and he and I are going to discuss hiring more people.”
“Damn, that’s awesome.”
“It is awesome. I can’t wait to see what else you have up your sleeve.”
I smiled, shrugging a shoulder. “Not a lot. I should probably get going though. I am supposed to meet with a private client that wants to hire me to design a boat for him.”
“Wow, you still do that?”
“Not like I have a lot going on.”
My phone started ringing in my jeans pocket. I pulled it out, expecting it to be the man that I was going to be meeting with. It wasn’t. It was one of my top clients. “Hello?” I answered, praying there wasn’t an issue with one of my ships.
I felt like they were all my babies. I had designed every element of the cargo ships and felt a connection to them. There were times, not often, when there was an issue. The people who bought my ships, although I didn’t technically build them, trusted me to fix any problems. That was why I was successful.
“Xander, this is Al Sampson.”
“Hi, Al,” I said as I took a few steps away from Charlie. “What can I do for you?”
“We are having a party, a celebration to thank our hardworking crews and employees in all facets of the company. I wanted to invite you to celebrate with us. After all, it’s your ships that have given us our most profitable year in the company’s history.”
I grimaced and looked over at Charlie. “A party?” I repeated.
Charlie’s eyebrows shot up. “Where?” he mouthed.
I frowned and shook my head. “I can check my schedule,” I said, ready to makeup an excuse for not going.
Charlie’s eyes grew round. I didn’t get a chance to hear what Al said because Charlie pulled the phone from my hand. “Hello, this is Charles. I’m Xander’s personal assistant. He had to step out for a moment. What is it you wanted to ask him?”
I shook my head as Charlie nodded, grinning big. I waited while Al spoke.
“You know, that is an excellent idea,” Charlie said. “He would love to attend. There will be a plus one included with the invitation I gather?”
I groaned, putting a hand to my head. Charlie turned his back to me. “He will be there. Thank you so much. Take care.”
Charlie turned back to look at me with a very satisfied expression on his face.
“What did you do?” I asked.
“We’re going to a party! Free alcohol and food.”
I rolled my eyes. “I don’t need free food and alcohol.”
“But I do.”
“No, you don’t.”
“Okay, maybe I don’t need it, but I want it. I like to party. It will be a great way to meet new people.”
I let out a long sigh. “You mean new women. I think you’ve about run through most of the women in San Diego.”
“Not even close, my friend, not even close.”
“What did you get me into? When is it?”
“Saturday,” he answered.
“This Saturday?” I asked with surprise. “What if I had plans? That’s not a lot of notice.”
“You don’t have plans. You and I know both know that.”
I didn’t have plans. I never had plans. It was why I liked my life.
“Boring,” Charlie said. “You have got to live a little.”
I took a dramatic inhale. “I’m living just fine.”
“Gee, that sense of humor will definitely have the ladies falling at your feet.”
“I don’t care if they fall at my feet or otherwise,” I said. “What kind of party is this? Do I have to wear a tux, and how long do I have to stay there?”
“No tux, but a suit would be a good idea. You have to stay for… let’s say an hour. You can survive an hour, can’t you?”
“I don’t know if I can,” I complained. “I hate these things.”
“You hate anything that pulls you away from your giant house, AKA your compound.”
I couldn’t help but smile. “I like my compound. We could have a party there.”
He curled his lip. “Gee, your company is good and all, but I was looking forward to a little action and I don’t mean sex.”
I wasn’t going to get out of it. He wanted me to go and I had been very neglectful as a friend. I was a hermit. I rarely went out with him. I preferred to hide away from the world. He was a social butterfly. “Fine, I’ll go.”
He slapped my shoulder. “It will be fun. Free drinks are always a party.”
“Do you need a ride?” I offered.
“Nope and neither do you. Free drinks. That