Brian invitation really came late I didn't want mis my appointment with my editor
"Can we, Mom? Noah asked, bouncing up and down next to me. "Please?"
"That's very nice of you to offer, Brian ," I said. But " politely. I glanced at my watch. Dinner. Was it that late already? I had to get ready for my dinner date with my editor and the publicity people. I didn't have much time
"But? he asked, expectantly.
"But, I'm afraid I have plans. A dinner date. I'm sorry, but I just can't break it."
"Oh.. He said "Of course you do."
"Oh, gee, Mom. Can't we go out with Brian ?"
"I'm sory, honey. Maybe another time? I said
"Of course another time," he promised. He shrugged, as if it didn't matter to him at all. But I could see in his eyes that it did matter. He'd been looking forward to this little reunion, I realized. Looking forward to it a great deal. The realization gave me hope.
"Listen, I have a little time yet before my appointment. I phrased the words carefully .Would you like to come up with us? We can order something from room servIce, We have a suite. It should be nice and roomy."
"A suite, in this hotel? I could see him wondering how I'd managed to afford that, but at least he had the good manners not to as
I shrugged Got a good deal on it, he explained plained. A wonderful deal Her publisher was paying for everyhing. I hit the elevator button on, "coming up?"
"Yes, sure. Why not he replied, regarding me with a curious look he suite was lovely Very impressive, I thought. I called room service for some refreshments.
"Heh, this place is great, Noah exclaimed as he claimed one of the two bedrooms and pounced on the huge bed. He also found a giant-size TV in there, which was tastefully hidden in a French provincial style armoire.
"Cool..." he exclaimed, flicking the remote control. Mom, look at all these channels!
"Oh, dear," I said to Brian . "Just what I was afraid of. I'll never get him away from that thing now."
He laughed. "Oh, let him have some fun. He'll get bored it with it soon enough. He's way too smart for TV." I had to agree with him. we sat together in the living room area, away from the sound of the television. Brian was talking about Noah's e-mails and how they were so amusing he liked to take them into meetings and show them around his office . I wondered if it was the right time to tell him about her real reason for coming to New York. Reasons for hiding my writing career from him, he'd silly now. Silly and immature. Srummed up my courage and waited patiently for a moment to interrupt him and Change the subject But just as I was about to speak, the doorbell sounded. I got up to answer it I'd been expecting room service, but instead it was a bellman bearing flowers. I told him where to put the arrangement, then tipped him. I could see Brian stealing glances at the flowers, then looking away, as he didn't want to be caught opened the card and read it to myself. It was from her editor, welcoming ne to New York. I put the card my pocket and then returned to Brian.
"Nice flowers," he said.
"Yes, very nice," I agreed. If he thought I was going to say who sent them, he was out of luck. "So, you were saying about Noah's e-mails ?I prodded him.
"Oh, yes. He sent me this really funny one last week He replied, continuing his story. The doorbell sounded again. I rose again to answer it. This time it was room service with our refreshment. After the waiter had left,br I fixed us each a drink. I took a fortifying sip. But still couldn't confess my secret.
Brian glanced at his watch. "I hope I'm not keeping you, Olivia . wnat time is your date?" Had he put special emphasis on the last word, or was he jealous or I only imagining that?
"Oh..gee, my glanced at my watch, too. It was almost half past Six Someone would be here in a few minutes to escort me to the restaurant. "Gee "I'm sorry, Jackson. I have to get ready, You can stay, of course. Why dont you visit with Noah awhile? I jumped off the couch and headed for the bedroom. The black silk dress. I should have taken it out of the suitcase and hung it up to smoothing the wrinkles, I thought with distress he rose, too, and followed me "Speaking of Noah...is he going out with you?"
"Noah? Oh, no. Of course not, I answered through the bedroom door. "He's going to stay with a sitter."
"A sitter? Brian sounded distressed. "Do you think that's wise?"
"I think it will be okay. The sitter is a friend of my friend," she explained in a vague manner. Actually, I had been concerned about that question, and my editor's assistant had volunteered to watch Noah for a few hours while the group was out at their dinner meeting. I quickly pulled off my clothes and changed my outfit in record time. Now, where were the shoes? The special black shoes...
"Listen, I have a great idea. Why don't I stay with Noah? Brian said.
"You?" I was freshening up my makeup in the bathroom mirror and nearly jabbed myself in my eye with my eyeliner pencil. "Oh, no, Brian its sweet of you to offer, but I couldn't ask you to do that, " I replied.
"Why not? Brian called back. I want to Honestly. We'll have a great time ."
"Mom, can't I stay with Brian, please? I suddenly heard Noah's pleading voice chime in on the other side of the door. As distracted as he'd been by the giant TV, he'd somehow over heard Brian offer.
"Well, I know when I'm licked. I guess it would be okay, I said finally.
"Great! they said in unison."
I opened the door
"Wow!" they both said, staring at me.
"Gee, Mom. You look awesome.:
"Very nice, Brian said, his expression saying much more.
I smiled and strolled out into the living room."Thank you." The phone rang. Brian was standing right next to it and picked it up. I thought the manoeuvre somewhat rude, but then realized why he'd done it.
"Yes, she's right here," he said in his deepest voice. He frowned, then handed the receiver to me . "It's for you. Your date is down in the lobby, waiting, he announced.
I could have sworn he was pouting. A jealous looking pout, I thought. The notion filled my heart with glee. I was suddenly glad that I hadn't told him me secret. Let him dangle a little longer, I thought. This might work to my advantagee Iď spoke quickly to Mark Beckman, the young man from the publicty department who had been sent to escort me.