***
“Congratulations.” Nathan places a firm hand on my shoulder. “At this rate, you’re going to surpass your grandfather’s limits.”
“Thanks.” I take a sip from my celebratory glass of champagne, smiling at some of the guests glancing in my direction.
After a month of hard work, the Lindsey Holland Women’s Apps have finally taken off and so has my company. A few days ago, Lindsey Holland herself talked about them on The Ellen Show, and this morning, the apps were launched in a party honoring women at the ballroom of the St. Regis and were made available online for Android, iOS, and Windows Mobile. The last time I checked, there were already close to two million downloads in less than ten hours.
As promised, tonight I’m hosting a grand celebration in the mansion gardens with overflowing food and wine, endless music from a string quartet on Abby’s request. In attendance: My friends, some prominent businessmen, and even a few celebrities. Of course, Lindsey is here, too. Right now, she and Abby are near the fountain with their glasses of champagne, their faces lit as they engage in animated chatter.
Who would have thought those two would end up being such good friends?
“The one who got away, and the one who got you, huh?” Nathan teases as he nudges my shoulder.
“The two women who are responsible for my company’s success,” I say proudly.
Indeed, without Abby or Lindsey, today’s launching of my company’s biggest series of apps would not have even been possible. One can say they are the stars of the show, the belles of the ball.
And they sure look the part. Abby looks beautiful, wearing a strapless lime green dress with a sweetheart, crystal-studded neckline and a slit that extends up to her left thigh. Lindsey looks stunning in maroon lace, seemingly covered in a bunch of little roses.
“Gorgeous, aren’t they?” I think aloud.
Abby looks especially divine, her hair braided with tiny crystal flowers, the tip cascading down her left shoulder. And that slit – I just want to run my fingers up that leg and squeeze that thigh before moving even higher.
“Boasting, are you?” Nathan frowns.
I take another sip. “Well, if Sam was here, I’m sure she’d fit right in with them.”
“Yeah,” Nathan agrees, taking a sip from his own glass.
“Where is she again?”
“The Galapagos, I think. At least, she was the last time we spoke. I’m sure when I tell her about your company, she’ll be happy for you. She was hoping for your success, you know, so much it almost made me jealous.”
“Well, tell her I said hello.”
“No chance. But I’ll tell her about how well you and Abby seem to be doing.” He pats me on the chest and lowers his voice as he leans over. “Make sure she doesn’t slip through your fingers.”
I nod. “I’ll do my best.”
“And speaking of slipping through your fingers, here’s Lindsey now.”
True enough, Lindsey is walking toward me, Abby occupied with another guest. Nathan meets her halfway, shaking her hand, then walks away.
I smile at her as I tuck one of my hands in my pocket. “Enjoying the party?”
“You know I am.” She looks around. “So, this is your place, huh?”
“My humble abode.”
She grins. “You seem to be doing well.”
“Well, I am now, thanks to you.”
A waiter with a tray of champagne glasses passes by and I take a glass, handing it to Lindsey.
“Cheers.” I raise my glass to hers.
“Cheers.” She does the same, our glasses meeting with a clink in mid-air.
I take a final sip, setting my empty glass down on another waiter’s tray. “Thanks for doing this.”
She finishes all her champagne in one gulp, disposing of her glass as well.
“Are you sure you can handle drinking that much that quickly?” I ask her, putting my other hand in my pocket.
She raises a finger at me. “I’m Lindsey Holland, remember?”
I chuckle. “Of course.”
We start walking.
“And don’t thank me. Regardless of what you think, I didn’t do it for you.”
“I know. Abby said you were still mad at me for breaking your heart. I think she scolded me a bit for it.”
She laughs, clasping a hand over her mouth to suppress the sound. “Serves you right.”
“Did you do it for her? The two of you seem to have hit it off.”
“No, I didn’t do it just for her. I have a lot of reasons. And yes, I think we will be good friends for a long time to come. As it turns out, we have a lot of stuff in common.”
“Like me?”
She crosses her arms over her chest. “Don’t be so sure of yourself. We don’t even talk about you.”
“Ouch.”
“I’d like to talk to you about her, though. I like her, Grant. I really do.” She rubs her arm. “When I issued that challenge to you, I wasn’t really thinking straight. There was a large part of me that didn’t think you’d find a good woman to really fall in love with you. And there was that small part of me that didn’t want you to so that you could feel even a little bit of the pain I felt when you left me. But you have, and she’s not just a good woman. She’s a great woman. I don’t know if what you feel for her is as real or as strong as what she feels for you, but please don’t break her heart like you did mine.”
Just then, a harsh breeze blows. Lindsey rubs both of her arms, her shoulders bunching up as she shivers. I take my jacket off, placing it around her.
“Why, thank you, sir,” she tells me in a mocked British accent.
I make a face. “Your accent is still as bad as ever.”
She punches my arm playfully.
I rub the spot. “For what it’s worth, I’m sorry for what I did. And as for Abby, I promise I’ll take good care of her.”