Senior Year Box Set

“That one’s a blank slate. It’s in Manhattan’s Tribeca neighborhood. They recently converted the building from factory space to condos. Right now, it only has a small bathroom and kitchenette; the rest is wide open.

“With the twenty-foot ceiling, I’m inclined to add a second floor for bedrooms or one large master suite. Even if I do that, I would love to have the living room situated so it still has the high ceilings to give it an open and airy feel. That would mean the unit would only have a partial second floor. I also don’t want to mess up the exposed brick.

“To be honest, I haven’t really tackled that one yet because my imagination has gone in so many directions. I want to get into the space and look at it before I come up with concepts,” Cindy confessed.

“I’ve loved everything you’ve done so far, so I trust you’ll figure it out. Thank you for helping me with all this.”

“I’m sure I’m the one who should be thankful. You had several other options for decorators. I wouldn’t have blamed you if you’d kicked us all out when those idiots tried to plant cameras in your house.”

“If it had been literally anyone else …” I said and left that hanging.

She nodded her understanding. While she and I had our issues, I felt I understood Cindy. She wasn’t someone I would ever consider part of my inner circle because Cindy was mostly concerned with Cindy. That being said, she also had my best interest in mind when we had a common goal. Getting my places decorated was one of those instances.

Helping me with Scarlet was another. I guess sex, in general, was one of those things Cindy and I had in common. She was just a bit more out there than I was currently ready for. I hoped that I might be prepared for a lot of the activities Cindy might come up with, as far as sex went.

Speaking of which, her boyfriend, Kevin, came back to join us.

“Hey, Babe. You asked him yet?”

Cindy looked pained, but Kevin either chose to ignore it or was oblivious. I tended to think it was the latter. Kevin was a strange dude in that he just happily went along, and nothing seemed to bother him. While I would have a problem with another guy having sex with my girlfriend while I watched, Kevin thought it was hot.

I worried a little about what he wanted her to ask me. That was when I discovered my newest superhero power. I, David A. Dawson, am a man-whore. How did I know this?

“David A. Dawson, you’re a man-whore!” Kevin announced.

See what I mean?

Cindy swatted Kevin’s arm.

“What? It’s true, though,” he said to her and then turned to me. “I’ve heard stories of how you attract unbelievably hot tail. We were hoping you would use your mad skills, and we’d have a wild party where everything would get a little out of control, if you know what I mean.”

I looked at Cindy.

“He is convinced you’ll find a bunch of models or movie stars who will come back to your place,” Cindy explained.

“What makes you think I would want to share?” I asked, confused.

“Dude, so uncool. If you bring back enough, you can’t possibly handle them all. Do a bro a solid,” Kevin all but pleaded.

“Does he even know who I am?” I teased Cindy.

She closed her eyes and shook her head. Kevin was like a brain-damaged puppy. I knew Cindy cared for him because they’d been dating since her freshman year in college. I would have to roll up a newspaper and swat his nose if he tried to horn in on someone I might pick up. If he was anything like Duke, he might pee on the floor if that happened.

“Come on,” Cindy said, grabbing Kevin’s hand.

“Hey, are we doing that whole mile-high thing you promised me?” Kevin asked.

I let out a chuckle as Cindy blushed.

“Yes, Kevin. Let’s get that out of the way,” Cindy said.

He got an overexcited expression on his face.

“Dude. You want to join us?”

Frick!

“No, I’m good for now. Maybe later.”

“Bummer. I was hoping to watch you two again.”

I decided I needed to get my sleep before everything got ‘a little out of control.’

◊◊◊

Chapter 3 – Monte Carlo Friday March 24

We landed in Nice, the closest major airport, about twenty miles from Monte Carlo. As it turned out, I slept through any chance at cockpit time. After a quick trip through customs, we discovered another gift from Chubby waiting for us: a helicopter ride instead of having to drive. Ten minutes later, we were in Monte Carlo.

The view from the helipad was spectacular. It overlooked the Port De Fontvieille, which was lined with luxury boats. We were whisked away in a large van provided by the helicopter company to take us to my condo. As we wound through town, I was struck by the mix of old and new. Monaco was about the size of Central Park in the heart of New York City. That meant that once the land filled up, they’d had to build higher. It was starting to resemble New York’s skyline with all the high-rises.