The Arrangement Anthology 1(86)
“Oxford, originally—England.”
I smile at him, at the way he seems certain and uncertain at the same time. It’s kind of endearing. “You mean that big island across the pond? Yeah, I know it.”
“You’ve been?” he asks, interest flashing across his face.
“Once, yes. I got to hear the Beatles sing, and eat fish and chips next to Twining’s Teashop...” I don’t mean to tease him, so I’m not sure why I am. Henry looks confused. “At Epcot.” I feel bad two seconds after I say it. “I’m sorry. I’m just kidding. I’m a little nervous.”
“Could have fooled me, and a little humor never killed anyone.” He winks at me and adds, “Besides, life’s too damn short to be dull. Just don’t offend Patent Boy and you’ll be bloody brilliant tonight. That dress alone is enough to distract him. Listen, at the end of the night, if the man is still foolish enough to withhold his plans, I want you to dance with him and see if you can get him to talk.”
I nod slowly. “So, I’m posing as your date—”
“My fiancé.”
“Your fiancé,” I repeat, and add, “And I’m here to help keep things from turning adversarial, and if all else fails, you want me to try and butter him up?”
“Exactly, love. A good night would be conversation, food, and a deal for that gizmo of his. A bad night would end with Patent Boy running off the way he usually does when things don’t go his way. That’s where you come in. You just keep him from leaving—apologize for me being ass, and that kind of thing. It’s all a game anyway. The man is as aware of that fact as I am.”
The car turns a corner and I see the restaurant. “So, keep him there, help him mellow out, and that kind of thing?” Henry nods. “Can I ask you something?”
“Sure, why not.”
“Why’d you hire me to do this?” I ask. “It seems like the kind of thing that a friend could have done.”
“Maybe,” Henry replies, studying my face. I don’t feel like his possession. Call girls and escorts don’t seem to be his normal kind of thing. “But this way, I am sure to stack the odds in my favor. I heard the man favors New York women, beautiful brunettes, stacked with curves, and a bit of a sassy lip. I think I hit the jackpot. I’ve never been so glad I called for a girl in my entire life. With any bit of luck, I’ll walk out with the deal tonight, and you—my lovely date— will be rewarded.”
My heart is pounding and I don’t know why. When the car stops, I feel a chill slink down my spine. Glancing at Henry, I ignore the premonition. He’s so excited and my job sounds so easy—flirt with the patent man a little bit and make this more of a social gathering. That, I can do.
Henry steps out of the car and I follow. He leans in and whispers in my ear, “I’m serious about the reward. Help me win this guy over and I’ll triple your fee.”
Smiling at him, I say, “Sounds perfect. Lead the way Mr. Thomas, love of my life.”
I’m smiling now. I can’t help it. The past week has been so goddamn awful and tonight feels promising. This is something I can totally do and Mel was right about it feeling like a date. This guy has an agenda and needed someone to help him make it happen. I feel perfectly comfortable and take his arm.
Henry kisses me on the cheek. “For good luck.”
“Come on, let’s get you nailed—I mean, nail that contract.” Henry’s laughing and so am I.
It feels comfortable, familiar, even though I have no idea who he is. Henry could be some serial killer with really good manners and a sexy accent for all I know.
Gabe comes inside. He’s a few steps behind us and passes by to sit at the bar. I’m under observation tonight, but it doesn’t make me nervous, not anymore. Now that I know exactly what I have to do, I intend to do it.
Henry walks to the podium at the font of the restaurant. He walks by several people that are waiting and nods at the host. The slim man is older with silvery hair slicked back and big black bushy eyebrows. The permanent scowl on his face is intimidating. It makes me wonder how old patent man is and if I can convincingly flirt with him. The aroma of fine food and yeasty bread fills my head. Blue flames are dancing in a fireplace that extends down an entire wall of the restaurant. It’s an amazing thing to see.
Henry smiles at me. I can tell that nervous flitters are racing through him. After a few moments, a waiter comes over and offers to escort us to our table. I follow along with Henry, my hand wrapped around his arm. Eyes fall on me as we move through the restaurant, but I’m not looking at them. Something in front of me has my full attention. My heart pounds violently in my chest, like it wants to pry apart my bones and crawl out.