Page 16 of New York Love Stories: Vol. 2

Rad

“I’m walking in now.”

“Walking in where?” Jackson asks on the other end of the call.

“To the restaurant.”

The phone goes silent, long enough for me to make sure I haven’t lost the connection. When I put it to my ear again, he asks, “Are we talking in code because I’m confused?”

I swing the door open and step inside. “Dinner. Tonight. Marlow. Her dad. Your sorry ass. Ring a bell?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Rad. You’re having dinner with Bob? I didn’t know he was in town.”

“What do you mean? We’re supposed to be here, pretty much now.”

After giving the midtown steakhouse a quick scan, I approach the host. Wearing a white shirt and a skinny black tie, the host asks, “Do you have a reservation?”

Holding the phone against my chest, I reply, “Marché.”

“Ah, yes. Your party is already seated. Follow me.” He turns swiftly and guides me through the restaurant.

Holding the phone to my ear, I whisper, “You’re already here. You’re such an asshole.”

“Wish I knew what the fuck you were talking about. I’m sitting in my apartment. Just turned on the game. I take it you’re not coming over?”

The host stops at a booth in the corner where Marlow and her father are engaged in a lively conversation. I pause, wondering where everyone else is, before turning around and heading back out before the Marchés have time to notice me. “Are you serious?” I whisper through gritted teeth. “You’re not at this dinner.”

“I don’t have a clue about that dinner.”

I push the door and step out onto the sidewalk, starting to sweat under my suit. I tug at the collar, and gripe, “Why aren’t you here?”

He starts crunching on what I can assume are Cheetos. The man eats them like he holds stock in the company. “Guess I wasn’t invited.”

Motherfuck. I pace the sidewalk with the phone glued to my ear. “How can I get out of it?”

“Doesn’t sound like you can, man.”

“I should be able to on principle alone. She told me he wanted to have dinner. I assumed it was with everyone, not just with me and her and Bob.”

“Sounds cozy.” He chuckles. “But if she didn’t tell you, and then you assumed, I think that means it’s on you. Anyway, bright side—you get a free dinner. Her dad loves to splash the cash around.”

I’m sure, but I’d rather not be here at all. “Yeah, okay.” I roll my eyes.

“Cade is on his way to my place, so it’s safe to say he didn’t know about the dinner either. Just go in, have a good meal, and come over later.”

I sigh. The high I was riding all day after spending last night with Tealey has faded. Rubbing my forehead, I pinch my eyes closed. “Yeah, you’re right.”

“Rad?” Marlow calls from behind me. “We already have a table in the back.”

Glancing back over my shoulder, I give her a nod and then point at my phone. “I’ll be right there.” She disappears back inside. I grip the back of my neck and then tell Jackson, “Don’t drink all the beer. I’m heading over afterward.”

Determined to make the most of this dinner, I hang up and re-enter the restaurant, passing the host. “I see them.” I’m hoping this isn’t about his divorce, but a dinner among friends. I remain hopeful as I cut through the bustling restaurant.

Checking my watch, I say, “Right on time,” when I arrive tableside. “How are we?”

Bob is dressed casually in a short-sleeved button-up, repping California to a T, and Marlow is in designer from head to toe, per usual. She has great style, albeit eccentric some days. She smiles. “Fantastic. You?”

“Peachy. No one else is joining us, or everyone’s running late?”

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