Chain Reaction 2.68: The Chopping Block

Alex

     What is SHE doing here? I think when Masami tells me Selena is waiting for me in the lobby. My mind races through all the physical things I've done to this woman, and I hate her all the more. I'd like to be justifiably angry, but in truth, we used each other.

     My time with Selena doesn't exactly represent the best version of myself, the person I am when I'm with Emily. The man with Selena was desperate, horny, and scared as plum to be alone. The man with Emily is compassionate, loving, ludicrously happy, and... completed. I don't need any reminders of who I was when I was with Selena.

     "Selena," I say, the irritated surprise present in my voice. "Uh, come in."

     "Thank you," she states in her businesswoman voice. As she walks in the door, her eyes pop over to the new painting, and her demeanor changes. "The gossip was right. Dayum, Alex. You do like 'em young."

     I huff in an irritated fashion. "What do you want, Selena?"
     She turns to face me. "I was just going to have a guy serve you with papers, but I thought that after everything, you should hear this straight from me."
     "Papers? What are you talking about?" We ended an engagement, not got a divorce. What the plum do you need to serve me papers for?
     "I'm suing you, Alex." She pulls out a large, legal-sized envelope and hands it to me. I take it and put it in the strange place where everything goes, scowling.
     "For what? Dumping you?" This ought to be good.
     She tosses her hair. "That depends. Once you read the file, you'll understand, but I'll go ahead and tell you. I'm suing you for sexual harassment."

     "Don't be ridiculous, Selena. You and I both know it was consensual."
     She gives me a smiling glare. "I was pressured."
     "You flirted first."
     "You grabbed me."
     "I gave you plenty of warning and opportunity to stop me."
     "Like I said, I was pressured."
     "You're full of crap, and I'll take this to the highest courts before I give you one single simolean."
     She laughs wickedly. "Oh, I'm asking for much more than a single simolean, Alex."
     "You'll never see it."
     "I can guarantee you I will. I have your balls on the chopping block."
     "You have nothing on me, Selena, and you know it."
     "I'm pregnant."
     You know how sometimes in movies they have that effect when time suddenly slows and there's this winding down noise? That. That was happening right now.
     I want to yell, but all I can do is whisper, "What?"
     She watches me in vindictive pleasure. "The doc says I'm eight to ten weeks. It's yours."

     My breathing sounds loud in my ears, like it's the only sound. Breathe in. Breathe out. Breathe in. Breathe out.
     "Do you need to sit down?" she asks, and I wonder why she'd sound so concerned. I guess I'm worth nothing to her dead, and I might be having a heart attack. Maybe a stroke.
     Mine.
     "Alex, let's sit down. I shouldn't have blurted it out like that. I mean, I wanted to slap you in the face with it because that's how it felt to me, but... Alex?"
     Mine.
     Breathe in. Breathe out. Breathe in. Breathe out.
     Mine.
     She has to be telling the truth. The time frame: it fits.
     "Alex?"
     "What do you want?" I ask it much more gently this time.
     "I think you should sit down."
     "Plum you, Selena. What do you want!"
     After a small pause, she sounds almost embarrassed to say, "One hundred million."
     "You're insane."

     "You and I both know you have it. Don't try to play like you can't afford it."
     I counter, "You and I both know most of my money is tied up in the company."
     "Have you expanded?" she asks like she doubts it.
     "I was thinking about it." My mind jumps to Miss Franco. I need to meet with her again. The idea frightens me. Maybe I could call Laura for advice on what to do about the offer.
     "Well, stop thinking about it. Consider it fifty for a lump child support and fifty for the sexual harassment."
     "I'm not giving you plum for 'sexual harassment,' Selena. I'm sure Masami can back me up."
     "Hah! A woman you pay. Like she's going to say anything against you."
     I smirk. "Okay. Drake then. I'm sure he'd love to 'make me look bad' by saying how we went at it like rabbits."
     "I could get Drake on my side."
     I laugh now. "It might be interesting to see whom he hates more. Regardless, you're not getting a single penny, shilling, farthing, piece of eight, wooden nickel, or anything from me that has to do with some bull-plum sexual harassment case."
     The deliberations continue. I offer to give her a generous allowance, but she won't budge on the idea of a lump sum now.
     Then she tells me how I'm to have no contact with the child.
     "WHAT?!" I wouldn't be surprised if Emily can hear me from where she is on the roof.

     "Oh, please. Have you seen Drake? You think I'm going to let my baby have any contact with you?"
     Of all the things she's done to me, of all the things she's said, nothing has hurt worse than right now. I fold my arms and fight back the rising pain of the idea that a child of mine will be out there and never know me.
     "No contact; no money. Go ahead and try to afford a better lawyer than I can. It won't happen."
     "You're an unfit father. I'm not going to have nurture cement with nature and have the child be like you."
     It's like she's spoken to Graham, trying to find out the absolute most painful things to say to me.
     Then, the sweet voice of my wonderful Emily floats down the stairs. "Is everything alright?" Once down here, she reads the situation, at least as far as knowing that Selena is over here making trouble.
     I walk up and wrap my arms around her, desperate to escape the nightmare Selena is. "I feel like a drink. Would you like a drink, Emily?" Without waiting for a response, I walk to the bar. Emily walks over to talk to my ex.

     "What's going on? What are you up to, Selena?"
     I f--king love Emily. Immediately, she guesses that the only reason Selena would be over here would be to make trouble.
     "How are you on birth control, Em?"
     "What?"
     "'Cause your boyfriend there never worries about it, does he?"

    I watch the expressions cross Emily's face. She figures it out.
    "Well, you know, when sims woohoo, there are at least two involved, right? Therefore the second party is just as responsible for preventing any unwanted developments. I'm just guessing here, but you didn't bother. Now, you're asking me that question like you not taking care of yourself is Alex's fault? So, you thought you'd not worry about it and intend for whatever to happen to be a way to trap him so that he continues to be in your debt. You knew exactly what was going on. You're definitely not stupid or a victim here. Get out of my house." Emily points to the door.
    Selena just stands there, completely still. I imagine her jaw is slack.
    "I'm waiting," Emily reminds her, one eyebrow raised.
     Selena turns around and points to me. "This isn't over by a long shot, Alex. Look over that file, and you'll hear from my lawyers."
     I drink some of my drink, pretending to ignore her. She walks out, slamming the door behind her, exactly keeping in concordance with her immature mind.

     A very not immature mind that inhabits the woman I love spins on all cylinders as she cross the room toward me. He voice cracks as she asks in a hurt way, "Pregnant?"
     "Two months. Probably more." I watch my Emily change right before my eyes, and I want to grab her and scream 'no!' That innocence she's always had--it's gone. I've destroyed it by my poor decisions of the past.
     "Why didn't you-- You didn't-- Did you want-- You're smarter than this!" She breathes fast, trying to actually take in the shock like she pretended to do earlier. "I mean, you were engaged. Drake hated you. You were going to marry Selena. Why not have another child in the process?"
     "Emily, stop."
     "Why, Alex?"

     "I wish I could answer that! I don't know! I wasn't thinking, at least with the brain in this worthless lump that sits on my shoulders. All I could think was that it felt..." Oh, plum. I need to just shut the plum up. Emily's right. I'm smarter than this. Maybe, on some subconscious level, I did want another child. And at the time, I had no idea how my feelings for Emily had developed. I'd thought Selena was it, not 'the one' but the one I was stuck with for the rest of my life. I needed something good out of it. "I'm sorry."

     My heart breaks just to look at her. I whisper, "I had no idea things would turn out like this." It's not an excuse or even a reason. It's how it was.
     She keeps her eyes closed, and her voice sounds so full of pain as she says, "So she gets to have your baby then. No matter what, you two will always have a connection to each other."
     "Emily..." I reach out my arms for her. I'm dying to hold her, but she steps back, putting her hand up. I lower my arms.

     She reaches up to touch her face, something I wish I were doing.
     "Please know that I love you more than I've ever loved anyone," I tell her. "And it's killing me that I hurt you."
     "What am I supposed... to do now, Alex? I don't know." She means she has no idea how she should respond.
     "Whatever you feel like you should do."
     "But I don't know!" She covers her face with her hands, frustrated that she can be so brilliant in many ways but feel behind in others.
     "Nobody really knows, Emily. None of us do." Would she let me hold her now?
     "I think I need... some time to think." She takes steps backwards, headed to the stairs.
     I offer up a guess: "I can sleep down here tonight."
     "That would probably be best," she replies, sending a javelin straight through my heart.

Click here to go to 2.69

Chain Reaction 2.67: Artist's Rendition

Alex

     I have a blast from the past in the form of a text message from Addyson. I haven't seen her in probably a year, after Traci threw that drink in my face and before I started that thing with Selena.

No can do. Do you mind coming over?

     I wince when I realize what my text probably implies to her.

Of course!

     Sighing, I put my phone in my pocket, quickly run my fingers through my hair, and put it back like I always do.

     "Alex, it's great to see you again." Her eyes rake over me hungrily, making me feel like a piece of meat.

     How is it that I was ever attracted to this woman? Her larger figure was actually rather enjoyable, but she insists upon wearing that stupid 'lucky hat' of hers. What makes her unattractive is the obvious desperation exuding from her every pore.

     I was horny and desperate just like her. I need to be as nice as I possibly can right now.

     "Shall we go inside?" She gestures toward the door.

     "Actually, Addy, I asked you to come over so that I could talk to you face-to-face."

     She takes a deep breath, guessing from my expression what I'm about to say.

     "Addy, you're a kind, beautiful-"

     "Don't bother, Alex. And especially don't lie to me. All you have to say is 'I can't see you anymore.' You didn't even have to say it face-to-face." She takes a breath. "I'd just heard about your breakup with Selena. It got me thinking about you, and I wondered if you needed me. Apparently not. Are you in a relationship?"

     "Yes." I look down.

     "Stop looking so guilty. I just wished you'd texted me this instead. That way, I wouldn't have gotten all the way over here only to be told to leave." She shrugs. "It's not like we had anything lasting. It was just woohoo."

     "Why do you devalue yourself like this?"

    "Oh, please." She looks exhausted. "Don't start. That's one of the things I liked about you. You just let me be. Don't try to make me feel bad for being who I am when you yourself took advantage of it." She turns around and starts rapidly pressing the elevator call button. It shows up rather quickly. She gets on.

     Before the doors close, I say, "Thank you for your...help." I watch as her lower lip trembles before she can hide behind the closed doors.

     Well, that was a disaster. I tried to be nice, but I wound up hurting her in a way I didn't even consider as a possibility.

    I go upstairs and decide to hit the bag for a while, aggravated at myself.

     When I finish, I come back into the bedroom to find Emily still asleep. I smile as I look at her. I kept her up late last night, even after our wonderful time in the bubble bath. In fact, it's amazing I myself am not tired, but I'm not. I'm buoyant.

     I'm so buoyant that I want to climb on top of Emily and wake her up my favorite way, but she'd just complain of how badly I smell right now. Sighing happily, I go take a shower. When I come back out of the bathroom, she's left the room.

     I come downstairs to find her eating thoughtfully, so I go and grab a plate myself before sitting down next to her. She continues to stare at some distant spot, completely absorbed into whatever is going on inside that brilliant mind of hers.

     "Good morning, beautiful," I say quietly so as not to startle her too much.

     She is startled, though, and I watch her eyes refocus on the present. Then, she smiles shyly and blushes, and I want to beg for mercy, mercy for her to stop being so plumbing beautiful for just a moment so that I might get something else done besides constantly wanting her. Oh well. I don't want to do anything else anyway.

     "Alex, you don't have to call me that," she tells the table.

     "Oh yes, I plumbing do. You really have no idea, and I feel the need to constantly remind you." I watch her shake her head no, smiling like she thinks I'm being ridiculous. "I wish you could see you as I see you."

     As if on cue, there's a knock at the door. Masami springs out of the kitchen to answer it, and some deliverymen walk into the house with a large package. They bring me the clipboard to sign, and I do, thanking them.

    "What is it?" Emily asks.

    I grin. "Sit in my seat and promise not to turn around."

    Bewildered, she does as I ask, and I quickly open the package.

     After walking over and taking her hand, I direct Emily to what's newly-hanging above the bar.

     She stumbles when she sees it. "Alex, what is..."

     Even though she didn't finish the question, I answer it. "It's amazing what money can buy. An artist barely slept for three days while she worked on this for me, making sure to maintain her artistic reputation in the process. However, as much as I paid her, she won't ever have to paint for money again." I grin at her. "I was really sneaky with my phone's camera one day. And it's so perfect you're wearing the outfit again." I love that outfit. It's the same one she wore when I finally got her away from her father.

     "That's not me," she says in awe.

     "Of course it is."

     "No. That's an artist's rendition of a snapshot from a phone."

     "Well, obviously, the colors brushing out behind you aren't in the phone picture, but that's you. Your face. Your expression. Just the way you move." I f--king love this painting. I'm going to give the artist a bonus.

     "No. The artist made me look prettier."

     "No. I gave her explicit instructions not to alter your face in any way."

     "Alex, I'm incredibly flattered, but I'm not that pretty."

     "Do I need to go get a mirror?"

     She huffs a sigh. "I don't know how I feel about having a portrait of me up for everyone to stare at."

     I smirk. "I'll gouge out anyone's eyes who stares at it too long. Lots of people have portraits of themselves up." I point to a recent picture we had made of the two of us.

     "But that's a masterpiece painting, not a picture from a portrait studio."

     "You're right it's a masterpiece. And I f--king love it, just like I f--king love you."

     Tears appear in her eyes. "That's really how you see me?"

     Thank the Maker, she finally gets it. "Yes."

     She embraces me, and I pick her up and slowly spin her around in a circle, my nose happily in her wonderful hair.

     "Emily, I adore you. You are so precious to me. In one way or another, you always have been. Now that you're grown, how can I but help to passionately love you? I just want you to see it. I just want you to know. I just want you to understand how much you deserve this. I want to be the man that gets to love you. Because I do. And because I always will."

     She sniffs. "That's it."

     "What is?"

     "You should quit your job."

     "You want me to quit my job?" I will if she wants me to. I could sell the company. Maybe I could work part-time for the police.

     "And become a poet." She laughs through her tears. "I can't top that."

     I hold her closer. "Then I've finally succeeded." It's not that she actually wanted me to sell the company, even if I would. It's that she was complimenting me on my oratory skills.

     I have to top that when I ask her to marry me. I start trying to think of how I could begin that speech when Emily starts kissing my neck, and all rational thought leaves my mind as my thoughts turn to one objective: get her upstairs.

Click here to go to 2.68

Chain Reaction 2.66: Good Evening

     Alex is sitting watching television when I get home. He sees my expression, turns off the television, and walks over. I throw my arms around him, squeezing him to me.
     "Is something wrong?" he asks carefully.
     "Just hold me for a minute, okay?"
     "Gladly." He kisses the side of my head through my hair.
     I'm so mad at Daddy! How could he do that to me! How could he think that would work?! Why can't he just accept the fact that I love Alex? I squeeze Alex even harder.
     "Emily, my love, I'm not going anywhere. You're going to hurt your arms if you keep that up."
     I whisper, "I'm...so...mad!"
     "After going out to lunch with your father?" He pauses. Then, in a suspicious voice, he asks, "What happened?"

     I tell him everything of my afternoon nightmare. Alex's face drops and drops. Worry knots up in my stomach.
     "I am socially inept, Alex! Drake was right! Why couldn't I just stop it as soon as I guessed what was going on? What's wrong with me?!" Oh, plum, I don't want to cry. I bite my lip.
     "Drake is not right, Emily. I don't want to hear you say that about anything. That little spawn of mine is nothing but evil, understand?"
     "But he's still right."
     "You're not socially inept. You're sweet and kind and willing to hope for the best in people, even when there isn't a 'best' anything. The entire time, you were trying to think of a way to let him down nicely. Not everyone would do that. Don't you understand?"
     Something occurs to me. What if Alex thinks I wasn't telling Braydon fast enough that I had a boyfriend because I was actually interested in him? "Are you mad at me?"
     "Plum, Emily."

     He kisses me hard. I'm too mad to kiss right now! Doesn't he know that? I try to pull back, but he grunts and holds me tighter, getting fiercer with the kiss. I stop worrying if he's mad at me and start getting mad at him. I loosen one of my arms and punch his chest with the side of my hand. He doesn't stop, which just makes me madder. I want to rip him limb from limb. Bringing out the claws now, I put everything I have into pushing back, and I succeed.
     We stand apart, panting and staring at each other. He has that wild look in his eyes that's so plumbing hot.
     I don't know. I can't figure it out. I can't explain it, but right now, I don't care. Instead of clawing at and punching him, I attack him just like he did me a minute ago, ramming myself into his chest and devouring his talented lips. The force I do it makes him have to take a few steps backwards. I follow him. That's when he gets the idea to carry me upstairs.

     He takes me inside the observatory, and we woohoo like I never thought possible. We don't say much, but we don't need to. Now, I understand. I needed to reaffirm how much he loves me and I him, how much we're crazy about each other, how we've found everything we've ever wanted in each other.
     Afterwards, I tell him I'm going to go take a long bubble bath, and he smiles and agrees that's a good idea.
     "I'll join you in a minute," he says and kisses my nose.
     "Okay."

Alex

     That rat! That sneaky little...

     I pull out my phone.

     "Good evening, Graham!" I say, reminding myself of a villain in a James Bond film. I don't care. This man has pissed me off. Again.

     "Hello, Alex. The only reason I answered is to find out what the plum you want. Make it fast. I don't have much time for pond scum."

     "Oh, I won't take too much of your time. I just had to call you and tell you your little scheme didn't work." I grin. This is going to be good.

     "What 'little scheme'?" he asks, but he knows what I mean.

     "Why, inviting that young man to lunch today with your daughter. Did you really think that would work?"

     "Looked to me like they were getting along just fine." He sounds way too pleased with himself.

     "Well, it didn't work. Emily came home" I love reminding him that my house is her home "really shaken up."

     "Shaken up? Well, that's interesting, Alex. Why would she be shaken up? Doubts?"

     "Furious anger, Graham. At you." I pause for effect then deliver my killing blow. "Oh, but don't worry. I made her feel oh so much better." I force out a chuckle. "Your daughter is quite the little firecracker." I pause again to let that sink in. "You did know we're sleeping together, right? I mean, I'd hope you'd just assume-"

     "Stop it!" he gasps out. "You horrible monster!"

     "Do you remember when I tried to start this out in a friendly, peaceful manner, Graham? Do you remember that?"

     "F--- you." He's really lost his calm, collected facade.

     I laugh, enjoying that fact immensely. "Sorry. I'm a bit... busy ...in that department, old pal. She's amazing. Begs for more, and I'm all-too-happy to give it to her."

     "I hate you! I will always hate you!"

     "Yes. I'm well aware of that. I just want to point out that I was ready to reconcile our differences, but this latest stunt, Graham..." I make a tsk-tsk sound. "You tried to set her up with someone else?"

     "Braydon is a nice young man. Anyone would be better than you!" He sounds like he's shaking.

     "But I'm the one she wants." I pause again before I continue. "What you've done today is tantamount to throwing down the gauntlet, Graham. Have you forgotten what I'm capable of?" Deep down, I hate this. I don't like being this way, but this man, the father of the woman I adore, has an impeccable talent for bringing out this side of me.

     "You have nothing, Alex. I'm retired, remember?" he sneers.

     I laugh meanly. "Yes, so you are. Retired from a very interesting career if I do say so myself. I'm amazed at how you could hide it from your family, even your son-"

     "Leave Ethan out of this!" he yells through the phone.

     "Careful, Graham. You wouldn't want to wake up...Bella." I chuckle. That hasn't gotten old yet. "I wonder what your police officer son would have to say about his dear old dad's real career." Nice. I've mentioned all three of his children in under two minutes, reminding him I have the power to destroy his relationship with at least two of them. I'm glad I've always kept this knowledge of his true career to myself all these years.

      I think I broke him. At least his voice sounds like it when he says, "What do you want, Alex."

      "Wow, Graham. That was a little too easy. I'm disappointed." And surprised.

      "These are my children you're talking about, you rotten sonofab*tch. Tell me what the plum you want."

      Here it is. My chance. "It's really quite simple, actually. It's only something I tried to get the nice way before you shoved into my face my father's past misdealings." I really did want to play nice. I did!

      "You remind me so much of him. Only worse. And you want my daughter?!"

      That hurt. I can't believe how much that hurt. My father was true pond scum for what he did, but he was still my dad. But for Graham to compare me to him... I can't let him know he hurt me, though. I say in a stern voice, "Back off, Graham. Stop trying to interfere. I mean it when I say I love Emily. It's unreal how much I love her. I don't want to have to be constantly worrying what you're going to do next. I just want to be happy. I want what everyone wants: peace. By some miracle, Emily loves me too. Let us have our happiness without trying to sabotage it."

      I listen while Graham takes several breaths. Then, he finally speaks. "I swear on all that's holy that if you hurt her, I will kill you slowly in the most painful way I can come up with! Do you understand me?"

      "Then I have nothing to worry about. It's been a pleasure talking with you tonight, Graham. Have a pleasant rest of your evening." I hang up.

     I take in and let out a shaky breath.

     I won! I can't believe it! I won! At last! I'm going to be happy, and there's nothing Graham can do about it! His little stunt backfired heavily in my favor. And I have...Emily, a woman ten times more wonderful than her mother could ever dream of being.

     Then what are you doing wasting time up here on the roof, Alex? I ask myself with a small chuckle, and I decide to go teach Emily the joys of woohoo in a bubble bath.

Click here to go to 2.67

Chain Reaction 2.65: Out To Lunch

Emily

     I'm having lunch with Dad today. He's very excited about it. I'm glad to be doing this. He needs reminding that just because I'm living with Alex that it doesn't mean he's never going to see me again.
     "Let me go change!" he tells me.
     I laugh. "Okay."

     It occurs to me that Dad's hair has gotten a bit lighter as he walks up and hugs someone.
     "Braydon! Hey! Glad you could make it."
     "Any time, Graham."
     Uh, what? Is that...
     Dad turns to me. "Emily, you remember Braydon McCullough, right? Raina's little brother? The boy caddy-corner across the street?"
     'Little'? is all I can think.
     "I'll go get us a table," Dad says, walking away.

     "Emily, wow, it's been forever!" Braydon tells me warmly.
     I want to say, 'well, actually, it's been never because just your sister and my brother were friends, not us really.' I suppose we could've been friends, but I didn't go to school with kids my age and I was always around Drake. "It has," is what I actually say.
     "Wow, you were always so smart. I'll bet you've climbed to at least level five of the science career path by now."
     "Uhhh, no, actually-"
     "Oh, sorry. Medical?"
     I frown. I haven't done anything career-based except work on the rocket at home. Having it shoved into my face like this feels awful.
     "No."
     "Hey, kids, our table's ready!" Dad calls out... to both of us?
     Braydon winks at me and smiles. "Will they ever stop calling us kids?"
     I let out a nervous laugh. I'd thought when Dad said he'd get 'us' a table that he meant him and me--just him and me.

     I'm sure to take the seat across from Dad, hoping Braydon will sit next to him. No. He sits next to me. I keep shooting daggers in Dad's direction, but he keeps his eyes everywhere but on my face.
     Braydon keeps talking about how he's heard the food here is great. I want to shove it into his face that the place down the street is ten times better, also ten times more expensive and how my boyfriend can afford it without breaking a sweat. But, do I? No. I keep my mouth shut.
     I'm afraid that if I start up at a rant, it won't stop.
     Just what are you trying to pull here, Dad? I snarl at him in my head.

     "Wouldn't you agree, Emily?" Braydon asks.
     "I'm sorry. What?"
     He looks apologetic. "I guess I am sitting here running my mouth."
     Dad perks up, coming to Braydon's save. "Braydon has been working as a personal trainer at the gym."
     Braydon smiles again. "Yeah. Your dad has been great. Ever since he's retired, he's been a daily visitor. I really have always idolized your dad."
     Glancing his way, I can see Dad looks embarrassed--but not at the right things.
     The personal trainer continues, "You should really come down sometime. I could make you feel right at home." He gifts me with a grin that looks like it belongs on a toothpaste ad. I can almost hear the 'ding' sound from the sparkle. He probably gets his teeth whitened at the spa.
     "I have my own equipment," I tell him patiently.

     Again with the grin. "Oh, but it's not the same as having someone working with you right by your side!"
     Uh huh. I look at him and realize he has no idea I already have a boyfriend. I'd bet he's completely innocent in all this. To him, this is the three of us having lunch together, with my dad obviously hoping he'd ask me out by the end of it.

     "I'll...consider it," I finally say to his...incredible eyes...when he opens them again.
     "I sincerely hope you do. In fact, here's-" He starts to reach into his pocket, but our waiter interrupts.

     "Have you decided what you want?" he asks.
     "I have," Braydon answers, looking at me.
     Dad says, "I actually called ahead with our order. It's under Graham Taylor."
     "Ah yes, of course, Mr. Taylor. I'll inform the chef."
     I turn to Braydon. "Well, that makes the decision easy, huh?" I'm smiling, but really, I want to give my dad the biggest bruised shin ever.
     "So, Emily, you never really answered my question out there. How's your career going?"
     My smile vanishes.

     Dad cuts in. "Oh, Emily has time to get her career going later. She's just trying to find her right place."
     "Oh," Braydon says, acting like he's understanding. "Well, until you do, you could work part time at the gym. Maybe you could be the receptionist. It's always nice to walk in and see a pretty face."
     It takes almost everything I have not to get up and storm out of here. With every second that goes by, I'm more and more convinced that this is a setup exactly like what I'm guessing. Dad is trying to hook me up with Braydon and Braydon is all for it, probably not knowing I'm with Alex. I can't outright say anything because that would be rude, and they could deny it. I'm going to have to sit this out patiently and let him down easy. Braydon is a nice guy--I guess. I mean, the McCulloughs are nice people. I don't want to insult him. Dad, however...
     Braydon excuses himself, headed to the restroom.

     "I can't believe how everyone has grown up so fast," Dad tells me, smiling.
     "What are you doing, Dad?" I'm not smiling.
     "What do you mean?"
     "I'm not stupid." I mean to say more, but our waiter interrupts again.

     "I like Braydon," Dad says with a defensive smile. "He is really nice and has a great sense of humor. You really should give him a chance."
     "Dad!"
     The food appears in front of us, and I'm a bit shocked by what he ordered.

     "Dad. What is this?" The dish he ordered both me and Braydon is rumored to be an aphrodisiac. That, plus the red wine. I can't believe Dad's gall.
     I hear Braydon behind me. "Oh! I've heard of this dish! It's one of the chef's specialties. It's..." He clears his throat and shuts up for once.
     "What?" Dad asks with a not-so-innocent smile. "I thought you two could be my guinea pigs."

     I just have to survive this. At the end of it, I can politely turn him down and then chew out my father. I must not make a scene here in the restaurant.

     Dad's phone beeps.
     "Oh. It's Brielle. I need to go." Oh no. He looks up at us. "I'll pay the bill on the way out. Don't you two rush out of here on my account." He stands up, quickly kisses me on the top of my head, and leaves.
     I don't say a word and hurriedly finish my food. A waiter comes and takes away our empty plates, and I turn to Braydon for the first time since Dad left.

     "Emily, I know this is going to feel out of the blue, but I didn't come to just have lunch with your father."
     Oh yeah? I did. "I need to go. It was great seeing you again, Braydon." Please, let's avoid more awkwardness!

     He scrambles out of his chair. "Wait, please!"
     "Listen, Braydon..." How do I do this?!
     "Do you think we could have dinner--just the two of us? Sometime?" He looks so hopeful.
     "No. You don't understand. I'm sorry if my dad made you think-"
     "He didn't have to. I thought it all on my own."
     "You already knew I had a boyfriend?" I start getting mad until I see his surprised expression.
     "Uh... No, actually. I didn't. You're still with Drake? That guy's a jerk, Emily. When are you going to see that?"
     "I did see that, do see that. No, I'm not with Drake anymore. I'm with..." I pause. For the first time ever, I worry about someone negatively judging me for choosing to date someone old enough to be my father.

      He sees my worry and takes my hands. I don't think it's a strong come-on, merely like a tender gesture. At least, that's how I'm choosing to interpret it.
      "Well, it apparently isn't one you're comfortable discussing. That should tell you something."
      I blurt out, "It's Drake's father, Alex."
      He looks confused. "Who is?"
      "My boyfriend. I'm dating Alexander Goth." My face turns tomato red.
      Shocked, he asks, "What?! He's got to be at least forty-five!"

     I jerk my hands out of his grasp. "I don't care! You think I don't know that? I love him! I've been trying all afternoon to figure out how to tell you this nicely, but I see that's not going to be possible."
     He holds up his hands. "Okay! I'm sorry. It's just your dad, well, he made it sound like you were single."
     My anger evaporates. "I know. I'm sorry. I guess I could've sneaked in some reference to give you a clue, but I couldn't figure out how."

     He takes my hands back. "It's okay. But just so you know: If anything ever happens and you do find yourself single, look me up, and I'll drop everything just for a chance." He kisses my hands!
     While I stand here like a gaping fish, he winks at me, walks past me, and exits the restaurant.
     I put my hand on my forehead to do the same thing. Chewing Dad out will have to wait. Right now, I just want to get home.

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