He hands the keys to the valet and comes around to help me out of the car. “Don’t worry. There’s an amazing bar on the roof. I thought you might like to watch the sunset with me.”
I exhale deeply and smile. “I would love that,” I answer as he grabs my hand and takes me into the lobby and up the winding staircase that leads us to a beautiful rooftop patio. John gives them our names and the server shows us to the best table and removes the RESERVED sign. “Wow,” is all I can say as I take in the panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean and the palm trees swaying in the slight breeze, the sun sparkling on the water below us. “This is gorgeous!” Something about getting out of L.A., down to the more easygoing pace of Orange County, is so refreshing. Sure, I had been to a ton of beautiful places in Malibu and Santa Monica, but I still had to be “on.” Whether at a party or a shoot for Gossip TV, I always had to work my ass off at those things, schmoozing and kissing the asses of people I could barely stand to be around. All, except of course, Destiny and Charlie. But I don’t want to think about Charlie right now. I grab John’s hand. “Thanks. This is perfect.”
The server sets our drinks down and we toast the wonderful view. John asks me if I’d ever consider living down here and I tell him I’m not sure. The thought of having Rachel and the kids this far away from me makes me uncomfortable. I sip my drink slowly as Rachel would. John had looked at me funny when I ordered a Belvedere and soda, probably remembering the reunion and how belligerent Rachel got. It was obvious that night that she usually didn’t drink that much. But now, after living her life, I understood why. So much effort went into making sure the kids were taken care of that I almost didn’t blame her if she was too tired to go out, too tired to devote much energy to anything, even John.
I think back to the John and Rachel I knew in high school and in college, the way they lit up when the other was around. The three of us were inseparable, except for the temporary boyfriends that would flit in and out of my life. I was so picky, Rachel would constantly tell me. But the truth was that I wanted what they had and wasn’t willing to compromise until I found it. As I look at John smooth-talking the pretty blond server into moving the heater closer to our table, I realize that I’m still looking for it. And I can’t quite understand why Rachel and John just let it slip out of their fingers so easily.
“So, Audrey’s really been on cloud nine all week,” he says when he turns back to me.
“I know, right? It’s like she’s a completely different person,” I say, smiling to myself and for a split second considering that maybe she’s switched bodies with one of her happier, nicer friends. “What do you think of Chris?” I ask, still feeling a nagging bad vibe.
“He’s a great catch,” John says with a twinkle in his eye. “They say he’s going to make the All-CIF team this year. And that he’s being scouted by USC and Michigan.”
“I know!” I feign excitement before carefully adding, “I just hope Audrey’s not so awestruck by him that she makes bad decisions.” I look at him hard, trying to snap him out of his man crush.
He holds my gaze. “I thought you were the one who was pushing this whole dating thing. Now you’re against it all of a sudden?”
“No! Not at all,” I backtrack. “I still agree that Audrey should be dating. But I’m just questioning whether Chris is the guy she should be dating,” I say, thinking back to the queasy feeling I had in my stomach when he smirked at me, hoping I’m just being paranoid.
“He gave me his word as a man that he would treat her with respect. And I believe him.”
I had forgotten how seriously John considered someone’s promise. Never one for contracts, he was always a let’s shake on it kind of guy. Not exactly popular in today’s overly litigious society, he believed that a person’s word was the most important promise he could give. It was something that had always infuriated Rachel but that I found endearing, and I caught myself smiling at his faith in Chris. Maybe I should have some too.
“Okay,” I concede. “I’m just excited to take her shopping for her formal dress!”
John frowns. “Just promise me you’ll stay off Robertson Boulevard this time?” he asks, referring to the area famous for its designer brands and ridiculous prices.
Even though he’d explained his concerns, it still felt odd to have to answer to anyone about how I spent money. I’d done well for myself, especially since getting my hosting gig on Gossip TV, and I made sure to put enough away so I could live comfortably when they decided I was too old to be in front of the camera.
“Casey offered to pay for it when I told her Audrey was going,” I say, deciding that’s easier than dealing with John’s rage when I bring home a thousand-dollar dress. Because you only get one first formal dance, and I am determined to be the fairy godmother to Audrey’s Cinderella.