Page 73 of Enough
He knows the waiter by name?“Red’s good,” I respondwith a lackluster smile. I don’t know anything about wine other than the Walton’s cheap brand does the trick.
“We’ll have the Sauvignon.”
“Very good, sir.”
“So I guess you actually do come here all the time,”
“Mostly for work,” he assures.
“And what is work exactly?” I press the glass to my lips and take a sip of water. I find it odd to drink water from such a fancy glass. I’m used to plastic. It tastes like expensive water if there is such a thing. “You were in business school the last time we talked,” I add. His fingers continue to dance on his glass, and I can’t help but be distracted by them.
“I finished business school and went on to get my law degree. I work for Macer, Martin and Fisher downtown.”
The name rings a bell, but I have no idea who they are. “Wow, a lawyer, huh?”
He nods.
“What made you decide to move here?” I’ve been dying to know the answer to that question, and as soon as I had the opportunity to ask it, I took it.
Just as Nick begins to respond, the waiter brings our wine. He pours us each a glass and waits for me to take a sip to let him know if it’s up to par. I take a slow sip. It’s drier than I’ve had before, but I nod my head appreciatively as if it’s the best I’ve ever had. God knows I’ve had more grape juice than wine.
“You wanted to know why I moved?”
I nod my head.
“Would you like to order first before you hear my long, boring story?” he asks with a slight chuckle.
“Oh… sure.” I lift the menu and I’m bombarded by a long list of choice cuts in various sauces, half of which I can’t pronounce. “Why don’t you just order for me? If that’s okay?”
He smiles brightly and licks his lips. “I’d love to.”
I place my menu down on the table and take a large gulp of wine. I’m feeling increasingly out of my element.
Rodrick returns and Nick orders us both a seafood appetizer of some kind and a steak with a complicated type of wine sauce and an ostentatious roasted vegetable or something. I take another sip of my yucky wine and sigh internally. If I’m not careful, I’m going to be toasted before dinner arrives. I haven’t eaten all day, and I know I’m drinking the wine too fast.
“So, tell me.” I’m suddenly aware that I need to hear his story while I’m still able to comprehend it. I eye the bread on a nearby table and feel my stomach gurgle. The wine is going straight to my head.
Nick runs his hand over his chin and plays with his fork briefly before he stares up into my eyes. “I’ve worked for Macer, Martin and Fisher for the last eleven years. They have international clients, and I’ve traveled the world setting up contracts for them. It was an incredible opportunity and they appreciated my desire to travel as often as possible.”
I nod my head and attempt to shush my inner voice. “Traveled the world?”
He adjusts his napkin on his lap and leans forward on the table. “I’ve been to Italy, London, Spain, Brazil, and Japan, to name a few. All amazing places.”
I nod again and offer a small smile. I’ve never even left the state.We don’t fit. I shush my inner voice again and take a large gulp of wine.
“But a few years ago they asked me to come here to theircorporate office for a long-term assignment, and I couldn’t refuse.”
“Must have been a great opportunity,” I say.
“You could say that.”
“But then you had to give up traveling?”
“I just travel less. I was in France when Cooper met with Gwen. It’s why I didn’t call you right away.”
“I suppose you’ve met a lot of wom… people during your travels?”
He stares at me blankly without saying a word. He’s suddenly very quiet, and I don’t know why. I lightly touch the rim of my glass with my finger and stare down at it. I’m not sure what to say. “Sounds like you’ve had a really great life, Nick.” I tilt my head gently as I say the words, but I don’t meet his gaze. The difference between our lives is staggering. He was in law school and traveling Europe while I was pushing out babies number one and two.
