Total pages in book: 18
Estimated words: 17362 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 87(@200wpm)___ 69(@250wpm)___ 58(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 17362 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 87(@200wpm)___ 69(@250wpm)___ 58(@300wpm)
I nod. “My previous engagement was canceled. People wait months for a table and it’d be a waste to let the opportunity go.”
Hannah’s eyes widen. It’s all a bit sudden. I suppose you don’t get invited to a five-star restaurant every day, especially in a situation like the one we’re in. “Um... sure, I guess. Not like I have other plans.”
I walk over to the other side of my desk with a smile. “That’s the spirit. I’m sure we’re going to have a wonderful time together.”
She looks down at herself. “Um, uh, on second thought, I’m not remotely dressed for such a fine dining experience.”
“You look magnificent,” I say, no lies in my words. “Beautiful. Come as you are, Hannah.”
She giggles at my compliments, but seems unconvinced. “Don’t they have a dress code?”
“Dress codes are ignorable if you know what to say. Or perhaps flash them the right amount of cash.”
She cackles. “You’re going to bribe someone just to go out on a date with me?”
“I can’t think of a better use of my money. Can you?”
I have her. She’s laughing. She’s mine.
This is going to be way more fun than talking to the governor.
THREE
hannah
Elias kept telling me it was okay. That I shouldn’t be fretting over this.
It’s kind of hard not to.
Every guy in this place is wearing some form of three-piece suit. The women are in shimmering evening gowns or at least fancy blouses and skirts.
All of those scream class, importance, and money.
Meanwhile, I’m wandering in in a pair of blue jeans and ratty yet comfortable sneakers, and a sweatshirt advertising my bakery. I’m dressed to run between ovens and the cash register, do business, and not feel too bad if I get completely covered in flour.
“Reservation for three,” Elias says as we meander to one of the hosts. “It is under Lawson.”
“Right away, sir, follow me,” the other man says with a respectful half-bow.
Elias and I follow. “Three? We’re not three.”
“It was supposed to be my father, the governor, and myself tonight. They spared me the pain of that get-together, thankfully.”
“Hate your Dad that much, huh?”
“Hate’s a strong word to describe our relationship. But it certainly isn’t feeling like a loving relationship right now.”
We come to our table, which is at a booth. I always liked sitting at those a bit more. We have plenty of room, but I couldn’t help but scooting toward Elias a bit anyway.
“And the governor? Why on Earth are you meeting with the governor?”
Elias sits back. Our waiter comes, we order our drinks. Just some wine and water for now, nothing too excessive.
“You say you own the bakery, right?” Elias says, seemingly dodging my question.
“Yes. The Sweet Stoppe has been handed down by three generations of my family. From my grandmother to my aunt, to me.”
“Yet you do want to keep it open, right? You seem passionate. Like this wasn’t just dumped on you due to familial obligation?”
What a weird way to take the conversation. “I do quite enjoy my job, yes. I get all the pastries I could ever want, I get to make people happy, I get to bring cake to all of the town’s big events. It’s pretty fulfilling on top of paying my bills.”
“Sounds nice. You actually get to know the people you work with,” Elias says, sipping his wine.
“And you don’t?”
“Not particularly. I know the people around my office. But for the people I actually help with my work? There’s so many layers between us it doesn’t even feel like I’m doing anything.”
“Then why’d you become a commissioner for the public health department? It doesn’t sound like it’s your passion.”
He shrugs. “Maybe because I didn’t choose this job.”
“You accidentally became a health commissioner?’
Elias shakes his head. “I didn’t bumble into it like you’re making it sound.”
“How on earth do you get a job without seeking it? Wanting something is, like, step one.”
“My father got someone to appoint me. I had some business degrees from esteemed colleges, so no one really looked too closely at it. Dad thought it was important that I start building up my public service record, and make it look like I’m a dutiful bureaucrat who would be a shoe-in for higher offices.”
Dots start to connect in my head. Someone in his position comes from money. “So... your Dad wants you to be a politician? And I’m guessing you’re not thrilled about that?”
He smirks. “What makes you think that? How I completely lack any enthusiasm in my voice when talking about it? How I keep dodging questions?”
“Dodging questions is a very politician thing to do, you know.”
“Well I’m not going to dodge them with you, Hannah. I don’t want it. I don’t want any of it.”
I have to say Elias does have the looks for it. He’s handsome as all hell, has nicely parted brown hair, and walks with utmost confidence. He wears that suit well, and I have to say I’m very much interested in seeing more of him. Everything so far has told me I would not be disappointed by it.