“I don’t know.” I had to admit I was slightly perturbed at his attentiveness toward Jane. Obviously, he wasn’t that afflicted that I was getting married. What happened to his love for me—the one who got away?
“They look like they are smitten with one another, don’t they?” Sarah continued to stare at them.
“I guess,” I answered curtly.
Sarah looked at my face and laughed. She read my annoyance immediately.
“Be nice. You did turn him down and accept another man’s proposal. Let him move on.”
“I never said he couldn’t move on,” I answered most defensively. I couldn’t look Sarah in the eye. It was a strange feeling, Max showing interest in another woman. I knew I was being childish and unfair since it couldn’t be easy for him to watch Jake doting on me. All the same, I wasn’t used to him giving another girl so much attention. My feelings were unjustified.
Dinner lasted four hours. After seven kaiseki courses and twenty-five sushi courses, our chef graciously bowed and inquired about my favorite dish of the evening. Among the thirty-two courses I could pick out my favorite instantly.
“From the kaiseki menu, I loved the shabu shabu trio of scallop, goose foie gras, and Wagyu beef. And from the nigiri menu, it’s a tie between the Otoro and seared Kama toro. I love the way Otoro melted in my mouth, and the meaty, creamy charredness of the Kama toro stayed on my taste buds for a long while. I can still taste it.” Even after thirty-two courses my mouth watered just thinking about our meal. I added one more comment. “I think I could eat the tamago as a dessert rather than a nigiri. I’d love to learn how to make this savory sweet sponge cake.”
Both chuckled at my dinner nostalgia.
“Dr. Reid, you’re going to have to perform many surgeries to keep up with your future wife’s palate,” the chef teased.
“That’s why I work such long hours,” Jake poked fun at me as well. I pretended to put on a sour face.
After dessert and tea, Nick and Peter got up to leave for a frat party.
“Aren’t you a bit old for this, Peter?” I asked.
“No way. This is how I keep myself young.”
We waved good-bye and the rest of us finished dessert. Jake took care of the bill and we confirmed our wedding menu with the chef as the others went to the garage to retrieve all of our cars. Charlie hitched a ride with Peter and Max, so he got into Sarah’s car. The valet brought up Jake’s car and to only my surprise, he’d brought his two-seater.
“Jake, how am I supposed to go home with you if you bring a two-seater?” Jane let out a weak complaint. We all caught a glimpse of their—Max and Jane’s—giddy mugs. Annoyance clouded my perfect evening.
Our car scenario played out like a bad TV movie. Jake and I were paired, Charlie and Sarah were together, and guess who had to ride home with each other? Max and Jane. Sarah got into her car quickly before busting up with laughter. I gave Sarah a cross look. Jake quickly got me into his car, and we left as well. Once we were out of the garage, Jake, too, started laughing.
“What are you laughing at?” I asked, irked.
“You sound a bit agitated,” he answered and started to howl.
“What?” I asked.
“Well, I don’t think that you have to worry about Max. He obviously isn’t as devastated as you think he is about losing you. But, I worry about you, as your ego appears quite deflated.” Jake’s smug face continued to snigger.
I stayed silent the rest of the ride home.
When we got home, I furtively surveyed the house for Jane. Jake carried me upstairs and whispered in my ears, “She’s not home yet. We don’t do bed checks in this house.”
Perturbed, I got down and walked into my room with Jake in tow. We got ready for bed and he jumped into my bed before I got there, but I was too disturbed to be torn about whether or not to hop into bed with him. I grabbed my pillow and opted for the guest room.
“Emi!” Jake protested. “Don’t be mad. I thought this whole night with Max and Jane was comical—weird, but comical. I don’t know why you are so upset by this situation. Are you jealous?” Jake’s mocking voice disturbed me even more. “You’re making me jealous and insecure now.” His roar continued.