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I pull her picture from my pocket and look down at it again. I know that whoever this cowboy is, that information would be in the folder. Is he her boyfriend? Fiancé? I don’t remember seeing a ring on her finger. Either way, he’s a lucky bastard for getting to be a part of her life.
“Alex?”
I look up and see Mrs. Davenport standing on the other side of the small wrought iron fence, dividing the bistro’s patio and the city sidewalk. Rosemary is standing next to her holding a garment bag in her arms.
“Mrs. D.” I stand up abruptly, knocking my knee into the table and knocking my glass of water. “Oh shit.”
I wipe furiously with my cloth napkin over the now soaked file.
“Do you need help with that?” Rosemary asks, stepping forward.
“No!” I shout louder than I mean to.
Confusion and hurt mix on Rosemary’s face.
“I’m sorry.” I look from Rosemary to Mrs. Davenport and back again. “I didn’t mean to yell.”
“Are you eating alone?” Mrs. Davenport asks.
I have to tear my eyes off Rosemary. “Yes, ma’am. I got a rare afternoon off and I thought I’d enjoy the sunny afternoon while we have it.”
“Rosemary and I were just shopping for our dresses for the fundraiser. Will we see you tonight?”
I glance back at Rosemary as I say, “I wouldn’t miss it.”
“Sweetheart, I know we talked about lunch, but would you mind if we do it another day? After a late night last night and then getting up early, I’m worn out,” Mrs. Davenport says to Rosemary.
I don’t miss the little smile Rosemary makes when she is called sweetheart.
“That’s fine. I can just grab a hotdog on the corner and take a ferry ride around the Sound.”
Mrs. Davenport makes a face at the mention of her daughter consuming a hotdog.
She turns to me. “Alex, will you be a dear and have lunch with Rosemary?”
“Oh I’m sure he has better things to do than eat with me,” Rosemary jumps in.
“Nope.” I shake me head. “My afternoon is wide open. I’d love to.”
“Perfect,” Mrs. Davenport says to me before turning to Rosemary. “Give me your dress and I will take it home with me.”
Rosemary hands over her dress and then walks over to the gate that opens onto the patio. As she walks over, I remember the folder containing all sorts of information about her sitting in front of me. I toss my napkin down on top of it. Mrs. Davenport hands her a key.
“So you can use the elevator,” she explains. “You kids have fun.”
I don’t say anything and watch her until she turns the corner, just out of our sight. Then I turn back to Rosemary. She’s looking over the menu.
“Were you serious about the hotdog and ferry ride?” I ask.
Her eyes light up and she smiles. “Yes.”
“Good.” I stand up and toss a few bills on the table. “Let’s go.”
