Jordan’s limo was parked out front. His driver was an older man and he looked at me as if he didn’t approve. He had probably been driving for him too long and thought or was a part of the family.
“I don’t think he likes me.”
“Smithy doesn’t like anyone. He has been my driver since I was a boy, and his duties were my father’s driver before he retired.” He leaned forward. “Take us to the Millennium Hotel.”
“I have reservations about that place,” I said to Jordan.
“Why, is the food bad?”
“No, I said hesitating. “I use to work there as a waitress.
“Then so much the better,” he said.
“And because Brandon owns the hotel,” I said looking at him saying don’t make me do this.
“I know. Let him eat his heart out,” Jordan said with a satisfied smile.
“I hope that’s not why you’re taking me there.” My eyes swung to Jordan.
“We’re going there because Brandon and I have a deal we are working on together, and the food is great, and he’s picking up the bill. He thinks I’m alone. I’m going to surprise him.”
I didn’t say a word. I let Jordan talk. He talked about his family and how long they had been in banking. He talked about his father and mother and how they met. And how they wanted him to be married but he hadn’t found anyone he would marry because he spent all of his time in the bank.
***
The limo pulled up to the hotel and my legs quivered at the thought of seeing Brandon because I was with Jordan. Jordan helped me out and the doorman closed the door to the car. Then he ran to open the glass doors leading into the elegant hotel. I had been there many times but never walked through the front door. I left the hotel in Brandon’s car through a side door.
Jordan placed his arms around my waist and led me to the left of the hotel where the discreet restaurant sat for only its special customers. It was a small elegant restaurant, but the hotel had several restaurants situated inside the large specialty hotel. I had never worked in that restaurant because only male waiters handled that area. Probably because the tips were high and the executives who came there drank excessively and they thought men were more discrete.
Spencer had worked there before. When I asked him what went on in there, he only said, “You don’t want to know.” Now I will get a chance to find out. We took an elevator to the twenty-first floor.
We walked in the dining area with its silk white table cloths, chandeliers hovering over each table set with fine English china and an expensive view of New York City. Sitting at a table in the corner was Brandon and a young woman. He stood startled. His eyes traveled to mine and I surveyed the dark haired young woman sitting next to him. Jordan kept his arms around my waist leading my body to Brandon and the young woman, set against a view to die for. The lights in the city provided background for the drama of the night.
It was the surprise in Brandon’s eyes which made me know that he didn’t expect to see me, and to see me under these circumstances.
Brandon stood and they shook hands and then Brandon introduced the woman as his assistant in training, Haley.
“Well if that doesn’t beat all,” Jordan said as if surprised. “Tyler is my assistant. And she’s in training as well.”
The room grew quiet and a cool breeze passed between us. Brandon asked that he and Jordan be excused and they stepped out into the lobby. Both appeared to be calm. Haley and I traded glances. We sat watching each other wondering what to say. Then we turned to see Brandon’s arms flaying and pointing his finger in Jordan’s face. I tried to read his lips.
Brandon said, ‘why did you bring her?’ I turned to an embarrassed Haley and said, “I like your shoes.” That sent her on a jag about how much they cost and that she owned a dozen pairs of Manolo Blahnik and her bags were all designer. I tried to ask her another question about Brandon, but before I could get out the words, Brandon and Jordan were standing in front of us with smiles, trying to put on a good face.
The waiter stood near Brandon patiently waiting for our order. “I put Maine Lobster on the menu for a friend,” Brandon said to Jordan. And his eyes found mine. “I hope everyone can eat Lobster.” I smiled and Haley looked at me, “No problem with me. I’m not allergic to Lobster,” Haley said.
We sat in silence with an occasional smile. I looked around the table. Maybe if I tried small conversation. I wasn’t good at that either but I tried my hand at it. “Do you know that in Maine at the beginning of the century, lobsters were so cheap and plentiful that they were fed to prisoners?” Haley looked in my direction.
“No, I didn’t know that,” she said with interest and then she leaned forward waiting for my next gem. “And what happened next,” Haley said.
“Haley, it’s not a novel. It’s not fiction,” Brandon said annoyed.
“Oh.” And she slumped and sat back in her chair. “I thought you were telling us about a new television show. Like orange is the new black,” Haley said looking around the table for like minds.
“They were feeding the prisoners lobster every day that the state declared that this was cruel and unusual punishment,” I said glancing at Brandon and Jordan. Both had smiles on their faces. Obviously it was the first time they had heard this.
“Brandon has a habit of feeding his girlfriends lobster,” Jordan said in jest.
I glanced at Brandon and his light smile turned downward. He took it in stride and began laughing, “And what do you feed your girlfriends, Jordan? I hear you’re so cheap that you bring them to meetings and let your customers pay for their food.”
Jordan’s eyes cut to Brandon and Brandon smiled. Two deadly handsome men sparing with each other. What a sight to see.
There was another uncomfortable silence and then the waiters wheeled out the carts with the food. We sat in silence, ate our Lobsters in silence, and sipped our wine in silence. At the end of the meal, Brandon and Jordan stated that they had business to transact. They left and Jordan followed Brandon into an office.
I looked at Haley. Now was a great time to ask some questions. “Haley, how long have you know Brandon?”
“Mr. Charles? Well maybe a year. I’ve never dated Mr. Charles. I go with him to meetings and people think that he’s a ladies man. But he’s devoted to his wife. I introduce him to my girlfriends and he’s a perfect gentlemen, he never compromises them. He buys my girlfriends clothes and shoes and whatever they want, but he never touches them. I’m not saying that he’s gay because he’s married,” she whispered, “but you have to wonder,” she said to me raising one eyebrow. “What straight young man does all that for a girl and doesn’t want something in return?”
“I don’t know any,” I said shaking my head and agreeing with her.
“Jordan on the other hand is all man. Why I could tell you stories,” Haley said with a happy grin extending from ear to ear.
“That will not be necessary,” I assured her. I didn’t want to know the mating habits of Jordan. I had to keep some respectable thoughts if I was to work for him.
When they returned, Haley became quiet. Both Brandon and Jordan glanced at her hoping that she didn’t revealed any deep dark secrets. They should have known that she was a talker. And if they didn’t want private information spilled, she shouldn’t be left alone and she shouldn’t be trusted with important information.
Brandon and Jordan stood looking down at us. Jordan spoke and held out his hand. “Tyler, you have an early day tomorrow and you have had a long night. I’ll take you home.”
“I can provide a room for you if you’re too tired Ms. Burns,” Brandon said acting as if Jordan didn’t know the relationship between us. Maybe he didn’t know our private moments but he saw me getting into Brandon’s limo and even a child can add two and two.
“I will…” Jordan said and I didn’t give him the chance to say any more. He had no right to speak for me and I didn’t want any misunderstanding.
“Brandon…can I call you Brandon?” He nodded his head and his eyes narrowed. “Jordan will see that I’m home safe,” I said. “I came with him and I’ll leave with him.”
“Are you still staying with Christina?” Brandon asked ruining the moment, and letting everyone know he knew where I lived. I’m sure it wasn’t a surprise to Jordan, and Brandon didn’t get the effect he wanted from Jordan or Haley.
I took Jordan’s hand and stood near him. I said my goodbyes to Brandon and Haley.
***
Jordan dropped me at the door to the loft. He stepped outside of the limo as I stood fumbling for my key. I refused a kiss when he leaned in with his eyes closed, and I opened the door. I waved and closed the door. He was still sitting in his limo parked in front of the building when I turned the lights on in the loft, and walked to the terrace, looking down below at the street and counting the cars zooming by.