“And what’s a chemistry major doing being so important that she can ring up the city board?” Arden asked, his brows raised. “Don’t get wrong though, I always appreciate the one syllable words. Makes it easier for my simple mind to understand.”
“Do not let appearances deceive you, I’m a very important chemistry major who has instant access to everyone in this city,” Lottie retorted though her giggling immediately after rather ruined her attempted lie. “That is good to know,” she replied slowly and carefully, making sure to keep to one syllable, her lips twitching into a grin.
Arden’s brows raised a bit, curious exactly what muttering she’d heard. “That so, Lottie?” he asked, his lips curving into a little smirk. “Can’t imagine the mutterings are too interesting. We’re simple people for the most part.”
“I’m sure you are Arden,” she agreed. “But large group of the same family move into town will always cause tongues to wag. I shall however pass back to the city information board that you are simple people and make sure they send you out the words of no more than one syllable welcome pack.”
“You would if you were dying of cancer and needed a partner to help make you cash out. I think someone wrote a TV show about that,” Arden smirked, laughing a bit with her. Her reason was as bullshit as his, but he wouldn’t call her on it. Simply didn’t know her well enough. “Arden Romano. What about you? In case I’m in need of your skills?”
Lottie looked away, her lips twitching in amusement at his joke. “I believe they did. Does mean nobody would believe it in real life any more.” With a nod of her head at his introduction she flicked her cigarette before responding. “I’m Charlotte Berdini, I usually go by Lottie though.” Tipping her head she gave him a serious look, “So you are one of these famous Romanos who have descended from the hills. I’ve been hearing all sort of muttering about you.”
“So what does one do with a chemistry degree besides make crystal meth and sell it?” Arden asked, little smirk on his face as he glanced over at her. “Teach? Biochem? Research?” He took another drag off of his cigarette, chuckling at her description. “Mm, well – not too far off, I guess. We’ve transported sod before.”
Lottie didn’t reply immediately, her eyes dancing with mischief, “If I was planning to go into crystal meth production I wouldn’t tell a total stranger now would I? However you’ve got me, I intend to be the youngest department head at the university and dedicate the rest of my life to teaching and research.” She laughed out loud, the idea of Lottie spending any longer in education seemed hilarious to her. “Transporting sod, you really are living the dream!” she grinned. “Do I get your name? Just in case I find I need to transport any hay myself.”
Arden shrugged, not disagreeing with her. “There are some days I definitely wish I could Magic Mike my way through life. Got to be easier.” He exhaled a plume of smoke, though he was careful to blow it away from her. “Chemistry, huh? Must be a smart little cookie. And trust me, we aren’t shipping anything interesting. Agriculture, mostly. Textiles, some metals. Expanding the list every day.”
“Shake those hips, work it,” she chuckled at the idea of the man being a stripper, it just didn’t seem like him. “Oh I’m very smart, smart, adorable and a delight in every way,” Lottie laughed with more enthusiasm. Her amusement calming down a little as she listened to his response, “I have such visions of you transporting piles of grass and hay bales. It’s a very pretty picture in my head.”
“Stripper. Been an outbreak of the clap at the nightclub,” Arden replied, the corners of his mouth twitching into a mischievous little smirk. He took another drag of his cigarette. “Work for my family’s company in the shipping department. What about you?”
Lottie burst out laughing at his response, tipping her head to the side and running her eyes over his body in consideration at the idea. “Shame, I hear that can be nasty,” she agreed, her own smirk firmly on her lips. Copying his move she took a drag herself, leaning back against the wall. “The stripper sounded far more fun,” she quipped. “I’m a student, chemistry before you ask. So what sort of stuff are you shipping?”
Arden shrugged and took a deep drag off his cigarette, relishing the burn in his throat. “Fair enough,” he said simply as he exhaled, giving her a little smile. “Mmhmm – really about three stiff drinks and the rest of my pack of cigarettes. Been a rough day.”
“Why limit yourself to three, it sounds like you need an entire bottle,” she advised before taking a long drag herself. “What do you do?”
“Thanks for the light,” Arden replied, nodding toward the person next to him. “Guess I left my lighter… somewhere.” He really was planning on quitting smoking, but after a long day in the office, it was clear today wasn’t that day. Luckily, he’d been pitied as he searched fruitlessly for his own lighter.
“Absolutely, I’ll just keep a score sheet for next time I haven’t got any cigarettes and want one,” Lottie replied with a wink as she lit up herself. “You look like you need a stiff drink.”
Lottie's wild adventure 