Chapter 12
12
William
“I need Opal now!” Percy tosses that at me as I enter the bistro I told him to meet me at.
He’s the one who thought it was a great idea to call me repeatedly in an effort to get my attention. Little does he know that while he was chasing me down, I was staring into the beautiful brown eyes of the woman he wants.
“Sit down,” I order, but follow it up with a smile because this man paid me a hell of a lot of money to make his romantic dreams come true, and word-of-mouth is how most of my clients find me.
He takes my advice and drops his ass back onto one of the two chairs next to a table in Lise. It’s a small, exquisite eatery in Greenwich Village. Lola put me onto this bistro when she suggested I bring Scout here for Sunday brunch a few months ago. I quickly became a regular. It’s one of my go-to places in the city when clients have what they consider an emergency. That typically means they’re freaking the fuck out about the woman they want, and they’re looking for assurance from me that they’ll get a shot at a happy ever after.
I’m always honest about whether or not I see that as a possibility. If I’ve met the woman a client desires and I don’t see a path forward, I’ll tell my client as much. I don’t see the value in wasting anyone’s time if a connection isn’t in the cards. It hasn’t happened often, and unfortunately, in Percy’s case, I haven’t had enough time with Opal to determine if she’s a good match for him.
My gut is screaming that she’s not, but that might have something to do with every other part of me since I find the woman attractive. I’m talking off the scale attractive. She’s beautiful inside and out.
“I’m ordering,” I tell him before he can grill me on the progress I’ve made.
I catch the eye of the owner of the bistro. Annalise Brookings waves a hand in my direction. She’s coming toward me before Percy can get a word in.
“William,” she greets me. “How are you today?”
“Good. You?” I ask because I always do.
Everyone wants to feel that someone cares. I’m not one to ask that question and then glance away. I keep my eyes on the person I’m talking to so they know I’m invested in their answer.
If they tell me their day is going to hell at breakneck speed, I want to know why. I’ll do what I can to turn it around because we can all use someone in our corner when the going gets tough. Something as innocuous as a smile from a stranger or an ear to listen can make all the difference in the world.
“I’m great,” she answers before glancing at Percy. “Who is this?”
“Percy Haines,” he says, keeping his gaze locked on his phone screen. “Get me the special and make it quick.”
“Um, manners.” I nudge his hand. “Put the phone down, Percy, and shake Annalise’s hand.”
His gaze catches mine. He nods before placing the phone screen side down on the table. He turns to face Annalise, offering his hand as he does. “I’m Percy Haines. It’s good to meet you.”
She takes his hand in hers. “Annalise Brookings. The special is a trio of stuffed squash blossoms. Something tells me that’s not what you want to eat today.”
That earns her a smile from him. “What do you suggest, Annalise?”
She takes a step back to study him. “The beef rouladen.It’s served with the fluffiest mashed potatoes you’ll ever have.”
My craving for the salmon just got washed away.
“I’m game.” Percy hands her his menu. “Add a glass of the house red to it.”
She nods before shifting her attention to me. “Let me guess, William. You’ll have the salmon.”
Her assumption is a sure sign that I have indeed become one of the regulars. “I’ll have the same as Percy, but it’s water for me, please.”
“Of course,” she says before she spins on her heel to head toward the kitchen.
Percy keeps his gaze on her ass until she’s out of view.
I get it. Annalise is a pretty woman with curves to match, but we’re here to discuss Opal Waverly, so I snap my fingers to regain his attention.
Shrugging a shoulder, he smirks. “Have you had a taste of that, William?”
I hope to hell he’s talking about the food and not the bistro’s owner. Before I can ask, his phone starts ringing with an incoming call.
He’s up and out of his chair at lightning speed. “I need to take this in private.”
I lean back in my chair and watch him dart out the door to take the call on the crowded sidewalk. My gut is telling me he’s not the man for Opal, but I need to do more research on whether or not they’re compatible. It looks like another random chance encounter with Opal is in my near future.