Chapter 11
Kendall let a hearty laugh escape before she buried her face into Zach's shoulder. Zach turned his head to acknowledge the 6'5" Brit standing in the doorway. "Good morning, Ethan."
"Well, actually it is noon." Ethan replied sounding unintentionally gruff. He noticed that Zach's hand was comfortably resting on Kendall's upper thigh. Ethan could not help but notice the pang of jealousy race through his body.
Kendall pulled herself out of Zach's lap, amused by the situation. She grabbed her small handbag from the kitchen counter, and chimed, "This one is all yours. I'll be at Fusion. See you later."
Zach watched with enjoyment as Kendall sauntered out of the condo. Her hair and skirts flowing freely. Sighing deeply, Zach turned his focus to his grown son. "How can I help you today, Ethan." Zach was confused by his son's demeanor. Call it habit, but Zach is in tune to the body language of most people. Typically when Zach and Ethan were together, Ethan stood up straight, using his height to an advantage. Usually, Ethan's chest puffed out like a disgruntled rooster. But today, Ethan's shoulders were slumped and he was staring at his Italian leather loafers as he shuffled one foot back and forth. "Would you be more comfortable across the courtyard?" Zach was intrigued by Ethan's actions.
"No, I mean. Kendall and I are over, that is quiet obvious." Ethan started a bit too fast, he took a deep breathe, trying to slow down his train of thought. "I came by this morning to offer an olive branch." Ethan slowly sat on the couch in front of Zach.
Zach sat quietly, causing discomfort to Ethan. Ethan began picking at his manicured nails, waiting for Zach to reply to his offer. Finally Zach spoke, "Why the sudden change of heart?"
Ethan avoided making eye contact with the older man, "Somewhere between driving your grieving widow to identify your body, the reunion at Fusion, and this morning, I realized…" He paused as he looked up from his nails to met his father's intense gaze. "I don't want us to hate each other anymore."
Zach hesitated a moment before his next words, "Ethan, I have never hated you. But I know I have given you plenty of reasons to hate me. And I am sorry. I have made mistakes, countless mistakes. Today is a new day." Zach sat in quiet contemplation for a moment, "In so many areas of my life, it is a new day."
Ethan realized Zach was talking about Kendall. "Zach, not that you require it. But, you and Kendall seem happy. I….um.." Ethan began to stumble through his words.
Zach reached out and placed a solid hand on his grown son's knee, "Thank you." Zach felt extremely guilty talking about Kendall with Ethan. The silence between the two men grew awkward, both standing up at the same time. Ethan joked breaking the uncomfortable silence, "I strongly recommended changing the locks. I can't tell you how many mornings we woke up to find Lavery standing over the bed…" Ethan stopped immediately, realizing they moved from awkward to embarrassment, and turned towards the door.
Zach stood with his hands in his pockets. Zach said with a small odd smile, "Ethan, thank you for coming by this morning. Um, wait, afternoon." Ethan looked back at his father one more time, giving a quick smile, turned and left the condo.
Kendall was practically skipping by the time she came out of the Fusion elevators. "Isn't this the most glorious day." exclaimed Kendall to all that were present. Kendall looked around to find Greenlee, Simone, and Dani huddled around Greenlee's desk.
Greenlee, never one to miss an opportunity, turned to Simone and Dani and sniped, "Well, I guess we know who got some last night."
Kendall sat at her desk with a smile that lit up the room. Ignoring Greenlee's attempt at uber-bitch, "Where are we with the holiday campaign? Did we agree on packaging yet?"
Dani spoke softly, slightly afraid to play in the same arena as the big cats. "Kendall, Erica was here this morning looking for you. Did she find you?"
Kendall broke out into a hysterical giggle, "Oh, yeah. You could say she found me alright."
Greenlee intrigued by Kendall's good mood, grabbed her purse and Kendall's arm, "Come on, you are buying me lunch." As they headed towards the elevator.
The two makeup marvels found a table at BJ's. Kendall ordered a salad while Greenlee placed an order for a bacon-cheeseburger platter with extra coleslaw. Greenlee then turned to a shocked Kendall, and said "Alright, spill."
Kendall said, "I can't believe you really going to eat that."
"Get use to it." barked Greenlee. "What happened between you and Zach last night?"
"Damn Green-pea, do you need me to draw you a picture? But, I'll tell ya, Erica got more than she expected this morning." Their lunches arrived and Kendall proceeded to provide Greenlee the sanitized details of Erica's interruption.
"Oh, how gross? I can't imagine Erica's face. That must have been hysterical." Both Greenlee and Kendall were laughed heartily enjoying each others company.
"Wow, I hope that isn't at my expense." Ethan had come into the restaurant unnoticed by Greenlee or Kendall.
Kendall gently turned towards Ethan, "Hey, you two didn't kill each other. I guess that's a good sign." From Kendall's smile, Ethan could tell she was truly happy.
"Did I miss something?" Greenlee asked, never to be left out of a conversation.
"Ethan came by this morning after Erica." Kendall tried to catch Greenlee up.
"Not another shower scene." Greenlee giggled before taking another big bite from her burger.
Kendall kicked Greenlee under the table, giving her a look of contempt.
"Now I feel like I am out of the loop." Ethan continued, "Kendall, I'll let my father fill you in about this morning. For now I am here to get Simone a chocolate shake before going into the office."
Greenlee quickly swallowed her mouthful of fries, "Oh, Ethan. Can you get me a strawberry shake, but make sure they don't use any caffeine. Thanks."
Ethan and Kendall silently exchanged glances of dismay at Greenlee's spike in appetite.
Greenlee and Kendall emerged from the elevators back into the Fusion offices giggling like schoolgirls. To Kendall's delight Zach was leaning against her desk. His usual ice cold demeanor melted into a casual expression of amusement. "Have a nice lunch ladies?" Zach's voice dripped with sarcasm.
Never breaking stride, Kendall threw her arms around Zach's neck, pulling him into a passionate kiss. Zach hands immediately wrapped around her waist.
Greenlee walked past the lover's embrace with a scoff. "Geez, didn't you two have enough?" Neither Zach nor Kendall heard Greenlee's comment.
Finally breaking apart, Zach said in a teasing tone, "I have a present for you, Mrs. Slater."
Kendall's eyes grew big and sparkled with excitement, "Oh, a present. What is it?"
Zach casually moved away from Kendall's desk Sitting on the top of the desk was a pale pink box, with a white gossamer ribbon. Kendall carefully removed the top to reveal a small silver cell phone. Without making a sound, Zach was standing behind her right shoulder. "To replace your other phone." he explained softly.
Kendall did not really know what to find in the box, but was truly touched by his thoughtfulness. All of a sudden, the slender piece of electronic equipment vibrated and started to play a tune. The tune played for a few moments before Kendall spun towards Zach realizing the ring tone was programmed by him. Zach was holding his phone in the air. It finally dawned on Kendall, Zach had used his cell phone to call her new phone. He had programmed her phone with a personal ring tone to play only when it was his phone.
Zach pulled Kendall into his arms and began dancing to her ringing cell phone. The song was Al Green's Let's Stay Together.
Let's stay together, loving you whether, times are good or bad, happy or sad. I am so in love with you.