like me. Your daughter might not.”
“She’d have to be very stupid not to.” Maddie couldn’t think of a single thing about him that Deanna might object to. He was successful, civilized, good-looking, from a good family, well-educated, and nice to her. A home run.
Maddie called her after lunch, and Deanna said they were busy every night for the next week.
“That’s too bad. I have a friend here from California, a writer. I thought you and David might like to meet him.” There was a pause at the other end while Deanna reconsidered.
“Actually, our plans are soft for tomorrow night. I can switch something,” she said hesitantly.
“That’s wonderful! Le Bernardin?” It was one of the best French restaurants in New York. It served mostly fish. “How about seven-thirty?” Deanna didn’t like late nights. She went to the gym at six every morning, and looked it. She had a beautifully toned body.
Maddie called the restaurant and was able to get a table at the time she wanted. Then she told William, and thanked him for the idea.
“Now we just have to hope she doesn’t hate me.”
“She won’t,” she reassured him and kissed him, and then she went back downstairs to her office. It was actually nice having him there, and he wasn’t interfering. If anything, he was helping her with Deanna. She wanted them to meet and for it to go well. And if possible, she wanted to introduce them on this trip, so he wouldn’t be a secret anymore. Trying to hide him would only blow up in her face later. William’s idea to meet over dinner seemed like a good plan. But she was nervous about it.
William could sense how tense she was in the cab on the way to the restaurant the next evening. She hadn’t seen him all day. He’d been upstairs writing. He was a singularly easy guest. He took care of himself, stayed out of her way, and let her work. They got together at night for dinner and passionate lovemaking. It was working well.
Maddie and William were the first to arrive at the restaurant. It was early and the headwaiter gave them one of the best tables. Deanna knew about those things and would like that. She loved going to good restaurants, David just liked going out.
They had just ordered a glass of wine when Deanna and David walked in. He was wearing a suit without a tie, and Deanna was wearing a very chic black dress she had designed herself, with her usual tight hairdo, and a heavy gold bangle and earrings. As always, her outfit was perfect and she looked great.
As they approached the table, Maddie noticed Deanna looking startled when she saw William. By the time they got to the table, her lips were a thin line. Somehow, she had gotten the impression that they were helping to entertain an elderly author, not a handsome man who looked like he was on a date with her mother. All of a sudden, Deanna’s antenna was up. David seemed comfortable and relaxed, in anticipation of a good dinner.
William stood up politely, and Maddie introduced them. They all sat down, and the headwaiter asked if they wanted an aperitif. Deanna declined, and David ordered red wine, like William.
“So you’re from California,” David said conversationally, he hadn’t heard the English accent yet. “L.A.?”
“Actually, I live in Big Sur. It’s a bit gloomy at times, but it’s peaceful.”
“What brings you to New York?” The banter continued between the two men, while Deanna glanced questioningly at her mother. Maddie was innocence itself. She could play the game too.
“I’m on my way through from London.”
David was staring at him by then as though trying to remember something, and suddenly looked as though he’d been struck by lightning.
“Oh my God, William Smith. The biographer?” William nodded with a warm smile and squeezed Maddie’s knee under the table to give her courage. “I’ve been trying to buy your books for the United States for our publishing house for years. Someone always outbids me. But I haven’t given up yet. What a pleasure to meet you. I love your work.” Deanna looked slightly less like an ice sculpture when she saw how excited her husband was about William. He turned to Deanna then and explained that William had written some of the best, prize-winning biographies of the last fifty years, some truly important ones.
Things started to relax little by little after that. The wine helped, and the excellent food