Page 201 of Champagne Nights

“I left this here.”

I looked over at the tea kettle, and the red light appeared, indicating the water was heated. Taking two cups from the cabinet, I placed a tea bag in each and filled them with water.

“How did the two of you meet?”

“I was picking out some apples, and they all began falling. When I looked over, he was standing there trying to help me stop them. My cart was blocking the aisle, and of course, I didn’t hear him say excuse me, so he moved my cart and hit the edge of the display. He was saying many things very fast, so I had to tell him I was deaf. And guess what?” My face beamed with excitement.

“What?”

“He started signing.”

“Really?” She cocked her head.

“Yeah, and he’s really good at it. He was behind me in line and saw I didn’t have my wallet, so he offered to pay. Then, when we left the store, he offered me a ride home in his limousine.”

Her brows instantly furrowed at me.

“He has a limo?”

“And a driver.” I smiled. “We’re meeting for lunch tomorrow, and I’m going to pay him back for the food.”

“Why didn’t you pay him back today since he drove you home?”

“I was going to, but he insisted we have lunch tomorrow.”

“What’s his name?”

“Henry.”

“How old is this Henry guy?” Her eyes narrowed.

“Maybe a couple years older than me?” I bit down on my bottom lip.

“Why and how does he know sign language?”

“I don’t know, Mom. The drive was short, and I didn’t ask him. I’ll ask at lunch tomorrow. Can you please stop asking a million questions?”

“You know I always look out for my baby girl.”

“I know.” I reached over and placed my hand on hers.

“I just don’t want you getting hurt by another guy,” she signed. “Anyway, thanks for the tea, but I have to go and get ready.” She kissed my forehead. “Come by tomorrow night when I get home from work. I want to hear everything about this Henry guy.”

“I will.” I smiled as I hugged her.

After I made some pasta, I took my plate to the table and turned on my computer to do some work. The website I was working on was due in a couple of days, and I was almost finished with it. I kept glancing over at my phone as it sat on the table. Henry had told me to text him with a time for lunch. Was it too soon to text him? It had only been a couple of hours since he drove me home. What if he was busy and I interrupted him? Besides, I didn’t want to seem too eager.

My experience with guys had never been very good. The last relationship I was in lasted four months. I always fell for the ones who could hear; many people had told me over the years that hearing/non-hearing relationships never worked out or lasted. I refused to believe that because people were just ignorant. I knew there was a selfless, remarkable man out there for me who would love me despite my deafness. I used to take it personally when things with guys never worked out. But now that I was twenty-seven years old, I grew not to bother with men who weren’t willing to try or complained too much.

I’d finally finished the website and emailed my client. Shutting down my laptop for the night, I grabbed my phone and started the water for a bath. As I sat in the hot peach-scented bubbly water, I picked up my phone, took a deep breath, and sent Henry a text message.

“Hi. It’s Ellie. Tomorrow at noon would work for lunch. Is that a good time for you?”

My message went through as an iMessage. Thank God he had an iPhone. I nervously stared at the screen for the three dots to appear. When they didn’t, I set my phone on the edge of the bathtub and sunk further under the hot, bubbly water. About ten minutes later, my phone lit up, and a text message appeared from him. Instantly, my belly started to flutter. Opening his message, I sat there and read it while the corners of my mouth curved upward.

“Hi, Ellie. Noon is perfect. I’ll send Christian to pick you up first before picking me up at the office. Is there anywhere special you’d like to go?”

“Anywhere is fine. I like just about any type of food.”

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