Bouchard's By the Bay
The car pulled up to the door and the parking attendant took the keys as Rosemary Coulter handed him a tip. Rosemary, Fiona, Faith, and Elizabeth had heard about the hottest place in town. It was called Bouchard's by the Bay. It was rated five stars and word was it had the greatest food and entertainment. The ladies looked around excited to be on the reservation list for a busy Friday evening. Tickets must be purchased in advance, and it includes the best entertainment and world class dining. "I am so excited to be here on this wonderful Friday evening." Rosemary exclaimed in her upbeat voice.
"It is a beautiful establishment. I bet the inside is just as nice." Elizabeth said as they waited in line to be seated.
"This better be worth it for as long as we must wait to get seated. I wonder why it takes so long?" Fiona asked.
"Who knows?" Faith replied as the lady in front of them turned and spoke.
"It is the owner MS. He seats everyone personally and is the sweetest and most handsome man these tired eyes have ever laid eyes on. I have been here about ten times and will continue to come back until someone snatches him up." The older lady remarked with a smile on her face. "You will find this place magical. It is Mr. Bouchard himself that makes it that way."
"Oh well then, I can't wait." Fiona said excited to see what all the hype was about.
"You all have boyfriends and Rosemary you are married, so why would you be interested in that?" Elizabeth laughed as they were next in line to be seated. She had her back to the door as Lucas greeted them.
"Good evening, ladies. What a gorgeous group of young women. How many will you be seating this evening?" He asked with a gorgeous, dimpled smile.
"F-F-Four." Elizabeth stuttered as the women followed him to their seats fanning themselves. He pulled out their chairs and escorted them into their seats.
"Welcome to Bouchard's by the Bay where we strive for nothing less than excellence. I am Lucas Bouchard the owner and would be more than happy to assist you with anything that you may need. He pulled out a yellow rose and with a wave of his hand he turned one rose into four. These are for you as he handed each lady a rose. Every lady deserves a rose. I don't recall seeing you ladies here before is it your first time here?"
"Yes, we are celebrating Elizabeth's birthday." Rosemary grinned causing Elizabeth to blush.
"Well then, I have something very special in store for you ladies. You have aged beautifully my dear. "He kissed her hand causing her face to turn really red. Now what can I get you lovely ladies to drink?" He asked.
"Sweet tea for me." Rosemary said.
"I will have the same." They all replied.
"A wise choice. We have the best sweet tea on the west coast. I will get this in and check on you ladies later. Enjoy the meal and the show." He finished as he headed to the bar to give Mike their order.
"Mike, can you deliver a bottle of the Krug Grande Cuvee 168th edition to that table and have Gustave send out a plate of chocolate covered strawberries on me as well as four tickets to my show tomorrow night as well as anything else they may want or need."
"Lucas you rarely ever give out free tickets, is there a special occasion?" Mike asked.
"Nope just celebrating a birthday. Now I need to seat the rest of the guest." Lucas said as he returned to the door.
"Oh, my goodness. That must be the most gorgeous man I have ever laid eyes on." Faith said with a smile. "There was no ring on that finger."
"Faith!" Elizabeth said poking her in the side, but she couldn't keep her eyes off him.
"What, I'm engaged but not blind. That man is yummy." She said causing the others to laugh.
"The older lady was right. That was most certainly worth the wait." Elizabeth remarked with a smile as she followed him around the room with her eyes.
He was a dashing 6'2 with dark hair of silk. His eyes were dark and expressive. He had the most well-manicured mustache and beard trimmed to perfection. His suit must have cost more than Elizabeth's apartment and it accented his features perfectly.
After a few minutes a waiter brought their drinks to their table. Mike was right behind them with an iced bottle of Lucas's best Champagne and Gustave behind them with a plate of the finest gourmet chocolate covered strawberries. "What is all this?" Elizabeth asked.
"Isn't it your birthday Miss? I am Gustave your chef tonight and these are for you."
"Indeed, it is."" Elizabeth replied.
"These are for you for tomorrow night's show. You don't want to miss it. Saturday nights are the best." Gustave winked.
"Gustave tell me more about your boss. Does he have a wife?" Faith asked.
"Oh no miss. Monsieur Bouchard does not have time to date. He spends every day here and when he is not here, he is doing magic over at the San Francisco children's hospital."
"Man, this might have been the best money I have ever spent." Elizabeth giggled.
The girls laughed and giggled as they followed Mr. Bouchard around the room with their eyes. He stopped at their table one last time before starting the show. "Ladies is everything to your satisfaction?"
"It is divine. Thank you for the tickets, Mr. Bouchard." Elizabeth replied with a smile as she handed him a paper and a twenty-dollar bill.
He kept the paper but returned the twenty. "Your loveliness is all I need. Please call me Lucas and this is on the house. I look forward to seeing you all tomorrow night and ladies have a wonderful evening."
At precisely 7:00 pm the lights dimmed leaving only enough light for the servers as they began to serve the meal. All lights were on the stage as Lucas made his way to the stage.
"I wish to welcome all of you to Bouchard's on the Bay where tonight's show is no other than country music artist Mattie Turner. Please be sure to enjoy the show and get your tickets to tomorrow's magic show. Be sure to make your way after the show to the lobby and get a copy of my book Magic is an Illusion where I will be autographing for thirty minutes. Now without further delay, Miss Mattie Turner."
Lucas made his way to the back to the kitchen to check on dinner. He grabbed his plate and headed to his office. "Lucas, when are you going to slow down and enjoy the company of a beautiful woman?" Gustave asked concern in his voice. "You are not getting any younger."
"I understand that Gustave. I just don't want all the complications that come with falling in love. I have a very busy life and love what I do. I have no idea where I would fit in dating."
" Sir women line up here every night just to see you. Every night you break their hearts. There must be one out there for you."
"I'll think about it Gustave and please don't call me sir. We are family." He took the paper out of his pocket, and it had Elizabeth's phone number on it and said call me.
The show concluded and the ladies got up to head out. "I want to get Lucas's book." Elizabeth grinned. "Wait for me outside."
"Sure, you do." Rosemary laughed.
Elizabeth made her way around the lobby and purchased a copy of Lucas's book. Then she saw him sitting at a table with a long line of women lined up to get his autograph. Knowing she did not want to keep the others waiting she decided maybe she could get him to autograph it at tomorrow's show. She walked out the door and the attendant helped her in as she joined the others to head for home.
"Elizabeth did you get your autograph?" Rosemary asked.
"No, there were too many women. I think the whole place was in line. I would have been there all night. Maybe I can get it tomorrow night."
It was just past 11:00 pm when Elizabeth walked in the door to her apartment. She took a shower and had just laid down for the evening when her phone rang. She picked up the phone. "Hello!"
"Is this Elizabeth?"
"Yes, it is."
"It is Lucas Bouchard."
"Seriously? Why would you be calling me?"
"Why not? I wanted to see if you enjoyed your birthday?" He asked thoughtful.
"Do you always call all your guests on their birthday Mr. Bouchard?"
"No not usually to be honest. This is a first for me. You did give me your number."
"Well, I had a wonderful time this evening. You had quite the line for an autograph. I was unable to wait."
"Bring your book tomorrow to the show and I will autograph it for you."
"You are quite the gentleman Mr. Bouchard."
"Please call me Lucas. Elizabeth can you and your friends come a little early tomorrow? I'd like to get to know you better. I don't have many friends mainly because I don't make time, but that is something I would like to change. Come around to the kitchen door so that you don't make a scene."
"Yes, I'd love to Lucas."
"Great! I will see you tomorrow."