“Well, no, we had a missing person’s case and an investigation into civil rights violation by a local police officer. So, it’s been busy enough. Plus, we have some ongoing cases.” I didn’t want to get into the details and talk shop all night. “What about your week?”
“Oh, just boring CEO stuff.” She laughed.
“I doubt that seriously. Have you heard anything back from the hospital yet on your proposal?”
“No, not yet.”
She looked troubled and stared at her wine. I had the strong sense there was more to that story, I wasn’t going to push, and I didn’t want to spoil the evening before we had even really got started.
“I had a few meetings about some of our other facilities and we have another company offering to buy us.”
“Really, does that happen often?” I wouldn’t have expected that.
“Yeah, once in a while it does,” she replied.
“Are you considering their offer?” I asked.
“No.” She said simply.
I nodded. I could see she felt strongly about the family business.
“Do you not want to be a photojournalist anymore?”
She looked up at me in surprise.
“No, I’m done with that life. I never expected or planned to run my father’s business. Frankly, I’m surprised that he and or my mother didn’t sell it. Now that it is mine, I have to take care of the people that work for me.”
I nodded.
“Would they lose their jobs if another company bought them?”
“Probably. Another company would most likely move the manufacturing components to another country where the labor is cheaper.”
“Why haven’t you done that?” It seemed logical to me.
“Because, it is still a family business. Not just my family but the families of all the people who work for the company.”
I had to smile. The defiance that showed in her face told me that she cared about her employees. It worried me as well because there were few companies like hers today and they were often taken over in less than friendly terms.
“Aren’t you ever worried about someone forcing you to sell?”
“What do you mean?”
We were interrupted by the arrival of our meal and the more serious conversation was paused while we ate.
The waiter came to take our plates. “Would you care for dessert?”
“No, thank you,” we said at the same time.
“Coffee, then?”
“Yes, that would be lovely.” She agreed.
The second waiter quickly appeared with our coffee.
“So back to your question about selling or not selling the company,” she said over the rim of the coffee cup.
“Yes.”
“There have been attempts in the past when my father still ran the company to force a sale.” She paused. “That is partially, why Eddie is so protective of me and has appointed himself my personal bodyguard.”
“Do you think maybe you should have actual bodyguards?” I was suddenly more concerned for her safety.
She raised her eyebrows at me. “No, I don’t need people following me around and getting in the way all the time.”
“Maybe that is what Eddie does but trained professional bodyguards are almost invisible.” I argued.
“Trained professionals are people I don’t know,” she said solemnly.
“What do you mean?” I was curious. She was getting into my world.
“I mean if I don’t know them, I don’t trust them, and bodyguards see way too much of my personal and professional life for me to not trust them. So no, that isn’t going to happen.” She explained.
I leaned back in my chair somewhat surprised at how vehemently she opposed the idea. I didn’t want to argue on our first official date, so I didn’t push the issue. I did make a mental note to come back to it at a more appropriate time.
“How about that walk on the seawall?” I asked, changing the subject.
She looked out over the water. “Sounds wonderful.”
I quickly paid the check and we walked to towards the back of the restaurant to the pedestrian seawall. The water curved out towards the bay here and it was nothing but inky blackness with the moon dancing along the rippling waves. We walked in silence just breathing in the salt air and admiring the view.
We walked far enough away from the populated area to find an empty bench.
“Would you like to sit?” I offered.
She looked up as if she had forgotten I was even there. “Oh, yes.”
We sat and I started to get that nervous feeling in the pit of my stomach again.
It was as romantic an evening as I could imagine. Dinner on the balcony of a very nice restaurant and a moonlit stroll. Most men would probably be kissing Kay by now. I was too nervous and too unsure of how she would respond. I wanted to savor my moments with her and not rush into anything. But I remembered how sweet her kiss was six years ago.
“There is nothing like the smell of salt air on a warm spring night.” I said hoping I didn’t sound too lame.
“You’re right, nothing is as comforting to me as the smell of salt air, a warm breeze off the bay and even the smell of crabs; it all screams home to me.” She smiled looking up at me.
“Kay, can I ask you something?”
“Of course.” She smiled again.
“Well, it’s something that has been on my mind lately and well I’m not sure…”
“Ethan, go ahead. It’s okay, whatever it is.”
“Well I, would you mind if…may I kiss you?”
She looked like she was in shock then she nodded ever so slightly.
I leaned in and she met me halfway.
She smelled sweet like vanilla and honey. And kissing her was everything I had dreamt it would be and more. It was like an electric jolt and fireworks exploding in my head all at the same time. When we finally broke away, I reached up and gently touched her hair. She closed her eyes and smiled, and I knew everything in my life would never be the same.
We sat for hours holding hands and watching the distant lights of the boat traffic on the water.
“I should probably take you home.” I said when I caught her stifling a yawn.
“I really
