The dinner mattered.
Very much.
The three men were considering investing in Victor's largest project yet: a proposed waterfront technology and residential complex projected to cost nearly a billion dollars.
Victor had spent the first hour talking about his success.
He mentioned his private aircraft.
He mentioned his vacation property in Napa.
He told a story about having dinner with a senator.
He pointed through the restaurant window toward a tower several blocks away and casually informed his guests that he owned it.
His guests listened politely.
Naomi noticed something Victor did not.
They were not impressed.
They were studying him.
And now Victor was studying her.
“I said get out,” he repeated.
Naomi carefully placed the wine bottle on the table.
“Sir?”
Victor sighed.
“I requested someone else.”
“I can ask the floor manager to assign another server.”
“No.”
His voice sharpened.
“I don't want another server.”
Naomi waited.
“I want someone competent.”
The words hung between them.