I'm so happy and excited, all tingly and jittery. I've been working hard to one day hit this level with the company. It took Brady over five years to reach it. Barrett hugs me then heads to his seat.
Before he sits, he says, "Enjoy your meal this evening and the endless wine!"
Bottles of white and red wine are placed respectively on each table as wait staff begin to take our soup or salad preference. They also ask if we'd prefer steak or fish as our main entrée. I choose a salad and salmon; Luke chooses a salad and filet mignon. He places his hand on my bare thigh, just under the slit of dress. I'm a little startled but welcoming of its presence. He tucks his hand farther down the inside of my thigh between my crossed legs. I look at him with a smile, and he smiles his dreamy smile back at me. I feel safe with him.
Everyone nearby our table personally congratulates me on my promotion. I'm still on a high from hearing it come from Barrett's lips. I'm glad he and his wife are at the table next to us, and thus, I was able to introduce Luke to them. I think they will hit it off well once we can socialize again after our meal. Luke fits in exceptionally well for his first corporate dinner.
After I finish my glass of wine, Luke pours me another glass as our salads arrive. I love Caesar salads, and the one here is delicious. It has Wisconsin's own parmesan cheese topped on it. We are very proud of our cheese.
Once our salad plates are taken, it does not seem too long until our entrées arrive. They are exquisite in their presentation. I almost don't want to eat mine because the plate looks so perfect. I take a bite of my caramelized brussel sprouts, an instant mouth-watering sensation, and it's only one of my sides. Luke's filet mignon looks scrumptious, with the exotic mushrooms and grilled onions draped across the top. I feel like devouring his steak too.
"Can I try a bite of your steak?" I ask Luke as I eye up the hunk of meat on this plate.
"Only if I can have a taste of your salmon," he smiles and winks.
"But of course," I say.
I bring a fork full of salmon to Luke's mouth, and he brings one full of steak to mine. Mmm. This steak is phenomenal; melts in your mouth.
"It's almost as good as yours," I fib.
I am talking with a mouth full like the classy lady that I am. Luke laughs, wiping the corner of my mouth with his thumb, then kisses me. I'm falling head over heels for this man. I felt I was before, but now I know it. The more time I spend with him, the more I feel myself. He casts some spell over me when he is near me.
AFTER WE FINISH OUR MEALS, we are presented with a delightful strawberry-almond cheesecake. I do not know how much more room I have, but it's cheesecake, you can always make room. I can feel the warmth of my body as I start to drink my third glass of wine. I'm becoming a little buzzed. The buzz and being drunk from wine are a lot different than the ones from liquor or beer. I feel like I get classy drunk off wine and make wiser idiotic choices. It sounds ridiculous saying it in my head. Let's have another glass, Ali!.
Luke and I walk up to Barrett and his wife; she asks if I would accompany her to the ladies' room. I accept her invite and leave Luke to get acquainted with my boss. I follow Barrett's wife, Mandy, who is stopped many times on the way by people talking to her. She is so sweet and soft-spoken. She is a fine lady, and she truly inspires me.
We finally make it to the ladies' room.
"Ali, I'm so proud of you. Congratulations again on your hard work and promotion," she says sweetly.
She hugs me before stepping into the stall. I thank her and pee quickly, then check myself over in the mirror. I'm quite flushed, so the wine is kicking in. Mandy steps out from her stall.
"I love that dress you're wearing tonight," I say to her.
"Thank you, Ali. Yours is stunning on you. Though you always look beautiful," she replies with her kind eyes.
That compliment meant a lot coming from such a genuinely classy lady. I'm glad my dress doesn't come off trashy.
"Thank you!" I blush.
"Your boyfriend seems very charming," she adds to our conversation.
"Yes, he is," I reply.
I am so glad Luke has hit it off so well tonight and made an excellent impression on everyone who has met him. She continues asking me about how we met and so on as we make our way back to Barrett and Luke. I see Troy walking toward us, and I excuse myself to speak with him.
"I'm sorry you had to find out this way. I wanted to tell you in person, but Brady beat me to it," I say to Troy with sad eyes.
He deserves an explanation, so I hope he takes it well. Troy keeps walking, not acknowledging me at all. I watch as he passes, then I turn to walk away.
"How long?" he asks sternly.
I turn back to him.
"How long what?" I asked, confused.
"Have you and him been dating?" he replies with disappointment and sadness in his eyes.
I feel bad and ashamed, but we were never really a couple.
"Before or after you told me that you weren't interested in dating anyone?" he asks as he looks me in the eye.
"After," I reply and look at the floor.
He sighs then walks away. I watch him for a bit before I head back to Luke.
