Be a Doll(95)
He nodded and smirked down at me, but it had nothing to do with the smile he had on his face last night or even this morning before he left for work. He was reverting back to his public persona, the man he built himself to be and while it made me worry, I also understood.
We stopped at a table where an older gentleman was sitting. He wore a classic suit with a tie of a deep red, easily catching the eyes of anybody staring at him, but what had me staring with more attention was the way the older man looked so much like Santa, but wearing a business suit. His hair, slightly curly and snow white on top of his head and his thick brows of the same color made his appearance more cheery than I would have expected. Without a doubt, it reminded me because of the picture I had from my childhood with my parents when they would make a big production of sending my letter to Santa Claus. Even Mr. Tober’s imposing round belly added to the crazy picture in my mind. Suddenly, smiling wasn’t so difficult or forced.
“Mr. Grimes, right on time as usual. You’re a stickler for punctuality.’’ Mr. Tober stood, swaying a bit and puffing some air as if moving was a bit painful. He shook hands with my husband.
“Punctuality is the soul of business,’’ Mathis quoted with a smirk for Mr. Tober.
“Hm… Let me think. My mind isn’t as sharp as it’s once been.’’ The older man’s clear blue eyes warmed and then he nodded. “Thomas Chandler Haliburton.’’
“You’re good.’’
He waved away my husband’s compliment with a gesture of his hand. “My mother was Canadian and wanted me to know more history facts than necessary.’’ He then smiled at me and it pleased me to see his eyes staying solely on mine. It only made me appreciate that man more even if I had no idea who he truly was beyond his jolly appearance. “You must be Mrs. Grimes. I heard about your wedding to this bright man.’’ He shook my hand and we all sat, Mathis making sure to push my chair under me before he took his seat at my side. I noticed Mr. Tober’s eyes following Mathis’ every move and it became obvious that tonight would be a test. I had known it, but it was difficult to ignore now that I was in front of the older gentleman.
“I’m a very lucky woman. I would have never thought a man like Mathis would ever hold interest in me and want to build a life with me.’’ I smiled at the older man before I exchanged a look with Mathis, hoping it’d be taken as a charming exchange between newlyweds instead of me seeking his opinion regarding my presentation so far.
“My darling,’’ Mr. Tober said in a joyous laugh that shook his belly and colored his round cheeks as he nodded to our waiter to come to our table. “Mathis Grimes is known as the worst workaholic man around here. It’s good to know he was able to find himself a wife in the middle of his workload.’’
“Would you like something to drink to get you started?’’ our waiter said, his smile firmly set as his eyes quickly went over me to settle on my husband as if to ensure he wouldn’t lose a good tip at the end of the night for getting on the wrong side of Mathis.
“Lila?’’ Mathis asked me, voice softer and less distant than the one he’d used with Mr. Tober.
“A Manhattan for me, please,’’ I ordered and unfolded my white napkin on my lap as I let both men order their brand of bourbon. “I believe you’ve known my husband for a while now, Mr. Tober.’’
The man nodded and opened his menu, quickly scanning it before his blue eyes went to mine as I mirrored him and noticed Mathis quietly doing the same. “What, three or four years I believe.’’
“Soon to be four,’’ Mathis added and nodded his thanks when our waiter served our drinks.
“Right,’’ Mr. Tober agreed after taking a small sip of bourbon. “Your husband is very tough in business and he made quite an impression. We would have spent more time together if he had attended more charity balls. He’s quite reclusive, but now that he has a woman in his life I’m sure he’ll be able to get to more charity events.’’
“We both know I’m a generous donor,’’ Mathis retorted, his brows back in their usual frown as he took a larger sip of bourbon, probably to settle his growing nerves. “I believe that’s the most important point of these charity events.’’
The older man’s eyes went back to my husband, turning more serious. “This is true, but socializing is also important. Working hard is important, but relaxing is too.’’
“He knows how to relax,’’ I butted in right before Mathis could retort something that would probably be taken badly. “Mathis is exceptionally brilliant in his work and it asks a lot of him. He enjoys relaxing at home, away from prying eyes and judgments. Also, I’m sure I won’t be teaching this to a businessman like you, but these events are also a mine for business contacts which means that he has to stay focused on work.’’
Mr. Tober smiled at me and then stared at my husband I caught staring at me with a real smile on his face out of the corner of my eyes. His smile softened his face and made his eyes warm.
“You have quite a passionate advocate.’’
“You can say that, Tober, I’m a lucky man.’’
Mr. Tober raised his glass in front of him and smiled at us in turn. “It’s good that you’re aware of it. It’s important to cherish your spouse, Mathis. Believe me.’’