Cal was wondering what he would say as he approached Gillian. He was glad she had been facing away from the entrance. As he got close, he saw her put her napkin on the table and pick up her purse. She stood and turned right as he reached her.
"Goin' somewhere love?" Cal saw the surprise on her face and then she rolled her eyes at him.
"I should have known. Where did you send Ben?" Gillian was not happy. She started to walk around him but he put an arm in front her and blocked the way. He maneuvered himself so he was in front her.
"Whoa, let me explain." Cal put his hands up in the surrender position. 'Be careful. Don't blow this before you even get started.' "I'm sorry Gillian. You should be angry as hell with me. I have been a miserable ass and there is no excuse for my behavior. Can we please sit down and talk about this?" Cal was aware of the stares from the people seated near them. Gillian caught his glance and followed it. Never one to make a scene, Gillian gave him a stern 'I'm not happy with you at all look.' But she did return to her seat.
Gillian didn't miss the fact that Cal had called her by her first name. At the moment, she was torn between wanting to punch him and being happy he was here.
Cal caught the flash of anger followed by the flash of happiness. "Sorry for confusing you love."
"What are you doing here Cal? I would have thought you would have been at the Roulette table by now." Gillian realized then what his being here might mean. "Oh no, Cal. Don't tell me-"
"No, no, no. No gamblin' for me tonight." Cal reached into his pocket and pulled out the certified check for 1 million dollars. He handed it to her and was rewarded with a smile, albeit a skeptical one. "Tonight, I want to have dinner with my partner and my best friend. And then, if she will allow me the honor, I want to show her how to embrace the Vegas." Cal raised his eyebrows in question.
"Cal. I don't want to embrace your Vegas. I don't like you in your Vegas." Gillian shot at him sarcastically.
"Okay. Fair enough. How about we embrace a new Vegas? Our Vegas?" Cal gave her an anxious smile. 'Please Gillian. Give me this chance…'
Gillian saw the look. She knew she couldn't resist. For whatever reason, she always seemed willing to give him another chance.
Dinner went splendidly. The wine and the food were fabulous. The company was even better. The conversation was kept light. They laughed and talked like neither had a care in the world. Cal paid the check and stood to go.
"What next Mr. Vegas?" Gillian grinned at him. Cal could see the excitement in her eyes. 'She really is like a child at Christmas!' "Oh, don't you worry, love. I've got it all planned out!" He said with a mischievous little grin.
Gillian gave him a skeptical, but hopeful, look. "I trust you." She said. Cal saw the honesty on her face and it warmed his heart. 'God, I really love this woman'. Don't go there just yet-you'll scare the crap out of her.
Cal put his hand on the small of her back and led her out of the restaurant. He took out his cell phone and made a call. All he said was "You can come around now. We'll be out in 5." He looked at her and smiled.
Gillian wanted to ask, but decided not to. She did trust him, so she would go with the flow. When they exited the hotel, he steered her toward a waiting limousine. Her eyes got wide with surprise "Cal?"
"Yes, love?" They were smiling at each other. He opened the door and waved his arm "Your chariot my dear."
Once they were both seated in the Limo, Cal looked at her and said, "You are breathtakingly gorgeous tonight." He saw the pink rise on her cheeks.
Gillian smiled and looked away in nervous embarrassment. She liked when Cal noticed her so why was she suddenly feeling so shy?
"Don't be nervous, Gill. It's just me." He leaned toward her so he could see her face.
Had he just called her 'Gill?' She felt a nervous flutter in her stomach. "I know Cal. It's just…something feels…different." Gillian glanced at him.
"Different bad or different good?" Cal was trying so hard to make sure she was comfortable and that he wasn't pushing too hard.
Gillian saw the worry flash over his face. 'He's nervous. Why?' She wondered. "Good." She replied. 'I hope.'
Cal released the breath he'd been holding. "All right then. Good. Let's go have some fun, eh?"
"Yes." Gillian smiled at him. "Let's go have some fun."