Chapter 27: Cognac
*Don’t let the concept of change scare you as much as the concept of remaining unhappy. – Timber Hawkeye*
Reese laughed to himself when he was seated at the table he had been at with Tru a week or so ago. And of course, the maître de told them that their server would be Andrews.
“I have the utmost of discretion. She will hear nothing from me, sir.” Andrews whispered to Reese when Helen excused herself to the bathroom.
Reese just smiled and let him think whatever the man wanted. When Helen returned, Reese stood up and helped her into her chair.
“I was here a few weeks ago on a blind date that one of my sisters set up.” Reese grinned as he sat back down across from her. “Ironically, with an ex that she didn’t know about. We had the same waiter and debated if his name was Andrews because there were two of them.”
“Were there?” Helen asked with a grin.
“Sadly, no.” He replied solemnly and then grinned. “Tru and I had a good laugh.”
“How come it didn’t work out between you two?” Helen asked softly.
“We had too much in common.” He laid his hand on the table, palm up. “Especially our love of burying our faces between a woman’s thighs.”
Helen blushed bright red.
“You’re beautiful when you blush.”
“Good evening, sir, madam. My name is Andrews.”
They listened to the waiter describe the specials for the night and then Reese ordered a bottle of wine and appetizers.
“Everyone deserves a cheat day.” Reese told her before she could object.
“How many sisters do you have?” Helen asked looking at the menu.
“Nine, all together.” He said looking at the menu himself.
When Andrews walked away after taking their order, Reese continued. “My dad was married three times and my mom two. I have four stepsisters, two full sisters and three half sisters. From oldest to youngest: Gina, Victoria, Colleen, Yulia, Bethany, Michelle two L's, Nicole, Mary, and Michele one L. I’m between Victoria and Colleen. And there's also my friend, Willow, who claims me as a brother.”
“I’m impressed. Half the time I call my three kids by the wrong name.”
“It happens. That’s why I call all my nieces Princess.” He admitted.
“Can you name all of them?” she asked with a smile.
“Jennifer, Amelia, Jodi, Maria, Elizabeth, Angela, Heaven, Georgia, Emily, Daphne, Evelyn, Martina, Ruby, Heather, Sheba, Chloe with a C, Amber, Lilly, Danielle AKA Dani, Vivienne, Dean, Alexandra, Khloe with a K, Josephine, Jennifer, Guinevere, Juanita, Perla, Brittany, Whitney, Ingrid and yet to be determined.”
“I will take your word on all of that.” Helen laughed.
“I’m sure you’ll meet them.” He smiled and laid his hand back on the table. Tentatively, Helen placed her hand in his and he lifted it to his lips. “I would like you to meet them.”
“You’re way more confident than I am.”
“Just hopeful. I’ve enjoyed our talks on the treadmills. I’m seeing you get more confident and sure of yourself. I want to be there for the next part of your journey.”
“I haven’t even really told my kids about you. I told them your name is Reese and I know you from work. They don’t know that you’re the same guy from the gym.”
“I’m your gym crush?” Reese smiled. “That’s good. You’re mine.”
“Me?”
“I have had a crush on you for months. I was mad when I got to Cooper Stone and you had been replaced with a kiosk. But then, I walked into TRAAC.”
He cut another piece and ate it.
“The building got sold and the new company did away with my position.” She mused. “But, I got a job offer the same day. And a bit of a pay raise and benefits.” She blushed. “And I met you.”
“If I had known that you were single, we would have met months ago.” He offered her another bite. “How long have you been divorced?”
She swallowed the bite before answering. “Less than a year. Officially.”
“Officially?” He asked as he took a bite himself.
Helen looked down, feeling ashamed of herself. “Bob, my husband, ex-husband, hasn’t been an active participant in our marriage for years. I gave him two sons and a daughter, and he moved on to better things.”
“Helen?” Reese said softly and gave her a moment before giving her a gentle order. “Look at me, my sweet mermaid.”
She dabbed at her eyes with the cloth napkin before looking up.
“Don’t ever question your value. Just because someone else can’t see it, doesn’t mean that you’re not precious.”
“Thank you.” She gave him a watery smile.
“You really don’t know how beautiful you are. Do you?”
“I’m not.” Helen insisted.
“You are. I can’t wait for you to see it.”
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