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I can only be grateful for that small mercy. I’m sure as hell not ready to face him like this, with Brandon’s merlot all over me and Nick with a stunning date on his arm.
To my relief, a departing group of diners heads toward me from the opposite end of the walkway. I skirt the far edge of them, putting their party between me and Nick’s line of vision as I step quickly past the gallery dining room.
As soon as I’m through the swinging door of the ladies’ room, I sag against the wall and let go of the air that’s trapped in my lungs.
Breathe, Avery. Just breathe. God, it’s not easy to do.
He’s here. After a year of taking every step possible to avoid him, now, he’s just in the other room. Enjoying a romantic dinner with another woman.
I should be relieved. Hell, I should be overjoyed that he’s enjoying a romantic dinner with another woman after trying to play me again the other night at the reception. That pitiful part of me that has been tethered to what we had, waiting for Nick to either come around and beg me for forgiveness or confirm once and for all that nothing we shared was real has just been given its freedom.
So, why do the backs of my eyes sting with hot tears as I head over to the sink and begin to clean the spilled wine from my dress?
Why does my reflection look so miserable when I should be elated to finally have some closure?
Because, apparently, getting my heart broken by Dominic Baine has taught me nothing.
Am I reall
y so weak? Or is his hold on me simply that strong, even after all this time, after all the lies and the anger and the pain?
The door swings open and an elderly woman enters, giving me a sympathetic glance as I dab at the front of my dress with a paper towel. I’ve done about all I can to get the wine out, but I linger in the restroom, knowing damn well I’m stalling.
The older woman joins me at the trio of sinks to wash her hands. “I’ve cried over a few ruined dresses in my day,” she says, smiling kindly at me in the mirror. “You should try some soda water on that, dear. Works like a charm.”
I nod and murmur my thanks, waiting until she’s left before I toss my dampened paper towels into the trash. Then, girding myself for the gauntlet that will take me past Nick and his date once more, I exit and head back to rejoin Brandon.
I don’t know whether to be relieved or disappointed to see that Nick and his companion are gone by the time I pass the gallery room. Their table is being bussed, already making room for other diners.
I assure myself I’m not the least bit curious where they’ve gone. Not the least bit stung to imagine him taking her back to his penthouse for a night of pleasures I can imagine all too easily.
“Everything okay?” Brandon reaches for my hand after I slip back into my seat at our table.
I nod, calling upon a smile that aches more than I care to acknowledge. “Yes. Everything’s just fine.”
Chapter 5
The next afternoon, I’m seated at the bar at Vendange, the Madison Avenue restaurant where I used to work with my best friend, Tasha. Although the place is usually packed to capacity with bankers, traders, and other corporate types day and night during the week, the Saturday lunch crowd leans more toward power shoppers, sightseers, and well-heeled couples out to explore the city.
Tasha’s been managing the restaurant for more than a year now, and somehow she makes it look easy. I can’t help but feel a sense of pride as I watch her handle customers and staff with equal parts smooth professionalism and exuberant charm. Vendange had been popular enough when I worked behind the bar, but Tasha’s management of the hotspot has taken its success to a whole new level.
She’s smiling as she breaks away from a table of happy customers and finally heads my way, pausing to place an order with the bartender. “Caleb, will you pour me a glass of that new Malbec that just came in, please?”
While he nods and pivots away to fetch the drink, she comes over and envelops me in a warm hug. “Hey, you! Sorry to leave you sitting over here for so long. We’ve been going nonstop since the doors opened today.”
“I see that. Things are going well.”
“We’re having a record month,” she says, hooking some of her soft brown spiral curls behind her ear as she releases me. Her cheeks are bright, her gorgeous doe eyes dancing as she hops onto the recently vacated stool beside me. “At this rate, I’m going to have to expand the kitchen staff again and hire a few more servers. Not to mention I’m gonna need an assistant manager sooner than later.”
I laugh, my brows lifting in surprise. “An assistant manager for my best friend, the ultimate boss lady? I’m shocked.”
“Yeah, well, not like I have much choice.” She shrugs, her grin widening. “I’m pregnant.”
“Tasha! Oh, my God, that’s amazing news.”
“I know, right? My little Zoe’s going to be a big sister.” She starts giggling, and then I’m laughing along with her, my heart leaping at the pure joy I see in her face. No wonder she seems to be glowing today. Although she’s being careful to keep her voice quiet, I can see that she’s practically bursting with excitement.
“How long have you known? I saw you and Tony last week and you didn’t say anything.”
