Page 1 of Even After This
1
Theelevator doors slide opento the exquisite Penrose Room, and for the first time in four years, I question if I’m some kind of masochist widow. My colossal baby step out of hiding no longer seems like a good idea.
Mustering shaky confidence as a party of one, I press my shoulders back and enter one of the most romantic restaurants in the country. My smile threatens to falter at the sight of couples adorned in sparkling cocktail attire swinging around the parquet dance floor, their faces radiating delight.
I clutch my sequined mulberry-colored purse, wishing my anxiety was snapped tight inside. My matching dress is a simple knee-length A-line with long sleeves and a boat neck, paired with nude, patent leather platform shoes. It’s been so long since I dressed up like this, I didn’t realize people were wearing the 1970s monstrosities again until I shopped at the mall last week.
“Hello,” I say to the maître d’. “My name is Meredith Harper, and my reservation is for seven o’clock.”
“Hello, Ms. Harper.” The kind smile complements the grandfatherly appeal of the stout older gentleman. He types into hisworkstation and stares at the screen. For a moment he appears puzzled, then masks his reaction and pulls on the cuff of his tuxedo. He shoots a compassionate glance at me, pauses, and returns his focus to his monitor.
While eating alone in the Colorado Springs AAA Five Diamond restaurant must be rare, I can’t imagine I’m the first. Confusion joins my jittery nerves, and I shift from my left foot to my right.
“Let me check on your table,” he finally says.
Just as he turns to leave his stand, a woman bursts into the lobby from the kitchen, bringing with her the sound of clanging pots and the piquant aroma of gourmet cuisine. “Will you please check to see if the Wilsons have arrived?” she asks the maître d’. The second her gaze hits mine, she halts midstep.
The navy pantsuit tells me she doesn’t work for the Broadmoor Hotel, but her clipboard and sharp hand gestures show she’s a woman of authority. Who is she?
The maître d’ shifts so his back is to me, blocking my view of the fierce woman. My proximity only allows me to decipher pieces of their discussion.
I hear the words “VIP” and “special circumstance” in his low voice.
“That will not work” is her reply. She darts an icy glance in my direction.
Are they talking about me?
My aching feet match my insecurity in uncomfortableness. I lift my right foot out of its shoe to relieve the pressure on my toes. These new heels are supposed to be part of tonight’s leap off the comfort zone of my couch. Now I want to throw on my running shoes and hightail it back to Texas to sink into the safety of my pedestrian life.
A tall, well-built man saunters in from the dining room and steps close to the woman. “Penelope, I found Drew Wilson andgot him squared away with tonight’s schedule. Everything else okay?”
Decked out in a fitted charcoal suit and an azure dress shirt with two buttons undone and no tie, he oozes masculinity. No skinny pants for this guy. The tousled dark toffee hair and matching rich eyes are entirely too mesmerizing.
Why does he look so familiar?
I comb through the Rolodex in my brain while the three talk in hushed tones. Every so often, one of them peeks over at me.
Despite my irritation that I geared up for tonight’s emotional challenge, I should tell them I can reschedule.
My wobbly ankles make walking with mettle in these trendy shoes difficult, but I make an approach. “Excuse me. Is everything all right?”
The group’s full attention is intimidating. The maître d’ offers a pity-filled smile. Blue Suit Lady squints at me. I don’t dare look at Handsome Man.
“My apologies, Ms. Harper.” The maître d’ bows his head. “The hotel made an unfortunate error. The restaurant is booked for a private event this evening. At the same time, my computer also shows your VIP reservation.”
“VIP?” I ask.
Blue Suit Lady taps a fingernail on her clipboard. “A memo—”
“Everyone at the Broadmoor is a VIP.” The maître d’ raises his voice the appropriate amount to regain command of the conversation. But I want to know what she was going to say.
What is she talking about, a memo? Something’s not adding up here. I glance at each person in the group. This crew could be cousins of the Seven Dwarfs. Regretful, Seething, and Charming all wait for my reply.
“I’m sorry. I made the reservation a while ago, but I can come back another time. I’m here for five days.”Bracingfor tonight was difficult enough. Please don’t make mecome back.
“Thank you for the offer.” Blue Suit Lady dismisses me with a sharp nod.
Handsome Man places his hand on her arm. “Penelope, it’s fine.”
