“Mia?” The maitre d’ says my name.
“That’s me,” I respond.
“I have a message for you.” He gives a small sad smile because we all know I’m about to get stood up. “Mr. Kennedy couldn't make it. He sends his apologies. Everyone’s dinner will be covered and he asked me to give you this.” He hands me a red velvet box before walking away.
“Open it. I want to see what that dipshit sent you.” Amelia drops her phone down onto the table loudly. A few people turn and look our way. I open the box. My eyes almost pop out of my head.
“Holy shit.” It’s a necklace covered in diamonds.
“That can’t be real.” Amelia takes all the words right out of my mouth. I close the box because it doesn't matter.
“Don’t try and set me up on another date with this guy.” I push the box away from me.
“Sorry.” Ameliarolls her eyes at the box. The necklace made me feel cheap. Unimportant. I know I don’t know this guy but still, that shit stung and felt gross. What I do know is that I’m never doing this blind date thing again.
7
Max
I’ve waited in agony for my sister to realize that I didn’t show up for the date she set up. While I feel terrible for the woman that I stood up, I couldn’t in good faith go on a date when my heart belonged to someone else. It felt wrong. It wasn’t fair to her or my little telephone angel Mia. I sigh and wait for the wrath that I know my sister is going to bring down upon me. I just don’t know why it’s taking so long. What if the woman didn't tell my sister I never showed? Shit. I’d told Mark to send an apology gift or whatever someone does in a situation like this. What if the gift was too good and now the woman was happy with it and didn't care to tattle on me? Damn it.
I open my computer and go through some of my emails while I bide my time before I get my ass hopefully reamed out by Kim. It’s then I notice that I have an email from her. Oh shit, she’s really pissed if she couldn’t even bring herself to call me. I smile before I even read it. Not because she’s upset but because I know this means that my little telephone angel should be calling me very soon. I click on my sister’s email and ready myself for the harsh words that I know it contains. I deserve them for standing the poor woman up.
Game on….
I stare at the two words with all the ominous dots that follow it. I was sure it was going to be a long email of some kind. Not a simple game on. Maybe I should poke her. What if she’s just given up? Ha. Yeah right. There’s no way that my sister is throwing the towel in. She’s a Kennedy at heart and we don’t give up. I count on it.
“Sir.” I look up to see Mark standing in my doorway. “Something has come up. I have to leave for the day.”
“Everything okay?”
He holds his stomach, looking a little pale. “I don’t think so,” he says before running out of the office. Oh shit. Literally. I think Mark just became a casualty of war. I stand heading towards Mark’s desk. When I look out, I see a tray of brownies sitting on it. Yep. Kim got him. I bet she doesn't feel guilty about it either. She and Mark were always going at it. I make a mental note not to eat any random food lying about for the time being.
Mark’s desk phone rings. I rush over to it, picking it up. “Maxwell Kennedy here,” I say when I answer. My excitement fails when a male’s voice comes through the receiver.
“Good morning, sir. I’m calling on behalf of Remex Collections. I’m calling about a debt you have for Kimmy’s Lingerie.”
“Try again,” I say before hanging up on the guy. I wonder how this works. Will they pass the call along to someone else?
I pick up the plate of brownies, tossing it into the trash before someone else gets caught in the line of fire of mine and my sister’s war. She knows Mark is a giant help in running my life. She’s obviously not fucking around.
“Can someone help me out here?” I call out. Three employees come running toward me. I’m an asshole and I don’t know any of their names. I blame Mark because he treats my office like it’s Fort Knox and doesn’t let anyone in. Everything goes through him first. Normally this works well for me but now I’m the asshole who doesn't know anyone’s names. I think for a second about introducing myself but that’s just as fucking stupid. Of course they know who I am. I make a mental note to have Mark get me names and pictures of everyone on this floor at least. What if I bring Mia here and want to show her around? I’ll have to introduce her to people. I’ll need to know names or she’ll also think I’m an asshole.