Pre-Dinner Drinks

“I hope you don’t mind, we don’t have to stay long, I just need to get a sense of what she wants for her walls.” Keisha settled into his vehicle.

“No, I don’t mind.” John pulled out of her drive.

They were going by Max and Dee’s place for drinks. Dee wanted Keisha’s advice on wall décor. John and Keisha were going out to dinner. They were seeing each other three or four nights a week now. Sometimes with Mori her daughter and sometimes just the two of them.

They crossed into Port Auckland and turned down toward the sea. Max and Dee lived on the ocean in a little bay.

“Oh it’s a nice house,” she said as he pulled into the drive.

“Yeah, good sized place, nice.” John parked and went around to open Keisha’s door, but she was quicker than him.

“I guess I’m not used to this.” She said stepping out of the car.

“You better get used to it,” he said and gave her a quick kiss before going up the steps to the front door.

He rang the bell and the door was opened by Max Skinner.

“Hi, won’t you come in,” he stepped back holding the door. “Dee, they’re here,” he called out.

“I think we’ve met,” John extended his hand, “John Biebe.”

“Yes we did, Max here; you were in uniform and were constable Biebe at the time.”

“This is Keisha Mallory.”

“I have been in your shop; it’s a favorite of Dee’s.”

“Hi Keisha,” Dee gave her a quick hug, “and John good to see you please come in, Max is bartending.”

After drinks were sorted out John and Max moved to the balcony and Keisha and Dee walked around her living room and dining room to get an idea of what was needed.”

“Color, don’t you think? How do you feel about red?”

“Red, um yes I can see that,” Dee took a drink of her wine.

“And maybe a few pillows, red candles, just a little something to bring it all together.”

“You’re very good at this Keisha, you should be a decorator.”

“Oh no,” she laughed, “I do it for fun, I just have an eye. I think I know just the painting for this wall, and I’ll look and see what’s available for the dining room.”

“Did you get it sorted?’ Max asked when they joined the men on the balcony.

“I think so,” Dee looked up and smiled at him.

“She’s already done my place,” John said, “and I had nothing to start with, you’ve got a nice place here.”

“Thanks, we’re enjoying it,” Dee replied.

“I like the ocean; Keisha lives on the water too.” John added.

“Do you, I love it we’ve our own little beach here.” Dee said.

“I have a little cottage, nothing like this.”

“Max found this place all on his own.”

“It was a bloody hot job traipsing around all over. I wonder if I will ever get used to the climate.”

“It takes a while; at least you didn’t arrive from Alaska.” John took a sip of his drink.

“That must have been a jolt to your system,” Dee said.

“It still is, but I’m getting used to it little by little.”

“How about you Keisha are you from here?” Dee asked.

“I’m from New Zealand, but I’ve been here in Little Timor for a few years. I guess the heat doesn’t really bother me that much, I know when to be outside and when to be inside, like most of the day.” She smiled.

John checked his watch, ”We should be going.”

“I’m glad you stopped by,” Max said.

“Yes so am I, and now that you know where we live do come back?” Dee walked with them to the door.

“Yeah, we’ll do that.” John said.

“We’ll have you over for dinner one night, someone to help fill the space around the enormous table Dee bought.” Max smiled winking at Dee.

“That would be nice, Dee I’ll call you when I have the things pulled and ready for you to look at.”

“Thanks Keisha so much, I’ll be in touch.”

“Good night, have a good dinner,” Max called out and closed the door.

“Speaking of which, what’s on the menu for us?”

“Dinner? Why Max I hadn’t thought of it.” Dee took his arm walking back to the balcony. “Another glass of wine just might encourage my culinary skills.”

“I shall take care of that immediately. “ He took her glass and refilled it.