Page 73 of The Bet
“This?” Luke looked puzzled. They shook hands.
“You look like you made an effort.” Xavier scanned around the bar. “Who are you hoping to hit on? I thought you never mixed business with pleasure.”
“Nobody, and I don’t.” His friend’s reply took a while to sink in.
“Beer?”
“Just the one,” Xavier replied.
“Two beers,” Luke ordered. They sat down at the usual table in the corner. Luke’s table.
Xavier put his leather bound folder down. “I have a business meeting here, later,” he explained.
“With who?”
“With a guy called Chad Hennessy.”
“And what business scam are you going into next?”
“Fuck you.” He liked the dude, but these recent put-downs were hard to stomach, and it was either that he was especially sensitive, or that some of Tobias’s cynicism had rubbed off on Luke but Xavier didn’t like it.
He was meeting Hennessy tonight. He didn’t usually hold business meetings in The Oasis, but Chad was young, and looking to expand, and he had contacts in China, which was where Xavier had plans to manufacture snooker and pool tables with an eye to importing them to the US. Getting investment from someone who was familiar with China, and had contacts there, would give him a huge benefit. And then he could leave this small business up and running, and start something new.
“I’m kidding.”
The server placed two cold beers on beermats on the table.
“Cheers,” They clinked their bottles together.
“I’m sorry, pal. I didn’t mean to knock you down.”
“You didn’t, so just let it go.”
“What are you doing with Hennessy?”
“Hopefully making snooker and pool tables in China.”
“And there’s money in that?”
“There’s serious money when you have lots of little money trees like that.”
Luke nodded, looking suitably impressed.
“Of course, it’s no bar in Manhattan, charging crazy prizes for drinks. Now that’s what I call a serious fucking money tree.”
“Hard work, though,” Luke replied. “So, pal,” he said, taking a swig from his beer bottle. “Do you have an update on your little project?”
“I haven’t had any pussy, if that’s what you’re asking.”
“I thought you two would have become better acquainted by now. “
“No fat fucking chance.” He gulped down his beer. “But, she’s coming around.” He was making strides. Slow, steady strides, in the right direction.
Luke threw him a curious glance. “Why should I believe you?”
He ignored his friend’s remark. “She’ll be caving in soon.” Though ‘soon’ might still be months away.
“I don’t think she likes you,” Luke said. “Even now.”
