Page 64 of Morning Glory Girl
Natalie’s expression gleamed with pride, like somehow she knew I was doing the right thing.
Curling iron in hand, I was twisting a strand around the hot metal when my phone buzzed on the vanity in my room at Mimi’s house. Max was due to pick me up in thirty minutes for dinner at some place he wouldn’t share with me because he wanted it to be a surprise. I carefully placed the curling iron down and answered.
“I’m sorry, I can’t make it to dinner anymore,” Max said. “They moved my meetings from the afternoon to the morning tomorrow, so I have tofly back tonight.”
“Oh, okay. That’s fine. I understand. The client’s schedule takes precedence.” I’d been in his shoes before, so I didn’t blame him, even though I was a little disappointed to miss out on this secret restaurant he’d been teasing.
“That’s what I love about dating a lawyer—I know you get it. You’ll be canceling on me in no time once you’re back to crushing those private equity deals.”
My stomach knotted.I’m quitting on Monday.Ever since my conversation with Luke and then with Natalie I felt like I was lying to Max. I needed to find a way to bring it up.
“Would you want to come to the city this weekend? I’d love to take you to this dinner we’re doing tomorrow night. It includes significant others. It’d be fun to introduce my new girlfriend.” He said it with pride, which only made me feel worse about my immediate reaction: dread.
“Oh, um.”
“I know it’s not that desirable compared to the Vineyard, but we could hit a rooftop bar, spend some time in my apartment…”
The desirability of spending a Saturday tangled in Max’s expensive sheets wasn’t enough to combat the unease I felt about going to a fancy networking dinner with his colleagues and clients. Part of me wished I’d met Max five or six years ago, when I still lived for the job and needed a boyfriend to support me but also not mind when I had to cancel plans or work all weekend long. We’d have been a great fit back then, but I was starting to realize that…maybe I wasn’t the same person anymore.
“I don’t think I can this weekend. I told Mimi we’d do something together. But thank you for the invite!” It wasn’t a lie. Mimi and I had talked about going to buy some new plants before the rain came on Sunday, and I was looking forward to it.
A little alarm bell sounded from the recesses of my brain.Are Max and I compatible?it said. I pushed the thought down, assuring myself that I could enjoy those fancy client dinners again someday, once I’d recovered more, especially if it was Max’s clients and not mine.I’ll say yes next time, if he invites me again.
“Okay, no problem.” He sounded disappointed. I almost changed my mind to please him, but he went on to say, “We could do something Sunday night, when I’m back?”
“Yes, that would be great.”
“It’s a date then. Wear that green dress I love. I didn’t get to take it off you last time.”
I grinned and shook my head even though he couldn’t see it. “So bold.”
“I can’t see your face right now, but I think you’re smiling.”
“I might be,” I sang.
“Good. Sweet dreams, Val. I hope they’re about me.”
I giggled at him this time, not holding it in. “I’ll let you know. Night, Max.”
I texted Luke the next morning.
Val
Can you recommend someone that could fix Mimi’s front porch stairs? I think a few boards need to be replaced.
Luke
I’ll come take a look this afternoon. What size are the boards?
Val
We can hire someone! And it’s not urgent.
Luke
Board size please.
Val
