Eleven & a Half

ELEVEN & A HALF

Dahlia

H ow any woman could ever cheat on the perfection of the man sitting across from me would forever remain a mystery.

It had to feel like cheating on a perfect dream life with an unattainable fantasy or having the world in your hands and trading it away for a glimpse of the ground.

Then why did you do it? That ugly thought reared its head, and I shook it away.

"Welcome to Lumen's Cafe," the host said as he stepped before our table. "We're honored to have you join us for dinner and—Hey! I know you two! It's me, Harrison Daniels!"

I tilted my head to the side, trying to spark recognition. Everett looked as if he was struggling to make the connection, too.

We'd purposely driven to the next county over, hoping no Eads River reunions would happen.

"You both were classes ahead of me, but wow!" He looked between us. "You look great! I can't believe you're still together!"

" We're not together ," we said in unison.

"Huh?"

"He's getting married." "I'm getting married," we spoke in unison once more.

"Oh, well, uh…" He blinked. "Good to see you. Your designated server will be right with you."

"Where are your brother and sister these days?" Everett changed the subject without missing a beat.

"They both ventured into the corporate world," I said. "He's a stockbroker, and she does accounting for a hedge fund."

"In that case, you officially owe me an apology."

"For what?"

"I told you that would happen." He picked up his glass. "Your parents spent all that money trying to get them into sports and art when they were in college, but Spencer and Amy can't help being predictable as hell."

"They both got married two years after graduating, too. Can you believe that?"

"I can." He smiled. "Let me guess. Spencer is with a blonde way younger than him who doesn't want to work."

"She's a very accomplished influencer ," I said. "She got me to try out a new shampoo. It's actually pretty great."

"What about Amy?"

"She got married to a guy who is just like Aunt Gertrude's husband."

"So, he's a simp?"

"Yeah, and I think he and Uncle G. are a far better match. They talk on the phone every night."

We both laughed.

Our server set down two salads and placed a note on my side of the table.

My sincerest condolences, Sweet Dahlia.

Your mother is why I have the most beautiful rose and hydrangea bushes in front of this restaurant.

She's also why I've never had to pay for new centerpieces.

Your meal is on me tonight, and it will remain that way whenever you choose to grace us with your presence.

Love,

Chef Lumen

S wallowing a rising lump, I looked at the bright centerpiece on our table. I didn't even think to touch it when we arrived because all the petals looked so fluffy and light that I assumed they were fake.

I plucked out one of the limelight hydrangeas and rolled the stem between my fingers.

"It makes sense that your mother left the garden to you," Everett said softly."I would've been shocked if she left it to anyone else."

"That's sarcasm, right?"

"No." He shook his head. "You spent most of your life working on it with her."

"Not by choice."

"Well, Spencer never lasted more than an hour before he came up with a convenient excuse to do something else," he said, "and your sister cried every time she saw a beetle."

"Or an earthworm." I smiled at the memory. "She honestly thought we were washing bugs off the plants instead of watering them. She probably still thinks that."

"Exactly." He smiled. "You may have never bothered to learn all the intricacies behind the plant names, but if you think about it, you know how to harvest arrangements, deadhead, and prune with the best of them."

"I can't believe you know those terms."

"You taught them to me."

Silence.

Chef Lumen approached our table and set down our plates with a bottle of top-shelf wine. Then he lifted my left hand to his lips for a kiss before disappearing.

"The last time I sat down with you for dinner was the day you left me." Everett picked up a fork."I haven't held a late-night meeting in a restaurant ever since."

"Please don't ruin dinner." I glared at him. "You promised we wouldn't talk about this."

"It slipped."

"In that case, allow me to slip ." I refused to believe that it was an accident. "I remember the days when I told you that I never wanted to see you get hurt, and you believed me. Funny how an engagement to someone you haven't known that long changes things…"

Silence.

"Fair enough." He pointed to my plate. "Since when do you eat avocados?"

"I don't. I got them for you when you ordered the special and didn't ask for some on top."

"Thank you."

"I can't believe they still won't give them to you on the side here," I said. "Chef Lumen refuses to make adjustments to his menu for anyone."

"Except our moms." "Well, except other mothers," we spoke in unison again.

We split the wine and ate the rest of our dinner in silence.

* * *

With exactly eight minutes left in our agreed hour, Everett held me against his chest as we walked into my apartment.

"I think four might be my limit when it comes to alcohol." I stuttered.

"I'm pretty sure it's still two." He sighed and hit the lights. "Where's your bedroom, Dahlia?"

"I'm not letting you see it." I slurred. "Put me there. On the couch."

"It's covered in bouquet wrapping paper."

"I'll sleep on top of it."

"Okay." He released his arm from my waist, lifted me over his shoulder, and carried me down the hall.

"The couch." I whined as he moved from door to door. "Just turn around and put me on the couch…"

He ignored me until we reached the last door on the left.

Carrying me to the bed, he pulled back the covers and waited until I moved under them.

He turned on the lamp light, and then he walked away.

I thought he was leaving, but he returned with a glass of water.

"Thank you," I said. "Dinner was a good idea. I really was hungry."

"I'm aware." He sat on the edge of my mattress, watching me until I sipped every drop from the glass.

"Are you seeing someone new these days?" he asked.

"Not anymore. I thought we were going to be serious, but then he dumped me on his birthday."

"Why would any sane guy do that?"

"He claimed that he needed to be with someone more stable in life. Someone with a vision and hard-lined plan for her future."

"He should've known after the first date that wasn't you."

"That's what I said." I scoffed. "Like how could he not see that? You knew that."

"Because I was your best friend."

" Boyfriend . You were my boyfriend." I paused. "Can I tell you something?"

"You're not sober, so no." He adjusted my pillow. "You should go to sleep."

"I've dated a lot of guys since we ended things–"

" You ended things, Dahlia."

"Right, well…" I couldn't keep it to myself. "I always compare them to you, and it hurts so badly because they never add up and I'm always settling, you know?"

He said nothing.

"They don't kiss me like you used to, don't listen to me or come running when I cry, and whenever I try to suggest fun little things like random letters or flowers for no reason, it's like…" I stopped myself. "Thank you very much for dinner, Everett. I needed that."

"You're still as fucking beautiful now as you were on the day I first saw you," he said. "You'll always be number one on my list when it comes to that."

My eyes widened, and I rushed to change the subject. "I truly enjoyed all of Chef Lumen's courses."

"Your smile is different now, though. It's like you're scared to be happy for even a second."

"And I had no idea how well that his chocolate mousse would taste with the carrot sauce."

"Stop fucking with me, Dahlia."

"You're engaged to be married. I'm trying to keep you focused."

"Do you really believe that Carmen is cheating on me?"

"I believe I should've kept my mouth shut."

"Answer my question."

"We agreed not to talk about it."

"We agreed to be together forever as well, but you changed the rules on that, too." He leaned forward. "Answer my question."

His lips were so close to mine at this moment that if either of us moved an inch or breathed a bit harder, they'd touch.

Maybe, just maybe…

"Goodnight, Dahlia." He suddenly moved back. "Hope you feel better in the morning."

"Goodbye Everett," I said. "Hope Carmen makes you happy."