5. Tess
Tess
I t's a beautiful June morning and I'm just arriving back to my house from the barn. Oliver was such a good boy today, doing exactly what I asked him to. He jumped everything that I pointed him at with no complaints.
As I pull into my driveway, I see an unfamiliar black sedan parked in front of my house and wonder who it belongs to.
It's kind of early for delivery people, but they are delivering earlier and earlier these days. Sometimes I wake up and find that I’ve had a delivery occur sometime in the middle of the night.
Do these poor delivery people not sleep?
Stepping out of my truck, I’m quickly approached by a young man in his twenties, dressed in a dark blue jacket. He moves with a confident ease as he approaches me.
“Tess Whitlock?” he asks, his tone professional.
“Yes?” I answer tentatively, glancing around quickly to see if any of my neighbors are outside.
He hands me a to-go cup of steaming coffee.
“Mr. Astor asked me to deliver this to you. I'm sorry if I startled you,” he says, his voice apologetic.
“Oh…okay. Thank you so much,” I manage, amused by the memory of our conversation two nights ago, where we traded playful jabs about my dislike for coffee. Clearly, he wants me to give coffee another try.
I head into the house and set my purse on the kitchen counter.
I carefully remove the lid from the cup.
Taking a whiff and have to admit it smells pretty good.
I don't have any half-and-half to add to it.
I do have some sugar, but I normally don't sweeten my drinks, so I decide just to give it a try black.
After all, they say that truly good coffee stands boldly on its own, without the need for cream and sugar to disguise its flavor.
I take a tentative sip and I'm surprised that it actually tastes kind of good; definitely better than any coffee that I've ever tasted before.
My mind drifts back to the conversation the other night at the bar as it has many times the last couple of days. I still can't believe that Charlie asked me to go to all these weddings with him. I still don't understand why he would want me to go.
He could pick from any woman he wanted, so why me? He explained that he needs somebody who understands the inner workings of the Seattle social system, and although I do understand them, I haven't been part of them in quite a while. Plus, I never liked them when I was part of them.
But when he mentioned that he could get me a job at the Seattle Symphony, I knew I had no choice in the matter. A job opportunity like that was too important to pass up.
I'm going to have to go shopping for some dresses. I don't often wear a dress that fancy. The outfits I wear for symphony performances, though professional, lack the flair needed for a wedding, where sparkling accessories and elegant silhouettes are the norm.
I quickly text Charlie to let him know that I received the coffee.
Me: Thanks so much for the morning delivery.
Charlie: You’re welcome. What do you think?
Me: Not bad.
Charlie: Not bad? It's fantastic. Come on, tell me what you really think.
Me: Not bad is a big improvement on how I usually feel about coffee.
Charlie: Did you add sugar?
Me: No, I don't usually sweeten my drinks.
Charlie: Well, there's your problem. Add some sugar and let me know what you think.
I smile and put my phone down, wondering how to reply.
Just then, my phone rings. It's Jane.
“Hey, babe,” Jane greets cheerily as I answer. “I'm driving into work and thought I'd check in to see what you're up to.”
“Just got back from the barn,” I reply, momentarily debating whether to mention the coffee delivery. It feels uncomfortable so I decide not to.
“How's everything with work?” Jane asks, her tone laced with concern. I know she’s worried about the uncertainties brewing around PacWest’s future.
“Well, apparently, we're allowed to return today. The power's back on, but I'll believe it when I see it.
“Yay! That’s great. I’m sure everything is going to be fine. PacWest has been around a long time. I’m sure they’ll get through whatever is going on.”
I decide I need to say something to Jane about the wedding situation with Charlie, sooner rather than later. Otherwise, it's going to get really weird. And I'm guessing he hasn't said anything to her because, well, he's a guy. And I’m sure if he had told her, she would have already mentioned it.
“So, after you left the other night…”I begin.
“What happened?” Jane prompts.
“Charlie…well…Charlie asked me if I'd be his date. His fake date,” I quickly correct myself and then add, “to the weddings this summer.” I continue to stammer on, not giving her time to respond.
“You know, the four weddings he has coming up.
Your parents…well, I guess your dad, has been giving him a lot of shit about who he's going to bring and whether they're going to fit in.”
Jane laughs incredulously in my ear. “So, he asked you?”
“Yeah, I guess he figured I just know most of the people that will be there and that I wouldn't embarrass him.” I realize I’m holding my breath, waiting for her to respond.
“I totally love the idea,” Jane practically shouts with enthusiasm. ”It'll be so much more fun for me having you there. And we can laugh at all the ridiculous things people say and do. The first wedding is in a couple of weeks at Whidbey Island and Trey and I will be there.”
I feel better instantly knowing that Jane's on board with this.
I didn't think it would be a problem. I mean, it is just a fake date, but I also wasn't sure. Women can be weird about their brothers sometimes. I remember a friend of ours in high school, Amanda, who obviously had a huge thing for Charlie and was always trying to get invited to the Astor’s house when Charlie was going to be home.
Pissed Jane off so badly that she stopped talking to the girl.
“Well, I'm completely uncomfortable about it, but I figured what do I have to lose? Maybe it’ll actually be fun. And there's one other thing.”
“What’s that?”
“Charlie said that he could help me get a job at the Seattle Symphony.”
“Oh my gosh! That’s fantastic!”
“I really need a new job. The idea of having to sell my house, or give up Oliver…I don’t even want to think about it. Not that I wouldn't be his date just to help him out, but I do need the job.”
“Of course, babe,” Jane says. “It’s a win-win for both of you. And for me too!”
I feel my heart rate starting to settle down. Why was I so nervous about telling Jane?
“Charlie's been such a mess with women these days,” she says. “He seems a little lost.”
“Lost in what way?” I ask, way more interested in this than I should be.
“Well, you know, he dated Vanessa for about a year and that went really well until it didn’t.
He seemed to really like her, and things were good, but they just didn't click on all the things. And then her ex was a huge problem. I think Charlie was truly disappointed that they couldn’t make things work.
I’m pretty sure that disappointment is new for him when it comes to relationships.
In the past, he’s just quickly moved on to the next woman.
But I think he’s maybe finally looking to settle down. ”
That’s an interesting tidbit of information. I can’t imagine him settling down. Getting married. Having kids. Moving to the suburbs.
Jane continues. “And then, his buddy Stratton got married to Ariel and I think that threw Charlie for a loop. I’m sure he thought that Stratton would always be single.
I think Charlie's just starting to question everything about what he wants in life and what's important. And that’s a really good thing.”
“It’s tough when all your friends start coupling up. I get that,” I say.
“And then of course, Dad is always on him about what his next move is and why he hasn't settled down. I know that makes him crazy.”
“Yea, your dad is intense with a capital I.”
"Oh my god, tell me about it," Jane groans. "Remember when Trey and I had been dating for like six months and I brought him home for dinner?"
"Vaguely," I say, though I do kind of remember Jane calling me afterward in a complete panic.
"Dad basically conducted an interrogation over the roast beef.
'So when are you thinking about getting married?
' and 'How many children do you want?' and my personal favorite, 'Have you considered what neighborhood you'll settle in?
'" Jane's impression of her father's booming voice makes me laugh out loud.
"I remember now. That was brutal," I say, picturing poor Trey squirming in his seat.
"I was dying. Literally dying inside. I kept kicking Dad under the table, which he completely ignored. Mom just kept refilling everyone's wine glasses like nothing was happening." Jane lets out a laugh. "I was so sure Trey was going to run for the hills after that dinner."
"But he didn't," I point out, smiling at the thought of Jane and Trey's wedding day three years ago. They'd looked so happy.
"No, thank God. When we got in the car afterward, I started apologizing immediately, and Trey just laughed. Said his dad had done the same thing to his sister's boyfriend, so he was prepared. But still—I wanted to kill him. Yeah, intense is an understatement when you’re talking about Bill Astor.
“Well, thank God it all ended well. You and Trey are perfect for each other and now that you live in Portland, you don’t have to endure many family dinners.
Jane laughs. “So true! Alright, babe, gotta run. I’m at the office and have twenty hours of work to fit into an eight-hour day. Wish me luck.”
“Go get ‘em, girl. Talk soon.”
I put the phone down on the kitchen counter and have another sip of coffee. Damn, this stuff really is good. I’ll never admit it to Charlie though.
So, Charlie wants to settle down, huh? That is shocking news to me. He’s dated some amazing women and no one has been able to tie him down yet. Is it all just about timing?
I wonder about that question for myself as well.
I’ve had a few serious relationships over the years and just ended one recently.
I’ve never felt like I’ve been with “the one” though.
They’ve all been good guys and have treated me well.
But not one of them has knocked my socks off. Sometimes I wonder if I’m too picky.
Art brushes against me and says hello with an adorable high-pitched meow. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, aka Art, is my most recent rescue cat. I got him last year when my senior orange tabby, Fred, died. Art is a tuxedo cat with the most expressive gold eyes.
“You’re my one true love. Aren’t you, Art?” Art gives me that kitty slow blink and jumps up on the counter looking for pets.
“You know you’re not supposed to be up here, bad boy.” He turns up his purr machine and headbutts my arm. I give him exactly what he’s looking for—scratches between the eyes and under the chin.
My phone buzzes with a text.
Charlie: Still drinking that amazing coffee?
Me: No. Threw it out.
Charlie: Are you up for getting together to go over wedding plans?
My heart jumps involuntarily. Easy there, Tess. He’s not talking about our wedding for Christ’s sake.
Me: Sure. What works for you?
Charlie: Early dinner tonight at Gonza Tacos? 6?
Me: See you there.
I head into the bathroom to jump in the shower before work. Glancing in the mirror, I realize I have a huge smile plastered on my face.
Girl, you are in so much trouble…