Page 43 of When I'm Gone
“Do you mind walking? The restaurant is only a few blocks away,” Felicity said.
“If you can walk it in heels, I can walk it in loafers.” Luke scanned the storefronts around him; bass thrummed out through the walls of the club beside the gallery, and a crowded hot dog bar was filled to the brim with college kids, laughing and flirting behind the glass window. Everything was vaguely familiar in the twilight of the early evening. The trees lining the streets were taller than the last time he’d dined near campus; a few students milled around the sidewalks, the summer remnants of the once-overwhelming student body. After one more turn, Luke knew where they must be headed.
“Ashley Street? No way.” He gaped at Felicity. “The Earle? You really got us reservations?”
Felicity giggled and pumped a fist. “Yes! I knew you’d be into jazz.”
“I wouldn’t say ‘into,’ but the Earle is a classic. Natalie and I always said we’d go for our twentieth anniversary ...” The words caught in his throat. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to ...”
The clicking of Felicity’s heels went silent, and Luke ended up three full steps ahead before he noticed she’d stopped walking. Now he’d done it—brought up his dead wife on a first date.
“Don’t do that,” Felicity said to his back. Her footsteps tapped closer until she was by his side and slipped an arm through his bent elbow. “Please don’t ever feel like you can’t talk about Natalie. She will always be a part of you.”
He pressed his lips together, unsure what to say, but Felicity didn’t try to force him to talk. Instead, being the ever-patient counselor she was, she tugged on his arm and looked both ways before crossing the street toward a maroon awning with white lettering on it. Felicity glanced at a small silver watch wrapped around her forearm.
“We’re a few minutes early, but my brother’s girlfriend is the hostess. I bet she can get us moved up on the list.”
So Felicity was familiar with the “ignore it” method of dealing with personal issues. Her arm might feel heavy wrapped through his, but the weight of it also made him feel safe, like the pressure of a seat belt.
“Don’t worry about me. I’m in no rush,” Luke said, and he almost meant it.
“And then the dad slid an envelope across the table and said, ‘This should cover it.’ I was tempted to point out that I have no power to change any grades, much less whole GPAs, and even if I did, twenty-five bucks wouldn’t even come close to covering it.”
Felicity laughed, and her curls bounced along with her shoulders. Luke chuckled. The food had been delicious, the music even better than rumored, and Felicity’s company was extremely enjoyable.
“So, what would be the going price for changing a D to an A? Assuming, of course, that grade changing was within your purview.”
“I can’t recall off the top of my head, but if you let me ask around, I’m sure I can give you a competitive price.” She took another sip of her wine, nearly emptying her glass. Luke decided to refrain from his own glass, not sure it was wise to rid himself of too many inhibitions when he was a proud owner of so many. Plus, he was driving, and even one glass made him nervous when he was going to have to drive on the highway to get home.
“I doubt I could afford you.” His cheeks hurt from smiling so much, or maybe his facial muscles were out of practice. She put her glass down on the table with a clink and sighed, staring at the half inch of red liquid inside.
“Do you want dessert?” she asked, flicking her greenish-gold eyes up at him.
His heart jumped in his chest, a tightness spreading through his throat and lungs. If only she wasn’t so pretty, this would be much easier. Or if it wasn’t so obvious she liked him or how badly she wanted Luke to like her back.Not ready,a voice said inside his mind, and he knew it was right. He wasn’t ready for a relationship. He was still irrevocably in love with Natalie, even if he wasn’t sure she had truly loved him back.
“No, but thanks for the offer.” He shook his head and put the maroon napkin from his lap on the table. “I’d better get home and let Jessie go before it gets too late.” He glanced at his watch. Only 8:30 p.m.
Felicity’s face fell, and for a moment Luke wondered if he should reconsider. But then the phone in his pocket rang. Too new for a personalized ringtone, it was the factory-setting ring on full volume, accompanied by a violent buzzing. A few of the couples at neighboring tables sent glares over to Luke, especially one bald guy with light hair and dark-framed glasses who looked like a professor type. Dr. Neal? The phone rang again, and the professor shook his head. What a ridiculous and borderline paranoid thought. Could he not go one night without thinking about that man?
“I’m sorry; I should probably get this. Only Jessie has this number ...” Jessie and one other person—Annie. Ugh, Annie. The guilt was back.
“Go ahead; grab it! I’ll pay the check and meet you in the lobby.”
The phone rang and buzzed again, and Luke pulled it out of his pocket.
“You really don’t have to treat me, you know.”
“I know, but I want to. Now, answer that phone before the guy at table four knifes us.”
Luke raised his eyebrows and tilted his head at the professor guy. Felicity rewarded him with another laugh, and Luke touched the green talk button before pressing the phone to his ear.
“Hello?” Luke answered, pressing his way through the cluster of tables toward the lobby.
“Hello, can I speak with Luke Richardson, please?” a masculine voice replied on the other end of the line, making Luke glance at the phone’s screen to check the number. He’d been so sure it was Annie or Jessie he hadn’t checked before answering.
“Uh, yes, this is Luke. Can I ask who’s calling?” Luke’s mind raced through possibilities but landed on solicitor.
“This is Dennis Bormet. I work for Tanglewood Securities in Washington, DC. We are a private security provider. You’ve been listed as a reference for a candidate for head of private security. His name is Officer Brian Gurrella. I came by your house this evening, but the young woman there said you were out and gave me your cell number. Do you have a moment to answer a few questions?”
