, I’m not on the payroll.”

His mind worked quickly to process her ideas. “Would they order the finishes and fixtures through me?”

“Why not? You’d be able to control quality that way and take a small markup. Even the pennies add up over time.”

She was right about all of it, he thought, chagrined he hadn’t thought of it himself. A showroom made sense. As for a salesperson, they’d needed one for a while. Leo had mentioned it more than once, but Griffith had been busy with other things.

He turned his attention to Olivia. “You’re staying?”

“So it seems.”

“Does Kelly know?”

“I haven’t told her yet.” She cleared her throat. “I haven’t mentioned it to anyone. A few things have happened...” She shook her head. “It doesn’t matter. I’m going to be living here and I think what you’re doing is interesting and fun. I’d like to be a part of it. Shall I write up a formal proposal?”

Olivia had some balls on her, Griffith thought with a grin. “Sure. Give me a proposal for the remodel of the storefront, as well.”

“You’ll have it within a week,” she told him. She rose and held out her hand. They shook. “Thank you for the opportunity.”

“You’re welcome. I look forward to seeing what you can do.” He walked around his desk. “Oh, and you might want to tell your sister you’re planning on sticking around.”

“I will. The trick is to keep the information from my mother for as long as possible.”

“Good luck with that.”

“Thanks.”

*

Kelly waited nervously for Griffith to pick her up. She hadn’t seen him since their conversation about her, well, her issues, and she was more than a little apprehensive about the evening. She’d almost told him she couldn’t make it, except they were going to see her dad and Helen play with a new band and she felt as if she hadn’t seen her friend in forever.

She paced in the living room, checking out the front window. Everyone was gone. Her dad was already at the venue and Olivia and Marilee were somewhere, although Kelly doubted they were hanging out together. From what she could tell, Olivia was avoiding their mother as much as Kelly was.

Griffith arrived right on time. She went outside before he could come to the door.

“Hey, you,” he said as she approached. “I’m supposed to come inside and explain my intentions to your disapproving father.”

She laughed. “He’s not here, so you’re safe for the night.”

“Lucky me.”

Griffith pulled her close and kissed her. She knew that while they were kissing, he couldn’t talk about her clit or any other part of her anatomy so she relaxed in his embrace. His mouth moved against hers in a slow, sexy way. She wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned in to him.

She was wearing one of her Olivia-purchased outfits. Slim pants, cute little flats and a halter top that left most of her back bare. The material was silky and felt kind of nice on her bare breasts. She’d curled her hair again, but had passed on the makeup her sister had bought her. It was still confusing, although she had used mascara.

Griffith moved his hands from her waist to her back. His fingers were warm and slightly rough against her skin and she shivered as he lightly traced her spine.

He drew back and smiled at her. “What’s the musical theme tonight?”

“Eighties movies. Madonna’s ‘Who’s That Girl’ and that song from Pretty in Pink.” She laughed. “Let’s all pause and imagine how excited my dad is.”

“I’m sure he can barely contain himself.” Griffith put his arm around her and led her to his truck. “He’s a good guy, doing what he does.”

“I think he and Helen enjoy helping out the new bands. Every now and then they get to play with real musicians, so that’s good.”

There was a big crowd at the community center. “Everybody loves the eighties,” he said as he parked.

“Why wouldn’t you?” She slid to the ground. “I wonder if Olivia’s here. I had the strangest email from her. She wants to meet with me at work tomorrow. She actually suggested a time, like there’s some formal agenda. Then I have an unexpected tourism meeting in the afternoon. I have no idea what that’s all about.”

He held up both hands. “Don’t look at me. I’m not on the board.”

“It’s the one place you didn’t invade in your attempt to win me.”

He took her hand. “Don’t mock my tactics. They worked.”

“They did, and doesn’t that make you all smug.”

“I’m only a little smug.”

They walked inside and found seats in the back. The band was mostly men and women in their thirties and forties. Griffith had high hopes for them which were only slightly dashed with the first song.

“Madonna would not be happy,” Kelly murmured as the drummer messed up the beat and the lead singer couldn’t find the right key. She saw her dad and Helen exchange a private smile as the other two guitarists got lost in the bridge.

Just before intermission, Jeff and Helen took center stage with a duet of “If You Leave.”

“I love this song,” Kelly whispered to Griffith. He put his arm around her and pulled her close. As her dad and Helen began to sing, she became aware of Griffith moving his thumb along her upper arm. The movement was subtle, but steady. The contact felt nice.

She did her best to return her attention to the stage and her friend singing. When they were done, she and Griffith walked up to talk to Jeff and Helen.

“You sounded fantastic,” Kelly told her friend as she hugged her. “I love that song.”

“I know. We did it for you.”

Kelly turned to her father. “Surviving the eighties?” she asked.

Her dad sighed. “I lived through them once. That was enough.”

“I’m sure John Hughes would be very proud that you’re celebrating his movies.”

“He doesn’t need me,” Jeff grumbled, then nodded at Helen. “We’re, ah, going to grab a bite after the show. Some, ah, friends are joining us so we might be late.”

“No problem. I won’t tell Mom.”