Page 25 of Like It's 1999

“Venture capital? You know, pouring loads of money into start-ups? It’s big out there with the tech industry booming.”

“I thought Boston was the tech capital. You know, all those companies out on route 128?”

“Silicon Valley is the place to be now. I think it’s a hardware/software difference. Boston is all about the hardware, Cali about the software. And things move so fast. I was lucky and got in at just the right time. People think of the West Coast as being laid-back, but things move at warp speed—and not just in the movies. People constantly moving from one firm to another, money moving fast. And the work is twenty-four seven.”

“Sounds… not boring?”

“Yeah, I knew the finance scene in Boston was pretty stodgy, but I had no idea how cool it’d be out west.” He nods, obviously fired up and into what he’s doing. “And what about you? I saw you taking pictures when I came in. Are you a photographer now? I always thought you’d end up doing something creative.”

I swirl the ice cubes melting in my drink. “Oh, no, I’m… just a housewife.”

“Seriously?” Stupidly, I meet his gaze, which is full of disbelief. And probably pity.

“Yep. I spend my days with other ladies talking about makeup and tennis and which makeup won’t run when you play tennis, and I spend my nights trying to create the progeny.” I take a slug of my drink. “I don’t recommend it. Sex for procreation, that is. The tennis isn’t so bad.”

He looks like he doesn’t know what to say. I don’t blame him. I take another healthy swig. “But enough about me. I hear you’re engaged. Who’s the lucky girl who managed to pin down Hot Steve?”

“Um, yeah. Her name is Susan.” He nods. “She’s a lawyer with a firm that we do a lot of work with, so we kind of run in the same circles. She’s from the area and we spend a lot of time with her family. Her uncle owns a vineyard up in Napa. Have you ever been?”

“Yeah, actually. Tim had a week-long medical conference there in the spring. The wives did a lot of wine tasting. Great food, too.”

This conversation is so ridiculously banal it’s surreal. If you’d told me five years ago that I’d be having it, I’d have told you to buzz off or assumed you were high. But we just keep slogging through it.

“Oh, yeah.” Steve’s nodding like a bobblehead doll. “The food is amazing. I’m really hoping we can get in to The French Laundry.”

“You should totally go there. I had to run an extra five miles the next day to burn the calories from that meal.”

“Hey, I’m running now too.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, Susan made me. And I quit smoking.”

“I’ll drink to that. Good for you. Wish my husband would do the same.”

“Seriously? I thought he was a doctor.”

“He’s asurgeon. They think they’re superior to the rest of us.” I shake my head. “He denies that he smokes. But I can smell it on him.” I tap Steve on the arm. “I’m proud of you, though. How often are you running?”

“Pretty much every day. Such a great stress reliever, you know?”

I nod slowly. “I do know. Only thing that keeps me sane. Kate and I had a great run today on the Charles, just like old times.”

He leans forward. “We should run together this week.”

“That would be fun, but I’m leaving tomorrow. Have to get back to my busy schedule.”

“Ah.”

The expression on his face is unreadable. He’s probably trying to imagine why he ever hooked up with a bitter old woman like me. Best to cut him off at the pass, so I stand. “Kate’s trying to wind this party down. Are you meeting Susan for a real New Year’s Eve thing, or what?”

Rising, he shoves his hands in his pockets. “She’s at home. Her family does a big party every year. But I didn’t want to miss this. I mean, we stood up with these guys. Gotta make sure they’re doing okay.” He shakes his head. “I can’t believe Kate has two kids and is the CEO of her own nonprofit. She’s pretty awesome.”

“Yes, she is.” I set my empty glass in the sink and push the swinging door that leads into the dining area. “Speaking of Kate, I should go see if she needs any help.”

“Okay. I’m gonna head out, I guess. I told some old work friends I’d meet them at another party.”

He opens his arms wide. When I give him aWhat are you doing?look, he laughs. “I’m a hugger now. Susan’s family is all about the hug. Come on, bring it in.”

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