I look up, decision made, and spot Michael still frowning over his menu. I give him a little while to browse over it, waiting to speak until he puts his menu down. “So how’s life treating you? Got anything happening? Any special someone that you want to tell me about?” I ask teasingly.
He shakes his head. “No, not really. As you know, I sometimes work long hours, and that can make it difficult to hold down a relationship.”
I nod my head, knowing exactly what he means. “You originally lived in New York, right? What made you move to Virginia?” There wasn’t much I knew about Michael and thought it was about time I set out to change that. Especially considering how kind he’s been to me ever since that Tony business.
“I was born and raised in Brooklyn, but my parents never really wanted to bring a child up there. My dad’s mad about cars. He’s a mechanic and loves to tinker with all sorts of machinery. My uncle Bob owns a garage up in Richmond and offered him a job there. I was about nine years old when we moved. My parents said it was the best decision they made. He’s now a partner with his brother, and to tell you the truth, hanging around there was what got me in to law enforcement.”
Tilting my head to one side, I frown. “Really, how so?”
“Well, I used to spend a lot of time in the garage. I think my dad really wanted me to become him when I was older, take over the family business, you know … keep it alive. I like cars—don’t get me wrong—and thanks to my dad I know my way around a vehicle if something goes wrong, but the local police used to bring their cars into Bob’s. They trusted him, and his garage was extremely reputable. I remember being this nine-year-old boy looking up to these big, huge looking cops thinking how cool they were, and I wanted to be just like them one day.”
I stop for a moment to think how cute a story that is. I can just see a little version of Michael standing in awe of the big police officers.
“How did your dad feel when he eventually knew that you didn’t want to work on cars?”
“He wasn’t too happy, but he knew the job I wanted to do was a noble one, so he didn’t push the business on me too much after that.”
Our conversation is cut short when Jessie taps my shoulder to move back into her spot.
“I just spoke to Jerry.”
Oh, shit.
She hasn’t mentioned him since I moved in. The thought sends a knot to my stomach. I guess I really have been selfish these past few days.
“I meant to ask you about him. How come you didn’t see him the whole weekend?” I cringe on the inside, because I really don’t know whether I want to hear the answer.
In the end, she waves me off. “You were more important. I told Jerry you needed me. He understands. In fact, I think it scored me a few more brownie points in his eyes.”
She’s joking around, but it doesn’t lessen the guilt I feel. “I feel terrible, tearing you away from him. He must secretly hate me for it.”
Her eyes narrow in my direction. “Don’t be stupid. I have plenty of time to see him. In fact, he wants to take me out tomorrow night if that’s okay?”
“Jessie,” I sigh. “I’m not a child. I can look after myself. I think you’ve done more than enough for me already. Please go and enjoy yourself. You more than deserve it after putting up with me these last three days.” Jessie is about to retort when Sandy comes over with the tray of drinks. Michael and I frown as she places six cocktails and one beer on our table.
“What’s this?” Michael asks.
“I ordered you two cosmos, Michael.” Jessie replies. “I thought you needed help getting in touch with your feminine side.”
He huffs out a laugh and shakes his head as we thank Sandy for our drinks.
“Are you ready to order now?”
Both Michael and I look to Jessie since she hasn’t had a chance to glance at her menu yet.
“Hell, yeah, I know exactly what I’m having. The Double Dino’s classic cheeseburger with fries, please. I’m really hungry,” she smirks, rubbing her stomach.
I order mine, and Jessie looks a little disapproving, but thankfully keeps quiet. Michael orders baby back ribs with fries, and once Sandy’s written it all down—and given Michael another quick once over—she wanders off to place our order.
“Jessie, seriously?” Michael asks, pointing at the drinks. He’s completely oblivious to the attention he’s getting. It actually makes him look more endearing.
As I smile at that, Jessie cuts my thoughts short by retorting back. “I couldn’t help it, sweet-cheeks. Stop trying to be all manly, and drink the cosmo, Michaela.”
I’m sipping on my cocktail when she says this, and I almost spit it back out again. The painkillers aren’t that bad, but even they look manlier than the cosmos. Michael places his hands on the bottom of the two glasses and slides the cosmos to the pile we already have.
Jessie lets out a long, defeated sigh. “Oh, darn it, looks like we each have to drink three cocktails now, Ana. What a bummer.”
“Yes, that is a shame,” I smirk. “I was looking forward to seeing Michael drink those. Oh, well, one man’s loss is another woman’s gain.”
I take more sips of my painkiller, conscious of the fact that I can’t drink too much of it on an empty stomach. Now that would just be plain silly.
“Listen, Ana, if you want, I can see if I can knock off a bit earlier tomorrow and take you to the movies or something? That way you won’t have to be alone tomorrow night.”
I shake my head at him. I don’t want them both to think I’m useless unless I have someone with me twenty-four seven. But at the same time, a trip to the movies does sound kind of nice. “I’ll be fine on my own, but sure. If you can get off, I wouldn’t mind seeing that new action movie over on Main Street, so if you can make it, let me know.”
He nods his head, a genuine smile gracing his lips. “I sure will. Are you going to work tomorrow?”
I wince and Michael notices, making him look sorry for asking. “I would really rather not. I know I can’t go on like this forever, but I just need a couple of days, that’s all.” He nods his head, saying no more.
“I’ll text you tomorrow and let you know what’s happening. I’ll know for certain by the afternoon.”
The sudden remembrance of what’s on my phone gives me chills. I know I have to face the music.
Tomorrow.
That’s a word that can either thrill or conjure up nightmares for some.
What will it bring for me?
Where will it lead?
And the question I’m most frightened of all is…
How will I handle seeing the man who broke my heart?
4
As the evening progresses, I find myself actually enjoying myself for the first time since the whole saga happened. I eat my meal since both Jessie and Michael say they won’t leave until I eat everything on my plate, so I dutifully do as they demand. The cocktails are great, and by the time I’m on the cosmopolitan, I’m in ‘happy drunk land,’ and giggling like a schoolgirl—which Michael finds highly amusing.
“You know, you really are rather adorable when you giggle.”