Chapter 2
As the doors closed behind me, I took a deep breath and felt the wave of nausea slowly pass. My head stopped spinning and I turned to Alex who had a big fat grin on his face.
"Don't do it!" I commanded.
He suddenly dropped his briefcase and hugged me tightly, laughing and kissed me on the cheek. "We did it, you stupid son-of-a-bitch! We got the contract!"
I pushed him off of me and laughed, "Hey it's not a done deal yet...there is still a ton of paperwork and security clearances that we have to get through."
" Jesus, you know we are up to speed on all that stuff, it's a formality! Why do you do that?! Every time we get something good on our plate you act like someone just ran over your dog!"
"I'm sorry, I just don't want to get too excited before all the t's are crossed, is that so wrong? Look, I am excited, I'm thrilled...I really am!' I said not very convincingly.
Alex punched my arm, "Put up or shut up, let's go have some drinks and piss away all our new hard earned money!"
"Shit Alex, I told I made plans to meet Anna at 7:00. Look, we fly out tomorrow, when we get home, I promise we will celebrate. We'll take the whole office out and celebrate. Would that make you happy?"
Alex reached down and grabbed his briefcase, "Ah yes the old girlfriend! Now I can see how you are planning to celebrate, you old dog!"
I laughed at Alex, "Don't be a dickhead!"
"Listen, you don't meet her til 7:00, let's just go grab a drink at the hotel bar and then I will let you go bang your ex."
I shook my head, looked at my watch and told Alex that he was buying as we turned and headed off to the bar.
I should have know better. Alex knows how to cajole me and before I knew it, I had polished off three martinis before I remembered to call home and pass on the good news. She knew I had been drinking and told me to not stay out too late because flying home with a hangover would not be any fun. I hung up the call and noticed the time. "Fuck! I gotta go get ready!"
"Hey listen Danno...you stay out of trouble tonight and don't do anything I wouldn't do."
"Seriously Alex, that leaves a lot open for me don't you think?"
You make it sound like I don't got no ethics or something?
I laughed, "When it comes to the ladies, I'm not sure you do. Look call me in the morning and we can grab some breakfast before we fly out."
I finished my drink and grabbed my briefcase before heading out of the bar. I stumbled a bit on the carpet of the lobby as I left the bar and as I caught myself I saw Anna sitting over on a couch, talking on her phone. I stood straight, checked my clothes quickly and then headed over to her. She caught sight of me, smiled and started to stand up.
"Well, my date is here so I have to go, I will talk to you about this tomorrow...OK...bye." She hung up the phone and leaned over to give me her patented hug and kiss on the cheek.
"Date?" I asked cautiously.