The VIP Room(163)

She laughs. "My son, it's not his fault, but he thinks I'm too old to notice these things." She turns to Blake. "One day you'll be in your late forties, too. You'll still be noticing breasts."

Blake's cheeks flush. Holy crap. His mom is embarrassing him. It's so normal.

Meryl shakes her head. "Dear, you need to sit? Those heels look excruciating."

"I'll be fine. I'm on my feet all day."

"Really? What do you do?"

"I'm a waitress." I brace for a snarky comment. Meryl seems nice, but people with money, you never know if they look down on the commoners.

"Isn't it supposed to be server nowadays?" she asks.

"It's all the same, really."

"You call shit roses, it still smells like shit." She laughs. "I used to wait tables at the nicest place in town. That's where I met the late Mr. Sterling."

"Oh?"

She nods. "You should have seen him. He dressed even better than Blake does. He was so flashy with his platinum watch. When Orson-"

"Orson, really?"

"I'm afraid so." She smiles and her whole face lights up. "When he came into the restaurant, it was a commotion. All the girls wanted that table. It was the dream to marry a rich customer. Best way to get a better life, but I hated the *."

"How did you two end up married?"

"I've embarrassed Blake too much already."

Blake is still red. It's amazing. I can hardly believe that he's capable of any kind of shyness.

I lean closer and lower my voice to a whisper. "I won't tell."

"It started off as sex. It was about the only thing we had in common, but we got caught up in the passion." She finishes her last drop of wine and moves towards the nearest waiter.

Blake fusses over Meryl, taking her glass and looking at her like she's the child and he's the parent.

She shakes her head. "I better let you go, dear. I'm sure Blake wants to show you off."

"Likely."

She studies my expression. "I wouldn't fault you if you were after his money or his looks."

My heart races. I look at Blake in the hopes he can rescue me from this conversation, but he's still finding another glass of wine.

"But I hope you are serious."

I nod and smile. It's not technically a lie.

"Be patient with him. His father wasn't a good man. It's no excuse, but..." She shakes her head, trailing off.

Blake arrives with two fresh glasses. He hands the champagne to me. "Give us a minute."

I nod. "Of course. It was lovely to meet you."

Meryl nods. Neither of them speaks until I turn, and even then, it's too quiet for me to hear.



* * *



I splash my face with cool water in the bathroom, but that only messes up my makeup. So much for picture perfect.

There's a flush, and one of the stall doors opens. I dig through my clutch like I'm looking for my lipstick. And there it is. May as well fix it. I glance in the mirror and Fiona is standing at the sink next to mine. Her eyes are red and puffy like she's been crying.

She washes her hands and pats them dry on a paper towel. Her reaction steels like she's absolutely fine. "I'm surprised he let you off his leash."

Big smile. It's not the time to start a fight. "Blake is very protective."

She nods like she agrees. "Try having him as an older brother. I couldn't date until he left for college."

"When he was sixteen?"

She shrugs and moves a little closer, looking me over like she's inspecting me. "I'm surprised he's calling you his girlfriend."

"Why is that?"

"He's never had a girlfriend." She pulls her lipstick out of her clutch, applies, and pouts at herself in the mirror. "And he's married to his job. Even worse than my husband." Her voice breaks.

"He makes time for me. And we're in love."

"That won't last."

Deep breath. It's a test and I need to pass. "I disagree. What Blake and I have... it's magical."

Fiona bites her lip. "You know, there are easier ways to find a meal ticket. Ways that won't destroy your happiness."

"I'm not after his money."

"It's not his sparkling personality."

"I care deeply for Blake." Big smile. That is the worst confession of passion in the world. I shake my head, letting a few of the waves of my hair loose. "I'm madly in love with Blake."

"I bet." She snaps her purse shut. "And do you also expect me to believe that his first serious girlfriend is someone with a shit job, no college degree, no family connections, and--no offense--only above average looks?"

Fuck you. Those are the most beautiful two words in the English language and it would be so easy to throw them at her.

But I'm taking the higher road.

"The heart wants what it wants," I say.

"He's not going to stay in love with someone like you." Her voice breaks. Her face contorts into a miserable expression. "That's not how it works."

"Maybe for other people. But not for us." I apply my lipstick and calmly walk out of the bathroom.