The restaurant was dimly lit with flashes of bright modern decor and neon lights. It felt hip and cool, but also classic and timeless. It was the kind of vibe every business on the block was going for, and I intended for my club to be no different. It was supposed to look intimidating. The kind of place some people might have had to stop before going inside and ask themselves if they could afford it. Upscale places like that never could have thrived in the old Cherry Falls, but it was what the new Cherry Falls was made of. Of course, Nick made sure there were still plenty of the classic original shops and affordable places for all the people who lived there long before us.
The contractor was already at a table waiting on me when I came in. We started out with water and appetizers to go over everything, but once we had talked through everything, I was ready to switch to a drink to celebrate. I flagged down the waiter and put in my order for a martini, because I heard they had the best in the city.
“Nothing for me,” the contractor said with a frown to the waiter.
“Oh, I’m sorry. Do you not drink? I can cancel my order,” I offered.
“Don’t worry. It’s not a problem. I drink, but just can’t today. I told my wife I’d be home early. Our daughter has a piano recital later tonight, and we’re all going to ride there together,” he explained. He pulled out his phone and scrolled across the screen to show me pictures of his smiling family and his daughter sitting proudly at her piano.
“You have a beautiful family,” I told him, just before he put the phone away and stood up to leave.
I stood up with him so we could shake hands. We exchanged final words on how excited we were to get started, and I sat back down to think about how in just six months, my club would be having its grand opening. There was a lot to do. With that kind of timeline, I’d need to go ahead and start working with someone on marketing. I’d have to meet with vendors and someone to design the menus. There were the licenses to apply for and a million other little tasks to see to. But I was ready and excited about every last bit of it.
Once my martini was delivered, I pulled out my phone to call Nick. I wanted to get started on some of it right away, but I also really just wanted to celebrate. It was all official now.
“Hey, man. Listen, you have that marketing girl’s number? Paige? Is she still working around town?”
“I think so,” he answered. “I’ll send you her info. How’d the meeting go?”
“Great. It’s all taken care of. The guy had to run, but I’m still over here at Maggliano’s. Why don’t you pop by and join me for a celebratory drink?”
He hesitated for a moment. “Ahhh...uh...so you’re there all alone?”
“Yeah, why? Come over and join me.”
“Uh, I can’t at the moment. Ah...Ben, Joey, and I...we’re all busy with something right now. Sorry we can’t celebrate with you, man. We’ll get together soon. Maybe tomorrow after work.”
“Why are you acting so weird?” I asked him. He was stammering and obviously lying about something.
“What!? What’s that!?” he replied, suddenly yelling. “I can’t hear you! I think you’re cutting out. I’ll talk to you later.”
He hung up. That was weird, I thought, staring at my phone. Oh well. I’d just have to celebrate alone. I thought about the contractor guy and his family. I wanted to ask him how he juggled everything – his work and his wife and kids. There was the rare moment like that when my guys were busy and work was on pause for the day, and I just really wanted to be with someone who cared about me and what was going on in my life. A girlfriend, maybe. Or something like that.
I shook it off, thinking how ridiculous it was to think about something like that just as I was starting such a huge project. I may have had a moment for a few drinks right then, but after that I’d be on the go non-stop.
Regardless, I wasn’t sure I wanted to sit through another martini by myself at the restaurant. I scanned the room for the waiter, but someone caught my eye. There was a gorgeous woman at the front of the room who was hot enough to stop traffic. Just as I noticed her, she stood and started walking toward me…likely headed to the bathrooms in the back. She was still laughing over something the guy at her table had said, but as she got closer, I realized who it was.
“Lizzy!?” I blurted in shock.
She stopped and looked over at me with a slow smile. “Oh, hey, Damon! What are you doing here?”
“Uh...just a, uh...a business meeting,” I stammered. We hadn’t spoken since we slept together. Specifically, we hadn’t spoken since I ducked out of her apartment without even saying goodbye. On top of that, she looked ridiculously hot.
I couldn’t stop myself from doing a once-over. She was wearing a skimpy black dress that hugged her body perfectly. Her long tan legs were accentuated by a pair of stiletto heels. Her hair and makeup...all of it. She was just stunning.
“You look...you look amazing,” I added, and not so smoothly. “What are you doing here?”
“Oh, uh...well, I’m actually on a date,” she said gently, as if she was worried about hurting my feelings.
Normally, that kind of attitude would have made me laugh. You? Hurt my feelings? Please. I was the one who ran out on her and hadn’t called since. I was glad she was on a date. At least that was how it would usually go. But this time...something about it did bother me. No matter how hard I tried not to show it.
“Oh, good. That’s great. Well, I don’t want to hold you up,” I answered politely. But inside I was wishing she’d completely bail on that guy and sit at my table instead. I had wanted to celebrate, and having a few rounds of cocktails with Lizzy would have been perfect.
“It was good to see you,” she nodded with a smile before continuing on to the bathrooms.
While she was gone, I found myself staring at her date. I could only see his back, but I instantly didn’t like him. He had blonde hair and broad shoulders. He was wearing a Prada suit, but one that I wouldn’t be caught dead in. But it meant he had money nonetheless, even if he had no taste. Something about him was just so...basic and boring. What the hell was Lizzy doing with a guy like that? And more importantly, why did I care?
The waiter appeared suddenly. “Sir, would you like another drink?”
I still had my eyes glued on Lizzy’s date. I had planned on asking for the check, but what the hell. I didn’t have anywhere else to be and who knew when I’d have the time to relax for the afternoon again?
“Sure, I’ll have another,” I decided out loud. I sat back in the booth just as Lizzy was returning to her table. It could be a game of sorts, I thought. Just something for entertainment...to watch as much as I could without her noticing, trying to figure out if it was going well or not.
By the time my drink was finished, I had seen enough of Lizzy and this guy making small talk and listening to them laugh. They ordered dessert, but didn’t share, so I thought maybe that was a good sign. But a good sign for what!? I officially didn’t know what I was doing anymore. I flagged the waiter down once again and asked for the check. Then I was left with the question of how to exit the building. I could sneak out the side exit to avoid an awkward run-in. Lizzy’s table was at the front of the restaurant, making it impossible to leave through the main entrance without passing it.