Page 58 of Thanks for the Memories
“I sometimes wonder if I’ve ever really been in love,” I say thoughtfully. “I’m talking about the really passionate kind where you connect to another person on a whole other level. I’ve definitely cared about people, but it’s not the same. I see my sister and Evan together and don’t remember ever feeling that way. Their connection is deep and powerful. It’s a little nauseating sometimes.”
“I totally get it,” she agrees. “That’s why I don’t think Mike and I lasted. I definitely loved him, but obviously we weren’t meant to be together forever. He’s married to someone else now, and they look perfect together.”
She takes her phone out of her bag and types something. “Have you seen Mike’s wedding pictures?”
“Yes, I saw them right after he posted.”
“Well, let me show you again,” she insists. “It looks like it was the picturesque wedding with all the trimmings. Not that his mother would’ve had any different. She’s your typical superwoman—creative, organized, and would do anything for her kids.”
She clicks on her ex’s profile pics and shows me the same pictures I’ve already seen. Mike’s wedding pictures are breathtaking. The event planner in me swoons over all the intricate wedding details.
“It’s probably a good thing he didn’t end up marrying me,” she says, placing her phone down on the table. “My mother probably would’ve been impossible at that wedding.”
“Everything happens for a reason,” I say.
“I agree—like us being here in Dante’s restaurant. Maybe we were all meant to end up in Miami after all.”
She holds up her glass of wine to toast. I touch my water glass to it. I’ve moved past the Diet Coke and onto water, while she’s still nursing her wine.
After the server has cleared our plates, I run to the bathroom to check my makeup. I quickly send Lila a text letting her know I need to talk to her. Bethany isn’t going to give up on her request to move in, so I want to head that off before she gets to Lila first.
On my way back to the table, I notice that Dante has returned. As I get closer, I slow down until I come to a complete stop. Dante has his arm draped on the back of the chair behind Bethany. Their heads are together, she’s whispering in his ear, and he has a huge grin on his face. A massive wave of jealously takes over my body, and I can feel my blood pressure rise. I quickly turn around and make my way back to the bathroom to calm myself before returning to the table.
I take a few cleansing breaths as I try to relax. This is exactly why she didn’t want me to tell Dante about Paul. She’s enjoying every ounce of attention she’s receiving, and she doesn’t want anything to get in the way of that. Is it Dante she really wants? Is she just stringing Paul along? Using him for his connections? Lila is going to be furious. No matter what, the fact remains that Dante’s main focus is Golden and she knows this. Maybe that’s why she’s keeping her options open. In the meantime, I can’t help but be confused about Dante’s behavior. I know he’s busy, but he keeps saying he wants to make more time for me. I was willing to give it time and wait and see, but I’m not sure I want to anymore.
After a few minutes I pull myself together enough to return to the table. Their positions haven’t changed, but at least she’s not whispering in his ear anymore.
“There you are,” Bethany says. “We were getting worried.”
I plaster a smile on my face and sit down in my chair.
“Sorry, I wanted to check in on Kennedy,” I lie.
“Oh yeah, is her mother-in-law okay?”
I’m not the best liar, but I give it a try. “Oh, there aren’t any new updates. What are you two talking about?”
“Well, since we have no decent food at the house, I begged Dante to come over in the morning before work to make us breakfast.” She squeals in delight like it’s the greatest thing that’s ever happened to her.
Begging, huh?Is that the way to spend time with him? As much as I’d like to see him more often, I don’t think I can bring myself to do that.
He smiles. “It would be a quick visit. If that’s okay with you?”
“Of course,” I say, trying desperately to sound convincing.
Bethany puts her arm around Dante’s shoulders. “I told him he needs to get this place running like a machine before I get back here so he has more free time.”
The hostess comes to the table to let Dante know that a guest would like to thank him for their meal.
“Look at you, getting compliments,” Bethany exclaims. “Well deserved.”
Dante gives us both hugs good-bye and leaves to greet his customers.
“You ready?” I ask.
She gives me a funny look. “Yeah—is something wrong?
I shake my head. “I’m just tired.”
