Risky Investment Part 8

"His name is Paul," Matt gushed. "And he took my phone number!"

The three spent the rest of the evening talking and laughing, broken only by the band breaks when Lynn joined them. At midnight, Matt and Chris said good-bye to Sam and found their way home.

Lynn unlocked the door, trying to be quiet. She looked at her watch: two a.m. Walking into the living room, she wondered if she should try and sleep for a couple of hours, or just find a good movie to watch before leaving for the restaurant. Through the dim light, she saw a bundle on the couch. On closer look, she realized it was Chris, snuggled up in a blanket. I can't believe that Matt is having her sleep on the couch, she thought to herself, he couldn't give up his bed? Shaking her head, Lynn tiptoed down the hall, into her room, turned on the bedside lamp, and changed the sheets on her bed. "Chris needs a good night's sleep tonight of all nights," she caught herself saying out loud. She knew that tomorrow would be a very stressful day for Chris. Lynn grabbed some clothes, then went back into the living room and gently shook Chris's arm.

"Chris," she said softly "Chris."

Chris slowly opened her eyes. "Is it morning already?" she asked.

"No, come on, you're going to sleep in my bed."

Chris looked at Lynn with a hint of confusion.

"Come on, you need a good night's sleep. I changed the sheets on my bed. I'll sleep on the couch." Lynn helped Chris up from her crumpled position and led her down the hall. Chris climbed between the sheets and rested her head on the pillow.

"Thanks," Chris whispered before closing her eyes and immediately falling back asleep.

Lynn stood there for a moment, watching Chris's steady breathing. Then for some reason, before she could catch herself, she leaned over and softly kissed Chris's forehead. Realizing what she had done, she quickly backed away. Watching to see if she had woken Chris, she felt her heart melt as Chris sighed and faintly smiled in her sleep.

For a moment, Lynn thought Chris reminded her of a young child. But as she gazed further, down to the firm b.r.e.a.s.t.s barely contained in the white cloth, then to the tan legs curled up in such a way to be daring Lynn to feel the smoothness of the skin, her lower extremities reminded her that Chris was indeed a woman.

Lynn tiptoed out of the bedroom and closed the door. Coffee, she needed coffee, and another cold shower. She wandered into the kitchen and started the coffeemaker. Picking up her clothes, she quietly entered the guest bathroom and shut the door. She peeled off her sweaty clothes and turned the shower faucet on. Letting the cool water run on her head and down her body, she examined the feelings going on inside of her. What exactly was she feeling for Chris? And more importantly, how could she push it away? She pictured Chris's faint smile just moments ago. Once again, she repeated to herself*she's straight, she's straight, she's straight, Lynn' turned off the shower, dried off, and got dressed. Returning to the kitchen, she poured herself a mug of coffee and wandered back into the living room where she plopped down on the couch. She could still smell Chris's perfume in the air. She flipped on the television and searched through the channels. Sipping on her coffee, she settled on a Mary Tyler Moore marathon on TV Land. At five o'clock, and a pot of coffee later, she headed out the door to the restaurant. She was exhausted, and*after smelling Chris's perfume for the past few hours*frustrated.

Chapter Seven.

"Chris, are you awake?" Matt's voice boomed through the bedroom door. "I thought maybe we could grab some breakfast before we started out on our adventure." Chris rolled over, not quite remembering how she had gotten into Lynn's bed. Focusing, she remembered being woken up on the couch, climbing in between the cool sheets, Lynn's soft voice in the dark. And then she saw them. There on the bedside table sat a vase full of daisies. Chris smiled.

Realizing that she hadn't answered Matt's question, she quickly replied, "Sure, give me a half an hour to shower and dress. I'm starving!"

A half an hour later, Chris emerged from the bedroom, wearing a pair of white shorts and a lavender sleeveless s.h.i.+rt.

"Do I look all right? I wasn't sure what you wanted me to wear," Chris said to Matt, who was pacing in the living room.

"You look great. Everything is going to be just fine, don't you think?" Matt asked for rea.s.surance.

"Yes, I think everything is going to be fine. I really am going to try my best, Matt."

"I know you will. I'm just really worried about making a mistake."

Chris grabbed her purse and opened the door. "Well, maybe you'll feel better with a full stomach."

Matt followed her out the door and walked to the driver's-side door.

"Uh-hum." Chris cleared her throat. "If we're going to make this real, you'd better be opening my car door!"

Matt rushed over to the pa.s.senger-side door, unlocked it, and opened it for Chris. "See, I think we needed more time*"

Chris smiled and slid in so that she was seated in the middle of the seat, where a woman would sit if driving with her boyfriend. "I'll try and remind you of the little things, now get in!"

Matt walked around to his door and slid behind the wheel. He started the ignition, put the car into drive, and slowly pushed against the gas pedal. "Here we go!" he said, trying to sound calm, while his stomach did flip-flops all the way down the road.

Matt and Chris walked into the diner and sat down at a booth.

"Well, good morning!" Chris looked up from the menu to find Lynn's smile.

"Good? I don't know about good, I mean this could be the beginning of the end*" Matt started.

Lynn looked at Matt and then over at Chris. "I can see that he's a little nervous. Want coffee?"

"A little nervous? Quite an understatement!" Chris laughed. "Yes, coffee please, and definitely decaf for Matt. He's driving me crazy already!"

"I only have decaf to offer, I already drank all the heavy stuff trying to keep my eyelids open!" Lynn laughed and walked behind the counter.

"By the way, thanks for the daisies, they really calmed my nerves this morning," Chris said to Matt.

Matt looked confused. "Daisies?"

Chris examined Mate's face. "Never mind," she mumbled, realizing that he wasn't the one who had left the daisies for her. It must have been Lynn. That was really sweet, she thought.

Chris began examining the menu again, just to be interrupted for the second time.

"Hey, you two don't look like you're in love!" commented another waitress standing in front of their table.

"Hey, Betty. I guess Lynn clued you in on this little charade, huh?" Matt answered.

"Yeah, she was afraid that you'd come in with your parents and I'd say something inappropriate about you being with a woman and all." Betty then smiled, blew a tiny bubble with her gum, and pulled it back into her mouth. "Really though, you guys need to be sitting closer, holding hands or something, or you'll never fool your folks."

"Thanks Betty, good advice," Matt said politely.

"Yeah, it is good advice," Lynn said as she slipped in with the coffeepot and poured the two cups of coffee. "You didn't really practice any of that."

"Are you trying to make me more nervous, because you're doing a good job at it," Matt said sarcastically while placing his menu on the table.

"Sorry. What do you guys want? The regular, Matt?"

Matt nodded his head and turned to Chris. "Everything is great here. What do you want, eggs?"

Lynn shook her head. "Haven't you listened to a word she's said? She doesn't like eggs. How about some waffles?"

"That sounds good, and some bacon, well done, please," Chris answered, feeling uneasy about treating Lynn as a waitress.

Lynn returned in a few minutes with their breakfasts.

"G.o.d, I'm glad you're back. I was tired of watching Matt roll up pieces of his napkin into little b.a.l.l.s!" Chris said.

"Just one of his little quirky habits that made you fall in love with him, huh?" Lynn chuckled. Matt rolled his eyes and took his first bite.

"You mind if I take a break with you guys?" Lynn asked as she slid in beside Matt with her cup of coffee.

"Not at all. Thanks for the bed last night, I really slept well."

Lynn turned to Matt and slapped his arm. "I can't believe that you didn't offer her your bed! I don't know if I'd marry this man!" She smiled at Chris.

"Well, we know that you wouldn't marry this man," Chris said sarcastically, "or any man for that matter!"

Matt laughed. Lynn was taken aback, and then smiled. She was glad that Chris was finally feeling comfortable enough to tease back.

"Hey, Lynn! Where's our food?" a man yelled from another table.

Lynn turned to look for the voice, then yelled, "Hold your shorts, Andy, Betty's getting your food!" After searching the diner and not finding Betty, she stood. "I'll be back in a minute."

Lynn walked over to the counter, retrieved the plates of food, and sauntered over to the men. "You boys owe me one!" she kidded. The men chuckled and Andy reached over to pinch Lynn's b.u.t.t. "Yeah, I'll give you one!"

Lynn swiftly took the man's wrist and bent it backward, bringing Andy halfway off his chair. "Do I need to teach you a lesson about manners again, Andy?" she said with a serious look on her face.

"No, ma'am," Andy said, wincing with pain.

Lynn released her grip, smiled, and tousled the man's hair. "I didn't think so," she said as she walked away from the table, leaving his buddies laughing.

Chris watched in amazement, then smiled when Lynn caught her gaze. "Remind me that I don't ever want to be on your bad side!" Chris laughed.

"They just caught me on a bad day is all. I have no patience for little boys today," Lynn replied.

She slid back into the booth beside Matt. "Anything else I can get you guys?"

"Yeah, more coffee," Matt complained.

"Sorry! I wouldn't want to lose my extraordinary tip!" Lynn rolled her eyes, walked over, grabbed the coffeepot, and filled their cups. "I can't wait to fall into bed, or rather on top of the bed, since it seems like Matt, the gentleman that he is, isn't going to offer you his bed. You are going to stay at the house, aren't you?"

Matt looked at Chris. "You know, it probably wouldn't be a bad idea for you to stay the whole week, that is, if you don't mind."

Chris shrugged. "I'll have to pick up a few more things from my apartment, and you guys will have to remember that I have to study."

"Yes, dear," the two said in unison and then made motions like they were crossing their hearts.

Several customers walked in the door of the diner. "Looks like it's back to work!" Lynn stopped and looked into Matt's eyes. "You're going to do fine, I really believe that. And if you don't, and your parents disown you, which I seriously doubt, just remember, you will always be a part of my family." Then she was off to seat the customers.

Since Matt was obviously not in the mood for conversation, Chris found herself observing Lynn as she finished her breakfast. She sure was putting on a good act for being so tired, laughing and joking with the three women at the next table. Of course, they were nice-looking women, she may be flirting, Chris thought to herself Chris's suspicions were confirmed when the women left.

Lynn rushed past Matt and Chris's table. "Hmmm, a phone number left on a napkin, what in the world could that mean?" she teased and pocketed the piece of paper.

Chris felt a twinge. Could it be jealousy? No, she was sure it was just nervousness. Earlier this week it had been stress, now it was nervousness, she convinced herself.

"You ready to go? We should probably head on over to the airport," Matt moaned as if going to face a firing squad.

Chris slid out of the booth, stepped over to Matt, and offered her hand as he slid out "Come on, relax, this is going to be fun!"

Matt took her hand in his, waved good-bye to Lynn, and the two made their way to the door.

"Now that's more like it! Now it looks like you at least like each other!" Betty called across the restaurant, "Good luck, sweetie!"

Matt smiled at Betty, opened the door for Chris, and followed her out the door. They were on their way.

"You'd never know Lynn was tired, huh?" Chris said, trying to break the unbearable tension within the vehicle.

"Yeah, Lynn's never too tired to flirt!" Matt smiled.

"Well, it looks like it paid off. How did she even know any of those women were gay? They didn't look gay to me."

"That's why they call it aegaydar'!" Matt laughed.

"I mean, I guess not many of the women in the bar looked gay to me either. I just can't believe how crowded it was last night!"

Matt nodded as he weaved in and out of traffic.

"So, how many of those women at the bar do you think that Lynn has been with?"

Matt chuckled again. "G.o.d only knows! I don't know if Lynn even knows!"

Matt steered the car into the parking s.p.a.ce at the airport and pushed the gears.h.i.+ft into park. Then he just sat there, silent. Chris slid out and walked around to the driver's side and opened the door. Matt turned toward her, his face white with worry. As he climbed out of the car, Chris took his hand. "Matt, take a deep breath. Anytime you feel a panic attack coming on, just squeeze my hand. I'll be right here."

They walked into the airport and strolled to the arrival gate. Matt squeezed her hand. "Your hand feels strange, so tiny and soft. I'm used to feeling a strong, masculine hand in mine." He took her other hand and looked into her eyes. "I don't know if I've told you lately how much I appreciate this. Thank you." Chris smiled and kissed him on the cheek.

"Okay you two, no making out in the airport!" the loud voice called from the gate. It came from a distinguished-looking man, his arm around an elegant-looking woman. Chris, realizing that these must be Matt's parents, squeezed the hand that was shaking in hers.

"Oh, Charles, this must be her!" the woman cried as she hugged Chris tightly. Then, realizing that she had ignored her son, she gave him a hug. She stepped back to take a look at the pair.

"Son," Charles said sternly, and offered his hand for his son to shake. Turning, he offered his hand to Chris. "And you must be*"

"Mom, Dad, this is Chris. Chris Newman."

"Chris." Charles shook Chris's hand.

"Mr, and Mrs. McKinley, it's nice to finally meet you. I've heard so much about you."

"Honey, call us Charles and Marie," Marie warmly suggested.

Chris nodded in agreement, then turned to Matt. "Honey, why don't we go locate their luggage?"

"Marie, why don't you go with them to get our luggage. I'll pick up the rental car and meet you out front," Charles said as he walked away.

"Okay, lead the way!" Marie said as she turned to Matt. Wedging her way between the two, Marie put her arms around both, and followed their lead. "Oh honey, you don't know how long we've been waiting for this day! Matt's our only child you know! We've felt so lucky to have him!"