I pull up my phone directory and scroll through. Most of my exes are either married or in steady relationships.
I smile when I reach one name.
“Michelle,” I say, when the phone connects.
“Hey, stranger. It’s been a while.”
“I’m in town. Do you want to meet for dinner?”
We exchange pleasantries for a while, and I agree to pick her up at eight.
ME:
Heading out tonight for dinner with an old friend.
CAL:
Friend or flame?
ME:
Michelle
CAL:
Both then. Have fun. We won’t wait up.
I sink back into my chair. What would Caleb think if he knew what had gone on with his sister? My stomach churns at the thought of what I’m doing.
I’m playing with fire.
Michelle isas beautiful as ever. She’s a lawyer and someone Caleb and I worked with on one of our initial projects. That was before she moved across into criminal law. She’s work-driven but also up for fun.
“I was surprised when you called,” she says, waiting while our waiter shakes out her napkin and drapes it over her lap. She looks up and smiles. “Thank you.”
He comes around the table and does the same for me.
“Wine?” I ask.
Michelle smiles. “Lovely. You choose.”
I scan the menu and order us a bottle of Chablis Cru.
“Good choice,” she says. “How have you been?”
“Shouldn’t that be my line?”
She grins. “Maybe, but I’m all about equality, you know that. So, how are you?”
“I’m about to start work on a new project. Just got back from the US, having been in the Maldives before that.”
“Jet setting. You always did lead a busy life. The Maldives sounds romantic.”
It was. I’m beginning to regret bringing it up. Tonight was about forgetting, resetting.
I smile. “Work. How about you?”
Michelle stares at me for a moment but lets it slide. I forgot how good she is at reading people.
