Page 22 of Tryst
My gut twists in a knot of fury watching them walk away. Gary looks over his shoulder with a smirk I'd like to rub off his face with my fist. Prick.
The next day isn't anybetter. Today is the first day I’ve ever dreaded going in to work. Yesterday was sad and depressing, today is, FUCK! I have plans to go over to Alan's. I tried to cancel, but he said Elena was looking forward to seeing me and had dinner already planned. I grudgingly agreed to come, but we would have to cut it short. I wanted to say,I need to avoid the icy glare of your daughter whose heart I broke. He would be one of two people I would vent to, but I can't. Not this time.
Instead, I make a call and end up telling the whole sordid situation to Maxwell, my accountant and good friend.
“I can't believe you had an affair with Alan's under-aged daughter.”
“She's not under-aged. Not twenty-one yet, but an adult nonetheless.”
“She's Callie's niece—Ay! negocio arriesgado.”
“Risky business indeed. And I know who she’s related to. But this wasn’t the way things were supposed to go. I hurt her.”
“How was it supposed to go?”
“With no one getting hurt.”
“There was no other way it was going to end,” he says. “When there are genuine feelings involved, whether you want them or not, people get hurt. Do like me, love them fast and get out even faster at the mere inkling of fluttering hearts. This way you can still end as friends with minimal damage. I'm a serious man. I treat relationships as such. You should always have an exit plan, even for your flings.”
“You have it down to a science don't you?”
“Ninety-five percent, but I'll keep trying until I perfect it.” He chuckles. “Does she know what happened between you and Callie?”
“Why would I tell her that? Jade was only supposed to be fun for the summer. Telling her would probably make it seem like I was with her to get back at Callie. It wasn't. She's uniquely different from Callie, but sometimes I do see a bit of Callie in her.”
“Is that a cause for concern? Why you ended things prematurely? Because she reminds you of a younger Callie?”
“Maybe.” Yes, and she's young. What she wants today, may not be what she wants tomorrow. “I know she's not Callie, but still…”
“What?”
Ah hell. Why am I doing this to myself? “Nothing, it's over. I'll email you those figures. I'll talk to you tomorrow.” I end the call and try my damnedest not to think about Jade, which is the biggest fail of the day.
Before coming over I mademy excuses for not being able to stay long for dinner.
“Good evening, Elena.” She links her arms around mine after closing the door.
“I'm happy you made it. I thought you were going to cancel on me. I'm glad you didn't. Give me a chance to make up for the last time. There’s less spice in the food. This is actually one of Jade’s favorites.“
“Will she be joining us?“ I ask, dreading the thought.
“Unfortunately, my lovely daughter decided to go out with friends for the evening.” She smiles. With an inward sigh of relief, I nod and she continues. “Someone else is here… Tandy.”
The relief of Jade not being here is even greater when I find out Tandy is joining us. She'll hopefully be a good distraction and take my mind off Jade while I'm here.
“Hello, Ian.” Tandy comes over to me when we enter the living room. She smiles warmly and kisses my cheek.
“Nice to see you again, Tandy.” I return her kiss on the cheek.
“Ian, help yourself to a drink. I’ll tell Alan you’re here,” Elena says, leaving the room.
“You could have seen me sooner if you’d called me, Ian,” Tandy says, while I pour myself a glass of scotch.
“You're right.” I smile at her taking a drink.
“I like a man who can admit he’s wrong. Now, let's see if we can make the amends as satisfying.”
I laugh and then she laughs. When we sit down at the table, the conversation is easy but then Callie shows up for a visit. And the appetite I had evaporates, along with the somewhat relaxed atmosphere. What the hell was going on here? This was some fucked up version of the dating game?
