Page 73 of Corkscrew You
“Want to eat it in the kitchen? I’ve put more coffee on.”
That level of caffeine is unlikely to lower my blood pressure. But it would be great to sit with her, joke around, listen to her laugh. Her optimism is infectious and, right now, I could do with catching a dose.
“I’ll file this in the shoebox.” I wave the barrel bill. “And I’ll be right with you.”
ChapterTwenty-Five
SHELBY
Iconvened another emergency meeting of the best friends drinking club. Jordan refused to go to the Silver Saddle, so we’re at Bartons. Not centre-stage this time, but at a side table that will allow us to have a private conversation. I’ve got Nate’s sister’s dress on again, which Imustget cleaned, so I can give it back to her on Wednesday. Jordan, who, like me, wears shorts pretty much all year round, is in a pale blue mini, and Chiara is in a figure-hugging one-shoulder green number. Ted hasn’t shown himself yet. It’s Monday, so he may not. Monday evenings are not peak Ted time.
“So you’ll be introduced to Nate’s family as – what?”
Chiara gets straight down to essentials.
“I’m guessing his family already knows what the deal is with the winery,” I say. “Though Nate does play his cards pretty close.”
“But he won’t introduce you as his girlfriend, is what I’m getting at.”
“I’mnothis girlfriend,” I say. “Yet.”
“You’re more tolerant thanIam,” Chiara informs me. “No way I’d put up with that kind of covert bs. I mean, the guy’s got nasty with you more than once. He should own it!”
“Men are creeps,” says Jordan, darkly.
“I’m OK with it!” I insist. “Well, as OK as I can be. And in this circumstance, I’d rather not have the pressure of being the-one-who-came-after-the-fiancée, if you know what I mean? Meeting his whole family will be scary enough.”
“He’s got asupercute brother,” says Chiara. “Danny. Looked him up online. Owns a high-end car shop in LA”
“Hey, he’s probably the one whose Porsche you totalled,” Jordan points out.
“It was a scratch!”
“Is the rest of his family in on the plan?” Chiara asks.
“No idea,” I admit. “Knowing Nate, I’d say not. As I said, cards close to chest. Also, I don’t think he’d want to get their hopes up, just in case I blow it.”
“No pressure, huh?” says Jordan.
“Why does he thinkyou’llsucceed where his whole family has failed?”
If Chiara doesn’t want a career as a spy, she’d make a great interrogator. Wouldn’t blink an eye at hooding or waterboarding.
“I’m not sure hedoesthink I’ll succeed,” I say. “But I get the feeling he’s run out of options. I may well be his last shot.”
“Wow, so you’re his only hope to keep his dad alive?” says Jordan. “Kind of sucks to be you right now, doesn’t it?”
I lift my glass of water (don’t judge me, I’m poor) in a mock toast.
“Thanks for the support, guys. Awesome.”
“Well, at least you’ll be sincere,” says Chiara. “You won’t be making anything up when you talk about how much you miss your dad.”
“No…”
“Sorry, Shel,” Chiara says, gently. “Still raw, huh?”
“Does it everstopbeing raw?” I ask, though I know neither Jordan nor Chiara have lost anyone close to them. Chiara’s Italiangreat-grandmother is still alive and will be ninety-six next birthday.
