He Shelved My Designs, Then Crashed Into My Bed novel · Chapter 7 of 24
Chapter 7: Black Tie
"And finally," Calvin Gibbes said into the microphone, "our artisan, Mr. Bonneau, who has worked so hard on a budget."
Two hundred people in black tie laughed.
Rett stood at the edge of the Gibbes Home flagship on King Street, holding a glass of champagne he did not want.
Chandeliers hung over the showroom floor, and a hundred sofas had been pushed to the walls to make room for round tables.
His grandfather's suit was one inch too short in the sleeve.
"Mr. Bonneau was good enough to chain one of his chairs to our front door last spring," Calvin went on.
"It was the most press we have had since the hurricane."
More laughter.
A woman near Rett put her hand over her mouth and looked at him with bright, curious pity.
Rett set the glass down on a sideboard.
He crossed the floor, and the crowd parted.
He went up the two steps to the little stage and held out his hand for the microphone.
Calvin hesitated, smiling, with a hand on Rett's shoulder.
"Just a few words from the talent," he said.
Rett took the microphone.
The room went quiet.
"I'll be brief," Rett said. "I'm not much for speeches."
Someone coughed.
"My name is Rett Bonneau," he said. "Two years ago I handed this company thirteen chairs and tables that I built with my own hands."
He let that sit.
"And the sketch of a fourteenth."
He looked at the crowd.
"I'd like to know where they are."
The silence grew teeth.
Somewhere in the back, a glass chimed against a plate.
"I'm told they're being evaluated," Rett said. "I'd like the evaluator to stand up."
Calvin laughed too loudly and tried to take the microphone back.
The rest of this chapter is part of the paid portion of the series. Chapters 1–6 of He Shelved My Designs, Then Crashed Into My Bed are free to read — start from the beginning, then unlock the rest with coins in the app.
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