Chapter 13
The limo picked them up at six o’clock that night.
Peter said they had reservations at Ruth’s Chris for seven o’clock. The drive took about thirty-five or forty minutes, which gave them time for a drink in the restaurant bar.
She gazed at Peter and thought he looked so handsome in his tux.
With no intention of getting drunk so she ordered a glass of Malbec.
It was her favorite red wine and appropriate, since they were at a steak house.
A very good steak house. She’d never been before but had heard wonderful things about the restaurant from some of the gallery patrons.
She noticed that aside from the bar, all the tables were in small alcoves for privacy.
The set-up kept the noise to a minimum and they spoke easily without having to shout.
Much to her surprise, they were seated in a private room immediately after getting their drinks.
“This is really nice.” She looked around. The room was small with just enough room for the wait sataff to get around the table and for a tray stand in the corner. A still life and two landscapes graced the walls—tasteful prints of paintings she’d had in her gallery.
A waiter entered carrying a tray with two glasses and a chilled bottle of Aqua Panna water. He poured them each a glass .
“I’ll return shortly for your orders.” Then he turned and left the room.
Alexis took a sip of the water. The liquid might be some of the best water in the world, but it didn’t taste any different than the water from her tap. Of course, Colorado had some of the best drinking water in the United States, so perhaps that was perhaps why she couldn’t detect the difference.
“What would you like for dinner?” Peter picked up his menu and began to peruse the offerings. “I think I’ll get a T-bone with a lobster tail, baked potato with the works, French onion soup, and seared Ahi tuna for an appetizer to share, if that meets with your approval?”
She nodded. “The seared tuna sounds wonderful. I’ll have the petite filet, with garlic mashed potatoes and the French onion soup.” Alexis looked up at Peter. “I love French onion soup. It’s my favorite, and I only get it when I go somewhere nice to eat, which means I don’t get it often.”
He set his menu back on the table and took her left hand in his.
“I’ll have to remedy that. Veronica makes a French onion soup that puts the stuff here to shame.
Don’t get me wrong, the soup here is wonderful.
It’s just that Veronica’s is so much better.
You’ll see. I’ll have her make some tomorrow. ”
Alexis waved her hands in front of her and shook her head. “I don’t want her to go out of her way for me.”
“It’s not out of her way. She prepares it for me all the time, and I do believe I want some of hers. You’can tell the difference between good soup and spectacular soup. You’ll see.”
“I can’t wait.”
The server returned and took their orders.
“So what is this fund raiser for?”
“It’s the annual Crystal Ball for diabetes. We hope that by throwing enough money at the problem We can find a cure.”
“That’s a wonderful cause. I have a cousin who has it and two great aunts that died from complications of the disease.”
Their dinners arrived and they dug in.
Alexis had never had such a tender steak and the mashed potatoes were to die for. By the time she was finished, she was sure she would split the seams of the beautiful gown she wore for the gala they were attending after dinner.
Luckily, that didn’t happen, and before she knew it, they were whisked away in the limo to the Mile High Ballroom at the Colorado Convention Gallery.
She felt like Cinderella arriving at the ball.
Peter took her hand when she stepped out of the limo.
She looked up at the entrance and her stomach felt like butterflies were having a race in there.
“You’re shaking.” He tucked her arm in his left arm and covered her hand with his right hand. “Calm down. All will be well.”
“Tell that to my heart.” She took a deep breath and released it. Her butterflies settled and she trusted that Peter was correct.
He chuckled. “Let’s go. You’ll see it’s not so bad.”
They walked into the ballroom.
Peter removed his hand from over hers, grabbed a glass of champagne from a passing waiter and handed it to her. Then he snatched one up for himself before the waiter sauntered away.
Alexis took a sip of the champagne hoping it would calm her nerves. She was so afraid she would do something to embarrass Peter. She took another sip and looked up at him with widened eyes. “This is very good. It’s unlike any champagne I’ve had before.”
He laughed. “I should hope so. This is real champagne from France. I don’t even know how much I paid.”
“You paid for it?”
He nodded and smiled. “Yes, it’s part of my donation. I arrange for the ball every year and always start the donations off with one of my own.”
“Why? Why do you do all of this?” She waved her arm around to take in the entire room.
“Because I had a dear friend die from the disease. He admittedly didn’t take care of himself properly, but he shouldn’t have died.
This disease is horrible because it’s silent.
Too few people know they have it until a blood test confirms it and most people don’t get the blood test except at a physical and few actually get a physical every year. ”
“I suppose that is true. I haven’t had one in years.”
His mouth flattened. “See what I mean?”
“Yes.”
“Let’s dance shall we? Doing so will get other couples to join us.
” He chuckled. “No one wants to be the first to start dancing, in case they look silly. Since they know I can’t dance to save my life, they might take a chance.
” He put an arm around her waist and began to sway, while still holding his champagne glass.
She placed her left hand around his neck, still holding her champagne glass in her right hand, and swayed with him.
A waiter walked up to them. “I think you’ll dance better with no glasses.”
“Very true. Thank you, young man,” said Peter. Then he wrapped both arms around her and pulled her flush with his body. “This is nice. I’ve wanted to have you in my arms for a while now.”
As shiver went down her spine as his words thrilled her. With both arms around his neck, she leaned back in his embrace, trusting he wouldn’t drop her. She looked up at him, his words hitting a spot in her heart she hadn’t felt beat in a long time. “You have? I would have helped you had I known.”
He chuckled. “We’re quite the pair.”
“That we are.”
They danced and drank champagne and danced some more until it was time for him to give a speech.
He walked to the front of the room to the podium on a raised platform.
Then he tapped the microphone. “Is this on?” He saw everyone turn his way.
“I want to thank you all for attending our little fundraiser for diabetes, tonight. I know I can count on you to all give generously. I had a dear friend, named Steve Colter. He had juvenile diabetes and passed away from it five years ago. That’s when I started this fundraiser.
It’s so much more than just a reason to get dressed up.
This money could be the money that funds the research leading to a breakthrough and a cure for this diabolical disease.
I want to remind all of you to get checked every year for this silent killer.
Now, get out those checkbooks and get to writing checks to support this research. Thank you.”
Peter returned to her side.
“That was a wonderful speech and I saw lots of people reaching for their checkbooks. I hope it’s a banner year for your ball.”
“Thank you. From your beautiful lips to God’s ears.” He put his arms around her waist.” I wish I could do more than just hold you and dance with you.
“Then what are we waiting for? Is there any reason you need to stay until the end?”
He shook his head. “No, there really isn’t. My treasurer is collecting the donations. I’m just window dressing now.” He grabbed her hand. “Let’s get out of here.” He placed a call to his driver and had him come around to the front of the Convention Center.
Before they could escape, a woman approached them. She was about thirty, based on her face, though she wore enough make-up for three people.
“Peter,” she lifted her hand to him.
He released Alexis to kiss the knuckles of the woman’s hand. “Valerie. I’m glad you could make it. Who did you manage to find to escort you? I know you’re not with Mike anymore.”
She lifted a brow. “Why I’m here with Zach Zaharius, your treasurer. But you must tell me who this little treat is beside you. I’ve never seen her in our circles before although she does look a little familiar.”
“This is Alexis Armstrong of the Armstrong Gallery in Aspen.”
“Ah, yes. I stopped in there last year and you waited on me. I didn’t buy anything. The art was just so…ordinary.”
Peter narrowed his eyes. “I’ll remember you said that since I exhibit my paintings there.”
Obviously, realizing her mistake, Valerie tried to back pedal. “Oh, darling, I wasn’t talking about your work, you must know I adore your paintings. It’s just that she works for a living. How positively primitive of you to bring her.”
“I brought her because I like her, which is more than I can say for you. Good night, Valerie. Don’t think to talk to me again.” He turned toward Alexis and put out is left arm. “Let’s go home.”
She put her hand in the crook of his elbow and couldn’t resist looking back at Valerie.
The woman still stood where they’d been.
Her mouth was open like she was preparing to say something.
Finally, Alexis, waved with her fingers over Peter’s shoulder, then turned back and walked with him to the front of the building.
When they walked out the limo was waiting for them.
Once they were on their way, Alexis realized she hadn’t thought about the gallery in several hours. Lights near the floor provided ambient lighting. She turned to him. “I had a wonderful time tonight. Thank you.”