Conflict of Interest

Chapter 8

As Jackie pulled into the parking building, she was having trouble keeping her hands still. Choosing a park close to the main exit, for safety, she carefully drove her red 2005 Toyota Corolla into the parking space. Her breath was labored as if she had just run a marathon. Checking her reflection in the mirror behind the drivers visor she could see her hands were trembling. Satisfied that her mascara hadn't run, and her lipstick hadn't made its way onto her front teeth, she took another deep breath as she stepped out of the car. The short walk to the waterfront seemed to take forever. She could feel the blood pumping through the veins in her legs. By the time she arrived outside 'The Blue Flamingo', her lungs were screaming for oxygen and her heart was thumping so hard she thought the busker standing next to her would start jamming along with the beat. She checked her watch. It was 7.50pm. Great timing she thought to herself. She couldn't feel her knees and thought they were going to give way as she stepped through the entrance door.

The décor was simple yet effective. Natural tones of off-white wallpaper with mushroom coloured tiles on the floor in the entrance way, leading towards the dark wooden reception desk lit by 3 silver wire pendant lights. Down the back of the expansive room, behind dark round tables surrounded by off-white tub chairs, stood the bar which was set up in a similar fashion to the reception area except for the blue hue that was emanating from behind the rows of spirit bottles.

The Maitre d behind the desk looked up at Jackie and smiled. "Good Evening, Will you be dining with us tonight?"

"Umm, Ah Yes," Jackie managed to stumble out. "I'll be dining with Mr Pitt." Jackie felt absurd saying it out loud, and dreaded the thought that Dom may be playing a cruel trick.

"Mr Pitt hasn't arrived just yet," The Maitre D stated with a grin. "Would you like to wait at the bar and I will notify you when he has arrived?"

Jackie quickly scanned the almost full tables for any faces that may recognize her as alarm and confusion shot into her brain. Not noticing anyone she replied, "Yes that will be fine."

The suspense was slowly killing her as she sat at the bar sipping on her cosmo. 'What if he didn't show at all?' Jackie started worrying that Dom was only playing her. 'What was she thinking by agreeing to do this? Did she really think this relationship was ever going to actually go anywhere?'

She had only been waiting 5 minutes but it seemed like an hour when she heard his sweet sultry voice behind her.

"Was that an earthquake or did you just rock my world?"

"Oh My God! That has to be the worst pick up line I have ever heard." Jackie tried to sound carefree as she swung around in her seat. "You really do need to stop walking up behind me. One day I might think you're a stalker and use my extensive self-defense moves on you."

Taking another sip of her cosmo, she caught Dom's eyes over the rim of her glass.

"That sounds like fun." Dom replied with an amusing sparkle in his eyes. "Shall we move to our table?"

"Yes please."

Dom led Jackie to a door that was hiding just behind the bar. Behind the door was a staircase that led up to a small mezzanine floor with a dining table and two chairs by a large floor to ceiling window that looked out over the harbour. It was just starting to get dark and the sky danced with shades of purple and pink as the sun was starting to set on the horizon. The city lights sparkled as the water seemed to heave with the swell of the tide. It was a magical spot that took Jackie's breath away.

"Well, Is this acceptable for a first date?" Dom looked hesitantly at Jackie.

"Um Yeah. I must admit that this is pretty impressive."