12. Amias
TWELVE
AMIAS
I liked Jackson's wife Chérie. She was down to earth and gorgeous. She was an editor at French Vogue, so Ann and Kara were super impressed with her. On her part, Chérie seemed to be more interested in Hayes and understanding computer linguistics.
"Oh, don't get him started, Chérie," Ann groaned. "Once you get him going, he doesn't stop until our ears are bleeding with boredom."
"I find computer linguistics fascinating," Chérie countered. "Especially with the rise of social media, how we talk to one another is both about learning who we are as a society but also how technology is evolving to meet our needs…or the other way around, right?"
Hayes liked her as well. She was smart and elegant, and shut down Ann and Kara without being a bitch about it.
"I think AI is dangerous," Kara interjected. "I mean…so dangerous. Don't you think?"
"I think it depends upon how it's used," Hayes commented.
While the discussion went into AI, Jackson who was sitting next to me asked how things were with me.
"Okay."
"You and Ann…it's serious this time? When I last spoke with her she said you're going to propose during the Christmas break."
I sighed, "I don't know."
"She's expecting a ring, buddy. She even told me which one so I could let you know."
Ann would have. After Hayes, Jackson and I were closest, and Ann knew Hayes would rather be eaten alive by rats rather than talk to her about marrying me.
"If you're not serious, let her loose," Jackson advised.
"Speaking of marriages, you and Chérie are couple goals, man."
"Yeah?" Jackson grinned wide. "She's amazing. Ah…you're the first to know. She's thirteen weeks pregnant."
"Well that explains the I have jet lag and don't want to drink excuse." I patted him on his shoulder. "Congratulations. This is amazing news."
"I can't believe I got this lucky. You know Ann wants a baby?"
I did. She'd mentioned it several times, asking me why I insisted on wearing a condom when she was on the pill and was it because I didn't trust her.
I did trust her, but I wanted the double protection.
I didn't want to take a chance when I didn't know if we were going to make the long haul.
I didn't want to end up like my brother, not seeing my kid grow up.
"Jackson, I heard about the merger you guys were involved in," Nolan interrupted our conversation.
Jackson picked up his glass of wine and raised it in a toast. "Yeah, man, it's a big deal and I'm excited about it."
"You're like a power couple," Kara commented. "You're a CEO and Chérie is a famous editor."
There was envy in her voice, and we could all hear it.
Kara wasn't good at hiding her green. She showed it whenever she was at one of our homes or someone was wearing a designer dress, bag, or jewelry.
I didn't care what someone's social status was.
Friends were friends. I wasn't like my parents or Ann.
Remarkably, Ann was friends with Kara, but I think it was an unequal relationship where Kara looked at Ann with reverence, and my girlfriend loved having a little pet she could jerk around.
It was a callous thing to think, but it was true.
Nolan, who was always enthralled by money, seemed to have found someone worse than him, and together they were chasing social standing that sometimes came across as desperate.
I wished he could see how good his life already was.
Or maybe I thought such things because money wasn't an issue for me.
"If you need someone in finance," Nolan said to Jackson, "Keep me in mind, I'm looking for the next step in my career."
Jackson nodded. "Sure, man. Absolutely. Let me get my head of HR to connect with you."
Jackson was a good guy. He'd happily help Nolan find a job in his company. I'd sent a few recruiters his way, but nothing had worked out.
"So, I hear you're off to a chalet for Christmas," Kara said, her eyes bright.
"I'm so excited," Ann said. "Amias, your mother told me it's a huge place and if we wanted to bring friends we should."
Crap! Now she wanted to bring along Kara and Nolan, and god knew who else. Already, it was a shit show with my parents. But their place was huge and fully staffed; we could all fit in and then some without a problem.
"I'll check with Vivianna." Ann waved a hand as if to dismiss me.
I knew my mother would say bring your friends because she was, as was Ann, expecting me to propose and would love to already have the house full for an engagement party. She probably had a photographer on tap to come by and get some good shots for the society pages.
"Oh, this will be amazing, am I right, Nolan?" Kara clapped her hands like a child. Nolan smiled and nodded. "Yeah and—" Suddenly his face fell.
I turned around to see what had brought such a shift in his expression and saw Naya with Darren. Her eyes were red rimmed. Her hair was loose around her shoulders. I'd never seen that before, she always tied it up.
I pushed my chair out and rose. "Hi, Naya," I said politely.
She looked like she'd seen a ghost and Darren looked like he wanted to punch someone.
"Darren," I nodded at him.
"Amias," he said gruffly.
"Ah…would you like to join us?" I asked politely. Naya looked heartbroken and I resisted the urge to put an arm around her. The pain in her eyes was difficult to see.
Naya continued to stare shell-shocked at Nolan who looked guilty as hell. Kara's face contorted in dismissal and shame.
"Ah…no thanks," Naya replied softly.
Darren pulled out a car key. "Sparky, why don't you go to the car, I'll join you. I just need the restroom."
"Hi, Naya," Ann chimed. "You're all dressed up."
I wish Ann would shut the hell up.
Naya did look different. She was in her usual black but in a long dress and loose hair, she looked different…good.
"Yes, all dressed up," she said huskily before turning around and leaving the restaurant.
Jackson got up and held his hand out at Darren. "Jackson Bolten. I'm a big fan."
Darren shook his hand, but he was staring at Nolan.
"I thought Kara's aunt was sick," Darren said, his voice gruff, angry.
Kara looked around uncomfortably. "I know you're friends with Naya, but this isn't the time or the place to?—"
"Cut it out, Kara," Darren snapped.
"Hey, you don't talk to my wife like that." Nolan stood up all alpha male.
"You told your sister that your wife's aunt was sick, which was why you couldn't come to the cemetery with her on your father's first fucking death anniversary, you asshole. You're a piece of work, Nolan. First, you don't take care of your father?—."
"I have a family," Nolan bit out.
"And then you make her carry your father's medical bills," Darren was on a roll.
People around us were turning to look at the show.
I put a hand on his shoulder. "Not the time or place," I told him softly.
He shrugged my hand off. "I don't give a shit. You all make me sick. I went with her to mourn your father, Nolan. I was there with her when she was recovering from her accident because you and your wife were busy telling her how ugly her body looked."
My breath caught in my chest. Accident? Naya had been in an accident? I didn't know that. When the fuck did that happen?
"And when she thinks she can sell your dad's house to pay off his medical bills, you know what she finds?"
"That's enough, Darren," Nolan spoke up with false bravado because Darren could probably beat him to a pulp.
"She finds out that your dad mortgaged it to the gills to pay for your MBA. So, she's been making monthly payments while she lives in a shit apartment, can't afford a car, and takes care of your son whenever you want a free babysitter."
He turned to look at me. "And you're the jackass who made her feel like you did her ass a favor by hiring her. You're lucky you have her. She's a fucking great programmer and even I, who knows fuck all about that shit, knows that."
He then looked at all the shocked faces at the table. "Y'all have yourselves a good day. And you're still an asshole, Nolan."
He walked out of there and silence fell at our table.
Jackson and I sat down, and Nolan shifted uneasily. "I don't know who that guy thinks he is."
"It's your father's death anniversary today?" Hayes asked, shaking his head obviously disgusted.
"I mourn my father in my own way. I don't need to go to a cemetery to do it. That's Naya's thing."
Kara stroked her husband's arm. "She's such a bitch, always trying to blame Nolan for her problems."
Hayes got up then and nodded at me. "Amias, you got this?"
"Yeah." He wanted me to pick up the tab for the table. He'd been planning to do it but he I knew he was worried he'd strangle Nolan.
"I have to go, Jackson. Chérie, a pleasure. Ann, be seeing you I'm sure. Nolan, Kara…I have no words. But rest assured if you both are invited to something, I won't be there. I'm fucking done with the two of you."
I watched him leave and Ann gave an elaborate sigh. "Hayes has his panties in a bunch! We need more wine after that scene."
Chérie was not amused. "I'm tired. Jackson, I'm going to take a nap. Okay?"
Jackson kissed his wife, and she said goodbye to all of us and went to her room.
"Is she upset?" Kara asked, obviously stricken that a fashion editor of French Vogue was distressed.
"No. Just tired. Jet lag," Jackson lied smoothly.
The rest of the lunch was uncomfortable as hell, and we closed it down quickly. Jackson and I went for a walk after everyone left.
"That was interesting," he said as we warded off the chill by huddling inside our coats.
"No shit."
"Naya works for you?"
"Not me directly. She works for my VP of Engineering."
"She good?"
"Damn good."
Jackson and I walked in silence. "Nolan and his wife are dicks."
"Yeah."
"Why do you still hang out with them?"
"Habit? And Kara and Ann are friends. I don't know, Jackson, why did you invite them for lunch?" I remarked.
He laughed. "Fair enough. I guess I'd say it was habit as well."
"You want to come over to Switzerland for Christmas? It'll be a short hop from Paris," I offered.
"It'll be a long hop. We're going to be in Palm Desert for Christmas with my folks."
"The scene back there upset Chérie," I stared.
"Yeah, it did. I could tell she didn't like Ann as soon as she met her."
"Why? Most people like Ann."
"Most weak people who want to impress her like her. A strong women like Chérie, hell no. I know you love her, and I love her too, as a friend. I've known her a long time like you. But she's an acquired taste."
I chuckled.
"You still going to marry her?"
"I don't know." I can't marry her. Not when I have another woman taking over so much real estate in my brain.
"You better figure it out fast. Christmas is here soon."
"Tell me something I don’t know."
I went home and called Naya. She didn't pick up, so I texted her.
Me: My condolences. Your father was a great guy. I know you miss him.
Naya replied a half hour later: Thank you.
Me: I'm sorry you had to go to the cemetery alone.
Naya: I wasn't alone. Darren was with me.
Me: If you ever need company for anything, let me know.
She didn't respond to that. I wasn't surprised. What could she say?
"Sorry, Amias, you're an asshole and I don't trust you as far as I can throw you, so no fucking way am I calling you for help."
She wouldn’t be wrong, I thought in self-disgust. I had to do better with Naya. I really, really wanted to.