“I’M HAVING A LITTLE trouble finding my table,” a low, male voice said. “Can you help me?”
Izzy turned toward the man. She couldn’t see him very well, but she could tell he was only a few inches taller than her and she thought he might have blond hair. The light was bright, but it was hard to be sure.
Under normal circumstances, she would have been in her element. The corporate types were mostly guys and several of them were very into her. It was flattering and kind of funny, she thought. So far no one had figured out she was blind. She wanted to see how long it took them to notice.
“What’s your table number?” she asked, staring directly at his face so he wouldn’t hand her the paper with the information.
“Eight.”
Aaron had explained the seating chart so she knew the layout of the dining room.
“Third row, far right,” she said, pointing in the general direction. “There’s a sign on each table with the number.”
“Want to show me personally?” he asked, putting his hand on the small of her back.
She sidestepped him easily. “I think you can find it all on your own.”
“I’m Jeff,” he said.
“Izzy.”
“A beautiful name for a beautiful woman.”
“Oh, please. Is that the best you can come up with?” Aaron joined them. “Straight guys have the worst pickup lines. Now leave Izzy alone and go get your dinner. Go on. Shoo.”
The guy left.
Izzy grinned. “You crushed him.”
“He deserved it. Tell me you weren’t falling for that horrible line.”
“I wasn’t, but it’s nice to be flattered.”
“I’m sure it is. Now, I have important news. I’ve met someone. His name is Steve, he’s single and too cute for words. We’re meeting for a drink in the main house’s living room after dinner, so when you’re done here, go straight to your room. I don’t want you lurking and spoiling the mood.”
She laughed. “Aaron, you’ve got to stop being shy. If you want to tell me something, then just say it. Don’t hide behind polite euphemisms.”
“Am I being too blunt? I’m sorry. You know how I adore you, but it’s been a long time between boys. This is different. At least I hope it is. I think I really like him.”
“Then you should go for it. I will go directly to my room. I promise. And in the morning, you can tell me everything.”
“Believe me, I will. Oh, Norma needs you to open the wine.”
An easy task, Izzy thought. One she could do completely by touch. “Sure. Point me in the right direction.”
He turned her to the left. “There’s a table against the wall. Wine bottles on the right, corkscrew on the left. We have red and white. The red is a saucy merlot with a yummy finish and the white is crisp and dry. The buffet has opened so they’ll all rush to the food. The servers will deliver the wine to the table. Oooh, Steve’s smiling at me. I’m all quivery. See you later.”
“Young love,” Izzy murmured as she made her way to the table.
The bottles were set up as Aaron had described. She carefully used the foil cutter, then went to work removing corks.
“Hi.”
She pulled out a cork, then turned toward the guy standing next to her. “Hi.”
“I’m Byron.”
“Izzy.”
“This is a great place. You must really like working here.”
It was a better line than “beautiful name for a beautiful woman,” she thought with a smile.
“Yes, it is.”
“Can I have a bottle of red, please?”
“The servers will bring bottles to the table.”
“I know, but if I waited for that, I wouldn’t get to talk to you.”
She laughed. “Don’t you have girls back where you live?”
“Plenty, but there’s something about you.”
She handed him a bottle. “Here.”
“Thanks. Would you-Oh. This is white.” He handed it back to her.
She passed him another one. “Sorry. I had a fifty-fifty chance of getting it right.”
“Why wouldn’t you know the difference? Are you color-blind?”
“No. Just regular blind.”
The guy was silent.
“It’s okay,” she added, not sure why it was her job to make him feel better. She was the one who couldn’t see. “Go back to your table, Byron.”
“Right. Yeah. I, ah…See ya.”
Izzy watched him walk away. She paused to see if she would be upset by his dismissal, then realized she didn’t care. If he couldn’t handle her lack of vision, then that was his problem.
The realization was kind of freeing, she thought happily. Which was strange, but true.
A few minutes later a couple of guys came up to the table.
“Hi,” one said loudly.
So word had spread, she thought, turning to them.
“Blind, not deaf,” she said.
“Oh, right. Sorry. So you’re Izzy?” As he spoke he raised his hand in front of her face.
She grabbed his arm. “Partially blind,” she said. “Not totally. Don’t be a jerk.”
“He can’t help it. He’s also really ugly,” the other guy said. “I’m much better-looking.”
She leaned against the table and glanced between them. “Why should I take your word on that?”
“I’m telling the truth. Ask anyone.”
They were flirting, she thought, not the least bit interested, but pleased that she felt comfortable in the situation. To think of all the time she’d wasted hiding out in Lexi’s guest room.
Someone else approached. Someone she recognized immediately.
“Is there a problem?” Nick asked.
She saw the other guys take a step back.
“No,” the first one said. “Not at all.”
Nick ignored him. “Izzy?”
“I’m fine, but these two seem like they need help finding their seats.”
“I’ll take care of that.”
She wasn’t exactly sure what he did but suddenly she was alone at the table.
Aaron sidled up. “That was very macho.”
“I know. Impressive.”
“I’m sure it was. Now let’s dish. Steve is the director of finance. That’s good, right? I mean he’s successful?”
“You’re not just in it for his pretty face?” she teased.
“That, too. I’m so excited. I hope this works out. I’m ready for a real relationship. Oh, and you should head up to the house. The guys are really putting away the wine. They’re going to get rowdy pretty soon and you don’t want to be here when that happens.”
“Are you worried about me? That’s so sweet.”
“I know. I’m an incredible human being. Be sure to tell Steve if he asks.”
“I will,” she promised. “Have fun tonight.”
“It’s what I do best.”
IZZY TOOK A LONG BATH. As she soaked in the large tub, she listened to music and hummed along with the songs.
This was good, she thought. She was adjusting. Happy, even, which she wouldn’t have thought was possible
