AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Chapter One
If there was something that made a man leap to his feet faster than having a waitress dump a full glass of ice water in his lap, Blane didn’t know what it would be. Maybe coffee instead of water? No, a knife would probably get the quickest reaction time.
These thoughts flew through his head as the waitress stood, aghast, her mouth open in a round O of horror, frozen in place. Blane tamped down his irritation. It wasn’t as though she’d done it on purpose but dumping water in the lap of the senior senator from Massachusetts wasn’t something she’d be bragging about. Or hell, maybe she would. Nowadays, you never knew.
The waitress found her tongue. “I’msosorry, Senator!” She snatched a linen napkin from the table and took a hurried step toward Blane, her eyes fixed on Blane’s crotch.
Blane snagged the napkin from her fingers before the unthinkable happened. Being groped by a waitress wasn’t an unwelcome option—especially one as pretty as this—but not in public.
“I’ve got it,” he said, dryly. “Where’s your men’s room?”
“Um, yes, of course,” she stammered, her face a shade whiter than the napkin Blane held. “I’ll show you myself.”
She spun on her heel, but Blane stopped her with a hand clamped to her shoulder. He certainly didn’t need to be led to the bathroom like a toddler. “Just point the way.”
“Out the door, turn right, then left down the hallway.”
Blane turned to the two men still sitting at the table. Both had identical grimaces on their faces, no doubt thanking their lucky stars that Blane and not themselves had been the recipient of the impromptu dousing.
“Gentlemen, if you’ll excuse me.” It was hard to pull off sophistication when your trousers looked as though you’d had an unfortunate bladder accident, but he managed.
The men’s room had an attendant who took one look and dug out a blow dryer from underneath the vanity. “If you please, sir. I’ll take care of that for you.” He was older, maybe mid-sixties, and by the way he hadn’t batted an eye, he’d probably seen it all. This being one of the most expensive and well-known restaurants in D.C., Blane bet he could write a book.
Blane disappeared into one of the cubicles, discarded his now soaked briefs, and handed the pants over the door to the attendant. He decided that cooling your heels in a bathroom stall in socks, shirt, tie, and jacket while naked from the waist down was life’s way of making sure you stayed humble.
Ten minutes later, he was back in dry clothes—albeit going commando—and adjusting his tie in the mirror. He handed the attendant a twenty.
“Thanks for your help.”
“Anytime, sir.”
The corridor outside the bathroom was empty and quiet, enough so that Blane could hear a hissed conversation as he neared the opening to the dining room.
“…could you be so damn clumsy! He’s a fucking senator, for God’s sake! If someone snapped a photo, it’ll be all over Page Six tomorrow! Do you think a man like that is ever going to come here again if he’s turned into a laughingstock by some sorry excuse for a waitress? You’re fired. Get out now.”
Blane paused, glancing over his shoulder to where the manager was berating the woman who’d dumped water on him. She looked near tears, but held them back. Her jaw was clenched and she stood ramrod straight, her chin tipped up. Her hands were in fists at her side and there were two bright spots of color on her cheeks.
“There you are,” Blane said, turning and heading toward them. His smile came easily, as a politician’s always did. He’d had years of practice.
He clapped a hand on the manager’s shoulder, perhaps a bit too tight. “I wanted to tell you what a fine establishment you have here. And a fantastic staff.”
“Th-thank you,” the man stammered. He was shorter than Blane by half a foot, sported a receding hairline, and had a moustache that looked too tired to be bothered.
“What’s your name?”
“Theodore, sir. Theodore Morgan.”
Blane squeezed and Theodore winced slightly, forcing a smile.
“Well, Theodore,” Blane glanced at the girl’s nametag, “Anne gave me a dose of humility today, something more people in this town could use. I’m going to have to insist she’s my server every time I come in.” He raised his eyebrows in question. “If that’s all right with you?” he asked her.
Her eyes were wide with surprise, and it took her a moment to respond. With a quick glance at her boss, she said, “Of course, senator. It would be my pleasure.”
“Then it’s settled.” He smiled again at the manager. “You don’t mind, do you, Theodore?”
His Adam’s apple bobbed as the manager swallowed. He looked slightly sick. “Absolutely not, sir. I’ll make sure it happens.”
Blane slapped him on the back and Theodore stumbled forward a half step. “I knew I could count on you.” He turned to the girl. “Anne, would you bring our table a bottle of the Cheval-Blanc 2011?”
