The Ultimate Bet

And there she was. A striking strawberry blonde, dazzling hazel eyes, and an hourglass figure. She smiled and he stepped to her. They stared at each other. Jim started to say something, but stopped.

“You too?” she asked.

“What?” he said.

She chuckled. “Can’t think of anything to say?”

“I guess not. First time in my life that I’ve been tongue tied.”

“Well, then we’ve already got something in common. I’m not usually at a loss for words either.”

“What’s your name?” Jim asked.

“Kate, Kate Connolly. What’s yours?”

“Jim Steadman.”

They stared at each other.

Finally … “Well, Ms. Cannoli … I … I mean … Connolly.” They laughed.

“Sorry about that,” Jim said. “I must be—”

“That’s all right. I kind of like being called a sweet Italian dessert.”

“Are you … I mean, Italian? I figured with a name like Connolly you’d be Irish.”

“Half and half. My mother is Italian.”

Another pregnant pause.

“Are you here with someone?” Jim inquired.

“Yes.”

Jim disguised his disappointment. “Oh. I didn’t mean to keep you away from him.”

Kate smiled. “It’s not a him. It’s my girlfriend. Her uncle is chairman of the foundation.”

Jim swallowed and he snuck out a sigh of relief. “I see.”

“Would you like to meet them?”

“Sure. Lead the way.”

They were married a year later and in five years had three boys. As their sons grew, he and Kate took them to travel the world on their 80-foot yacht or on his private jet. They were a celebrity couple, regularly attending red carpet social and political extravaganzas and hosting magnificent gatherings with big name movie stars and financial giants.