Back in her suite, Celia lay in bed, staring at the ceiling.
Fantasy Suites. I bet I can put a pitch together.
When she finally closed her eyes, sleep came hard and fast. Seven hours later, she woke refreshed, showered, and headed to Garrett's suite for breakfast.
As she arrived, Garrett picked up his cup of coffee and swung around the coffee table to sit next to her.
"Garrett, I haven't been able to stop thinking about the fantasy suite idea. I was wondering, if I put a proposal together, would you listen to it?"
Garrett smiled. "Of course. I'm always open to new ideas. Who knows, maybe you'll blow us all away."
Reagan walked in from the other room, coffee in hand and dressed to travel.
Celia smiled. "It's pretty obvious, really. I mean, luxury box, fantasy suite— it screams for some kind of union."
Celia continued. "Once you know the parameters, you can increase the size of your supply orders to accommodate both styles, saving you a bundle there. The crossover in stock materials will be significant, and you can switch between them."
Garrett let out a boisterous laugh and stood. "Young lady, you are amazing. I look forward to hearing your plan."
Reagan crossed to the couch and sat on the other side of her.
Garrett said, "I have always been one who attaches to people very quickly. Something about the vibe, I think. I have grown very attached to you in this short time, and I hope that's okay."
Celia tilted her head and smiled. "I feel the same. Hell, I've known you guys for like two days, and I already feel like we're besties."
Reagan hugged her. "Making girlfriends is tough, and I think we may have hit the right chemistry out of the gate. We have to stay in touch."
Celia started to tear up and hugged Reagan. "Oh, there is no getting rid of me now."
Garrett checked his watch. "I'm off to jolly old London. Reagan is heading to New York to work out the final elements of the Yankee deal, and you, young lady, are going to be jetting home with some work to do." He pulled her to her feet and hugged her.
"That's so exciting. But when do I get to see you all again?" Celia asked. Garrett smirked. "I'm back Thursday afternoon. What do you say to onion rings at six at Applebee's?"
Celia laughed. "It's a date."
The three of them exchanged hugs, then headed off for their prearranged departures.
Back in her apartment a few hours later, she scrolled through the Martinelli Winery website, looking for the wine she'd had in the limo. She checked the picture on her phone: Martinelli Jackass Zin. She found it right away. Then she saw the price tag and rolled her eyes: $115 a bottle.
Of course it is.
On a run to the grocery store, she decided to experiment and found a red Zin in the twenty-dollar range with an intriguing label called Federalist. Goodbye to the box, hello to the bottle!
Later, as she unpacked, she hung up the red satin gown with care. She could smell the perfume she had worn. The sense memory of her eighth-grade afterschool dance and Bobby Willow's cologne on her dress came flooding back.
I won't be dry cleaning this anytime soon.
This dress would hang in the closet as a reminder of an astounding weekend. She felt so scandalous when she considered her behavior: the strip club, the shopping, the mansion.
I had sex with a guy I'd never met... wearing a mask! Body count up to six!
After unpacking, she changed into a T-shirt and shorts and started making pasta for dinner.
Pouring herself a glass of her new wine, she held it up and toasted her life. "To frequent orgasms, stiff dicks, and a guilt-free life." She repeated Reagan's toast out loud to remind herself that she was living the life she wanted. "I'm not responsible for anyone's happiness but my own."
Another thought crossed her mind. She googled Garrett Tyler. As the results loaded, it occurred to her that she should have done this before she ever went to New Orleans.
Oops. Well, in my own defense, there was a lot going on then.
Carter, Rod, and Houston all came back to mind.
Garrett Tyler popped up right away, at the top of the list.
Garrett Tyler, born November 27, 1961, is an American businessman and current owner, president, and sole shareholder of SDS Entities. SDS Entities is a diversified company focusing mainly on the construction and management of high-rise office buildings in Texas, Louisiana, Georgia, and Florida.
Tyler is a native of Louisiana, having been born in Baton Rouge. He graduated from the University of Texas in 1981. He earned a degree in electrical engineering with a minor in architectural design. After a two-year stint at Caterpillar Machinery, he founded SDS Entities and secured a contract with the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs. The company built a series of office buildings for government use. Tyler then parlayed that success into the commercial real estate arena and began to purchase office complexes, which were remodeled and leased. Realizing that constructing an office building from scratch was more cost effective, the company branched into construction and design.
Currently, SDS Entities has four divisions: office construction and design, stadium design, commercial real estate development, and luxury suite design and construction.
In total, SDS Entities is the thirtieth-largest privately owned business in the country, with an estimated value of $12.3 billion. It has more than 500 employees worldwide.
Celia nearly fell out of her chair. $12.3 billion! What had she stumbled into?
I guess I don't have to feel guilty about the dress and the wine.
Looking back, Garrett's honest sincerity made him likable and trustworthy. It was no wonder he had become so successful; he drew people to him, welcoming everyone with open arms and a genuine smile. Celia considered herself lucky to have met him.
What the hell were you doing at Applebee's?
Reading further, she learned that SDS stood for Screen Door Slams. OMG, he loved Springsteen! The fates were all pointing her in the right direction.
The concept of a fantasy-suite division became a real possibility. Without a doubt, Garrett had the means to make it happen. She had access to Garrett.
"I have to put a plan together. This could be a real thing!"