31. The Vegetarian
31
THE VEGETARIAN
WYATT
O ne thing led to another. I kissed Odette. I touched her more than I should have. I pulled back and promised to treat her properly. Then, somewhat ashamed of myself, I went back to my room and masturbated furiously, thinking the most impure thoughts I’d thought about anyone in the past three years. Surprisingly, I didn’t feel guilt so much as I did excitement for what was next.
The heavy feelings hit the following day when I called Mom and Theo, and he wanted to know when Papa was coming home. I listened to him cry. Suddenly, lusting after my twenty-something colleague seemed petty and selfish. My son needed me, and we were trapped here until the evening before our return.
On an emotional rollercoaster, I reported to our working breakfast. Odette arrived shortly after, looking impeccable in red. Her skirt clung to her hips, which swayed dizzily as she walked. I’d love to grip her there as she fucked me.
Who was I turning into?
There, the guilt came out. But it wasn’t because I felt I was cheating on Isla. Instead, it was because I was objectifying her. She was young and sweet as I thirsted after her. Who was I to reduce her to this? I smiled right back at her cheerful face as she took a seat.
“There’s bacon.” I tried to distract myself from the way her cleavage peeked out slightly from her dress. “They’ve hidden it in the back.”
“I saw it,” Odette said. “But, Wyatt, I’m a vegetarian. Have been for a couple of years.”
Mortified at last night’s flub, I stammered, “Oh, shit. I brought you a steak. I just assumed?—”
“Don’t apologise, Wyatt. It’s fine. Your heart was in the right place. I did give a bit to Grieg. He says thanks.”
Her graciousness was appreciated, but I made a note. Wherever we dined, we needed a hell of a vegetarian menu. And if I ever invited her to dinner, my typical Midwestern meat-and-potatoes approach wouldn’t work.
The speaker this morning was rather disappointing.
“Typical corporate speak,” I sighed as it ended.
“It was… well, he tried,” Odette said.
“You’re sweet to be so charitable.”
“I have been told I am benevolent, but he did try.”
“The thing is, we’re patting corporations on the back for doing the bare minimum—planting trees sometimes. That’s not good enough.”
A wry smile crossed her face.
“Okay, I get the irony of that statement coming from me, Odie.”
“Yeah,” she giggled. “Given how much I assume your company might make on the deal with Neandian Transit.”
“It’s a big deal, but I did it while not drawing a salary. I am not personally making any money managing the project. It’s a small drop, but it’s important to me. And I haven’t stopped investing in donations, either. It’s… we could do more and don’t deserve promotion for planting a few trees because a local ordinance required it.”
The tone was unintentionally salty.
Odette looked at her lap. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to bring up money. I know not to.”
“Don’t be,” I said. “I said that a little harshly. I mean what I say. I just could have said it a bit more diplomatically.”
She nodded. “Well, should we go to the business meeting?”
“If we were bored before, we’ll be miserable now,” I said .
That elicited a cute smile. “Okay, well, let’s get it over with. I’m going to grab more coffee. You want some?”
“Sure. One cream, one sugar. I’ll grab us prime seats.”
I grabbed a seat in the back next to Mary, hoping things would cool with them now that Odette was in on the open secret. Mary looked self-satisfied, convinced I’d done something with Odette.
“What?” I played dumb.
“You never came back. I didn’t get your text. I can only assume you were too busy with her.”
“I wasn’t,” I said. “We had a productive conversation.”
“Uh-huh. That’s all?”
“There was more—but not that much; calm down. I’m not so brave.”
“And she isn’t, either, I’m sure. She’s a sweetheart.”
I disagreed with that. I thought she would have slept with me if I’d suggested it. She wanted more, but I wasn’t ready.
“I asked her out. It’s probably stupid.”
“You’ll have fun. She’s young, hot, and sweet. You’ll have a good time, which is enough for now, Wyatt. You gotta get back on the horse.”
“Can we not refer to her as a horse?”
“It’s a saying. Could you not take it literally? Get your mind out of the gutter!”
I flushed red.
“It makes me happy to see you wound up, Wyatt. If nothing, I’ve seen you come to life amid this snooze fest. Now, I have to make a speech in a second. I don’t want to.”
I snickered. “You love the sound of your own voice, Mary.”
“Talking about high-speed rail doesn’t exactly get me wet, Wy. I’m not you or The Princess.”
“Oh, there you are!” Odette said in French before switching to English. “Hi again, Ms Vice President.”
“Headache gone?” Mary asked.
“Yes, thanks.”
“Wyatt insisted he bring you something. Hopefully, you didn’t starve. ”
“I didn’t. But only because I ordered some things for myself. He was darling and brought me food, but?—”
“She’s a vegetarian,” I winced.
Mary stared in disbelief.
“I stopped eating animals a bit ago. I love them too much. It’s a personal thing. My sister loves meat and thinks I’m ridiculous sometimes, but it’s important to me. Don’t worry. I’m not here to judge those who eat meat, but I don’t want to eat it.”
“That’s fair. I’ve dated enough vegetarians and vegans at this point. Nothing phases me,” Mary said. “Wyatt loves a steak.”
“I can handle vegetables,” I protested, annoyed.
“Grieg got some steak. That’s my dog,” Odette said. “He’s back in my room.”
“That’s fucking adorable,” Mary said.
She’d torture me about this in the future. I just knew it. Yes, she was obsessed with her dog and didn’t eat meat because she had a bleeding heart for animals, but Odette was a sweet soul. I could manage more vegetables and pets if it earned me a smile.