Chapter 2

Jane pulled up to the curb where Josh was standing there, waiting. She was driving a silver 2004 Toyota Corolla. She wore tight jeans, and oversized man's shirt man hanging out looking like a white dress. She had her hair in a ponytail with the tail hanging out from the back of a Chicago Cubs hat.

"Hi," she smiled. "Hop in."

"Girl after my own heart," Josh said, stowing his large bag in the backseat and climbing into the passenger side.

"What do you mean?"

"A Cub fan, your hat."

"Oh!" she said merging into Addison Street traffic heading west. The eastbound lane was lined up for miles due to them living close to Wrigley Field. In a matter of hours, it would reverse with all the traffic going west. "Ready to get your duds all clean?" she asked.

"Sure am," he replied. "I'm down to two clean shirts, one pair of slacks, blazer, a couple pair of underwear and some socks. So, yes, I am all set to do my laundry."

"You said that your mother owns that building you live in. Were you pulling my chain or is that true?"

"My parents own more than I can count. They paid for my tuition to Northwestern from the interest on the interest on the interest of their principle. When they first married, they didn't a pot to pee in. Now they can't count on what they own. Yes, they own that place."

"So do you get your apartment rent free?"

"You've got to be kidding me! There is no way my dad is going to let me live in one of their buildings rent free. He's the kind of guy who thinks I have to pull up my boot straps and live like the rest of the world. I'm not complaining but if my sister Brie were in my place then yes, she would get it rent free. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if he'd give her the whole building."

"Do you think that's fair?" Jane asked.

"I don't know," he shrugged. "I don't care if they favor her over me. Brie a sweet girl and there is no way I could ever be jealous of her. There's eight years difference between us so we seldom fought. I did tease her when she was growing up, but not now. She's a real cutie and ninety-nine percent of the calls to my parents home in Barrington Hills are for her. Guys find her hot."

"How old is she?"

"Sixteen going on seventeen. She will match or exceed Victoria in the looks department when she is older in a few years."

"Oh!" Jane muttered, thinking that Josh was hot for the sexy blond.

Once they got their wash into the machines, they sat down together near the dryers. They hoped the busy laundromat would thin out soon so they could park their butts on chairs closer to the air conditioning.

"So you think Victoria's hot and sexy."

"Yeah, I do," Josh admitted. "She's nice to look at but she is not my type. Definately not my type."

"Who would be your type?" Jane asked, taking a sip from a can of coke that Josh had bought her.

"A girl on the quiet side but has a feisty streak in her. Someone who likes to go out and have a good time but also likes to stay at home for an evening of reading, listening to music, or watching some tv. She has to be fun to be with and know how to cook."

"Don't want much, do you?"

"You asked me what my ideal girl would be. I haven't found her yet but I'm hoping."

"That's a tall order you're looking for."

"What's your ideal man?" Josh asked.

"Not someone like Mikleski. He is a heart attack waiting to happen. I guess someone my age, attractive, one who can make me laugh, be able to make enough to afford a family. Eventually a guy who can buy a house, love me, love our kids, maybe toss in a family dog in the mix. I know I have high standards but I'm worth it." She laughed loudly at her last statement.

Hours later, they had their clothes cleaned and folded. Josh took all of it out to the car while Jane rolled all the windows down. It was really getting to be a hot day. Once they loaded everything in the backseat, they were off back home.

"Want to stop for something to eat?" Josh asked her.

"I made some spaghetti and garlic bread last night. I can toss us a salad in no time. I've even got a bottle of red wine to go with it. It's pretty good but too much for one person. I'd hate to toss it out. So what do you say about finishing it off with me?"

"I love spaghetti," he replied with a grin. He sized her up. She was a pretty young thing. Not wife material for him, but he'd feel proud if they ever went out somewhere on a date. She could stand up to most women but not the Victoria's of the world.

"Then we're on," she took her eye off the street for a second and gave him a big smile.

After packing his clean stuff into the trunk of her car, he followed her up the stairs to the third floor and her apartment. She had three locks on them but only one had been bolted. They walked in and the first thing Jane did was turn on the two air conditioners. One in the front room and the other in her bedroom.

"If you can get the table set up, I'll toss the salad and heat up the garlic bread and pasta. The wine glasses are in the second cabinet and the wine is in the refrigerator."

"Okay," Josh said, going for the cabinets.

The meal was delicious. Much better than he could ever make. They chatted about work, where they had their afterwork drinks, and the subway rides. By the time they ate, cleared the table, did the dishes; it was getting dusk. Also there were dark clouds moving into the neighborhood with lightning showing in the west.

They sat in the living room. Josh at one end of the sofa while Jane was at the other end. Both were stuffed from the good food and very relaxed from the wine. Josh preferred beer but beggars couldn't be choosers. They continued their chat turning from work to what they liked and disliked. Jane told him that she into all kinds of music with exception of rap, jazz, heavy metal, and acid rock. She liked romantic comedies but admitted enjoyed the Lord of the Rings trilogy. She didn't like the Matrix series or James Bond movies. She only watched television to get the news and programs that had medical themes. Josh agreed with her taste in music, but he told her he loved James Bond movies, didn't like Matrix either, but liked the Lord of the Rings and Star Wars. Romantic comedies were okay and admitted he enjoyed 'What Women Want' very much. He liked to watch football. Both college and pro. Other sports he could give or take. All of this took up hours to cover all of their preferences.

A bright flash of lightening followed by an overly loud clap of thunder made them both jump. The lights dimmed then went out. It started raining hard. It came done heavy slowing any traffic on the outside of the building.

"Oh shit," Jane mumbled. "Now what do we do?"

"If you're tired, you can go to bed. I can camp out here on the sofa if you don't mind loaning me a pillow and a blanket. I most likely won't need the blanket because the air conditioners are out and it won't be long until it gets really hot in here."

Jane swallowed. She was tipsy from the wine which made her do something she'd hesitate in doing if she were completely sober.

"You don't have to sleep out here, you can share my bed."

"Are you sure?" Josh felt his stomach turn. "I don't want you to do anything you don't want to do."

"I'm on the pill so there's no need to worry about knocking me up," she said, finishing what was in her glass. "I'm very sharing."

"Aren't we a little new in knowing each other to be doing this?"