at least consider
an occasional night out on the town with good company.
She pulled out her phone and dialed his number. When he did not
answer, she left him a message.
“Hi Bruce, this is Kate. I wanted to tell you that I enjoyed
our evening together. Thank you for making me take time out of my
work schedule to have a little fun. I just got the beautiful flowers
you sent me. And the answer to your question is yes, I will join you
on Sunday. I will talk with you soon.”
She clicked to end the call and realized that she was beaming like a
school girl in love with her first crush.
*****
Once she agreed to go with Bruce to the gala was when the real fun
started. That afternoon, the first of several gifts arrived for Kate.
A gift card for a one hour spa treatment. The next day a card with a
note attached that she had an appointment set for a manicure and a
pedicure. The day before the gala, a corsage, white with faint yellow
coloring and a note saying that she should be prepared for a limo to
pick her up on Sunday at seven in the evening.
She had not heard from him by phone at all, just the daily gifts. In
those few days, Kate anticipated what he would send next but she was
never able to guess correctly. Bruce was full of surprises and she
liked that about him.
Kate went through a lot of thought to choose the correct dress for
the gala. She finally settled on wearing a gold beaded gown,
accessorized by a small clutch. She wore her hair neatly back in a
chignon and her makeup was expertly applied. It had been a while
since she was out to a black tie function. Playing dress up was the
best part of going some place like that.
The limo arrived promptly. She was feeling like Cinderella, waiting
for her coach to arrive.
“Right this way, Ma’am.” The chauffeur stepped
aside the open door.
“Thank you.” Once inside, he closed the door, leaving her
to the chilled champagne that awaited her.
There was an official invitation placed on the seat next to her. She
picked it up, fingering the gold detailing on the border.
Obviously, it was a gallant affair. Hosted by one of the largest
accounting firms in the city, she knew she would have to tolerate
being there while they hobnobbed with some of the city’s most
elite business people. It was something she always wanted to do, so
she resigned to make sure that she smiled, paid attention and was the
perfect date for the evening.
They pulled up to the condo in the city where she had met Bruce for
his fitting. As he walked outside, she saw him come out in a
perfectly tailored tuxedo. His hair was pulled back in a pony tail
and he looked red carpet ready.
“You look wonderful,” she said as he got in the limo.
“I learned from the best. But I must say, you look sensational.
I can’t wait to see how this dress fits you in all of the right
places.”
Kate sipped her champagne as the limo drove off to their destination.
“I have to say thank you.”
“For what?”
She placed her hand on his knee. “For all of the gifts. The day
at the spa was sensational and of course the manicure and pedicure
was as well.”
He nodded. “My first thought was to send you shopping for a
dress of your choice. But I figured that was not in order since you
are a stylist with your own boutique.”
They both laughed.
“I think you are right about that, Bruce.”
“I hope that you liked everything. It was the least I could do
for the woman that agreed to be my date to this gala.”
“You really did not have to do all of that for me, Bruce.
Really.”
He took her by the hand, kissing her skin gently.
“Oh but I had to. A woman like you in the company of a man like
me.”
“You say that as if being in your company is a challenge. Trust
me when I say that it is not that hard. I am enjoying the company.”
The grin that came across Bruce’s lips was one of relief.
“That’s good to hear. I hope you will still feel the same
after tonight’s gala. It’s just going to be a