end of the world as we know it. I was stood up. It happens to people all the time, maybe without quite this spectacular of a setup but all the time, nonetheless. If you don’t mind, I’d just like to sit here a few more minutes and then call a cab.”
“At least let me have someone drive you,” James pleaded. “You shouldn’t be alone right now.”
“Thanks, but I think an anonymous taxi is what I need.”
“You do realize that nothing’s anonymous in Foggy Point, don’t you?”
“You’re right, but I don’t know the taxi guy yet. And thanks again for this.” She pointed at her now-empty dessert plate.
“It was the least I could do. I would have never done this to you or anyone else, but somehow, since it happened at my place, I feel like a coconspirator or something.”
“You’ve been wonderful,” Harriet said and looked at him. “I mean it. This could have been so much worse if you weren’t here trying to make me feel like less of a loser.”
“Well, the next time the good doctor calls for a reservation, he’s getting a table by the kitchen door.”
Harriet looked toward the kitchen.
“You don’t have a table by the kitchen door.”
“I’ll set one up just for him,” James said and looked at Harriet. “Was that a smile?”
She tried to look serious but failed and ended up laughing.
“See, you have made it better.”
The hostess came in their direction, hovering a discreet distance away and clutching a stack of menus to her chest.
“I think you’re needed,” Harriet said with a nod to the hostess. “I’m going to go powder my nose, and then, if you could call the taxi, I’ll be out of here.”
“As you wish.” James stood. “Call me if you need anything.”
Harriet went to the restroom and, after using the facilities, splashed her face with cold water again. She was not looking forward to the next hour. If she didn’t call her aunt and Lauren by midnight, they would call her, so there was no getting around it. They’d made it seem like it was up to her, but she knew they expected a report.
She looked at her face in the mirror. She was pale, with two unnaturally bright spots high on her cheeks. Tears came unbidden to her eyes. She’d been a fool to agree to such a big date, given how things had been between her and Aiden these last two months. She should have known. She’d never make a mistake like this again. She sighed. There was no more stalling.
She went back out into the restaurant.
“Harriet,” a soft female voice called to her from just outside the restroom door.
“Carla?” Harriet said. “What are you doing here?”
“Aiden’s not coming,” the young woman said, looking everywhere but at her.
“Yeah, I figured that out.”
“I came to get you,” Carla continued. “I’m sorry, I would have been here sooner, but I had to take Wendy to Connie’s house first.” She referred to her toddler.
“Oh, great, so Connie knows already?” Harriet said.
“I’m sorry,” she repeated. “I didn’t think I should bring Wendy with me this late.”
“No. No, you shouldn’t. You shouldn’t have come at all. I’ve got a taxi coming.”
“I told the lady at the front that I was here to get you, and she went to the kitchen and talked to the guy, so I think he didn’t call the taxi.”
“Aiden sent you to get me?” Harriet said a little too loud.
Carla looked down.
“Can we talk outside?” she murmured.
Harriet looked around and realized that people were staring at her. She turned and went to the door, brushing past the hostess be fore she could hold it for her. She heard Carla apologize to the woman before following her outside.
“If Aiden didn’t send you, why are you here?” Harriet asked as she rounded on Carla. “No offense, I guess I’m glad you’re here. What I meant to say is, why didn’t Aiden send you?”
“Aiden has his hands full—”
“Aiden always has his hands full,” Harriet yelled. “He can’t ever seem to