Chapter 18: Sneak Away

The guys knew their best chance for romancing and winning Laura was to get some time alone with her. Laura was more comfortable with getting to know them better and understand how they related to one another as lifelong friends before she thought she would agree to another date one-on-one. She was not sure that she felt fully comfortable with them. It had only been two weeks and they had demonstrated a violent streak.

Ricky was a born leader and he was hoping he could lead her right to his heart. She loved it when he anticipated her needs by making dinner for her from scratch. But he did not want a lover or a girlfriend. He wanted a partner at his side.

Sexting was growing old and she never agreed to meet him at a hotel in the middle of the day, despite his consistent communication with her. He gave her everything he had to give through his smartphone. It was time to take the mountain to Mohammed. She liked it when he cooked. So he would surprise her and cook her Sunday brunch this time. Then drown her in romance.

He buzzed her door without an invitation. “Laura, it’s me Ricky. I thought I’d make you brunch if you let me in. Please.” He definitely was not too proud to beg if it meant that he captured her heart in the end.

“Ricky? It’s raining. Come up, come up, come up.”

He was soaked through and through. He had gone on a bicycle ride then stopped at the farmer’s market. He grabbed some foodie goodies, fair trade coffee, and organic produce.

She met him at the door in her pajamas and her hair was a wild mess of silver.

“You are soaked through and through. Come in. I’ll get you a towel and some dry clothes.”

“Thanks. All I can say is rain was not in today’s forecast.”

“Here are some clean pj’s and towels. Change and dry off. I’ll dry your clothes.”


Right there he started taking off his shirt and was about to take off his shorts when she told him he could change in the bathroom down the hall and even have a shower. These sweatpants and t-shirt must have belonged to the man she used to date. They were too small, so he just came out with a towel wrapped around his waist. It felt good having someone to care for him in this way. He started looking forward to brunch.

They reprised their roles of his master chef to her sous chef. They listened to the local college’s alternative rock radio station. Within minutes they were done and ready to feast: French toast with fresh berries, honey, and confectioner’s sugar; sausage; orange juice and coffee. Just as they were about to eat, the buzzer sounded again.

“Expecting anyone?”

“I wasn’t expecting you either, but here you are,” Laura playfully bantered with the now considerably drier but very sexy and shirtless Ricky. “Who is it?” Laura sweetly called out.

“It’s Alex with champagne and fresh strawberries.”

She let him in and greeted him with, “Great, we can all have mimosas.” Before he thought about who was included in we, Ricky came out from the kitchen, with the towel still around his waist, fully aware that he would be sharing more than brunch today.

“Guess who stopped by, Ricky? It’s...”

“Hi Alex. Looks like great minds think alike.”

The moment Laura excused herself and left to put the washed clothes in the dryer, Alex lit into Ricky.

“So you thought you would just come over here this morning, or did you come last night after Don and I left?”

“If that’s so wrong, Alex, then what are you doing here at 10 a.m. on a Sunday morning?

Before either one could get any further riled up, the buzzer rang a third time: Don.

Laura called from the back that they could let him up. Don sounded like he was going to come through the intercom when Ricky’s male voice invited him up instead of Laura’s female one, By the time he made it to the third floor with his flask of vodka, bottle of V8 juice, and bubbly hot lobster mac ‘n’ cheese, nothing upset him.

“Hey guys, I didn’t know it was a party. Smells good, let’s eat.”

Laura returned and asked Don to say the blessing while they all held hands.

“Before I do, are any others coming, you know, to celebrate over Sunday brunch with the Lovely Laura?”

“No. You can bless the meal.”

They ate to music and lively conversation until the dryer signaled that Ricky’s clothes were ready. It had stopped raining and Laura was going to usher them out so she could practice her cello.

They could no more be mad at her than they were at each other. They were each guilty of subterfuge, though none of them had ultimately succeeded in getting her alone.

On the way out Don Juan said, “So what time’s supper?” more than a little tipsy. Ricky cycled away; Don fell into the backseat of his limo and Alex drove off in his Benz.

It was like they were becoming a little family. Laura was not feeling sad or disappointed. She felt social and happy, finding her way in the love square, and becoming more loved each day by just being herself. “Highly recommended; three men at a time are highly recommended.” Then she sat down to dive into practicing her cello until the next surprise visit from one, two, or maybe all three of her admirers. She wondered what their next move would be.