Come Undone (The Cityscape 1)

“Eee,” Gretchen squealed. “You lucky bitch! You’ll get to see him naked!”

Lucy turned a color I’d never seen on another human and shook her head. “My job isn’t like that, Gretchen!”

“Was that his girlfriend?” someone asked.

“Hmm, not sure,” Lucy considered. “I think he has lots of them . . . ,” she said, and they giggled.

“Lucy, hook a girl up,” Gretchen said seriously.

“Yeah, this girl,” Ava said. More giggling.

“I don’t know,” Lucy hesitated. “I really don’t know him at all. He’s Andrew’s friend. He seems really nice though.”

“Liv, are you all right?” Bethany asked, glancing over at me.

“Um, yeah.” The news that David and Lucy would be spending time together had my head spinning. I hadn’t mentioned his participation in the Most Eligible article to anyone. “I think I may have had too much wine,” I said apologetically.

Everyone fell into an unwarranted fit of laughter, and this time I joined them. We’d all had too much, I figured, and we were all feeling good. “I’m going to use the restroom.” I rose from my seat and paused once I felt those eyes on me. I was beginning to notice how I always knew when he was watching me, even when I couldn’t see him. “Anyone else?” I directed at the table, not wanting to be alone.

“I could go,” said Lucy.

“Me too.” Gretchen stood. I watched her flick long blonde ringlets over her shoulder as she shimmied out of her seat; a shimmy that was surely for David’s benefit. He had a perfect view of her rear, which is exactly what he’d be seeing if he’d still been looking in our direction. I moved quickly through the tables to the bathroom as Gretchen and Lucy followed.

Gretchen was first to the mirror, fixing her lipstick and touching her hair. I admired her pointed nose and aqua eyes. She really was beautiful, and I knew if there were someone who could capture David’s attention, it would be her. The thought saddened me.

Lucy joined us to check, fix and reapply. “Oh!” she exclaimed. “I think I found bridesmaid dresses. Can you guys make it one day next week for a lunchtime fitting?”

“Duh!” said Gretchen. “I’ll move some things around.”

Lucy looked at me, and I shrugged my shoulders helplessly. “Duh!” I mimicked. She clapped her hands with delight.

“What do they look like?”

“Very simple. Since we’re doing navy and ivory, I thought a wine red would be a really nice accent. You’ll both like the style, don’t worry.”

“Sounds beautiful, Luce,” Gretchen said.

Back at the table, there was a new sampling of dishes, and I forced myself to partake to mitigate my drinking. Just as I had bitten into a duck spring roll, my clutch vibrated on my lap. Everyone was engulfed in conversation, so I checked the screen. It was a text from an unknown number. Quickly, I scrolled through my call history to confirm my suspicion: it was from David.

CHAPTER 12

May 5, 2012 8:43 PM

Why the cold shoulder?

May 5, 2012 8:45 PM

I’m not sure what you mean.

“Here, Livs,” Bethany said, pouring me another glass of wine.

“Thanks,” I muttered. My phone vibrated immediately.

May 5, 2012 8:46 PM

You do, don’t be coy.

How are you getting home?

May 5, 2012 8:46 PM

Why?

I didn’t know where to look while I waited. I wished I’d sat on the other side of the table, and knew Gretchen was likely wishing the same thing. Would it be obvious if we switched spots? I took a long sip of wine.

May 5, 2012 8:48 PM

You’re drunk.

How did he know? I was beginning to notice an uncanny talent for reading women.

May 5, 2012 8:48 PM

So?

May 5, 2012 8:50 PM

I’ll come over there & ask in front of everyone. How’re you getting home?

May 5, 2012 8:52 PM

Thought I’d hitch a ride with legs over there.

May 5, 2012 8:53 PM

Very cute. I’m coming over.

May 5, 2012 8:53 PM

No!

I scurried to type a response, taking only a second to shoot a harried glance in his direction.

May 5, 2012 8:54 PM

I walked w Lucy. Why’s it matter?

May 5, 2012 8:55 PM

You know it does.

I was feeling bolder by the sip.

May 5, 2012 8:57 PM

I haven’t heard from you.

May 5, 2012 8:59 PM

I’ve been out of town.

I didn’t see how that mattered. I unfastened my purse to put the phone away, but it pinged before I could.

May 5, 2012 9:00 PM

& you told me not to call.

May 5, 2012 9:01 PM

I meant my cell.

May 5, 2012 9:01 PM

Same for texting? ;)

I typed a brusque ‘yes’ and put my phone away, deciding that the conversation was over. Just then, Jeff the chef approached, and we quietly applauded.

“Thank you,” he said with a bow. “How is everything, Gretchen?”

She tossed her hair and purred, “Delicious, Jeff.”

He reddened instantly. “Great. I’m sending over a special dessert just for my table.” He eyed Gretchen as he spoke. “Can’t stay though. Good evening, ladies,” he called, already heading back to the kitchen.

As I watched him walk away, my eyes fell on David. Maria gestured as she talked to him, but he didn’t appear to be listening. He was looking at me. Arnaud, however, was enthralled, despite the fact that she was clearly ignoring him. I turned away and tried to concentrate on the conversation at my table. When I looked over again, his seat was empty.

~

I swayed woozily with a red wine head rush. As everyone stood from the table, I risked one more look at David’s table. He had retur

ned and was talking heatedly with Arnaud. Bethany, Ava and Gretchen decided to move over to the bar to wait for Jeff while Lucy and I said our good-byes.

I checked my watch and was surprised to find it so late. The restaurant had cleared out considerably, but we’d barely noticed. We put on our jackets and stepped out into the fresh air. A yellow cab waited at the curb and the driver, who had been leaning against the car, approached us to offer a ride.

“We probably should,” I said.

“Hell yeah,” Lucy agreed. “My feet are killing me.” We clambered into the car and rolled down the windows to ease our drunken states.

“There’ll be two stops,” I told the driver, giving him the addresses.

“I think I could’ve stayed for another drink, but I couldn’t handle Bethany’s voice another minute,” Lucy said with a giggle. It was unlike her to say anything unkind and I poked her in the rib. “What? It’s so shrill!”

“It is a little, yeah,” I agreed, sticking my hand out the window. “Tonight was fun,” I mused.

“Hey, is everything all right with Bill?”

I snapped to attention. “What? Yes, why?”