The Things We Crave

Chapter Two

Vincent Vancherro sits at his desk with his fingers laced behind his head and feet on the top of his desk. His mahogany brown hair is slicked back showing his heart shaped face more predominantly. His chiseled jaw clenches as he rocks back and forth gently as he waits impatiently for his mail. His unique topaz colored eyes stare at the door to his office. His nostrils flare on his small refined nose as he fidgets with his trimmed mustache. He’s around six feet tall, has wide strong shoulders, with a body of an underwear model.

Instead of his receptionist, Kate, Brad comes in. Vincent drops his feet and leans on the desk with a cheerful smile.

“Hey buddy, what are you doing here?” he says noticing his mail in his hand. “What do you have there?”

“I grabbed your mail off Katie’s desk. I have this for you, as well.” Brad replies dropping the stack of mail in front of Vincent.

Vincent picks up the folded paper on top and opens it. His eyes scan over it’s contents. His brows furrow, he looks up from the paper to his best friend and partner of their business. “This is an invitation to a wedding. You finally set a date?”

Brad sits on the corner of Vincent’s desk with one foot in the air, he steeples his hands in front of his lips to hide a grin. “Yup, so clear your schedule because you’re going to be my best man."

“Well I’d be insulted if asked anyone else. Where’s it going to be?” Vincent ask leaning back in his chair.

“On the beach in Tammy’s hometown in southern California. Her mother has cancer so she wants to do it where it would be easier for her to be there. Which I’m cool with that. I’d marry her wherever. I love her, she’s it for me.” Brad says looking off in the distance.

Vincent studies his buddy. Brad has a glow he hasn’t seen in a long time. He appears really happy. This creates an odd feeling in Vincent’s stomach. This makes him reflect on his own happiness.

Am I truly happy with my bachelor way of life? Is it time for me to settle down? How would I begin to decide what I’d be looking for in a woman I’d be sharing a home with, sharing my wealth? Vincent wonders.

“Can I ask you something?” Vincent asks rubbing the back of his neck.

“Sure, shoot.” Brad responds while he stands to face him.

“How did you know Tammy was the one? Before her you enjoyed your bachelor life more than I do. What was it about her that made her stand out to make you want her more than anyone else?” Vincent ask while fidgeting and rolling a pen around.

“Well… wow, um that’s a loaded question, V. I donno, it was a lot of little things. The way she laughed, the way she touches me, conversations we have together, the way she makes me feel. I don’t know the words to describe it. When you know you know. The bachelor life was great for a while, it gets old. I’m getting too old for that game anyway. The kind of woman we mess around with generally are not the ones you marry.” Brad walks around Vincent’s desk and rests a hand on his shoulder. “A woman you want to marry, you can see them giving you children, someone you can depend on. Aren’t you getting tired of these girls, don’t you think it’s time to find you a real woman?”

Vincent breaks eye contact and bites his bottom lip. He had to agree with Brad. The woman he sleeps with really are girls. They’re in their early twenties and to try and have a conversation with them is mind numbing. All they care about is clothes, makeup, jewelry blah, blah, blah. He’d love to have an intelligent conversation for a change, do something other then get laid. Maybe it was time for him to settle down.

“Perhaps you’re right. I’m not getting any younger. The girls I sleep with are definitely not the type I want to marry. They’re all gold diggers and bright as a broken light bulb. I have an idea of what kind of woman I want but where do I begin? Did it ever cross your mind that Tammy could be a gold digger?” Vincent stands and walks to the window putting his hands behind his back.

Brad follows him and does the same. “That didn’t cross my mind. She came from a family with money. Not high class, but still. Her father is an attorney at a very well-known law firm, her mother's an RN. They put all their children through college. After her mother’s diagnosis, all their money has been put towards her doctor bills. I kind of feel bad we live this far from her mother. I even offered to buy a place there until it’s resolved. She refused, said they talk on the phone every day and her younger sister is watching over her. “

“Sister? I didn’t know Tammy had a sister.” Vincent’s mood perks up at this information.

“Yeah, well I guess they don’t really get along. She’ll get a call on birthdays or holidays but that’s it. Tammy says Catherine is like the black sheep of the family. I didn’t read too much into it. I figured it was just a sibling thing. I have not personally met her sister, but I do have a picture. Her mother sent a family photo Christmas card last year. You want to see it?” Brad smirks knowing full well he does.

Brad pulls out his phone and finds the picture. The picture has the mother sitting in a wooden rocking chair, her husband on the left, her daughter on the right in front of a large Christmas tree. They were all wearing a red sweater and blue jeans. Tammy’s father had his graying red hair slicked back and his beard trimmed close to his face. No smile, stern hazel eyes stare back. His broad shoulders are back with a hand resting on his wife’s shoulder. Her mother had her salt and pepper hair pulled back into a braid. Her beautiful green eyes shine with a large bright white smile. Her hands are folded in her lap. Catherine stands with a hand on her mother’s other shoulder.

The first thing you notice was her candy apple red hair and dark green eyes. She has a round face, plump lips painted a rose pink. She wore light makeup, eyeliner and mascara. Same height as her father. Her build was a bit husky, not over-weight but the curves were spot on with a perky rack. Her jeans were tight leaving no room for imagination.

Not bad. He thought. He likes a woman with a little meat on their bones. The girls he’s been sleeping with could use some groceries, so her thickness is not a deal breaker. Her face is stunning, and those eyes are his favorite feature of them all. He can see she gets it from her mother, the red hair from her father. Tammy is a red head, too. Only more a strawberry blonde. I wonder if she’s single.

As if reading his mind Brad says, “The invitations have already been sent out. We’re waiting on the RSVPs but I’m sure she’ll be there. Tammy said she broke up with her boyfriend a month ago. Who knows, you guys might hit it off. You always liked the bad girls.” He pats Vincent’s back and heads for the door. “If you’re serious about settling down, I can hook you up. If you’re not, I’d leave Tammy’s sister alone. I’d hate to have to kick your ass for breaking her heart. She will be my sister-in-law after all.” He winks as he shuts the door.

Smart ass. Vincent cusses. The image of Catherine is burned into his memory. Those eyes. A chill runs down his back and his groin quivers. Kate’s voice over his desk intercom pulls him from his thoughts.

“Miss Veronica is here for your lunch date. Can I send her in?”

He almost forgot. Veronica, the only use he has for her is a good lay. Which is why he invited her on the date in the first place. Blonde, beautiful of course, but has a personality as dry as sandpaper in the desert. He’ll rush through the meal so they can get to his true agenda. It’s only been this morning since he had s*x last. Brad worries that Vincent may be a satyriasis. Vincent argues that he can’t help his body craves s*x all the time. That’s why he wanted to start a strip club in their hometown in the first place.

“Yeah, send her in.” Vincent answers as he sits down at his desk.

Let’s get this meal over with so I can get my dessert. He grins with mischief at the thought.