Page 15 of Ocean's Lost Octopus
I shook the other man’s hand as well, a little surprised. Ocean had told people about me? I mean, sure, everyone knew him at my restaurant where he’d come in to join me on meal breaks, but somehow I hadn’t thought about him talking to the people at his corporate job about me.
The four of us walked together into the ballroom and found our table. We were shortly joined by two other couples and a waiter came to take our drink orders. The room filled quickly,and the conversation at our table was both lively and interesting. I thought it would be all shop talk, but those who accompanied Ocean’s coworkers had their own careers, and I found myself discussing archaeology of all things with Stewart. He had just returned from a dig and was very excited to show off the pictures on his phone. I’d never met someone who did that work before. There was also a doctor, a stock market analyst, and a long-haul truck driver, Tony. He also had great stories about crisscrossing the country in all weathers, carrying the most interesting cargo. Although he didn’t have as fancy a job as the others, he was so fun to talk to.
And then, George said, “That’s the restaurant Duncan works at? Why didn’t you say anything. We go there all the time, don’t we, Stewart? It’s our favorite.”
“That’s right. Good food, fair prices, and it’s open at the odd hours when we want to grab a bite. I guess we just haven’t happened in when you’re working. How did you ever get a chef that good?”
For a solid fifteen minutes, everyone at the table wanted to hear all about my work. As if it was no different than any of the others. I didn’t have a college degree or search for artifacts. I didn’t haul a gigantic sculpture from Maine to Portland for an exhibit. I ran a good restaurant that served good food at good prices. Basic, simple, and I never realized how much that mattered, not just to people with an average income but everyone.
Food mattered.
Ocean beamed.
Dinner was no different from any other banquet I’d ever been to, certainly not up to the standards of our restaurant, and somehow that was comforting as well. I sat with people who came from different worlds than me, but we were all finding things in common, being interested in one another’s lives. Myfirst jump into Ocean’s work life, and all my worries about feeling less than, maybe even embarrassing him, were coming to nothing.
It was unusual for me to be so lacking in confidence, but this man meant so much to me, I’d allowed myself to think in a negative way. Not going to happen again. For the first time, I thought that maybe it could work despite how different we were.
After dessert and coffee were served, the lights dimmed and the speeches began. I toyed with my carrot cake and didn’t really pay attention until Ocean stood up and moved to the podium. Then I sat up straight, listening to him discuss the person being honored this evening. He spoke for about ten minutes, and by the time he was done, I had no doubt the elderly man who was helped up on the stage deserved to be honored on the occasion of his retirement.
I looked around the room, seeing the others paying full attention to what my date had to say. That had not been the case for some of the other speakers. Could be because he was the one introducing the honoree, but it was also because he spoke so well.
I could listen to him speak all night. Yet, he knew how not to go on too long, whereas others had not. He had charisma and knew his subject. He was respected by his colleagues. Anyone who wanted him to give this up and do a job like stay-at-home spouse, when he so clearly loved his work and those he worked with—was an asshole.
On the way home, we both took off our ties and talked about the evening. He told me lots of bits of gossip about the others who’d been present, and now that I could put names to faces, it was interesting.
And it had been fun. In the end, going to a stuffie work event had been a great time because of who I was with. Just the way it ought to be.
Chapter Thirteen
Ocean
“When I’m gone, Tennie, I want you to make sure that you’re sending me happy, fun vibes.” I made him nod and then set him down on the bed.
He’d always had a special place in my heart. He’d been my comfort item for as long as I could remember, but now that spot grew bigger. Because if it weren’t for him, I didn’t think I’d be with Duncan at all. I’d been in this apartment building for years and not met people. Meeting someone who was here for a short time and then hitting it off enough to see each other again without a catalyst like me losing my Tennie... Yeah, it was 1,000 percent Tennie’s doing that I had such an amazing boyfriend. That made him even more special.
I wore sneakers and jeans and layered a button-down shirt over a T-shirt, unsure if we were going to be inside or out. And then I was doing what any little would do in my situation… I was pacing and staring at the clock, as if somehow I could will it to move faster. It didn’t work. If anything, time had slowed to a near standstill.
Finally, I gave up, took up my phone, and typed away.I’m excited about our date. I’ve been ready for hours. I’m pacing. Can we go now?
Blunt and forward? Yes. Necessary? Also, yes.
I’ll be right there, sweet boy.
I checked that I had everything I needed and then opened the door and waited for him to get off the elevator. I wasn’t even pretending to play it cool, but that was the thing with Duncan. I didn’t need to pretend to do anything. I could just be me.
He stepped off the elevator, saw me, and shook his head with a smile. “You should have texted me earlier.” He pulled me in for a hug.
“But if I did, you might not have been ready, and you’d have felt rushed.”
He tapped the tip of my nose. “Or I could have said, ‘Come on down and hang out here while I get ready.’”
Huh. I hadn’t thought of that. “Next time, I’ll call you.”
“Now, how come my sweet boy is so excited today? We’ve gone on lots of dates before.”
“But this one’s gonna be little-ish fun. You said so!” And now, I was bouncing on the balls of my feet, my ability to contain any of my excitement long gone.
“That I did. All right, let’s get going.” He pulled the door shut, and off we went.
