Before they pulled out of the rest area, Chris consulted his notes and confirmed the address they needed in Hartford. Katy noted it on her driving pad, then consulted the on-board computer for driving directions. She started the car and they were again on their way. The directions were accurate and at 10:15, Katy pulled up at the curb of the building. She found a metered parking space and they exited the car. When they walked into the building, Nick spotted a coffee shop in the lobby.
"Ok, Kate, I'm going up to my meeting. It only should be about half an hour or so. Why don't you wait for me in the coffee shop over there."
"Yes, Chris darling. Good luck."
They kissed lightly, then made it last a little longer before separating.
"I'll be back in time to pay the check so have whatever you want."
He patted her ass lightly before heading for the elevators. As he waited, he watched her walk to the coffee shop and was immediately hard again. My God, what that woman could do to me. The elevator door opened and Chris got in, pressing the button for his floor. A few minutes later he was standing in a richly appointed waiting room with a cute blonde receptionist just ahead of him. There was a line at the counter so Chris took his place at the back of the line.
When he got to the front, he noticed that the attendant was Marcy, the one he talked to on the phone on Sunday. When he introduced himself, she smiled widely and shook his hand. She punched a number into her phone and advised someone that he was here.
Hanging up the phone, she directed him to a room down the hall. Chris went to the prescribed door and found himself in a small office with a table and four chairs. In a few moments, the door opened and Marcy and two gentlemen entered, all of them smiling. They all introduced themselves and shook hands, then Marcy left the room. The following discussion was very simple.
Chris showed them the ticket, which they immediately verified as the winning ticket. He announced his decision to collect his winnings in a lump sum and asked them to calculate the amount, although he had a pretty good idea of their answer.
When they confirmed the number and the tax with- holdings that would be required, the net number was very close to what Chris had anticipated. He asked if they could wire the bulk of the money directly to his back and provide him with some cash immediately. They agreed to his request and asked how much cash he wanted.
"I'd like $75,000 in cash and a small briefcase to carry it in, if you can. The balance can be wired to my bank and my bank manager already has instructions for handling the funds when they arrive."
Fifteen minutes later, the transaction had been completed. Chris had a small black briefcase, the soft-sided zipper kind, and the paperwork confirming his win and the withholdings. All that remained was for Frank to call confirming that he had received the funds but there was no further need for him to remain in this room. Chris thanked the two men for their cooperation, shook hands with both of them, then walked back to the elevators. He smiled and waved to Marcy, who returned his wave and his smile, while she was busy with another customer. The elevator came and he pressed the button for the lobby.
He exited the elevator and strode directly to the coffee shop, spotting Katy in a booth by the window. He crossed the room and leaned down to kiss her before taking a seat across the table from her.
"Did everything go all right, Chris?"
"Just perfect. Are you eating or just having coffee? I'm suddenly very hungry."
"It's almost lunchtime, Chris, do you want to eat here or at the Hyatt?"
"Here, I think, if that's OK with you. The Hyatt lunches are usually overpriced."
"What's in the briefcase?"
"Oh, just some papers and some money. Nothing very important."
"Can I ask how much money or would that be in bad taste?"
"Seeing as how you have a vested interest in my welfare, I guess that's a fair question. $75,000."
"Chris! You can't be serious! My God, that's more money than I've ever seen at one time! Are you kidding me?"
"No. Want to see? Here, have a look. You can even touch it if you want but leave it in there for now."
Chris unzipped the briefcase on the table and turned it to face Katy. Her face went white as she stared at the bundles of money. She slowly inched her hand forward to touch the tops of the bundles and the color finally came back to her cheeks. Chris pulled the case back to him and zipped it up again.
"I promise you can play with it after we check in to the hotel."
"Oh, Chris, are you sure it's really OK? I mean, it's really your money and you don't have to give it back or anything?"
"I'm positive. It's all mine and I'm willingly to share it with you and no, I don't have to give any of it back."
Just then a waitress appeared and asked for their order. Chris ordered coffee and a ham sandwich. Kate nodded her agreement and ordered the same. When the waitress left, she couldn't wait to ask him a thousand questions.
"Did you have any trouble? You weren't gone very long. What was it like when they gave you the money? Omigosh, I can't believe we're sitting here with $75,000. Oh, Chris, is this real?"
"Calm down, Katy girl, everything is fine. The sun is shining, God is in heaven, and all is right with the world. We have all this money just for us to have fun with and we are going to have fun. Now settle down and try not to spill your coffee."
The coffee and sandwiches were delivered and Chris thanked the waitress. He began eating and noticed that Katy also dived into her food, eating with a healthy appetite. He was glad to see that she wasn't a picky eater or vegetarian or anything and could just enjoy her food. They didn't talk while they ate and soon demolished the food.
"Do you want some desert, Kate, or should we just head over to the Hyatt?"
"Chris, could I have an ice cream, please?"
"Absolutely, what flavor would you like?"
"Chocolate, please, like you fed me this morning. That was definitely chocolate."