End of Story(87)

She nodded. “We have had this talk. Many times. Can’t help feeling this world would be a better place if our hearts were a little smarter.”

“Maybe.”

“So you need a restaurant for Saturday night?”

“Friday,” I said. “His mom is doing something Saturday. Family only.”

She gave me the look.

“I know, I know. But they’re a tight-knit bunch. I really feel like I’m making inroads with his mom, though. Like I’m on the cusp of getting an invitation to these elusive family-only events.”

Cleo just shook her head.

I shrugged. “It’s a beautiful dream.”

“Family can be complicated as fuck. But I would like the man a whole lot better if he showed the littlest inclination of having your back.”

While I tried to be a positive person and stand by my man, I didn’t know what to say to that. It had all been said before. Time would tell.

It took approximately five hundred phone calls, but I found a nice local bar and grill for the party. I could catch up on my work over the weekend; making this night good for Aaron was my priority. I wore my long dark hair in a knot and a black body-con dress with bootie heels. The ensemble made the most of my curves to remind my boyfriend what he’d be missing out on. And what he would be coming home to in a year.

When I called my beloved Aunt Susan for some advice Wednesday night, she recommended I send him away with a smile, thus ensuring he wanted to return ASAP. So that was the plan. Though she had never been married, Aunt Susan was wise in all the ways. After my parents separated, she basically raised me. We talked about everything and anything. But I wasn’t sure I wanted to know what her opinion would be on the scene playing out before me now.

Friday night, an hour and a half into the going-away party, Aaron was drunk. Not happy tipsy but spill-your-drink messy. Some friends from his office were buying him shots. They stood at the bar, shouting out the words to some song, and ugh. Meanwhile I sat at the long table reserved for our party, playing hostess with a bunch of his other friends and acquaintances. Not awkward at all.

“You okay?” asked Lars.

I pasted on a smile. “Sure.”

Lars was blond with tanned skin and lumberjack hot. More mountain man than hipster. He worked as a contractor and had the muscles and general air of unkempt to prove it. Being Aaron’s best friend, Lars was often invited along when we went to the movies or out to bars. We’d spent quality time together over the last year. He tended to be quieter and more serious in nature than his bestie. They make for an interesting mix.

And Lars’s girlfriend, Jane, was not only stylish but a hoot. She was also bluntly honest. “Can’t you talk to him?” she asked Lars, unimpressed.

“Bit late for that,” grumbled Lars.

“He’s thirty-five. What the fuck is he doing acting like a frat boy?”

I just shrugged. “It’s his party. Guess he can get wasted if he wants to.”

Lars frowned but kept his mouth shut.

“It’s probably the stress of it all, catching up with him,” I said. “A lot of organizing things and so on.”

“You’re a good woman making excuses for him.” Jane flipped her hair over her shoulder. “And you look gorgeous tonight, if I haven’t said so already. Lars, tell Susie how magnificent she looks.”

Lars just shrugged. “She always looks gorgeous.”

The warmth that kindled in my chest at their words—I must really have been in need of some kindness. “Thank you.”

Lars set down his drink and looked me dead in the eye. “It’s just the truth, Susie.”

I smiled, and he smiled back at me. And maybe tonight wasn’t quite so bad after all.

“You made her smile. Excellent complimenting. Job well done.” Jane patted one of his thick shoulders. An attractive young waiter approached the table with our meals, and she gave him a broad smile. “Hello there! This looks delicious! What’s your name?”

Suddenly, Lars frowned to the nth degree. I wondered what that was about.

“I’ll go tell him dinner is being served.” I pushed my chair back and smoothed down the front of my dress. Not that Aaron even noticed the effort I put into looking my best. I’d got a distracted peck on the cheek at the start of the night and that was all. Guess he had a lot on his mind.

He and two of his work buddies made a tight, rowdy group standing at the end of the bar. Drinking this much wasn’t normal for Aaron. But then again, it was a momentous occasion. Moving overseas and starting a new job and all. I just had to be patient and understanding. This too would pass. We hadn’t made plans yet for his last few days stateside. I was sure, however, that we would get to have some quality alone time. A chance to say goodbye properly. Something involving banging and romance because balance was everything.

“Aaron?” I smiled and slipped my hand into his. “They’re serving dinner.”

“Huh?”

“Hey. They’re serving dinner.”

He blinked down at me and frowned. Then he shook me off and said, “We’ll be there in a minute, Susie.”

“All right.”

“C’mon, man.” Lars appeared at my side. He slapped Aaron on the back and smiled. “Come and make a speech. Talk to some of your other guests. I’ve hardly seen you all night.”