Me: I have time right now, as a matter of fact.
CeeCee: Perfect timing!We just got back to our room.Bellagio. Penthouse 8. See you soon, darling!
90
REED
Not surprisingly, given that CeeCee’s husband is a multi-billionaire, CeeCee’s penthouse at the Bellagio is the biggest, most luxurious hotel suite I’ve ever beheld. Which is saying a lot, considering how much I like to treat myself to the finer things in life.
At first, CeeCee, Francois, and I chat as a threesome while gazing at the neon view of The Strip below. But, after a while, Francois heads downstairs to meet some friends in the casino, leaving CeeCee and me to booze it up as a dynamic duo.
“Okay, darling,” CeeCee says when her husband is gone. “Tell me what’s going on with you. You’re not yourself tonight.”
“Yeah, I’ve got some blood in my boozestream.”
She laughs. “No, I’ve seen you drunk, plenty of times. There’s something bothering you. What’s wrong?”
I sigh. “I can’t stand being away from Georgina. She’s my disease and there’s no cure. I’m lovesick.”
CeeCee pats my arm. “What a glorious reason to be miserable.”
“How the hell do you and Francois live on different continents? Are you not in love with him? I won’t tell, if you’re not. Just tell me the truth.”
She bats my shoulder. “Don’t insult me. Of course, I’m in love with my darling Francois! I hate being away from him, every bit as much asyou hate being away from Georgina. But I’ve got no choice, at least for now. I’m not ready to retire yet. Not even close. So, we make it work.”
I shove my empty glass at her. “Another one, bartendress. Help me numb the pain of my acute lovesickness.”
Chuckling, CeeCee gets up to refill my glass. “I don’t blame you for falling head over feet for Georgie. So have I. I knew she was going to knock my socks off this summer, the minute I met her. But she’s blown away even my highest expectations with everything she’s submitted to me. Especially that piece she wrote on Gates! Have you read it, Reed? It’s incredible.”
My chest swells with pride. “Yeah, I read every draft along the way. It’s amazing, isn’t it? I’m so proud of her.”
She hands me a drink and resumes her seat. “I made it a double.”
“Bless you, Saint CeeCee.”
“Did Georgina tell you? If she’s able to incorporate my final edits and turn in her final draft by tomorrow, we’ll be able to sneak it into the next issue ofDig a Little Deeper,just under the wire.”
“She told me. She’s beyond elated about it. Georgie’s been dreaming of getting published inDig a Little Deeperfor a long time.”
“Well, cheers to dreams coming true.”
We clink and drink.
“Does this mean you’re going to hire Georgina full-time atDig a Little Deeper?”
“Of course, I am. But don’t you dare steal my thunder and tell her. When her internship is officially over in two weeks, I’m going to throw her a little surprise party at the office to tell her. I already told Margot to order a cake.”
I feel euphoric, like this victory for Georgie is my own. “She’ll love a party. She doesn’t have a mom, CeeCee. Little things like a party with a cake... the way you’ve taken her under your wing. That stuff means the world to her. More than you could possibly realize.”
“Aw, Reed. You look so smitten right now. Like you’re bursting with pride.”
“I am. This Gates article... It’s been so inspiring to watch her journey. When Georgina told her dad about Gates six weeks ago, she was so nervous and timid. And look at her now. She’s unstoppable. That article doesn’t pull any punches.It’s incredible.”
“That, it is.” She raises her glass. “Everyone drink to Georginaaaa!”
“Heeeey!”
Again, we clink and drink.
