Chateau d’Yquem. It’s one of our trophy wines, sir.” Andrew said, answering my question, which was clearly meant for Denise.
“Are you trying to impress me?”
I looked at Andrew, directing my question, again, at Denise. Andrew gave me a stern look as he excused himself.
“Be nice,” Denise demanded. “Of course I’m not trying to impress you. I’ve already bought your friendship.”
“You actually think yo u can afford me?” I ask, reaching for my glass of wine.
“Of course not, you high priced…”
Denise stifled her comment as she took a sip of her wine.
“What was that?” I asked, folding my ear forward, daring her to repeat.
“Nothing I wanted you to hear. Look, you sounded like you needed some cheering up, so…”
“Ok,” Trevor interjected. “Well, yes, but that was before I got some great news.”
“What are you waiting for? Spill it!” Denise demanded.
“Remember that pitch that I had been working on for the past month?”
“I sure do. I couldn’t get you to do anything.”
“Well, after talking to Kelvin, and then leaving that message for you this morning…”
“Wait! Talking to Kelvin? How’s he doing?”
Denise loved Kelvin, and obviously, the mere mention of h is name still gets her excited. H e had that affect on most people.
“He’s doing well. I’ll get into that later. Anyway, I got a call from Wes telling me how impressed the clients were wi th my presentation, and…” I paused for added effect.
“What? You’re taking too long.”
“I got the contract.”
“Are you surprise that you got it?”
Denise knew h ow devoted I had been. Only fire could tear me away from it. Most of her phone calls played second to completing t hat project. When she thought I needed a break, or when I didn’t believe in my own ability, Denise was a lways there to convince m e. I worked tirelessly, putting together what turned out to be a killer presentation.
“Not surprised. I didn’t think they would make a decision after just one presentation. T he second one was scheduled for today, until they in formed Wesley of their decision. I figured I would reward myself for my hard work. ”
“And lunch with me is your reward?” she questioned with a mischievous smile. “Congratulations , hon,” she said excitingly.
“Thank you. They’ve invited me to dinner on Wednesday.”
“Re ally!” Denise said, smiling. She lifted her glass to toast, and then added, “Well, since we’re here to celebrate your new acquisition, lunch is on me.”
“You mean you were planning on going Dutch? ”
I sipped my wine for only the second time and placed it gently on the table.
“N ot at all . I th ought I heard you offered.”
We laughed, and then sat back in silence. Uncertain where Denise had dr ifted to, I escaped into his own thoughts.
Denise and I first met three years ago at her cousin, Gabrielle, and R eese’s wedding. Reese and I w ere high school classmates. We didn’t talk often, but ofte n enough for him to remember to drop my invitation in the mail. I was in South Carolina wrapping up a business deal and could only get back in time for the reception. Den ise was one of five bridesmaids. She wore the lavender ank le- length dress well. Although the other girls were as beautiful, Denise stood out. I wasn’t sure if it was her walk into the reception hall, her prom queen-like wave to the invited guests, or if it was her infectious smile that made her so appealing. We spent the night exchanging smiles a glance every now and then, one being extremely careful not to lead the other on. Our meeting blossomed into a platonic relationship we’ve both cherish ed .
Denise and I sat on the benches on the lawn of Prairie Vista Country Club, talking, l aughing, and sipping white wine. Though we had no idea what we were drinking, it tasted good , even though we agreed it didn ’t taste like anything we’ve had before. Whatever it was, it must h ave gotten the best of
“Are you trying to impress me?”
I looked at Andrew, directing my question, again, at Denise. Andrew gave me a stern look as he excused himself.
“Be nice,” Denise demanded. “Of course I’m not trying to impress you. I’ve already bought your friendship.”
“You actually think yo u can afford me?” I ask, reaching for my glass of wine.
“Of course not, you high priced…”
Denise stifled her comment as she took a sip of her wine.
“What was that?” I asked, folding my ear forward, daring her to repeat.
“Nothing I wanted you to hear. Look, you sounded like you needed some cheering up, so…”
“Ok,” Trevor interjected. “Well, yes, but that was before I got some great news.”
“What are you waiting for? Spill it!” Denise demanded.
“Remember that pitch that I had been working on for the past month?”
“I sure do. I couldn’t get you to do anything.”
“Well, after talking to Kelvin, and then leaving that message for you this morning…”
“Wait! Talking to Kelvin? How’s he doing?”
Denise loved Kelvin, and obviously, the mere mention of h is name still gets her excited. H e had that affect on most people.
“He’s doing well. I’ll get into that later. Anyway, I got a call from Wes telling me how impressed the clients were wi th my presentation, and…” I paused for added effect.
“What? You’re taking too long.”
“I got the contract.”
“Are you surprise that you got it?”
Denise knew h ow devoted I had been. Only fire could tear me away from it. Most of her phone calls played second to completing t hat project. When she thought I needed a break, or when I didn’t believe in my own ability, Denise was a lways there to convince m e. I worked tirelessly, putting together what turned out to be a killer presentation.
“Not surprised. I didn’t think they would make a decision after just one presentation. T he second one was scheduled for today, until they in formed Wesley of their decision. I figured I would reward myself for my hard work. ”
“And lunch with me is your reward?” she questioned with a mischievous smile. “Congratulations , hon,” she said excitingly.
“Thank you. They’ve invited me to dinner on Wednesday.”
“Re ally!” Denise said, smiling. She lifted her glass to toast, and then added, “Well, since we’re here to celebrate your new acquisition, lunch is on me.”
“You mean you were planning on going Dutch? ”
I sipped my wine for only the second time and placed it gently on the table.
“N ot at all . I th ought I heard you offered.”
We laughed, and then sat back in silence. Uncertain where Denise had dr ifted to, I escaped into his own thoughts.
Denise and I first met three years ago at her cousin, Gabrielle, and R eese’s wedding. Reese and I w ere high school classmates. We didn’t talk often, but ofte n enough for him to remember to drop my invitation in the mail. I was in South Carolina wrapping up a business deal and could only get back in time for the reception. Den ise was one of five bridesmaids. She wore the lavender ank le- length dress well. Although the other girls were as beautiful, Denise stood out. I wasn’t sure if it was her walk into the reception hall, her prom queen-like wave to the invited guests, or if it was her infectious smile that made her so appealing. We spent the night exchanging smiles a glance every now and then, one being extremely careful not to lead the other on. Our meeting blossomed into a platonic relationship we’ve both cherish ed .
Denise and I sat on the benches on the lawn of Prairie Vista Country Club, talking, l aughing, and sipping white wine. Though we had no idea what we were drinking, it tasted good , even though we agreed it didn ’t taste like anything we’ve had before. Whatever it was, it must h ave gotten the best of
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