Page 45 of Proof

“Fancy.” Jennine was impressed at Chi-Chi’s choice of restaurants. “Glad I went home to change.”

“I must get back to work.” Chi-Chi turned and moved quickly to her shop. She clicked on her walkie-talkie. “We will not be going to Blue Ridge,” she said to Luna.

“Whatever you say. So, what is Jennine up to?”

“What do you think she is up to?”

“From here, it looked like she was getting ready for a role in an old Hollywood movie.”

“I do not like horror pictures.” Chi-Chi smiled at her own joke.

Luna chuckled. “You’re funny. It doesn’t matter where we go, but we should call ahead.”

“Yes. Let’s go to the steakhouse. I need a piece of red meat.”

“Wow. Jennine really gets under your skin, doesn’t she?” Luna asked, knowing the answer.

“I do not want to discuss it. We shall eat meat, creamed spinach, and baked potatoes.”

“You got it, girlfriend. Let’s leave at six. Sabrina and Lucy already agreed to cover for us.”

“Excellent.”

“What time is Abeo arriving?” Luna asked.

“Around five. That will give me one hour with him, and then he will be on his own.” Chi-Chi snickered.

* * *

It was just after three when Chris arrived at the center. First stop was Luna’s. She was with a client at her easel while Sabrina covered the front. If Luna had a reading, she would pay Sabrina or Lucy extra money to mind the café. Chi-Chi was right. Luna had more clients than she could handle and was feeling a little guilty about pulling the pages away from their regular routine. But no one seemed to mind. Stillwell Art Center was an oasis of cooperation.

Chris tipped his fingers in a salute and motioned he was going to Cullen’s. Before the guys headed out, they stopped at the café to discuss their plans for later. Chris immediately walked over to Luna and gave her a hug and a kiss. On the lips. Very important. They all figured they would be finished with their dinner around the same time and decided to meet at Luna’s for a nightcap. Afterward, Chi-Chi would go back to her—hopefully—empty house. She and Cullen still hadn’t slept with each other, and Chi-Chi was adamant about keeping it that way. At least for the time being. Not that Cullen ever made a move. They kissed plenty, but only in private, and that’s where it ended.

* * *

The guys drove to the exhibit center, chatting about the latest baseball stats. Chris wanted to tell Cullen about his promotion, but also wanted to tell Luna first. Maybe he’d make an announcement after dinner. Then he had second thoughts. It should be something they shared together. In private. He also didn’t want to discuss the impending custody battle. That was a lot of important information he had to keep to himself for a few more hours. Once they arrived at the car show, it was easy to be distracted. The smell of polish and leather filled the exhibit hall. Everything from a 1912 Ford Model T to a 1969 Chevy Camaro and a Volkswagen bus were on display, fetching tens of thousands of dollars. The bus had a sticker price of 63,500 dollars, more than a current luxury SUV. Cullen was amazed. A green 1955 Chevy Bel Air caught his eye. Then the price tag made him do a double take. That, too, was over 63,000 dollars.

Chris made his way over to a 1959 red Ford Thunderbird with a V8 engine. “Only twenty-five-thousand dollars. Not bad, really.”

“I always figured you for a T-bird or a Mustang,” Cullen remarked. Then he turned to Chris. “Maybe this isn’t such a bad idea after all. I’m going to chat with the owner of that Bel Air and see if I can get a fix on what investment in time and money is required in order to make a profit.”

“I’m going to continue to drool over this baby.” Chris leaned into the window of the driver’s seat. It was in excellent condition. But did he really need a new car? He strolled among the other pristine cars. It could be a good hobby, if he ever had the time.

About an hour later, Cullen caught up with Chris. “Sorry. I really got a boatload of information. Most of these guys love to talk. And talk. And talk.”

“I get it. The T-bird dude was trying to talk me into buying that car. I had to walk away, because he almost had me pulling out my credit card,” Chris said.

“It is a beauty,” Cullen added.

“Don’t encourage me. I have a lot on my plate, and buying a new-old car isn’t on the table right now.” He thought for a moment. “Did that come out right?”

Cullen laughed. “Spending too much time with my sister, eh?”

“Actually, no. Don’t tell her, but I really do miss her.”

“Wow. Don’t tell me that, either!” Cullen joked.

Chris couldn’t keep it in any longer. In fact, it might be a good idea to run his thoughts past Cullen. “Listen, I’m about to embark on a very serious mission.”

---