Hey everyone! So sorry that this took so long in between posts. I hope that this post will be just as enjoyable for everyone to read as it was to imagine and write.
*****
Riley, dressed in a silk turquoise shirt and jean skirt, smiled politely to the hostess as she sat down. She tilted her head side to side with her eyes closed, still feeling the stress from work...and something else. She couldn't believe that Ba'cho was actually named Fido and that he had an owner. She sighed with her shoulders mimicking the sound.
"Somebody looks a little tired already," chuckled the voice from the phone call earlier that day.
Riley looked up and smiled plainly, "Yes well...diabetic cats and dogs with wheelchairs. You know how my days go. How's it going Brian?"
He smiled flashing a brilliant set of teeth and replied, "Oh you know...cheating husbands wishing they had a pre nup, wives laughing all the way to the bank...the usual."
Riley laughed rolling her eyes, "See and that's why I like animals. You can have all that law stuff you want! It's...it's good to see you."
Brian and Riley sat for a moment smiling at each other. Brian licked his lips and opened his mouth slightly to say something but was cut off.
"Good evening! My name is Josh and I'll be your waiter for the evening, garcon if you like. May I take your requests for drinks?" asked the waiter.
Brian leaned back in his chair with a grin, "Yes. Can we get a bottle of Talbot. St. Julien. '96 please."
"Why do you always have to order like a grand connoisseur? You know I don't even know what you're saying," chuckled Riley.
Josh the waiter nodded with a smirk, "An excellent...expensive choice sir," he finished handing them the menus. He always got amusement making small snide remarks like that to people.
"Never mind you how I order wine. It's one of the few true enjoyments in life. So tell me about this new dog of yours. I'm sure you're dying to tell me all about his cute little antics," Brian said.
Riley looked off to the side for a moment and looked back, "Not much to say unfortunately. I found a flyer looking for their lost dog and well it's him. So no new wo..uh dog for me."
*****
This is stupid, I thought to myself. Here I am pacing around in a circle like some jealous boyfriend and...and she doesn't even know my name. So what if she's on a date? He's probably handsome and rich or some shit.
I let myself fall to my stomach on the floor. I let my head rest on my fore paws and exhaled loudly. . I was visibly shaking my head no and rolling my amber eyes.
Why am I letting this bother me so much? I know why... It's that smile and the light giggles. It's how I can see her true character in the way she treats me without evening knowing that I'm more than just an animal. It's that fearlessness that told her to come back to thank me. It's the light in her eyes and...and...Dat ass!
I laughed to myself at my own joke, wolf eyes closed and chuffing out loud.
*****
The wine has been flowing for a while now and Brian has edged his chair closer to Riley's. Her eyes have back that familiar light, aided from the wine no doubt. To anyone around, they look quite the happy couple.
His left arm placed on the back of her chair, laughing and raising his wine glass. She laughing with him with that classic pose of a woman. Wine in left hand and right arm close to her body with her right hand curled slightly on her neck.
"Ok ok so! I must come forth and let you know the real reason for my call and invite. I. Have. Made. Partner! OH I know it was a gamble going with such a young firm, but it has paid off!" Brian says with a huge smile.
Riley perked her head up, "Bri! That's awesome! I bet your dad's proud of you too. Congratulations!" She raised her wine glass and clinked in salute.
"Oh hey let me top that back off for you," he said moving even closer.
The waiter walked up then with their entrées, "Here you go sir...Here you go madam. Is there anything else I can get you? Perhaps another bottle of wine or some other beverage?"
