#anywhere

"You look like you've had a hard time" the guy says

"No. No. Not really. Ah." he glances around the bar; Chelsea?

He doesn' t see her

"You looking for someone?" He asks

"Aren't we all?" he -does- remember some of his Fiona tutoring! He takes a sip of his drink and coughs. (Some of his tutoring.....)

"Easy there.. nothinng to prove" the man says "Don't worry, you seem a nice guy. Nice customers I look after. Mean cusstomers I ggive the low grade stuff to"

"That's kind of you." August slides two $20 onto the bar; far more than the cost of the drink even here.

"Not like that Kardashian on the rage fit"

"Kardashian?"

"She didn't have red hair, did she?"

"More a strawberry blonde?

"

August tries another sip through the tiny stir-straw "She would have been, ah, very upset."

"Even vindictive."

"Yeah that's her. She took her drink to the pool"

August nods and adds a $20 to the bartop. "Thank you." he stands to take his drink likewise to the pool.

And to the pool he goes. There she is, 'sunningg' herself in a bikini, a drink by the side of her towel

August makes his way over (fully dressed albeit in summer clothes) and takes a seat on the next chaise lounge beside her.

She turns at the shiftingg shadow "Hey good look..oh it's YOU"

A sneerr

He nods. "Yes. Do you have a moment to talk?"

"Ohh.. " realization "You don' twant your wife in trouble. This hush hush money? News for you. I won't go cheap"

"I expected nothing less from a DuBois." Not an insult no.... a compliment?

"Perhaps we could discuss it over dinner? My treat."

"Dinner? Sure" She says after a bit . After all, why waste HER cash?

He stands and offer his hand to help her up. "Would you care to change?" Although she -does- have a lovely wrap nearby; still, the air conditioning can be chilly.

"Yeah I better change.. you don't ggget to see the goods.." A hmmph And goes to do so

"Of course not. I will wait for you in the lobby." he responds mildly.

A nod as she goes

August carefully disposes of his drink and waits in the lobby.

And Chelsea returns

He stands. "I'm afraid that due to the current circumstances the hotel is only serving light fare. Or room service. If light fare suits we may dine here, or I'm happy to take you elsewhere. What would you prefer?"

"Impress me?" She smooths her blouse

He offers his arm like an old-time gentleman. "I had the valet bring the car around." as he escorts her to the car; no Prius, this. He opens her door for her!

She slides in "You sly dog, are you ryingg to seduce me?"

August blinks. "Ah..."

The thought had clearly never entered his head, because his head's not designed for that. Which begs the question why Chloe ever looked twice at him. "Ah... just... being mannerly, Chelsea. Polite."

"Oh. Of course"

She looks dubious but waits to be drive

n*

August gets in an off they go!

She waits quietly while they drive. Clearly musingg over how to work this for her

August motors them north through town, and out onto a lonely stretch of highway leading mostly upwards for a while; not a steep grade, this is the midwest, but a general incline up. Ahead in the distance, the lights of some sort of business or settlement.

Lots of room all around it, farm-like.

She eyes it "THis better not be a Cracker Barrel"

"Canterbury Hill winery. The steaks are very good but I'll warn you the seafood is brought in frozen. Missouri, after all." he says quietly "The wines are made there, obviously."

August's phone buzzes or dings, depending on his settings. A text. But of course, he'll have to see it when he's not driving.

"Oh.. hey.. thatt's . fine"

Soon they're parked and he again gets her door and offers his arm.

And in they go.