Chapter 2
Saturday evening had proven to be busier than Friday as the ladies pulled up. They got out of the car and paid the attendant to park. They walked around the corner to the kitchen entrance and knocked. Gustave answered. "Hello ladies. We have your table all ready for you and Mr. Bouchard will join you shortly. Tonight, they would have a private table. It was decorated with flowers and had a wide variety of food samples.
"Are you kidding me?" Elizabeth asked. "This is a table fit for a King. Look at all this food. We won't even need the dinner."
"Elizabeth, what did you and Mr. Bouchard talk about last night." Rosemary whispered.
"Nothing much. It was a short conversation."
"Well, I don't know what you did to warrant all this but thank you." Fiona replied with a mischievous giggle as they all sat down.
Lucas came walking out with a bottle of champagne as he took his seat. "So, I have introduced myself. Let me get to know all of you. Starting with Elizabeth. Elizabeth what is your last name?"
"Thatcher."
"Oh, are you related to William Thatcher?" He asked curious.
"Why yes he is my father." Elizabeth responded.
"He is a very good businessman. I have hosted some of his business meetings here. What about the rest of you?
The ladies went around the table introducing themselves. "Mr. Bouchard, if a man puts this much effort into something he is usually wanting something in return. What would that be?" Rosemary asked with a sly grin.
"Rosemary!" Elizabeth poked her side.
"You are very observant. I do want something from you ladies. I want your friendship. I don't normally take the time to make friends, but I am getting older, and a slowdown is in order. I love what I do, but it occupies almost all my time. Also, if I am being honest, I don't have relationships because I don't want the complications." Lucas responded.
"Sounds like a really lonely life." Faith said solemnly. "Money can't buy you happiness Mr. Bouchard.
"Is that what you all think? I am in it for the money? You are wrong. I do it because I love to meet people and bring joy to their faces. Magic has always been my passion. I have memorized every child in the San Francisco Children's Hospital that has been diagnosed with cancer and I visit them daily usually bringing them magic and hope because that is all that they have is hope and heart. Their smiling faces is all the reward I need." He explained.
Elizabeth could feel her heart swooning at the club owner. He was gorgeous, had a heart of gold, and a good head for business. This was like a dream come true. "Lucas, thank you again for this. It truly was a wonderful gift. Let me apologize for my friends. They can be very outspoken sometimes."
"You all are very welcome. I need to be seating the other guests, but you all enjoy the food and feel free to ask Gustave if you need anything else. It is on me. Elizabeth? I would love it if you would hang out with me and allow me to drive you home after the show?" He asked shyly.
"Will you guys be okay by yourselves?" Elizabeth asked.
"Of course, we are not children." Rosemary replied with a mischievous grin.
"I would love that, Lucas. Thank you." She replied with a grin.
He handed her his autographed book. Then he made his way to the main door to do his usual meet and greet.
Lucas did his Saturday night magic show and then escorted her to his office so he could finish some paperwork before leaving to take her home.
"Did you enjoy the show, Elizabeth?"
"I did very much so. You were amazing, I can't wait to read your book."
"Thank you. I am ready now." He said escorting her to the door, shutting and locking it behind them.
They walked out the back door to the alley where his Porsche was sitting, and he opened the door for her.
"Watch your head, Elizabeth." He said as he helped her in the car.
"Thank you, Lucas." She replied with a deep sigh. She could feel her attraction to the handsome club owner growing inside her. He walked around the car and started it up as they drove away.
"So, Elizabeth, what kind of work do you do?"
"I'm a fifth-grade teacher over at San Francisco middle school."
"Nice. I bet you love that, getting to work with children all day." He grinned.
"Some days are better than others, but I have always wanted to be a teacher."
"I bet that can be exhausting. Between lesson plans, and grading papers." He remarked.
"Yes, sometimes. What about you? You work at the children's hospital every day and then spend all evening at the club how do you do it?" She asked.
"I get restless when I slow down, but I am entering a point of my life where I have been thinking about a change of pace. I have rarely allowed myself to get close to people. I would love to start having a social life. I have not been on a date since I was twenty." He shyly admitted causing Elizabeth to chuckle.
"Twenty? But Lucas women come into the club every night just to see you." She questioned.
"Yes, and they are quite forward about their intentions, but I have a vision of the perfect woman for me."
"Is that so, tell me about her." Elizabeth suggested curiously.
"She will be kind, smart, funny, beautiful, strong, and independent." He told her as he pulled up in front of her house. "Elizabeth, let me walk you to the door, it is dark, and no woman should be walking alone at night in this town." He opened her car door and walked her to the door contemplating how he would ask her to have dinner with him.
"Thank you, Lucas. That was very sweet of you."
"Elizabeth?" He paused. "Would you care to have dinner with me tomorrow afternoon between 3:30 and 5:00?"
"You mean as a date?" She questioned with a grin on her face.
"Whatever you want to call it?" He chuckled.
"Yes, it's a date." She answered.
