called him inconsiderate and complained he had no interest in the wedding. She reminded him she waited just over ten years for him to put a ring on her finger, and stayed with him while he studied to become a Doctor, so his mother could brag to all her well-to-do friends about how wonderful her son was. All the while, people were walking by watching the dramatic spectacle unraveling in the gift section of the world’s largest bookstore.
So it is almost a relief when Michael just apologizes and tells her she’s right and he was the one who was out of line (which is hardly the case). Suddenly Jessica’s pout disappears and her eyes widen with glee. I follow her gaze, and I am shocked to see Steven standing a few feet away in the lobby. He smiles at me, walks in my direction and hands me a bouquet of tropical flowers. I blush, and thank him to hear Jessica squealing from behind me.
Stephanie and Michelle both chime in with, “Awe” as Jessica squeezes my arm and gives me a wink.
I immediately feel my stomach clench when Ben curiously appears beside me. He puts his arm around my shoulders, and sarcastically says, “Awe flowers...how original.”
I toss my hair off my face and sheepishly smile, “Yes Ben, they are beautiful. Thank you Steven.”
“I didn’t know you were that serious?” Ben mocks, looking from me to Steven.
Goose bumps rise all over my arms, and I can feel the blood boiling under my skin. I become humiliated and enraged with Ben’s snarky and condescending comments. Steven remains poised and shakes it off with an awkward chuckle, “Serious or not, I thought all women loved flowers.”
I give Ben a dirty look and break free from his hold then smile at Steven, “Well I am a woman, and I do love flowers”
“Since when?” Ben laughs narrowing his eyes at me.
“Actually,” Steven shifts his weight and turns quite defensive “This was my attempt to persuade your friend Megan to have dinner with me tonight.”
Ben crosses his arms in front of his chest. He looks at me with his mouth slightly open, waiting for my response. I stumble through a bunch of noises that sound like a whole lot of nothing. Steven starts to look quite uncomfortable, and Ben basks in his own arrogance. This angers me, and reminds me this is the one quality about Ben that drives me nuts. He can be very intimidating, and sometimes I wonder if part of his realtor success is due to the fact that no one can seem to ever say no to him when he turns on his ego.
“I would be happy to go to dinner with you.” I finally blurt out, shooting eye daggers at Ben.
“So you’re just going to ditch all of us and our reservations for tonight?” Ben raises his eyebrows.
“Ben! Who cares?” Jessica squeals, “Megan, you know we won’t be offended if you have a change of plans. Besides, you two can meet us after dinner for drinks.” She blows me a kiss and walks away.
Ben rolls his eyes and looks directly at Steven, “Just so you know, she likes vodka waters. It’s a sure way to seal the deal.”
My eyes widen in shock at Ben and his complete disrespect. I give him a cold hard stare, feeling absolutely done with him. How could he be so rude? Ben doesn’t flinch from my telepathic waves of anger. Instead he twists his baseball cap backwards, and shoves his hands in his pockets. He wishes us a good night and storms through the lobby.
My heart is wrenched in two different directions. How could I possibly say no to Steven after he has so nicely put forth the effort to greet me and bring me a beautiful bouquet of flowers? Ben has no right to act or treat Steven or me like that. I look at Steven so handsomely dressed in a crisply pressed short-sleeved button up Lacoste shirt and smile. Steven isn’t the kind of guy who would lash out so immaturely like Ben just did. Steven is a refined taste, a real man.
“Can you give me about thirty minutes?” I laugh and point to my yoga shorts and sweaty tank top. Steven smiles and says that’s not a problem, and he will meet me at my villa by six thirty.
****
My dinner with Steven is wonderfully pleasant. It is exactly like a first date should be. Just like he pulled out the chair for his mother,