He was referring to the annual New Year’s ball held in aid of St Jude’s Children’s Hospital, a big society event that Greg and his family usually supported with their attendance.
Greg sighed. He hadn’t really thought about it. ‘I’m not sure … maybe. We’ve had the tickets for ages of course so … I think it might feel odd going now, with everything. Will you be there?’
Gennaro nodded in confirmation. ‘Yes, although I need to get a date for the night.’
Greg laughed. ‘That’s not like you. Less than a couple of weeks before an event and no date? You’re slacking, man.’
‘Please, you know me better than that,’ Gennaro replied with a wink. ‘I have a waiting list.’ He looked towards the door. ‘Although perhaps I will overlook the list and aim for someone new, like my pretty friend who just left.’
Greg sighed indulgently at his friend’s antics, and felt grateful that he was no longer in the dating game. He knew Gennaro was telling the truth; the man regularly had several women hanging around, vying for his attention.
‘Well, good luck with it anyway. And thanks again for agreeing to check out my work. But now I’d better get going; I’m doing a few bits and pieces for theNYTand I have to follow through. I hope you have a Merry Christmas, Gennaro.’ He offered his hand and Gennaro took it, pulling him forward into a bear hug.
‘You too Gregorio. And good luck with Karen. She’s a beautiful woman. And I’ll bet she has been hinting about a ring for quite some time, eh?’
Greg shook his head. Actually Karen wasn’t in the least bit pressurising in that regard. While she adored jewellery, she didn’t get sappy about engagement rings, and he’d never once heard her use the words ‘princess cut’.
‘Really? Then she clearly isn’t Italian,’ Gennaro chuckled. ‘Italian women like to know your intentions on date number one. No messing around wasting time, you know? That’s why I adore Italian women, but I do not date them.’ He smiled wickedly. ‘At least, not after the first night.’ He clapped Greg on the back. ‘You are a lucky man to have such a level-headed woman.’
Greg smiled and said goodbye to his friend, but Gennaro’s words had struck a chord.
It was true; Karen really wasn’t the type of woman to buy pre-emptive bridal magazines or squeal over the news of a friend’s engagement.
He thought about his mother, and how Cristina always rejoiced over weddings, baby showers and occasions like that. Sure, he understood that all women weren’t the same, and he certainly wasn’t trying to compare Karen to his mom, but he was struggling to remember if he had ever seen Karen show excitement over the life events of her friends. There was no denying his girlfriend had passion, of course, but the things she got excited about were often holidays they were taking, or a deal she had just closed at work, or even her ability to score some in-demand purse at Louise Vuitton.
In any case, Greg hoped she’d be suitably passionate about how he was planning to propose. The idea had struck him out of the blue that morning, and the more he thought about it, the more he realised it was absolutely perfect for Karen.
Getting back on the bike, he made his way back uptown to put the early stages of his plan in place.
A few minutes later, as he walked to the elevator in theNew York Timesbuilding, he made eye contact with every single person and smiled. He'd have to start memorising faces and names soon.
When he got to Rob’s office, his friend high-fived him before saying anything else.
‘Way to go, man, Billy told me the good news. Lunch – and maybe with a celebratory beer?’
‘Sound good.’
‘Have you got an assignment already?’
Greg nodded.
‘Who's the writer?’
‘Suzanne Lee.’
Rob made a face ‘OK, you'll need definitely a beer. She's a little … demanding.’
Greg laughed. ‘Tell me about it.’
The two men strolled out of the office and out onto the street.
‘Wanna go where all theNYTpeople go?’ Rob asked.
‘That would be cool,’ he replied enthusiastically.
‘Then go back inside and order out,’ he joked, before leading Greg down the street to a diner where half the menu was in Russian.
Their elderly waitress took a long time to take their orders, but Rob and Greg didn't care, they were marvelling over the fact that after knowing each other for so long they would now be working for the same company.
