by Sophie Kaye
“Oh, great,” Priscilla muttered. “Mrs. Downson, how nice to see you.” She smiled at the elderly woman.
“I heard about Grant. Horrible thing, cancer. How are you holding up, dear?” Mrs. Downson put a hand on Priscilla's shoulder.
“Oh, I'm-”
“And how's your father taking it?” Mrs. Downson turned to Jessica. “Is he devastated? I bet he is devastated. It's such a horrible thing to happen. And he was so young. I remember when my brother died. I wasn't myself for weeks. You never expect the young to die, do you? Of course, Reginald was ninety-two, but still. We live long in my family so it wasn't that old. Did you know all my grandparents lived to be over ninety-five? I say it's partly good genes and partly olive oil. Do you eat a lot of olive oil? You should, it does wonders for you. Of course, I might be a bit biased as I'm in the business.” She turned to Jessica. “Importing, dear. But still, you shouldn't be scared of it just because it's fat. Olive oil does wonders for your skin, too. Just look at me, I don't look a day over eighty, do I?”
“Mrs. Downson, your table is over here,” a waiter interrupted.
“My table, oh right. I came for lunch. The view is so nice from here. Well, except the dome over the tennis courts, I don't know who authorized that. But-”
“Just this way.”
The waiter took her by the elbow and led her away from Jessica and Priscilla.
“We'll catch up later,” Mrs. Downson said and let the waiter lead her to a table with a view over the lake.
“My word she can talk,” Priscilla said. “She is a dear, but it's impossible to get a word in edge-wise.”
“Maybe she's lonely?” Jessica glanced over at Mrs. Downson sitting all alone.
“I've offered her to join us for lunch several times. But she always eats alone. I think she used to come here with her husband and this is her way of keeping him with her.”
“That's so sad and romantic.” Jessica watched Mrs. Downson finger a locket around her neck.
“Speaking of romance, any news on that front?”
“I don't get why everyone is butting into my love life today?” Jessica smiled at the waiter as he brought them their appetizer tray.
“Is there a love life to butt into?” Priscilla raised a perfectly shaped eyebrow.
“Not at the moment,” Jessica said and placed a chicken kebab, grilled melon, and a stuffed mushroom on her plate.
“So if I had someone I wanted you to meet...?” Priscilla took one of the mushrooms and a slice of grilled melon.
“Why is everyone trying to set me up?” Jessica removed the meat from the little stick. “I can find my own dates, you know.”
Priscilla raised an eyebrow.
“I just choose not to date, right now.”
“Anyway,” her mother said and ignored her protests. “Cory is visiting, and I told him to stop by later so you two could catch up.”
“Mom. Don't do that.”
“He is a friend of the family and his dad just died, so you could at least have a drink with him.”
“Fine. One drink. But if he's as rude as he was when we were kids, that's all.” Jessica waved the small stuffed mushroom on her fork around.
“Fair enough.” Priscilla turned her attention to her food. “But I think you'll find he's grown up a lot since then. He's very handsome now.”
“I'm sure he is. But all I remember is that he was a bit of a brat.”
“I thought you used to like him?” Priscilla squinted at her.
Jessica shrugged and took another mushroom. “I grew out of it when I realized how disrespectful he was to the staff.”
“Oh, right. You got that crush on the young gardener. What was his name?”
“It was Antonio, and you knew about that?” Jessica furrowed her eyebrows.
“Oh, honey. You weren't very subtle.” Priscilla cut a piece off her melon slice.
Jessica smiled and shook her head. “What happened to him?”
“I think he moved to Thurmont and got married. I seem to recall something about him working at his father-in-law's car dealership.”
“Good for him.” Jessica put down her knife and fork and took a sip of water.
Chapter Three
Jessica finished the last of the salmon and steamed vegetables and was contemplating whether she wanted dessert when her mother perked up. Jessica turned to see what she was looking at.
Across the room stood a man in his mid-twenties. He adjusted the cuffs of his designer suit and languidly let his eyes take in the room.
A waiter ducked around him and got a rude glare from the new arrival.
“Wow,” Jessica said. “He did grow up.” Gone was the tall and skinny teenager with bad skin who didn't know how to talk to girls. Jessica glanced at her mother.
“He did,” Priscilla said.
Jessica studied the broad shoulders and perfect hair.
“Maybe I should leave you two to have some dessert together?” Priscilla said and raised an eyebrow at her daughter.
“No, mom-” Jessica gave her mother a stern look.
“Cory,” Priscilla said and waved her hand at him.
Cory smiled and set off in their direction.
“Priscilla, how lovely to see you again.” Cory bent down and kissed her on the cheek.
“Cory, you remember Jessica?” Priscilla turned her hand towards Jessica.
“Jessica.” He looked her up and down. “I remember when you were all legs and pigtails.”
“Cory,” Jessica said stiffly. “I'm sorry for your loss.”
“Do sit down.” Priscilla indicated the empty chair.
“Thank you,” Cory said to Priscilla. “And Father's death was expected, but it left a lot to be dealt with.”
“Yes.” Jessica wrinkled her forehead. “Mom said you have business to deal with. Maybe I should leave-”
“Nonsense.” Priscilla scowled at Jessica. “You stay and have some dessert. I have a few phone calls I have to make.” Priscilla stood up, causing Cory to fly to his feet.
“On a Saturday?” Jessica asked.
“You know business never sleeps. I'm just glad I don't have to leave you here alone.” Priscilla grabbed her bag and slid away before Jessica could voice more protests.
“So,” Cory said and sat back down. “How have you been?”
“Fine. I gave up the piano.” Jessica took the dessert menu from the waiter, his nametag said Ron, and smiled a thank you to him.
“You never did like that.” Cory took the menu without glancing at the waiter.
“Do you still play?” Jessica tried to figure out which dessert would be quickest to make and quickest to eat.
“No, I have no time for frivolities. Father made me a partner in the business a few years back, so I've been focusing on my career.”
Jessica gave him a short smile and went back to the menu.
“Are you ready to order?” The waiter stood with his pen poised.
“Chocolate brownie cheesecake,” Jessica said before Cory could protest.
“I'll have the apple pie a la mode. And make sure they heat the pie up.” Cory looked at the waiter for the first time. “Make sure it's actually warm, not just lukewarm.”
“Coming right up,” the waiter said and took the menus.
“So.” Cory leaned closer. “Your mother says you're not seeing anyone at the moment.”
“Does she?” Jessica tried to see if her mother was still in the vicinity. She usually stayed out of Jessica's life and respected her privacy. But apparently, there was a crack in the respect. “My mother says a lot of things.”
“I got the idea that maybe she thought you and I would make a good couple.” Cory smiled at her.
“Well, you know mothers, always making plans without asking their children.” Jessica rearranged her napkin.
“It's not a bad idea though.” Cory leaned forward and grabbed her hand.
“Huh?” Jessica stared at him wide-eyed.
“You and
me.” He smiled at her. “Maybe it could be a good idea.”
“I... We don't even know each other.” Jessica pulled back her hand.
Cory laughed. “What are you talking about? We grew up together.”
“Yes, but we haven't seen each other for... what? Five or six years?” Jessica tried to lock eyes with their waiter to get him to bring their desserts quickly.
Cory waved a dismissive hand. “How much could we have changed in five years? We're both from good families. We have good breeding and similar life situations. We're both good looking so our children would be too. I don't see what the problem is.”
“What about love? Doesn't that play a part?” Jessica leaned back as the waiter brought their desserts.
“Love will come.” Cory picked up his fork and dug into his apple pie. “Love at first sight doesn't exist, but we can build a foundation for a future relationship.” He took a big forkful of pie.
Jessica shook her head. “It sounds like you're talking about a business agreement, not a marriage.”
“Oww!” Cory dropped his fork and reached for his water glass.
“What's wrong?” Jessica noticed half the dining room was staring at them.
“That damn waiter made the pie too hot.” Cory looked around.
“Well, you did ask him too.”
“There's a difference between warm and hot,” Cory said, practically spitting in her direction. “Where is he?”
The waiter hurried over to them. “Was there a problem?”
“Yes, there was a problem.” Cory stood up and tossed his napkin on the table. “I have blisters in my mouth and it's your fault.”
Jessica looked around at the people in the dining room paying rapt attention and wanted to sink under the table.
“I am sorry, sir.” The waiter stared at the floor.
“You're sorry? You're sorry? What good does that do me? You shouldn't have heated the pie so much it could cause second-degree burns.”
“I can get you another pie if you want.” The waiter tried to avoid the looks of everyone in the room. “Don't bother.” Cory sat back down. “Just bring me an iced coffee.”
“Of course, sir.” He took the offending pie and hurried off.
“Was that necessary?” Jessica glowered at Cory. “He only did what you asked him to.”
“He's incompetent and shouldn't be working in a high-class establishment. Sometimes I think all waitstaff is just a step up from kindergarteners.” Cory shifted in his seat. “But let's not talk about him anymore. I believe we were... negotiating.” He leaned in and slid a hand on the table towards her.
“I don't think we were,” Jessica said. “I'm not a company you can acquire.”
Cory laughed. “You make me laugh, Jessica. But maybe I am moving a bit too fast.”
The waiter brought an iced coffee and placed it in front of Cory. Jessica tried to catch his eyes to apologize, but he kept them glued to the floor.
“Tell me something about yourself.” Cory took a sip of the coffee.
For a split second, Jessica thought he would complain about the ice being too cold.
“You were off to study finance last time I saw you. Did you get your bachelor's?”
“I did. I graduated with honors.”
“I knew you could do it.” Cory beamed at her. “Where do you work now? I bet all the big companies are fighting for you.”
“Jenna's Diner.” Jessica couldn't help enjoying his confusion.
“Is that a financial company? I don't think I've heard of them.”
“No,” Jessica spoke loud and clear. “It's a diner. I'm a waiter.”
Cory laughed. “There you go again, making me laugh.”
Jessica raised an eyebrow at him.
“Come, now. Where do you really work? Is it for your mother?”
“No.” Jessica leaned forward. “I work as a waiter at a diner in a nearby small town.”
Cory froze with a half-amused look on his face. “Are you serious? You work at a diner?”
Jessica nodded. “Yup.”
“And your mother lets you?”
Jessica put her hands on the table and pulled back. “Lets me? My mother doesn't let me do anything. I make my own choices.”
“Of course you do.” He patted her hand. “But isn't that another reason to take a look at your life? Maybe reevaluate some things?”
Jessica could feel the heat rising inside her. “If you excuse me.” She stood up.
“Naturally.” Cory stood up and smiled.
Jessica navigated the tables towards the back entrance, next to the bathrooms. With a glance over her shoulder to make sure Cory wasn't looking, she ducked outside.
She followed the path past the pool that was closed for the winter and turned into the snow-covered rose garden. By the rosebud statue, she stopped to take a breath. Her jacket and her phone were still inside. And so was her mother. She bristled at the thought of her mother setting her up with Cory and she was itching to go talk to her and maybe yell at her a bit.
But Cory was still in there, and she didn't want to run into him again.
With her arms wrapped around her, she looked at the garden. She couldn't stand here or she would freeze to death.
She walked on, rubbing her hands together to keep her fingers warm, and spotted the tennis courts under their white domes. Perfect. She could hide out there while she waited to make sure Cory left.
Chapter Four
“Jessica?”
Jessica froze and looked around. Cory was on the terrace. Had he seen her? She ducked behind a bush and waited.
“Jessica?” Cory shouted.
He couldn't have seen her. She peered towards the main house. A man was walking away from the clubhouse, looking back at Cory. Jessica waited until he was next to her.
“Hi there.” She stepped up to him and used him to hide from Cory.
“Oopf.” He dropped the phone he was holding and grabbed her arms instead.
“I am so sorry,” he said. His deep voice burrowed into Jessica and she swore she could feel it reverberating in his hands.
The man holding her was tall and lean, with dark unruly hair and soft, inviting lips.
“Uh-uh,” Jessica said and shook her head. “I mean, hi. Could I bother you for a bit of help?”
He smiled at her. “Are you Jessica?” He made a subtle gesture towards Cory.
“That would be me.”
“And you don't want to rush back to the man standing on the terrace shouting for you?”
“Not so much.” The stranger's smile was infectious.
“I see.” He scanned the ground.
Jessica followed his gaze. “Oh, no.” She bent down to pick up his phone. It had a clear crack in the screen. “It must have hit against a rock.”
“That's fine. I have it insured.” His fingers lingered around hers as he took the phone back.
Jessica giggled. “You have your phone insured?”
He smiled a crooked smile. “You never know when someone is going to bump into you and cause you to drop it.”
Behind him, Jessica could see Cory stepping out further towards them.
“Oh no.” She sighed.
“I was on my way to the tennis courts,” the man said and offered her his arm. “Care to join me?”
Jessica smiled. “I'd be delighted.” She took his arm, and they followed the path to the large white dome. Cory called her name again, and Jessica wondered if his pride would demand he found her before he returned inside, or if it would be more hurtful to his ego to have to look for her. She had no illusions that he cared for her.
She smiled up at the dark stranger and let him open the door to the dome.
Inside, Jessica made sure the door closed behind them. It kept the pressure slightly higher on the inside to make sure the dome stayed where it should and didn't collapse on them. It always felt like a different court when the dome was up. She was used to seeing the lake and the trees during summer when sh
e played. Now, she was surrounded by white fabric.
Two of the three courts were occupied with the one furthest away being free.
“Are you playing?” Jessica asked, looking around for someone without a partner. Only the two couples seemed to be on the courts.
“I was,” he said and held up the dark phone. “But the tennis coach messaged that he can't make it.”
“Bummer,” Jessica said and rolled her eyes at herself. Bummer? Who says bummer?
“It happens.” He smiled. “Not much to do about it. Are you playing?” He looked at her outfit, slacks, a loose top, and high heels.
He was wearing proper tennis shorts and a thin jacket over a polo shirt.
“I wasn't going to, but sure.” She smiled.
“Oh, I didn't-”
Jessica squinted at him. “You're Michael, right? Sam's brother.”
“You know Sam?”
“I'm Jessica, Hailey's friend. I work at the diner.”
“Jenna's Diner?”
Jessica nodded.
“I don't think I've seen you there, but I mostly go late at night when it's only Jenna.”
“Come on.” Jessica waved at him and started walking down to the empty court. She stopped by the middle one and waited for the young woman to notice her.
“Jessica, I didn't know you were playing today.” The woman came up to her and let her eyes run over Michael.
“It's very impromptu.” Jessica waved at the woman Honor was playing with. “Can I borrow your spare racket?”
“It's in the bag.” Honor pointed to a pile of stuff.
“Thanks,” Jessica hurried over to it.
“No problem, especially when you bring eye candy with you.” With a wink at Michael, she retook her position and served.
Jessica smiled. Honor was a character.
“Here we go.” She came back, racket in hand and led Michael to their court.
“So why are you trying to escape? Bad date?” He asked and attempted a serve.
“Something like that.” Jessica watched him run after the ball. “I only came to have lunch with my mom, but she had invited an old friend.”
He caught the ball and walked back to his place. “I hate when that happens.”
“You have a similar problem?”