“Did you eat some of my great-aunt’s food before coming out?”
“No. I think I’m just a little nervous,” I said.
She nodded with understanding and held up her burger. “Delicious. You can always order one later.”
I smiled and looked around. The place continued to fill up.
“I guess this is the big hot spot here,” I said.
“I don’t come here that much. Clifford isn’t that fond of it. He likes it to be mellow when he eats, and he’s not into the club scene. Talk about your upper-crust people, he’s from one of those aristocratic Boston families, but he can let his hair down, too. When I inspire him,” she added with a wide smile. “And I do.”
“I’ll bet you do.”
“Forget me. You were inspiring quite a few young men out there.”
“So were you.”
“Not as much,” she said.
Was she right? Was that something obvious?
“It was like flies to honey,” I said, and she laughed.
“Look,” she said, leaning toward me. “I’m not trying to push you on anyone. I’m no one qualified to give anyone advice about romance. I had two or three disappointments in college, and until I met Clifford, I wasn’t what you would call the belle of the ball. In fact, I think I was beginning to worry my father.”
“Why?”
“He’s never come right out and said anything, but I know he’s afraid that our growing up under the circumstances of his failed marriage, my mother running off, that sort of thing, would pollute any relationships we had. I know he’s been disappointed in Liam. They had a few bouts over Liam’s behavior, as you probably know by now.”
I nodded.
“Speak of the devil,” she said, and nodded in the direction of the entrance.
I turned and saw Liam Dolan enter alone.
“I didn’t tell him we were coming here,” Julia swore.
“It’s all right,” I said.
She finished eating. Liam moved to the other side of the bar. He did look a little lost and unsure of himself and not as if he knew we were there. He wasn’t looking around for us. Some women spoke to him, but he didn’t give them any encouragement. I saw him order a drink and gaze at the dancers for a few moments before turning and looking down as he cradled his glass in his hands. If anything, he looked sad and lost. Finally, he spotted Julia and me across the way in our booth. I saw his face brighten. I wanted to look away, pretend I hadn’t noticed him, but I couldn’t do it. Despite myself, I smiled back at him, and he immediately started in our direction.
“What’s this?” he asked his sister.
“What’s it look like, genius?”
“Two young women out on the town,” he said, smiling at me. He turned to Julia. “You never said you were going out with our newest employee.”
“Sorry, Dad.”
He smirked. “You know, my sister can be a pain in the rear, and not only when she gives someone a shot there, either,” he added.
Julia laughed. “No hot date tonight?” she teased.
“No. I’ve cooled down.”
“The feminine world breathes a sigh of relief,” she said.
I was truly enjoying the banter between them. It was loving, I thought. That was something I had never had with Ava. I could remember only tension, challenge, and a sense of competition.