Page 47 of Love By The Falls

“Hey Brigitte, how’s it going?”

“Good, Cal. How are you? Are you busy?”

“A little. What can I do for you?”

I rub my hand over my blue pants. I shouldn’t have worn wool today. It’s warmer than usual outside, especially with the sun shining into the backseat.

“I’d like you to come up to the summer house this weekend.”

“But it’s only March. I’ve got three months before I need to make excuses again.”

“Ha, so you admit you’re avoiding it.”

“You know it’s not my thing. It’s a lot of tiny sandwiches and large egos. While I’m used to the egos, probably because I have one myself, I prefer to steer clear on the weekends.”

“Come on, Cal. It’ll be fun. I’ve invited Trudy Hazan up this weekend. Her family owns that vodka company. They could be a great partner for the new business, and she keeps asking me about you. I told her you’re single.”

“Bridge, I really need you and everyone on the internet to stay out of my love life.”

“It’ll look better for the company if you were engaged instead of a bachelor.”

“It’s a fragrance company. No one cares about that stuff,” I say.

“Research shows that people do.”

“Look, send my regards to Trudy, but I won’t be making her acquaintance this weekend.”

“Next week?”

“No.”

“Cal?”

“I’m sorry, Brigitte, but you’ll have to use your matchmaking skills on someone else. I’ve got to go. Tell Michael that I’ll see him later.”

The car pulls up to the restaurant and I hop out, straightening my jacket and tie before walking inside.

The restaurant is dark, but I spot Arty sitting at the bar near the back.

“Can I help you, sir?” asks the hostess.

“I found whom I’m looking for. I’ll just see myself there. Thanks.”

Arty’s wearing a wrinkled suit, which I assume was black several years ago. Despite his appearance, he’s the sharpest sports agent in the industry right now. “Arty, good to see you.”

He stands and shakes my hand. “Cal, good to see you, too.”

“Did my assistant get the time wrong? I thought you said three, but it’s only a quarter to right now.”

“No, no. I just had another meeting earlier and came straight from there.”

“Another meeting?”

“Yeah.”

“With who?”

“You know I can’t tell you that. There are several teams interested in Guerrero.”

---