Love is Always Write Anthology Volume 10

retrieved a couple bills to tip the man.
    The young man shook his head and held his palm up. "I've been instructed not to accept a tip from you, Mr. Mathers. It's already been taken care of. Enjoy."
    This was the first time ever in Jason's life he'd received flowers. He reached into the bouquet and pulled out the card.
    Jase,
    I too had a wonderful evening and would be honored to spend some more time with you tonight. Please meet me in the lobby at five.
    Glenn
    One of the ladies from a neighboring booth rushed over. "Those are gorgeous!" she exclaimed. "Who's the lucky girl?"
    He looked at her and smiled, holding out the roses for her to smell. "Me!" he said proudly. "I'm the lucky girl," and then laughed as she stared at him, puzzled.
    ****
    The day seemed to drag, slower than ever, and Jason wished that Glenn would just mosey over to his table. He debated taking a walk himself and finding Glenn's booth, but there was a part of him that was really enjoying the anticipation. He liked Glenn's style. He could have easily answered Jason's email or even come to see him, but it was so much more romantic to send the flowers.
    Romantic? Jason had to pause and think about it. This wasn't where he wanted to go. In fact, it wasn't even an option, so why was he allowing himself to think these thoughts and feel these feelings? Perhaps the short answer to this question was that he was allowing it because he could… at least for now. His dad was out of town and wouldn't be back for at least five days. Jason had already made it crystal clear to Glenn that they didn't have a future together, but they did have a day. An evening. A real date.
    By four o'clock he couldn't take it anymore and began packing up his suitcases. He had his displays disassembled and his brochures boxed up by 4:30 and began toting them out to his van. By 4:45 he was done with the trade show and sitting in the hotel lobby.
    Ten minutes later, when he felt a hand on his shoulder, he turned to look up at Glenn's smiling face. "You got my note, I see." Glenn was dressed sharply, wearing what appeared to be a rather expensive suit.
    "Note? What note?" Jason said innocently. "I'm just sitting here trying to relax after the trade show. Checkin my email."
    "Anything interesting?"
    "No… I sent this hot guy an email last night, but he never responded."
    Glenn shook his head and frowned. "His loss," he said.
    Jason stood up to face him, beaming. "Thank you for the flowers," he whispered. "They were beautiful. I've never had a man send me flowers."
    "I thought they'd be able to express my feelings far more eloquently than anything I could say in an email. Jason, I really enjoyed our conversation last night. I like you… a lot."
    "I like you too," he said. Damn, he felt like a junior high kid. The butterflies were going crazy in his stomach. "So, what's on the agenda for tonight?"
    "Well, I made reservations, and it looks like our ride may be here now."
    "Our ride?" Jason turned toward the hotel restaurant, expecting to see a taxi cab parked out front, but all he saw was shiny, black, stretch limo. "What…?"
    "Come on," Glenn said, placing his hand against the small of Jason's back.
    "You rented us a limo?" Jason said, astonished. He couldn't believe it. Jason had never ridden in a limousine. Even in high school, when many of his friends had rented limos for the prom, Jason had opted for affordability and practicality. He'd borrowed his father's Ford Taurus. "Glenn, I don't know what to say…"
    "Well, hopefully you'll say you're hungry," Glenn said. "Otherwise, this all will have been a terrible waste."
    Jason wasn't exactly feeling hungry at the moment, but he was certainly swept off his feet. "I hope I'm not… uh… underdressed," he worried aloud.
    "You look spectacular," Glenn assured him. Jason was wearing a dress shirt, silk tie, and pleated dress slacks, but he had elected not to wear a jacket that morning, thinking it would be a somewhat casual atmosphere on the last day of the trade show. "Believe me," Glenn said, "all eyes will be on you. At least all two of mine."
    Jason felt a bit overwhelmed and slightly self-conscious as they climbed into the limousine. After the chauffeur had closed the door and assumed his place behind the wheel, he turned to speak to them through the window. "Gentlemen, have a wonderful evening. If there's anything I can do for you, please let me know. If you prefer privacy, use the controls to the right of the window. Feel free to