Chapter 43 #2
I didn’t think I needed anyone else. I’m happy. With Corinne, Taylor, and Lewis. With my books and my painting. I’m fulfilled.
I don’t need anyone, but want…that’s something else entirely, isn’t it? EJ makes me feel desired again. Interesting again. Alive.
When I brought up the idea of him meeting my daughter, I worried he’d think it was too soon, but he was overjoyed by the idea. He’s different from most men his age. Serious. Committed.
And so, here we are. At dinner with my only daughter.
“She’s fiercely smart,” I warn him as we wait for her arrival.
“Like her father was. But sharper-tongued than either of us. She’s also protective in the way people become when they lose a parent too early.
A grandparent, too.” I wonder what Hazel would think of EJ.
She’d probably tell me I’ve lost my mind.
“She sounds amazing,” EJ says, kissing my hand. “Like her mother.”
“She can be shy when she first meets you.”
“I can handle it.” He lifts his glass to his mouth with that charming smile of his.
I add the last two points I should warn him about silently, wringing my hands together in my lap.
She doesn’t like surprises.
She especially doesn’t like when people haven’t earned their place in our lives.
“Oh.” I pause, thinking as he watches me. “Don’t be offended if she’s a little cold at first. When she meets people, it takes her a while to open up, but once she trusts you, you’re stuck with her for the long haul.”
“Then I’ll just have to earn her trust.”
He never seems bothered. Never worried. He adjusts the watch on his wrist, but not in a way that seems like he’s rushing. It’s just a habit.
His phone buzzes, but he silences it. He could be busy as a bee with showings and listing appointments, but he always makes time for the things that are important to me.
When Corinne enters the restaurant, I spot her right away. I stand, hand over my shoulder.
I wonder if she’ll notice the sapphire earrings Michael gave me years ago for one anniversary or another. I want her to know I haven’t forgotten him. This was never about that.
She’s right on time, dressed in a black dress with dark lipstick. Beautiful as ever. She kisses my cheek, then turns to EJ, who stands and holds out a hand.
Her smile is cool, polite, but her eyes are not. She takes his hand. “You must be EJ. My mom’s told me…almost nothing about you.” Her words aren’t sharp, but there’s no warmth to them. She’s caught off guard by his age, I know. I should have warned her.
EJ, if he’s offended, takes it in stride. His charm oozes out as he smiles, shakes his head, and gestures for her to sit. “Well, she’s told me quite a lot about you.” He compliments her book next, telling her he read it and found it “intriguing and unique in all the right ways.”
He lifts his glass to his lips, then pauses to add, “A bit cutting too, if I’m being honest.”
She nods. “Thanks. I never meant for it to be polite.”
We switch subjects, eating and talking about everything under the sun. EJ tries, bless him, but Corinne fences him with every word, shutting down his charm and dodging his compliments as if they were knives.
When he steps out to take a call, a heavy silence falls over the table. I let out a sigh full of anticipation, watching her.
When she doesn’t say anything, I prod. “Well?”
“He seems nice.” Her voice is neutral, not giving me any indication of how she truly feels, though I suspect I know.
“He is nice,” comes my quick reply.
Her eyes dance over my features. “Do you like him?”
I don’t have to think about it. “Yeah. I do.”
“And he likes you?”
I bristle. “Yes. I think so.”
She tilts her head slightly, and I can see she’s holding back.
“What? Just say it.”
“I don’t… I…” She presses her lips together. “He gives me bad vibes. Men like him, they know how to read a room. Are you sure he’s interested in you for you? Does he think you have money or something?”
The back of my neck heats like a stove burner. “Men like him.” I puff out a breath. “And that means what, exactly?”
“You know what I mean.”
“No, I don’t. Tell me.”
She sighs, then unfolds and refolds her napkin on the table. “Well, he’s attractive, for one thing. But also young. He probably gets attention from a lot of women. Why is he spending so much time with someone—” She cuts herself off.
“Someone what, Corinne? Someone old? Someone my age? You’re right, how dare I hope he could possibly be interested in me?”
“You know that’s not what I meant.” She looks hurt, but so am I.
“Isn’t it?”
She takes a breath, her next words careful. “I just don’t want to see you get hurt. Or…or taken advantage of.”
Her words sting, her lack of faith in me hurts even worse. Like a bruise I’d forgotten about until she’d pressed down on it.
“I’m not stupid just because I’m old.”
“Mom—”
I cut her off. “I’ve been judging character longer than you’ve been alive, Corinne. I think I would know if he wasn’t who he says he is.”
She blinks, silent, and looks away. “I’m sorry.”
“I invited you here because I was excited for you to meet someone important to me. I should’ve known this was how you’d react. Should’ve known you couldn’t just be happy for me.”
She opens her mouth to say something, maybe to tell me I’m wrong, but then EJ is back.
He sinks down in his chair, smile fading as he senses the tension. “Everything…all right?”
I can’t bear to look at Corinne, so I turn my gaze to him instead, my voice tight as I fight back angry tears. “Corinne just had something come up. She’s not going to be able to join us for dinner after all.”
Concern washes over EJ’s face, and I’m furious at her for doing this. For embarrassing me and hurting him. “Oh, no. Is everything okay?”
We look at her then, and she hesitates. Something flickers behind her expression—regret, maybe. But she says nothing. Just stands from her seat and walks away.