Page 26 of Between Desire and Denial
“I’ve heard what you think.” The man’s gruff voice cut Dimitri off as he stared at me. “I’d like to hear from Olive.”
“Well.” I cleared my throat. Walter always cared mostly about his property value even if it didn’t benefit those around him. “Don’t you think New Haven City is filling up with corporate spaces? Why not have Dimitri control what we have in ours? He’s here, a part of Paradise Grove now. He’ll make sure it’s up to our standards.”
Melly, a woman about the same age as me who’d gone to high school with me, too, bounced in her chair, her chest jumping with her and putting her ample cleavage on display. “I already like what he’s doing with the boutiques by the golf course.”
I thought I heard Reggie mutter something about the retail space looking like a strip mall, but I didn’t comment on that. Instead, I said, “Right. Dimitri is working hard on the boutiques. And I grew up here. I’ll have the best interests at heart with him.”
“Oh please. He drag you here just to help him with this? You get bored fluttering around the country with pop stars and wanted to try something new? Your father’s gonna love this.” Walter grumbled.
“Now, Walt—” Lucille started.
“Earl would say the same damn thing.” Walter pointed his meaty finger at her, and it shook with anger. “And you know he’s not going to be on board with any of this.”
Lucille glared at him like she was about to say something, but Dimitri beat her to it. “Walter, look.” His voice had shifted.It was lower, meaner, colder. “My girlfriend and I have been together long enough that your insinuation is disrespectful.”
“Dimitri, it’s okay. I can be a bit noncommittal.”
“No.” He frowned at me and then touched my cheek. “I’ll be clear now while we’re all in a room together. I’ve invested a significant amount of money into this community, not just for me, but for my girlfriend. It’s of value to her and of value to me. I intend to keep investing because she’s committed to you all, and I’m committed to her.”
I wasn’t sure if he was winning over the men in the meeting, but Lucille had stars in her eyes, and Melly looked completely in love with him.
“Olive wanted to be here to focus on her thesis in a place where she felt comfortable. It’s time to settle down and maybe look at expanding our family.” Family? I almost choked on my own tongue. Yet, he put his arm around me like he was a doting boyfriend, like we’d done this a million times. Then he squeezed my shoulder. “Didn’t I tell you this was the perfect place to settle, Honeybee? That’s what you all call her, right?”
Lucille had pulled a handkerchief from her wool pocket and dabbed the corner of one eye. “Yep. We love her middle name. Her mother was such a treasure, as I’m sure Olive Bee has told you, that’s how we all referred to her growing up because her mom loved it so much.” I gulped down the ball in my throat at the memory of my mom yelling for me to come home from down the street. “Oh gosh. You two are just perfect together. I’m excited to hear how you met. This is so wonderful.”
Dimitri just continued on, “Yes, Honeybee has told me so much about her.”
What a fucking nickname. I tried to stomp on his foot under the table, but he moved quickly.
“Sure. My Darling D is such a good listener… when he’s home.” I fluttered my eyelashes at him as he wrinkled his nose atmy nickname. “But he travels a lot. I’m sure he’s been neglectful with keeping this place up to the standards of Paradise Grove.”
“Actually, I try my best to help Dimitri out with that.” Melly added in.
Lucille tsked as if disgusted and rolled her eyes. “Good thing Dimitri has it covered now, Melly. You can stop waltzing over there to water his plants even though you know I do that in the morning.”
“I don’t know why any of you women are over there watering his plants when he’s trying to ruin the very community we’ve built,” Walter said with venom in his voice. “How’s Earl feel about that, Lucille? Where is he, anyway?”
She cleared her throat and her eyes narrowed. “That’s not your concern. My Earl will be here when it comes time to vote, or I’ll vote for him.”
The man huffed while Melly smiled sweetly at Dimitri. “Dimitri, if you still need help watering the plants, I’m happy to do it—”
“I appreciate the offer”—Dimitri nodded at her and then winked at me as if it was a joke how much these women were doting on him—“but Olive and I will have all of that under control now, won’t we?”
“I guess,” I mumbled. I wasn’t going to do any gardening at all, and I’d be gone next week, but I just had to get through this meeting.
“And she and I will be providing you all with enough information in the mailing. We also will have more information at the next meeting to make sure you’re all comfortable with the condos and offices, I promise.”
“I’m really looking forward to it.” Lucille sounded genuinely happy for us.
I wasn’t. I wasn’t at all.
Chapter Ten
OLIVE
“A freaking family, Dimitri?”I screeched once we were alone in the car with Mr. Preston driving us back. I was almost hyperventilating—and it was just a pretend idea.
He looked me up and down, then squeezed my shoulder. “Breathe, Honeybee. You look terrified of even pretending to want a family.”
