It was about six months after we changed our business (See how I’m already calling it ‘our’ business?) when we were invited to the annual Lions Club fund raising gala and dance. I had never been and when I mentioned it to Tank, he wasn’t so sure.
“I’d rather just send ’em a check.”
“But this is a great opportunity to mingle, get out there, meet potential clients. We gotta go.”
“OK, you go, you mingle.”
“No, Tank, we both should go. I insist.”
“Getting’ bossy now that you’re part owner,” he laughed.
“Yup, and get used to it. Look, if we continue to do well and get more jobs, we could even expand, maybe hire someone.”
“Let me tell you: Hiring is a pain in the neck and usually not worth it. I should know.”
“You hired me, didn’t you?”
“Yeah, and now look. I’m being dragged to a fancy dinner to spend more money,” he muttered, but I could see he was grinning underneath his gruff exterior.
“Good. I’ll buy the tickets. I need a new dress and you need a tux.”
“Tux? What the hell?”
“Tank, it’s important. Once a year you hobnob with all the uppity-ups and get your name out there. And it’ll be a business expense, so just do it.”
After more good-natured grousing he agreed to go. I went out and found a nice and sexy gown at a consignment shop in the next town. All it needed was a tiny bit of work on the hem which they agreed to do for me for only twenty-five extra bucks. I reminded him to rent a tux and he finally did a week before the event.
Then he asked the big question. “Do we go together?”
I paused a few seconds and said, “Why not?”
“My truck isn’t exactly a great vehicle for fancy duds, now is it?”
“Nope. Tell you what. I’ll spring for an Uber, OK?”
“Nah, I’ll do it. I’ll pick you up around six.”
“Good. Tank, you’ll enjoy it once you’re there, I know you will.”
Tank
We were unusually busy the week of the big to-do. We were mostly on separate sites and didn’t talk a lot. When I was helping her and she was helping me, we hustled and didn’t chit chat much. She did remind me at least once a day of the gala and told me to pick her up at six on Saturday. On that day I worked until noon to take my mind off things. I headed home, had lunch, napped a bit and watched a football game on the tube all before getting ready.
The Uber picked me up shortly before six and at her place, I hopped out and walked up to her door. After ringing the bell, I heard footsteps approaching before she opened the door.
‘Stunning’ was the first thing I thought when I saw her. She was stunning. Her light green gown was slinky and tight in all the right places. Her breasts, which I had seen more than a few times out at Willow Farms, were teasing beneath her gauzy top. The neckline was daringly risqué and plunged nearly to her belly. The cloth was tight across her hips and a slit rose from the floor to mid-thigh. I don’t think I’d ever seen such a beautiful sight as was in front of me.
“Cat got your tongue?” she asked.
“Wow, Luce, you are flat-out gorgeous.”
“Well, Tank, you clean up pretty well yourself. Nice monkey suit,” she laughed. “Let’s go there, have a nice meal, spend some money and maybe I can even get you to dance with me.”
“Dance?” my voice squeaked. “You want me to dance?”
“Sure, why not?” She took my hand and led me down the sidewalk to the car.
In the back seat I fought with myself to keep from staring at her. Out of the corner of my eye I saw an amazingly good-looking woman. Here I had known her for several years and had even seen her nude multiple times, but somehow things were different that night. At one point she leaned forward to talk to our driver and her top fell away a tiny bit exposing her breasts even more. They were beautiful: a bit above average size and they filled the top of her gown with a proud presence. And they jiggled nicely when she laughed. Funny how I noticed that more when she had clothing on than when she was nude.
Lucy
We were dropped off in front of the community center where a high school girl escorted us to the front. The receptionist took our tickets, dropped them in the door-prize bin and pointed out our table before she suddenly looked at me and said in a startled voice, “Lucy, sorry but I didn’t recognize you. It’s me, Caitlyn from the JC. I think we had a business class together.”
I vaguely remembered her and greeted her and introduced Tank. It was sorta confusing when I called him my ‘partner’ and she clearly assumed we were involved. I quickly corrected her and said we were business partners in LT’s construction. Once we were inside we met several others in the trades as well as Chad, the guy who delivered supplies to many of our job sites. He still gave me the creeps, particularly when I was alone at a site when he delivered. He never did anything forceful, but it was his attitude and leering that got to me. He came over and in front of five or six people rather loudly asked me to dance. It would have been too uncomfortable to turn him down so I promised a dance later in the evening after dinner and the auction.
Dinner was quite nice. The food was excellent and the lady next to me was an up-and-coming realtor. I was able to let her know our business would be a good one to contact for those little jobs people sometimes need on a rush basis so they can list their houses. I was pleased when she took my card. After dinner came the auction. I didn’t bid on anything nor did Tank. Nothing much appealed to me and I didn’t have the cash to spend anyway.
After the auction they announced the door prizes. A few, assorted items went to various people before they announced the grand prize, an all-expense paid trip for two to a fancy resort about a hundred miles from us. After a drum roll by the band, they pulled the ticket stub out of the hat and called out, “Lucy Wilkenson of LT’s Construction! Lucy, please come forward.”
I was stunned! I had no idea there would be such a nice door prize and I had never won a prize before. I went up front and the emcee gave me a big envelope and asked for a little speech about me and “my” business. I’ve always been a bit shy with public speaking but I was able to thank them and give a quick description of our business. I told the crowd Tank was the first owner and I was pleased to be a partner with him in the business.
Once I sat down the others at the table were very animated and asked me lots of questions about the business. The lady next to me asked, “Who are you going with, anyway?”
“I don’t know. I’ll have to think about it.”
“Anyone special in the picture?”
“Not at the moment. Maybe I’ll get busy and find one before I go,” I joked. As I said it, I glanced at Tank next to me and I realized his grin suddenly disappeared. Everyone else was in good spirits and I pretty much let it go.
Tank
I was so glad Lucy had won and she gave a nice little speech to the crowd and plugged the business. I realized she was right; this gala was a great way to increase business. Back at the table we were all laughing and having a good time, that is until she mentioned she’d “get busy” and find a boyfriend to take with her to the resort. Somehow that bugged me. I was suddenly worried that she’d find some guy, move and break up the partnership.