Page 42 of Yes to The Holidays
“Gentlemen, here are your official copies. I retain one and can have it reproduced as needed, but I do recommend keeping those safe. She sent e-copies to the bank as well as your accountants as requested. The funds are being transferred as we speak and should appear finalized before we leave. Are there any questions?”
Eddie beamed, and I shook my head. “Nope. I think that’s it.”
The attorney stood and extended his hand. “Congratulations on your new business. Eddie, congratulations on your well-earned retirement.”
We all shook hands, and without any fuss, the deal was done so Eddie and I left the room. As we walked out, he turned to me. “Son, let me buy you a beer.”
“That’s not necessary, but I will go have a drink with you.”
We headed to the pub near the hotel since it was close by, and he knew the place. Once I arrived and went inside, I regretted the suggestion. I was missing Janie so bad my stomach was in knots, and somehow this seemed like our place.
I didn’t want to blow him off, especially since the party was only hours away and we planned to announce the final sale. We sat at the bar at least, not a table like I did with Janie, and ordered our drinks.
“I haven’t been here in a while. Used to love having a cold one after work here. Janie and Donnie would come, and we’d talk shop of course.” Eddie sipped his beer slowly as he reminisced.
Even though I didn’t enjoy hearing about Janie with Donald, I listened to Eddie talk about their rise together.
“You know, what I said about Donnie was true. I didn’t really need him, I had another prospect, but I knew Janie had to come or my business wouldn’t be successful.”
“Well, I promised not to let anyone go with the exception of a few specific stipulations, so I’m stuck with him.”
“She can handle him. I wouldn’t worry.”
“What?”
“Janie can deal with him. She won’t put up with his crap.”
I sipped my beer. “Well, I don’t know if that matters. She didn’t seem excited with the offer.” I started to sip again but stopped the glass near my lips. “I do promise even if she doesn’t take it, I will treat her fairly and have her back. I hope you know that.”
“Oh, I’m sure. You don’t strike me as an idiot.”
“Thanks, I think,” I said with a slight chuckle before I finally took another drink.
“Son, everyone already knows you’re an item.”
Beer spewed onto the bar, and Eddie laughed. “Sorry!” I frantically grabbed at the drink napkins and patted the bar then looked at Eddie. “Did I get you?”
“No.” He laughed again. “But I guess the rumor mill was right.”
“She didn’t want anyone to know. She said it would look bad. I tried to respect her wishes.”
“Well, most of the company has been together for years. It’s like living in a small town. You can’t sneeze without everyone knowing what color your snot was.”
“That’s not promising.”
“Odin, there has been a shift in that girl since you’ve been around. She had a rough go with Donnie, and she is very professional. She has lots of reasons to be concerned, at least in her mind. But I think she’ll come around. I will say this, if you win her over, don’t you screw her over like he did.”
I grinned at Eddie whose stare was as serious as a heart attack. “I would never. Now I just gotta try to win her over.”
“You’re a smart boy. I have faith you’ll figure it out.”
We finished our beer then Eddie left, mentioning going home to change for the party and collect his wife. I went back to the hotel and changed as well.
Even though I figured she wouldn’t answer, I called Janie and left a message. “Janie, I need to tell you something, but I can’t over the phone. I hope to see you at the party, and maybe we can go somewhere to talk afterwards. No matter what, I still know you deserve the job, and I will support you in that role, so I hope you accept it. I miss you.”
I ordered my rideshare, then headed to the restaurant. Eddie said there was an open bar, and it was just outside the city, so I didn’t want to drive. Traffic was horrendous as usual, but once we left the city it lightened up some.
We pulled into an Italian restaurant, and it was packed. Inside, two large trees with white sparkling lights sat on either side of a large staircase. Next to the host’s podium, there was a sign with the company name that said to go up the stairs to room B for the holiday party. The staircase was lined with garland.
