Page 27 of He Saved My Boy
Tonight, I’m meeting Annie at a bar down the street from her office. She recently ventured out on her own and opened her new advertising business. I only know a fraction of what she does on a daily basis—as I’ve developed and designed her website. But I know it’s been a hell of a lot of work. I’m certain she’ll kick ass, like she always does. She’s taken on more clients and has even had to hire additional help to keep up with things. I’m so freaking proud of her. But like me, she desperately needs a night out to unwind. I can’t wait to finally catch up with her in person.
When I walk in, I find her at our favorite high-top table close to the stage and dance floor. Tonight’s Karaoke Night and after a few drinks, I’m certain we’ll be belting our favorite songs from our youth or at the very least, shaking our ass on the dance floor to others smashing it.
When she sees me, she stands and wraps me in a hug. “Teagan, I’m so glad to see you. I’ve missed you so much!”
“It’s only been a few weeks, Annie. It’s not like we don’t talk daily.”
Shaking her head, she disagrees. “Not the same. I feel terrible that I haven’t been able to check on Connor yet.”
She had to fly to Vegas to meet with a potential client. While she was there, she took a few days to travel to Palm Springs to visit her grandmother.
“You’ve seen him on video chats and talk to both of us daily. Don’t sound too put out. Besides, I’m not the one putting in long hours with Nate and been too busy to stop by,” I tease.
Nate Bellinger was Annie’s first hire when she realized in order to expand, she needed additional help. He’d worked with her at Meyer & Cross, and she’s always had a bit of a crush on him. This tiny fact was almost the reason she didn’t consider hiring him. But his record and potential clients alone, were worth putting her thoughts about him aside. She swears she only views him professionally, but it doesn’t mean I don’t tease her about it. I mean—what else are best friends for?
“You know it’s not like that,” she chastises. “He’s my employee, and I’m not going there.”
“Okay…” I draw out exaggeratedly. “If you say so. But you and I both know I’m not buying it.”
Shaking her head, she sighs heavily. “Whatever you say, crazy pants.”
Before either of us can say anything, Tara, our favorite waitress, stops by. “Hey, ladies, long time no see. What can I get for you tonight?”
Each of us orders some appetizers and drinks from the happy hour menu without even looking at it, and Tara rushes off.
When someone starts singing, “Single Ladies,” by Beyoncé, the crowd buzzes with energy as they join in. When Annie raises a brow in my direction, we jump to our feet and start the choreographed moves from her video to match the crowd. This is a favorite of mine growing up and one I will always dance to.
By the time the song is over, Tara’s brought our drinks to our table. “Your steak bites and spinach dip will be out in a minute. Need anything else?”
Annie reaches for her Moscow Mule. “Nope, Tara, we’re good. Thank you.”
Taking a sip of my mojito, I exhale heavily and release the tension from the day. This new program I’m writing is challenging in a fun sort of way, but at the moment, I just want my mind to turn to mush and relax.
Not having to rush out the door to pick up Connor from Frannie’s is huge. Frannie is the woman who watches Connor in her in-home daycare. I got lucky when I found her because Connor just thrives with her. She has a grandchild of her own and two others Connor’s age who spend the day together while I’m at work. Thank God, Mom took that responsibility off my plate today. I love my child, but I deserve this break, too.
For a moment, we watch the next singers as the beats to “Uptown Funk” fill the room. He’s impressive and sounds as if Bruno himself is here singing to us. He’s highly entertaining. When our food arrives, my attention quickly turns to that.
“God, I’m starving,” I admit as I scoop the creamy artichoke dip with a chip and lift it to my mouth. “I got so engrossed in code that I forgot to eat my lunch. It didn’t even faze me until my stomach rumbled on the way over.”
“Only you couldforgetto eat. What are you working on now?”
“I’m developing an app for a client to help her streamline her POS processing. She’s been able to use other systems, but when I’m done, she’ll have customized features that combine the best features from multiple apps she currently uses, for both her eCommerce and shop, from the touch of a button.”
“Wow… I have no idea what that even means, but you certainly sound excited about it, and I’m happy for you, my brilliant friend.” Yeah, I’m far more of a techie than Annie needs. She loves technology and uses many apps herself regularly, but as she often jokes, she just wants the end product, not to see how the sausage is made, so to say.
“I am. It’s exciting to help others build their business efficiently.”
“I get that. Did I tell you I heard from that potential client in Vegas? They have narrowed it down to two agencies. Nate and I are flying back down together to put together another pitch. The client claims to be forward thinking but is a bit old school when it comes to seeing the presentations in person, rather than virtual meetings. If we get this account, it could put me about three years ahead of my plan for expansion.”
“Holy shit, that’s incredible. You and Nate work so well together, so I’m certain you’ll be able to pull it off.”
“I have a great plan, but it’ll take a lot to pull it off. Either way—that’s not tonight’s worry.” Just as she says this, Ed Sheeran’s “Shape of You” starts. The energy in the room shifts, and I find myself swaying to the music in my seat.
God, I love this song. I’m so focused on the man slaying his performance, that I don’t even notice when another man approaches our table. It isn’t until he’s directly standing between me and my view of the stage that I even know he’s there.
Locking eyes on me, he smiles lazily. “I can’t help but notice you like this song; wanna dance?” He’s tall with dark, wavy hair that curls at the ends. The kind of hair I’d usually want to run my hands through. But even though he’s handsome, I’m just not feeling it.
“Thanks, but I’m here to catch up with a friend, and we just got our food.” I point to my chip now covered with dip again, then to Annie, whose expression says a million words yet remains silent.
