Chapter 15

"So it's there?" Brian asked on the phone. "You guys are fast; I didn't think it would get there this soon. Thanks for being so quick; I was hoping you'd say it was in there before noon."

He hung up the phone, satisfied, and to the look of confusion on Marie's face. "Is it safe to ask what that was about?"

"A nice surprise for Lorelei is in the new apartment," he nodded. "Well, actually, I saved up for over a year to get one for show or for anyone that could play it, but now that she's in the picture–"

"Wait. Brian, what exactly did you get?"

"Think you can keep your mouth closed and not breathe a word to Lor?"

"Sure. Now what is it that you were in such a hurry to get into your new apartment?"

"A grand piano," he grinned. "I got a break in the price. I put a down payment on it with my bonus, and then threw in the rest of the cash I saved and dipped into my 401K for the rest of it. Marie, it's a beauty, and I'm normally not one to splurge."

"And you found out it was one of Lorelei's interests," Marie added, smiling.

"Imagine those beautiful fingers going across those beautiful keys and you'll see where I'm coming from. She thinks we're going to lunch at that hole in the wall around the corner, but I have a surprise for her. I ordered in a nice lunch and of course to show her the piano."

"You really are far gone, aren't you?"

"More like to compensate for being an asshole last night."

"Well, if she doesn't warm up to all of that, there's definitely something wrong."

Brian looked at his watch. "And in exactly thirty minutes, this will be the beginning of me knowing where I stand for sure."

Twelve noon:

So far, things had gone smoothly until Brian and Lorelei had gotten outside, before she was ambushed with a blindfold.

Lorelei nearly jumped out of her skin. "Oh my God!"

"Relax, Lor, it's just me," Brian said reassuringly.

"What are you doing? We were supposed to go to lunch," she replied as he guided her to the car.

"Oh, but we are," he replied, "just not to the neighborhood greasy spoon today."

"Brian, get this thing off of me; otherwise, whatever you're doing better be good or I'll never speak to you again."

"I think you will absolutely love what's in store for you, Lor."

It was then peaceful for the first ten minutes of the trip back to his building before she spoke again.

"Brian?"

"Yeah?"

"Are we there yet?" Lorelei asked.

"Give it about another ten minutes," Brian replied.

"Where exactly are we going?"

"If I told you, the purpose of the blindfold would be defeated, wouldn't it?"

"This better not be one of your jokes such as the ones you like to pull on Marie," Lorelei warned.

"Jesus, you're worse than my kid," he laughed. "Will you calm down? We're almost there."

Even with the noon traffic, Brian made it back to his building in record time. Joey was in school and the food had already been delivered, so it was just now getting Lorelei upstairs.

She could tell they were in an elevator, but didn't speak until she heard keys. "Did you bring me to a motel? What kind of woman do you think I am?"

He ushered her inside. "Hey, cut it out; what kind of guy do you think I am? No, it's better than that," he replied, removing the blindfold. "Ta da!"

Lorelei's mouth dropped open. "Is this the….." she began.

"New apartment," he nodded, grinning like a Cheshire cat. "What do you think?"

"Wow, when you take a girl to lunch to make up with her, you go all out. Delivery from a high-end Italian place, this new apartment, and….did you get a piano?"

"Yeah, been doing some creative accounting to be able to buy it. A beauty, huh?"

Lorelei went over to inspect it. "My God. Brian, isn't this a bit extravagant for your salary?"

"Saved up and dipped in the 401K, plus the guy gave me a deal. No law against that."

"Brian, this is a 1967 Steinway. They go for at least thirty thousand dollars. That's some people's yearly salary."

"I got a cut rate price," he explained. "Why don't you try it out?"

"Don't you play?" she asked.

"Eh, it was mostly going to be for show, and then Joey had been talking about lessons. Combine that with being a good investment and you also playing–"

"Wait, how did you know that I played the piano?"

"It's amazing the information I can get for twenty bucks," Brian joked.

"Brian, my God!"

"I was kidding. Actually, a little birdie named Yvette filled me in awhile back."

"If this wasn't so sweet of you to go all out like this, I would have wrung her neck." Lorelei gave an appreciative smile.

Brian then gave puppy eyes. "So does this mean I'm forgiven for being an ass last night?"

"Of course. I should have known you better than that." She pecked his cheek. "Thank you."

Oh this is going to be one hell of an afternoon, he thought, escorting her over to the lunch spread, reveling in how things had gone better than originally planned.