Indiscretion: Callie Douglas - Book Four

Chapter Eleven

A long nap later – it was naked napping, so we didn't get much actual sleeping done – we each had a shower and got ready for the get-together at Mrs. Bettle's apartment. Dressed in a long-sleeved polo shirt and a pair of khakis, Gabe looked good enough to eat. "Oh, no. I know that look", said Gabe. "Go get dressed or we'll never get there."

"But I just had the most wonderful idea", I said with a smile.

Gabe started to laugh. "Save your ideas. We already followed up on some of your ideas today, and we can follow up on the rest of your ideas later. But in the meantime, Mrs. Bettle is waiting for us."

"Party pooper", I said with a fake pout. Gabe just grinned at me. I walked into the bathroom and applied my makeup. I pulled on a black ribbed turtleneck and a pair of black dress pants, then put on some lipstick and put my hair up into a twist. Finally, I put on my silver cuff bracelet and my silver filigree hoops, looked at Gabe, and said "let's go".

We walked downstairs, through to the kitchen to pick up the food, and out to the front door of the house. Gabe locked the door and we walked to the truck. The weather was cold, but the sun was setting in a beautiful display of colour. "Seeing sunsets like that kind of makes you glad to be alive, doesn't it?" I said.

"Yes, it does, although I am always glad to be alive", said Gabe with a smile.

"True. I have a question for you. This is a get to know you type of question", I said as Gabe started the truck. "Sunsets or sunrises?"

"I like both. But I think I prefer sunrises, because I get to spend them in bed with you. What about you?"

"Sunsets. I like to sleep through my sunrises. Dogs or cats?"

"Dogs, definitely. I like cats, but they don't listen to commands very well. You?"

"Dogs. Cats always act like they would like to give you the finger if they had the ability to do so. Do you ever want to have a dog?"

"I do, once I am more settled. Perhaps when we have children would be a good time to get a dog, as we would then be tied to home a bit more than we are now. Do you want a dog?"

"I do. I grew up with a black lab and I loved her immensely. I was devastated when she died. Okay, let's see. Ocean or mountain?"

"Mountain. I like the forest and I like the ability to ski the hill. You?"

"Ocean. I like the moodiness of the water. Okay, chocolate chip or oatmeal raisin?"

"Depends. Are they homemade?"

"Made by Mrs. Bettle herself."

"Damn. That's a hard one then. Oatmeal raisin I think. No, chocolate chip. No, definitely oatmeal raisin."

"It's a hard question, isn't it?" Gabe pulled into the apartment building and parked in the underground. We carried our containers of food up to the first floor and knocked on the door at five minutes past five. The party was already in full swing when we got there.

We entered Mrs. Bettle's apartment and put the salad on the table, already laden with other goodies. I introduced Gabe to all the residents that didn't already know him. Shortly afterwards, there was a knock at Mrs. Bettle's door and she opened it to see Michael, freshly showered and shaved. "I heard there was a party going on tonight for all the residents", he said. "I wasn't able to make anything to share. Is it still all right if I come in?"

"Michael, in case you didn't see the memo, this party is for residents, not guests", I said.

"But baby, you don't have anything at your place that's suitable for dinner. I was hoping these nice people wouldn't mind feeding me."