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"No, not at all. We saved the evening for you. Why? Are you in the mood for something?" I asked.
Jeannie nodded. "Yes, please take me to a fancy bar. I need a cocktail. I haven't even opened a bottle of wine lately because I didn't want to tempt Abe."
Jeannie Whitley was feisty, and I was here for it.
“I know a bar a few streets away,” I said. We were near Beacon Street, where I’d been with Everly a few times.
On the way, we admired window displays, oohing and aahing at the holiday decorations. We stopped in front of the one right next to the bar. It was magnificent, with huge red bows and gold details.
"I can't believe I found my soul sisters when it comes to admiring Christmas decorations. Sometimes I think I'm adopted. My own family doesn't get the fuss either," I said.
"Really?" Natalie asked. "Mine loves it. God, I hope they're going to join us for Christmas."
Jeannie glanced up at her. "They said they would."
"Oh, I know. But now they're having second thoughts because a few hotels around are organizing events for tourists between Christmas and New Year’s Eve, and they're thinking maybe they should do the same. I miss them."
“Where are your parents?” I asked.
“Greece.”
Oh man. I understood where Natalie was coming from. If my family moved across the ocean, I'd probably be sad all the time. I couldn't even imagine it.
"Okay, let's go in before we freeze our ears off," Jeannie said.
I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket and took it out, thinking it had to be Cade. No, it was a message from Sonya.
Sonya: Hey, apparently the gala for all the finalists is in three weeks. Alfred Danvers said he'll be there too. We're invited as well even though we didn’t make it into the finals. I think it's going to be a good opportunity for you to meet him.
Damn.I thought nothing could put a damper on the evening, but that definitely did.
"What's wrong, girl? You look pale," Jeannie said.
"Just some news from work."
"Nothing a cocktail won't solve," she said with a wink.
I looked over her head at Natalie, who just shrugged and smiled.
Is Jeannie intending to get drunk tonight?
Turned out she didn't. The woman could hold her liquor. Natalie and I, not so much.
Cade texted me just as we asked for the bill.
Cade: How is the evening going? I’m picking you up. I’m still going forward with my plan to spoil you.
I grinned as I typed back, bringing the phone close to my face so I could see the letters properly. I wasn't drunk, but I was definitely a bit tipsy.
Meredith: We’re ready to go. Natalie already texted Jake. This is our address.
It took forever for us to pay. Afterward, I had an idea, inspired by the wisdom Jeannie shared earlier. "If you want, you can go downstairs. I need to buy something first."
On the way in, I noticed they were selling bottles of champagne from a local producer. Usually it was exorbitant to buy bottles of alcohol in the bar, but this one was reasonably priced. Besides, tonight was a special occasion. My man was one step closer to winning the contest and cleaning up his company's reputation.
“Sure, I think Jake will be here any minute,” Natalie said as she and Jeannie put on their coats.
After they left, I went to the bar. I had to wait behind a couple who ordered cocktails before my turn came. The neon lights behind the bar seemed ethereal when we first arrived, but now they were hurting my eyes.
