Turning the wheel sharply to pull into traffic, she smiled broadly.
“We are going out to lunch, Gary. Where did you think we were going, Hmm?” She slid a pair of oversized sunglasses from a clip on the sun visor, and set them on her face. They made her look like a movie star going incognito.
“I meant what restaurant.” He answered, not minding at all if she had something else in mind.
“I think we will go to the Coach house, I’m afraid you are not really dressed for Monroe’s. I will take you there next time, ok? She blew him a kiss.
“That would be great, I can pay.”
“No, no Gary. Is my treat.” She pressed her foot down on the accelerator, and he was thrown back into his leather bucket seat. Cars passed rapidly in his field of vision. He laughed. “You’re a madwoman.”
“I love to drive, and I like driving fast, darling. It is guilty pleasure.”
“We will talk, and eat. See if Gary is happy, and if not try to make him happy. This will be enough for Natasha. You will not pay.” Reaching over she patted his knee several times, before returning it to the steering wheel. The car shot to the left, and entered the express way.
After about five minutes on the expressway, rapidly weaving in and out of traffic, Tasha took the exit ramp, and within two more minutes they were in the parking lot of The Coach House. As the name implied the restaurant had been many, many years before a storage building for coaches and horses. It had been expanded, and improved over the years, and was on of the more popular eating establishments in the city. It was on the high-end price wise, but this had not been a problem for the Menard’s, and apparently, it wasn’t a problem for Tasha. Did her job pay that well, or did she just have generous friends?
Getting out of the sleek, bottle green sports car at the same time, they walked towards the entrance together, and Tasha slipped her arm over Gary’s shoulders. Should he say something? No, Bernie wouldn’t care. Anyway he liked it a lot. Tasha was so beautiful, perfect, clear complexion, white, perfect teeth, gorgeous body. She smelled delicious. As they walked her golden hair bushed his cheek. Images of the exotic blonde naked, and in his bed flashed through his head, and left again as they reached the entrance.
It was dimly lit, and it took some time for his eyes to adjust, as they approached the reservations desk.
“Ms. Narionov, how nice to see you again!” said a slight man with a pencil thin mustache, and thin graying hair. He looked to be about 50 or so.
“Yes, is good to see you as always Henry.” Tasha grabbed Gary’s elbow and pulled him close to her. She was warm and soft. “This is Gary Menard, Henry. Is good friend of mine.”
Henry thrust out his hand towards Gary, and as they shook hands said “A pleasure.” He smiled broadly, His grip was firm, and Gary was a little relieved when he let go of his hand. Leading them down the dim corridor, the maitre d' looked over his shoulder at Tasha and said, “You will be wanting Jennifer and Mark as your servers?”
“Yes, but since I have Gary here, why don’t you see if Laura can serve us instead of Mark, if that will not make things difficult for you.”
“Not a problem at all, Ms. Narinov.” They reached a tall oak door, and Henry thrust it open to reveal a waiting table for two, in a private room. The room looked like a Victorian era parlor, but with out any windows. There was a fireplace with a blazing fire, and a bottle chilling in an ice bucket. He’d always wondered what these private rooms looked like.
“Jennifer or Laura will be back to take your order soon.” Henry said as he closed the door behind him.
Tasha tossed her purse on an end table next to a sofa, and reaching over took his hand in hers. Her hand was warm, and slightly moist to the touch.
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