The Summer of Sunshine and Margot(37)

“Or drink so much? That happens sometimes. Not often, but it’s never a good sign. It means trouble is coming, although tonight that’s going to be Wesley’s problem.”

He sounded more resigned than judgmental. Margot would guess he was long used to Bianca’s idiosyncrasies.

“This gave me some material to work with,” she said.

“You’re very diplomatic.”

“Part of the job.”

He flashed her another of those sexy-to-her smiles, then opened a cupboard and pulled out a couple of plates. “Want to join me for an appetizer dinner? There’s plenty to go round.”

“I can see that and thank you for the invitation.” She probably should take her food upstairs, as per her policy, but this was just one meal. “As long as you don’t mind if I take off my shoes. They’re really uncomfortable.”

“Then why did you buy them?”

“They’re gorgeous.”

“That is a thing I will never understand.”

“It’s because your gender isn’t judged on its shoes. You get to be all powerful and successful simply by slapping on a suit.” She stepped out of her shoes and then picked up a couple of platters and carried them to the table by the window.

“How exactly does one slap on a suit?” he asked, his voice teasing.

“You know what I mean.”

He chuckled.

While she collected flatware and napkins, he pulled a bottle of wine from an under-counter cellar and opened it. She set out glasses and they sat across from each other, the food between them.

Margot put both kinds of bruschetta on her plate, along with a couple of crab puffs, then added a few carrot sticks and slices of red pepper for balance.

“Tell me about the travel,” Alec said. “How did you spend a month in Thailand? Just as a tourist?”

“Not exactly.” She sipped her wine as she debated what to say before settling on the truth. “I went with the bad boyfriend.”

Alec drew his eyebrows together. “Ah, what did you call him? A piece of...”

She laughed. “Yes, that would be him. His name is Dietrich. He’s from Germany and was an exchange student in high school. He fell in love with the States and LA in particular and ended up studying film at USC. He’d just graduated when I met him. He was doing documentaries and short films and I got sucked into it all.”

Alec leaned back in his chair. “So what’s the bad for you part?”

“I was weak and feckless when I was around him. He would say ‘come to Thailand with me’ and off I would go. For a month. In the middle of my semester. I nearly flunked all my classes—it was a disaster. I lost my scholarship, which about killed me financially. You’d think I’d learn, but nope. Not even a little. He would show up and off I would go.”

“Still?”

His tone was neutral and his expression was friendly enough, so she had no idea what he was thinking. Some version of “but she looks so smart” seemed fair, but she doubted he would say that out loud.

“I’m in recovery,” she said lightly. “The last straw was when I missed my dream-job interview because I didn’t get back from Patagonia in time. Ultimately that screwup led me to the job I have now, which I love, but still. Missing the interview was a real wake-up call. I stopped seeing him. He shows up every couple of years and tries to tempt me to do something wild with him. Thus far I’ve resisted.”

“At least you didn’t marry him.”

“Marriage was never on the table. Dietrich isn’t the marrying kind.” He was more the “let’s have hot sex in the backseat of my car” type, but why say that?

She shrugged. “Regardless, I learned my lesson. I refuse to make bad decisions based on a man.”

“I agree that uncontrolled emotions can be dangerous,” he said. “Or rather, emotions that tempt us to do things not in our best interest. You have quite the romantic past. By comparison, my love life is ordinary and rather boring.”

“I envy you.”

“I doubt that. So tell me about Patagonia. Did you enjoy your time there?”

Three hours passed in what felt like minutes and it was nearly ten when they finally left the table. After putting everything away, they said good-night and Margot headed up the stairs, her shoes in hand.

Alec was a good guy, she thought. He would never ask a woman to give up her life to follow him on whatever adventure he had in mind. He would never get so angry, she was afraid he would hit her. He would be more thoughtful and caring. Not that it mattered. She doubted he was all that impressed by her. Her relationship with Dietrich put her firmly in the dumb blonde category and he wasn’t the kind of man to find that the least bit attractive.

  Sunshine signed in at the main office of the elementary school and then was directed to the auditorium.

“Are you going to the meeting, too?” a woman asked as she fell into step with her. “Why do they do this? Hold them at two in the afternoon? It’s the middle of the workday and not all of us are stay-at-home moms.” She grimaced. “Sorry. It’s been one of those days and sometimes I rant. I’m Phoebe Salvia.”

“Sunshine. Hi. What grade are your kids in?”

“I just have the one. Elijah. He’s in third grade.”