Andrew Gibson sat back in his office chair -- and smiled. And who could blame him?
His life was an incredibly happy one, to be sure, and all because of the formula. He stroked his chin in thought, staring out the picture windows in his plush corner office with a view of the park. There had to be someone worthy enough to pass it on to, he thought.
Andrew riffled through his rolodex and took out a card with a grunt. One of his friends, and one of the few people he trusted to get something done for his publishing firm, was Mark O'Bryan. Mark was an entertainment lawyer whom Andrew consulted or hired frequently, usually on issues related to copyright and such. Mark was also a real lady-killer, with straight dark brown hair, bright green eyes, a well-scrubbed all American face, and a smile fit to make traffic stop, especially if a woman was driving.
Mark was content, though, Andrew had to admit. Otherwise it was a real pity that Mark couldn't seem to find a good woman -- or at least a good date -- or find some larger purpose as a lawyer, as he had as a publisher.
Andrew thought deeply, considering. Mark was a lawyer in a large firm, but if it wasn't for Andrew's.... certain way with people, Mark might have still been languishing in his original position, stuck with traffic court cases. Andrew remembered vividly the looks on their faces when he asked to deal with Mark and Mark only. It was funny.
Then Andrew's phone buzzed. "Yes?"
"Just reminding you that you have lunch scheduled with Mark O'Bryan today."
"Thank you," Andrew smiled. He quickly gathered his suit jacket, adjusted his tie somewhat, and left the office.
* * * * * *
Well, one thing's for sure, Andrew thought. Mark was still a fun guy, even dressed as he was in a navy-blue pinstriped suit. All the waitresses were practically hanging on his every word.
Service was excellent. There was nothing they couldn't get.
In the middle of telling a funny story, Mark put his napkin on the table and said, "Excuse me for a second."
Andrew watched him get up and approach a beautiful black woman. Actually, he thought, beautiful didn't begin to come close. She wore a spanking white blazer and skirt with white high heeled sandals, her hair pulled up in a bun.
Andrew was very surprised. Mark had never told him he liked black women. But it made the decision to send him the formula that much easier.
In any case, she had smooth skin like cocoa, medium brown straight hair with light brown highlights, big friendly brown eyes, and had a gorgeous smile that could light up a whole room, which she did with it when Mark approached her and touched her arm.
"Hey, Rachel."
She turned, smiled, and squeezed his arms with long delicate fingers bearing long fingernails. And no jewelry. "Mark, how are you, baby?" she said in a warm, friendly voice.
"I'm good," he said. "I'm having lunch with a friend of mine. Would you like to join us?"
The woman's smile broadened, but she shook her head. "No, Mark, but thank you for asking. I'm having lunch with my divorce attorney. Otherwise I would join you."
"Divorce attorney?" Mark repeated stupidly.
Her smile drooped a little. "Yes, my divorce attorney. My divorce became final today. So she and I are celebrating."
"You deserve it," Mark smiled.
Suddenly the woman gave him a quick nervous hug, then pulled back and said, "Give me a call or send me an email sometime. We'll have to meet and catch up."
"Absolutely," Mark nodded. "I'd like that."
The woman smiled, rubbed his arms. Kissed him on the cheek. "As would I, Mark."
"I'll see ya later, then," Mark grinned foolishly.
"I hope so," Rachel smiled. She gave him a cute little feminine wave. "Bye, baby." And she went to her table.
Mark sat back down at the table with Andrew, grinning. "Sorry about that."
"No problem," Andrew grinned back. "Who was she?"
"Rachel White, she's a good friend of mine I knew way back from college," Mark explained as picked up his fork again and speared a shrimp.
"She sure is beautiful," Andrew commented.
"Yes, very," Mark agreed. "She was having lunch with her divorce attorney."
"I heard," Andrew nodded soberly. His was none too pleasant.
"I didn't even know she was married," Mark said, baffled and shocked.
"Maybe she didn't want you to know," Andrew suggested.
"Maybe," Mark said doubtfully. "He would have to have been a real dickwad."
"Which reminds me," Andrew said, sipping his glass of wine. "I never knew you liked black women. At least, you never told me you did."
Mark shrugged and grinned. "I like black women," he paused, "just as much as I like every other type of woman."
They both chuckled. "You haven't changed, dude," Andrew grinned.
"Well, one thing's for sure," Mark said, looking towards Rachel's table. "I'd give a million bucks to know what she's thinking right now."
Andrew got a weird gleam in his eye then. "Don't forget to give me your new email address before you leave."
"Oh, right," Mark said. "Thanks for reminding me." He pulled out his wallet and gave Andrew his business card. "There you go. As always, just email me or call if you need me."
"As always," Andrew grinned. "Now, what was this story you were telling me...?"
"Right," Mark said, grinning. "So I said to the judge, 'Your Honor, he can't have registered this first if he just read it last week...'"
* * * * * *
An hour later, Mark was back in his office, his suit jacket draped over his chair.
He was in the middle of contemplating joining the law firm's department that worked with the record companies. As distasteful as the prospect was, the record companies paid through the nose to protect their property. He would get a big raise. If he said yes.