by Milly Taiden
“Did not.” My cheeks heated.
“And now you’re blushing, so yeah, you did.”
“Stop it,” I laughed.
“My business is pretty big for a town this size, but with a lot of risk. I’m dependent on specific industries, and if those fail, I’m a single goose in the middle of the pond.” He grinned.
“Sounds complicated.”
“I’m an expert at simplifying, which makes the shareholders very happy.”
“You have shareholders?”
“Yes. Does that surprise you?”
“No, it fascinates me.”
“My company doesn’t make just the security locks I told you about, but also entire systems we distribute all over the world, and we invest directly in our clients. If they do well, we do well.”
“Yet you live in a house with open windows and doors and drive a Jeep.”
“I told you, I like to simplify my life. Would you like me to drive a different car?”
“No.” I laughed. “You should drive what you’re comfortable in.”
“Honestly, I was in such a daze when I got here, I just bought the first car off the lot, and then exchanged it for one that came off a lease that didn’t have that new-car smell. They’re not so steady, though, and I’d like to buy something sturdier. Feel like car-shopping sometime soon?”
“Sure, what did you have in mind?”
“A Land Rover.” He grinned.
I rolled my eyes.
“What?”
“I just thought you’d say a Rolls Royce, or Mercedes at least.” Although I secretly smiled at how the choice fitted exactly who Adrian was. It sounded like he was well off, yet he chose to drive a mid-class car, lived in a regular home without the luxuries most wealthy people were accustomed to, and remained as humble as when I’d met him. The fortune he probably bathed in hadn’t changed him much.
“Nah.”
“How can you be so oblivious to your success and what you have?”
“I’m not. I’m very aware of what I have and what I didn’t have before I came here. I may be successful, but it would mean nothing if I didn’t have you in my life. It did mean nothing up to now.”
Adrian held my gaze. I sat still, listening to his voice making its way across the table. The way he looked at me, with such dedication, need, and vulnerability, made me feel like his life completely depended on me. His intent was clear: he was here for me. Yet I wasn’t sure whether I’d be enough for him. I desperately wanted to be. I craved to have him in my life. I shook off the feeling, for once willing to let go of the doubts I had about marriage and where our relationship was heading.
One step at a time, I thought.
“My dream is to buy an Escalade for my mother,” I said.
“Why?”
“Because it’s safe. It would make her feel better. She’s been through so much after that accident. If we’d had a safer car back then, maybe my father could have made it.”
“I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay. I’m just worried about my mom, you know? She’s the only blood relative on this continent I have left now.”
“It looks like she’s doing well with her clubs and organizations. Does that woman ever sleep?”
“How do you know what she does?”
“Because she calls me.”
“She calls you? When? Why?”
“Every few days. She’s just concerned about you and wants you happy. She’s made a reference to me being her son-in-law.”
“I can’t believe she did that,” I sighed. “What did you tell her?”
Adrian looked at me from below his thick lashes that framed his eyes before saying, “That I’d be happy to be one.”
“Adrian, you know I can never marry again, right?”
He frowned, regarded me for a moment, and then smiled understandingly before whispering, “Baby steps, T. Will you please excuse me for a moment? I need to use the restroom.”
“Of course,” I said, wondering whether what I’d said had pushed him away more than he was willing to admit. I needed Adrian to understand that he was everything to me, and I wanted him in my life—just not as a husband. I couldn’t fail again. No, I couldn’t disappoint him. I couldn’t be the reason—ever—why Adrian would need a divorce. Life wasn’t easy, and as much as I wanted to believe we’d have a happy marriage, I knew the practical side of one—there was no such thing as a perfect marriage, and Adrian deserved nothing less than perfect.
As Adrian walked away, I got a chance to stare at his taut behind, shifting with each step, which of course temporarily took my mind away from my mother and my marital disposition. Adrian had left his jacket on the hanger next to our booth, which allowed me to fully take him in. I didn’t think I’d ever get enough of admiring him. He sported his lavender shirt and tie like a professional and I wondered what kind of a person he was at work. Did he treat all of his employees as well as I’d heard him on the phone? Was he respected and well liked? I had no doubt he performed his duties with amazing precision and care, because that was the kind of man he was. So yeah, he was probably one of the best bosses one could have.
I gazed over the railing to the diners below. The commotion there had picked up since we’d arrived, as the town’s business owners gathered for lunch. Most were male, with their tablets set in the middle of the tables. Their suits were crisp and shiny and probably smelled of cash, but none of them compared to Adrian. Each one had tension in their neck and gloom in their eyes. Whatever problems they had at work, they carried them inside and never let go. I felt lucky to be able to actually enjoy lunch without having to worry about meetings, schedules, deadlines, and expectations. My focus had always been my family. And Adrian seemed able to compartmentalize his work and personal life into separate sections.
The waitress brought our order. The appetizing aroma of my California spring salad with goat cheese, strawberries, sautéed onions, and grilled chicken rumbled my stomach. Adrian’s dish consisted of stuffed Portobello mushrooms on a spinach salad with artichoke hearts and raspberries. This food was truly to die for, and I couldn’t wait until Adrian returned so that I could dig in.
As I scanned one table after another a familiar posture caught my eye. In clear side profile, Dan sat at a table near the bar all by himself.
Ah, shit!
Of course my day couldn’t be all daisies and rainbows. When the waitress led Amanda toward him, I cringed in my seat. Why of all the places did they have to meet here? Because Dan knew this was one restaurant that was out of my league? But why were they meeting at all? And couldn’t have they used their office? Wait, I’d better get that image out of my mind. They did work together, so I hoped it had something to do with a deal—but my gut told me otherwise. Not that Dan couldn’t date, but seeing her of all people rose the temperature around my temples by a few degrees.
Her toxic laugh when she approached his table penetrated me to the core. Amanda leaned into him for a kiss, once on each cheek—the kind where your lips didn’t even touch the other person’s skin. I found that so impersonal, as if it was all for show. Shivers ran up my arms. Of all the women in town, she had to be the one to spread her legs for him. I winced with disgust, absolutely hating her. If it had been any other self-respecting woman, I’d feel differently. Dan deserved better, simply because this woman there didn’t have an ounce of honesty in her body.
She sat down just as the waitress brought Dan a fresh drink, taking away the empty glass. The sight of the diluted orange juice tightened my throat. My ex-husband was drinking in the middle of the day again—and probably driving as well. I shifted uncomfortably in my seat as the sour taste collected in my mouth. When Adrian returned to our table, I fought to paste a smile on my face.
“Everything all right?” His brow lifted as he took his seat.
“Yes, the food smells delicious.”
“Why the glum face, then?” He lowered his napkin to his knees.
“You’re spoiling me. A
girl can get used these kind of lunches, you know.” A hint of nerves trailed on my voice. But if Adrian had noticed, which I bet he had, he didn’t say anything about it.
“I wasn’t trying to rub you the wrong way.” That smug grin was back on his face, which eased my anxiety.
“I know. I’m sorry. It’s just that going out on a date to a restaurant is all new to me.”
Adrian lowered his fork and reached across the table to take my hand. “T, it’s just me. You’re nervous. Do you need me to take that tension away the old-fashioned way?” His barbelled brow rose.
My gaze darted to the lower level just as Amanda removed her high heel and reached her foot underneath the table to stroke Dan’s leg, sliding it upward underneath his pants.
“Is that what’s making you so uncomfortable?” Adrian asked.
“What?”
“Seeing the woman Dan cheated with flirting with another man who is most likely married.”
I assumed Adrian recognized her from when we’d lunched in the park after my Pilates class.
“That ‘other man’ is my ex-husband. Yes, I’m uncomfortable seeing the two of them together after he swore off a relationship with her. Not because she’s another woman, but because she’s the one who ruined us, and she’s just plain mean. I wouldn’t mind if he was seeing someone else who actually cared about him and could tell him that drinking in the middle of the day wasn’t the best choice. But her, she’s just bad news.”
My entire body shook.
“Do you want to leave?” Adrian asked.
I ignored his question and kept up my rant. “You know, it would have been fine if he just owned up to it. I hate liars. I don’t care if he’s dating, just not her—because if it ever got serious, which I doubt, she’d be introduced to Christa and Jonathan, which would pretty much dig my grave to its full depth.” I paused, slouching in my chair. “And I hate ruining this beautiful afternoon with you.”
“Our afternoon is far from ruined. Give me a sec.” He typed something on his phone, and then removed the napkin from his lap and discreetly walked over to our waitress, who was setting more drinks on her tray by the bar upstairs. After exchanging a few words with her, he returned, took his suit jacket and my hand, and led me to the back of the restaurant.
We left down an old circular staircase through a side door where we wouldn’t have to pass by the tables downstairs. Outside, he grabbed me by my waist and pulled me in, crushing his lips to mine. Adrian’s hands grazed up my body to my face, cupping it in his big palms, and I felt like gravity was swept from underneath me. I wrapped my arms around his midsection the way I always had, and pressed into him until he hit the restaurant’s stone wall. A yearning for this man brewed in my belly and my nipples bunched up. Adrian’s simple kiss was doing such exquisite things to my body, I hadn’t thought anyone could ever hold so much power over me. His passion consumed and relaxed me, because when he kissed me like that, all my troubles floated far away like dandelions’ parachutes.
The side door opened and our waitress stepped out with a clear plastic bag. Even though we pulled apart, our body language clearly spelled out what we were up to. Heat rose upward to my cheeks as she handed him the packed containers.
“Thank you, Mr. Reed. I hope you have a pleasant afternoon.”
“Thanks, Anna.” He smiled politely.
“What’s this?” I pointed to the bag.
“I invited you to lunch, and lunch we shall have. Come on.”
Adrian drove to a nearby park and I followed his Jeep with my van. We sat on a bench by the river with food containers resting in our laps. I found the scenery much more relaxing than the restaurant. After a fruity dessert, he stretched out on the bench resting his head on my lap. My fingers gently raked through his hair, smoothing it back.
“Don’t you have to go back to work?” I said dreamily.
“Not yet. I’ll go back when you need to go.”
“Hhm, must be nice to be your own boss.”
“I can’t say it’s not.”
He opened his eyes, shading the sun with his hand, and looked up to me. I admired him from above. Adrian reached up, smoothing his thumb over my lower lip. I kissed it and held his hand against my cheek. Worry creased Adrian’s forehead, and he finally asked, “You didn’t like Dan drinking in the middle of the day, did you?”
“No. How did you know?”
“Because I had that same look on my face when Jane was drinking.”
“Ohh…”
“Dan wasn’t drinking, T. I asked the waitress. It was just pineapple juice.”
Sudden relief washed over me. “Thank you for telling me. I’ve been praying that at least that’s one promise he’d kept. Not drinking and driving.”
Adrian sneezed, a bit louder than last time. His nose reddened and tears collected in the corners of his eyes.
“Sounds like you have allergies.”
“I don’t, but my sinuses have been bothering me a little.”
He sneezed again.
“Bless you. I’m going to have to make my chicken soup for you to cure that little cold.”
“Thank you. I’m sure it’d be delicious. And I do feel blessed.” He winked from below in that sexy way of his, and then asked, “Do you believe Dan? About the drinking, I mean.”
“I want to. But evidence is beginning to pile up against him.”
“Do you think you’re harsher on Dan because of what happened to your dad?” he asked.
“Possibly. I’m definitely more sensitive about it. Dan’s never really done anything bad.”
“Are you waiting for him to do something first? T, if you think he has a problem, then he should seek professional help.”
“I know. I’m afraid to mention it. I think he’s on that threshold of either putting it away or losing the battle. Our divorce only made things worse.”
“Do you blame yourself?”
“Kind of. I know I shouldn’t, but I can’t help wondering whether he’d be drinking if we’d made it through our problems.”
“Trust me, it wouldn’t have changed. I know from experience,”
“He’s really trying.”
“I love that you always give people the benefit of the doubt.”
“Except for Amanda,” I chimed in. “I understand people make mistakes, and so has she, but it’s different with her. It’s like she has no remorse. I can’t even tell you how many times I’ve called her ‘a bitch’ in my mind.”
Adrian chuckled. “That sounds funny coming from your mouth, T.”
“I can just tell by her face she’s up to something, and if I had to bet, she’s getting Dan’s deals, which really infuriates me.”
“Why? I’m sure he can handle the business.”
“Yes, but it means he needs to work harder, which takes time away from our kids.”
“Your kids will grow up and they’ll see what’s going on. They’ll be able to judge by themselves. And it looks like Dan made the right choice today, so you don’t need to worry about a DUI.”
My heart clenched. DUI was the least of my worries. Most nights, when we were still together, I’d hardly slept wondering whether Dan had had a glass at a meeting and then got behind the wheel. What if he got into a car accident? What if he hurt someone else? That was how my father had died—at the hands of a drunk who shouldn’t have been behind the wheel because his license was suspended. Christa and Jonathan would be devistated. Was I being too harsh on Dan? Was it because he’d broken my trust before, or was I oversensitive because of my father’s car accident?
“What’s that frown for?” Adrian smoothed his finger over my forehead.
“You don’t drink much, do you?”
“I like a glass of wine once in a while, or a beer on a hot day, but after what I’ve been through with Jane, no, I don’t make it a habit.”
Adrian understood me. Even though so much time had separated us, we’d led similar lives and faced identical problems.
“I
don’t want to, but I need to get going soon. School will be over in a half-hour. I agreed to pick up the kids today.” I pulled out my phone from my purse to check the time.
Adrian threw away our empty containers and returned to lie down on my lap.
“How did it happen with Jane? How did you know she was abusing?”
Adrian closed his eyes. “Jane wanted something I couldn’t give her, and turned to alcohol and drugs. I tried, but it just didn’t work.”
“You blame yourself for what happened to her,” I said, massaging his scalp with my fingertips.
“Not anymore. But it took a long time and hours of therapy to get to the point where I’m at now.”
Talking to Adrian felt like therapy for me.
“She took my rejection hard, and once she started, there was no turning back.” He sighed. “T?”
“Yeah.”
“What would have happened if Dan had been drinking today?”
Adrian’s question stunned and scared me at the same time because in my heart I feared to acknowledge that Dan would have driven, after having that drink.
My eyes welled. I knew I should have confronted Dan a lot time ago, but I was afraid to open old wounds. What was worse, my lack of confidence to broach the subject could hurt me deeper in the long run than his cheating, because if my kids lost their father, they’d be crushed.
“Hey, come here, T.” Adrian sat up and pulled me into his arms. “If you ever need me to step in, just say the word. But I do trust you and that big heart you have for him. I know you want to see the good in Christa and Jonathan’s father, and I would never stand in the way for you to do so. But if I ever find out he’s driving intoxicated, you or someone else may be the next victim of an accident, and that I won’t stand for.”
I wanted to give Dan the benefit of the doubt. I wanted to believe that his casual drinks now and then were only that. But something told me I’d be lying to myself, and so I promised to talk to him the when the first opportunity presented itself.
“Thank you for today.” I twined my fingers with Adrian’s as we headed to the parking lot.
We stood by my car with my backside pressed against the window. Adrian lowered his hands to my hips and pulled me into him, forcing my belly against his groin. His fruity dessert breath flowed into me as I concentrated on his luscious lips, wishing I could rip that suit off him and steal him away for the rest of the day.