Page 3 of Ties That Bind Us

“You must be Rob,” I said, abandoning all thoughts of tall, dark, and handsome.

“I am. Angie wasn’t lying, you are beautiful.” He shoved his hands in his pockets in a shy, middle school–boy sort of way. This poor guy—we hadn’t even sat down yet and I already knew I was going to eat him alive.

“Thank you.” I smiled warmly, leaning in closer to make sure he could hear me over the pounding bass of the band. “Shall we go sit down?”

“I’d love to.” He slipped his arm in mine and led me over to a table with a Reserved sign on it. I stole one more glance over my shoulder at my mystery man, still conflicted about my decision. He raised his glass to me before turning back to the group he was with. So long, stranger.

Rob and I sat down and chatted for a few minutes as we scanned the menu. A few times, I looked up and caught the guy still staring at me, nursing his drink and politely laughing at something his friend was saying. Each time, I darted my eyes away, feeling the blood rush to my cheeks. Eventually, he disappeared with his group of friends, and I could finally relax and try to enjoy myself with Rob.

“So, Ava, your sister told me you’re studying to be a lawyer?” Rob started to create the first-date small talk I hated so much.

“I am. A defense attorney, actually. I have a year and a half left.”

“Now, that’s a job that will give you a lot of great stories! How’d you get into that?” He was clearly intrigued.

“I guess I’ve just always been interested in law. My family . . .” I clamped my mouth shut immediately. I couldn’t exactly blab to this guy that my family needed their own defense attorney because they were part of the Mafia.

“Your family? Is that a family business then?” Rob asked.

“Something of the sort, yes.”

“A defense attorney, huh?” He leaned back in his chair. “Does that mean you could help me get out of the assault charges I got a few months back? Silly little bar fight?”

“Oh . . . that’s not exactly—”

“I’m totally kidding, I’ve never even gotten a speeding ticket.”

He was endearing, much different than I had pictured him when Angie conned me into this, and I was even starting to relax a little bit. Maybe even enjoying myself.

“What else do you like to do?” he asked.

“I love to travel. I get a little stir crazy if I stay in one place for too long.”

If I was being honest, traveling was one of my favorite things in the world. It didn’t matter where, I just loved experiencing new places and cultures and not being tied to one location all my life. There was nothing quite like the feeling of experiencing a new country for the first time. The sights and sounds and smells. I craved the instability of it all—that you could hop on a plane or train and be in a completely new place in just a few hours, where no one knew who you were or where you came from. It was transient, never permanent. I was pretty certain I could spend my entire life searching out new places. I craved the free feeling it gave me; it was almost intoxicating. “I spent some time studying abroad in Greece and Spain in my undergrad and I’ve been dying to get back ever since.”

Rob nodded in agreement with a distant look in his eye. “I know exactly what you mean. I used to travel a lot too. Now, I’m so busy with work I hardly have the chance. Right now, most of my focus is on finding the right woman and starting a family.”

I pressed my lips into a thin line, hoping I could ignore his last comment and enjoy the rest of our evening.

We ordered more drinks and some appetizers to share, and Rob and I had a great time getting to know each other. He was charming and safe, and looked exactly like the type of guy my parents would prefer me to bring home, but that was exactly the problem. I appreciated the security a guy like Rob provided, but what about the spontaneity and fun? What about the adventure and challenge and passion that a real relationship needed? Poor Rob was a nearly perfect guy, but he was about to be a casualty in my own personal battle. By the time dessert came around, I was anxious for the conversation I knew was inevitable. Luckily, Rob walked right into it and gave me my window of opportunity.

“You know, Ava, I know this is fast, but I really feel like you and I click. I’d love to take you out again later this week. Do you like the opera?”

“Rob, you’re a great guy, and I’ve had a lot of fun tonight, but I’m not really looking for a relationship, and I certainly don’t want to waste your time. I’m not sure what Angie told you, but I’m not in a position to settle down. I’m so sorry.”

Rob smiled sympathetically but I didn’t wait for answer. I hated things like this, hated confrontation of any sort, and my instinct was always to bail as fast as possible.

Leaving some cash on the table for the check, I hurried away, trying not to cause even more of a scene. It wasn’t until I was in a back hallway that I realized I had gone the wrong way. I couldn’t go back out the way I came—Rob would surely see me and that would just make things even more awkward for the both of us.

At the end of the hallway, there was a doorway closed off with a black curtain. It was the only one not labeled as a bathroom or maintenance, and I had no idea where it led, but I didn’t have many options. Hurrying toward it, I ducked behind the curtain and was immediately almost knocked off of my feet by a waiter carrying a tray overflowing with food.

“Watch it!” the waiter yelled, not paying another glance to me. If I thought it was busy and chaotic out in the dining room, it was nothing compared to this.

I’d found myself in the kitchen of the restaurant, steps away from flaming grills and large wood fired ovens. The heat was almost as overwhelming as the noise of the cooks hollering back and forth to each other. Through the smoke, I could see another doorway a few yards away and made my move, trying to avoid another near collision.

I slipped through the doorway, but what I saw on the other side wasn’t exactly an exit. It looked like an office. There was a large desk and tall filing cabinets, and it had the distinct smell of paper, old books, and cigars. Not exactly the exit I had been hoping for. What the hell was this place, a maze? Why couldn’t I find my way out of it?

Because you didn’t use the entrance like normal people, Ava. I grimaced, covering my face with my hands.

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