Page 209 of Champagne Nights

“Don’t be. I offered to see her tomorrow, and she got really pissed off. She told me she’d see me when she got back from her trip, which is fine with me. Listen, I need to tell you guys something before the game starts.”

“What’s up?” Frankie asked. “It sounds serious.”

“I met someone.”

“Okay?” Ben’s eye narrowed at me. “As in another woman?”

“Yeah.” I sighed.

“Oh shit, bro,” Frankie said. “Who is this chick?”

“Her name is Ellie Scott, and she is incredibly beautiful. We met yesterday at the grocery store after an apple debacle.”

I explained what had happened, and they both laughed.

“Anyway, I took her to lunch today, and now I can’t stop thinking about her. I know you’re going to think I’m crazy, but I feel alive when I’m with her. Even though we just met, I feel like I’ve known her my entire life. I forget about everyone and everything else when I’m with her.”

“Damn, Henry.” Frankie placed his hand on my shoulder and gave it a grip.

“There’s something else about her,” I said.

“What?” Ben asked. “Is she married or something?”

“Is she pregnant?” Frankie smirked.

“No. She’s deaf.”

Both their jaws dropped.

“Wow. Okay,” Frankie spoke. “Guess it’s a good thing you know sign language.”

“Yeah, bro. Are you going to keep seeing her or what?” Ben asked.

“I’m seeing her Friday night. In fact, I’m bringing her to your gallery, Frankie. She’s an artist like you.”

“Really? Have you seen her work?”

“Yeah. Let me show you.” I pulled my phone from my pocket and pulled up her website. “She sells her paintings online.”

“Wow. She’s really talented,” Frankie said as he scrolled through her website.

“Let me see,” Ben spoke as he grabbed my phone from Frankie’s hand. “Damn. Those are nice paintings. “I want to meet her too, so I’ll be at the gallery Friday night as well.”

“She’s also a freelance website designer.”

“Really? I’ve been looking for someone to design a new site for the gallery,” Frankie said.

“Great. You can talk to her on Friday.”

“Not really, bro. I don’t know sign language.”

“She can read lips, and I can interpret.”

“I don’t mean to burst your happy bubble, but you’re playing with fire, man,” Ben said as he shoved a nacho in his mouth. “You need to make a decision and fast about Kirsten.”

“I know I do. But my entire future is at stake.”

Chapter Seven

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