“You don’t have anything on me.”
“I don’t. But there’s someone on the company board here who does. You must have really pissed her off because she’s been crafting this little story for a while...Remember, it doesn’t have to be true, it just has to look true. So, think about that before you open your mouth. In the meantime, figure out a quick way—a two week way, to break up with my gullible son before I do it for you.” She slid her glasses over her eyes and walked out of the room.
I sat back in my chair and thought long and hard about what she could possibly have on me. I’d never been arrested, never been to rehab, never done anything that would scare me if it was brought to the light.
“I’m so sorry about that.” Jonathan walked back into the room. He pulled me out of my chair and smiled. “What was I saying before?”
“Dinner...” I murmured. I wasn’t going to go. I needed to use tonight to think about what his mother had said to me, to make sure she didn’t have anything that could hurt me. I figured I’d use the same “time with my daughters” line since he always bought that.
“Right. There’s a new restaurant down at Fisherman’s Wharf and I’d love to—”
“Rain check? I promised the girls that I would make pasta tonight. Maybe we can—”
“I like pasta.”
“Oh. Well, I’ll bring the leftovers to work tomorrow. Do you want me to pack parmesan cheese with—”
“I can’t come over and have dinner with you and your family?”
What? “Um...”
“Um?” He narrowed his eyes at me. “What type of answer is that?”
“You want to meet my daughters?”
“Do they know I exist?”
I nodded.
“Then what’s the problem?”
“Nothing...” I decided that his mother was full of shit. “Dinner is at seven.”
Jonathan’s Birthday
I gazed into Jonathan eyes as he gazed back into mine. We were sitting at a table in Sierra Mar—sharing our own special silence, talking without saying a word. Even though Hayley was sitting across from us, it felt like we were the only people in the room.
I heard her asking me questions—“Have you always lived in San Fran?” “Are your daughters coming here with us tonight?” “How did you manage to keep this dinner a secret from my brother all this time?”—but all I could say in return was “Not always,” “Not tonight,” and “Umm hmm.”
I couldn’t focus on anything else but the beautiful man sitting next to me. I was still entranced by the hour long “scenic route” we’d taken before we came to dinner, wishing that it hadn’t come to an end.
“Excuse me.” A waitress touched my shoulder, snapping me out of my trance. She placed a three layer cupcake in the center of the table and struck a match that made the starry sparklers dance in lively flames.
“Happy Birthday, Jonathan.” I smiled.
“Are you going to blow out the candles or are you going to wait until your cake catches fire?” Hayley shook his shoulder. “Hello!”
“What?” He took his eyes off me and looked down at the cupcake in awe. He blew out the candles in one breath and looked at me again. “I didn’t know they served cupcakes here...”
“They don’t...But when you tell them your date is Jonathan Statham they’ll make whatever you want.”
“Is that so?” He smiled even wider.
I felt my phone vibrating on my lap and looked at the screen: Ashley.
“Would you two please excuse me for a minute?” I looked back and forth between the two of them. “I need to take this call.”
“Of course.” Jonathan helped me out of my chair and kissed my cheek before I headed to the bathroom.
“Yes, Ashley?” I shut the door. “Is something wrong?”
“Caroline has the car tonight. She’s going to be out until ten with the junior varsity squad...”
“And?”
“I want to get some pizza.”
“Have it delivered.”
“With my friends! Can I please use your car tonight? I promise I won’t wreck it or do anything—”
“No, Ashley. We’ve been through this over and over. It’s up to you two to work out how to share that car. Mine is off limits. Forever.”
“Ugh! Fine!” She hung up.
My phone rang again and I knew it was Ashley. She always hung up in my face and called right back to apologize—and beg to use my car again.
“I accept your apology, Ashley.” I held the phone up to my ear. “The answer is still no. And just in case you’re wondering, I did give Jonathan that card that you and Caroline—”
“Oh, that’s right.” Denise’s raspy voice made me stop talking. “You have daughters...”
“What do you want, Mrs. Statham?”
“I’ve told you about formalities. They’re not necessary. Is there a reason why you didn’t invite me to my son’s birthday dinner tonight?”
Because you’re a bitch... “No, but he doesn’t seem to be missing your presence.”
“Let me speak to him.”