Page 56 of Second Round

Lucky was watching me. “What are you smilingabout?”

Merde.“Nothing. Give me a minute to call Jackie and let her know the change ofplans.”

The three ofus settled into a booth at Gotham’s. Thankfully, Lucky had won the argument about where to go for dinner. Amanda had wanted something trendy and hipster, neither of which appealed to me. For dinners, especially when Lucky was paying, a nice steakhouse was perfect. Some place where we could settle in comfortably and really relax. But Amanda disliked places that were too fancy. She preferred to get down with thepeople.

Jackie walked in and spoke to the maître-d’. Once they took her coat, I did a double take. I’d never seen her in a dress before. She looked perfectly at home in this formal restaurant in her elegant black dress, high heels, and fancy jewellery. Even her hair was tamed for theoccasion.

As she walked towards us, I smiledandrose.

“Jackie.” I kissed her on both cheeks. “You look very beautiful tonight.” Lucky murmured something about smoothFrenchmen.

For once there was no blush, Jackie was completely at ease. “Thankyou,Leo.”

I made theintroduction.

“Nice to meet you both,” Jackie said. She stared at Lucky. “Sorry, but aren’t you the hockeyplayer?”

“Guilty,” he replied with an easysmile.

“My son worships you. He has your poster onhiswall.”

Lucky reached out and squeezed Amanda’s hand. “All the best people do.” He laughed, and Jackie joined him. She was so different tonight, more cool and polished. She actually reminded me ofAmanda.

We ordered dinner, and Lucky pulled out his tentative travelschedule.

Amanda shook her head. “Should we be talking about business? Poor Jackie. I’m sure she hears enough abouthockey.”

Jackie smiled. “It’s not a problem. I’m the one horning in on your business dinner. Besides, Leo barely talks about the teamwithme.”

“He doesn’t? I’m not sure I’ve ever heard him talk about anything else,” Amanda replied. “How did the two ofyoumeet?”

“I was the person hired to outfit Leo’s new apartment. Leo claims he met me when I broke in. But I maintain that I was merely working overtime. He was such an ogre on the phone that I wanted to get everything donequickly.”

Again I was shocked at the difference in her. The Jackie I knew was so delightfully open, awkward, and funny. But this Jackie was poised andsophisticated.

Lucky laughed. “And they call me Lucky! Goats, you didn’t even have to leave your house to meet a great woman. I’m glad you’re on my team, because you clearly have horseshoes up the… um…wazoo.”

“Oh, are you an interior designer? I could use some help with my new condo,”Amandasaid.

Jackie shook her head. “I’m not a qualified designer or anything. I’m more like a bargain hunter. I get called in when the budget is so low it’s measured inpennies.”

“Which our budget was. Sorry to let you in on that secret, Leo,” Amandaconfessed.

“Not a problem. As I told you before, it’s the nicest place I’ve ever lived in. It’s comfortable and looks great. Jackie’s home is the same. You’d be lucky to have her workingwithyou.”

Jackie flashed me a pleased smile. I reached under the table and squeezedherhand.

Amanda nodded. “Sounds perfect. I hate those fancy-schmancy designers who create pristine showcases where you can’t kick off your shoes and relax. Give me your card, Jackie, and I’ll call youlater.”

“I’m so low budget, I don’t even have a real card,” Jackie confessed. But she produced a little handmade card. “Here you go. The address will be changing, but my cell number will staythesame.”

Amanda examined it. “Oh, you’re anartisttoo.”

“A Jackie-of-all-trades,” shejoked.

Our dinners arrived, and we all began eating. But Amanda kept darting glances between me and Jackie. Although Amanda and I got along fine, she had never completely warmed to me. Possibly because I didn’t agree with her ideals of loyalty and a team-family. But Jackie had impressed her, and somehow raised my statusaswell.

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