When I first moved to California, there was a high demand for commercial real estate agents. One of the first women I hooked up with was a profound real estate agent. She said with my pretty face and smooth talking I could make a killing. So, I took the test for my real estate license and made my first five million selling real estate. I don’t do it full time anymore, but I’ll take on a property here and there to make a little extra cash, though for Ben, I won’t charge him anything.
“Sure, man, just email me the information. I’ll give you a call later to set up a time to go have that beer!”
“Great. See you later, man.” I head over to my car shaking my head. He always needs my help with something or another.
I park my car outside the hospital and make my way inside, stopping at the gift shop to grab some of my mother’s favorite flowers. I then take the lift to the floor she’s on and as soon as I step off the elevator, I hear my mother voice. “I want to go home, Helen. Take me home.”
I can hear Helen pleading with my mother. “Mrs. Abbott, please keep your voice down, you’re disturbing other patients. I will take you home as soon as the doctors will allow it.”
“Helen, please. I just want to be in my own bed. These damn hospital beds are awful.”
Before Helen can respond, I turn the corner into my mother's room. “Mama, you can’t go home right now. The doctors want to make sure you don’t need surgery.”
“Sebastian! My baby boy.” She cries, holding out her arms for a hug. “When did you get here?”
Looking around the small, private room, I know the beds won’t be the best but it sure looks comfortable enough. There are two chairs beneath the window and one by the bed. There’s a nightstand in the room and storage for clothing. I hold out the flowers I brought to my mother who inspects them as a smile crosses her face. “You remembered my favorites.”
“Never forgotten.” She hands them off to Helen as I pull a chair up beside her bed. I lean down to hug her tightly before taking my seat.
“When did you get here? Why didn’t you tell me you were coming home? I would’ve made myself look prettier.”
She couldn’t get prettier if she tried. “You’re already beautiful mom. And Helen called the day you fell, and I caught the first plane out.”
“You didn’t have to come all the way home; I know you’re busy. Besides, Helen takes good care of me,” she says, smiling sweetly at Helen. My mother adores Helen, even though she gives her a hard time. Helen is a great nurse.
“I know, but I wanted to make sure you were alright for myself. Besides, I needed a break from my hectic life.”
I turn my attention to Helen. She looks exhausted. “Helen, why don’t you head home and grab some rest? I’ll be here for a while yet. Go and enjoy yourself for a while.”
She shrugs. “I know, but I want to be here. I like spending time with Della, even when she has her sassy pants on.”
My mother rolls her eyes, causing both Helen and I to laugh. “Maybe I need to give you some pointers.”
“Oh no,” Helen retorts, “you have enough sass for both of us.”
I shake my head at their banter. She isn’t wrong though; my mother will give anyone a run for their money when it comes to being sassy. I think being outspoken and guarded became her coping mechanism after my father died. For lack of a better word, a bitch, it keeps people at arms-length.
I sit for a while with my mother holding her hand as she recounts what’s been happening since I’ve been in California. It gets later in the day as my mom sits back in her bed. She looks tired and in desperate need of some sleep. Time for me to leave. “Mama, I’m going to go. I need to wash this flight off and get something to eat. I’ll be back tomorrow morning to check in on you. Don’t give any nurses a hard time.”
“Okay baby. Don’t worry about me. Helen is here to make sure I don’t fight any nurses.”
Helen’s eyes go wide and I just laugh.
“I’ll call later to check on you.” I lean down, placing a kiss on her cheek. “I love you. Behave yourself.”
“I love you too and I’ll try.”
I look over to Helen. “Thank you. If she gives you too much of a hard time, just give me a call.”
“You’re welcome and I will.”
Chapter Four
Tristan
I pull into the parking lot of the office, throwing my car into park, still annoyed by the guy at the bakery. I mean, who the hell does he think he is? I grab my things from the passenger's seat, making my way into the office. I toss my things onto the desk and plop into my office chair as I hit the intercom button on the phone.
“Hey, Ari. I’m back!”
“Okay, I’ll be right out.”
I hit the intercom button again to hang up and blow out an exasperated breath. I don’t know why that guy's comment got to me so much, but it did and now, I can’t stop thinking about it. I stare out the front window of the office as it replays in my mind over and over again.
“Hellooo, earth to Tristan.” Arianna is waving her hand in front of my face, grabbing my attention.
I blink at her. “Huh?”
“You okay?” She asks, concern washing over her face.
Damn that jerk for sticking in my brain.
“Yea, I’m okay. Just had an encounter with some arrogant jerk at the bakery… He called me sugar tits.”
Arianna quickly brings her hand up to cover her mouth, trying to hide the obvious smile on her face.
I narrow my eyes at her. “It’s not funny.”
She chuckles. “Come on, admit it. It kind of is.”
I roll my eyes at her amusement. “Don’t you have to go get Heaven from school?”
“He was hot, wasn’t he?” She asks, giving me a sly grin.
“How did you know?”
She shrugs. “That just sounded like something Landon would have said to get my attention.”
I scoff. “He didn’t want my attention. Besides I have Laz.”
“He doesn’t know that.”
“Go!” I order, not wanting to talk about this further.
“I’m going. But this conversation isn’t over!” She pushes the door slightly open before turning back to me. “Sugar tits.”
Picking up the first thing I find, I toss a pencil across the room at her. She slips out the door, pulling it shut quickly so that the pencil hits the glass. I’m never going to live the damn nickname down. Once she’s gone, I turn my attention back to work, trying to block out the thoughts of the arrogant handsome man and his ridiculous nickname. My email dings and I click to open it.
Miss Summers-
Yes, the building is still available to purchase. I have an open spot at 2pm on Tuesday and can show you around if you wish?
Thank you,
Ben
I wiggle in excitement, thankful that at least one of the buildings was still available. I respond immediately.
Mr Ben-
Tuesday at 2pm will be perfect. Thank you so much for your time.
Sincerely,
Tristan Summers