Chapter 241: NY NY

Tuesday, January 24th, Evening

The UBER dropped Fallon Stafford off in front of the bar she was going to. After paying for the ride, she adjusted her jacket and looked at the bar. Fallon took in a deep breath of the cold New York air.

Fallon nodded and walked into the bar. The warm air of the bar hit her as Fallon entered the door. Fallon sighed and unzipped her jacket; she scanned the room until she found Grant Coyle sitting in a booth. Fallon rested her hand on the butt of her pistol, just to feel confident that it was still there.

Fallon smiled and crossed the bar; she strode with as much confidence as she would allow herself. She's Fallon Adams right now, the poor girl trying to make a living, not Fallon Stafford, one of the youngest billionaires in New York City. When she was alone, she would like the attention of people noticing her, even if they didn't know who Fallon is, but she's short, most people didn't expect that yet Fallon enjoyed the attention.

At the table, Fallon removed her jacket and put it on the bench seat. She made sure that her firearm wasn't visible. Slowly, she slid into the booth. Grant looked at Fallon, and not just his mouth smiled. He was into her, Fallon reflected. She returned Grant's smile, and he took her hand.

"You're cold," Grant said.

"It's cold outside," Fallon side, and adjusted herself, not use to the sidearm she now carried.

"Well, it's warm in here," Grant said; Fallon wondered if there's more meaning behind that statement.

"And has good company," Fallon said.

"Well said," Grant said, nodded, "So, let us order and talk."

"What shall we discuss?" Fallon asked, fidgeting a little to get used to the extra weight.

"So, what is bringing you back home?" Grant asked, trying to unpack more of the mystery of Fallon Adams.

"The town is honoring a close family friend, and I'd like to see it happen," Fallon said and got some advice on something I found.

"This must be a big deal," Grant said.

Fallon shrugged, "He's a big deal to me; he helped me with some tough things in my life," she said, and hopefully with one more, Fallon reflected.

"I'd like to meet him some time," Grant said.

"Why?" Fallon asked. Poker face, Fallon, does he suspect?

"He's important to you, and well, I'd like to meet him for that reason alone," Grant said. Is he thinking of moving onto the next level? Fallon mused.

"Oh, okay," Fallon said, knowing most people want to meet him just because he's the famous author Lucas Scott. On the other hand, Fallon realized she never named him, and as far as Grant knew, she's Fallon Adams.

"I'm not saying this trip," Grant said.

"I didn't think so," Fallon said, "but surely one of my trips home, you can tag along."

Grant nodded as the waitress came over. They both ordered a light dinner and drinks. When she left, Fallon looked at Grant.

"So, what is home really like?" Grant asked.

Fallon shrugged, "It's a small coastal town, near a seaport, they're obsessed with basketball, and Michael Jordan came from the same county," she said.

"Ever meet, MJ?" Grant asked.

"I don't recall," Fallon said; she actually met him twice, because of charity work she did down there, and because of Nathan Scott.

"That's disappointing," Grant said.

"I work with someone that lives in Oyster Bay, and they've never even seen Billy Joel, never mind meet him. He did meet Jenna Bush and wasn't impressed," Fallon said.

"Some people are hard to impress," Grant said.

"The same day he met Jenna Bush, he met Bob Beckwith and said that was the highlight of his day," Fallon said.

"Who?" Grant asked.

"The man that stood with President Bush when he addressed the workers at Ground Zero," Fallon said.

"Hmm, I wonder why?" Grant asked.

"Why what?" Fallon asked.

"He found Mister Beckwith more interesting," Grant said.

"He said because Mister Beckwith did something, and her notoriety is because of her dad," Fallon said.

Grant picked up his smartphone and did a quick search. "Jenna Bush-Hager co-anchors the Today Show," Grant said.

"But does that matter if you don't watch TV?" Fallon asked.

"Good point there," Grant said.

"Anyway, it was a nice place to grow up, and I have close friends from there, still," Fallon said.

"Like Ellie?" Grant asked.

"Yes, and I'm good friends with her older sister," Fallon said.

"Were there only two families in that town?" Grant asked.

"No, just our families were very close, so we all grew up around each other and were all similar in ages," Fallon said.

Grant nodded, "So, what's one thing you want to accomplish before you die?" he asked.

"I'd like to sail the Greek Island," Fallon said.

"Really?" Grant asked.

"Yeah, I had a few friends that sailed and went with them, so, always thought it would be fun," Fallon said.

"I guess you're right," Grant said.

"How about you, Grant, what would you like to accomplish before you die?" Fallon asked.

"I'd like to see the art collection in Walberg. Supposedly it's one of the few intact Eastern European Collections," Grant said.

"Why don't you go see it?" Fallon asked.

"Why don't you sail the Greek Islands?" Grant asked.

Fallon knew why she didn't; she's waiting for Keni to graduate high school. "Do I look like I can afford to sail the Greek Isles?" she asked.

"A cruise," Grant said.

"Well, maybe, someday," Fallon said, knowing she wanted a private boat for her trip.

"I'm waiting for the country to stop shooting each other; that's why I've not gone to Walberg," Grant said.

"Good reason," Fallon said with a nod.

The waitress reappeared with their orders. They enjoyed their meal and drinks with light conversation.

Once the waitress cleared the dinner plates, they ordered coffee and dessert. Fallon enjoyed the treatment, men in the past expected her to pay. Finally, Grant looked at her.

"Fallon, why did you kiss me last time we went out?" Grant asked.

Oh shit! Fallon, poker face; Fallon shrugged, "It felt right, I don't… didn't like it?"

Grant shook his head, "Didn't expect it," he said.

They took each other's hands. "Are you scared?" Fallon asked.

"I don't know, maybe," Grant said.

"Well, so am I," Fallon said, "But let's see where this takes us."

Grant nodded, "I'd like that," he said.

"So, would I," Fallon said.

They finished dessert; Grant paid, they left together.