That big, green ugly monster came roaring out of me like a beast. I didn’t want them fixing Jacob up with someone else.
Mimi patted Jacob on the arm. “Yep. Since fixing you up has worked so well, we decided we’d try our hand at Jacob. We’re having dinner tonight to pick his brain. See what he likes in a woman.”
I gritted my teeth. I had no right to be jealous, but I was!
Calm down, Monica. Think about it. Look at what a horrific job they did for you with Roger. Maybe this won’t be all bad.
I gulped down half my wine and plastered on a fake smile. “Well, Jacob, I hope it works out as well for you as it has for me.”
Jacob’s lips twitched, but he didn’t outright smile. “Thank you, Monica. I hope it does, too.”
“You look beautiful tonight,” my mom said. “It’s nice to see you out.”
“Thank you,” I whispered.
The truth was, I thought I’d hate being out in public in a restaurant without Travis, but it wasn’t as bad as I’d feared. If only the company had been better.
“Yes,” Jacob said softly, “you look lovely tonight, Monica.”
Roger coughed then looked pointedly at me.
“C’mon, girls,” Mimi said. “We have a lot to discuss with Jacob.”
They dragged a laughing Jacob off to a corner booth, and I desperately wished I was there with them.
“That’s exactly what I’m talking about.” Roger bit into his Chicken Alfredo, and I nearly gagged as he pushed his teeth back into place.
“What?”
“He just said you looked beautiful tonight,” Roger said. “That’s a bit forward, don’t you think?”
“Do you think I look beautiful?” I asked.
“Of course.”
“Yet you didn’t say anything. At least Jacob is man enough to voice his opinion.”
We stared at each other. Him disgusted…me shocked at my boldness.
I reached across the table and poured another glass of wine. If I had to endure more of this torturous dinner, I might as well be good and tipsy.
“You like wine I see,” Roger said dryly.
“I’m a little stiff and sore from a ballgame I played in earlier today,” I said. “The wine just helps to keep my limbs fluid.”
And if I’m lucky, I’ll be a limp noodle by the end of this disastrous date.
The dinner lasted forever as Roger droned on and on about himself and his job. Never once did he ask me about my family or my job. After about the third howling laughter from the other side of the restaurant from Mom and the girls, I’d had enough.
“I need to use the ladies room,” I said, rising from my seat.
“That’s fine. Go right ahead.”
I stopped and stared. Was he thinking I needed his permission to use the bathroom? Or was he simply acknowledging my statement?
I ambled as casually as I could over to where Jacob and the girls sat. I’d taken the long way around to the bathroom, but I didn’t care.
“How’s your dinner?” I asked.
