Mandy

Getting picked up by another shiny, black limousine and being whisked off to another Four Seasons feels like I’m living the life. I can’t get over how cool Trey seems to be, considering he’s right in the middle of an extremely awkward situation. On one side sits a girl who he intends to break things off with and on the other side, me, who came on this trip with only devious intentions. He’s lucky that I’m having a change of heart. He’s way too sexy to rot in prison.

“Is it seriously only 6:15?” Liv asks after pulling out her phone.

“Yeah, we gained seven hours and it was only an eight hour flight,” Trey explains. “Let’s clean up and go out.”

“Sure!” I reply giving Liv a nudge.

“I’m game. I just need a shot of something to shake off that muscle relaxer you gave me.” She shakes her head as if she’s still a little groggy. “That thing was strong!”

“A couple Vodka Red Bulls will get you on track.” Trey jokes, opening the window to get a look at the traffic flow ahead. “I’m so glad I don’t have to deal with this traffic every day.”

“As if the valley is any better,” Liv sneers.

“I don’t know, it doesn’t seem this bad,” Trey counters.

“That’s because you’re normally on your phone,” she counters. “What’s up? You haven’t been on it all day.”

“I don’t really feel like talking to anyone I guess, so I left it muted.” He glances down and checks his messages. “The wake is scheduled for tomorrow night, so Dad’s fiancé must be pretty efficient.” He shoves the phone back in his pocket and gets a conflicted look on his face.

“It’s normally within two or three days. When were you expecting it to be?” I inquire.

“I don’t know, I was hoping for some time next week.” He lays his head back against the headrest. “Or maybe never.”

“You’ll be fine.” I give him a pat on the knee. Liv chimes in telling him the same thing and she actually sounds sincere. A faint smile appears on Trey’s face, but he remains silent. It’s an expression that makes it difficult to figure out whether he is up to something or if something is actually bothering him. He is not the overly expressive type, so it kind of keeps me guessing. I’m not sure I like that.

My phone buzzes for the third time since we landed. I know it is either Dad or my boss, probably both of them. I choose to ignore it.

Trey

Later that night

During the ride from the airport I had been contemplating how best to deal with Mandy. I decided to go straight to the heart of the problem. My father betrayed her family after having dinner with them at Papa’s favorite restaurant, the Old Homestead Steakhouse. Both of our grandfather’s loved that place, because it had been part of the Meatpacking District since the eighteen hundreds and both of them had first gone there as children. Papa never stepped foot in the place again after that night. Tonight, I’m going to make it right.

“Where are we going?” Liv asks me, causing a slight cringe.

“We are going to Papa’s favorite steak house in the meatpacking district,” I reply as the limo pulls away from the curb. “You’re going to love it.”

She immediately pulls up her phone and starts scrolling. “According to Suzy, STK is the place to go for steak in the district. They have a DJ and the whole place is just super cool!”

“STK is very cool, but we will actually be able to talk in this place. You will love the food, one of the best filets around,” I try to pacify her in order to avoid another meltdown like the night before.

“Whatever, you always pick the lamest places,” she scoffs and glares out the window. I can see her reflection and she pouts just like a spoiled little girl. “Besides, I had filet last night,” she adds with a huff.

“Do you know where we are going?” I ask Mandy.

“I sure hope it’s not the place I’m thinking of.” Her expression sours. “The Homestead or whatever it’s called.”

Hmm, maybe this wasn’t such a good idea. Both girls are glaring at me as the limo pulls up to the Old Homestead Steakhouse. The incredible smell that greets us when the driver opens the door takes me back to my childhood. Liv is going to hate this place. Where is Mandy?

“I’m not stepping foot in there,” she announces firmly as I crouch down and peer back into the car. “Are you trying to totally piss me off or something? If so, you’re messing with the wrong woman.”

“I’m not messing with you. I brought you here for a reason. Just trust me.” I hear Liv talking to someone behind me. “Come on, you’ll see.” I reach out taking her hand and leading her out of the car.

While they were getting ready, I called ahead and talked to the manager. I remembered that as a kid we always sat at a big round table toward the back of the dining room. I’m sure that’s where they were on the night that my father betrayed them. I told her that I wanted to sit at the same exact table and as I suspected, it is still there. I kind of wish Liv wasn’t along, but hopefully she will let me do what needs to be done.

“Mr. Addison, you and your brother were just little boys the last time I saw you,” an older gentleman says greeting me with open arms. “I was sorry to hear about the passing of your grandfather and your father too of course, what a tragedy. They were both good men.”

“Thank you, ” I reply, struggling to remember him from my younger years. “Do you know who this is?” I ask, pulling Mandy to my side.

“You don’t look familiar, but you certainly are a beautiful young woman.” He raises her hand to his lips and gives it a kiss.

“This is Rayfield Grayson’s granddaughter, Amanda,” I inform him.

Judging by the look on his face, he was as stunned as if I had slapped him. “Oh good Lord. I never thought I would live to see the day. I haven’t seen either of your families in years and now both of you? You even requested the old round table. Are you two getting engaged or something?”

“They just met!” Liv squeals. “I’m his girlfriend and she is a friend of mine. That’s how they met!” she explains.

“Oh no. These two have known each other for many years. I’m sure you were both here for your grandparents fortieth wedding anniversary,” he tells Mandy. “Of course you were all just little kids back then.“

“Really? That was here?” She asks seeming a bit surprised.

“I insisted that they let me host it for them.” He laughs. “I’m sure it wasn’t your grandmother’s first choice, but she was a good sport.”

A woman comes through the door to greet us. “Your table is ready Mr. Addison. Dad will talk all night if you let him.” She giggles and escorts us back to our table.

As we sit down, I can see that Mandy is getting all choked up. I’m sure all the memories of being here with her grandparents and everything else that happened back then is making her emotional. I reach over and take her hand.

“A long time ago, my father did something that has caused your family an unimaginable amount of pain.” I look straight into her eyes, completely oblivious to everyone else around us. “I know why you and Liv met and why you came on this trip. I can’t say that I blame you one bit; I would’ve had similar motivations if it had happened the other way around. However, I brought you here tonight to tell you that I’m going to do whatever it takes to make things right for you and your family.”

“I have hated your family for so many years,” she whimpers with tears beginning to stream down her cheeks. “Your dad ruined everything!”

“I know and that’s why I want to make it up to you,” I assure her. “Are either of your grandparents still alive?”

“No,” she squeaks out. “They died within six months of each other during my senior year of high school. We all regret not visiting them more the past few years.”

“I’m sorry.” I hand her my napkin to wipe the tears from her cheeks. “My grandmother is still alive and I know she would love to meet you. She’s going to be eighty-five this fall.”

“I have no idea what the hell is going on,” Liv finally breaks her silence. “I feel like I’m in the fucking twilight zone over here.” She slumps back in her seat and crosses her arms. “What the hell is the deal between you two?”

“Mandy’s grandfather and mine were good friends who had dinner here about twenty years ago along with my dad and her dad. During that dinner, her dad talked about his interest in consolidating the cable industry,” I start to explain.

“And let me guess, Victor took his idea and beat them to the punch,” Liv says, guessing correctly.

“He did. He ruthlessly outbid them at every turn and left them with an obsolete, dying business,” Mandy tells her, releasing feelings she had held onto for years.

“Is that why your family left New York?” Liv asks her.

“Yes.” Mandy nods. “He killed us.”

“Their conversation most likely took place at this very table.” I tap my fingers on the old wooden tabletop. “That’s why I brought her here tonight… to make things right,” I reiterate.

“Oh, really? How are you going to fix something like that?” Liv scoffs.

“I might not be able to bring back your old family business, but I’ll figure out a way to make it up to you guys.” I pat Mandy on the thigh.

“So, we aren’t really friends?” Liv suddenly turns on Mandy. “You were just using me to get to him?”

“At first maybe, but I really do like you.” Mandy proclaims while carefully dabbing the remaining tears from her eyes.

“God, I can’t believe you.” Liv fumes. “If there is one thing I hate, it’s being used.”

With those words still hanging in the air, Mandy gives me a sideways glance. I know exactly what she is insinuating with that look. I’ve been using Liv myself for way too long.

Mandy

If Liv is pissed about this, I can’t imagine how she will react when Trey sets her down for their little talk. She’s going to go through the roof. I don’t understand her thought process, though, as it seems that Trey has made his lack of interest in a relationship about as clear as possible. That’s a whole other issue. I really don’t understand why he got so jaded by his first teenage crush. I can’t wait to see what is so special about that girl.

“I want you both to try the Kobe Beef. Liv, order yours with a side of Bordelaise sauce,” Trey tells us, changing the topic.

“Are you serious?” I had just read that a twelve-ounce portion costs three hundred and fifty dollars. “I’m perfectly content with the regular tenderloin.” There is no way that Kobe beef is worth ten times as much. That’s ridiculous.

“Just humor me,” Trey chuckles. “This is a special dinner.”

“I love Kobe beef,” Liv spouts. “It’s the most amazing steak ever.” I glance at her out of the corner of my eye and bite my tongue. It’s just not worth it.

“Okay, I’ll give it a try. I’m sure it will be fabulous. But I suppose it would be a sin to pair that with a Guinness.” I give him a wink.

“It’s your meal. You can have whatever you desire,” Trey replies with a shrug.

“We need a bottle of Ace,” Liv informs us.

“Of course we do, Liv!” Trey laughs lightheartedly. He then explains that Ace is champagne that has the Ace of Spades on the bottle and is now owned by Jay Z, which makes it the go to for the in-crowd.

While waiting for our food, I notice that Trey seems really apprehensive about spending time with his family. It makes me wonder if he really is a prodigal son or if he just ran away out of sheer anxiety. I know what it’s like to feel out of place. It’s something I had to deal with when we first moved to Tennessee. I was definitely a fish out of water when I started second grade.

“So where will you be on the list?” Liv asks him out of the blue.

“The list?” Trey pretends he doesn’t know what she’s referring to.

“Don’t screw with me. You know exactly what I’m talking about. I read that your dad was number thirty five,” Liv adds. “Where will that leave you and Tyler?”

“I’ll come in at eighty-three in the U.S. and two-forty in the world,” Trey whispers. Then it occurs to me. They are talking about his place on the Forbes list of richest people. He’ll be the eighty-third richest person in the whole country. Wow. I guess he can afford to feed us Kobe beef.

“We’ve got to toast to that,” Liv announces, holding up her glass of champagne.

“Actually.” Trey hesitates. “I want to do something worthwhile with my fortune. So let’s toast to hoping that I figure it out someday.”

“Whatever…” Liv shakes her head. “With that kind of money you can do whatever the fuck you want.”

Trey’s eyes light up; then he tips back the glass and drains it. It seems as if he is just beginning to realize the impact of his newfound fortune. It might take him a while to come to terms with it, however, since he seems to disapprove of the way his father accumlated most of it.

“Would your dad be interested in running a Fortune 100 company?” he asks me.

“I guess I would have to ask him, but I’m not so sure he would ever want to move back to the city. It’s a whole different pace down there and I think he has sort of gotten used to it,” I tell him, knowing my mom is the one who would never move back.

“Yeah, I honestly don’t know who Dad’s successor is going to be but I definitely want to make sure it’s not Tyler. He’s got Dad’s temper and drive, but he’s not very business saavy.” Trey shakes his head.

“You’re so mean to him,” Liv says giving him a swat on the arm.

“You will know why once you meet him.” Trey lifts his glass again. “A toast to Kobe beef!”

I hold out my glass for a refill. I find myself beginning to look forward to meeting the other members of his family. Never in a million years did I even consider the fact that Trey might actually embrace who I am and take me in this way. I came into this expecting a knock down, drag out fight and instead I’m drinking champagne at the table where it all began.

On the way out the door I glance at the small dance floor where Trey taught me to dance when I was just a little girl. I honestly don’t know what to think about all of this. For the moment, I guess I’ll just roll with it and have some fun.