my mind was…elsewhere,” she sighed.
“I’m not sure Carlos would like hearing that,” I warned.
Allison chuckled. “I told him. What I found out is that Jack and Carlos knew each other back in school. They were on a swim team together. I’ve been dating him for almost a year and never knew he had been on a team before. Now that I do, I know what I’m getting him for his birthday.”
“What’s that?” I asked. With Allison, it could be anything.
“A Speedo.”
Of course. I had to admit, I was fond of the one Jack used to strut around in. Wouldn’t mind seeing him in it again.
“Earth to Deidre, come in, Deidre. Carlos said that he and Jack are going to meet up for drinks. I suggested that we join them.”
My heart raced. That was too much like a double date. Two couples. Jack and I were just…old friends. It was bad enough I was bringing him home for dinner with the parents.
“I…don’t think I can,” I said.
“Yeah yeah, I know. You’re working. Give it a rest already. You can’t spend your life hiding in your job. You need to get out and enjoy life a little.”
Allison sounded a lot like today’s Love Vixen letter writer. The difference is I wasn’t in love with Jack. Lust, well, that was a different story. Anyone could see he was a walking sex god. He’s…gorgeous.
I sighed and said, “Fine. Drinks. But I can’t tomorrow. I have plans.”
“Wait, you’re not working?” she asked.
“No. Jack and I are going to my parents’ house for dinner. Dad wants to catch up with him,” I said.
“Then don’t book anything for the night after that, because we’re going out.”
“Drinks. That’s all,” I reminded her.
“Sure. And good luck tomorrow. Don’t let your dad monopolize the conversation.”
“They’ll probably talk about diving the entire time,” I said.
“Well, I can tell you, that is one subject that is off limits when we go out. No diving. No work.”
That sounded good. “You got a deal.”
“Hey, you called for something. What was it?”
“I forgot,” I lied. The odds were slim that my letter would be chosen. No need to stir things up if I don’t need to.
“Okay. Well, you know how to reach me if you remember. Have a great night,” Allison said and ended the call.
Not sure it will be a great night, but it will be a quiet one.
It seemed like I was going to need that, because the next few wouldn’t be.
Chapter 6
Jack
This wasn’t the dinner I thought we’d be having tonight, but it appeared Deidre and Robert were trying to work things out. I had no issue supporting that. Robert might not handle things the way I thought he should, but I knew he loved his daughter.
“Robert, you promised not to spend the entire night talking about diving and swimming,” Laura Rejewski said to her husband.
“Laura, we’ve talked about a lot of other things,” Robert stated.
“It’s okay, Mom. It’s just like the old days,” Deidre said.
That, unfortunately, was the truth. I’d had dinner with them on many occasions when I was in training. It had been far from a break, but the upside had been the time I got to spend with Deidre. But we were no longer teenagers, and what motivated us now was entirely different.
I interjected and tried to change the subject. “Mrs. Rejewski, your cooking is as good as I remember. No, better! You always made the best Polish food.”
Laura grinned. “Thank you. I remember how much you used to enjoy the golabki. It’s all in the sauce and I still make my own. I’ve tried to teach Deidre, but she has no interest in learning.”
Robert laughed. “No. She has more interest in eating than in cooking.”
I saw Deidre roll her eyes. “Don’t listen to him, Jack. I cook just fine. Just not what they like to eat.”
“Now that is true. You didn’t grow up on steak and ribs,” Robert said.
“Nope. But they’re still a few of my favorites,” Deidre said.
“I’m fond of them myself,” I added. Deidre smiled at me. You’re welcome.
There was a buzzing of a cell phone and Laura got up and said, “Sorry. I need to check that. My friend Beatrice is in the hospital with a fractured hip. I was supposed to call her earlier but was tied up. I won’t be long.”
She left the table and now the three of us were left to stare at each other. It was obvious Robert didn’t know what to say if he couldn’t talk about work.