I dance around the living room as Della Fields gives me the details. Once I hang up the phone, I shout joyfully from the top of my lungs.
Holy smokes, I have a paid internship at Noble Enterprises. They’re paying me double what I make at Java Joes. I immediately call my current boss to let him know about my new opportunity. I agree to work the weekend shifts until he can replace me.
At exactly seven o’clock, my phone rings. I expected a text from Damon, but I guess he decided on something different.
“Hi,” I answer.
“Hello, Kat,” he responds. His pronunciation of my nickname comes out with a nasally twang, making it sound unattractive. I think he does this on purpose.
“Aren’t we texting?” Although I’m glad he called because I miss hearing his voice. He has a strong, commanding tone that I find incredibly sexy. I guess you could say I’m a traditionalist when it comes to relationships. I expect a man to act and sound manly.
“I wanted to hear your voice. Is it okay that I called?”
How sweet is that? “Yes, it’s okay.”
“I’m in your area, and I don’t want to eat alone. Will you join me for dinner? As a friend.”
“I just ate a delicious bowl of instant macaroni and cheese,” I say.
“Oh … okay.” The disappointment in his tone is obvious. “I thought maybe if you hadn’t eaten, we could eat together.”
“Well, I haven’t had dessert, so … how about I have something sweet while you have something savory?”
I don’t know why I offer to go. Maybe it’s because I can’t stand for him to sound disappointed. And if I’m being honest with myself, I want to see him again.
“That’s great,” he says excitedly. “I’m just around the corner and will be at your doorstep in a moment.” His tone went from sullen to ecstatic in a heartbeat.
Seconds after I hang up the phone, he knocks on my front door.
I swing it open. “Wow. That was quick. Should I worry because you were so close to my house?” I ask him teasingly.
He laughs. “I hoped you’d say yes, but if you didn’t, I’d have driven past your house and gone home. I don’t have stalker tendencies.” His eyes glide over me. “You look great.”
“Thanks.” I take him in from his loosened tie to his Italian leather shoes. “You, too. I see you’re getting used to my nickname.”
“It doesn’t roll off my tongue easily, but I respect your wishes, even though I prefer to call you Katarina.”
Looking down at my jeans and cotton T-shirt, I say, “Let me change into something nicer.”
Without waiting for an answer, I turn and head toward my bedroom. His grip on my elbow pulls me back.
“You look amazing the way you are. There’s no need to change. Let’s go to the Asian restaurant up the street. If they don’t have a good dessert selection, I’ll take you someplace else.”
Once I slip into shoes, he walks me to his car and opens the door. He’s always a gentleman, and I never tire of his good manners.
At the restaurant, he orders a combo platter while I get deep-fried banana wontons with caramel sauce and ice cream.
“Now that we’re here, let’s talk about the book,” he says just as they deliver the food to our table.
The mention of the book makes me blush. Texting about it is one thing, but talking about it face-to-face is different.
“I haven’t completed the pages I was supposed to read. As you can imagine, I’m busy with school and stuff.”
“You’re blushing, Kat. Surely, two friends can discuss a book.” He says this with a straight face, but there’s mischief in his eyes. He knows this makes me uncomfortable, and he gets something out of it, which only makes me want to rise to the challenge.
“Certainly,” I say, not willing to let him get the best of me. “I’m on page one hundred fifteen. She signed the contract and agreed to a limited term as his mistress. He insists on full control while he employs her.” I cut my wontons in pieces. “Why would someone give up so much? What’s in it for her?”
“There’s the money, but ultimately I think she wants to relinquish control. Her character is organized and tidy and somewhat OCD. That takes a lot out of a person. To have someone else decide for a while might be nice for her. It’s also the only way she can be with him. And her need to be with him is stronger than her need to be independent.” He places a piece of broccoli in his mouth.
“Hmm. I don’t think money plays any part in it. I agree it’s the only way she can be with him. The attraction between them is stronger than anything she’s felt before.” I lick the ice cream from my spoon and set it down. “On some level, I think it’s bold of her to allow herself to be vulnerable.”
Choking on his food, he takes a sip of water before continuing. “Why does being with him make her vulnerable?” He places another forkful of food into his mouth and chews while waiting for my response.
“He’s introducing her to a world she is unfamiliar with. It takes courage to step out of your comfort zone.”
He nods. “Yes, it does. When you accompanied me to the hospital benefit, you were out of your comfort zone, but you did it for your friend. It turned out well for your friend, and I think you enjoyed it, too. Am I correct?” His eyes watch me intently.
“I had a great time. It was one of the most memorable nights of my life.” I look at him and see a flash of relief pass. It would appear that my happiness matters to him.
“Sometimes, what may seem out of the ordinary can become something pleasurable.”
“I can’t argue with that.” I pick up a deep-fried wonton dripping with melted coconut ice cream. “Who would have thought banana wantons could be this good?”
Damon laughs. “What do you think of his particular tastes?”
“Well, short of the contract that talked about various sexual activities, some of which I had to look up on the web, I haven’t arrived at the point where his depravity presents itself.”
“Why is it depravity? You like bananas, but I detest them. Does it make us distinctively different because we have different preferences? Am I a worse human for not liking bananas?”
I think for a few minutes and conclude he’s right. We all have different likes and dislikes, and just because I don’t share someone else’s desires, doesn’t make me better and them worse. “I agree with you. It’s okay as long as both parties are willing.”
“She signed the contract.”
“Yes, she did, but I wonder if her judgment is clouded by her attraction to him.” Didn’t that sound familiar?
“That could be, but she seems like a bright woman.”
We sip our tea in silence. I think about the resemblance between the characters in the book and my story with Damon. Thank goodness I jumped off the train before I got too far along.
“I had a great time. Thanks for coming out with me on such short notice. We killed two birds with one stone. We got to discuss the book and eat. Shall we make a habit of this? Just two friends, having dinner and discussing a good read?”
Part of me wants to say yes, but the sane part knows I should say no. Too bad that part never wins. “Yes, on one condition. We take turns paying for dinner. Next week, I’ll choose the place, and I’ll pay, but you can still drive. Let’s keep Wednesday open for book discussions.”