“Screw you,” Danielle said, and stormed into her bedroom, slamming the door.
Everyone fell silent for a bit.
Nicole took a breath. “I know you’re worried for me, but I swear I’m fine.”
Her mother was still furious. “Do you truly think this man is going to commit to you? He’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing. I’ve read about him. Article after article reports him with a different young female celebrity on his arm.”
“Half of that stuff is made up,” she muttered.
“And you believe you’re different than the other girls?” Her mother laughed humorlessly. “You’ll be used up and tossed aside like the rest, when he’s grown tired of you. And then you’ll likely be let go from your job, and your reputation will be ruined.”
“You’ve got it all figured out,” Nicole said, already exhausted. Her mother was notoriously tireless when it came to these things. She would never cede any ground.
Her dad, always the peacekeeper, stepped in. “We just want you to reconsider this affair.”
“I love him.”
Her parents exchanged a particularly worried look.
“I know you think that you love him,” her father started.
“But you’re too young and inexperienced to even begin to know what the word means,” her mother finished.
“I’m not going to stop seeing him,” Nicole said.
“Then you’ll continue this insanity on your own dime,” her mother replied. Her lips were white. “And I mean it. I’ve already taken everything out of the checking account.”
“I have my own money in there, too!” Nicole said. A lot of it, in fact. Well over two thousand dollars she’d saved throughout college.
Her mother shrugged. “Be that as it may—“
Nicole’s voice raised another notch. “What does that mean? You think stealing from your daughter is a good example of business ethics?”
“Don’t be silly.”
“Fine. Do what you want,” Nicole told her. “But I’m not changing my mind. And I’d like you both to leave now. Please.”
“Nicky,” her dad said, his voice horribly sad.
“No, dad. I’m tired. I don’t want to talk anymore.”
They didn’t hug goodbye. Her mother left first. Her father came back and grabbed Nicole’s hand lightly. “We just want what’s best for you,” he said. “Don’t be so hard on her.”
“She thinks she can just steamroll me.”
“I know she’s not always delicate, but she loves you.”
“I know that.”
He smiled and left.
***
The next morning she awoke before her alarm was set to go off. She’d been tired enough last night to fall almost immediately asleep, despite the whole drama with her mom and dad.
But now, bleary eyed and semi-conscious, her stomach was in knots. The fact was, she couldn’t afford to live in this apartment without their assistance. Assistance? They were paying her entire rent.
It was only a few months after graduation and they’d told her she had somewhere around eight to twelve months grace period before she would be expected to pay her own way completely.
But that was gone, now. Unless she tucked her tail between her legs and promised to end things with Red, which wasn’t going to happen.
Of course, if she couldn’t stay in the city anyway, Nicole supposed she’d have to break things off with him. Where would she go?
Perhaps to stay with her good friend Eliza, who had a place outside of Ithaca where Nicole could crash for awhile.
She texted Red before even getting out from under the covers.
We need to talk ASAP.
Surprisingly he responded almost immediately.
Meet me in thirty minutes at Norma’s at Le Parker Meridien, West 57th. I’ll pay for your cab fare.
Nicole had heard of Norma’s, a swanky upscale breakfast spot that was supposed to have the best pancakes in the universe.
She sent Red a response in the affirmative, got out of bed and hopped in the shower.
Twenty minutes later, they were sitting down at one of the small two person tables in Norma’s fancy breakfast nook. The entire restaurant was located in the lobby of the Parker Meridien Hotel. Everyone was very chic, and there were a lot of rich tourists. Foreigners with their kids all dressed up like they’d just stepped out of a Carter’s catalog.
Red looked fabulous and impeccable, as always. He was wearing a silvery-gray suit, with a dark purple and black striped tie. His hair was rich and full, his eyes handsome and dark, and he sported a sexy five-o’clock shadow without looking tired.
Nicole had thrown on a black Polo waist-belt dress and silver colored high heels. Her hair was draped over one shoulder and she’d taken her Prada purse along, considering where they were eating.
“So, what did you need to talk to me about?” Red asked, after they’d ordered coffee from their flamboyant waiter.
Nicole sighed. “I told you, you shouldn’t have gone to my apartment.”
His expression grew concerned. “What did she do?”
“Called my parents, freaked them out about you.”