"I plan to be around for a little while, but no promises about Tibetan treks."
Hunter gave me a wave and then exited my door. I went back and sat down behind my desk, opening the folder that Hunter had brought for me. I did my damnedest to study the numbers, which wasn't easy, and required me to get another drink.
By the time I left that afternoon I’d had several drinks, so I decided to hire a car to drive me to Cesare’s. I knew if I got sloppy drunk, Hunter would make sure I got home. It had been a long time since I'd drunk away my despair. The last time had been the first night after the cruise when I was alone without Jess.
24
Jess
I couldn't believe that I was getting ready for a date. Why? Dating was a way to get to know a man that could eventually become a husband, and in my case, a father figure to Tanner, but Tanner already had a potential father figure and I'd messed that all up. Or more accurately, I hadn't fixed it. At least not the part where I told Carter that he was Tanner's father.
I really wanted to cancel the date, and the only reason I hadn't was because Tanner seemed to be getting a kick out of helping me get ready for my “play date” as Reggie had explained it to him. Reggie had promised him their own play date, which was going to include dinner at a fast-food restaurant that had a playground. As far as I was concerned, she was going to have the better date.
"Wear this one mommy. It'll make you so beautiful." Tanner held up the fake cubic zirconia bracelet. I took it from him deciding why the hell not. I wasn't very interested in looking my best for the date anyway. If I looked gaudy, all the better.
I pulled out my makeup and began applying it. Tanner went to my box pulling out all the different shades of lipstick and opening them.
"Can I wear some mommy?" He immediately brought the tube with the brightest red lipstick up to his lips and began applying the sticky substance.
I smiled, but tried not to laugh, as he looked a little bit like a clown. "You look very handsome."
He grinned, which made the whole scene worth it.
"Are you about ready?" Reggie asked from the doorway of my room.
"Which one?" I asked.
"The both of you." She noticed Tanner and smiled. "Well, you've made yourself extra handsome for me, haven't you little man?"
"It's just like my mommy."
I gave him a hug because he often made me feel such love that it had to be expressed physically. That thought brought me back to the afternoon I spent with Carter, when I asked him to touch me and he did with such care and tenderness. Had he been expressing love to me?
I shook my head because there was no sense going there. Whether he had been making love to me or not, didn't matter at this point.
I rose from my little vanity station and grabbed my purse. "What is this guy like again?"
Regina rolled her eyes, and I couldn't blame her because I only asked her about hundred times before. "He’s smart, he's funny, he's good looking. He’s successful in his career and I've always thought he was a straight shooter. No games."
The no games comment made me think of Carter's deception. I held my arms out to the side. "Well, what do you think?"
Her brow rose at a couple of the elements Tanner had added to my ensemble, but overall, she nodded her head. "You’re gonna knock them dead."
I gave Tanner a hug and thanked Reggie again for watching him as I headed out on my date.
I drove down toward the restaurant, pulling up to the valet feeling very awkward giving him the keys to my clunker. To his credit, he didn't seem fazed by it.
I’d heard of Cesare’s before, of course, but never thought I'd actually eat there. Along with the expensive price, it was also known to be a place where the young, single, and free would go to hang out. I might be considered young, and technically single, but I wasn't free. I didn’t mind it though because Tanner was worth way more than spending my nights clubbing.
I stepped inside the restaurant portion of the establishment and quickly looked around. A host came up to me and I told him who I was waiting for.
"He's just arrived. Let me take you to your table." The host led me toward a table sitting near the edge of where the restaurant ended, and the club section began.
Reggie was right, the man was handsome. He stood and was wearing an impeccable charcoal suit. He looked about as nervous as I felt, as he extended his hand. "I'm Kevin."
I took his hand and shook it briefly. "I'm Jess."
He helped me to my seat and then sat across from me. He ordered a bottle of wine for us, and then for a moment we sat in silence.