Page 9 of All My Love
He’s young, probably in his thirties, and a good looking guy. He’s smiling and he has his phone out. Liz is also smiling, also has her phone out, and when a sudden rush of jealousy glides though me, I try to push it away as fast as it cameon.
I shake my head and crane my neck to watch as a waitress stops at the table where I’m hovering. I remind myself that this is why she’s here, or at least that’s what my mind is suddenly shifting to. And why shouldn’t she be here to have some fun with a guy? I immediately think back to my summer abroad when I was a junior in college. I went to Greece, Sicily, and Portugal, and there was no dearth of beautiful people looking for afling.
Then why do I feel so possessive over Liz all of a sudden? I can feel it in my bones, an unattractive look for me, I’m sure, and if I could see myself from the outside, I’d probably tell myself to quit looking and just get my ass over there. It’s no big deal. From what I can see, they’re just exchanging numbers like a couple of attractive youngpeople.
But the more I watch, the more I feel that I should march over there and tell this guy to fuck off. I don’t know if I’m trying to keep a respectful distance right now or if I’m just a little shocked by how fast Liz has been asked for her number, but either way, my feet are moving, seemingly with a mind of theirown.
“Hi,” I say to the young man. He puts his hand out to shakemine.
“We good?” he asks me in French. A line often associated with a situation being anything but good. I keep my hand locked onto his for another beat. Am Igood?
“Yeah, yeah,” I recover from my fumble, in English this time. “I’m an old friend of Liz’sparents.”
He directs a few pleasantries to Liz and I take my seat again. There’s a look of flushed, maybe embarrassment on her face, though I don’t really get a great read on her. I could ask how she’s feeling, but I don’t want tooverstep.
“Thanks,” she exasperates towards me. I see the hint of a smile play on her face. The smile is so sweet that it nearly knocks me on myass.
I take a sip of my water, resolving to get my head right. I have to. There is no otherchoice.
