I got a text from Simon, which had me thinking. It had been three days since I had seen him, and at the very least I had wanted was to hear his voice. But I wondered if my past insecurities were causing my sudden affliction. When I read his text message, all my concerns took a back seat.
Christ, what a morning I’m having. Only makes me miss your eyes and sweet lips like crazy.
I never thought I could be this kind of person, giddy and lovesick. Good grief, I was such a cheeseball.
Are you at work? I wrote. He would be, since it was nine in the morning in L.A.
Yes, and it’s going to be a long day, a lot of drama going on the set. I’m regretting I agreed to this project. I should be there with you.
Then he added that I should send him a sexy picture of myself to ease his pain.
Poor baby.
I wasn’t able to make it work, since I was sitting in a restaurant, in a crowded room. My eyes glanced up, scouting the sea of people who were already digging into their lunch. A broad smile came across my face, and I knew exactly what he needed to get him through his day. So I found a random picture of a sweet old lady on the internet and pressed send.
Wow, I definitely need a shower after this, he replied moments later, and I laughed to myself.
“Is that Mr. Rowe?” Tracy glanced over my shoulder, catching me off guard. “I was wondering why you had a freakishly big smile on your face,” she said, coming around the table and sitting in the chair in front of me. Tracy had called me last night saying she needed to talk about something. It was not unusual that we went out together without Gloria, but I hadn’t the faintest idea of what it could be about. I sent Simon a text saying that I would call him later, and I put my phone on the table.
“So I take it things are going well? Gloria said she’d never seen Simon so happy.” Tracy moved her chair in. She was wearing her business attire, a blue shirt underneath her fitted suit jacket, which I made a note to borrow sometime.
“Everything is great,”
“Hmm, but?” Tracy was good at seeing through people. Maybe it was a talent she cultivated over time with her line of work.
“No, there’s no buts … it’s just that we’ve been together for two months, and I’ve only seen him a few times.”
“But you knew what you were getting yourself into with Simon, right?”
I loved Tracy, the way she got everything into perspective. There was no muss or fuss with her; she always told it how it was.
“I knew our crazy schedules would be an issue. I’m not going to whine. It’s just that I miss him.” I waved my hand in the air. “Anyway, he’ll be back Friday.”
“It’s hard, I get it. You can’t help falling for who you fall for, but no relationship is perfect. I work fifty plus hours a week at the firm, Gloria is constantly on location. But you have to find a way to make it work. Love has to be bigger than yourself, and at the end of the day you’ve got to think there’s no one else you’d rather run to.” Tracy studied me for a slight fraction of a second. “This is all new to you, Mable. The relationship, the job. You have a lot on your plate right now. Just don’t lose sight of what’s important.”
“It’s just been so bizarre. This time last year I had nothing going on, my love life was a flatline—it’s all or nothing.” I reached for the menu.
“What you have to remember is that real love can’t be jeopardized. Love may bend, but it will never break. Never let your pride come before true love—that’s what my mother always told me.”
“How is your mom doing?” I asked.
“She’s better now and back in her residential home.” Tracy’s eyes focused across the room before they returned to mine. “It’s hard for her, you know, being alone. She has a couple of friends, but after my father died … I don’t know, it got me thinking.”
“About what?”
“Making it official. I mean, I know that’s what Gloria wants—what we want. So what are we waiting for?”
“Are you thinking of proposing?”
“Yes. I’m going to.” Tracy slightly lowered her menu.
“Really? Oh my God, that’s great.” I reached out to her. “We will officially be family!”
“I need your opinion.” Tracy unzipped her purse. “Gloria doesn’t think I have any taste for jewelry.” She pulled out a teal box and handed it to me.
I opened the case to find a pear-shaped diamond ring. “Good grief, it’s gorgeous!”
“You think she’ll love it?”
“Of course she will. If she turns you down, then I’ll marry you.” I closed the box and handed it back to her.
“No offense, but you’re not my type.” Tracy smiled at me.
“Why wouldn’t I be your type? I’m everyone’s type, I’m fun and—”
“You’re all over the place. You forget we once lived together?” She picked up her menu, and I rolled my eyes.
“Geez, you leave one dish in the sink and suddenly you’re pegged as a sloppy moppy,” I said.
“Sloppy moppy? You and Gloria are definitely two peas in a pod.” She shook her head.
With Tracy, everything in her life had to have a place and time, which was okay, but I couldn’t live like that. Maybe that was why Simon and I went well together. We allowed the waves to take us where they would. We weren’t too pretentious about the small details.
“When are you planning on asking?”
“Well, I was thinking this Friday,” Tracy replied.
“Her surprise birthday party? In front of everyone? Wow, you’re courageous. That’s a lot of pressure.”
“Tell me about it. But I figure Gloria won’t see it coming.”
I smiled, knowing better. Gloria couldn’t be surprised. She always found a way to somehow ruin it. I had to keep my distance from her until Friday.
“Hey, I wanted to ask—are you still getting those calls in the middle of the night?”
“Oh, the creepy heavy breathing? They stopped suddenly.”
“Did you think about getting another number?” Tracy asked.
“Ugh, it’s such a hassle. If I change my number, then I have to call everyone with the new one. I’m not afraid, it’s just some asshole trying to have fun with me.”
“I don’t know … Now you’re in the public eye, it could be some crazed fan.” Her eyebrows knitted together. “Have you told Simon about it?”
“No. Simon has a lot on his plate with work, and I don’t want to worry him. Anyway, it’s three days now. They must have gotten bored with me.”
My phone dinged, and I coolly glanced over at it. Simon had shot me another message. He told me he’d call me after work and added that he couldn’t stop looking at my picture.
You’re sure one beautiful woman.
Lol, the old lady pic?
No, the one I took of you in my bed the other day while you were sleeping.
I must have blushed, because I felt Tracy’s eyes over me.
“Jesus, you guys can’t get enough of each other. I bet Simon is great in bed,” Tracy said with a sideways smile, putting her menu down. “Creative people usually are.” She shot me a knowing look.
I smiled and shook my head. I knew she was trying to get some gossip out of me, but I divulged none. What was it about people? As soon as they knew you were in a new relationship, they wanted to know everything about your sex life. But I was never one to kiss and tell.