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To keep thinking about Amelia, even though him she hates.
Okay, I’m absolutely insane. I’m making rhymes to pass the time, spacing out as she goes into great detail about the guy she used to date.
I let a slight laugh slip out at my own internal monologue.
“Jack, is something funny?”
“Sorry,” I say. “It was, uh, just an old joke I thought of. Be right back.”
I get up to go to the bathroom and splash water on my face, to refocus.
When I return to the table, the server comes by to refill our water glasses when I glance over at the table next to us, where I see Amelia on a date with Brad.
I feel myself getting jealous. I’m pretty sure my nostrils even flare.
"Jack, are you okay?" Kate asks, touching my hand.
"Uh, yeah, I'm fine," I say, shaking my head again. "So, you were saying, you're here for a yoga retreat?"
Focus. Don’t be an asshole.
"Yes," Kate says, a little awkwardly. "It doesn’t start until tomorrow, but I came a few days early. I've been able to relax and clear my mind here. It’s especially nice in January when it’s so cold back home."
“Oh, the weather here is the best. Not as good in May though--that’s when the rainy season hits! So, tell me, what is your favorite yoga pose? And how did you get into yoga?”
At this point I’m just asking questions so that I don’t have to talk. She goes on for a while, then notices.
"Jack, is everything okay?" Kate asks, looking concerned.
"Yeah, I'm fine," I say, forcing a smile. "Sorry, I'm just a little distracted tonight."
Kate looks at me sympathetically. "Is there something on your mind that you want to talk about?"
I hesitate for a moment, considering whether or not to tell her about Amelia. But in the end I decide against it. I don’t want to ruin the evening by bringing up another woman.
"No, it's nothing," I say. "I'm just a little preoccupied with work, that's all."
Kate nods understandingly. "I understand. It can be tough balancing work and personal life. Especially for, uh, someone like you. A CEO."
“It’s stressful, yes.” I nod, feeling guilty for not being completely honest with her.
We share oysters and fish and wine at dinner, and she asks me about the possibility of going back to see my place tonight. She’s heard about my estate.
Fair enough. It’s pretty much impossible to miss it if you spend a day in this town.
“Nothing that great about it, honestly,” I say, holding an oyster in front of my mouth. “It’s just a big mansion.”
She bats her eyes flirtily. “Well, I’ve never toured a big mansion. So I wouldn’t mind checking it out. Unless you’ve got other plans?”
“Maybe we could go back to my hotel for one more drink,” I acquiesce.
“That works, too. In a moment? I just have to use the bathroom and I’ll be back.”
Standing outside, I give the yoga retreat owners a ring.
“Jack,” Josefina answers. “Long time no chat. To what do I owe the pleasure?”
We know each other from years of living in this small town together. She and her husband Chester have been running their retreat going eight years.
