like Sophie while you’re rich and successful I’ll implode. And I don’t need to rub you in her face. She’s not worth lessening myself. Let’s go somewhere different.” My timid smile increases. “Like a real date.”
He raises his eyebrows at me and sits back on the couch. “You want a real date? You got it.”
When the taxi gets there we exit the apartment hesitantly, and I know it’s in case Becca is hiding in the bushes. I can picture her crouched with a gun aimed right at Kent’s penis. I rather like his penis, so I walk close to him. He smirks down at me as if he can predict my thoughts, nudging me forward by my lower back.
“Change of plans,” he informs the driver. “You know that seafood restaurant on the coast? We’re going there.”
As we drive, Kent takes my hand and holds it on his lap, tracing my palm. No matter what happens we’re in this now. I chose him and he chose me. At this point worrying will only sour how I feel. And that’s something akin to hope and happiness. For the first time in my life I’m almost willing to admit it out loud. But there’s something in the back of my head preventing me. She’s got a role in this story as well. What’s going to happen when Kent sees Willow and realizes there was a reason he loved her once?
When we arrive at the restaurant Kent and I crawl out of the back after he slips the driver a hundred dollar bill. I wonder momentarily what that must feel like being able to throw a hundred dollars on a taxi ride because I can. Losing motorcycles and blowing five hundred dollars at the bar. Kent is spoiled beyond belief.
“Kent, does it bother you I’m broke?”
He frowns as he holds the restaurant door for me. “You’re not broke. We’re together. What’s mine is yours. I’ll make enough money for both of us, whether you marry me or not. Which you will.” He sounds so sure it comforts me. “Eventually.”
“Are you okay with eventually?”
“As long as it happens.” He takes my hand and guides me to the hostess stand.
Once we’re seated at the window, where we can watch the sea roll in, the ocean clear and blue, I decide to let Willow go. She’ll be center stage soon and I’d rather lessen her stage time.
“Can I start you two off with something to drink?” the waitress questions, spying Kent like he’s going to jump up and take her on the table.
I refrain from rolling my eyes. “I’ll have a Diet Coke.”
“And I’ll have a sweet tea,” Kent orders, smiling nicely at her.
She smiles back, but it isn’t nicely. “What about appetizers?”
“You want anything, Rain?”
“The crab-stuffed shrimp sound good.” I make my tone saccharine. “And the garlic fries.”
“Great,” she says, although I don’t think she means it.
When she’s gone Kent laughs quietly. “I never noticed how uncomfortable that is when I don’t reciprocate.”
He shakes it off as his cell rings. “Mom?” he answers warily. “I know. I was born that day. I’ll be there tomorrow. I know, how spectacular. Sorry, my smart-ass mouth must be someone else’s fault.” He winks at me. “My birthday’s on Friday. I expect all house guests to make themselves scarce before then.” As his mother answers, Kent’s face pales. He is so white I start to get up but he waves my concern away and I sit back down. He swallows hard and his eyes twitch, as if he’s either too angry to be angry, or too heartbroken to be broken. “How long have you known? I’m so happy for them,” he bites out.
He takes a long shaky breath and runs his hand down his face. “I bet you’re pleased,” he manages. “So this wasn’t about my birthday? This was about them the whole time?” His expression makes me shrink. “I don’t want to disrespect you. I’m going to hang up now.”
Her desperate pleas get cut short.
The waitress glances at him nervously as she brings us our drinks and appetizers. “Are you ready to order?” she asks me.
Now she wants to talk to me? “Come back—”
“No,” Kent snaps. “We’ll order now. I want the lobster and king crab bucket. What do you want, Rain? The same. Say the same.”
“The same.” That’s the most expensive item on the menu.
“Two lobster buckets coming right up,” our waitress answers meekly, desperate to get away.
“Shit,” Kent whispers. His eyes are evil. They’re simmering silently with