ANTONY
After Dale leaves, Erin turns on me with narrowed eyes. “What the hell was that?” she demands, and I can almost see the steam coming out of her ears.
“I’m sorry, I panicked. I couldn’t think of a way to say no to Dale without him asking awkward questions.”
“You could have told him you’re not interested in having dinner with his friend’s sister or whatever, because you’re seeing someone!”
“Yeah, but then he’d ask who and--.”
Erin’s nostrils flare. “You don’t owe him an explanation.”
“It’s fine. It’s just one dinner. And this way it will make people less suspicious about us,” I say, the idea sounding completely reasonable. But when I glance at Erin, I realize she doesn’t agree.
“Are you crazy?”
“I know it’s a little out there, but it’s perfect, don’t you think? If Dale spreads it around that I'm dating his friend, then no one will ask questions if they see us together. It’s the perfect cover.”
Erin huffs out a breath. “I can’t believe you’re actually contemplating this. I don’t want to argue with you now, Ant, I have to shower and collect the twins. We’ll talk about it later.”
Without another word, she gets into her car and pulls out of the parking lot, leaving me with warring thoughts battling in my brain.
I don’t want to have dinner with Chantelle, but I know what Dale is like and how he won’t drop any idea he has. It makes him an innovative chef, but also a pain in the ass co-worker. I know the only way to silence him is to give him what he wants.
Hopefully I can persuade Erin it’s a good idea when I get home later.
The moment I step into the kitchen, it becomes clear Dale is not going to drop his deranged idea to set me up with his friend, and all night he goes on and on about how great she is, how much he thinks I’ll like her, how he’s certain she won’t mind me having kids.
-----
When I get back home later Erin is waiting for me in the kitchen. She’s changed into her pajamas and has prepared a light meal for me to end the day with.
“Thank you,” I say appreciatively, settling at the breakfast bar to enjoy the bowl of tomato soup and a grilled cheese sandwich.
“You’re welcome,” she says softly, then her gaze turns serious. “But please tell me you told Dale you changed your mind about the date?”
“He wouldn’t take no for an answer. Believe me, this way is better. I’ll have dinner with Chantelle, but I won’t give her any indication I’m interested in more. I’ll try to be as boring and unappealing as possible, and then hopefully Dale will drop it.”
Erin huffs out a breath. “Seriously? That’s your answer. Just be firm with him and say no.”
“Erin, you don’t know what it’s like working with him every day. Believe me, this way is easier.”
“Fine. Do whatever you think is best.” Erin lets out a frustrated sigh and leaves the kitchen.
I stand up from the breakfast bar, and go to follow her, but at the bottom of the stairs, she gives me a cold glare that tells me this conversation is over for the day.
The following morning, she’s just as frosty with me, and I feel like I’m back to square one. I decide it’s probably best to leave her to sulk. Once I’ve had dinner with Chantelle, and then Dale stops bugging me about it, I’m sure Erin will come around.
-----
The date between me and Chantelle is set for Sunday -- one of the quieter days at the resort -- and as I step into the longue, wearing dress pants and a nice shirt, Erin narrows her eyes at me.
“You know this is a terrible idea,” she says. Elizabeth and Aaron are busy playing in the yard and can’t hear mine and Erin’s conversation.
“It’s too late to back out now,” I reply, and Erin shifts uncomfortably on the couch. “It’s just one dinner. Cancelling now will only make it worse in the long run. I just want to get it over with.”
“And what happens the next time Dale wants to set you up with one of her friends. Or what if Chantelle really likes you, and keeps calling to arrange another date? This will never end unless you’re straight with him--”
“I can’t tell anyone about us,” I insist hotly.
Erin’s eyebrows shoot up. “I didn’t mean that. Why don’t you tell him you’re not ready to date? Why does it even matter what your co-worker thinks of your private life?”
“It doesn’t, but I told you, Dale doesn’t give up easily. I’m worried he will keep pushing and pushing me for an answer, and then find out about us. I swear he’s suspicious about you coming to the restaurant.”
“So, what if he does find out about us? It’s not like he knows Elizabeth and Aaron to tell them. Ryan and Alicia know, what’s the harm of one more person knowing?”
I glance at my watch and see I’m running late to meet Chantelle. “I haven’t got time for this now. I’ll talk to you later.”
Erin doesn’t respond, and I don’t have the time to keep debating the issue, so I rush out of the house and get into my car.
I pick Chantelle up at her place, and she greets me at her door, looking amazing in a lime-green evening dress that compliments her dark skin and cat-like eyes.
She’s an attractive woman, and under different circumstances I’d be more than happy about having dinner with her.
But as Chantelle and I walk to my car, all I can think of is Erin, and the way she practically ignored me as I left.
Why can’t she understand I’m doing this for us?
I’ve made reservations at a restaurant in Wainscott, which is about five miles away from the resort, hoping the distance means I won’t be spotted by anyone who knows me from the restaurant.
That’s one of the drawbacks of being the head chef of one of the most prolific resorts in the Hamptons -- everyone knows you and it makes it hard to go out in public without people coming over to gush about the latest meal they had at the restaurant or begging me to get them table reservations even though our current waiting list is around a month.
My brothers and I are quasi-celebrities in the area. Of course, we don’t compare to the actual celebrities who visit the resort, but everyone knows us and our business. For months after May died, I had diners in the restaurant passing on their condolences.
The way everyone is so involved in each other’s business is another reason I don’t want to go public with mine and Erin’s relationship yet. I’d love to be able to spend time with her and the twins, without everyone gossiping about us and offering up their opinions.
As we pull up in the parking lot outside the restaurant, Chantelle turns to me with a wry smile and says, “You’re not much of a talker, are you?”
“Sorry, I’ve just got a lot on my mind.” I get out of the car and walk around to open the passenger door for Chantelle.
“Yeah, Dale mentioned you’re a single father, and you haven’t dated much since your wife passed. How long has it been, if you don’t mind me asking?”
“Three and a half years,” I reply, feeling guilty that it wasn’t May who was occupying my thoughts.
“Listen, if all this is too much for you, we can take a rain check,” Chantelle says with understanding. The contrast between her and Dale’s cousin Kayla is remarkable, and I idly muse if he’d set me up with Chantelle first maybe things would have worked out.
But then I never would have gotten involved with Erin…
I try to push all thoughts of Erin out of my mind. Even though I don’t intend on having more than dinner with Chantelle, I at least owe her my full attention for the time we are together.
“No, no. It’s fine,” I insist, and then lead Chantelle to the door, where the head of house greets us and shows us to our table.
As we browse the menu, and then eat our meals, Chantelle and I chat about various things. We ask about each other’s jobs, and then when the topic of the twins comes up, I find myself talking about Erin.
“I’d be lost without her,” I admit. “She’s been so good for the twins, and me too. She helps us all see things differently, and I love spending time with her, Elizabeth and Aaron.”
Chantelle pauses with her spoonful of desert halfway towards her lips.
“Please forgive me if I’m making assumptions, but is something going on between you and Erin?
” I feel myself flush, and Chantelle nods knowingly.
“I thought so. Your eyes light up whenever you speak about her. My only question is, if you’re that into her, why are you here with me? ”
“It’s complicated,” I admit.
“Sure, I get that. I dated one of the dads from the day-care centre where I work, and when things didn’t work out, it was awkward seeing him every day. Thankfully, it wasn’t too long before his kid started pre-school and I didn’t see him again.”
“It’s not just that she’s my kids’ nanny. You know what this town is like. Why do you think I made reservations at a restaurant miles away?”
Chantelle chuckles. “Yeah, the Braddock Brothers are certainly well-known, but not everyone in town is a small-minded gossip. Listen, you’re a great guy and I think maybe under different circumstances we could get along, but I’m not willing to date someone who's hung up on someone else.”
“That’s fair, and I’m sorry for wasting your time,” I say, offering Chantelle a sheepish smile.
“No worries. I got a free meal out of it,” she replies with a smirk. “And in exchange, I’m going to give you some advice: Tell Erin how you feel. Life is too short to worry about ‘what if’s’.”
Chantelle and I finish our desserts, and then I give her a ride home. As she gets out of my car, she says to me, “Tell her how you feel.”
Thinking maybe I should take Chantelle’s advice, as I drive home, I think about how I'm going to apologize to Erin. Even though I’m still not ready to go public with our relationship, I realize now it’s unfair to anyone that I keep letting Dale set me up with his friends.
However, when I enter the house, it’s shrouded in darkness. I head upstairs, and enter my bedroom to find it empty, and know that Erin is likely still angry with me so she slept in the spare room.
I vow to make it up to her the following morning.