Just a Taste (Private Relations 1)

“I’m sorry.”

After taking a moment to absorb the words, she said, “You’re not even remembering the funniest part of the whole thing though. You didn’t say good-bye, but you did shake my hand when you left. I repeat, you shook my fucking hand!”

Deacon opened his mouth to speak and Sara put her hand up.

“Be that as it may,” she said with a slight smirk, “I have magnanimously decided to absolve you of guilt. I mean, it was shitty but it’s been a long time. But…I have to know. Why?”

Looking thoroughly uncomfortable, he sighed.

“I’d love to tell you it was some sort of cranial injury, but really, I was just a dick. No matter what impression I gave you at the time, please understand. I was the problem. It wasn’t about you. Shit. That sounds even worse when I say it like that. What I mean is—”

Taking pity on him she said, “Look, Deacon. It’s been the better part of a decade. It’s done. It won’t interfere with business. In fact, let’s never mention it again.”

After a pause, she added, “But, seriously, thank you for the apology.”

Another moment of awkward silence passed between them, then he rose from his chair and spoke.

“Well gee. That sure was fun.” He followed that up with an uncharacteristically open grin.

Snorting indelicately and rising from her seat, Sara said, “I bet that was super fun. Hey! While you’re here, did you want to take a quick tour of the kitchen area? I know you’re super focused on the food safety. It might be interesting to see what the kitchen looks like unannounced.” It was a clear attempt to steer the conversation back to business.

Deacon held up his hand and said, “No, no. I’ve taken enough of your time up today,” as they moved by mutual consent out of her office and into the lobby.

Nodding her assent, she said, “As you wish. The offer stands when you’ve got the time.”

They walked the last few steps into the lobby in a companionable silence.

He turned back to her and automatically extended his hand.

Her lips quirked slightly as she looked down at the proffered hand.

He smirked in that familiar way, dropped his hand, and said, “Force of habit. Okay. I’m leaving now. Good night. See you on Friday.”

As he headed toward the door, his smirk turned into a grin.

Unable to suppress a matching grin she agreed with, “See you on Friday. Have a good night” and gave him a tiny wave as he walked out the door.

As he walked out of view, she walked back to her office and grabbed the phone. Tapping her foot impatiently, she waited for Elle to pick up.

When she finally answered Sara said, without any preamble whatsoever, “Contracts are signed!”

With a quick hoot, Elle agreed, “Hell yes! Did he just fax them over now? Talk about leaving you hanging!”

“Nope. He stopped by with the contracts…and also with an apology.”

“Oh really? So are you okay with everything now?” Elle asked.

“Well, we’re just going to move forward with the business contract as if it didn’t happen. I wish I didn’t have that thing with Roger tonight. I really don’t think I can handle listening to him talk about himself anymore. The other night he actually tried to sell me a variable annuity at dinner. Even regular sex isn’t worth this.”

“It’s been about three months anyway, Sara. That’s kind of your relationship expiration date anyway, right?” Elle asked, pointedly but without judgment.

“Yeah. You busy tonight?”

“Nope. I was just gonna hang out. Wanna come over and drink a bottle of wine with me? We can celebrate and drown our sorrows at the same time.” Sli

ghtly baffled by the comment about drowning sorrows, Sara replied, “Sure. Lemme just call and ditch Roger. I’ll be over in an hour?”

“Sounds good. I’ll break out the Merlot and let it breathe,” Elle said with a slight snort.