The Arrangement

Chapter 9

We arrive at a small diner just outside of town; it feels a little strange being out with him. There is always a chance that someone recognizes us and we have to pretend. As far as anyone is concerned we are just another couple. But we’re not.

Our waitress flirts with Michael, he seems very uncomfortable, maybe it’s because I’m here. I think I’ve even seen him blush a couple of times. He excuses himself suddenly and heads for the bathroom, the waitress turns to me as if seeing me for the first time, she blushes.

I suppress a giggle and try to keep a straight face.

“I’m sorry.” She says wide eyed and if I’m not mistaking it looks like she is shaking a little.

“Don’t let it happen again.” I reply trying to sound intimidating, it’s not easy because I want to burst out laughing.

“Of course.” She mutters and hurries away.

Michael returns to the table looking a little pale.

I can’t help myself, “Are you okay?”

He stares at me expressionless for a minute and mutters, “No.”

“What’s wrong?” I ask sweetly.

“You did see what happened right?” He asks.

“Yes. And?” I ask lifting my brow; it’s getting really hard for me not to start giggling.

“She did that with you sitting right here.”

“I noticed.” I say biting my lip, he is really squirming and I’m enjoying myself enormously.

“You should have said something.” He mutters.

“I did.” I reply defending myself, well I sort of did.

“Really?” He asks hopeful. Oh my, a tremor runs through my entire body.

The waitress brings our food, snapping me back. She places Michael’s plate down quickly without making eye contact at him; she gives me a smile when placing my plate in front of me. “Enjoy.” She says and strolls off.

“What did you say to her?” Michael asks leaning forward and that’s the end for me, I burst out laughing. “Not much.” I say in between giggles.

“She looked terrified.” Michael gasps.

“I don’t know why, I swear, she actually apologized to me.” I say smiling.

He returns my smile. Damn, that smile does things to me.

“Maybe she was intimidated by your beauty.”

My fork stops mid-air. I’m not smiling anymore.

“You should really learn to take a compliment.” He says and leans forward he whispers, “You are extremely beautiful inside and out.”

I’m processing this information. He thinks I’m beautiful. I’m speechless. His phone rings and he scolds, for me it’s a blessing.

“Dad?” He answers, he doesn’t take his eyes off of mine while he listens, and then he frowns when he tells me, “My mom needs your help.”

“Sure.” I nod.

“We’ll be there soon.” He tells Harry and hangs up confused.

“Why does she need your help?” He asks me while summoning the waitress, he asks her for the check and she nods then quickly turns on her heel and walks away.

“Did Harry tell you why?” I ask continuing to eat. I know exactly why Sarah needs me, she’s promised her stuck up women’s club another delicious meal. Sarah Wellington cannot cook to save her life.

“No.” He mutters.

“Then neither am I.” I smile. The waitress returns with our bill. Michael frowns at me while pulling a few bills from his wallet and hands them to her, “Keep the change.” He mutters.

“So are you really not going to tell me?” He says when we get into the car.

“It’s not my secret to tell.” I reply. For years Sarah has passed my cooking off as her own. I don’t mind at all, I love spending time with Sarah. She is the head of the women’s club and she does a lot of good through them. She’s told me on more than one occasion that after she feeds them my handy work they are putty in her hands.

“Fine.” He shrugs starting the car, I don’t believe for one second that he is going to let this go.

We pull up to the Wellington Estate. I love it here; it brings back so many wonderful memories of my parent’s every time I arrive. Sarah is kind and warm and always makes me feel like I’m hers.

Harry is pacing up and down on the porch, I feel sorry for him. We stop and get out.

“Dad, what’s wrong?” He asks concerned.

“Nothing that Jenny can’t fix.” He replies. I know he is relieved to see me. I smile and nod at him and head for the kitchen, leaving Michael utterly confused standing next to his father.

I find Sarah in the kitchen with her hands over her face sobbing.

“Sarah?” I call out her name; I’ve only seen her cry at my parent’s funeral.

“My sweet girl.” She sighs out of relief.

“What’s going on here?” I ask as she throws her arms around me.

“I tried but I’m useless.” She sniffs.

The kitchen is a mess, I count three burned cakes on the counter, and they all look horribly disfigured.

“Why didn’t you call me earlier?” I ask gently.

“I didn’t want to interrupt you and Michael; he told Harry that he was taking you out to dinner.” She says between sobs.

“Come, sit down.” I say leading her to a chair, I pour her a glass of wine and she stops crying.

Michael storms into the kitchen looking furious, Harry is behind him very worried.

“Will someone please tell me what’s going on?” He asks throwing his arms up in the air.

“You didn’t tell him?” Sarah asks me softly.

I shake my head and give her a little smile, she looks at me with so much love and appreciation radiating from her my heart swells.

“Mom?” Michael asks impatiently.

Sarah turns to him, “Oh darling. I can’t cook to save my life.”

“What?” He asks surprised. I doubt he was expecting her to say that.

“It’s true.” She nods.

“All this is about cooking?” He asks in disbelief. Sarah nods and Harry turns blood red.

“I thought it was serious.” Michael sighs in relief.

“It’s is sweetheart. Very.” She reassures him.

“Oh mom.” He says hugging her, when he releases her, he blinks, “So all the time I came over for dinner it was Jennifer?” He looks at me and I flush.

Sarah nods. “Even my birthday cakes?” He asks in disbelief. Sarah nods.

“I’m sorry I lied.” She says looking completely guilty. I can’t tell if Michael is mad. He starts laughing and I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding.

He looks at me and grins, “This explains a lot.” He winks and my legs start shaking. Oh no, what’s happening?

I finally find my voice and ask Sarah, “What did you promise them?” I need to get started ASAP.

“Vegetable soup for a starter, chicken lasagna and a black forest cake.” She replies mentally ticking off in her head.

“How many?”

“Twelve.” She states.

“Okay then, everyone out of the kitchen so I can get to work, there’s a lot to be done.” I say starting to open the cupboards and fridge. Sarah and Harry leaves immediately. They know it’s a lot of work. Michael hovers. I look up at him as he stands there watching me.

I frown at him. “Can I help?” He asks.

“No thank you, join your parents, I won’t be too long.”

“I want to help.” He replies.

“Not a good idea.”

“Why?”

“I can be a little bossy in the kitchen.” I reply. Hopefully this will get him out of here so I can focus.

He smiles, “I don’t mind.”

Dammit! Doesn’t he understand that he does things to me?

“Fine but if I get too scary you should leave.”

“Deal.” He grins, sending all sorts of feelings through my body.

It’s not going as bad as I thought. Michael is slow and for some reason I don’t mind. Sarah pokes her head around the corner about an hour later; she seems surprised that Michael and I are working quietly.

“Just came in for some more wine.” She apologises.

“I’ll get you some, mom.” Michael says wiping his hands on his apron. Sarah grins at me and I just shake my head, but as I look down to my dough I can’t help but smile. I wonder if she did this on purpose.

After Sarah leaves I can feel Michael staring at me. I glance up and he looks away. Strange, I feel his eyes on me a couple more times.

“Having trouble with the onions?” I ask seeing him wiping his eyes.

“It burns.” He mutters wiping his eyes.

“It’s not helping that you keep rubbing your eyes.” I say.

“What else can I do?” He asks.

I walk up to him. “Come.” I say and take his hand. I lead him over to the sink. I open the tap and soak a cloth in water. I stand on tip toes and gently wipe his eyes.

“Better?” I ask when I’m done. Michael nods. I smile and walk over to the counter and finish cutting the onions.

“Your eyes don’t burn when you cut onions?” He asks standing next to me.

“No maybe I’m immune.” I reply.

“Need help with anything else?”

“I think we’re just about done.” I say turning around leaning against the counter.

“Can’t believe you’ve been doing this for her for so long.” Michael says.

“I don’t mind.” I reply wiping my hands on the apron.

Michael steps closer and my heart pounds in my chest. I look up to him, he brushes my cheek with the back of his hand and leans in. The timer pings and I rush to the oven.

After everything is done, I give Sarah very specific instructions to heat the soup and lasagna, this I know she can do.

She hugs me tightly. “Thank you.” She smiles.

“Always.”

We say our goodbyes and head home but it’s not the way I know, we stop next to the road and I’m not sure what we’re doing here.

“Why did you stop?”

“I want to show you something.”

We get out and walk into the empty park.

“Where are we?” I ask.

“Don’t you remember?” He continues, “This is the first place I saw you after.” He trails off. After what?

“My dad had a picnic here for everyone to celebrate the company’s twenty year anniversary.”

“Oh wow, yes, I remember that. Why did you?” I ask turning to him.

“I recognized you immediately, just turned nineteen I think.”

Where is he going with this?

“I don’t remember seeing you here.” I say.

“I wanted to talk to you so badly but it wasn’t the right time. I wish I had though life would have been so much easier.” He says looking out to the empty field.

I’m lost. What is he trying to say?

“Thought this would be the right place.” He says staring out in the field.

“For what?”

“A promise.” He whispers, turning to face me. “I want you to be happy. I’m going to do everything I can to make this marriage as easy for you as I can.”

“I want you to be happy too.”

“I am. Can’t you tell?” He grins.

I shiver. Is he happy? With me? This arrangement?

“You’re cold, let’s get you home.” He says taking my hand. My head is spinning and I can’t form words.

“We just have to get through this engagement party, all the prying eyes and judgmental comments we will surely be getting.”

“More me than you it would seem.” I reply knotting my fingers.

“I will be there for you the whole time.”

“Same here.”