When I arrive at Mann’s Falafel, Caroline is waiting at the counter. She’s very punctual. I can tell she’s scanning the menu with curiosity, or maybe it’s skepticism. I walk over and stand next to her. “Hi,” I say.
She smiles and then reaches out immediately for a hug. “Hi, it’s good to see you.”
“Well, what do you think?”
“I don’t recognize anything I like on this menu.”
“Falafel is delicious and it’s vegetarian, so it sort of cancels out that heart attack burger we had the other night.”
“You’ve sold me.”
We order our food and sit down. I notice she’s wearing black slacks, but she’s paired them with a navy blouse that has a plunging neckline—a blouse that we’d bought together. It’s so low-cut that I can see her lacy bralette underneath.
“I love that blouse on you. Very daring for work. I’m proud of you.”
“My father about keeled over. He made me button a blazer over it.”
“Oh, well, at least you tried. Did Blake say anything about it?”
She laughed. “Yeah, he said it was sexy. That he was too turned on to work. He tried to get me to meet him in the storage closet. He’s losing his mind.” She sighs and shakes her head.
I feel a sharp pang of jealousy. Didn’t Diana mention that she thought Caroline and Blake don’t sleep together anymore? And I certainly didn’t see any sort of romantic sizzle between them on our dinner date. What’s changed? Why is Blake suddenly attracted to Caroline again? It can’t just be the blouse. I know it’s not my place to wonder, but I can’t help it. On the other hand, I can’t understand why Caroline wouldn’t be flattered by her own boyfriend hitting on her. It suddenly occurs to me that maybe, despite what Diana had said, Blake is still trying to save a relationship he knows is crumbling, and Caroline is the one who has given up.
“Why didn’t you?” I say through a mouthful of hummus and pita.
She rolled her eyes. “Are you kidding? That’s the last thing I have time for.”
Ouch. Maybe Caroline’s so used to pushing Blake around and still having him chase after her that she doesn’t even try to temper her attitude or highbrow tendencies around him anymore. It seems like their relationship is taking a toll on who they really are.
I shouldn’t be feeling jealous anyway. But I can’t help it. Here’s my chance, though I promised myself I wouldn’t ask this specific question. “Are you in love with Blake?”
“Of course,” she says immediately. “He’s my boyfriend. Why would you even ask that?”
I offended her. Time to backpedal. “No, I just…” Think, Hayden, think. “I’m, I’m so inexperienced in that department.” Now I’m lying. “And you guys have been together for, what—”
“Ten years.” She’s looking at me pointedly. I’ve never seen her this irked before. She’s normally so timid.
“Yeah, ten years. And—”
“And what?”
“Oh, I just mean, have you thought about marriage or kids or anything?”
She smiles piteously. “I’ve thought about career. That’s what Blake should be thinking about, too. I mean, you understand. You’re making a name for yourself, Hayden. Not fixating on boyfriends.”
I laugh. “But you have a boyfriend and I don’t.”
“It’s complicated with Blake. It’s terrible to say, but I feel like we’ve become more like brother and sister.” There it is. Exactly what I thought. She continues, “I do love him. I know he’ll be right for me.”
It’s as though Caroline has Blake on hold. Blowing him off for now, but still trying to keep him around for later.
“Well, I think you can have it all. You kind of do. What’s his take on it?”
“He’d marry me right now.”
Holy cow. I try to picture it for a second, but I just cannot see the two of them married (and, okay, it’s not because he’s absolutely my type). They’re not right for each other. Maybe he’s into her for the money, and she likes that she has that level of control over him. After all, she is her father’s daughter. But, despite everything, I don’t think Caroline has a vicious or manipulative side. I’m a good enough judge of character. I think she’s just been a bit spoiled, and used to getting what she wants.
“Well, I think it’s sweet that he would marry you whenever you’re ready,” I say.
