AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Greg shook
his head. "Jacky is single." A waiter approached. Greg said: "How about a cocktail?" Perhaps it might ease the tension. "Two martinis," he said to the waiter.
"Right away, sir."
As soon as the waiter had left, Nelly said: "You're the boy's father, aren't you?"
"Godfather."
Her voice became contemptuous. "Oh, stop it."
"What makes you so sure?"
"He may be black, but he looks like you. He can't keep his shoelaces tied or his shirt tucked in, and nor can you. And he was charming the pants off that little blond girl he was talking to. Of course he's yours."
Greg gave in. He sighed and said: "I was going to tell you."
"When?"
"I was waiting for the right moment."
"Before you proposed would have been a good time."
"I'm sorry." He was embarrassed, but not really contrite: he thought she was making an unnecessary fuss.
The waiter brought menus and they both looked at them. "The spaghetti Bolognese is great," said Greg.
"I'm going to get a salad."
Their martinis arrived. Greg raised his glass and said: "To forgiveness in marriage."
Nelly did not pick up her drink. "I can't marry you," she said.
"Honey, come on, don't overreact. I've apologized."
She shook her head. "You don't get it, do you?"
"What don't I get?"
"That woman sitting on the park bench with you--she loves you."
"Does she?" Greg would have denied it yesterday, but after today's conversation he was not sure.
"Of course she does. Why hasn't she married again? She's pretty enough. By now she could have found a man willing to take on a stepson, if she'd really been trying. But she's in love with you, you rotter."
"I'm not so sure."
"And the boy adores you, too."
"I'm his favorite uncle."
"Except that you're not." She pushed her glass across the table. "You have my drink."
"Honey, please relax."
"I'm leaving." She stood up.
Greg was not used to girls walking out on him. He found it unnerving. Was he losing his allure?
