Chapter 3

The dark oak paneled walls of the "Detention Hall" bar were adorned with sconces that gave an incandescent glow to the once gloomy room. Gina and Lauren surveyed the crowd playing a silent game of "where's Waldo", or in this case, "where's Evan". Realizing that they were still a few minutes early, they strode to the mahogany bar and ordered a couple of pints; a Black Rabbit porter for Lauren, and a Pale ale for Gina.

They moseyed over towards the fireplace and commandeered a small leather sofa and high-backed cozy chairs arranged around a small coffee table. From their vantage point, they could see the entire room, including the door. The bar was not nearly as busy as it normally was on weekends, but there were enough people mulling about for the atmosphere to be cozy . The dress code ran the gambit of shorts and flip flops to business casual professionals perusing the cigar selection.

While sipping her pint and surveying the room, Gina heard the distinctly unladylike sound of Lauren snorting into her beverage. One glance at Laurens amusement telegraphed into a quick look at the door.

Yep, that had to be him. Evan Watts stood stock still in the arch of the doorway, looking very out of place. He was approaching six feet tall and looked to be in his early thirties, with dark blond hair and a smattering of freckles. His pleated khaki trousers were paired with a bubble-gum pink polo shirt and were topped with a forest green cardigan sweater draped over his shoulders. Obviously, Evan's idea of casual was borne out of the preppy 1980's golf club scene, circa a John Hughes film. The large black briefcase with brass hardware completed the picture. He looked as if he were trying to desperately look at ease, but was failing miserably.

"Well, Colleen would definitely like his shirt." Gina offered under her breath, before smiling and rising to go save the anxious man.

Crossing the room, Gina donned her special smile and extended her hand. "Evan?" she inquired graciously.

"Ms Roberts?" he offered his hand in turn, looking both surprised and extremely relieved.

"Please, call me Gina. We are over by the fireplace." She pointed to the small grouping and inquired as to whether he would like a drink.

"Well, perhaps a white wine ..Thank You." he stammered and headed towards the sofa. Lauren gave him a cat-like smile, and Gina giggled at the look on Evans face, being torn as to whether to label it abject fear or subtle arousal.

After procuring a glass of pinto grigio for Evan, and signaling the bartender for another round of pints to be delivered, Gina set off to join her party.

Lauren and Evan were in a full blown discussion about legal ethics when she sidled up and deposited herself once again into the cozy leather armchair. It seemed that Mr Watts was a man whose awkwardness dissipated greatly when it came to the law. His posture now radiated confidence, but even through his vehement arguments, it was easy to see a genuine warmth in his personality.

Gina's eyebrows rose in Laurens direction as her friend was subtlety leaning into Evan as she argued her point. The leather sofa was looking suspiciously more and more like a love seat she mused.

Catching her friends look, Laurens eyes grew extremely large for a moment. She quickly recovered and made to include Gina in the conversation.

"Evan was just telling me of a case that he worked in Georgia." she supplied.

"Yes, the historic preservation of the downtown Savannah area was one of my first cases. We were discussing the rather ehhhh, unique approach that they have taken in this particular establishment by using private funding to save what many would have simply thrown to the bulldozer in other places." Evan replied. For the first time, Gina noticed the leavings of a faint southern drawl when he said "Savannah". Lauren looked uncharacteristically glassy-eyed at the blond man. Oh crap, thought Gina. A lawyer, a youngin, and a southern gentleman with a penchant for historical preservation...so much for Lauren being the bad cop.

"So, Evan," Gina re-directed the conversation, "so we are a-go for the full meeting on Wednesday morning, correct?"

"Yes, yes, Ms Roberts," he replied, "a few of my colleagues arrived today and the rest are confirmed coming in tomorrow"

"Please, its Gina. I was unaware anyone else was arriving until tomorrow. Were you able to alter the reservations? Should we have issued additional invitations for this evening?" Gina inquired, fishing for information.

"Well, you see, my boss is quite the thrill seeker, and loves the outdoors, so he came early. I believe he went rafting in the gorge this afternoon. I did extend the invitation when I spoke to him earlier, but I am unsure if he will be attending." Evan supplied. "Please don't take it as a slight Mrs R—I mean Gina. I'm sure he just wanted to take the chance to enjoy your beautiful city, with the benefit of a tax deduction, of course." He smiled coyly and winked.

Lauren, now recovered, interjected. "Gina, did you bring the new branding artwork? I thought Evan would like a sneak preview. They were done by a local artist."

Gina looked down and realized, "oh, you know I left the portfolio in the Subaru...Give me just a second, and I'll grab them."

"No hurry, no worry," said Lauren solicitously, turning back to engage Evan. Gina rolled her eyes at the pair and rose to retrieve the file from her car.

The night had fallen and there was a cool breeze coming off the river from the East. It felt as if it might rain, but was holding out just yet. As she sihjed and looked skyward, she mused that she did like Mr Watts, and that if the rest of ACF were of the same stripe, perhaps this deal might go smoother than she had anticipated.

Upon re-entering, she saw a pair of black river sandals and long legs clad in worn jeans and extending from the previously unoccupied chair. With the chair facing away, she could see little more than that and a tanned arm clutching a pint of dark ale. Lauren and Evan were all smiles as they seemed to re wrapped up in some amusing tale from the new party. All three suddenly erupted in a fit of laughter.

"Ah, Ms Roberts," Evan said as he spotted her, "it appears I was wrong. Allow me to introduce my boss-----"

Sami's smile went blank and the room seemed to go mute as the stranger pulled up to full height and turned to extend a hand.

Oh holy buggering shit.