Coffee in Common (33 page)

THURSDAY, MAY 13

12:05 PM

"Hi Paul."

Jillian had arrived early and spent the time watching other customers and listening to the tunes on the oldies station Gil Coffey invariably had playing on the radio.

Paul leaned over for a soft, lingering kiss.

"Hi yourself. Is everything okay?"

"Everything's fine," she assured him.

"Well you sounded so cryptic when you called and said you wanted to talk, but not on the phone. I thought something happened."

"No, nothing happened. And it's not a big deal, so relax. Do you…No way!"

He saw her eyebrows arch over a wide grin.

"What?"

"The music."

"What music. There's a commercial on."

"I know, but I've been here for awhile and before you arrived, I was listening to the music and I just realized something. First they played
Woman
, then
I Love You More Today Than Yesterday
, then
Because,
and the last one before the commercial was
You Make Me Feel Like Dancing.
Get it? Put the titles together and they make a sentence.
Woman, I love you today more than yesterday because you make me feel like dancing!
"

"Hey, that's wild. That could be about us. Probably a program director having a little fun. So what's up?"

"How about something to eat first?"

They decided to split a cinnamon-raisin bagel and Paul went to fetch it and some coffee.

After each enjoyed the first few sips and a bite of their half of the bagel, Jillian said, "So tell me. Have you made any progress on your plan to make…what did she say you called him…the dung worm jealous?"

"Not really. I'll just wing it, I think."

"Well, Jessie's really counting on you to stick it to him good."

Paul sighed. "Great, just what I need. Performance anxiety."

Jillian blushed at the double entendre. "Well, I was thinking, maybe you
should
kiss her once or twice where Ethan will see."

Paul almost dropped his cup.

Did she really just say that? Is she serious? Is this a game? Or a test?

"No way. Kissing your sister would be too weird."

What else could he say?

"I don't mean
kissing
kissing. Stage kisses, like they do in the movies."

"Jillian, where is this coming from? I know we've only been together a short time, but stage kiss or not…" He couldn't find the right words and settled for, "I can't believe you want me to do that with your sister."

"Well, it's not like I want you to, but you have to admit it would help with Ethan. Jessie is so psyched about you taking her and about getting back at him."

"I know she is honey, but, I mean, how will
you
feel kissing
me
knowing I've kissed your sister?"

Jillian's eyes fixed on his.

"Paul, if I can get past the whole you and Priya thing, trust me when I say that you and Jessie pretending to kiss is not a big deal."

Paul did not seem convinced.

"Look, if it really makes you uncomfortable, then don't. But if you two think you can really do stage kisses and some good acting, then a little pretend making out is okay with me."

Paul sat very still, thinking.

"Just promise me two things."

"What's that?"

"Not too much tongue and nothing below the waist."

Paul's eyes widened as blood rushed to his face. Before he realized what was happening, Jillian whipped out her cell phone, snapped his picture, and collapsed with laughter. Tears were running down her cheeks as she tried her best to choke out, "Oh, lord, wait 'till see your face."

The commotion caused many people to turn their way, and several continued to stare at the dumbfounded guy and the pretty girl who seemed unable to get control of her glee.

When she finally did stop laughing, she wiped the tears from her face with her napkin. Paul's embarrassment had faded and he sat there now with a wide grin.

"You are so evil."

"That was for encouraging my sisters last Saturday. I never ever forget and I always get even. Keep that in mind next time."

"Geez, I can't believe you played me like that. I really believed you were telling me it was okay to kiss your sister."

"I was." Her voice was steady and sincere. "I was serious about the stage kisses. Not the other stuff, of course. Okay?"

"Jillian, I…"

"Just think about it. It really won't bother me. I trust you, Paul, and I trust Jessie. But you can't mention this to my parents or brother or sisters. They might not understand."

"Jillian I…"

"You don't have to decide now. Call me on my cell tonight around midnight. I should be at my parent's house by then. If you want to do it, then I'll tell Jessie and see what she thinks. But if
you're
willing, I'm pretty sure she'll be game."

As he sat quietly, considering it, Jillian became aware of the music in the background.

Oh my word. Again!

The final strains of
Could I Have This Dance
played out, followed by a commercial for a local car dealership.

This is really getting strange now. What is it with this song playing every time I see him or think about him in public?

7:45 PM

"Would you like to tell me what's bothering you or should we just sit here picking at leftover noodles?"

They were sitting in
Sum Thai Taste,
a tiny four table eatery on the fringe of Chinatown. Paul had invited Priya to eat dinner with him, then sat virtually silent the whole time.

He had seemed distracted when he returned from lunch, but had not volunteered any information to the group. Now she was getting a little worried. Silence was not Paul's thing. She reached over and laid her hand on his to get his attention.

"I'm sorry," he said and looked it. "Come on, let's take a walk. I don't want to talk in here."

Paul reached for his wallet, but Priya stopped him and opened her purse. "Remember last Thursday? We agreed I would treat next time we went out."

That elicited the first smile of the night from him. "Shoot, that's right. If I'd remembered, we'd have gone to Jimmy's."

"Well thank Vishnu you didn't because I don't have that kind of money to spend on food."

"Vishnu?"

"The Hindu god of protection. He sure protected my wallet tonight."

She paid the check and they strolled out onto Harrison Avenue. The evening air was cool, making both of them glad they'd worn jackets. They walked the half-block to Boylston Street in silence, then turned toward the Common.

"I'm sorry I've been such a bad date tonight. I'm just so damn confused I don't know what the hell to do."

"About what?"

Paul could see the concern for him on her face. "I met Jillian for lunch today."

"I know."

"She told me she thinks it's okay for me to kiss her sister at the prom."

Really?!

"And how do you feel about that?"

Paul grunted. "You sound like a psychiatrist."

"Well, I…"

"Don't worry. I wouldn't have known what to say to that either."

"She really said you could kiss her sister?"

How in the world could Jillian be okay with such a thing, especially after what happened last week?

"Well, she said we could do a stage kiss, you know? Not like a real kiss, but still, you
are
kissing."

He explained the whole thing to Priya. When he was finished, they were standing on the corner of Tremont Street, waiting to cross to the Common. Neither said a word until they reached the opposite sidewalk.

"Okay. From what you said, it seems she thinks a kiss is not always a kiss. Actors' husbands and wives deal with their spouses kissing other people at work. Maybe she figures that since you two will be playing a role, it's not really a kiss. Just like…um…a handshake with your lips."

That drew a second smile from Paul.

"Maybe. But the whole thing makes me feel weird. Perhaps if we'd been going out for a long time and I knew all her family better it wouldn't seem so strange. But I can't deny that it opens up so many more possibilities in terms of getting even with the guy who dumped Jessie."

They were approaching a bench. Paul led them to it and they sat amongst the long shadows cast by the soon-to-be-setting sun.

"Tell me about Brian."

"But…"

"I need a change of subject for a bit. So tell me about him. You two seemed to be getting along nicely last night."

"Well, you know what he does, and that he's musically inclined, and that he's lousy at pickup lines."

"I don't know about that. He seemed to have accomplished his goal last night."

Priya laughed. "Perhaps you're right. I hadn't thought of it like that. You guys really do see things differently than we do." She paused for a few seconds. "I like him, Paul. He makes me laugh and he's very smart and he claims to enjoy losing to me at darts. Of course, you can't tell much from three hours in a bar, but he said he'd call me tonight. If he does, we'll see."

"Oh, he'll call, don't you worry. I saw how he looked at you. It was not unlike the way I was looking at Jillian last week when I first saw her. And everyone saw how you two were with each other when you were playing darts, and afterward at the table. And he does seem like a nice guy."

A wistful sigh slipped through Priya's perfectly shaded lips. "I hope so. It would really be nice to find someone…well…someone like you but who gets excited when I kiss him."

"Someone like me? I'm flattered. How so?"

Crap! Why don't you think before you speak? What am I going to do now?

She stood up and said, "Let's walk some more."

Paul joined her, but after only a few steps said, "Come on. You're not getting off the hook that easily. What is it about me you admire so much you hope to find it in Brian?"

"No way. I'm not playing that game. If you want an ego boost, go call Jillian." Her voice had taken on an edge.

Damn! That didn't help, you dope.

Paul caught her wrist and stopped her.

"Hey, what's the matter? Did I do something or say something wrong?"

Priya wouldn't meet his eyes. "No, nothing's wrong. You didn't do anything."

"Don't lie to me, Priya. I know something's upsetting you. Please. Tell me."

Priya's heart ached.

I can't. I can't tell you how I feel. But I can't lie to you either. Maybe a different truth will work.

"I've been feeling a little jealous lately."

"Jealous?"

She nodded.

"Of you and Jillian, of Rob and Lisa, of Tom and Patti. Of everyone who has someone, I guess. You all have someone to care about and I can't seem to find anyone."

Now that she started down this road, her emotions began to overwhelm her.

Oh lord, don't cry, girl. Suck it up.

"The last few days especially I've been really regretting my vow. I see everyone around me in relationships, in love, and I'm so miserable, sometimes I can't stand it."

Damn!

The tears broke through and began to roll silently down her cheeks.

"Tell me the truth, Paul, please. You're my best friend and I need you to tell me what's wrong with me. Why can't I find someone? Is it the way I look? The virginity thing? I thought men wanted to marry virgins. That's the great ideal, isn't it?" Her voice became bitter. "So why do they all keep leaving me? Why doesn't anyone ever want me except to try to fuck?"

She was crying openly now and Paul drew her into his arms to comfort her.

Holy shit! I never heard her use
that
word before. She doesn't even curse. And now she's crying. What do I do? What can I say?

She stood there, her face buried in his chest, his arms making her feel safe and cared for.

I can't believe I lost it like that. He must think I'm a total girl, sobbing like a baby.

She moved away and wiped at her face with her fingers. "I'm sorry," she said quietly.

"Sorry? Sorry for what?"

"For being such a girl. The crying and…"

"Oh stop. You
are
a girl. Girl's cry sometimes." His voice lowered to a conspiratorial level. "You can't ever let on that I told you this because it could get me kicked out of the Real Man club if other guys knew I let it slip, but…" He paused half a second for effect. "…guys really don't mind it when girls cry…unless we caused it, of course…because it lets us be strong and manly and hold you and comfort you. That's like hugely good karma, comforting a crying woman." He rested his hands on her shoulders. "But even if it wasn't, Priya, I'm your friend. Remember? That means you get to laugh, or scream, or complain, or whine, or anything, even cry, whenever you feel the need. No apologies necessary."

Priya's eyes began to tear again as she reached up and touched his cheek. "That right there. That's what it is."

Paul was confused. "That's what what is?"

"That's the thing about you I want to find in a guy. You get me, you understand me, you really care about me, and don't, you know, expect anything in return." She wiped at her face again, then stood up straight, her composure mostly recovered. "Please, tell me the truth, Paul. Am I being stupid with this vow? Am I really killing my chances with guys by not sleeping with them?"

Paul thought about the questions for a minute before answering.

"I guess the truth is…yes and no. Guys who dump you because you won't sleep with them aren't really interested in you anyway. They're only interested in your body and in making a trophy out of it.

"The problem with being as beautiful as you are is that guys you meet see the outside first and start drooling. Then they get so focused on getting into your pants, they don't pay attention to all the other things you have to offer.

"So with guys like that, and I admit at our age that may be most of them, your vow probably is hurting you in the sense that guys aren't sticking around long enough to find out who you really are. But that may be a blessing of sorts, too."