Are You The One?

Chapter 7

Brit packed a small suitcase, thankful that she wouldn’t be on her own while Cliff waited in the living room. She hesitated over packing lingerie and then decided to pack a few sexy girly things as well as some sensible shorts and tank tops. She grabbed her toothbrush and toiletries and threw them in another smaller bag and finally she was ready to go.

They listened to music on the way to his house. When a favorite Justin Timberlake song came on she was surprised when Cliff sang along. She giggled.

“What?” he asked with a grin.

“I just didn’t take you for a JT fan,” she admitted.

“You think I’m this snobby guy who listens to Debussy and sips wine at dinner don’t you?” he teased.

“A little,” she joked back.

“I’m just a normal man Brit. I wish you could see past the money,” he said quietly.

“I’m trying,” she said reaching out and taking his hand.

He brought it to his lips and kissed it.

“You know you might be the first woman who was turned off by my wealth,” he said finally.

“I’m not your average woman,” she shot back.

“No. You definitely aren’t,” he said.

She didn’t know why but his intense gaze made her blush.

They spent the rest of the night cuddling, just enjoying one another’s company. They talked until Brit started yawning and Cliff insisted she get some sleep. The next morning, he kissed her on her forehead and promised that he would be back as soon as he possibly could.

Brit spent the morning finishing her article which she promptly emailed to Diana. That left her with nothing to do. She foraged in his kitchen which she wasn’t surprised to find poorly stocked and settled on a bowl of raisin bran. The rest of the afternoon she watched television lazily while lying on the couch. At around three she heard someone at the door. When she opened it she was surprised to find Holly, who she recognized from the art show trying to stuff an oversized envelope into Cliff’s mailbox.

“Hello,” Brit said.

Holly looked momentarily confused and even checked the number on the condo.

“Is this Cliff Adam’s house? “she asked.

“Yes, it is,” Brit replied. “He’s not home right now.”

“Are you his girlfriend?” Holly inquired.

“Um. Well that’s a bit complicated,” Brit said biting her lower lip.

“Cliff isn’t normally one for complications,” Holly said with a smile.

“Did you want to leave that envelope with me?” Brit asked.

“Yes. Thank you,” Holly said suddenly tearing up.

“Did you want to come in?” Brit asked alarmed.

“Yes please,” Holly said.

She led her to the kitchen where Brit got her a tissue and also a glass of water. Without knowing how, Holly launched into detail what had gotten her so upset. Brit listened with a sympathetic ear finally understanding.

“You really shouldn’t tell him in a letter. You should come over. Both of you. Why don’t you come over for dinner? I make a great spaghetti. Nothing fancy but please come,” Brit urged.

“But Jeff…” Holly began.

“I’m sure once you explain Cliff will understand. He’s…well he’s arrogant and a pain in the ass but underneath that he is this amazing man with a really great heart. You two should talk and once you explain I’m sure he would want to help. I know he misses you Holly.”

“Okay. Okay we’ll be here,” Holly said standing and giving Brit a hug. “I’m so glad I met you.”

“Me too,” Brit said sincerely.

She only hoped Cliff wouldn’t mind her meddling.

Brit had returned from the store and was cooking dinner when Cliff got home.

“Wow something smells delicious,” he said.

“Hi,” Brit said pecking him on the lips.

“You didn’t have to cook. We could have gone out to dinner,” Cliff said.

“We are having company over for dinner,” Brit explained.

“Company? Eric and Tara?” he asked.

“No. It’s a surprise.”

“A surprise?” he inquired with a frown.

“Yes a surprise. Now go shower and stop eating the tomatoes out of the salad,” she said shooing him.

Cliff joined her a little while later to see if she needed help with anything. Brit’s heart skipped a beat when she saw how good he looked in his jeans and button down shirt, his hair still slightly wet and slicked back from the shower. The food was finished so she asked him to please set the table for four. She hurried to take a quick shower. She put her hair in a casual bun and she had changed into a plum short sleeved shift dress. He whistled when he saw her, and she blushed when she saw his appreciative glance.  He pulled her towards him and kissed her deeply despite her playful protests. Suddenly the bell rang.

“I’ll get it,” he said with a grin.

Cliff went to answer the door. There stood his sister Holly.

“Holly,” Cliff exclaimed pulling her into a tight hug.

“Hello big brother. Jeff is parking the car,” she said tearfully.

“So I finally get to meet this guy huh?”

Suddenly a handsome young man with dark unruly and curly hair walked up holding a bottle of wine with an anxious expression.

“This is Jeff, my husband.”

“Husband?” Cliff said shocked.

Jeff held his hand out and Cliff shook it, although Brit noticed that his jaw was clenched. Cliff sized him up. Roughly two inches taller than him but slight. Although muscular, he was rather slender and tanned like he spent most of his time outdoors. His light hazel eyes were the opposite of Cliff’s dark blue ones. But somehow Brit could see similarities in both men. Mostly in their fierce protective stances of Holly.

“I brought wine,” Holly said suddenly to break the sudden tension.

“Thank you,” Brit said stepping forward. “Here let me take that.”

Holly hugged Brit and they made their way to the living room. There was strained conversation with Cliff barely speaking and if he did, responding with one word answers and shooting daggers at Jeff. Brit suggested they go eat and they all followed her to the dining room.

After Brit had served dinner they all sat around in awkward silence. 

“Oh the wine,” Holly said to break the silence. “Cliff can you show Jeff where the bottle opener is?”

“I got it,” Cliff said heading to the kitchen.