A Gentleman's Affair

by Linn, A. J.

  “Perfect.” I look down at the menu hoping that I was the only one that caught that hyena-like shrill that just came out of this beautiful girl’s mouth. I decide to ignore it…

  “So…what are you going to have?” I try to redirect the conversation, hoping that she doesn’t bring up her mother again. “Everything here is really good.”

  “Oh, I don’t know…it all sounds good. You order for me, ‘kay?” Her eyes widen as the server fills our glasses with Veuve Clicquot. “It’s about time.” She smiles as she takes her gum out of her mouth, wrapping it up in a cloth napkin before picking up her glass taking a long, long…long drink. Oh boy.

  “I think we’re ready to order.” I’m not letting the server get away. I have a feeling that this will be a quick date.

  “We’ll start off with the Layered Seafood Cocktail, and we’ll both have the Seven Spice Ahi with the Macadamia Nut Roasted Broccolini and the Five Cheese Mac.” I hand the server the menus and thank her, followed with a wink. Fuck, I did it again.

  In my defense, I’m a natural born flirt, but when in a relationship, I am 100 percent committed. Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, we can move on.

  “Wait until you taste the Mac ‘n’ Cheese they make here, it’s not your mama’s Mac ‘n’ Cheese.” I laugh as I pick up my glass and take a sip of the wine. She looks at me with an odd, confused stare.

  “My mom wasn’t much of a cook, actually. We ate out a lot.” And, yet another drink, or should I say guzzle, of wine goes down her throat. “So, where do you work again?” She manages to spit out a sentence between swigs. And it’s obvious that she didn’t read the info on my business card that I gave her earlier this afternoon.

  “I work at the extremely large hotel across the street from the café. Actually I own it.” I search her eyes for dollar signs…hmm, she seems unaffected by it. Good sign.

  “Oh, that’s right, now I remember.” We both drink. “That’s really cool. What’s your name? David?” She does that giggle/snort thing again. “I’ve always been so bad with names—with remembering anything really.” She hits her forehead with her palm. “I’m like, duh, most of the time.”

  Whoa. What the fuck was that?

  “It’s Donovan.” Thank god the server is here with our appetizer. I need food and my brain needs a short break. We both dig right in. “So, what do you do for work, Louisa?”

  “Well, I’ve been a waitress, a receptionist, a bartender. That was super fun.” She pauses to take a bite. “Oh, and once, I was a model…like when you go to the mall and the girls spray you with perfume?” She giggles, minus the snort this time. “Perfume models, we were called. But that was boring.”

  “Quite a wide range of occupations you’ve had there.” I can’t help but chuckle…perfume model? “What kind of work are you looking for now?” Lion tamer, perhaps?

  “Well, I applied at my friend’s work. She works at Hooters.” She scrunches up her face and giggles again. “She makes great tips.”

  “I can imagine that she does.” The server clears the now empty appetizer plate and sets our meals in front of us.

  “Mmm, this looks yummy.” She picks up her fork and begins to eat. “You weren’t kidding about the Macaroni and Cheese, sooo good.”

  “I know, I told you.” I smile and somehow manage a laugh. She may be a directionless goofball, but she is rather entertaining and extremely beautiful. I do tend to go for the beautiful girls that have no idea just how beautiful that they are. I can’t deal with a conceited girl.

  “So…Hooters. Is that what you plan to do for the rest of your life, or…?” Seriously. Give me something to work with here.

  “Well, I really just wanna get married—be a stay-at-home mom, you know?”

  “Sure, there’s nothing wrong with that. But what if that doesn’t happen for awhile? Don’t you want a career of some sort?” I settle in, leaning back in my chair, taking a nice long sip of wine as I await her answer. Why do I already know exactly where this will go?

  “Eh, not really. Like, why bother with school and getting a degree and stuff, just to stop when I get married? It doesn’t make sense to waste all of that time. I hate studying. I mean, like…reading puts me to sleep. It really does.” And there goes the snort/laugh combo again. I have to give this one a rating of ten-point-five.

  “Right. Reading is so overrated.” I turn my head to roll my eyes. “That’s why so few people actually do it.” And my sarcasm is completely lost on her. She is nodding her head in agreement, her eyes wide and full of…well, full of nothing, it seems.

  “Ooh, ooh...my turn. I have a question.” She actually just raised her hand, as if we’re in class.

  “Alright, go ahead.” Kill me now. I can’t wait to hear this.

  “Okay, so if you were stranded on a desert island for like, a year…what three things would you take with you?” She actually seems extremely proud of herself to have come up with such a riveting topic of conversation. That’s fine, I’ll play.

  “What three things. Well, I guess I would have to say, my father—I can’t leave him here alone. My iPod with a solar panel that I created especially for it—I can’t live without music. And probably one year’s supply of toothpaste.” I chuckle…that was a half-serious answer. “Now, you answer, same question.”

  “Oh my gawd. This is a good one. Huh…” Her eyes light up as she begins to answer. “Okay, so like, I never go anywhere without my favorite watch.” She holds out her arm to show me. It’s bright pink, covered with rhinestones and the face has tiny plastic hearts that float around inside. Interesting. “Cute huh? Okay, and I’d take my dog—her name is Paris. And my last thing would be…” She rolls her eyes and giggles. “Duh, dog food.” She bursts into laughter. “I don’t want my baby going hungry.”

  She guzzles the last of her wine down before setting the glass back on the table and asks, with extremely slurred speech, I might add, “Should we do some shots?”

  “I think that you’ve had enough to drink tonight, Louisa.” Alright, that sounded like something that a parent might say to their child, but I’m not prepared to hold her hair as she vomits tonight…or any other night for that matter. Check please.

  So, here’s the million dollar question. Do I end this now? I think that it’s time to get this crazy lush home. I don’t know how much more of her snorting I can endure. While she seems to be a sweet girl, we just don’t have anything in common. Maybe I should just drop her off at a bar on the way home…

  I’m not exactly new to the dating world: I’ve dated all sorts of women in the past. I’ve had one long term relationship and that ended pretty badly, and yes, scared me just enough to stray away from anything serious for a very long time. I know that finding the right woman is going to take some time and effort, so I’ll just add this date to the list in my head of shitty dates and move on.

  By the way…Louisa started talking to a bus boy on her way to the bathroom and never returned to the table.

  Chapter Two

  ~Gina~

  After my disaster date last week with the not so charming Louisa, I’ve decided to take a short break from dating. I will definitely not be picking up a woman in a coffee shop again anytime soon. Seriously, what the fuck is wrong with some people?

  It was an extremely busy week at the hotel. There was a convention in town, and since I own the nicest hotel around, we were booked to capacity. The weekend is finally here, and my staff is used to me leaving them from time to time, so I decide to get away for a couple of days to take some much needed R&R.

  I pack a few things in a small duffle bag and decide to head up north for the weekend. As I drive up the coast, my mind drifts off. I think about all of the trips that I took to Carmel with my parents before my mom died, and I decide to go there. We always stayed at the same place, went to the same restaurants, and did the same things. I’ll call for a reservation when I pull off the road for breakfast in Santa Barbara.

  I walk into Backyard Bowl
s, the place where we’d always stop to eat on our way to Carmel, and the memories of the times spent here come flooding back. Bittersweet, to say the least. I’m quickly seated, although the place is crowded as it always was, and already knowing exactly what I want, I give the server my order before reaching into my coat pocket for my cell phone to call The Carriage House in Carmel to make my reservation.

  The last time that I was here with my parents, my mom was still alive. That was seven years ago. She died in a car accident four months after our last trip up the coast. I can’t seem to get Dad out of the house these days. He has become a recluse…sad and lonely. Mom was the love of his life and thinking about their relationship makes me want what they had even more.

  I finish my breakfast and pay the check. It’s time to get back on the road. Driving along Pacific Coast Highway has always been one of my favorite things to do. There’s just something about the beach that is extremely calming—it’s always been my “happy place”, I guess you could say.

  I notice, just up ahead, a car with the emergency lights flashing and a woman leaning against her car, talking on her cell phone. I pull over just behind her car and get out of my Hummer to see if she needs help.

  “Do you need a hand?” I ask as I approach her, trying not to notice that she is a complete knock-out. Tall, long brown hair…extremely nice ass. Fuck, Donovan, focus. Help her with her car and leave.

  “Yes, thank you so much.” She ends her call and walks towards me, a look of relief suddenly appears on her face. “It just died, and I can’t find anyone to come and help me at the moment.” She follows me to the front of the car and I immediately pop the hood.

  “Let’s see what we’ve got here...” I take a look at the engine and start by jiggling a few hoses, then I check the cables, doing my best to act like I know what the hell I’m doing. “Why don’t you get in and try to start it up again?” She turns the key a few times and…nothing. It’s dead. Taking a handkerchief from my pocket to wipe the grease from my hands, I start walking back to my Hummer.

  “Let me grab my jumper cables and try that next,” I say as I pass by her car. I get into my Hummer and pull it around to the front of her car and then jump out, walking around to the back to fish out my jumper cables.

  “You’re going to have to have it towed if this doesn’t work.” I pop the hood of my Hummer, attaching the cable to the battery, then walk to her car attaching the other end to her battery. “Do you have AAA?” She shakes her head no, then steps away for a moment making a call.

  “You’re going to have to start it up for me.” So could you get the fuck off of the phone? Like I have time for this shit.

  I get back into my Hummer and start the engine, waiting impatiently. After revving it up a few times to get her attention, she looks back at me and mouths, “I’m sorry,” then she quickly shoves her phone into the back pocket of her cut-off shorts before getting into her car.

  She tries to start it up a few times and still nothing. It’s definitely dead. She is now shaking her head, hitting the steering wheel and yelling out, “Fucking piece of shit!” Even with the space between us, which includes two windshields, I still heard loud and clear.

  After removing the jumper cables from both of our vehicles, I glance at the time on my watch as I walk over to her car to see what else I could do to help. “Do you have anybody that you could call?” She says “No” in a low voice as she shakes her head. Shit, she looks as though she’s about to cry.

  Christ…I just want to get to the Carriage House and enjoy my much-needed weekend of R&R. I’m lucky to even get the time away, as the hotel is always busy, and there always seems to be some kind of fire to put out there. But I can’t just leave her here, so I offer to give her a ride into town.

  “I live in Lompoc. My exit is just a few miles ahead.” Her voice is soft and sweet…very sweet. She does seem extremely grateful, so I decide to stop acting so annoyed. “Thank you so much for doing this. I don’t know what I would’ve done if you hadn’t come along.”

  “It’s no problem, really.” I turn my head and give her a smile, trying hard not to check her out, but damn…she is gorgeous.

  “I’m Donovan, by the way. What’s your name?” Eyes on the road Donovan. You’re just going to drop her off and leave…remember?

  “I’m Gina.” I can hear the smile in her voice, even though I resist turning to look. “Take the next exit, then you can just drop me off at the gas station. I’ll show you when we pull off. Where are you heading to by the way?”

  “I’m going to Carmel for the weekend—just a quick trip for a little R&R.” I glance over to her, smiling.

  “That sounds like fun,” she replies.

  “I can take you to your house…I don’t mind, Gina.” I veer off of the 101, taking the exit that she pointed out.

  “That’s okay. I live close by. I can just walk from there.”

  “If you’re sure…” I shrug my shoulders and decide to drop it.

  “It’s that one, right there.” She points at the gas station up ahead on the right side of the road. I pull into the gas station and I find it extremely odd that she wouldn’t let me take her to her house…but I am a stranger, so I let it go. “Thanks so much for everything Donovan. I really appreciate it.”

  “It was my pleasure, Gina. I just wish I could’ve gotten your car started.” I smile, watching as she gets out. She takes a pen and small notepad from her purse and begins to write something down. She tears off the piece of paper and hands it to me, smiling.

  “Here’s my number. Call me if you’d like to maybe meet for lunch on your way back.”

  After checking in at the Carriage House, I decide to get in a game of golf before the sun sets. Dad and I have had a membership at the Quail Lodge Golf Club for years, and this is one of the things that we always did when we’d come up here. Mom would go shopping while Dad and I had our father-son time, then we’d all meet up for dinner in town.

  Coming here for the last seven years by myself since Mom died has been strange, but I just can’t get Dad to do anything since the accident. I don’t think that he’ll ever recover. Not that I can blame him. She was the love of his life. She was his best friend. I only hope to have that kind of relationship one day.

  I arrive at Anton and Michel’s, the restaurant that’s located in the Plaza where Mom would always do her shopping. I’m warmly greeted by Tony, the owner. He’s an older gentleman and the friendliest guy that you’d ever want to meet. He explains that his wife is out sick and would be sorry that she missed me. He asks about Dad as he personally escorts me to a table outside in the courtyard, where we all loved to sit when we came here every year.

  “Dad’s…the same. I tried to get him to come, but he’s just not ready.” I take a seat and we exchange a look that ends the conversation. He understands about Dad.

  “I’ll have Marie bring over a bottle of Château d’Yquem, right away. God it’s good to see you, kid.” He pats my back then goes off to find Marie, a woman who has worked here for as long as I can remember.

  Looking over the menu, I see a few new items listed, and I decide that I should change things up—maybe try something new this trip.

  Marie greets me with a smile as she leans down to give me a hug. “It’s good to see you Donovan. How’s your dad?” She fills my glass, and we have a short conversation about Dad, the hotel and her latest man problems. After we share a laugh she asks if I know what I want.

  “I’m going to try the American Kobe Beef Short Ribs, with the Grilled Castroville Artichoke to start.” I close the menu and hand it to her.

  “Something different for a change, huh?” She winks, laughing softly. “You’ll love it—it’s one of my favorites. I’ll have that right out for you, Donny.”

  Donny…I can’t remember the last time someone has called me that, and I can’t believe that she even remembered that nickname. Mom called me that as a child and it stuck. Pretty soon everyone called me that, but as I grew up peopl
e started going back to my given name.

  “Thank you, Marie.” I lift my glass to my mouth and take a drink. After the week I’ve had, this…tastes good.

  The first two glasses of wine go down pretty quickly. Sara soon arrives with my meal, and she joins me as she has done in past years, sharing a glass of wine and some good conversation. She’s in her early forties, married with a couple of kids, and loves to sail, just like I do. We always talk about going out on my yacht when her and her family get down south, but they never seem to find the time. Maybe one day.

  Dinner was incredible as always. I couldn’t help but think of all of the good times that we’ve had here and how weird it has been these past years coming here alone. But I hope that one day I’ll be bringing my own family here…

  I say my goodbyes to my small Carmel family here at the restaurant and head back to the hotel to get a swim in before I turn in for the night. I pull the cuff of my sleeve back and check my watch for the time. Nine thirty, perfect…the pool closes at ten.

  After breakfast I go for a long run along the beach. I’ve got so many things on my mind lately, it’s always nice to get out of L.A. for a couple of days and clear my head. No matter where I’m at or what I’m doing, there always seems to be a long checklist running through my mind: the upcoming redecorating of La Fuga, the new hotel in Vegas, employees…women. It’s a regular meeting of the minds in there.

  After a quick shower, I pack my small bag and prepare to go back to Malibu. I hear a beep alert coming from my cell, and I see that it’s a text from my assistant, Patrice, reminding me that I have an appointment with Scarlett Montgomery tomorrow morning. Who? I think to myself. I return the text and ask. I’m busy, so it’s not uncommon that I forget a meeting now and again that was set up well in advance. “The decorator for La Fuga,” Patrice immediately texts back. Oh shit…that’s right. I return her text letting her know that I’ll be back later on today.