“Be nice to her, Nick,” Rachel urged. “We’re all dressed up, and you’ve already managed to get into a fight before we could get on the elevator. Where is your bestselling author restraint?”
As the elevator descended, Nick moved in front of the group. “Hold that thought, Hon. If Mohammed gathered the boys on the main floor for a meet and greet, we may have another slight delay before our meal.”
The elevator doors opened on the main floor, but without any sign of Dafar. A slim woman in her late thirties, wearing a black cocktail dress, with brunette hair worn casually to her shoulders rushed forward on high heels to embrace Nick.
“Oh my God, Nick! It’s been a long time. You look great!”
“Hi Cass.” Nick held her out at arms’ length. “You look wonderful too. How many times do I have to warn you not to touch me inappropriately in public?”
“Oh you… brat!” Cassie Sedwick allowed Nick to guide her away from the elevator with his group following. “It’s been at least three years since you last granted me an audience, your highness. Excuse me for being a little excited at being once again in your circle of greatness.”
Cassie’s comeback was greeted with proper appreciation, especially from Gus. Nick quickly introduced everyone. Cassie hugged them all. “I’m so glad to finally meet you all. Nick always writes me short notes describing events with a family and friends when we text each other discussing his books. I was never sure whether they were real until now.”
“Oh, you are so funny,” Nick replied. “Cass, were you here near the elevator when a dark bearded man exited, possibly rubbing his wrists?”
“Sure did… he came down a few minutes before you. He stormed off toward the front desk area. You’re right. He was holding his arms funny. What happened? Did he take a fall?”
“Sort of.” Nick patted Cassie’s shoulder. “Will Linda be meeting us at the Nougatine?”
“Yep. She texted me from the bar.”
“Oh good.”
“Don’t be such a prude, Nick. You know she’s scared to death of you. She reads your novels with one eye closed, and hand on heart. Linda needed some liquid courage for her first face to face meeting.”
Nick grinned as his retinue laughed at Cassie’s warning. “Okay… okay, let’s go. We already picked out what we want to eat from the menu online. From some of the reviews, guests complained of having to ask for bread, and they try to seat people near the kitchen. I don’t want anything like that to happen tonight.”
“I’m from New York, and so is Linda. We’ll deal with local service. I’m glad you decided on what you wanted to try. The menu can be a bit intimidating.”
“Just so there’s bread,” Jean commented as they walked.
“I will make sure of it, my dear,” Cassie replied.
Linda Mushet, seated at the Nougatine bar, had been watching for them. She stood with martini in hand, waving with the other. Full figured, in her early forties, Mushet wore her brown hair back in a tight bun. Dressed in a mauve off the shoulder dress, and black high heels, her head came to Nick’s chin. Cassie made the introductions. Nick shook hands with Mushet.
“I’m glad we had this opportunity to meet finally.” Linda then shook hands with Nick’s family and friends. “So lovely to meet you all. I’m sorry it turned out to be at a time when you need to dress like Eskimos to walk outside. Why don’t we get seated?”
“Good idea, Linda,” Cassie said. “Nick thinks we’ll get the bum’s rush in here on table selection and shorting us on bread as well as service.”
“I’ve read those reviews. That’s not happening with Cass and I here… ever.”
True to their word, the two New York natives took over. In moments, the waiter recognized from their attitude and guidance, he was not serving tourists in charge. They were quickly seated, with wine, a soft drink for Jean, bread with warmed butter, and a tray of appetizers. While waiting for their main course, Linda broke the ice concerning business. She had taken a seat across from Nick with Cassie on one side and Jean on the other.
“I want to apologize for being so adversarial in regard to your novel outtakes you send me, but I’m only trying to make your novels as appealing as possible to the largest number of readers.”