Chapter two: Dinner with Nate and Maggie
Nate and Maggie's apartment
"Nate, maybe we should just eat, it's nearly eight and maybe something came up," Maggie said as she covered the pasta so it wouldn't dry out.
"I'm sure he's on his way." Nate leaned against counter. "There's something off about him and I got to wonder what brings someone from all the way to New York to Los Angeles."
"He's a single guy, Nate, you can't figure everyone out like they're a puzzle. As talented as you are when you get your mark." Maggie leaned forward and kissed his cheek.
Nate smiled and pulled her into his arms. "I always get my answers, Maggie."
Maggie kissed him and patted his cheek.
"Well, I'll give him another ten…"
The door bell rang and Nate gave her a look. "And better late than never right."
Nate walked to the door and peeked through the peephole. He opened the door and gave a greeting.
"Good to see you made it, Jim," Nate said.
"Sorry I'm late. I got a call from an old friend of the family." Sterling put out his hand and shook Nate's hand. "I hope I'm not too late to indulge on a good meal."
"Never too late. Make yourself at home," Nate said.
"Oh, before I forget, I got a bottle to hopefully enhance the taste of a delightful pasta," Sterling said as he presented the bottle.
"Perfect. I'll go ahead and open it to let it breathe. Maggie, come meet Jim." Nate looked over her.
She walked over and smiled brightly.
"The woman of our humble abode," Nate said. "Jim, this Maggie."
"Ah, a pleasure to meet you, Maggie." Jim put out his hand to her. "I hope Nate didn't step on toes for inviting me over tonight."
"Of course not, Jim. Nate told me you're new to the area and needed some friends outside work. So, you are welcome." Maggie smiled.
She tucked some of her blonde hair behind her ear. Sterling gave a smile and Nate looked at Maggie.
"So, let's have a seat. Jim, can I get you a drink while we wait for the wine to breathe?" Nate asked.
"Water would be fine." Sterling looked over at Nate.
They walked to the small living area and Maggie took a seat.
"So, Nate tells me you two met on a job," Sterling remarked.
"We did. I was verifying some art for him. There was rumor of a forger who makes multiple copies of famous pieces and sells them. All of the buyers think they have the original. It's very exciting. I get to go some times on these little extrusions."
Nate walked over and handed Sterling a glass of water and took a seat next to Maggie. "She's the best at what she does. She's helped me with several clients. We've recovered billions of dollars for clients at I.Y.S."
"It feels good helping those who can't do it themselves. I like that." Sterling took a sip of water. "Keeps an honest man honest. When I was in New York I didn't feel like my company was doing a good job. We were forking out more money than we collected from clients. It was heart breaking."
"So, how did you come to I.Y.S. ?" Maggie asked.
"I quit my other job and an old friend of mine told me they needed someone. Mind you I did have my own connections help. They owed me and some old school mates of mine worked at the over sea offices." Sterling looked at Maggie then at Nate. " How'd you get started there?"
"I just worked my way at smaller offices. I dropped out of school and tried my hand at it."
"Believe it or not, Nate was going to be a priest." Maggie patted Nate's leg.
"Well, Insurance is much like being a priest, you hear a lot of confessions," Sterling remarked with a smile.
Nate chuckled and looked at Maggie. "I think he'll survive at I.Y.S."
"I know this is going to sound like I'm prying and being pushy, but I have some single friends that would like you." Maggie looked at Sterling, "Surely you don't want to be single the rest of your life."
Sterling slightly frowned and shook his head.
"I couldn't put that on you, Maggie. I'm kind of the solitude kind of man. Bachelor for life."
"Alright, well if you change your mind, I can give you names."
"Maggie, don't push him. Let him enjoy the city before he decides." Nate kissed her cheek.
Maggie smiled and kissed him back. "You two talk insurance because I know you boys are itching to discuss work. I'm going to start serving up and pour the wine."
She got up and walked over and Sterling watched her.
"She's great isn't she?" Nate said.
"So, when are you two love birds getting married?" Sterling asked.
"Spring, we hope. We're actually putting down money for a little house outside the city. It'll be a nice place to raise kids and a little quieter too. But that's when we hope to tie the knot." Nate looked over at Maggie.
She was everything to him. She kept him grounded when things were out of control. Maggie seemed to take stress of his day a way. And he was happy to always come home to her.
As the even progressed the three of them found pleasant conversation to pass the time. Dinner had passed and Maggie even had made dessert for the occasion.
"I think I should be heading on. I had just enough to be considered sober and a full gut to let me sleep tonight," Sterling said. "Maggie, you are a fabulous cook."
"Jim, take some home with you that way you can have a second meal." Maggie quickly got up. "You can give Nate the container when you see him at work whenever you finish with it."
"Oh, that's not necessary," Sterling objected.
"Jim, don't be modest," Nate remarked.
He shrugged and Maggie packed him away some. She handed him the container and smiled.
"Thank you, Maggie." Sterling gave a bow of his head.
Nate walked with him to the door and shook his hand. "Don't be a stranger, Jim. Maggie loves to cook when she can."
"If I had a woman like Maggie I wouldn't have this great figure. You're a lucky man to find a woman that great."
"Someday, Jim, you'll have one too. See at work tomorrow." Nate gave Sterling's shoulder a pat.
He shut the door and looked at Maggie. She cleaned up and he walked to clean the dishes.
"I like him, Nate, he seems to have a good head of his shoulders. I think Lane would like him."
Nate gave a nod and paused for a moment. "I still think there's something off."
"Nate, he's nervous with meeting new people. Let it go." Maggie kissed him. "I made you something special for lunch tomorrow."
Nate kissed her before she went off to the office and took a seat at the computer. He pulled up the I.Y.S website and found a list of active investigators at the company. He clicked on Sterling's name and brought up his profile. Nate read the small blurb about Sterling. There was no information that really made Sterling stick out, but Nate was determined to find what he was hiding.