Page 26 of Beauty and the Grease
The dinner to please his bosses. To show how he fits the company Jell-O mold.
Since I awkwardly haven’t answered, Chase continues. “I know being around my coworkers isn’t your favorite, but it would mean a lot if you joined me tonight.”
I should join him. I told him I would. A thought arises. A very real one. “I don’t have anything to wear.” My outfit for today is thoroughly sweat-soaked from yoga.
“Did I hear there’s a fashion emergency?” Ameriel perks up behind me. “I swear, I wasn’t listening in, but I broughttwo dresses with me. One’s a maxi dress. It might be too long for you, but my sundress may work. Shoes too.”
I flash Ameriel a warning look. She defies my warning with a haughty,oh are you questioning me?return shot.
“How aboutyougo to dinner with Chase?” I suggest. That’s it! She’s been curious about him.
She maintains her smile. “Chase’s work already expects you since they think you’re a couple. Me showing up would be confusing, don’t you think?”
“The whole thing is confusing,” I grumble before I can think better of it.
Chase watches with obvious interest. “You know what? Never mind about the dinner. You’ve done enough already. I’ll tell everybody you had to go.”
Do I take the out? “I’m actually eager to get back home.” This is mostly true. My emotional morning has me in my feels, so I’m more interested in taking a nap than driving home.
Chase nods and starts off toward the main building, but circles back. “I’ll see you in Derby. For my car.”
I salute him. “Right on.”
Ameriel sucks her teeth beside me. “Why are you saluting him? You should have said yes to dinner.”
“It’s complicated.” I may have dished about my past and my insecurities to my new friends, but I didn’t let on about our annulled marriage.
“That rear view sure isn’t complicated.” Ameriel watches Chase leave. I gasp and she laughs. “Ha! Made you look. But you have to admit, it’s a nice parting shot.”
I’ve stayed long enough. It’s time to go home.
Ameriel zips into a light jacket. “You know, sometimes dinner can be as simple as dinner.”
“With an ex at his company event where I can’t stand anybody but him?”
“Okay, that doesn’t sound great.”
Clinging to Chase won’t help me define my own identity. Nope. Chase is not what I need. Only watching him go, I can’t help thinking I’ve made a mistake.
CHAPTER 13
Chase
Pre-dinner drinks presents more of the same endless talking about things I can speak easily on but don’t care much about. I sent off texts to the kids, promising a video chat tonight. Kevin’s words from yesterday haunt me. I don’t want to ignore Emma so she moves on to dating and YouTube. She can do those things, but I want to be there before, after, and during those phases. I want to be there for Emma and Owen, no matter what they’re doing.
I wish I was there now instead of here.
I’m sulking and I know it. That’s when I look up and see her.
Jenny crosses the lobby in heels and a dress grazing her knees. She carries her sweater over one arm, her shoulders bare except for thin straps. Wild strands of hair fall loose around her face. Her white streak looks bleached but maybe it’s gray. It looks great on her. She walks like a woman who knows what she wants.
And she’s walking toward me.
“You didn’t leave,” falls out of my mouth.
“I know.”
She could be on her way out, but I don’t ask. I hold out my arm for her. By some miracle, she takes it. I lead her into the banquet hall.
