There it was again.
The electricity from earlier.
Less hidden now.
The Single Dad removed his gloves.
“Depends.”
“On?”
“Whether you know when to stop.”
The Female CEO’s eyes stayed on him.
“Do you?”
“Usually.”
“Usually sounds uncertain.”
“Because you’re standing too close.”
Neither moved.
Then the conservation specialist returned.
Moment over.
Probably good.
The Single Dad drove home after midnight.
Not to New Jersey.
To Queens.
A small rental townhouse he shared with his daughter.
The living room light was on.
His sister sat on the sofa.
Arms crossed.
The Single Dad stopped inside the doorway.
“Why are you here?”
“Your daughter called me because her father disappeared into an auction house.”
“I texted.”
“At eleven forty-six.”
“I was busy.”
“With?”
The Single Dad placed his bag down.
“Possibly finding a thirty-million-dollar car.”
His sister stared.
Then laughed.
“No.”
“Okay.”
“Seriously.”
“So am I.”
His daughter appeared at the top of the stairs wearing pajamas.
“Did you buy it?”
“No.”
“Then why were you gone?”
He looked toward his sister.
She shrugged.
Your problem.
The Single Dad sat with his daughter.
Showed her photographs.
Not confidential details.
Just welds.
Frame.
Dust.
She looked unimpressed.
“It’s ugly.”
“Yes.”
“Why is it expensive?”
“Maybe history.”
His daughter frowned.
“History makes ugly things expensive?”
“Constantly.”
She considered.
Then:
“Can we sell your old couch as history?”
His sister laughed.
The Single Dad shook his head.
“Bed.”
His daughter started upstairs.
Then turned.
“Who’s the woman?”
The Single Dad froze.
“What woman?”
“The blonde one in the picture.”
He looked at his phone.
One of his photographs accidentally included the Female CEO in the background.
“She runs the auction.”
His daughter looked closer.
“She looks expensive.”
The Single Dad nearly choked.
His sister laughed harder.
“Bed.”
After his daughter disappeared, the sister looked toward him.
“So.”
“No.”
“I haven’t said anything.”
“You’re about to.”
“She’s pretty.”
“She’s my client.”
“Your billionaire client.”
“Client.”
His sister smiled.
“You’re blushing.”
“I’m tired.”
“Same thing.”
He walked away.