Page 16 of Sunset

Chapter 8

Jasper

If Brynn can go out on a date, then so can I. When I was making my rounds in the dining room last night, a girl at a table called me over. We got to talking, and they were all friends and meet up once a year here at Sunset to catch up on life, since they all went different ways after college.

One of the girls asked me to dinner. She will be here for a few more days, so I said sure why not. So tonight, she and I are having dinner in The Sunset dining room. My mom wasn’t too happy, when she found out, but she didn’t say anything. It was just the look she gave me. It’s the ‘you’re doing something stupid, but I’m going to let you do it and learn the hard way’ look.

As I sit across from Jill, I find myself stuck in my old pattern of comparing her to Brynn. Her hair is blonde, and I like Brynn’s dark brown. Where Brynn’s hazel-green eyes sparkle full of life, Jill’s seem coy and calculating. Jill’s giggles are so fake and nothing like the sweet melody of Brynn’s real giggles. Her dress reveals way too much cleavage, unlike Brynn, who doesn’t feel the need to show it all off.

The conversation isn’t bad, but she doesn’t stop talking about herself. She’s a nurse and grew up in Nebraska, hated small-town life, and loves her city condo. She’s the exact opposite of Brynn, and I cringe at the thought of it.

She orders a salad. Of all the amazing dishes I put on the menu, she orders a salad. Brynn would have ordered steak, or fried chicken, or whatever the newest item I put on the menu was. She isn’t afraid to dive into a burger and calls a salad a nice snack.

“So, do you have any family nearby?” Jill asks.

“Yeah, my mom lives on The Island. My dad passed away last year, and I’m an only child,” I tell her.

Then, it happens. The worst thing she could have done. “Oh, my gosh. I’m sorry about your dad.” She says with the biggest fake frown I’ve ever seen. She reaches out to hold my hand, and I hate the phoney sympathy people try to give. Just be real, you didn’t know my dad. It’s fine, but don’t act like I’m broken, and you have to be depressed over it.

To make matters worse, this is the moment Brynn walks into the dining room, and she sees us with Jill’s hand in mine, and her gushing all over me.

I will never forget the hurt that crosses her face, before she turns around and walks back out. My heart clenches, and I immediately feel guilty for being here. I’m such an idiot. This is the lesson my mom knew I’d learn. What was I thinking?

I know what I was thinking. I was pissed that she went on that date with Daniel the other night and wanted to get back at her, and show her I can date, too.

Since Jill’s back is to the kitchen, I play the one card I can.

“I’m so sorry. One of my guys just flagged me to the kitchen. There’s something wrong. I need to get a check on them.” I tell her.

“Oh, of course. Don’t worry about me. I’m going to enjoy this amazing meal.” She smiles.

I try to smile back, as I head into the kitchen. Thankfully, Ken is there.

“The girl that’s at my table? Her meal is on me, send her a dessert, and tell her I can’t make it back, and get her out of here. Please.”

“Mmm, hmm” Ken answers, and one look tells me he isn’t happy.

“Not you, too.” I groan.

“Men are such idiots, aren’t they? In one night, you do more damage than the last five years combined. You just like digging that hole you’re in, huh? Pretty soon you’ll be too deep to get back out.” He says, heading back to the dining room, knowing I won’t follow him.

I rub my hand down my face, because I know he’s right.

I head to Brynn’s room and pound on the door.

“Brynn, let me in,” I say, but the lights are off, and there’s no noise or movement from inside.

I make my way over to The Sunrise. My guess is she went straight to Lin. But I make it no further than the lobby, before Dale, the security guard, stops me.

“You looking for Brynn?” He asks.

“Yeah, she come in here?” I ask.

“She did, but I think it’s best you let her calm down. She wasn’t just upset, she was mad. I haven’t seen her like that in a while. I learned early on, when women get like that, you need to let them calm down, before you talk to them.”

I take a deep breath. Knowing she’s safe at least, I nod to Dale and turn to go home. Today, was my day off at The Inn anyway, and the guys have it covered without me.

The night air is refreshing, as I try to sort out why I feel so damn guilty for going on this date. Brynn went on a date, so why was it okay for her and not for me? Granted, I didn’t have to watch her on the date, and I don’t know what I would have done if I had. I don’t think I’d have been as graceful as Brynn. I probably would have caused a huge scene and put a stop to it.

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