by Sue Gibson
Marie shrank from Flo’s exuberant embrace and shot a baleful glance in his direction. It was clear that Stan’s wife also suspected that Flo was looking for much more that a plate full of fish.
“Of course, I remember you, Flo.” Empathizing with the demure Marie, he’d do his best to hang in until their fish was eaten.
“And these two boys,” he nodded across the table to the set of twins sporting WWF T-shirts, “must be yours then.”
“Say ‘hello’ to the nice man.” They muttered a greeting. “They are really super kids once you get to know them,” Flo announced as if to counter any upcoming transgressions.
“Of course.” His glance flicked between the two sets of twins, cataloguing identifying features for future reference. Stan’s set wore matching shirts with their father’s real estate logo on the front.
The cousins sat across from one another, four sets of green eyes eyeballing the tray of crispy cheese balls and onion rings centered between them. Perfect projectiles placed just right for a food fight.
Fortunately, their waiter appeared and informed the table that the fish was almost ready and suggested they start with the salad bar. En masse they trouped to the long table laden with huge bowls of locally grown organic greens and steaming containers of boiled mini carrots, garlic and potatoes. Ten minutes later a line of waiters pushed through the kitchen’s swinging doors, platters of pan-fried pickerel held high. The crowd buzzed and heads turned as the waiters expertly maneuvered across the
room. Edward glanced through to the lobby and Christy’s closed office door. She loved this kind of stuff and if here would probably be snapping pictures and clapping her hands.
“Your dinner is served,” a waiter announced as he placed the platter in front of Stan. Marie flashed an adoring look of pride at her husband as a burst of applause erupted from the roomful of onlookers. Edward fixated on the platter too, worried that Flo was casting a similar look of favor upon him.
He muttered to the twin on his left. “Go ahead and dig in. Let’s get this show on the road.”
Silence replaced the accolades as they tucked into the food. He had to admit the fresh fish was unbelievable. Again, the local chef had outdone himself. Or was the chef a woman? The Nirvana seemed to have an unending supply of talented, professional women on staff.
With all four of the boys off to the dessert bar, the adults sipped on coffee. He relaxed. The dinner was almost over. He looked around the room and decided that he hadn’t hated the entire evening. Christy would hear of it from Jason and know he was sticking to his promise to act like a Ted.
Sure the kids argued incessantly and Stan had pushed too hard for a meeting when they returned to Ottawa. He’d insisted that he take a look at the specs of a new condo high rise in the downtown core, a sure-fire investment property, according to Stan.
But most importantly, Flo had kept to her side of the table, settling for long looks over the edge of her water glass whenever her boys were preoccupied.
Now all that was left was an escape plan, one where he could exit this family reunion without appearing rude. Stan and Flo were over-the-top
friendly, but they meant no harm. Earlier the boys had been clamoring to see his top floor suite with its mammoth big screen and the highest balcony in the hotel. Apparently even the twins had read the brochure.
He glanced at his watch. Ten-fifteen. He’d dodged that bullet. There was no way a parent would agree to their kids running around a posh hotel at this time of night.
He tossed his napkin to his plate, pushed back his chair and extended his hand to Stan. “Thanks Stan for the afternoon. I really enjoyed fishing.”
In fact, he planned to ask Christy to go fishing with him next time. Fishing was a Ted thing—she’d be supportive of his choice.
Stan gripped his hand, his glance sliding down the table to his sister, and returned the sentiment. “Anytime, buddy. You’re not heading upstairs already are you? Single guy like you? Me and Marie, well we’ve got the kids and all, but you and Flo…why don’t you take your time? Order a drink, enjoy the moonlight.”
Enjoy the moonlight? The hair on the back of his neck chaffed against his collar. He ran a finger along its inside edge. The four boys charged for the door, escaping the Trillium Terrace with delighted relief. Marie grabbed her purse and propelled Stan toward the door.
“That a fabulous idea, Stan!” Flo called out to her brother’s departing back. “Heaven knows I haven’t had an evening away from the boys since I don’t know when. I’ll pop by in the morning for the boys.”
Like a runaway train, Flo’s plans gained momentum. “Yoo-hoo,” Flo cried out in delight, as she waved Jason over. “Be a doll and bring me a nice
big glass of white wine.” She used her hands to depict the immensity of the glass she expected him to deliver.
Leaning across the table and with the air of great confidentiality she whispered, “I rarely drink, but what the heck, tonight’s special.” She flushed pink from her neck to her hairline.
“Another coffee for me, please.” Edward looked away from her crestfallen expression.
Clearly Flo was on a husband hunt and he was her prey. Flattering, but terrifying. He could hardly bolt from the room, that would be rude and everyone would stare at him. But he needed to end this before it became any more embarrassing for Flo.
Maybe he should tell her that he was involved with someone else, romantically. Christy? The romance was one-sided at the moment. Christy knew nothing at all about his feelings, but it wasn’t a total lie.
He cleared his throat. “Flo?” She leaned in. “Yes, Edward.”
“As much as I’ve enjoyed the evening, it would only be fair to tell you….” The words stuck in his mouth, as if once he admitted his feelings for Christy, he’d jinx his shot at winning her over.
He cleared his throat a second time. “I think I might have feelings…for someone…else.” Once the words were out, it was like the floodgates had opened. “You see, I didn’t plan on this happening. I’m no good with relationships. I’ve been shot down by women like her more times than I’d care to admit. I’m an idiot for even trying.”
“No you’re not,” she murmured.
It was like someone had pulled a cord out of his back and the entire monologue must be heard in its entirety. He pressed his hands against the white cloth
and leaned in closer. With Flo’s compassionate expression encouraging him, he carried on. “I’m trying to change, be more… interesting. But I’m not sure if it’s working.”
“Oh, Edward. Is there anything I can do to help?” Her words rang true. Flo, the huntress had retreated and been replaced by a kindred spirit. Here was a woman who knew what it was like to be invisible to the popular people.
“No, unfortunately it’s up to me.” He sat back, making way for the arrival of his coffee. “Not only did I fall for someone way out of my league, but we’re polar opposites in every way. She is charming and outgoing—I’m….not. My chances are slim to none.”
“It’s your first time, right?” She arched a perfectly penciled eyebrow.
Now it was his turn to blush. “I’m almost thirty, Flo.”
“Not that. I mean, you’ve never been in love before, have you?”
“In love?”
“Yes.”
“No.” The word fell out of his mouth, without a second’s hesitation. A rush of emotion filled his chest, mostly fear. Was he in love with Christy? How could he be? He’d known her for less than a week.
Flo smiled at his discomfiture. “Oh, you’ve got it bad mister.”
He leaned his elbows on the table and pressed his fingers into his temples. “I thought love at first sight only happened in the movies.” He pressed harder against the throbbing in his head. “This sucks.”
“It only sucks if she doesn’t love you back.”
He recalled Christy’s curt tone on the phone earlier. “Trust me, she doesn’t love me back. I’m not
clea
r if she even likes me. I’m not sure if she is spending time with me because she’s interested or if entertaining social misfits falls into her job description.”
“It’s Christy?” It was more of a statement than a question.
He nodded. She was silent for a moment then smiled.
“She spends time with you…when and doing what?” Flo had become all business, her eyes brightening with interest.
“Let’s see, she bugged me until I agreed to come down for that disco lesson the first day I arrived.” Flo averted her gaze. He continued, “She joined me for dinner here one evening. Then there was the boat tour. And we golfed one morning at six am. And then, Tai Chi on the patio.”
He decided against telling Flo about Christy’s plan to turn him into a Ted. A man had to hang on to his dignity.
“Okay, this is the way I read the situation.” She raised her hands and ticked off each explanation. “She wasn’t on the clock for your dinner here on the Terrace or the early golf game, right?”
“Right.”
“The boat trip and the Tai Chi lesson— they’re both group events and she would’ve been there regardless of whether you showed up or not, right?”
He liked Flo’s analytical approach. “That is correct.”
She rolled her fingers against the table top. “I believe your families are connected in some fashion.”
He didn’t remember sharing that with her, but he nodded affirmatively, not wanting to slow her insightful process.
“So, even though the dinner and the golf game indicate an attraction to you personally, the family connection muddies my conclusion.”
His disappointment must have registered on his face.
“Unless…were there any…you know…physical gestures received or rejected.”
“What?”
“I’ll cut to the chase, Edward. Did you kiss her?”
Kiss those perfect pink lips? His heart actually hurt with the thought of it. He ground his chair back against the stone-tiled floor and stared across the lake to the far shore. “No.”
“I see.” The answer to his dilemma, unspoken, hung between them. Dishes clattered against the cart as a bus boy rolled it toward the kitchen’s swinging door.
Flo stood up, purse strap looped through her elbow, and circled the table. She caught his chin in her hand and turned it toward her face the way his mother did when he was a boy. “The answer is obvious.” Her stare intensified with his refusal to react. “Kiss her Edward,” she declared. “A real kiss,” she further demanded, casting her arms wide. “A curl-your-toes kiss that leaves no room for doubt. That’s how to find out how she feels.”
“I’m not sure I should do that, Flo…” There was absolutely no way he’d ever set himself up for that level of rejection.
“Of course you could! If she kisses you back, you’ve got your answer. Here, I’ll show you.” Before he could arm himself for the inevitable, she pulled him to his feet and wrapped her arms around his body, pinioning his hands to his sides in a perfume- drenched hug. “It’s the only way you’ll ever know!”
With that she zeroed in on his dodging face and planted a kiss right on his lips.
Releasing him, she swung around, her caftan billowing about her, calling over her shoulder as she swept toward the exit. “It didn’t do a thing for me, either.”
Chapter Thirteen
In the dim light, she glanced at the vacant passenger seat and sighed. The trip back from her brother’s suburban home always felt long, and tonight, lonely. With the road lit only by stars and the narrow curve of the quarter moon, she couldn’t see beyond the headlights. Her eyes darted from side to side. Deer often leapt from the thick brush that lined the road. The last thing she needed was a wounded deer on her hood.
She sank against the seat and sighed again. Spending Thursday evenings with Paul and Jude was terrific. She loved them both, but it highlighted her single status andmade her wonder if there really was a man just right for her.
The only man she’d spent any time with lately who listened when she spoke, as opposed to looking down her shirt, was Edward. She shook her head. As if she and Edward could ever be a couple.
Poor Edward, dinner tonight with Stan’s family must have been challenging. But, he was taking on his Ted persona with more gusto than she’d anticipated.
She glanced at the clock—10:15. The Nirvana’s billboard flashed in her headlights. The next right turn led into the hotel.
Impulsively, she braked and flicked on her signal. The darkness deepened as her car swept up the gravel
road, the branches of the trees curtaining the starlight. Minutes later her heels clattered against the stone steps that led to a side entrance close to her office.
Checking her makeup in the mirror, she ignored the voice in her head, the one demanding to know why she was looking for Edward at this late hour.
Her pony tail elastic snapped against her fingers as she dragged it from her hair. She finger combed her tangled strands, releasing the scent of her brother’s burnt burgers. She glanced down to her desk, scanning for something to mask the smell.
She paused, a bottle of Febreeze catching her eye. What would she say if she found Edward? Her gaze shifted to her desk calendar. Sunday was circled in red. Of course! She’d extend her mother’s invitation to the family BBQ. Perfect.
She ran her hands down the sides of her dress and slid her silver pendant to the center of its chain. Now to find Edward.
Through the Trillium Terrace’s glass doors,
candlelight sparkled against the glass and chrome surfaces, just as it had when she and Edward had sat together, late into the night.
Only a few couples remained at this hour. In the dim light she scanned the tables, looking for a family sized group. She knew Stan had two children and a wife. Her feet slowed. Nope. Sinking into an empty chair, she dropped her head back and stared into the night sky. Of course, the children wouldn’t be kept up this late.
“A real kiss,” pleaded an overwrought female voice.
She sat up. Obviously, someone was having a very exciting evening. She peered through the darkness.
In a kaleidoscopic blur of color, she watched Flo
pull a man—his arms pinioned to his sides, into her exuberant embrace. Just as swiftly, she released him and swept from the room in a silky swirl of color, her words lost in the breeze that swept over the terrace.
Flo? Her head spun. Flo?
She sank back into her seat. Not only had she missed Edward, she was the unwilling observer of Flo’s passionate, yet clearly unwelcome, kiss.
Professionalism returning, she turned away from Flo’s companion, as he scribbled on the bill. To afford the hotel’s guest a measure of privacy, she reached down and fiddled with the buckle of her sandal. Who knew, he might have to face her tomorrow at the pool or on the tennis court.
“Christy?” Edward’s voice pulled her from her bogus task.
She lifted her chin, her hand reaching to clutch her pendant. Her gaze traveled up a pair of lengthy legs, to an impeccable white shirt and on to his face. “Edward!”
She glanced at the spot she’d seen Flo and her date embracing, her fingers moving from her necklace to her lips. A flood of emotion threatened her ability to speak. She felt betrayed, but not certain by whom, Flo or Edward. Or for that matter why.
“Sorry, you’ve got the wrong man.” A grin bordering on mischievous lit his face. “I’m Ted.”
No kidding. She applied a smile. “Well, I guess you’ve embraced your new persona….Ted. So, how it’s going?” She feigned a casual tone.
“Great! I actually feel like a new man. And believe it or not, I credit Flo for that.” She dropped her gaze to the floor. It must have been some kiss. Less than a week ago he was terrified of Flo, and now he was crediting her with changing his life.
“I’m pleased that you’ve found someone who makes you happy.” She could’ve sworn he’d been trying to escape from Flo’s arms.
&nb
sp; He stared at her for a long moment. “What?”
“I’m sorry, but I couldn’t help but see you and Flo when I arrived. You looked very….close.”
Now it was his turn to blush. “You’ve got it all wrong.” His words tumbled out, his usual careful pacing abandoned. “No. No, absolutely not. Flo turned out to be far more insightful and… compassionate than I gave her credit for. But that moment…that was a test… I think…between friends.”
A silly happiness bubbled up inside. “So, I heard the fishing trip turned out great.” In her relief, she rushed the words out.
“I couldn’t believe it, Christy…and neither could Lily. Neither Stan nor I have ever fished …”
“Lily?” She smiled. Perfect. Now she and Lily could compare notes on Edward’s progress.
“Yes. I was surprised too.” He stuffed his hands in his pockets and leaned against a pillar, suggesting he was settling in for a chat, another advance in his socialization. “She sure doesn’t look the part, but obviously looks can be deceiving.”
Tell me about it. “A lesson we all should take to heart, I guess,” she muttered. Flo and Edward’s kiss sure had looked disturbingly passionate, albeit one- sided.
Edward leaned in closer, his eyes catching and holding hers. “Are you okay? You don’t seem yourself.”
Up close, the shadow of tomorrow’s beard defined his jaw line. “I’m fine. It’s been a long day. I’m just about to head home.” She prayed he wouldn’t ask what she was doing at the hotel in the first place. On
the phone, she’d told him she was going to her brother’s for dinner.
She smoothed out her dress again and cleared her throat. “So…I guess it’s about that time…” She hadn’t felt this awkward since the seventh grade.