Chapter 11

"I think you're just too chickenshit to tell Red," Brian said. "Didanything Denise told you even sink in?"

"Tell what to whom?" Kim asked, walking into the room.

"PL here is in love," Brian told her.

"Dude, come on now," Paul said, his face feeling hot.

"Sweet!" Kim replied, breaking out into a huge smile.

"It's Lana, only he won't fess up to her, or to me, for that matter." Brian gave a cheesy grin.

"Even sweeter!" Kim was ecstatic. Who better for her friend than Paul?

"Are you two morons done now having fun at my expense?" Paul asked, a little annoyed.

"I think it's cool. Come on, you haven't told Lana?" Kim wondered. "It's been obvious since the first day she started working for you that you had a thing for her."

"I did not have a 'thing' for her."

"Then how come you turn sixty shades of red every time her name comes up and practically stare her down while she's working?" Brian asked.

"There was also last weekend when you insisted on staying on the bed with her when she was having that dream," Kim added. "yet you don't have a 'thing' for her. I was born at night, Paulie, but not last night."

Brian nodded. "Dude, just do what Denise suggested. What do you have to lose really? We may be a bit biased here, but Red's a further step up from the barfly you mooned the hell over for awhile. The only difference between her and Red is that Red isn't a slut."

"And Lana ranks considerably higher on the intelligence scale," Kim added.

"And anybody that puts up with all of your shit besides me and Kimberly here can't be all bad."

"Like I haven't put up with any shit of yours over the last ten years, Spanky," Paul retorted. "Anyway, I don't want to make an ass out of myself. I mean, hitting on my own secretary? Jesus."

"You wouldn't be hitting on her," Kim pointed out. "Look, even if Lana doesn't return the ardor, at least you were being honest and getting it out. Then again, you don't have to blurt it out at once."

"What the fuck are you talking about, Kim?" Brian asked.

"Hold it," Paul said, shushing his partner. "What did you mean 'not all at once,' Kimbo?"

"Well, you can do some little things here and there until you're comfortable enough to talk to her. I mean, they don't have to be elaborate things; we all know Lana is a very simple person, just like you're a simple guy."

Paul thought a moment. "Flowers?"

Kim nodded, grinning. "That's a good start. Yellow roses; she loves them."

"Wow, this could be easier than I thought. Thanks, guys."

Paul's phone then buzzed in his pocket. Pulling it out, he recognized Denise's number from her home, wondering what she wanted.

"Sorry to break up the party," he said, "but it looks like Dee is beckoning me for something, It could be important."

"No problem, man," Brian grinned, then high fived Kim. "Looks like our work here is done anyway."

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"Damn it, Denise, of all days they have to shut off the water to repair the local pipeline," Lana said. "No shows this weekend, and I was looking forward to curling up somewhere besides some strange hotel room for once."

"Yeah, I know the feeling," Denise agreed. "Too bad Carol's place is too small or we could both crash there till the water's back on."

"It's fine," Lana nodded. "Won't be the first time I had to go to a hotel."

A light bulb went off in Denise's head. "Who says you have to go to a hotel?"

"Now where else will I go while the water's off, Denise?" Lana shot her a look.

"I may have something else in mind. Let me make a phone call or two."

"Oh, this should be a barrel of laughs," Lana shook her head. "Anyway, while you're plotting and scheming with whatever, I'm going to pack a bag and make a reservation just in case."

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"Wow, Dee, that kind of sucks," Paul said when Denise explained the situation.

"I know, and I hate to leave Lana out in the cold, but Carol's place isn't big enough for all of us."

"No, but mine is. I have a spare bedroom, remember?"

"Now how did you guess I was going to ask you to put up Lana for a couple of days?"

"I have a mind reading talent," Paul joked. "And it isn't a problem if you want to bring her over. For all Lana's done for me, I can at least return one favor."

"I knew I could count on you, as always," Denise said. "And if I were you, this would be the perfect opportunity to have that little talk with her."