Page 64 of Is This for Real?
“He didn’t think it was exactly fair that you were seated between strangers while we were all together next to Callie. Anyway, I caught up on law firm gossip.” Audrey takes a bite of her cake. “She’s not exactly being subtle, is she?”
“I’m not sure you can be subtle when you’re hitting on someone else’s boyfriend,” I say.
Audrey snorts. “It’s ironic because she’s the one who broke it off. But then again, maybe that’s why she can’t move on—because she regrets her decision.” Audrey’s mouth tilts downward as she gazes at Callie.
“Yes, she even said that directly to me,” I say. “And I think it’s also that she’s normally successful at getting what she wants.” At least that’s the impression she gives me. There are some bounce-back resilience benefits to being used to rejection.
Callie’s catering staff clears our dessert plates, and Rory comes over. He says hi to Audrey.
“Are you ready to go?” he asks. I hug Audrey goodbye and face Rory. We look at each other in that moment. Others are also departing, so there’s a bustle around us. But between us, there’s just silence, as if we’re taking stock of each other and this new threshold that we have to cross.
“I have to say thank you to Callie for the dinner,” I say.
He takes a deep breath. “I suppose so.”
We walk over to Callie, holding hands.
“Thanks for the delicious dinner.” The catered dinner was good.
Callie says, “I’m looking forward to your art career taking off, and then I can say I knew you when.”
I duck my head. “We’ll see.”
Rory and I walk out. This time, I don’t argue when he suggests a cab.
“Two stops,” he says to the cab driver, giving my address and then his.
His workbag is on the cab seat between us.
“I can change the doll, you know,” I say.
“And devastate your blog followers? I don’t think so.” Rory looks out the window.
“Thanks for defending my miniatures in there,” I say.
“I said what I believe. And we both know that what’s happening on your blog is not what is actually happening in real life.”
The cab turns onto Fifth Avenue to head south.
The cab makes a right turn to cross Central Park.
“I maybe haven’t fully considered the effect of my work on the real people in my life,” I say.
Rory glances at me. Lights from an oncoming car play across his face. “I hadn’t considered it, either.”
Ah. Callie knows him well.
“I guess that’s it now,” I say. “We don’t need to fake date anymore. Myrtle’s no longer pinching your butt, and I don’t need to convince Jamie I’m over him.”
Rory glances at me sharply. He starts to say something and stops. Suddenly, the cab is at my door.
“First stop,” the cab driver says. The hazard triangle light on the dashboard is blinking red.
I reach for my wallet. Rory puts his hand over mine to stop me. I want to lace my fingers through his.
“You know I’m not going to take your money,” he says. “I’m sorry about Callie.”
“You don’t have to apologize for Callie,” I say.
