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My heart skips a beat. What he’s doing is not fair, and he knows it. I hurriedly spot Jeremy emerging from the Maserati and making his way toward us.
This is the last thing I need—an awkward encounter between my date and my… Randy. Sarah and Rita are already gushing about how handsome Jeremy looks, saying he is dressed to the nines, as I step outside the café.
The cool early evening air not only stops Jeremy in his tracks, but it also brings me a sigh of relief, washing away the uneasy thrill that being near Randy had stirred in me.
“Hey,” I say to Jeremy, finally standing directly in front of him. He smells great, and my coworkers weren’t exaggerating; he looks incredibly handsome in a camel-colored duster coat, dark dress pants, and a cream cable-knit sweater. Clearly, Jeremy knows how to choose his outfits to complement his attributes.
“A Maserati?” I can’t help but ask. My curiosity is piqued by the vehicle’s sheer ostentatiousness.
“Just for the night. Just for you,” he responds smoothly. His breath carries a fresh hint of spearmint.
Looking up into his eyes, I find them twinkling with flirtation. Any girl would be thrilled to spend an evening with a man like him, yet my mind keeps wanting to grab memories of intense moments with Randy.
I wonder if it’s too late to ask Jeremy to simply hand me the bill for his car’s repairs; though judging by his choice of transport, he hardly needs my financial contribution. It’s clear that Jeremy is the type of man you consider when you’re ready to settle down with a serious partner. I mean, look at him. He’s nice. He has money. He smells delicious. But am I really ready to get serious? The thought flickers through my mind, daring me to say yes. Perhaps I could be. I should at least give it a try.
With this newfound resolve, I don’t retreat from the date. Instead, I find myself curious about the night ahead. “So where are you taking me tonight?” I ask, open to the possibilities this evening with Jeremy might unveil.
* * *
We’re heading downtown to the Blue Tavern, a spot I’m familiar with. It’s an American bistro with a menu that’s never disappointed me. Jeremy has made an impressive choice—it says he knows his way around good food.
Riding in the Maserati feels like being in a piece of art—too pristine and luxurious for a casual drive on a chilly New England evening. I’m almost afraid to touch anything, feeling out of place in such a meticulously maintained environment. It feels more like a museum exhibit than a car, something to be admired rather than used. Jeremy, on the other hand, seems perfectly at ease, engaging me in conversation as he endeavors to learn more about me.
My responses to his questions have been fairly standard. Yes, I’m an only child. Yes, I’ve grown up in this charming midsize town. No, I’m not opposed to the idea of moving away someday. My parents are still together, and honestly, I couldn’t ask for better ones than Faye and Harold.
But then Jeremy asks, “Do you want to start a family of your own one day?” It’s a question that makes me pause, requiring me to ponder not just my immediate future, but what I truly desire in the long run.
As I attempt to picture myself in a wedding gown, my imagination drifts to extravagant settings and idyllic scenes of a dome ceiling adorned with flowers. Then I imagine a beach with waves caressing the shore, me walking barefoot alongside… My thoughts are interrupted when I catch a glimpse of Jeremy. His face is a mix of amusement and curiosity, clearly intrigued by my hesitation.
And now my thoughts have gone blank. “Why? Are you looking for a wife?” I find myself asking, deciding to shift the direction of our conversation to something that takes me out of the hot seat. It seems like the best way to navigate this moment is to start asking my own questions.
Jeremy’s response comes with a chuckle, as if my sudden interrogation amuses him. “No, just making conversation,” he assures me.
My eyes wander around the car’s luxurious interior—the soft leather, the polished wood paneling. “Well, you definitely can afford one if you are,” I remark, half-joking, half-serious.
Jeremy’s laughter fills the car again. “You’re funny, Gina. And you have great timing.”
Emboldened, perhaps, by his easy demeanor, I venture into more sensitive territory. “What about Randy?” I begin, curiosity getting the better of me. I’ve been itching to dig a little deeper into the background of my enigmatic boss. Steve, the café owner, who’s also another one of Randy’s cousins, could have been a source, but he’s hardly the type to chitchat. Nobody is more intense than Steve. Half the time, I’m not sure he knows if he’s coming or going.
At the mention of Randy, however, I sense a shift in Jeremy’s mood.
“What about him?” he asks, his voice suddenly tight.
I press on, hoping to peel back some of the layers of mystery surrounding Randy. “Where’s he from?”
Jeremy pauses, rubbing his face thoughtfully as if my question requires significant contemplation.
I’m surprised by his hesitation. “Is that such a hard question to answer?”
“No, no…” Jeremy finally responds with a slight edge of reluctance still in his voice. “He grew up here, like you.”
“Really?” I’m genuinely taken aback. “I never heard of him before I started working for him.” Considering Randy is only four years older than I am, I would’ve thought someone as gorgeous and charismatic as him would have left a mark on Roosevelt High School’s collective memory. Or maybe he went to Mid-City High School. Naomi attended that high school, though. She would have undoubtedly heard about him if he’d gone there. However, she hadn’t heard of him before he started at the Calypso either.
Jeremy shifts uncomfortably, picking up on my astonishment. “He’s your boss, right?”
“Yes,” I respond, my tone far from enthusiastic. “I know he’s your cousin and all, but he can be such an asshole.”
My blunt assessment earns another chuckle from Jeremy.
