Page 89 of Promising You
The restaurant ison the top of a hill overlooking a lake. It’s very elegant with white tablecloths, red velvet curtains, and chandeliers. Classical music plays in the background. We’re seated at a table near the window. Even though it’s dark out we can still see the lake because it’s surrounded by torch lights and trees decorated with white lights.
“I’d suggest the steak, but get whatever you want.” Garret says as he looks at the menu.
“Steak sounds good, actually. Is that what you’re getting?”
He looks up. “Yeah, I think I’ll get that and—” He stops and I notice him staring at something behind me. I turn around, and walking out from what looks like a private dining room is Katherine and some man. They’re both dressed up and appear to be trying to sneak out a back entrance.
“Katherine.” Garret says it loudly causing the people around us to stare. I watch as she turns back. I wish I could get a picture of her face. It’s a mix of embarrassment, horror, regret, anger, and confusion. The woman’s face never shows emotion, so this is a real treat.
Garret stands up. There’s no way he’s letting her leave without talking to him. She walks over to our table and Garret sits back down. The man who’s with her follows, his hands stuffed in his pant pockets and his eyes darting to the floor, to the sides of the room—anywhere except our table.
Katherine’s lips quiver as she struggles to maintain her fake smile. “Garret, what a lovely surprise.” She glances at me but doesn’t say anything.
“Out celebrating Valentine’s Day?” Garret asks her. Before she can answer Garret looks at the man standing next to her. “Stephen, didn’t you and my dad just attend that financial conference in Dallas? How was it? Did your wife go with you?”
No way! Garret knows this guy?
The man clears his throat. “The conference was good. And no, Sheryl wasn’t able to attend.”
“Stephen and I were actually just meeting to go over the company’s financial reports,” Katherine says. “With your father out of town, I stepped in to help out.”
“I’m sure you did,” Garret says, smiling. “So anyway, I talked to Lilly earlier.”
Katherine’s fake smile disappears. “I really wish you wouldn’t phone her without talking to me first. You know it disrupts her schedule.”
“She didn’t seem to have a schedule today. She was getting ice cream with your father.”
Katherine is trying to remain calm, but I can tell she’s pissed as hell. She’s breathing fast, her lip is still quivering, and she’s looking at Garret like she wants to strangle him right here at the table.
Garret sits back and reaches in his pocket for his phone. “You know what? We should call Dad right now. It would be a nice surprise.”
He’s really pushing Katherine over the edge. And I love it!
Katherine puts her hand over his phone. “We really shouldn’t disturb him, Garret. Your father’s a very busy man.”
“Not too busy to talk to his loving wife and son.” He grins as he pushes her hand away from the phone.
Katherine turns to the man. “Stephen, wait outside. I’ll be right out.” As she says it, I notice that her hair doesn’t look as stiff and perfect as normal. She has it up, but it’s falling out in places. And her dress is wrinkled. Holy crap! Did they just have sex in that private room?
“Garret, stop this,” Katherine snaps at him, bringing my focus back to the table. She’s sitting next to him now, angled toward him with her back to me. “What you saw was nothing. Just two people having dinner. Do NOT tell your father about this.”
“Why? You’re separated. You’re practically divorced.”
She sits up straighter and smooths her hair back in place. “We’re not getting divorced.”
“You’re not? Then why are you separated?”
“We’re not separated. We’re back together now.” She starts fidgeting with the tablecloth, running her long, skinny, manicured fingers along the crease.
“Why didn’t Dad tell me about this?”
“It just happened. Now I need you to promise me you won’t say anything to your father about tonight.”
“Sorry, Katherine. If you wanted me to cover for you, you shouldn’t have been such a bitch to me all these years. And you definitely shouldn’t have been a bitch to my girlfriend.”
Wow! Who knew I’d get so much entertainment at dinner?
Katherine lowers her voice even more. “Don’t you dare speak to me that way! I am your mother.”
