One thing about Mr. Gupta, he knew how to throw a launch party Joel thought as he entered Za Za's, one of the best restaurants in the Denver Tech Center. He knew his wine, always selected the best for these dinners and matched them expertly to the food, then paid for a shuttle bus back to you home because you would be feeling it at the end of the party.
It almost was enough for Joel to go off diet and drink but he had lost 100 pounds and had 10 more to go to hit his goal and he wanted to hit it by summer. He would have one glass of that wonderful pinot noir with his steak (filet is a lean protein, thankfully) and indulge in a large bowl of weed once he got home. If the munchies struck, he had apples.
Joel scanned the room for a place to sit. At a gathering like this Joel was always amazed at how easy it was to tell the difference between the programmers, the people who actually built the software and the sales and marketing people who had set all sorts of pre-release records. Joel was especially proud because he was the overall technical architect and had designed the software.
The geeks, of which he was the alpha geek, come to think of it, all dressed in jeans the ratty tee shirts showing sci-fi heroes, obscure magna characters or were free swag picked up at conferences. The sales people were always the best dressed with marketing a close second. Most of the sales and marketing guys were in suits, or dress slacks and a button down shirt if the day had been spent in the office. The women were all in the best women's business fashion. Almost all were in some 3 inch or higher heels (except poor Marie, who had torn an ACL skiing last week) and dresses, skirts or dress slacks.
Joel split the difference. He wore nice jeans, cowboy boots and a button down shirt, covered by a fleece vest - almost a uniform in Colorado. As Joel looked for a seat he saw his favorite marketing exec, Lynda Howell and his favorite sales person, Julia Ng with empty seats besides them.
Lynda was every lovely inch the picture of a Southern "girly girl" look that so many of the women programmers disdained. She was from Alabama and did everything possible to distance herself from the trailer park where she grew up. She was educated, sophisticated, and carried herself in the most elegant way possible while still being just a fun person to hang out with. She wore a satin ruffle sheath dress cut a bit above the knee. Joel could not help but take in her legs. She had a dancer's body, 4 inch heels to fantastic legs in black stockings that led to slim, firm hips and a lean, firm torso. Her blond hair was up, with a few locks loosely brushing her ears. And her eyes, a deep pool of blue that she showed off with expert makeup.
Julia's grandparents had been boat people rescued at the end of the Vietnam War. Her father taken over her grandfather's shrimp fishing business and had gotten rather rich expanding the business and buying out other operations. She came from money and sophistication and knew how to show it. Today Julia was rocking the sexy business woman look. She had on 4 inch patent leather pumps and... were those seamed stockings??? Indeed yes. She had on a tight tweed skirt and jacket that really showed her cleavage. It was an effect she obviously wanted since she was obviously wearing a push up bra underneath. Julia always reminded Joel of... who was that Asian porn star? Her name began with an "A". Like most geeks Joel could remember numbers but was awful with names.
"I can eat with the slobs anytime" Joel thought as he took the empty chair next to Lynda. Lynda and Julia were always fun and a whole lot easier on the eye than Mike, Peter and Rick, the only members of the geek crew with an empty seat at their table. Combined those three were the same weight as a blue whale.
"Can I join you?"
"Joel!" Lynda shouted as she hugged him.
"My favorite geek!" Julia leaned over and kissed him on the cheek.
It was pretty clear that they had arrived early and liberally indulged in the free flowing wine.
"I closed a deal today all because of you!" Julia crowed.
"Really? Congratulations!" Joel said and tipped his glass of club soda and lime for a toast.
"No wine? Joel you need to catch up." Giggled Lynda.
"Now you both have seen how much weight I lost. Remember what I looked like a year ago? I only have 10 pounds to go." Joel pointed out.
"Well I think you look hot already, don't you Lynda?"
"Eat him alive" Lynda growled. "Those shoulders"
"And that ass. MMMM the jeans really show it off, don't you think?" Julia agreed.
"I still think I've got some to loose off my butt." Joel said, feeling himself start to blush.
"Well my grandma used to say you can't drive a railroad spike with a tack hammer" Lynda teased.
Joel could feel the bright crimson blush going from his neck, up and over his head. It never failed and that was why he wanted to sit with these two. They really knew how to flirt and tease and their provocative flirts had increased in direct proportion to Joel's weight decrease. He blushed but he loved it. It was a reward and gave him the confidence around women he never had when he was the fat guy. That confidence alone had resulted in Joel dating some very hot women. 100 pounds ago the only hot women he saw naked were cam models. Joel often wondered if he could have slept with one or the other or both - separately. A threesome was beyond his wildest dreams.
"Look at him blush!" Lynda exclaimed. "You'll be the 'Bama mascot soon! Roll tide!"
"You went to Tulane" Joel said. If possible he was an even brighter shade of red.
"But I am a 'Bama girl." Lynda flirted.
"Here sit between us." Julia said as the food came. "Let me tell you about this sale! I owe you big time for it!"
"We got the lead from that demo you did in Vegas." Lynda exclaimed.
Vegas had been a good trip. These ladies hadn't been there, but the strip clubs had been most excellent.
"And then you went to their headquarters in that shit-hole place."
"Toledo's ok." It had been an in and out trip without any of the in and out he would have preferred, Joel thought.
"And today I closed the deal in their office, right here in Denver!" Julia squealed.
"And your charm, your sales professionalism and most of all the way you dressed had nothing to do with it right?" The fact that the customer's CIO carefully weighed all his options then selected the software with the hottest account manager was well known. He didn't demand sex or anything. He just liked to look... well stare really.
They chatted about the details and discussed what they'd do with their bonus money. Joel had been told his amount and it was... substantial. The women hinted they were getting similar large amounts.
Dessert was served and the two women got progressively friendlier.
"You need to dance with me." Lynda pulled me to the dance floor and moved rather provocatively eventually grinding her ass against Joel on the crowded floor.
"My turn!" Julia led Joel back out to a much slower tune. She danced close, pressing her thigh against his hardening cock. "I owe you big time" she purred.
"Shots!" Lynda exclaimed, holding up 3 glasses of whiskey as Joel and Julia returned.
"Now you know Joel won't drink. Joel likes that intoxicant we can't get in Texas." Julia said.
"And I seem to remember you would have us over to smoke if we came to Denver." Lynda said
Joel had indeed made that promise though it was in an airport bar, he had been a bit drunk and they had each gone their separate ways. It had been weeks ago and Joel was surprised they remembered.
"Yes! You did!" Julia exclaimed.
"I did indeed and I can still drive. " Joel said as he jingled his keys and indicated that they follow him to his truck.
"We haven't checked into our hotel yet. What about our bags?" Julia asked.
"Just bring them along. Mr. Gupta doesn't give a shit where you call a cab from so long as you're safe. Just call from my house."
It was not long before they were pulling into Joel's garage. Joel carried in the bags like the gentleman he was and deposited them near the front door. He provided both ladies a drink - well aged anejo tequila served strait up in a brandy glass. The stuff was that good - so he indulged himself. It would be a party night after all.
