“Right . . . and what was the outcome?”
“Well . . . nothing.”
“What do you mean nothing?”
“They said that for now things can stay as they are.”
“What about us? What happens there?”
“Apparently I’m allowed to keep seeing you.”
“Well, that’s good news, isn’t it?”
“I think so but I’m not sure. Listen, Xavier, Gabe’s behaving strangely—he wants to have you over tonight for dinner.”
“Well, that sounds positive.” I remained silent, not sharing his optimism. “Relax, Beth, I think I can handle it.”
“I’m not sure I can.”
“We’ll get through it together,” Xavier said. “What time do you want me there?”
“Is seven okay?”
“No problem. See you then.”
“Xavier . . . ,” I said, nibbling at a fingernail. “I’m worried. We’re being thrown in the deep end here. What if this goes badly? What if he has bad news? Do you think it’ll be bad news?”
“No, I don’t, now quit stressing. Please—for me?”
“Okay. I’m sorry. It’s just that our whole relationship is kind of hanging by a thread and they’ve been merciful so far, but this dinner could make or break it and I’m not sure why
Gabe . . .”
“Oh, man,” Xavier groaned. “See what you’ve done—now I’m stressing.”
“You can’t! You’re the stable one!”
Xavier laughed and I realized his distress had been feigned to illustrate a point. He wasn’t worried in the slightest.
“Just relax. Go and run a bath or have a shot of brandy.”
“Okay.”
“That second bit was a joke. We both know you can’t hold your liquor.”
“You seem very relaxed about this.”
“That’s because I am. Beth, isn’t serenity meant to be, you know, your thing? You worry too much. Honestly, it’ll be fine. I’ll even dress to impress.”
“No, no, just come as you are!” I begged into the phone, but he had already hung up.
Xavier showed up right on time, wearing a pale gray pin-striped suit and blue silk tie. He’d done something to his hair so that it no longer flopped but was slicked back away from his face.
Under his arm he carried a bunch of long-stemmed yellow roses, wrapped in green cellophane and tied with raffia. I did a double take when I opened the door. Xavier grinned when he saw my face.
“Too much?” he asked.
“No, it’s great!” I said, genuinely pleased with his efforts. But my face clouded again almost immediately.
“Then why do you look so terrified?” He gave me a self-assured wink. “They’re gonna love me.”
“Just don’t make any jokes—they don’t really get them.” I felt jittery and my knees were starting to shake.
“Okay—no jokes. Should I offer to say grace?” I had to giggle then; I couldn’t help myself.
Although I should have been playing host and showing him into the living room, we lingered at the door like co-conspirators. Not knowing what the evening had in store, my instinct was to delay it as long as possible. Besides, at that moment all I could think was that Xavier was mine and that we belonged to each other. He might have been overdressed for a casual impromptu dinner, but he cut a pretty striking figure with his broad shoulders, fathomless blue eyes, and smoothed-back hair. He was my very own fairy-tale hero. And, like a fairy-tale hero, I knew I could rely on him not to run for cover when the going got tough. Xavier would stand his ground, and any decisions he made would be based on reasoning of his own. If nothing else, I knew I could depend upon that.
Ivy adopted the role of host effortlessly. She was charmed by the flowers and made small talk as well as every effort to make Xavier feel comfortable throughout dinner. Judgment didn’t sit easily with Ivy, and her heart melted once she deemed a person to be sincere. Xavier’s sincerity was authentic. It was this genuineness that had earned him the role of school captain as well as his widespread popularity. Gabriel, on the other hand, watched Xavier with a wary eye.
My sister had gone to a good deal of trouble with the menu—she’d made an aromatic potato and leek soup followed by whole baked trout and a tray of roasted vegetables. I knew there’d be cr?me br?l?e for dessert as I’d seen them in the fridge, wobbling in ramekins. Ivy had even sent Gabe out in search of a kitchen blowtorch to caramelize the sugar topping. She’d also set the table with our silverware and best china. The wine in the decanter tasted of berries, and there was sparkling water in a crystal jug.
The candles on the table cast a glow over all our faces. We ate in silence at first and the tension was palpable. Ivy looked from me to Xavier and smiled too much, while Gabriel sliced up his food savagely, as though he were imagining the potatoes on his plate to be Xavier’s head.
“Great meal,” Xavier said eventually, loosening his tie, his cheeks flushed from the wine.
“Thank you.” Ivy beamed with satisfaction. “I wasn’t sure what you might like.”
“I’m pretty easygoing but this is top class,” Xavier said, earning another wide grin from my sister.
For my part, I was still trying to work out the purpose of this unorthodox get-together.
Surely Gabriel’s agenda included more than just socializing. Was he trying to gain an insight into Xavier’s personality? Did he still mistrust him? I wasn’t sure, and Gabriel still hadn’t spoken more than two words to any of us.
Eventually, even Ivy ran out of steam and the conversation died entirely. I caught Xavier staring intently at his plate as though the unfinished vegetables there might reveal the mysteries of the universe. I tried to nudge Ivy under the table with my foot, hoping to prompt further comment from her, but by accident got Xavier’s shin instead. It startled him and he jumped in his chair, almost spilling his drink. I retracted my foot with an apologetic smile and sat still.
“So, Xavier,” said Ivy, laying down her fork although her plate was still full. “What sort of things are you interested in?”
Xavier swallowed uneasily. “Er . . . just the usual . . .” He cleared his throat. “Sports, school, music.”
“What sports do you play?” Ivy asked, with a little too much enthusiam.
“Water polo, rugby, baseball, and lacrosse,” Xavier rattled off.
“He’s really good,” I added helpfully. “You should see him play. He’s actually captain of the water-polo team.” I couldn’t seem to stop babbling. “He’s also captain of the school . . . but you already know that.”
Ivy decided on a safer topic. “How long have you lived here at Venus Cove?”