Something Borrowed - Emily Giffin [87]
I tell him that I don't know, embarrassed by the truth of it.
"Maybe if you quit your job, you'd figure it out more quickly," Julian says in his calm voice. "Poverty, hunger—these things help you think more clearly."
My cell phone rings. It is a jarring note. I apologize, say I thought I had turned it off before dinner. Maybe it is Dex. Maybe he sneaked off to the bathroom to call me.
"Who is it?" Hillary asks. I can tell that she, too, is wondering if it's Dex.
"I'm not sure."
"Well, check it out," she says. "We don't mind, do we?"
Julian shrugs. "Not at all."
I can't resist. I remove my phone from my purse and listen to the message. It's only Marcus. He says he knows it's late but wondered what I was up to.
"Marcus," I say, unable to hide my disappointment.
Hillary reminds Julian of who Marcus is—the guy from our house. He nods, says of course he remembers him.
"Why don't you call him? Ask him to come over," she says. "We'll order another bottle of wine."
She is sweet to offer, but I can tell that she is ready for the shared part of the evening to be over. And I don't want more charity. I say no, I'm tired, it has been a wonderful dinner but I should really get home. Julian makes eye contact with our waitress and asks for our check with a scribbling flourish in the air.
When we leave the restaurant, Hillary asks me if I'm going to take a cab. I tell her no, I think I'll walk.
"Forty-some blocks?"
"It's a nice evening."
We say good-bye on Twenty-seventh and Lex. Julian kisses my cheek. He is about my height, a full two inches shorter than Hillary. I'm surprised Darcy failed to mention this. I tell Julian it was a pleasure to meet him. He says likewise, and looks forward to seeing me in Montauk. I hug Hillary and give her an excited smile to let her know that I wholeheartedly approve of her new beau. As I turn for home, I realize that although I am truly happy for Hillary, her fledgling relationship makes me feel even emptier, more alone.
The cozy foursome is likely leaving the theater now, headed to a nice dinner out, strolling the avenues, laughing and singing the catchiest tunes from the show. Resentment fills me up. If I had the dice with me now, I would throw them in a gutter.
I continue on toward Third, checking my watch. It is just after ten and suddenly I don't want to go home. I consider calling Marcus back, worrying that it would be unfair, and I'd only be using him to get over Dex. But I am so miserable and angry that I dial Marcus's number anyway.
He answers on the first ring.
"What are you doing?" I ask.
"Hey! You got my message?"
"Yeah, I did. I was at dinner. I'm in your neighborhood. You want to meet me for a drink?"
"I'd love to. Where are you?"
I tell him Twenty-seventh and Third.
"Right there at Rodeo Bar?"
I look up. He has the correct coordinates. "Yeah, it's across the street."
"Well, go in and get me a Pete's Summer Brew, would ya? I'll be right over."
His voice is animated and cheerful and it makes me smile. I tell him I'll be at the bar waiting for him with his Pete's.
Rodeo Bar is as hillbilly as it gets in Manhattan. Old license plates frame the bar and a huge stuffed bison hangs from the ceiling. Peanut shells cover the floor.
"Hey, good-lookin," I hear Marcus say behind me. "This seat taken?"
I laugh and tell him no, he is welcome to it. "Here's your beer."
"And it's still cold," he says, taking a long drink. "Thanks."
"You're very welcome."
"So where were you?"
"I Trulli."
He nods to say he knows the place. "Nice. Were you on a date?" he asks, with feigned jealousy. He lifts his fist as if he's about to become violent toward the guy who infringed on his territory.
I laugh. "No. I was with Hillary and Julian, her new boyfriend. You met him