Bohemian Evening

Author: Jo Branham
 
Email: jobranham1964@yahoo.com 

Rated: G
 
Summary: What seems to be a wasted evening may turn out to be the
start of a wonderful relationship.

Author's Notes: Special thanks to Barbara Komp for ALL of her help and
encouragement. Believe me, any mistakes are all MINE. And Rachael
[raggers] - thanks for proofreading and the encouragement.

**************


Nick was bored out of his mind. He had thought this was a business
dinner, but actually his father was just renewing the acquaintance of
an old college friend who was in town for the week, Frank McDermid.
Nick wasn't sure why he had been invited along; so far he'd been
pretty much ignored.

"There she is," Frank said.

Nick looked up in confusion as Frank and his father both stood.
Putting down his glass of water, he stood also and turned to look at
the young woman coming towards them. And nearly swallowed his tongue.
She was the most ravishing woman he had ever seen. Ever. And Nick
Fallin had seen lots of women.

"Hello, Duchess," Frank leaned over to kiss her as she reached their
table. "What took you so long?"

"Sorry, Dad," the Vision said. " You know how I get caught up in my
work…"

"Burton, Nick, I'd like you to meet my daughter Francesca."

As Nick took her hand, he flashed that killer smile.

"My pleasure," he murmured, looking into her emerald green eyes. She
was as tall as he, which didn't happen often, and she met his look
with a bold one of her own. He was very intrigued by her. She wore a
white peasant blouse that just barely covered the tanned skin of her
shoulders and a long crinkly skirt in bright colors that fell to her
ankles. Her feet were encased in a pair of cloth slippers the same
green as her eyes.

Frank didn't miss Nick's inspection of his daughter. "Chesy has a
rather bohemian style of dress. I call her `Duchess' because no
matter how she's dressed or what she's doing she still has a regal
bearing. I also call her my bohemian princess," he remarked with a
grin for Francesca.

"She's very lovely," Nick agreed with a smile.

The evening had certainly taken a turn for the better as far as Nick
was concerned. The food, the conversation – everything was perfect.
He learned that Francesca now lived in Pittsburgh, and that she had
been married for a short period of time to an attorney while living
in Boston. Knowing he was wondering about the divorce, but was too
polite to ask, she informed him that her ex had a problem with
fidelity - which led to the divorce.

Overhearing their conversation, Frank broke in to say, "The guy was a
real leech. He didn't want to let Ches go even after the divorce and
all the publicity about his affairs. Most of his clients left him,
of course. He was always coming over claiming he wanted to try to get
back together with her – but it always came down to his needing
money. Which she gave him," he added with a look at his
daughter.

As the evening drew to a close, Nick asked Francesca if she had
driven to the restaurant.

"No, I took a cab. I don't have a car yet," she looked at Nick
expectantly.

"May I take you home?" he asked.

"I – I think I'd like that," Francesca smiled.

"Great." Nick signaled the waiter for the check.

"You leaving, son?" Burton asked, as the waiter appeared with the
check. "No, don't worry about that. I'll take care of the check
tonight." He took the bill away from Nick.

Nick and Francesca rose to leave.

"I, um, I'm taking Francesca home, if that's all right…" he looked
at Frank.

"Fine. I'll see you in the morning, Princess," Frank said as
Francesca leaned down to kiss him good night.

Nick led Francesca out to his car with a hand at the small of her
back. Burton and Frank exchanged glances - and then smiled.

THE END