Page 55 of Valentine's Daddy To Go
“Mr. Keller, Mr. McKenzie? Mr. and Mrs. Tate are here.”
“Yes, let them in please.”
Usually, we’re not so formal with our employees, but we thought it might be a better idea since we’re not so familiar with the Tates.
Jane steps aside, so that the Tates can walk in.
“Nash! Colt! Today is the day!” George Tate booms while aiming a couple of finger guns at us. He’s a little corny, but him and his wife, Linda, have proven to us that they are the ones we should go into business with. They don’t just own a couple of bike shops and apparel stores; they’re actual motorheads who ride and can service the bikes themselves.
In other words, ideal business partners.
“Today is the day!” Colt repeats.
“Great!” George claps his hands. Linda smiles, the more conservative of the two, offering Colt and I a soft hello.
We all sit down, and I take out the folder, opening it up, so we can get right to it.
“I gathered all the paperwork we need to make this a done deal,” I say. “If you guys want to look them over, go right ahead. They should be identical to the scans we sent you earlier.”
“That’s Linda’s department,” George comments, pointing to his wife. I slide them over to her, and her eyes skim over the papers. “She’s always been better at those types of things. Don’t know if we told you, but she’s got a law degree.”
Linda smiles over at her husband and pats his shoulder.
“George likes to brag about me a little too much sometimes,” she says, but she doesn’t sound annoyed or anything. They actually seem to be very much in sync with one another, the energy of one bouncing off the other.
“There’s just so much to brag about, honey,” George beams proudly. Linda nods but has become focused on looking over the contracts. It doesn’t take her too long to finish, though.
“These look exactly like what you sent us, and our lawyers have already reviewed them. We’re satisfied with everything outlined. If you’re ready to sign, then we’ve got the pens.” Linda takes out her own and gives it a quick click.
I quietly smile at the Tates’ theatrics, but I don’t really mind. It’ll just make working with them a little more fun.
“Yeah, let’s do this.”
Colt looks over at me, and I nod, agreeing with him. We all grab a pen and take turns signing the four copies of the contract.
The last contract that needs to be signed gets to me, and I take a deep breath. Then, I put pen to paper and sign my name. Letting the pages close, I let out a deep exhale. We’re finally done with all the back and forth.
“Great! We’re officially in business together!” George is the first to stand up. The rest of follow suit and shake one another’s hands.
“So, we’ll call you next week and get started on implementing this merger?” Linda asks.
“Perfect, speak to you guys next week.” We say goodbye to our new partners, and George and Linda find their way out.
Once they’ve left our office, Colt and I give each other a very enthusiastic high five.
“We did it! We’re fucking amazing, dude!”
“Hell, yeah! And, you better roll that bike out so I can start tinkering with it. I’m ready to hit the ground running.”
“I’ll bring to the garage next week. It’s going to be a perfect restoration.”
“Awesome. I’ve got to get home because I want to celebrate the good news with Nellie. Talk to you later?”
“Yeah, I’ve got to get home to Amy. But before you go, did I tell you our good news?”
I shake my head.
“No, what?”
