"I was," Berger said. "And it was all cafe drinks and beautiful parties until the Ramseys came to town. Did you know that Ellison Ramsey not only speaks French, but also Italian and even some Arabic? She completely blew me away at an art a
uction. I almost lost my whole fortune just to keep hearing her translate art titles for me."
I blinked, confused, until I saw Berger catch himself and turn self-consciously towards the beverage table. The volunteer server handed him a drink right away, but he took his time turning back around.
"So, how have things been here?" Berger asked.
"Not as exciting as an art auction with Ellison Ramsey," I said.
Berger's eyes flitted over to Rainer's table. "She wasn't the only American society I saw."
"Just the only one who mattered."
"Now, wait, Tasha, don't get the wrong idea—"
I pressed a hand to Berger's rapidly beating heart. "Don't worry; I won't say anything. Not that it matters, right? I mean, it's not like Ellison is spoken for or anything. Is it?"
He shooed me back and brushed off his silk tie. "It's just nice seeing familiar faces when you're overseas."
"All right, fine," I said, feeling better than I had all night. "So, how do you like being home?"
Berger was relieved to step back into his regular role. "I'm bored already. I don't know what you did to Rainer when you two worked together, but now he's all work, work, work. You managed to turn our best party boy into the most boring and responsible drone bee."
"You're blaming me?" I asked.
"Nothing else explains it. One day he's fine and planning pranks to play on the golf course. Then he signs on to your project. Next thing I know he's over in the East Bay doing all this good work, and he barely has time to grab a drink," Berger complained.
"I don't see how that has anything to do with me," I said.
Berger chuckled and rubbed his hands together. "Now the tables have turned."
"Stop," I said. "Whatever wild speculation you are going to make up, I don't want to hear it. Rainer isn't the set-up to some bad joke. And I'm not your punchline anymore."
All jest disappeared from Berger's eyes. "Actually, that's what I was stopping by here to say. I'm sorry that I did not appreciate your hard work more when we were at the same company."
"Wait, what?" I spoke too loudly, and a few people glanced back at us.
Berger sighed. "The truth is that I got bored in Europe. All the parties and the jet-setting. I went all over but never seemed to be getting anywhere, you know?"
"You missed work," I said.
He nodded, almost embarrassed. "And I figured that was your influence too. After all those days of watching you go, go, go, I just wasn't content to sit around."
A light bulb went on in my head. "Well, maybe we should sit down during office hours and talk about what kind of work you'd like to be doing."
Berger shook my hand and then the mischievous light sprang back into his eyes. "I'd love that, I really would. Now, I've got to go comfort my old bachelor friend. We'll talk soon, Tasha. Thank you."
I watched Berger weave his way through the tables and take the empty seat I had been tempted by. When Topher appeared by my side, I couldn't hide my thoughts. "Should I have told Rainer congratulations? Isn't he still engaged to be married?" I asked.
Topher shook his head, relieved to finally be able to speak on the subject. "No! He was never even engaged in the first place. And I know for a fact that he never plans on proposing to Ms. Ramsey at all."
Topher's answer was so decisive that I berated myself for not asking months ago. Then it sank in: Rainer was single.
Chapter Nineteen
Rainer
I instructed my driver to drop me off around the block, telling him I wanted to grab a coffee or some nonsense, and I waited until the sleek SUV disappeared before I started walking. Tasha's new office was in the center of downtown Oakland. Businesses were slowly returning to the vibrant little city, and I was impressed that she had picked a place with such a good vibe.