“Oh, that car, my friend, is perhaps a bit too pricey for you. In fact, I think all the cars in here are out of your price range.”
“Really? You have determined what my price range is already?”
"Well, no, Sir, but I don’t want you to embarrass yourself.”
Logan smiled at the man, deciding he was going to have a bit of fun. “Gee, how much for that one? I don’t know that much about cars,” he asked.
“Oh, that one is definitely out of your price range," the man said, shaking his head. “There is a Chrysler dealership down the road. Perhaps you would have better luck there.”
Logan looked at the man and shook his head. “No, I want one of these. Do you have payment plans? Possibly I could do that. How much a month would the red Ferrari be?”
"Seriously, Sir?” the salesman stared at him.
“Yes, seriously, how much?” Logan said, raising his voice slightly.
“Okay, let me do some calculations,” the salesman pulled out a small calculator from his back pocket. Pressing the buttons quickly, he looked up at Logan. “With all the taxes and fees, it would come to about $9,500 a month, and that's if I put you on our eight-year plan.”
Logan nodded. “Okay, I could probably do that. I make almost enough a month to pay that. I might have to get two more jobs. What if I put it on a five-year plan?”
"Oh, no, Sir. I don’t think … ”
“Please,” Logan said, holding up his hand. He was having fun. “Five-year plan.”
The salesman furiously put the figures into his calculator then looked up at Logan. “Look, there is no point in continuing this charade. You just can't afford one of our cars, and I'm not wasting any more of my time. Please go before I call security.”
Amused, Logan looked at the man. “How much for the red Ferrari just out of curiosity?”
“That car is going for $850,000. Please don’t cause a scene.”
"Oh, damn. I forgot to tell you I had a trade in,” Logan said, snapping his fingers. “That should surely take off something from the price.”
“What is your trade in?” the salesman asked, becoming even more annoyed.
“It’s the Maserati over there,” Logan said, pointing to the green sports car outside. "I bought it last year, so it's brand new."
The salesman's mouth fell open as he looked at the shiny convertible sports car parked in front of the building.
“Ah, well, I’ll have to …” the salesman started to say.
“I’ll give you cash if I can drive it off the lot today,” Logan said, interrupting the man.
“I beg your pardon,” the salesman stuttered.
“I’ll pay you cash if I can drive it off the lot today,” Logan repeated, enjoying the look of shock on the man’s face. “Seems to me that for a car worth that amount and a cash sale, you would get a pretty good commission.”
“I’ll have to talk to my manager.”
“You do that. I’ll wait for you right over by the car. Tell your manager that Logan Darlington is buying the car,” he said before turning and walking towards the car, leaving the salesman gaping after him with his mouth open.
Chapter 3
Vanessa took one last look in the mirror and blew herself a kiss. She was what people would call drop-dead gorgeous, and she knew it. Everything about her screamed perfection; she pampered herself at the best salons and spent hundreds of dollars on creams that protected her youthful complexion. Running her red manicured nails through her long auburn hair, she smiled. Yes, this was going to be a weekend Logan would remember. Closing her overnight bag, she took one last look around the room.
“Okay, I think I have everything,” she said out loud.
She and Logan had been invited to the wedding of a mutual friend. Although Vanessa didn’t really feel like going and wasn’t a fan of the bride, it would be a great opportunity to plant the seed of marriage further into Logan’s mind.
Hearing her phone buzz, she saw it was her friend Brigit and pressed the answer button.
“Hey Bridge, what’s up?” Vanessa said.
“Just wanted to see if you had left yet.”
“No, waiting for Logan. He’s picking me any minute.”
“I hope you have a good weekend. I hear that Trellis Estates is a great place for a wedding. Very romantic.”
“Maybe it will put some sense in Logan’s head, and he'll pop the question," Vanessa said, chuckled.
“I’m sure Logan will ask you. He might just be scared,” Brigit said. “Anyways, you have a great time. Take lots of pictures, and I want to hear all about it when you get back.”
“Oh, believe me. If and when Logan pops the question, the whole world will know.” Hanging up, Vanessa heard the honk of Logan's car and quickly took another look at herself in the mirror. Picking up her suitcase and garment bag, she opened the door.
“Holy shit, Logan. Where did you get the car from?” she asked as Logan jumped out to take her bag from her.
"I just bought it," he said, putting her bag in the trunk and laying her garment bag carefully on top of it. “I needed a lift.”
“What happened to the Maserati?”
“Traded it in. Do you not like the Ferrari?”
“Oh, God, yeah. It’s beautiful so luxurious. It must have set you back a few bucks," Vanessa said, getting in the car and running her hands over the black leather seats. “Heads will turn for sure.”
Logan jumped back in and started the car. "I needed a change, and I think I deserve it. I don’t work hard for nothing.”
“Yeah, you must have been busy the last few days. I haven’t heard from you at all,” Vanessa said, letting her hand run up his leg. “Not since you came by for that morning delight. We can have plenty of time for quickies and not-so-quickies this weekend.”
Logan smiled. He had been busy, but not that busy. “Yeah, things have been hectic,” he lied. He didn’t want to tell her that, actually, he had been avoiding her because their last conversation about getting married had left him exhausted. He dreaded the thought of this weekend because he knew she would pester him again.
“It’s going to be so nice to see everyone again. It’s been years,” Vanessa said as they sped down the highway. “I wonder if Mandy Simpson has lost any weight.”
“Now, you be nice. I know you didn’t get along with some of them, but keep the claws in. We aren’t twenty anymore. We need to behave like mature adults,” Logan said, giving Vanessa a quick smile. He knew how she could be at times. If she didn’t like someone, she made sure they knew it.
“I promise I’ll behave," Vanessa said, nodding her head with an angelic smile. “This is going to be such a beautiful weekend and in such a romantic setting. I can’t wait.”
Logan shifted gears and sped up, smiling to himself. Yes, he thought, I can see where this weekend is going.
“I’m worried about my father,” Vanessa said out of the blue.
“Really? I didn’t think you worried about anyone but yourself,” Logan said, giving her a sideways glance.