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computer technology for a living. Real estate investing is my hobby.”
    “Oooo. Computer programming, huh? ” Shanice chimed in. “ If I had never seen you before and you told me that, I would have pictured…well…a tortoise-shell-shaped-glasses-wearing geek.” She spared no words when it came to expressing herself and telling people what she was thinking about them .
    Everyone bu r st out laughing and Quinton almo st choked on his beverage . Michael didn’t seem to think it was the greatest joke because he was the only one that didn’t laugh.
    “What type of real estate do you own?” Michael asked, and again there was no expression on his face and he appeared to be almost demanding an answer.
    “I own four small duplexes, a couple of homes, and two small strip ma lls in Florida. I hear the business is even better in Atlanta for real estate. Do you know anything about that?”
    Even though Michael had a wealth of information about real estate in Atlanta, he didn’t answer Quinton’s question. “A re you relocating here?” he asked instead, giving him a quizzical look .
    “Not necessarily. I have my thing going in Florida right now. I’ve told you how I make money. So tell me…what do you do for your living?”
    “Investment broker. Ironically, I work with clients like you all the time who have a passion for getting into real estate only to realize it’s more work than they’ve bargained for…and even more importantly…requires more money than they have access to.”
    Everyone at the table seemed to be moving uncomfortabl y in their seats at Michael’s comment and underhanded assumption .
    Quinton chuckled, but his voice was challenging. “Maybe you are working with the wrong clients. If they want to be successful going forward, y our company should really look into others ways to expand the client base.”
    Michael got the hint and placed his chopsticks on the table. “No problems there. Our client base is strong. It’s just weeding throu gh the risky guys that have no idea what they’re doing that sucks .”
    “Well! Shall we order dinner?” Christina interrupted the darts that Michael and Quinton were throwing across the table at each other.
    After everyone had finished their dinners and another round of drinks, they were seated having casual conversation, waiting for the waiter to give Christina and Richard the check.
    Michael got up, and on cue , Julissa grabbed her handbag and followed suit .
    He pull ed her chair from the table to help her up. “Thank you all, Christina, Richard…for the wonderful dinner. Julissa and I are ready to call it a night.”
    Myra nodded. “Oh, for sure. We all have t o get up early tomorrow morning.”
    Without asking about the tab, Michael p ulled out his wallet and threw two fresh one hundred dollar bill s on the t able .
    “This was on us, man, you know that,” Richard commented.
    “No problem. I insist. If the tab is taken care of, perhaps this will work as the tip. ” Michael placed his hand on her back , as she maneuvered around the long table to leave.
    “Alright, if you insist. Well, see you guys tomorrow,” Richard said.
    Everyone said their goodbyes and some mentioned they would be headed out as well. Julissa threw up her hand as goodbye to Shanice, who was waving at her. But what she could not resist was taking another glance at Quinton. The look they shared was short, but it was like they had their own secret code through eye contact and they barely even kne w each other.
    Julissa was content with leaving tonight, only because she knew that she would see him at least one more time at the wedding.
     
    **
     
    “See, my friends aren’t so bad, are they?” Julissa and Michael were in the car on the way home.
    Michael shrugged his shoulders. “Your friends were fine.”
    “Dinner was pretty good, too. That’s a nice restaurant. We should go there sometimes.”
    “Dinner was fine. I guess you can expect a new client with…Quinton