Sky's the Limit
Copyright© 2026 by aroslav
Chapter 7: Just Business
“MR. LARSON,” Brent said, shifting his tone immediately. He was ridiculously obsequious. “We’d never presume to question your right to be here. We’re merely defending your reputation when a store clerk arrives claiming to represent you.”
Everyone knew Brent and his father were actively trying to put the businesses along the Waterfront out of business. But they constantly put on a show of concern.
“Hmm. If I recall the register, your father owns Argosy Books, but you are here representing the business?” Pat asked. “You and your ... girlfriend?”
“Well, I manage Argosy, and I can bring my guest with me, just as you are bringing your daughters with you,” Brent said. “Pearl and Ruby, please come over to the bar and let me buy you a drink. There’s no need for us to be involved in this disciplinary matter. I’m sure Mr. Larson will handle his rebellious employee.”
“Brent, why do you always assume you know things you are completely ignorant about?” Pearl asked. “We don’t want to join you for a drink.”
“When will you realize how much I love you?” Brent asked. “If you were my girlfriends, I could work on a way to give your store prime space in the redeveloped Waterfront. Just come and be with me.”
“Lay off, Brent. We have a boyfriend,” Ruby snapped.
“What? Since when? You’re never out. Do you keep him in the basement? Under the boardwalk? Don’t try to fool me with that kind of claim,” Brent said.
The girls deliberately shook his hands off their arms and stepped over to either side of me. I looked at them in surprise as they took my arms.
“Sky is our boyfriend. You can’t even compare,” Ruby said.
“I’m ... What?” I stammered.
“What a joke,” Debbie said. “The two most beautiful women in La Alegria with that loser? You’d be much better off sharing Brent with me. There’s an empty room just down the hall from mine.”
She cast a threatening look at Brent, but he was oblivious.
“So, you’re a gold-digger trying to get a piece of the Larsons’ business?” Brent said. “What can you possibly offer these two that I can’t? You work twelve hours a day at a cash register. That’s hardly a good offer for such beauties. Pearl and Ruby, I can give you more in a second than this guy will earn in his lifetime.”
“You think money is the answer to everything. We’ve known Sky all our lives. We know what a good man he is,” Pearl said.
“You also have to know what a broke loser he is. In five years in La Alegria since college, he still has the same menial job in the bookstore he got then. A minimum wage cashier and janitor. Do you think I haven’t seen him sweeping the floors when the store is closing at night? He has no life and no prospects,” Debbie said.
I couldn’t figure out why Debbie was being so helpful to Brent in trying to get Pearl and/or Ruby into his bed. What a weird relationship.
“You’re jealous,” Ruby snarled at Debbie. “You know what a treasure you walked out on after college. Now that someone else wants Sky, you can’t stand it.”
“Jealous? Not in a million years! Brent takes care of me. And his father has put me in charge of the campaign to revitalize the Waterfront,” Debbie said. “Uncle Matt and I have been filming the Waterfront with a drone for the past three weeks. You wouldn’t believe what we’ve seen.”
“Uncle Matt?” Brent said, turning to Debbie in surprise. “You’ve been working with Uncle Matt?”
“He’s really nice, baby. Don’t worry about anything. It’s all part of the job,” Debbie soothed Brent, taking his arm and scowling at the twins.
“He’s just so weird. You still need to be careful around him,” Brent said, as if he were concerned about her. “So, you’re claiming that Sky can be here at the business association meeting because he’s with you?” he asked, returning his attention to Pearl and Ruby.
“That’s enough,” Pat said. “Sky is here as a business-owner. He’s the majority partner in TBR Books. That’s why we’re all here this evening to give him a proper introduction to the association.”
“Majority partner?” Debbie croaked.
Those standing nearby closed in on the group, offering congratulations to me, effectively cutting Brent and Debbie away from the group.
“The Executive Committee is here,” Marge announced from the front of the restaurant meeting room. “Let’s all get our seats and enjoy the dinner so we can get on with business.”
The five people on the Executive Committee took their seats at a round table and were quickly joined by Brent and Debbie, who sat beside his father, David. The Larsons and I sat at a different table and Pearl and Ruby maintained their lock on my arms on either side of me. Bruce joined us as well as Leon, the owner of the surf shop, and his wife. We had a good chat, mostly about the proposals for the Waterfront redevelopment, which none of us were in favor of.
“Now, for the business of the evening,” Marge said as we were served dessert. “We have a few items of old business and a couple of new items.”
The various officers reported on the minutes and the latest from the planning commission. Then Marge opened the discussion to new business.
“I understand David has new business to bring before the members,” Marge said.
“Thank you, Marge,” Brent’s father said.
Most people at the meeting wore the typical casual business clothes of Southern California. Some even wore board shorts to the meeting. David was dressed in a suit and tie.
“You all know I’ve been pushing for improvements to the Waterfront to enhance the safety of our patrons and increase our business. There have been some misconceptions about this and I’ve asked Debbie to help me clear some of them up. She’s been doing a lot of investigation of the problems. Debbie, what have you found?” David asked, turning the floor over to my one-time girlfriend.
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