Cole & Jamie

Chapter 22

Mike was funny. And if his charming personality didn't make me like him the way he's put Cole at ease has. Having his friend around has helped him come back to life so he no longer stood by my side like a stiff piece of wood.
"So Jamie, how do you feel about reality tv?" Mike asked.
"I enjoy it from time to time." I've been sucked into a Real Housewives franchise or two, but it's really more Trish's thing.
A gorgeous woman stepped behind him. Tall, statuesque,her rich brown skin glowed against the satin of her gold dress. "Mike, you said you weren't going to do any work tonight."
"I'm not working," he replied. "I was simply asking what she liked to watch on tv."
The woman turned to me, an apology in her deep brown eyes. "Please, forgive my husband, he's a reality tv producer and workaholic."
"There's nothing to forgive," I told her, "I've been called a workaholic a time or two myself."
"And it's the truth," Cole stated.
Even as he wrapped his arm around my waist I paid his comment no mind.  "I'm sorry, I didn't catch your name."
She held out her hand for me to shake simultaneously showing the off the giant rock on her left ring finger. "I'm Ramona, Mike's wife."
"Jamie." The room had filled up a considerable amount since we arrived. "Ramona, do you work in TV as well?"
"God, no," she said in disgust. "I run a modeling agency."
"You might as well," Mike commented. "All your rejects end up on reality tv anyway."
"Don't remind me." She smoothed her long ponytail over her shoulder. Mona was poised in a way that only a former model could be. Her posture was so perfect that if she stood still long enough someone might think she's a statue.
"You can't help everyone," she sighed.

The four of us fell into easy conversation. If I thought Mike was charming , he had nothing on his dazzling wife, and the two of them together could charm a den of vipers. My worries from the last few days felt silly after spending some time with them.
Ramona has spent the last few minutes showing us pictures of their new puppies, Charlie and Lucy. The two wiener dogs were living better than me if these pictures were any indication.
Cole handed Ramona her phone back. "Mike I had no idea you were a dog person."
Mike frowned. "I'm not. They were her idea, so they're her dogs."
Ramona rolled her eyes. "Tuh, don't let him fool you they have him wrapped around their cute little paws."
"They do not," Mike protested. "I only put up with them because you like them."
"That's why I hear you talking to them every morning?"
"It's enriching for them," he argued. "I'm being responsible."
"Maybe so, but that still doesn't explain the sweaters."
"You buy sweaters for your dogs?" Cole asked.
"I-well they—it's just.."
I bit my lip to keep from laughing as we watched Mike struggle to find his words. He obviously loves his dogs I don't know why he won't just admit it. "Oh, look here comes Neal." He sighed, "Right on time."
Neal was nothing like I imagined him. The man I pictured was squeaky clean, the way most trust fund babies are, and maybe a little more on the generic side. I was completely wrong.
Neal was bright. Flashy. Effervescent. Whatever word you want to use.
His suit was purple and glimmered under the chandeliers. Much like Sugar eyes were drawn to him, even the ones that didn't want to be.
"Friends!" He approached us with his arms wide. "So nice to see all of you."
"Neal, you look fabulous." Ramona complimented.
Neal ran a hand through his thick dark hair, it fell to his shoulders like a fairytale prince. It didn't escape my attention that there was no date trailing behind him.
"Thank you, Roe, that means a lot coming from you."

Cole looked his friend up and down. "You know Rose pulled a suit just like that for me."
Neal laughed, boisterously, "Hah, like you could pull this look off. And you know I only wear custom made suits, she can't pull this off the rack."
Cole rubbed his chest playfully. "Ouch. The least you can do is take it easy on me in front of my date."

He turned to me,his smile growing even bigger. "Ah this must be Jamie. Jamie, it's a pleasure to meet you, I'm Neal."
"It's nice to meet you, Neal." He had the hands of someone who's never worked a day in their life, silky, smooth, and well-manicured. "Your party is amazing. You have great taste."
"Thank you. I hope Cole has been showing you a good time." He whispered, "He's not the most social."
"And you can't whisper," Cole whispered just as poorly as Neal. "I'll have you know we are having a great time, Neal."
"You must be because you're still here. Cole never stays at my parties for long. I guess I have you to thank for him coming at all." Neal still held onto my hands. They were warm and really put me at ease. "You, my dear, are the woman of the hour. I have heard nothing but great things about you."
"Me?" I can't imagine there's been much to tell, but I imagine Cole being in a committed relationship must be big news in his social circle.
"You have Rose to thank for that. She's been singing your praises for two weeks, and I have to say she is right, you are gorgeous," he complimented. He turned to Cole. "I can see why you moved to no man's land."
"One of the many, yes," answered Cole, he rubbed an encouraging hand on my shoulder. "So don't run her off, please."
"I'm always on my best behavior," Neal winked.
Ramona snorted. "Must be Opposite Day."
This did nothing to dampen the grin on his Neal's poreless face. "Don't listen to a word my friends say. I'm an angel."
"Where have you been anyway?" Mike asked, "We've been here for an hour and haven't seen you once."
"I've been buttering up old men all night for their money. And it's been a total drag."
"I would think that is right up your alley. Isn't schmoozing people out of their hard earned money part of your family business," asked Mike.
"What does your family do?" I asked.
"The better question is what don't they do," laughed Mike.
"We dabble in a lot of things, but it's mostly real estate," Neal explained. "All boring if you ask me."
"And what do you do?"
"I'm what they call a Jack of all trades," he shrugged. "I've tried pretty much everything."
"And now you're in fundraising."
"Not for much longer," he chuckled. "Tonight is making me regret my life choices. These guys are being so tight with their wallets tonight. My beauty and charm are only taking me so far."
"Fundraising is difficult," I agreed. "Everyone has to be in just the right mood and you have to say exactly the right thing."
Intrigued, he asked, "Do you have a background in fundraising?"
"It's very,very, small compared to what you're doing but I've done my share of it, yes."
"I have an idea," he said, excitedly. "Why don't you take a lap with me? Maybe you'll be able to help me secure more donations."
"I don't know," I replied warily, "It's been a long time." Nearly a decade, and even then I wasn't fundraising for nearly the amount that Neal is.
He linked his arm through mine. "It's like riding a bike."
I still wasn't sold on the idea. I'm still a complete outsider in this group and I'm still not sure what this fundraiser is even for.
"Come on just one lap and then I'll bring you right back to your stuffy old boyfriend."
Cole raised a brow. "What happened to being on your best behavior?"
"I'm not saying anything she doesn't know, so what do you say, Jamie."
I giggled. "Okay, one lap won't hurt." I turned to Cole, "You'll be okay without me for a few minutes."
"I'll be fine." He leaned down and whispered in my ear, "He's just taking you away to pry."
"I figured," I whispered, before giving him a kiss on the cheek. "Don't go too far."
Neal narrowed his green eyes at us. "It's not nice to keep secrets."
Cole scoffed. "You keep more secrets than any of us."
"Secrets are what keep the world running," he said,flippantly, "And I can't help that people feel safe with me."
I could hear the smart ass comment before it even left Cole's mouth. "Let's use that energy to raise some money," I said before could finish. Looping my arm around Neal's, I led him away from our little group. "We'll be back."
"Let's take our time," Neal said to me as we moved further and further from the group. "I'm sure Cole's already asked you to leave once."
I hummed, not sure if I should answer or not. I definitely didn't want him to think we weren't having a good time, but Cole did spend the first thirty minutes whining about the amount of people who were here. "He didn't."
"You're lying." Neal laughed. "It's okay, I've been to enough parties with him to know how he acts."
"Oh, so you know he hates wearing tuxedos then?"
He nodded, a sly smile crossing his lips. "I do. That's why I make as many of my parties black tie as possible."
"Oh, you are evil."
He shrugged. "Don't tell him I said that or he'll show up in at-shirt out of spite."
"Or he won't come at all."
"I'll just start sending you all the invitations. You'll make him come."
"You have too much confidence in my powers of persuasion." Neal handed me another glass of champagne from a passing tray, grabbing a purple glass for himself.
"I don't think I do. Jamie, I have to tell you a secret."
"Go ahead."
"I don't need your help fundraising."
"All the money has already been raised, I just wanted to talk to you by myself."
"Neal," I laughed. "You could have just said that."
He scoffed. "They would have made fun of me. To be honest I was so jealous when Rose told us about you. I hate being the last to know things."
"If it makes you feel better I've been dying to meet you guys too," I admitted.
"Now that I have you all to myself, tell me everything."