Page 87 of Until the Ink Dries

After a thorough reuniting session, I decided I wanted to take Benny out to eat in the city. Well, I was just giving him directions because he wasn’t about to let me pay for anything. We pulled up to The Vale at Sterling Point around eight thirty and valet parked the car. The Vale was an upscale restaurant. It was more on the expensive side, but it had some of the best food I’d ever had the pleasure of eating.

They made their own wine, and the quality was top tier. Usually, there was a waiting list to get in, but since I knew the owner personally, there was always a table for me. She was one of the many business relationships I forged during my time here. Ship Happens wasn’t just a shipping company. There was something for everyone and every budget.

My more elite clients were serviced by my luxury site and the Vale was one of them for their wine. Their sales had increased by seventy-five percent through me. When we walked in the door, the hostess smiled as she greeted me by name.

“Ms. Dawson, it’s good to see you. It’s been a while.”

“I know. I’ve been back home on a much needed vacation.”

“Well, we are happy to see you. Who’s this gentleman?”

“This is Benjamin Davis.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Davis. Is this your first time dining with us?”

Benny nodded. “Yes, ma’am.”

“Then you’re in for a treat. Give me just a moment and I’ll get you seated.”

She clicked around on the computer for a moment before grabbing two menus and motioning for us to follow her. Hand in hand, Benny and I weaved our way through the tables to the private seating on the elevated platform. He pulled out my chair and I made myself comfortable as he took a seat across from me.

“Your server will be right with you,” the hostess said. “Your usual wine, Ms. Dawson?”

“Yes, please.”

She left us with a smile. Benny looked at me with a smirk.

“What?” I asked.

“You have a usual wine. You must come here alot.”

“I come enough. Before you ask, this is a business relationship, not a place I found through Ellis and his affiliation.”

“Fuck that nigga.”

I laughed. “Right. Fuck him.”

“Did he get his shit?”

I nodded. “He did and accused me of going home to rekindle an old flame in the process.”

Benny shook his head. “Weird ass nigga.”

“Let’s not talk about him,” I said, reaching across the table to grab his hands. “Tonight is for you and me.”

I smiled as he lifted my hands to his lips and kissed them.

“I’ve grown to like the sound of that,” he said, matching my smile.

“Me, too.”

The server appeared shortly after we looked over the menu and took our orders. My favorite wine arrived and I couldn’t wait to have a glass. I made a mental note to buy a couple of bottles before we left here to take back to Rose Haven.

“You like it?” I asked as Benny took a sip.

“It’s straight. I’m not a big wine drinker. I prefer my alcohol in liquor form.”

I laughed. “We can get you something else. More for me.”

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