Chapter Twenty-Five:
Making Good
As I walked into Fitz’s, I had a little bit of a coming-to-Jesus moment. Sterling was right, I needed to make amends for being such a cuck to Kapri all those years, but it was more than that. I missed my chess nights with Sterling, back when things were simpler yet way more complicated.
It was always just us, and now it would never be that again.
I’d always hated bittersweet things.
I chose a seat at the bar and drummed my fingers on the wood, then cleared my throat as the gorgeous Kapri made her way over to me. “Hey. Long time no see,” I said awkwardly. “How’ve you been? I like the blue hair.”
“Thanks,” she said simply. Then moved on like she was used to me getting right to my drink order and not used to me asking how she was. “The usual?”
“Yeah.” I’d known this wouldn’t be easy, but I’d hoped she’d be at least a little warmer. It wasn’t like I deserved warmth, though. “How’s your day been?” I tried again.
“My day?” She froze, and if I wasn’t feeling how I did inside, I might have laughed. “It’s fine ... yours?” Her hands moved slower as she made me a drink, her eyes on me like she was trying to see through my head. “You okay?”
I nodded quickly and didn’t trust my voice for a moment. “Yeah, I just thought maybe I’d try coming in here without being a dick for once. How am I doing so far?”
“Better.” Kapri softened. “You’re not a dick normally, just — okay, kind of a dick. But not a huge one, at least.”
“Better to h— fuck, never mind. That was going to be equally douchey.” I took the drink and sipped slowly, then licked my lips. “I owe you an apology, Kapri.”
“Why?” Her softness was gone, replaced with wariness.
I blinked. “I kinda thought it would be obvious from this whole thing, but okay. I never really gave you a fair ... well, anything. And before I continue, I’m head over heels in love with my girlfriend so I swear to god this isn’t a come-on. I’m just trying to put some peace out there.”
“Wait, you have a girlfriend?” Even without her saying it, I could see her shock, just as much as I could see she was happy for me. “Congrats. Never thought I’d see the day honestly, but good for you. You don’t have to apologize though, Ollie. You aren’t like ... racist for not being attracted to me if that’s what this is.”
“What?“ I was so genuinely taken aback by the insinuation that it took me a second to recalibrate. “Kapri, fuck. I’m so, so sorry if I ever gave you that impression. I think you’re stunning. Like possibly one of the most beautiful women I’ve ever seen in my life. This had nothing to do with the fact that you’re black.”
“Thank you for saying that, but I wasn’t meaning to accuse or anything. I had hoped that had nothing to do with it and you’ve honestly never made me feel like it did. You made it clear it was because of my job, but I was just letting you know if it was more than that, you’re not at fault. People like what they like. But if it wasn’t that at all, was it really just about the job?”
I licked my lips as I chose my words carefully — I’d be telling the truth, but that never seemed to stop me from fucking things up. “Yes and no. It was mostly about me. Did anyone ever tell you about the time I was married?”
“Married ... girlfriend. Seems I underestimated you and I owe you an apology for judging. No, tell me about it.”
She poured another drink for me, and I nearly requested the whole bottle.
“You didn’t really underestimate me. Or at least, it’s not that simple. She was a bartender not unlike yourself. She flirted with me, I flirted with her, you know how it goes. We got to know each other a little bit and as it turned out, her work Visa was about to run out and she couldn’t get another one. She was gonna get deported back to Canada. I was crazy about her, y’know? She was funny, smart as hell, sharp as a tack. She asked me if I’d ever consider marrying her to help her out, and I said yes. I didn’t realize at the time that she only wanted to marry me for the help. Long story short, we get her through the entire process, I even signed the papers to help her get permanent residence, and then six weeks later, she asked for a divorce.” I drank a little heavier than I should. “She told me the marriage had to be believable so she never corrected me or fought me when I told her I loved her or showed her affection, but it turned out she’d heard I was rich and well-connected and an easy mark. That’s all it was.”
“Fuck,” Kapri said, pouring a shot for herself and holding up the glass. “I wouldn’t fuck a bartender if I were you either. I get it, Oliver.”
I knew she meant it, but I was on a roll. “Then there was Isabella, a dancer down in Mexico. She had me wrapped around her little finger, told me she was pregnant with my kid, got me to spend way too much fucking money ... and then I found out she was married and the baby was her husband’s. Again, all she saw when she looked at me was an easy mark, because I was one,” I admitted. “Over and over again. Then my last girlfriend before Mia, she was a blackjack dealer at a casino. Had me coming back to that table so many times, I should’ve been thrown an intervention. I thought I really had her. We moved in together, tried to start a family ... then I found out two weeks before the birth that the baby was my best friend’s, not mine. So yeah. I’ve been unfairly judging anyone who gets tipped for a living because I’ve always been too dumb to know the line between someone doing their job and actually liking me, but it’s not an excuse to be a dick. So I’m sorry.”
“Hey, don’t be so hard on yourself, bro. I’m liking this emotional Ollie by the way, so this Mia person is already on my good list. Tell me about her.”
I smiled, I couldn’t help it. “She’s a waitress, and she turned me down the first dozen times I asked her out. Wouldn’t take my shit for a second, told me I wasn’t allowed to tip her more than anyone else would, and she’s not afraid to tell me when I’m being stupid. She tutors kids and loves her family and doesn’t shy away from ... well, all of me.”
Kapri was smiling back at me as I spoke. “That’s adorable, you’re adorable. Picture time. I know you have one with how proud you are.”
She held out her hand for my phone and I opened it to the one of us on our first date, then covered my mouth so she wouldn’t see my own reaction before the pic.
“Is that a banana?” She laughed, zooming in on it for a second and then on Mia’s face. “She’s gorgeous. You’re ridiculous, but she’s stunning.”
“I’m ridiculous and she keeps coming back for more. I’m gonna marry her, Kapri.”
The way her eyes lit up for me made me feel guilty for keeping her at arm’s length. She really could be a good friend. “Am I invited to the wedding?”