11. Jovie
JOVIE
I stare at the picture of the broken vase that Santino sent me, grinning in my flower shop as I wait Marlowe to come knock so we can go to our weekly girl dinner together. We always try to try a new restaurant. It’s by far one of my favorite nights of the week.
Santino: “ : (. I loved that vase.”
Me: “I might be able to get you another one.”
Santino: “There’s something else I want more.”
Me: “And what would that be?”
Santino: “I think you know.”
Me: “Maybe spell it out for me.”
A knock on the glass makes me jump. When I turn to see Marlowe waving at me through the door, I breathe a sigh of relief.
“You scared me!” I shout so she can hear me.
“Who else would it be?” She applies more black lipstick, using her reflection off the window as a mirror. “Are you ready?”
The doorbell jingles when I swing the door open. “So ready. I need a drink.” I lock the door then set the security system from the app on my phone.
“Same. So many people came into my cat café today asking to sit in a section where no cats were allowed because they were allergic.” She rolls her dramatic black lined eyes at me. “Why come into a damn cat café if you’re allergic to cats? It makes no sense.”
“What did you tell them?” I loop my arm in hers as we start walking down the sidewalk. The restaurant we’re going to is only a few blocks away. It’s one of the most expensive five-star restaurants in the state. We’ve been saving up for this one since it’s eight courses.
Luckily, Marlowe and I do okay for ourselves, so we are able to afford a place like this every once in a while.
“I told them to get out and go to a regular fucking café without cats. People need to use their damn brains. I’m tired of thinking for myself and everyone else around me.
I even made a big sign and taped it to the door.
“DO NOT ENTER IF YOU ARE ALLERGIC TO CATS. IT IS A CAT CAFé. RUB TWO brAIN CELLS TOGETHER TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THAT MEANS.”
I toss my head back, laughing so hard, the people walking by us stare.
I love Marlowe. She has such a short fuse when it comes to people.
She isn’t exactly a people person. I’m not sure why she decided to be my friend.
When she opened her store so close to mine, she came over and bought a few flowers for her opening day.
Ever since then, we’ve been inseparable.
We’re so different. She’s goth and moody, I’m bright sunshine.
Somehow, our friendship works.
“I love that.”
“It’s actually great for business.”
My phone vibrates and I know it’s a message from Santino. I’m impatient as we walk to the restaurant. All I want to do is read what he said. I know it’s going to be detailed and filthy. I love Marlowe, but I can’t wait to go home and get more pictures and videos from Santino.
Tonight, I need to tell Marlowe the truth. She’ll steer me in the right direction. She’s brutally honest and doesn’t really care about hurting your feelings.
A car blares its horn when we dart across the street. I lift my hand in apology, mouthing the word ‘sorry.’ The driver flips his middle finger at me, his tires spinning when he slams on the gas to drive around us.
“Gross,” Marlowe coughs, inhaling the burnt rubber he left on the pavement.
I wave my hand across my face, and we pick up our walking pace, stopping at the crosswalk. We pass a few nightclubs. The lines are long; people dressed in their best to get inside. A few guys whistle at us as we walk by.
“Don’t even look at them.” Marlowe looks both ways before we run across the street. “We don’t want to ruin our appetite for our amazing dinner we are about to have. I’m so excited. I can’t believe it took us six months to get in here.”
“I know. I hope the menu is good tonight. It changes every week.”
“I want a glass of wine so bad.”
“I need them to fill it to the rim,” I grumble.
Marlowe opens the front doors of the restaurant, and the high ceilings and huge, impressive chandeliers have us tilt our heads back so we can see the extravagance. There’s artwork on the ceiling with gold leaf shimmer.
“Welcome to Antoinette’s. What is your reservation under?” The young lady asks, her tone sharp and refined.
“Jovie,” I answer. “Party of two.”
She grins, pressing a few buttons on the screen. “Perfect. Follow me, please.” She doesn’t grab menus. She simply spins around and walks away, her slicked back high ponytail swaying back and forth.
Wow. I’m not sure where to look. The place is stunning.
Everyone who is seated is in a booth, dressed in their best, and drinking luxury bottles of wine.
I feel a little out of place here. Both Marlowe and I have on gorgeous dresses.
Hers is black, like usual, and the torso is sheer.
The straps are thin, the breasts have cups that remind me of seashells, and the entire gown hugs her fit body.
Mine is a plum-colored knee length, A-line cut that flares out at my hips with straps that hug my shoulders. My hair is up in a messy twist since I didn’t have time to do it after I closed the shop. I only had time to change and touch up my makeup.
“Is this alright, Ms. Morgan?” The hostess spreads her arm out, gesturing to a small booth for two. A beautiful mosaic light hangs from the ceiling, the colors a kaleidoscope of colors across the sleek black tabletop.
“Thank you so much. This is wonderful.” I take a seat on one side while Marlowe sits across from me.
“Your server will be with you shortly. In the meantime, can I go ahead and put in a drink orders for you?”
“We will take a bottle of champagne, please. We’re celebrating,” Marlowe informs not only our waitress, but me as well.
The hostess smile reaches her eyes. “How exciting! What are we celebrating tonight?”
“Our friendship.” Marlowe blows me a kiss, and I kiss her right back.
“Aw, that’s so sweet. I wish I had a friendship like that. That’s beautiful. I’ll place that order and your server will bring it to your table with water.”
“Perfect. Thank you, again.”
She gives a tight smile, a hint of sadness in her eyes as they drift back to me, then Marlowe, then she leaves.
I frown, hating that we’ve ruined her night. “Think she will be, okay?”
“Who?” Marlowe asks, folding her hands on the table.
“The hostess. She seemed said after you said we were celebrating our friendship.”
“Oh, she’ll be okay. It sucks being lonely, but she won’t be lonely forever.
What she’s feeling now is temporary. It’s fleeting.
She’ll meet a friend she can count on. Friends sometimes come and go throughout our lives; it’s the ones that want to be part of your family tree who stay and become a part of your history. ”
I reach across the table for my best friend’s hand. “I’m so damn lucky to have you in my life.”
“Yes, you are,” she winks, squeezing my hand in return. “But I am too.”
The guilt begins to eat away at me about not telling her the truth. I have to tell someone and keeping this secret makes me feel like I’m lying to my best friend. That’s not something I do.
“I need to tell you something,” I begin, taking my hand away. Who knows, she might decide to up and leave me here alone.
A concerned expression bends her brows. “What’s wrong, Jovie?”
And of course, that’s when our server appears. He sets two flute glasses down, then pops the champagne and Marlowe cheers, clapping her hands together and her long black nails clink with every tap.
When the server is done, he places the bottle in an automatic chilled bucket, then pours us a small glass of sparkling water. “Good evening, ladies. Is this your first night with us?”
“It is,” we say in unison.
“Perfect. Welcome. Antoinette’s doesn’t have menus. Here is a list of all the courses we will be serving. If you have any allergens or food restrictions, please let me know now so I can inform the chef.”
“We have no restrictions. We’re ready for the best meal in the city,” I say.
“Excellent. Your first course will be out soon, please enjoy the champagne. I’ll be back to check on you soon.” He eyes Marlowe for a few seconds, a gleam of interest in his eyes. I glance at Marlowe to see her returning the flirtatious stare.
“I hope so,” Marlowe practically purrs.
“You can count on it.” He remains professional and backs away slowly.
Marlowe takes a sip of water. “He was cute. I might go home with him tonight.”
“Marlowe! It’s girl’s night. You can’t. We go home after this and continue the party,” I argue.
She rolls her eyes. “Then, tomorrow night I’ll go home with him. I’d never miss out girl night. You know that. Now, what did you want to tell me.” She raises her champagne glass. “To us. May our friendship last forever.”
Our glasses clink. “I’ll drink to that.” I take a small sip; my stomach twisted with nerves.
“Promise you won’t be mad at me?”
She leans on the table, eyeing me curiously. “What did you do, Jovie?”
I blow out a breath and look around, double checking that no one I know is around. “You know how I broke up with Luca?”
“Yes.” She tosses her hair over her shoulder. “Good riddance. What an asshole to do that to you.”
“And remember how I told you he came by to try to get back together.”
She groans. “Please, tell me, you did not get back together with him. Once a cheater, always a cheater, especially a guy like him.”
“No, no. We are done, but…”
Her big eyes round. “You had sex with him!”
“Keep your voice down!” I hiss, noticing a few people glancing over at our table.
“Well, did you? You better not have given your v-card to that asshole, Jovie, I swear,” she seethes, her winged eyeliner appearing demonic when she stares me down.
“No. No.” I shake my head. “I didn’t. I… I might have done something worse.”
She raises her sharp, drawn on black eyebrows, then leans forward. “You did anal?”
“Oh my god, no!” I screech, my face turning beet red.
Marlowe snickers. “Don’t keep me guessing!”