AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I like the sound of it.”
“For remodeling?”
“No, the vacation. Do you take your clients with you?”
Penny pouts. “No, but I’d never say never.”
I take another swig. “What if a client paid for your vacation?”
“It would depend on the business contract. Remodeling-wise, I imagine you to be a marble and brass kind of guy. All high-end quality and not the relaxed feel of a coastal makeover.”
“I’m open to suggestions.”
“Have you taken a vacation to simply relax? Do what you want?” With her elbow on the table, Penny rests her chin in her hand. “Lay on the beach all day drinking cocktails under a palm tree or in a hammock.”
“It sounds idyllic.”
She sits upright. “I think you would struggle.”
“Why?”
“C’mon, Franklin. Relaxing for say… one week and not workingat all. It would send a workaholic like you nuts.”
“No calls?”
“Nope. I know a place you’re not even allowed to wear shoes.”
“That’s ridiculous.”
She giggles. “All sand and the water. It revives your senses.”
She is right. I cannot imagine myself taking a week off. One day is difficult. I need to know what the market is doing every day and be reachable for my traders, clients, and analysts.
With Penny…
“Shoes or no shoes, I think I could take a week off. Except for calls, of course.” I take another sip of my whiskey. “I don’t think calls count.”
“They absolutely do. People like you can spend hours on your cell and get caught up in problems, become stressed, and that defeats the purpose as to why you’re there.”
“Rhetorically, what if I’m on a business trip with a client and not a vacation?”
Penny shakes her head gently from side to side as if I have exasperated her.
“And why are we talking about vacations?”
“Because you mentioned this house is where you go for short breaks, and I’m curious why you don’t take longer breaks, aka vacations? My first thought…” she has my interest, “… you would be incapable of not working on a vacation, and you proved my instinct to be correct.”
I chuckle. “Capable or not, I’m interested in your coastal remodeling. The house is in its original condition. It was built in the seventies, and I bought it five years ago. It’s not bad… just dated. I would like to spend more time there and hoped you might be interested in giving me some advice on decorating and remodeling.”
“Why me?” Her forehead creases.
“I don’t have time to research anything.” Her eyes search mine. “And I trust you.”
For a moment, Penny’s expression falls. She picks up her glass and downs all the champagne.
“Would you like some more?” I lift the bottle of Dom from the ice bucket and wipe off the condensation.
She nods. “Yes, because I need some courage for what I’m about to say.”
