“Hope you will take it, and I mean it, I’m glad you accepted the job. Feel free to do whatever you want. you hire your team, work by yourself, whatever. I trust you.”
Gaining trust from a guy like him is a big deal. I put out my hand and shake his. “Thank you my friend.”
“Grazie amico mio.” Friends. We are. He raises his beer in toast and I do the same clinking my bottle with his.
“Amico mio,” I say with a bow.
It’s time to change things up.
It’s a bright night. One of those nights where the sky is filled with stars that look like diamonds splashed over a sheet of velvet. It’s a scenery that fills me with hope and as I walk into the hall hosting the event I have my fingers crossed that tonight will go well.
I know it won’t, but nothing stops me from hoping.
I’m meeting Rachel here in about ten minutes.
She was having her hair done and her appointment ran over. I guess it’s probably best if we arrive separately. It will make it less obvious.
I’m wearing a tux and I look the part for the event. I hate dressing up like this though and anything black tie. I’ll wear a suit if I have to but I like my rugged biker style. Peter always thinks it’s me trying to look younger but it’s not, it’s just me.
He’s been saying that since we were about thirty and I’ve never listened to him. His ass is always suited and booted so he would think that of me.
The room is packed with the staff and their guests.
We’ve done well with our fundraising efforts this year and raised one and a half million dollars for the Cancer Society. It’s good to celebrate wins like that. the fundraising team worked hard this years beating the record from previous years.
I look across the hall and see Allen talking it up with a red head. Good that prick can stay over there, anywhere that’s far away from my girl is perfect for me.
I want to locate Peter so I can see what he’s doing. the night maybe formal but it’s informal in terms of how the evening will go.
There’ll be dinner in forty minutes in the other hall and then dancing back here. During the dinner Peter always gives a speech just to express his gratitude.
I plan to talk to him after the speech. I don’t want to upset him before.
I make my way on to the balcony that overlooks the river. That’s where I said I’d meet Rachel.
I don’t plan to look like we’re not together tonight. But I’ll do things properly. I won’t hold her hand or touch her until I’ve spoken to Peter. He’ll be here with his wife, Zara, and I don’t want her to hate me too.
Although I tend to think she might not. It’s just a feeling I have.
I continue over to the balcony and I see Peter standing by the table with canopies with his arm around Zara. They’re talking to a blonde woman.
When the woman turns to face me I stifle a groan. It’s Marie.
What is she doing here?
Fuck… this makes things awkward.
I gaze on and notice that Peter and Zara have seen me.
Zara waves me over and that’s the only thing that makes me go to them.
Although everyone knows Marie and I had an amicable split, I think it’s a given that I don’t exactly want to be talking to my ex.
I especially don’t want to be talking to my ex— who wants me back— when I’m meeting the woman I’m involved with in a handful of minutes.
Jesus please give me strength to get through this fucking night. Peter’s already eyeing me with daggers.
I reach them and put on my best professional smile. Zara gives me the usual hug and is the only person I feel warmth from in the circle. It’s funny how we met up like this several times last year on double dates. We aren’t, however, those people anymore.