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roman
“You’re bumming me out,man. She has hardly been gone for a week, and you look like you’ve aged ten years. Get a hold of yourself,” Baron, my sometimes client and friend scolds me over chips and salsa at his wife’s favorite Mexican restaurant. I’m not sure why they invited me. But if I were to guess, I’d have to assume one of two things: Summer asked them to check in on me, or they took pity on a lonely man. For the sake of my ego, I think I’ll go with the first theory.
“I don’t know who you believe you’re talking to, Mr. Caulfield, big shot movie star. I remember what you were like before you sealed the deal with your lady. Your psychosis has hardly improved since the wedding.” I remind him about the months I helped him stalk his wife to and from work---an insane task made even worse by his voyeurism.
He looks over his shoulder to ensure she’s still in the bathroom. “Hush up. You know how sensitive she is right now. Between the pregnancy, the spa canceling this morning’s facial, and Summer gone for so long, Sunny hasn’t been herself. Every morning she swears she’s gained another pound and prances around naked to show me the evidence. In my constant state of horniness, I’ve discovered a deep dark obsession with my woman’s pregnant figure. It’s hot as shit, and I think she knows exactly what she’s doing. I’ve become her slave.”
“That is way too much information. Besides, weren’t you always her slave?” I take a swig of beer and lift my glass to the dark-haired woman standing behind him. He tenses, then jump to pull out her chair.
“Thanks, sweetheart. Did you order me a virgin strawberry margarita?” She bats her lashes and turns Baron into a puddle of mush.
He nods with enthusiasm. “Of course, I think he’s coming now.”
She shakes her head and then claps with excitement when the server appears with her non-alcoholic drink. “
“Buen provecho, señorita.” The server gushes, dumbstruck by Sunny’s beauty.
“Muchas gracias.” Sunny smiles adoringly at the teenage waiter, young enough to be her kid brother.
Baron leans closer and points to her very pregnant belly. “She’s obviously aseñora. And she’smy señora.” I roll my eyes at his possessive bullshit and hope to God I’m not that bad around Summer. It’s hard to tell. I know she’d call me out on any crap, but Sunny is so accustomed to Baron’s antics that she hardly notices anymore. Sipping her drink, she’s oblivious to Baron marking his territory or the menacing stare he uses to chase the kid away.
“Roman! Did Baron give you my news?” Sunny mumbles through a mouthful of chips and nudges her elbow into Baron’s side.
Baron shakes his head and crosses his hands like an umpire, pleading with his wife to hold off on whatever she’s about to say. “Let’s order dinner first, sweetheart. You said you were starving.”
She nods and lifts her menu. “You’re right, baby. This place is spectacular, but they take forever with our food. The sooner we order, the better.”
I rap my knuckles on the table and shift my eyes left to right, wondering what the hell Baron is keeping from me. Did something happen with Summer? Did she confide something to Sunny? I’m waiting on pins and needles while they discuss whether they want to share the chicken enchiladas and fajitas or go with her favorite quesadillas.
Our young server returns but keeps his distance, fearing Baron’s wrath. When he departs, I draw their attention back to me. “What news, Sunny?”
Baron grimaces through clenched teeth. “It’s just a thought. We haven’t made any decisions.”
“Nonsense! I bought a bikini earlier today and started packing before we left for dinner. Earlier today, I put a hold on the Skyview Cottage near the lake because it’s one of the biggest and closest to the staff cabins. Oh, you should see the wrap-around porch on this place.” Sunny taps her feet on the Mexican tile and wiggles her behind in her seat. She’s so much like Summer. It blows my mind they’re not sisters.
“You know mountain resorts aren’t my thing. I’ll go crazy in the wilderness. I bet their wifi stinks.” Baron tries to bargain. “Why don’t we plan a trip to Maine or Vermont in the fall?”
“The fall? I’ll have a baby in the fall. Who knows how sleep-deprived I’ll be after Baron junior arrives?” She hugs her belly and pouts. “But if you think one last babymoon is a bad idea, we don’t have to go.”
“Baron junior?” I laugh to myself and stuff a handful of chips in my mouth. Watching him squirm is almost worth postponing my call to Summer by one hour. “Since when did you decide...”
Baron cuts me off quickly, then hangs his head in defeat. “We’re not naming him Baron Junior. I’ve hated my name my entire life and won’t subject my son to it. But if you want to go to Virginia to see your cousin- and don’t tell me that’s not your main motivation- then I’ll take you next weekend. I’ll need to send someone ahead of us to check the place for security reasons. I won’t take a chance with you.”
Sunny squeals with delight. “Next week suits me fine. Are you sure?”
Baron plants a kiss on her flushed cheek. “It’s my privilege to shuttle you around wherever you’d like to go.”
“Virginia? You’re seriously going to Virginia? Goddamn it, Baron---why didn’t you tell me sooner? I wanted to follow Summer there, and you said I was insane. Now how will it look if you show up and I stay here twiddling my thumbs?” I stomp his loafer under the table and inhale the rest of my beer.
“No, Roman! You must go! Summer told me she misses you. She won’t ask you to come on her own, but I’m sure she’s dying to see you. Besides, now you have the perfect excuse to go without looking like a crazed stalker,” Sunny declares her wild plans loud enough for the table nearby to overhear. “You can check the place out for Baron!”
“Stalker? I’m not stalking her.” I shrink in my seat and contemplate reaching for my sunglasses.
Baron narrows his gaze and smirks.
“Fine! I’m not stalking her anymore. We’re together, and we love one another. She would have asked if she wanted me to go to Virginia. If she doesn’t want me there, then she doesn’t want me there. I won’t chase her into the mountains like a lovesick teenager.” I pound my fist into the table, but my voice has no passion. I’m a lost cause, and I know it.
“So, you’re telling me you’re heading into the mountains?” Baron quirks an eyebrow and wraps his arm around Sunny’s shoulders.
“I leave tomorrow.” Goddamn it. I hope this doesn’t blow up in my face.
Sunny bounces for joy. “Yippee! We’ll have such a good time!”
