Page 205 of Champagne Nights

The moment we were seated at the table, our waiter walked over and poured each of us a glass of water.

“May I start you off with something to drink?” He looked at Ellie first, and she signed to me.

“She’ll have a margarita, salted rim, and I’ll have a mojito.”

“Coming right up.”

After looking over the menu, I set it down and stared at her from across the table as she studied her menu. The waitress was back within moments, set our drinks down, and proceeded to take our order.

“I didn’t get your last name,” I signed.

“Scott.” She spelled.

“Ellie Scott?” I finger-spelled back to her.

She nodded her head.

“Yours?”

“Walker. Henry Walker.”

The corners of her mouth curved upwards as I spelled out my name.

“You work where?” she asked.

“Walker Capital. We’re a venture capitalist company. I run the company with my father.”

“You must be a very busy man,” she signed.

“I am. But I’m never too busy to have lunch with a beautiful woman.” I smiled. “Do you work?”

“I’m a freelance website designer and an artist.”

“An artist?” I signed. “What kind of artist?”

“I paint pictures and sell them online.”

“What kind of pictures?”

She pulled out her phone, typed something, and handed it to me.

“This is your website?”

She nodded.

“These are beautiful paintings. You’re very talented.”

“Thank you,” she signed as a bright smile crossed her lips.

Chapter Five

Ellie

The people at the table next to us kept staring. They tried to be discreet, but they weren’t. I was used to it because people always stared at me when I signed. We as humans are curious creatures, and when something out of a hearing person’s normal realm catches their attention, they’re fascinated. At least that’s what they told me in school. Henry was such a gentleman. I knew he noticed them staring, but it didn’t seem to bother him, which I found odd. Usually, it bothered the guys I went out with.

“Those people keep staring,” I signed. “Does it bother you?”

“I know they are,” he signed back with a smile. “No. It doesn’t bother me at all. Does it bother you? Because if it does, I’ll say something to them.”

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