“No, but you’re easy to read. I was reminded how much I love it here the other day, and I was also trying to be good, not reaching out. But if I ran into you ... that’s a different story.”
“Let’s see, equal parts liking the food and stalking? Am I right?”
When I noticed my armpits tingling with sweat, I tried not to wince. I’d never flirted like this.
“Oh shit.” This time, my thoughts floated from my mouth as I saw Sheila walk in.
“Everything okay?” Mick was half turned in his seat, looking at me.
“Turn away, face the bar.” I’m not sure what made me say it. Instinct, probably. When Mick did as I asked, I muttered, “Thanks.”
After a sip of wine, I whispered, “I’m here for a parents’ meeting. You know, socialite moms with big mouths?”
He nodded as if he did, but I didn’t believe him.
“I’m going to slip away,” I said, grabbing my purse as I slid from my seat. “Thanks for the wine.”
Mick spoke low enough so one else could hear, his gaze still on the bar. “Have a good meeting. I’ll be right here when you’re done, and the socialites leave.”
“I—”
“Go,” he said, interrupting my protest, and I did.
“Thanks for coming tonight. We’ll see everyone in two weeks, and please bring your list of potential donors,” Sheila said as the meeting adjourned.
Sadly, I couldn’t remember a word she’d said between the time I sat down and now. My brain pounded with Mick’s looming presence radiating from the back of the restaurant.
Both too fearful and smart to turn around, I let the heat of him being there, breathing there, existing there, scald my back, but I remained still, focusing on Sheila. As I stood from my seat, she walked my way.
“Margaret, thanks for coming tonight. Priscilla said she would deliver the message.” Sheila pulled me into a hug, air kissing both my cheeks as if she were European, and hopefully missed my wince as she gripped my left rib cage a little too tight.
Pulling back, she went on. “She’s such a sweetie and so well-mannered, almost afraid to act her age. I wish I could get more of that out of Penny.”
“It’s an only-child thing,” I said, brushing off any hint of what might be happening at my house.
Sheila took my elbow and leaned in. “Listen ...”
I really wished she would stop touching me. It wasn’t welcome—now or ever. I’d endured enough being touched without my permission for a lifetime.
Smiling, she said, “I was hoping you could talk to your magazine about a big sponsorship.”
A shudder ran through me. I stayed in my lane when it came to my work, especially with how it set Tommy off. Keeping my head low, I pitched and wrote articles and kept my peace of mind in life. I didn’t like to owe anyone any favors, or more than what I already did for keeping me on as I was. If I ended up getting a donation, Tommy would claim his manhood was threatened and potentially threaten my sanity.
“I’d thought Tommy’s firm’s donation counted for both of us?”
“Of course, of course it does.” Smiling smugly in her perfectly snug sweater dress, with her poker-straight red hair and green eyes outlined in chocolate brown, Sheila was the consummate parent representative. “I was hoping for a little more from both of you this year. You know, I really wanted this year to be the best?”
I nodded. “I’m freelance, but I guess I can ask.” I don’t know why I said it, probably because I wanted to get rid of her, and mostly because Mick was silently beckoning me from the bar area.
“Perfect!” She clapped her hands together and dismissed me.
Unsure what to do, I made my way to the ladies’ room, spending some time freshening up and hoping all the ladies were gone by the time I came out.
Pulling in a deep breath, I debated leaving. Priscilla was home alone, a newfound freedom she adored. She made me promise not to rush home, so she could watch the whole movie online while cyber-chatting with Penny. Sheila was probably heading home to be the perfect mom. Tommy had to stay late, dining on steak and smoking cigars with his mentor group. Why shouldn’t I enjoy myself?
Drawing in another big breath, I felt a small twinge of pain in my ribs and decided to stay. If I couldn’t get out of my shitty life, I should at least have fun for an hour.
“Hey,” I whispered softly when I made it back to the bar.
