The car pulled to a stop in front of the hotel. I could see Charlie pacing in front of the building. He was irritated. Pissed, judging by the flurry of texts he’d sent over the last twenty minutes. I was late. I could admit I nearly backed out. I wasn’t thrilled with the idea of going to the stupid party. The only reason I was going was because of Charlie.
I got out of the car, buttoning the suit as I moved toward him.
“It’s about fucking time,” he said. “You need a better watch.”
“I don’t need a better watch.”
“You are late.”
“I know. See? My watch works fine.”
He growled. “Why didn’t you text me back?”
“Because I knew what you would say. I was on my way.”
He shook his head, clearly still pissed. “Can we go in? I need a damn drink.”
“You could have gone in,” I told him.
“No, I couldn’t. You are the one invited. I’m the plus one.”
I nodded and moved to open the door. I gestured for him to go inside. “Let’s get a drink.”
“I’m going to get a drink. And some damn good food.”
“I’ll go in. I’ll get you settled. Then, I’m probably going to bail.”
He stopped walking. “Xander, it cannot be that bad.”
“It can be,” I told him. “I really don’t like this kind of thing.”
“Tell me one thing that you hate,” he said.
I shrugged. “People.”
“You don’t hate people.”
“I don’t mingle. I don’t like networking. I’m uncomfortable talking to strangers.”
A slow smile spread across his face. “You put on this air that makes you seem invincible. You don’t appear shy or uncomfortable. You come across as aloof, like you know you are good and you don’t give a shit.”
I grinned. “That last part is probably true. I don’t try to be a dick.”
“I didn’t say you were a dick. I’m saying loosen up. I think you might actually have fun if you let yourself.”
I sighed. “I’m going in. I’m getting a drink and we’ll see how things go.”
“Fine,” he said with exasperation. “I’m going to look into putting you in therapy.”
I laughed, knowing it would never happen. I gave my name to the man standing guard at the door. He looked at Charlie, waiting for his name. “I’m with him,” Charlie said with a wink.
The man nodded and opened the door. I didn’t care that he thought we were a couple. The room had lots of twinkling lights with a slow strobe moving like a lighthouse. The music was a typical cover band playing the usual Top Forty hits. People moved around the room, carrying glasses as they talked in groups. I was immediately looking for a quiet corner that was out of the way.
Charlie grabbed a glass of champagne from a passing waiter before snatching a few crab cakes from another tray. Champagne wasn’t my thing. “I’m going to the bar,” I told him.
“Don’t leave,” he warned.
It took him about three seconds to find a beautiful woman to talk to. I ordered a scotch from the bar and was about to recede to my chosen corner when I was stopped. “Xander,” a very large man said with a great deal of enthusiasm.
I looked at him but had no idea who he was. “Hey,” I said, trying to pretend like I knew him.
He reached out to shake my hand. “Damn, it’s been a few years. You have certainly come a long way. I remember the first time you showed up in my office with your plans for a lightweight ship. I damn near laughed you out of the building.”
A light went on. “Gary.”
He grinned. “How have you been?” he asked.
“Good, you?”
His belly jumped up and down as he laughed. “I’d be better if I would have listened to you all those years ago. I don’t know if I can afford one of your ships now, but good job. Really good job.”
Another man that was vaguely familiar joined us. “Congratulations,” he said.
I wasn’t sure why he was congratulating me. “Thank you.”
He turned to Gary and smiled. “You did hear about the award, right?”
Gary nodded. “I certainly did. We are standing in the midst of greatness.”
I had to believe he was buttering me up. Now that I had finally made a name for myself and managed to become the designer everyone wanted, I could pick and choose my clients. I was not going to pick Gary. Something about the guy irritated me. That, and I remembered the meeting in his office. He practically laughed me out the door. I didn’t like him. He would pay full price and he could get in line behind the other companies clamoring to get one of my ship designs.
“I’m not sure about greatness, but I appreciate the compliment.”
“You are a smart guy,” Gary said. “Us old guys are just not as smart as you. We never would have considered making a lighter boat that could carry more cargo.”
“And use less fuel,” I added. I wanted to make sure he knew exactly what he missed out on.
Gary grinned. “Less fuel, which makes these little shindigs possible. Al is swimming in cash. I guess Al is the second smartest man in the room. He saw what you had and jumped on it.”
I nodded. “He took a chance on me. I’m grateful to him for being willing to trust a young, shaggy-haired guy.”
They both laughed. It was true. There were a lot of Garys. I’d had more doors slammed in my face than I cared to count. My success was the best revenge. I had made my money despite the hurdles, despite the lack of support. In my mind, it was the hurdles and lack of support that propelled me forward. I was more determined than ever to be successful. I knew my shit. I trusted my research.
“We all are very happy Al took the chance,” Gary said with a laugh. “I’m not a gambling man. I didn’t want to see one of my ships sink to the bottom of the ocean.”
“Lucky for me, the ship didn’t sink. None of them did. If you excuse me, I need to say hello to someone.” I walked away, anxious to get away from them.
I moved through the crowd, nodding at a few familiar faces. Charlie made his way to me. “See? It’s not so bad.”
I glowered at him. “It is painful.”
“Nah, it’s not so bad. I’ve already met two very lovely ladies. I could introduce you.”
“No thanks, I’m good.”
“Incoming,” he said in a hushed voice.
“Xander,” Al, the man hosting the party and the owner of the company, said. “Thank you so much for coming.”
“Thank you for inviting me,” I replied. “This is nice.”
Al smiled and looked around. “It is nice. We owe my lovely wife Deidre the credit.”
The woman stepped forward and smiled. She had Texas-big hair. “Hello, Xander. It’s nice to finally meet you. You’ve made my husband a very happy, wealthy man.”
I smiled. “I’m happy to help.”
“We owe this tremendous year to you. Your ships changed our entire business model.”
“I’m glad I could be a help to you,” I said, doing my best to sound pleasant.