Page 6 of Ruined Vows
“This is new!”
“Yeah, a small gift to myself after the events we’ve yet to name.”
“Gotcha.”
We buckle our seatbelts, and the engine purrs to life.
Within minutes, we’re on the road.
“What’s new? Are you seeing anyone?” I ask.
“Not really. It’s difficult to meet a man, as ironic as it sounds.”
“Not at all. I know what you mean. They are either parasites who are looking for a woman to support them, or they are just plain weird.”
“Tell me about it. I thought I would meet someone at a fundraiser, y’know.”
“Yeah, but they’re either married or have one foot in the grave.”
She laughs at this. “You got that right.”
“I’ll keep my eyes and ears open. You deserve someone who will appreciate you.”
“What about you?”
I sigh. “What I would give to have a man who knows how to make love to me… However, I don’t see that happening anytime soon. I’ve hit a dry spell.”
“You and me both. We’re decent-looking enough. We both have a great deal to offer. It’s a shame we’re sitting home on Saturday nights.”
“I know.”
It’s not that I’m opposed to having a boyfriend, but now is not the time to jump into something. I don’t know where I’ll be in the fall, and it’s unfair to start a relationship knowing I might leave the city.
I’m the only one in the family without a significant other. Sometimes, I feel left out, but I figure I’ll meet the right person when I’m older. I need to figure out my life before I live mine around someone else’s.
I’m not committed to anyone, and I’m sure this feeds the unsettled feeling in my gut.
“Do you know what you’re going to do next? Did you apply to law school?”
“I took the entrance exam. I passed.”
Joanne gushes. “Congratulations! I’m so proud of you. Did you tell your brothers?”
“Not yet. I’m not sure if I’m going to go.”
“You could be an adoption lawyer!”
I pull up to the family restaurant. We walk in, and I lead us to a table at the back of the room. It’s an old habit. Mybrothers have drilled me on it since I was seven. It gives me an advantage in the event of an attack.
I guess it’s better to see your enemy coming.
Not like Vukan, who stepped out of the shadows as if he knew exactly where I would be.
We settle into the table, and I order fizzy water. We quickly decide on food, and I order for us, using my native tongue. I glance at my watch. Joanne has to return to work. We’ll be hard-pressed to get back on time.
“I love romance languages. I wish I could speak more than please and thank you in Italian,” she says.
“Well, that one was easy for me.”
