“It’s going above my bed, but you can visit it whenever you want.”His hands shift and squeeze my ass at the same time his mouth takes mine.
Thirty minutes later,we arrive for our reservation at Tao.I think I’ve met my match in the bedroom department.We didn’t actually go there, though Jaeger was ready and willing.After several deep kisses and much teasing about who would get the carving—I won, of course—I put the brakes on the heated make-out session.Not cool to walk into a fancy restaurant with smeared mascara and bed head.Not when we can continue what we started later.
I’m looking forward to my new art.That puppy is going up right next to the orange and yellow needlepoint of a sunflower in the chalet—Gen’s and my new name for the heap we live in.Natural-modern meets horrifically outdated fusion.
“Table for two,” Jaeger tells the maître d’.
“Right this way, Mr.Lang.Good to see you this evening.”The host, wearing a dark suit, smiles warmly and grabs two leather menus, turning to lead us away.
They know him?Does Jaeger come here often or something?
Before I can ask, Jaeger raises his hand for me to follow the maître d’, who’s already halfway across the room.
The maître d’ escorts us past elegant, white-cloth-covered tables.Mirrors behind a full-length bar make the room appear twice as wide and capture windows that look out onto the lake at the far end.Geometric wooden chandeliers dangle in the center of the high ceiling.Wood panels hang to the left… their style familiar.
I glance suspiciously at Jaeger.He’s looking straight ahead, maneuvering around our table to pull out my chair.Our section is private, with the best view of the lake and mountains.
Menu in hand, maître d’ gone, I glance at the murals again.They’re larger than the ones in Jaeger’s shop, but I recognize his stamp.“Jaeger, are those yours?”
His gaze flickers to the wall, then back at the menu, as if his art on display in one of the best restaurants in town is no big deal.“Tao is a client.”
My boyfriend is famous.Well, maybe not famous, but he’s an important artist to be on center display in a place like this.
I grab his hand and link our fingers while I peruse the menu.I have no right to be, but I’m proud of what he’s accomplished.This summer has challenged me with heavy decisions and painfully low moments, but I don’t regret the time I’ve spent with Jaeger.It’s been some of the best of my life.
He squeezes my fingers and smiles.“The scallops are excellent and so is the?—”
“Jaeger?”A high-pitched female voice violates our perfect bubble.
The woman—about my age, maybe a little older—stands behind Jaeger in jeans and a T-shirt.I didn’t see her walk up.Then again, when I’m with Jaeger, I tune out a lot of superficial activities.
The woman glances uncomfortably to the patrons on her right, who are staring.
Jaeger’s brow furrows.He shifts in his seat and looks back.The side of his face pales, and he loosens his grip on my hand.“Kate?”
“Can we talk?”she says.She smiles at him as if to disarm, but there’s a plaintive desperation beneath.
Alarm bells go off in my head.
No.Don’t ruin this.Whoever you are, leave.Don’t take away the best thing that’s ever happened to me.
Jaeger faces me again, his gaze fixed on the table.He glances up, his expression haunted before his mouth turns up in a semblance of a smile.“I’ll be right back, okay?”
I nod stiffly.He grips my hand one last time before letting go.He follows the woman to the entrance of the restaurant—where Jaeger’s sister is standing with the maître d’.
Why is Kerstin here?
I pound my water and wait for Jaeger to return.Twenty minutes pass before he walks down the aisle to our table, rubbing his brow.He looks up, his eyes serious.“I’m sorry.”He swallows, his gaze distracted.“I’ve got to take you home.There’s a family emergency.”
“Is everything okay?”Obviously not, but what do I say without sounding like I’m prying, which is exactly what I’m doing?Who is this woman?And why is he ditching me for her?
I stand and grab my purse.
Jaeger walks me out of the restaurant before answering my question.He opens the passenger door and helps me into his truck, sagging against the frame of the cab as if he needs it to help him stand.“That was Kate.My ex-girlfriend.She showed up at my parents’ house and my sister was there.Kerstin knew where I was taking you tonight.”
“Whichex-girlfriend?”Maybe there were a bunch and this one is some random, innocuous ex who happened to be at the same restaurant.Ex-girlfriendandinnocuousdon’t exactly go together, but it could happen.I’m in full denial mode.
“Cali, you’re the only girlfriend I’ve had in five years.Kate’s my ex.Theex.The one who… Well, anyway, she’s the person I broke up with right after my accident.”
