Page 19 of Last First Date

Meredith was busy with her phone. I had no idea what she was doing but the look on her face said she was up to something.

"Look at this," she said and turned her phone to face me.

The first thing I saw was a picture of Knox. "Are you stalking him again?" I asked.

"Look at the article," she said.

I took her phone and scrolled through the article that was a compilation of Knox's long list of ex-girlfriends. Most of them were models or B-list actresses. That wasn't a surprise. The article speculated about Knox's intentions with women. It wasn't a good assessment. They claimed he used women to get ahead. He was all about his image.

"I guess I'm not surprised," I said with a sigh and handed the phone to Janie for her to read. "Of course, he dates celebrities."

The article gave me pause. Yes, my opinion of him had softened a little but maybe it was a ploy to disarm me.

"This article cites some sources that say he actually hates women," Janie said and handed the phone back to Meredith.

Meredith turned her attention back to her screen. I could only imagine what kind of dirt she had found on him.

"I don't know about that," I said. "I suppose it's possible, but I'm guessing that statement came from a disgruntled woman."

"Or perhaps ten of them?" Meredith said. "It seems his list of 'disgruntled' exes is growing. This blog says he likes first dates but not second."

I smiled. "Again, the first date doesn't guarantee a second. Maybe he just didn't like them. I've been on a few first dates that I never went back for a second."

"That's true," Janie conceded. "But you're not a serial model-dater with a reputation for being a jerk."

Before I could respond, Meredith interjected. “Look at this," she said again and turned her phone to face us. It was another article about Knox. This time it was an interview where he had talked about the pressures of being in the limelight and how he struggled to balance his personal life with his professional image.

"He says he's misunderstood," Meredith read aloud. "That people judge him before they get to know him."

I took a sip from my margarita and swirled the lime-green liquid around the glass, considering Meredith's words. "Misunderstood, hmm?" I mused half-rhetorically.

"Oh, don't tell me you're buying into that nonsense," Janie exclaimed, her brow furrowed in concern as she watched me over the brim of her own margarita.

Meredith put her phone down, resting it on the table between our drinks. She leaned back with a thoughtful frown. "Is it so hard to believe that he might be telling the truth? That he really is misunderstood?"

"It's not impossible," I admitted slowly. "He does seem to carry one hell of a chip on his shoulder."

"You would be a fool to fall for him, Waverly," Janie warned. "You have a big heart, and you like to see the good in people. This guy isn't it. Yes, he's attractive but we've all met guys like this. He's going to play nice, get in your pants, and then dump you."

"That's a bold prediction." I laughed. "We're not even close to that."

"I have to change my initial assessment," Meredith said. "I think you should keep your distance. Don't fall for him."

"Who's falling for anyone?" I countered.

"You're naive in the best way." Janie smiled. "You don't see the bad in people."

I glanced at Janie and then back to Meredith. "I'm not naive. I'm just trying to survive working with him. I'm not falling for him, and I have zero intentions of sleeping with him. I just prefer to judge someone based on who they are from my own assessment and not some gossip rag. I'm sure I might have an ex or two that might not sing my praises."

Meredith nodded thoughtfully, tapping her fingers against her glass. "Fair point. We all have skeletons in our closets."

"As long as you're being careful," Janie added, her tone no longer chiding but now edged with concern.

"I'm not a child," I grumbled. "I can handle myself just fine." They both went quiet, and I let out a sigh, pinching the bridge of my nose in regret. "I'm sorry. It's just stressful, you know? I remind myself this is Richard's grandson and he loves him. I have to try and have patience. Richard asked me to help Knox make the transition. If I start cataloging all of his faults, I'm going to get very negative. That is not what Richard would want. I owe it to Richard to give the guy a chance. No, he's not as refined as his grandfather, but maybe one day he will be."

"That's very big of you." Meredith smiled.

"Now, if he keeps being an asshole, I might change my mind." I laughed. "I will not hesitate to tell him to stick it where the sun doesn't shine if he keeps it up."