The irish blessing, p.9
The Irish Blessing, page 9
“It was two months ago.” I swiveled in my desk chair to face the board. “I should erase it, but I haven’t been able to bring myself to do it. The trip to Providenciales was special, and I think about it whenever I look at my board. I’m sure that sounds silly.”
“Special, huh? Care to talk about it? If there’s one thing you learned about me over the years, I’m a great listener. Besides, now you’ve got me curious.” Ross raised a brow in what seemed silent encouragement to divulge my story.
“It’s personal, but I’ll share. I’ve known you too long to keep this to myself.” I straightened up, folding my hands across my lap. “Have you ever done something that you knew without a doubt went against your better judgment, but you went ahead and did it anyway? Something where you let your emotions take control and guide you to a response that wasn’t necessarily the wisest one?”
“I can think of a time or two. What did you do?”
“I fell in love with a gorgeous Irishman when I was in Turks and Caicos, for starters. The whole thing was strange from the beginning. It was like we had some weird bond, and fate kept pushing us together.” I paused a moment, remembering how Shane had seemed familiar to me, more like a long-lost close friend than a stranger. I shook off the thought. “I thought he was there with his girlfriend and tried to do the decent thing and avoid him. That strategy failed big-time, and I fell head over heels for the guy. After I found out the woman with him was his ex-girlfriend, we took a walk along the beach, and things started to get intimate between us. Then this bomb exploded and destroyed it all.” Still feeling annoyed with myself, I looked down at my hands, unsure whether I wanted to go on. I’d thrown all my anger and blame at Shane when it was only partially his fault. Most of it lay on Anna’s shoulders. He was her victim, just like I was. She played us both to get what she wanted—for Shane to stay away from me. Whether or not she knew I was a widow, I didn’t know. But one thing was clear. I should have told Shane the truth that night rather than let my emotions get the better of me and stay silent. The consequence of my action, specifically of my hurt pride, was the loss of a man I cared for and our potential future together.
“Oh, don’t stop now. You have to tell me what happened. What was this bomb?”
“The bomb was a particular tidbit of information that the ex-girlfriend deviously used to make me look like a manipulative liar. To be specific, the guy’s ex saw that we cared for each other, and in her attempt to break it up, she had her brother do some investigating to find some dirt to use against me. Her brother discovered my marriage to Alex, and the ex-girlfriend conveniently texted my Irishman during our moment of intimacy on the beach that I was married. He was upset, of course, and confronted me about it. I was so shocked and furious at all of them that I refused to answer him. We argued, and he walked away. How’s that for a story?”
“Wow. That’s not what I expected to hear. Well, let’s see. You called the guy ‘my Irishman,’ so you must still care about the man. And he was upset, so that makes me think he cared about you. Although, I’d bet the information angered him more because he thought you were using him. But, if you think about it, it could be worse. The ex could have told him you’re an ax murderer or something like that.” Ross put his hand in the air when he saw the look on my face. “Okay, okay. That’s not helping. In all seriousness, I’d say it sounds repairable. Just call the guy and tell him the truth. Doesn’t that sound better than letting your anger and pride get in the way and doing nothing? What have you got to lose at this point?”
“First of all, I don’t have his number. I’d have to contact his cousin in Ireland to get it, and I’m not sure I want to involve her or that she’d even give me the number. Second, what if he doesn’t want to talk to me? It’s been two months, and I’m sure he’s moved on. Plus, as you’ve already guessed, I’m still angry they investigated me and thought I’d cheat on a spouse. I’m not sure I can forgive that. Although I have to admit, my Irishman wasn’t the one who did it. But he did believe his ex-girlfriend, which hurt.”
“Let me ask you something, and be honest with me. Did the Irishman know you well enough not to believe the ex-girlfriend? Did he have a reason to believe you over her?”
I looked down at my lap as I fidgeted with the hem of my blouse. “I guess not.”
“Then get the guy’s phone number from his cousin and call him. I’ll repeat, what do you have to lose?”
“Fine. I’ll think about it.” I brushed a strand of hair from my cheek and looked at Ross. “All right. Enough of my drama. What’s up? I know you didn’t come into my office to talk about my whiteboard or a broken heart.”
“No, I didn’t. I came in here to let you know a bunch of us are going out for a drink after work, and you’re welcome to join us. We’ll be at Brindle’s Pub if you’re interested.” Ross leaned forward, his forearm on my desk. “You might need a drink after you finish that project. There’s tons of data to sift through.”
“I can’t go. I have a date, although Brindle’s sounds more fun.”
“A date? Who’s the lucky guy?” Ross rubbed his chin as he cocked an eyebrow at me.
“He’s a client of Mel’s, a real estate mogul from what I understand. I don’t know why I listened to her and let her set me up.” I shook my head. I was having second thoughts about tonight. “Mel’s company is doing a pricey remodel at the guy’s house. He was in her office going over the plans when he saw a picture of the two of us on Mel’s desk. He inquired about me, which led to Mel setting me up on the date. God only knows what I’m getting myself into tonight. Mel keeps telling me the guy is perfect for me, but her idea of perfect is typically different from mine.”
“So, where’s he taking you? Someplace special, I hope.”
“He’s picking me up at seven o’clock and taking me to Chez Maddison in Del Mar.”
“That place is over the top. It’s supposed to be one of the best fine dining restaurants in the North County. I better leave you alone, so you can work on that project and get out of here in time to make your date.” Ross stood and walked over to my door. He started to leave and then stopped. “I want a full report on Monday morning on how your date went.”
“Yes, sir.” I chuckled and waved him out of my office. I needed to get back to work.
*
I jumped at the sudden knocking on my window. Engrossed in my project, I’d lost track of the time. I swiveled in my chair, spotting Nicole waving at me from the walkway outside my office. Aware she was stopping by this afternoon, I motioned for her to hold on. Then I hurried to the employee entrance at the side of the building and opened the wood and glass door to let her in. “Thanks for stopping by. Do you have time to chat, or are you just dropping off my cookies?”
“I can chat. And before I forget, Gabby wanted me to thank you for your order. She was one of her troop’s top sellers.” Nicole handed me a plastic grocery bag full of Girl Scout cookies.
“Oh boy. Just what I needed. Tell my niece she’s welcome and contributing to the delinquency of a chocoholic. I bet I eat a whole box by the time I go home.”
“Better you than me. I’ve already had more than my share.”
I led Nicole to my office. Although swamped with work, I was pleased to see her. It had been weeks since we’d talked. “So, how’s my favorite sister-in-law doing? I haven’t seen you in quite a while.” I motioned her to the chair Ross had vacated two hours earlier and sat at my desk.
“You’re in a quirky mood. I happen to be your only sister-in-law unless you’ve remarried and forgot to tell me about it.” She pulled her long sandy-blond hair with the bright pink ends away from her face, tucking it behind her ears.
“Nope. No marriage for me, especially since I’d have to be in a relationship for that to happen. So, what have you been up to?”
“Not much, just the same old stuff. We’re riding the motorcycles out to Borrego at the end of next month for Kurt’s birthday. Everybody will be there, and I was hoping you’d join us. It’ll be fun. You can come out for the day if you don’t want to spend the weekend there. We’ll be staying where we usually do at that motor lodge off the highway.”
“Thanks for the invitation, but I can’t do it. Being with the group again would bring back too many memories, more so since it’ll be out in Borrego. That’s the last place Alex and I were together, and he died on his way back from that weekend trip.” The mere mention of the place started to bring back painful memories, so I knew I couldn’t deal with seeing it again.
“Come on. I know you miss my brother. We all do. But it’s time you moved on. Alex would want you to do that. So, at least think about it. Okay? Jesse said you could ride out with him if you decide to join us. You know he’s been interested in you for a long time.”
“I’m aware Jesse likes me and has since well before Alex died. He’s made that abundantly clear, and I prefer to stay as far away from him as possible. I don’t like or trust the man. He has a dark side, and I’ve seen firsthand how he treats his girlfriends. Your brother must be rolling over in his grave right now at your suggestion.” I clenched my jaw, irritated at Nicole for even thinking I’d have anything to do with Jesse. He couldn’t be more different from Alex, and Jesse’s principles were far from acceptable. “Don’t forget, I was on that motorcycle run with Alex when Jesse’s girlfriend suddenly had a black eye and split lip after arguing with him the night before. I remember your brother asking what happened and Jesse offering up a lame story. I’m sure you recall how pissed off your brother was, especially when he told Jesse there’d be hell to pay if he touched another woman like that again.”
“All right. I remember the incident.” Nicole shifted in her chair. “But Jesse isn’t all bad, and he wouldn’t dare touch you. Call me if you change your mind, and we’ll work it out.”
“Nicole—I’m not going, and why are you pushing Jesse on me? What’s up with that?”
“Nothing’s up.” Nicole shifted her gaze to the carpet, her hands fidgeting in her lap.
Something was going on, and she wasn’t going to tell me what it was. If I had to guess, I’d say it had to do with her husband, Kurt, who was widely known as an asshole. There was an unspoken dislike between him and Alex, with Alex only tolerating Kurt because he’d married Nicole. “Well, I need to get back to work. I have a deadline to meet on a project Ross gave me.”
“No problem. I need to get going anyway. Oh, before I go, Kurt wanted me to ask what you plan to do with the Knucklehead? He said he’d be more than happy to take the motorcycle off your hands.” Nicole shifted her gaze once again. This time she was staring out my window at the parking lot.
“I can’t believe you. Besides the fact we’ve already had this discussion, you of all people should know I won’t part with Alex’s bike. Besides being a vintage motorcycle, it was his pride and joy. So, no. Kurt can’t have it.”
“I’m only asking because Kurt told me to. What are you going to do with the motorcycle anyway? It’s not like you can ride it. Wouldn’t you rather have Kurt take it out on the road and enjoy it than let it sit in your garage?” Nicole crossed her arms, looking defiant.
“First, you need to tell Kurt the answer is still a resounding no, and I’m not going to change my mind. Second, he better stop asking me.”
“Fine. I’ll tell Kurt what you said.” Nicole appeared uncomfortable as she sat there.
“Please do. I’m tired of Kurt trying to pressure me. It won’t work. I’m keeping the motorcycle.” I stood and came around the side of my desk as Nicole got up from her chair. “Come on. I’ll walk you out.” I led her to the employee entrance and opened the door. “Make sure you tell Gabby I said thanks for the cookies.”
“I will.” Nicole hugged me and turned away.
I leaned against the door, watching her walk across the parking lot to her car. Nicole had been a sweet, caring person when we’d become friends in junior high school. She’d introduced me to her older brother, Alex, and I’d become part of her family several years later. But that Nicole was long gone. Now she was Kurt’s puppet.
After she drove away, I went back to my office and continued working on Ross’s project. It was a little after five o’clock when I finished. I emailed the completed spreadsheet and report to Ross and waited for his reply. He sent one back ten minutes later, telling me he liked what I had provided and needed no changes. That meant I could go home and get ready for my date.
*
Maggie greeted me at my front door when I got home. She was my tan-and-white smooth-coated collie, her appearance like Lassie without the long hair. I had gotten her as a puppy six months after Alex had died. Devasted and lost after the accident, I had barely been functioning. Maggie was the one thing that had helped me get through the grief and start to heal. She’d needed my attention, and I’d focused my energy on taking care of her. I had dived into training her, and she had become my companion, helping to fill the hole in my heart.
I fed Maggie her dinner and then went into my room to find something to wear. I wanted a dress that was both comfortable and elegant. Pulling a sleeveless black sheath dress from my closet, I tossed it on my bed and jumped in the shower. I didn’t have much time to get ready. Finished with the last touches forty-five minutes later, I looked at my image in the mirror. It was perfect. I chose a pair of black dress sandals with an ankle strap, a black clutch purse, and a silver-and-black silk wrap to go with the dress. My makeup had come out nice, and I’d swept my hair back into a sophisticated-looking bun. Hearing the doorbell, I checked myself one last time and then went to the door to meet my date.
“Hi, I’m Liz. You must be Cole.” I had opened my front door to find a ruggedly handsome man in his late thirties to early forties standing on my doorstep. He looked stylish, dressed in a dark blue tailored suit, white dress shirt, and a dark blue tie with small burgundy polka dots.
“I am. It’s a pleasure to meet you. Are you ready to go?”
“I’m ready.” I stepped outside, pulling my front door closed behind me. I caught sight of Maggie sitting off to the side of the entryway as it shut. As she rarely barked unless alerting me to something, most people coming to my home never knew she was there. I had trained her early on to sit away from the door and observe my visitors. If she sensed the person was a threat, she’d growl or take further action. When there was no threat, Maggie watched the person and refrained from greeting them until I allowed it.
Cole led me to the black Mercedes-Benz sedan in my driveway and opened my door, shutting it when I was inside. He pulled out of my driveway a minute later and drove toward the restaurant, a jazz station playing on the radio. Cole turned the volume down and adjusted the air-conditioning. I could smell his cologne as I sat next to him, the scent floral and spicy. It was pleasant but didn’t have a sensual undertone like Shane’s. I hung my head. Why was Shane in my thoughts? Was it because of the discussion I’d had with Ross this afternoon? Regardless, I needed to get him out of my mind.
Cole escorted me into the restaurant after leaving his car with the valet. As we walked next to each other, I couldn’t help but notice his height. I stood a good three inches taller than him with my one-inch heels. I hadn’t had that happen before, and it made me uncomfortable. Alex and Shane were both tall men, which I preferred.
“Sir, do you have a reservation?” a middle-aged man dressed in a black suit addressed Cole from the reservation desk.
“I do. It’s under Cole Payson.”
“Ah, yes. I see it here. Please follow me.” The man led us across a cozy dining room decorated in darker earth tones with soft ambient lighting coming from ornate wall sconces. He stopped at a table for two near the middle of the restaurant. “Here we are.”
“This won’t work.” Cole frowned as he eyed the table next to us.
“Sir? Is there a problem?”
“You’ll have to seat us somewhere else. There’s a child next to us. I came here to have a nice dinner, and I don’t want a noisy child to ruin my evening.”
I scanned the table next to us. A couple was sitting there, a girl of seven or eight years old with them. The little girl looked perfectly behaved. I was a bit embarrassed when the woman stared at me, a look of irritation on her face. I mouthed I was sorry and turned away, unhappy with Cole’s request. In my mind, it was completely unnecessary.
“Of course, sir. I’ll seat you at another table.” The man guided us to a quiet table across the restaurant. It was in the corner, next to a window, with an older couple seated near us.
“This is better. Thank you.” Cole assisted me with my chair before taking the seat across from me.
“Here are your menus. Your waiter will be with you momentarily.” The man handed me a menu and then gave one to Cole.
A young woman was immediately at our table, filling our water glasses.
“I don’t understand why people bring children to a fine dining establishment. It irks me when I see that.” Cole spread his napkin on his lap as he talked. He took a sip of his water.
“Do you have children?”
“None that I know of, and at this point, I’m enjoying my life too much to have any.”
“Good evening. My name is Bernard, and I’ll be taking care of you this evening. Did you have any questions about the menu?” A very proper-looking older man was standing next to Cole. He stood there waiting as Cole browsed the wine list.
“No questions. I’d like the Domaine Leroy Chambertin Grand Cru.” Cole pointed to an item on the wine list as he ordered.
“Ah. Excellent selection. I’ll be right back with your wine, sir.”
“He didn’t ask me what I wanted. That’s odd.” I looked down at the wine list, hoping to order a chardonnay.
“I ordered a bottle of French wine. So, Mel tells me you two vacationed in Turks and Caicos. Do you travel often?”
