I knew that I shouldn’t mention this latest conversation to Jonathan since it was his birthday, but as soon as the right time came, we were going to have to talk. Regardless of what she had on me, I knew he was way more powerful than she was; he’d definitely put an immediate stop to it, especially since their last few therapy sessions hadn’t ended well.
I took another deep breath and exhaled, standing up to glance at myself. I forced myself to smile and silently repeated my mantra.
You don’t look your age...You don’t look your age...
I stepped outside the bathroom and saw Jonathan heading my way, looking as if he knew something was wrong.
I looked over at the table and realized his sister wasn’t there. “Where’s Hayley?”
“She was sick of us staring at each other apparently. Are you okay?”
“Yeah...It’s just...” It’s his birthday...Lie, Claire. Lie... “Ashley and Caroline are driving me crazy about their shared car again...They called me on three-way to ask about letting them drive my car tonight.”
“You said no?”
“Of course I said no. They need to stick together and share what they have.”
“Okay... Are you ready to go?”
“After you open your presents. Let’s do that first and then—”
“I want to open them at home.” He signaled to the waiter that we were leaving and picked up his gifts. “You sure you’re okay?”
I nodded and placed my hand in his as we walked to the town car. I slipped inside and saw Hayley sitting on the side seats.
“I thought you left!” I leaned over the seat and hugged her. “He said we ran you away.”
“Without telling you goodbye? How rude would that be?” She laughed. “I just needed to have a few minutes away from you two. Your lovebird gazes are quite sickening. Could you please hold off on the PDA until Greg drops me off? I want to keep my food down.”
I blushed. “I’m sorry...”
“Sure you are. I had a great time, but don’t invite me to anything else unless I have someone to talk to.”
“She’ll invite our mother next time.” Jonathan slid in and shut the door.
“Please don’t.” Hayley snarled. “I want to enjoy dinner.”
Jonathan kissed my cheek and pulled me into his lap. “I think she really is crazy...She made need some one-on-one professional help. I’ve been seeing a different side of her in our latest therapy sessions. It’s like something’s really bothering her.”
If only you knew...
Four weeks ago
I looked over Denise’s latest email and rolled my eyes.
She’d created another fake account to send me news articles about cougars. This most recent article was about a Hollywood couple who was going through a tumultuous divorce: The actress was fifty and the actor was thirty five. All the critics were saying “Of course it wouldn’t last,” “It was destined to fail,” and “That’s what she gets for trying to land a younger man.”
In the subject line, she’d typed, “If she was famous, rich, and beautiful and couldn’t make it work, what makes you think it’ll work for you?”
“Rita, could you please have IT block another email address for me?” I buzzed her. “I’m forwarding it to you now.”
“Yes ma’am. Oh, and there was another delivery for you today. Would you like me to bring it in now?”
“Is it a box?”
“No, it’s wine and two more vases of flowers from your over the top secret admirer.” She laughed. “Do you know if he has any friends?”
“I’ll ask him. You can bring it in.”
As soon as I hung up the phone, she walked in with a large bottle of wine and two beautiful vases of pink flowers. The wine was one of my favorite reds—a vintage merlot that was over thirty years old. And like always, my name was etched onto the flowers’ crystal container with the words “Someone very special to me” right underneath.
I pulled the small white envelope from the stems and opened it:
Claire,
I’m looking forward to spending time with you, Caroline, and Ashley this afternoon. Make sure you tell them that there’s a pool onboard.
Jonathan
PS—Come to my office after your next meeting.
PSS—Leave your panties.
I laughed and opened the other envelope that was attached to the wine bottle:
Claire,
Wine is one of few things in life that age well over time. Some would even argue that the longer they age, the better they taste. Some of the best wines can last for decades if they’re stored properly and kept in a chill, dark place. However, even the best aged wines don’t last longer than a day once they’re uncorked and exposed to the air. It’s their Kryptonite; it’s what makes them realize how old they really are.
This Merlot was bottled in your birth year—forty years ago.
I uncorked it for you yesterday, so it doesn’t have much time left.
Enjoy!
Of course she didn’t sign it...