“My pleasure. Besides, you don’t want to do that. Not in this hot weather.”
“True. I guess I’m still adjusting to the Houston weather. I’m not used to the month of May being so damn hot. So thanks for saving me.”
Anne looked over and caught him staring. His piercing green eyes caught her off guard, so she turned away quickly without showing any expression.
With apparent sincerity, Chris said, “The least I could do for driving me home is to give you a thank-you gift.”
Anne was curious what that could be.
He continued. “I have one of the new, stuffed-astronaut Snoopy dolls, which I bet Peter would love.”
Anne was touched he was thinking of her son. “That’s sweet, but you should pass that on to one of your own children.”
“Don’t worry, I already have. I just happen to have an extra one.”
Having seen a magazine article about the toy, Anne knew Peter would love it. “Well, that would be wonderful.”
“Great. I might need a few minutes to look for it in my apartment, if you don’t mind coming up.”
Being a colleague of Tom’s, Anne fully trusted the handsome man. “That would be fine.”
When they reached the entrance to his home, Chris unlocked and opened the door before graciously stepping aside, allowing her to enter first. “Welcome to my humble abode.”
With most of the curtains drawn, Anne found it difficult to make out exactly what she was seeing. To be safe, she took a few cautious steps in and stopped. Cologne-scented, air-conditioned air welcomed her. She heard Chris flip switches behind her. A few hanging lights above her lit up, followed by lights throughout the apartment. The décor was what one would expect for a swinging bachelor, decorated in hip colors and all new furniture. Just to her left was a black baby grand piano next to a modern bar with a couple of silver bar stools. Across from the bar was a white leather sofa with a few black throw-pillows. Toward the back of the room, a gleaming, silver-metal circular staircase rose through the ceiling. Anne assumed those steps led up to his bedroom.
“Make yourself comfortable.”
That wasn’t going to happen. Not here. Impatiently, Anne said, “How about we look for the doll?”
Chris took off his coat and slung it over his shoulder. “No problem. You search down here and I’ll check upstairs.” As he aimed for the stairs, he called out, “It’s in a blue box.”
“Okay.” While Chris hustled up the stairway, Anne began scanning the room in search of the toy. Being nosey, she swiped a finger over the top of one of the cabinets and was astounded to see not a speck of dust on her fingertip. He must have a maid. Remarkably, no mementos hung on the walls highlighting Chris’s military career or his time at NASA. Instead, various works of modern art were displayed, giving no indication an astronaut lived there.
Chris’s voice came echoing down the stairs. “Found it.”
Anne called out, “Great.”
“I’ll be down in a second.”
Anne began looking over the fashionable apartment, convinced the suave astronaut could sweep any single lady off her feet amid these luxurious surroundings. She turned when she heard Chris coming down the stairs. His tie was off and he was holding a blue box. Instead of coming toward her when he reached the bottom, he unexpectedly darted into the kitchen. He called out, “Peter is going to get a kick out of this stuffed toy. My youngest boy sleeps with it every night.”
Anne was wondering what Chris was up to. “I’m certain he’ll love it.”
Chris came back into the living room with his hands full, carrying both the blue box and a silver ice bucket. Anne was flustered to see that Chris had unbuttoned his shirt over halfway down, exposing his hairy chest. Is he trying to impress me?
“You know these toys aren’t for sale yet.”
“I do. I really appreciate you giving this to Peter.”
Anne was surprised to see Chris take a detour behind the bar. He set the box on the bar’s glass top and said, “I’m going to fix a drink. Would you like one?”
Still feeling the effects of the drinks from lunch, Anne knew she should get the toy and be on her way. “No thank you. I need to get going.”
“I hate to drink alone. How about just one?”
Anne shook her head “no” as she approached the bar to retrieve the blue box.
Chris lifted both hands, as if surrendering. “Don’t worry, I don’t bite.”
Maybe the earlier drinks were causing her to drop her guard, but she relented. “Okay, one drink. But then I have to go.”
“Great, what would you like?”
“A scotch and soda.”
“Got it.” He turned and grabbed a couple of highball glasses off the glass shelf behind him, then swung around and set them on the bar. He picked up the ice tongs and snagged a few ice cubes from the bucket. The clanking sound of the ice falling into the glass seemed to loosen Anne up. She took a seat on one of the barstools and pointed to the piano. “So do you play that thing, or is it there just to impress the ladies?”
Chris poured a shot of scotch in each glass before adding soda to hers. “Absolutely I play.” He slid her glass over to her, then walked to the piano, carrying his drink.
Anne dipped her finger in the cool liquid to mix up the drink before turning around on the barstool and crossing her legs.
After delicately placing his drink on the piano, Chris pretended to flip out the tails of an imaginary tuxedo before taking a seat on the small black bench. He lifted his hands high in the air dramatically, with his fingers pointing straight down to the keys. He held the pose for a second, looking over to her, giving her a self-assured wink. He then brought his hands down slowly. After the first few notes, Anne instantly knew the piece. It was Beethoven’s Für Elise, one of her favorites. Chris wore an intense look as he played masterfully. Anne sipped her drink, closing her eyes to enjoy the beautiful, melodic pace of the song. The sound grew louder and more intense toward the middle section. She opened her eyes and saw Chris’s eyes were closed. As the composition came to its conclusion, he softened the tone perfectly.
Anne was impressed and gave a soft clap. “Wow, very nice.”
Chris got up. “Thanks.”
Anne wanted to hear more. “That’s it?”
Without answering, Chris casually walked over to the barstool next to hers. He placed his drink on the bar and sat down, his knees inches from hers. “I thought I’d give you a chance to play.”
With a nervous giggle, Anne said, “All I know is Chopsticks.”
Chris waved his arm toward the piano. “I’d love to hear it.”
“Maybe next time.” Anne felt it best to get off the subject before she embarrassed herself. “You have quite a remarkable place.”
“Oh, thanks. Obviously I didn’t decorate it. I had it professionally done. Life magazine plans on doing a spread on it later next month. Apparently the American public is interested in how an astronaut bachelor lives.” Chris took a sip of his drink. “Of course the single life isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.”
Anne flashed him a skeptical look. “How’s that? I’m sure there are a few astronauts jealous of the life you live.”
“Don’t get me wrong. I’m having a blast. However, I do miss family life.” Chris took another sip, then set his drink on the bar. “But you’re right. Some of the astronauts are envious. In fact, a few of them have asked to use my apartment so they can mess around.”
Hearing that disgusted Anne, especially on top of Joan’s suspicions. She looked down at her drink, swirling the contents. “That’s sad to hear. All the wives work hard at home so their husbands can follow their dreams.” She looked up into his green eyes and proclaimed proudly, “I’m glad Tom isn’t that way.”