Take Her Man

When we entered the ballroom, I saw my parents sitting at a table toward the front, so naturally I headed in the other direction, toward the bar. I just wasn’t in the mood to deal with them just yet. Things were going great with Julian thus far and I didn’t want anyone to mess it up. My mother was worse than me when it came to my breakups. She took them way too personally. It was as if she thought the men were leaving her, rejecting her, by breaking up with me. She often refused to speak to my exes, ignored them to their faces, and called them all kinds of names behind their backs. I was afraid of what she might do to Julian.

“You don’t want to sit down?” Julian asked. I noticed he was wearing a navy blue sui

t we’d picked out together. He looked great in it.

“Nah, I figured we’d hang out by the bar. You know, avoid the whole family thing,” I said, trying to sound breezy. “Let’s get a round of drinks to celebrate our newfound friendship.”

“Yeah, sure,” Julian said. I saw uncertainty in his eyes. “Look, Troy. I’m not really sure about this whole friendship thing just yet,” he added frankly. “I’m happy you’re doing okay with the breakup, but I really want to take things slow and make sure we’re making the right decision—”

“About us breaking up?” I asked, cutting him off. Warning: I’m about to get my feelings hurt in 1, 2, 3 seconds…

“No,” he said swiftly. “I’m talking about the friends thing. I want to take my time with that.”

“I agree,” I said, signaling for the bartender. I needed a drink pronto. I turned my face away from Julian. I couldn’t believe what he was saying and I didn’t want him to see any signs of weakness on my face. I felt a twinge of uncertainty about my whole plan. The thing was going all wrong. If Julian was so sure about us breaking up, how was it ever going to work? Maybe he didn’t love me after all.

“You smell great,” Julian said, coming up close behind me at the bar. I felt his chin on my shoulder, his breath at the nape of my neck.

“Thanks.” I smiled and ordered a glass of chardonnay for myself and a Maker’s Mark and Coke for Julian.

“So what’s the deal with the new look?” Julian picked up his glass off of the bar.

“What new look?”

“I’m saying, you’ve got the hair all straight and sexy, which you know I love,” Julian said. For the record: I didn’t. “You’re dressed sexy…you just look different.”

“Do you like it?” I crossed my fingers behind my back. He had three seconds to answer or it was a lie (3T Guy Lie List #8).

“Yes,” Julian said in 1.3 seconds. “I love it, but I’m wondering where it’s coming from. Don’t get me wrong. I loved the old Troy.” He put an emphasis on the word loved.

“Well, I just needed a change. A new look to give the boys something to look at,” I said.

“Boys?” Julian recoiled. “You’re dating already?”

“Come on, Ju Ju. I wouldn’t kiss and tell. That’s not ladylike,” I flirted, flipping my hair over my shoulder.

“Troy, we just broke up. How could you be out there dating already?” Julian looked a little perplexed. I wondered if it was the drink taking effect too soon or if he was really jealous—either way, it was a great sign.

“I didn’t say I was dating, Julian. I simply implied that I was working to meet someone new. A girl can’t wait on you forever,” I said, playing with my wineglass on the bar. “So are you saying you’re not seeing anyone?”

“Well, to be honest, baby,” Julian started. Then, before he could get the words out, Christian Kyle from the country club pushed his way between the two of us. My chin nearly hit the bar. I couldn’t believe it. What in the hell was he doing there? I needed backup.

“Hey there, TH!” Kyle said, smiling at me as if we hadn’t just met for the first time the other day. “What’s up?”

I looked at him, trying to figure out what in the hell he was doing in my damn face just when Julian was about to come clean about Miata! He was ruining everything…again. Christian Kyle sure had a knack for bad timing.

“Hey,” I answered dryly. Holy or unholy, I wanted his ass to go away. He was looking fine in his obviously Italian imported suit (I was mad, not blind), but not fine enough to take down the plan.

“TH?” Julian said. He looked completely dumbfounded. That was the name only my father dared call me. Julian knew that.

“Oh, Julian, this is Reverend Kyle Hall, one of my father’s business associates. Kyle, this is Julian, my friend.”

“Nice to meet you, Julian,” Kyle said, shaking Julian’s hand.

“Dr. Julian James.” Julian put on his business face.

“A doctor?” Kyle stepped back, looking surprised. I searched the room for my father. This was his work. “That’s something. Where do you practice, brother?”

“I’m at NYU Medical Center.”