Page 24

A month before my official start date at Prescott Realty, I'm savoring what free time I have left.

After last week's training, I'm happy to have some time to prepare for that place.

They like to have all new hires start in waves.

Something about us facing challenges together which helps us to work better as a team.

The tour Ally gave me had my head spinning.

Prescott Realty is huge, bigger than any corporation I've ever worked at.

Each department is run like a separate business.

There's marketing and advertising, which is where I am but there's also departments for acquisitions, renovations, financing, human resources, public relations, and community relations.

And then of course, there's the executive board, which Phoenix heads. I'll need a map just to find my desk.

For now, I'm tucking that away. Today, I'm practicing yoga.

Who knows what tomorrow will bring? Maybe I'll join a book club.

It's been a while since I had time to curl up and read a good book, one that wasn't required to pass a class.

Not knowing what's next is thrilling. The landscape of my life isn't filled in just yet.

There's still time to write my own story.

When I walk into my living room, I'm reminded of my two new roommates. Souvenirs of our first date, they seem happy in their new tank, swimming and exploring the new environment.

The phone rings.

"Hey you!" I drop a few flakes into the tank.

"Would you be mad if I told you I wanna fuck you right now?"

I could melt.

Surprised by his candor, a small giggle escapes. "It's only been a few hours since you dropped me off."

Phoenix yawns. "I know. Last night was wild but this morning at your place was nice, too."

My face gets hot. "Yes. It was . . . ."

"Hey, how do you like the fish?"

"I don't just like them, I love them, Phoenix!

They're so adorable. The big one seems more dominant, like he's running things.

So, I gave him a rock star name, Axel. The smaller, more graceful one, seems sweet so I call her Alana.

They're cute together. It's funny but I think they're like, a real couple. "

He laughs. "Cool. Hey, I was thinking, we could take a trip. You know, before you start at the office?"

"A trip?"

"Yeah, why not? Labor Day is coming up. Got that long weekend. We can go anywhere. Pick a place."

I raise my eyebrows. "Anywhere?"

"Anywhere."

"Miami is the first place that comes to mind."

"Done."

"Really? Miami? Just like that? What if I had said Paris?"

"We would be going to Paris, then."

"OK, let's go to Paris."

"Nope. There's no conviction, no belief behind those words. You said Miami first, so that's where we're going."

"Are you playing? We're going to Miami? Just like that?"

"Just like that."

"I'd say definitely, yes, let's but I'm still working at Lotus until next month. I have to work at the club that weekend."

"I'll talk to Nick," he reassures me. "You know what? Invite your girls, I'll bring Riz and JC."

"This just gets better and better."

"That's how it is with me. Which reminds me." He gets quiet.

"Hello?"

"Listen. Now, don't get mad."

"Mad at what?"

"Well, I've been seeing this raggedy car outside the club every Friday and every time I see it, I stop myself from calling to get it towed.

It's an eyesore. A bad one. I always wondered who it belonged to.

So, imagine my surprise when I come to pick you up for our date yesterday and I spot it parked in front of your house! It all came full circle."

"Don't get mad, huh? You're making fun of me and Gertrude? She's been loyal since day one."

"That's what you call it?" He laughs heartily. "No! No, I'm not making fun of you two. I am letting you know, we're going car shopping today, though. No girl of mine is gonna be seen driving a trap named Gertrude! It's time to upgrade, babe. I'm on my way back to you now."

He's calling me his girl! It's official. I'm his girl! Never in a million years did I ever imagine he would be like this. He's impossibly sweet.

"Whoa. Wait. What did you say?"

"And I know just the car for you."

"Car? Right now? You do realize a car is a huge purchase?"

"Yep. I'm outside, come out."

Is he serious? Still not believing it, I grab my bag and leave the house. On my way out, I glance at old faithful. It may be one of the last times I see her alive.

Phoenix pulls up to a luxury car lot on the south side of Milwaukee. We get out and we're greeted by a tall guy, with dark slicked-back hair and a tailored navy suit. They shake hands and slap each other on the back.

"Phoenix! The city's best and brightest! How are you doing?"

Phoenix nods. "Pretty good, Jim. I'm bringing my girl to get a new car. We want to drive it off the lot today. What can you show me? I'm thinking BMW 3 Series. That's a nice starter car, right?" He looks at me to gain consensus.

Speechless, I stare back, not believing a word coming out his mouth.

BMW? Is he serious?

"Oh! That's legendary. Lucky lady." Jim laughs and rubs his hands together. "I can show you some beauties."

"We need all-wheel drive, M-class, loaded. What color, Ari?" Phoenix looks at me.

Still shell-shocked, I blink to clear the fog. "Ah. Um. Blue, maybe?"

"Blue, it is. What do you have for us, Jim?"

Jim points at us with two fingers. "I like how you two think. I've got the perfect car. It's out on the floor now." He motions for us to follow. "Come inside."

We oblige. Sitting on the showroom floor is the most perfect vehicle, in the most electrifying shade of blue I've ever seen. Jim was right. It's a beauty. One I'm not sure I can handle.

"This is the BMW 330i M-class, sport design, executive tier package." He cocks his head slightly to admire it. "Isn't that pretty?"

Phoenix smiles broadly. "That's the one. What do you think, Ari? Is it you?"

"Just like that?" I raise my eyebrows, eyes still wide.

"Would you like to take it for a test drive?" Jim asks us both.

"Yep."

"I'll get the keys," Jim returns. "Let me drive it out the showroom for you. You can take it from there."

Phoenix passes Jim his driver's license.

Jim frowns. "I don't need that, Phoenix. You're good. Meet me in front?"

We leave the showroom and wait for Jim out front.

The more I let it sink in, the more excited and confused I become. "I'm getting this car? Today?"

"Yep!"

"How am I going to pay for it?"

"You're not. I am, silly."

"How am I supposed to pay you back?"

"Don't worry about it. It's a gift. Besides, I'm just glad to help you get rid of that rusted garbage pail on wheels."

"Her name is Gertrude!" Shocked by his candor, I laugh, loudly. "You're on a totally different plane than like 99 percent of the population. Who buys a car for someone else, simply because they hate looking at what that person drives? You're serious about this, aren't you?"

"Yep and you can't stop me. You need to upgrade that eyesore."

"Hey! I said leave Gertrude alone." I smile at his teasing. "She's gotten me through some tough times! She's super reliable."

Jim pulls up and hands Phoenix the key fob. "Enjoy the ride." He gets out of the car, leaving the driver's door open in front of us both.

Phoenix dangles the key fob in front of me. "You want to test drive it before I buy it or not?"

"Do I really have a choice?" I ask with a dubious grin.

Phoenix shakes his head. "Not really. The only thing you can do is boycott me by choosing to ride the bus because sooner or later Gertrude is gonna croak." He pretends to choke, making gagging noises and going so far as to put his hands around his throat to let his tongue hang out of his mouth.

The gesture is hysterical, especially since he's such a serious, sexy type of guy.

"OK. OK. I get it!" Not quite letting it sink in, I playfully snatch the key fob out of Phoenix's hand.

"Let's go." I get in the driver's seat. Phoenix gets in on the passenger's side.

"Ready?" I ask, before starting the car.

"Come on!" He smacks the dashboard.

I start the car by pushing a button, no keys needed. "So, this is what luxury feels like?" It purrs contently, as do I, as I marvel at the magnificence of this powerhouse on wheels. As soon as I put it in reverse, the back-up camera comes on. "Look at that, I don't have to look over my shoulder?"

Phoenix watches me as if he's viewing his favorite TV show. I can tell he's enjoying this, immensely.

I pull out into the street. "Smooth ride. What's this?" My frown gives way to a gleeful smile. "Is it projecting my speed onto the windshield?"

"That's the heads-up display," he says through a wide grin.

I breathe in the scent of the leather upholstery. "This is too much!"

"You like it?"

"Um. This is more than I could ever ask for," I reply with awe in my eyes. I head straight for the highway. "Let's check the speed on this bad boy!" The heads-up display shows I'm twenty miles over the speed limit. No shaking or bouncing like old Gertrude. "I'm not used to such a smooth ride."

"See, it's growing on you already."

"Didn't take long, did it?" I laugh as I step on the gas and take off.

Out of nowhere, a siren and flashing lights cause my heart to flutter with embarrassment. Damn it! I silently scold myself before glancing at Phoenix in dismay. I pull over to the side of the highway.

"I should've told you to slow down," he confesses.

"It's my fault. Got too excited." I let the window down and wait for the officer to approach.

"Hello, Miss. License and registration, please. You know you were going over 110 miles per hour in a seventy zone? That's a clean forty miles per hour over. Not good for you." He scribbles something on his pad.

Flustered, I reach for my license. "I'm — I'm sorry, officer. This isn't my car. I don't have the registration." I pass my driver's license out the window. "I was going for a test drive."

The officer shakes his head. "Even worse."

"I know that voice." Phoenix looks out the driver window. "Excuse me, officer?"

The officer leans over and looks inside the car. "Phoenix?" A friendly smile softens his disgruntled face. "How are you, man?"

"John! I thought that was you. I'm good, man! How are you and the wife?"

"We're great! Appreciate the deal on that house you got for us last month! I never would've pulled you guys over if I knew it was you." The beaming officer taps on the roof of the car with his knuckles. "Today's your lucky day. Take this as a warning. Stay within the speed limit from now on."

Air escapes my lungs like a deflating balloon. "Will do, officer." I can't believe my good luck.

Officer John walks back to his squad car and turns off the flashing lights.

I look at Phoenix. "You're just Mr. Popularity today, huh. Thanks for saving my ass!" I smack his arm.

"Take it as a gift from the Don," he jokes as his phone rings. "I need to take this."

I pull off the side of the highway and head back to the dealership.

When he gets off the phone he looks at me. "Time to pay me back."

"Sure. Shoot."

"You've been to orientation at Prescott Realty? You're familiar with company culture, right?"

I nod, keeping both hands on the wheel and my eyes on the road. "Ally had me come in. I spent all of last week in orientation. You should show me where your office is some time."

"For sure. Listen, there's another marketing candidate I'm meeting for lunch tomorrow. He graduated from your school. Since he's from your alma mater, think you can sit in on our lunch and give me your thoughts?"

"Really?"

"Yeah." He leans back in the seat and stretches out his legs.

"I'm used to dealing with board members, top executives, and entrepreneurs.

Over the years, the departments have all grown into their own, really.

I need someone on the ground to let me know what's what.

I usually have one of my assistants tag along and give their thoughts but since you've seen what it's like in marketing, you have fresh eyes and the candidate is from your school.

I feel you're qualified to let me know if he's a good fit. "

"Well . . . when you put it that way. What's his name? Maybe I know him."

"I can't remember. Just meet me at Ovation, that Italian restaurant near Bayshore Square? 2 p.m. tomorrow."

"Of course. I'll pay close attention and let you know what I think." This is my chance to do something for Phoenix.

"Don't forget, dress code is professional for all company outings."

"Got it."

We get back to the dealership. Phoenix writes a check for the full amount and I drive off with a brand-new ride.

He's right. With him, it gets better and better.