“You didn’t have to take me to lunch today, Mr. Pickett.” Daniel opened the Grimaldi’s menu as the tangy scents of tomato sauce, oregano, and pizza dough surrounded them.
“It’s my pleasure.” He rolled up the sleeves of his white shirt, one that probably cost as much as Daniel’s biweekly paycheck. “Lila won’t allow a sliver of pizza past her lips, so any time I get a chance to eat a good pie, I’m going to take it.”
Daniel smiled and perused the menu. When his boss had suggested they go to lunch after his quarterly Saturday morning investor meeting, he was surprised. After being in Arthur Pickett’s employ for almost nine months now, he was coming to expect the man to throw him a few curve balls occasionally. Unlike his wife, Mr. Pickett didn’t mind the occasional change in schedule.
“Have you been here before?” his boss asked.
“More than I can count. The food is excellent.”
“Any recommendations?”
“Do you like pineapple on your pizza?”
Mr. Pickett gave him a pinched look. “That’s unnatural, Daniel.”
Daniel chuckled. “It’s definitely controversial. I suggest getting the make-your-own. You can pick your crust, sauce, and toppings.”
“Done.”
The waitress came over and placed glasses of water in front ofthem, the diamond stud in her nose twinkling. “Can I take your order?”
Letting his boss go first, Daniel looked around the crowded restaurant. Grimaldi’s was always packed on a Saturday, and today was no different. Although their main attraction was pizza, the restaurant also served several authentic Italian dishes and desserts. Grimaldi’s wasn’t fancy, but it wasn’t a hole-in-the-wall pizza parlor either.
“And you, sir?”
“A personal pan Hawaiian and sweet iced tea.”
She jotted it down, picked up their menus, and left to put in their orders.
Daniel took a drink of water. This was the first time he and Mr. Pickett had shared a meal together, and he didn’t know what to talk about. Other than being his chauffeur, their worlds didn’t intersect. Well, that wasn’t exactly true. When Daniel had been in legal trouble seven years ago, Mr. Pickett took him on as part of his ongoing commitment to have a percentage of his case load be pro bono, and he managed to get Daniel a reduced sentence and parole.
That was Daniel’s wake-up call, and he’d been on a clean and sober journey ever since. No one was more surprised than he when Mr. Pickett reached out and asked him if he wanted a job. When he was hired, he didn’t dare ask why.
Mr. Pickett glanced around the restaurant. “I like it here. Nice décor, not too swanky, reasonable prices. No Perrier, though. Club soda will have to do.” He folded his hands on the table. “You’re probably wondering why I suggested lunch today.”
Although it seemed far-fetched that Mr. Pickett would fire him over pizza and breadsticks, Daniel couldn’t stop the dread from surfacing. He mentally searched for what he could havedone wrong. He was never late, always kept the cars washed and detailed, the engines running at top capacity, and had even worked late several times, almost always at Lila’s insistence. “It had crossed my mind, Mr. Pickett.”
“Please. Call me Arthur.”
Daniel rubbed his hands over his legs underneath the table. “Sure. Arthur.”
His boss sat back, his gaze serious. “How are you liking your job?”
“I really enjoy it,” he said, telling the truth. “I’ve always liked driving and working on cars. I see this as the best of both worlds.”
“Glad to hear it. You’re the best chauffeur I’ve ever had. I want to make sure you’re happy. Consider today a celebration.”
“For what?”
“Your 30 percent raise.” Arthur grinned.
Daniel’s jaw dropped. “Seriously?”
“I’m always serious about money. You’ll also be getting paid vacation time.”
He fell back in his chair. This was more than he’d ever hoped for. With his record, job opportunities were limited. Not only did Mr. Pickett—Arthur—pay well, he also provided health insurance coverage. That had been enough. Now he was offering a raise and paid vacations too? Daniel’s hand shot out. “Thank you, Arthur. Thank you so much.”
Arthur shook it as the waitress brought their drinks. “Your pizzas will be right up,” she said, giving them a smile.
