I thank Randi for the edit, the patience, the hard work, the encouragement and for dreaming up these themed invitationals. She is the best among us.
*
Jessica Williams sighed in resignation as she entered the restaurant to meet her family and friends. The sigh was caused when she read her sister's text. It informed her James (not Jim) Calhoun would be in attendance at dinner. Jessica had hoped to enjoy a drama free vacation, her first since her freshman year in college, eight years prior. She really didn't feel up to dealing with the dominating personality of the man so intent on making her his wife.
"It could be a lot worse, Jess," pointed out her best friend and fellow MD, Willow Barkley. "Hell, we made it through four years of med school and we're still facing the joys of residency. You can handle it. Mr. James Calhoun's style may be a bit heavy handed, but he's very wealthy and he adores you. Everyone should have your problems."
"I'm not really complaining, Willow," responded Jessica. "I'll probably have a great time this week. It's just that he's a bit overbearing at times. He always wants to control everything, right down to what vegetables I eat. I'd like to be able to just relax for a few days."
"Now I think you're exaggerating a little." Willow chuckled. "Let's find your family's table and get something to eat. I'm starved!"
"Hello, ladies. Can I help you?" asked a male voice originating from Willow's left.
Jessica was unable to see the speaker since he was off to the left side of the doorway, but it was obvious that Willow was quite impressed. Her mouth hung open and her face flushed as she openly stared. Jessica had to nudge Willow gently so she would move ahead a step. She managed to gain access to the interior and soon discovered what had flummoxed Willow so thoroughly.
"We're here to meet my family," managed Jessica as she forced herself to not stare at the man standing in front of her. He was wearing the typical white shirt and dark vest she had seen on countless waiters and waitresses over the years. She had to admit to herself she had never before seen a man make the outfit look so sexy.
"That would be the Williams family?" the man stated more than asked. "They've already been seated and are waiting for your arrival. Please follow me."
By this time, Willow had regained her equilibrium and almost stepped on Jessica in her haste to remain close to the man directing them to their table. For her part, Jessica felt brief annoyance at her friend for cutting her off so effectively. Jessica felt a small smile on her face as she replayed her friend's reaction when she first saw the handsome waiter, or maitre d', or whatever he was. She and Willow had been friends since the first day of med school and Jessica had never before seen her tongue tied.
Jessica spotted her family sitting at a large table near the back of the restaurant and waved to them. She broke into an even bigger grin when she saw how her eighteen year old sister stared intently at the man leading Willow and her to their table.
James suddenly stood and hurried toward Jessica. In his haste and with his typical disdain, he bumped into the maitre d' rather roughly as he reached out to hug her. Jessica saw the surprise flash across James' face when he appeared to carom slightly to the side from the contact. James had played rugby in college and was accustomed to other men bouncing off his muscular frame.
The surprise on James' face quickly morphed to a big smile as he wrapped Jessica in his arms and kissed her on the lips. That was not the greeting Jessica had expected. It was a public setting and she felt her face turn red from embarrassment as James finally stepped back and held her at arm's length while slowly surveying her from head to toe.
"You're more beautiful every time I see you," declared James as he tightly gripped Jessica's arms. "We're going to have a great time in this quaint little one horse town this week. If we get too bored we can drive up the coast a few hours and go to some clubs, or maybe find a concert."
Even as Jessica listened to James speak, she noticed Willow placing a hand on the waiter's arm and warmly thanking him for showing her to the table. Jessica wondered to herself why Willow's actions irritated her. Her sister, Heather, didn't even try to hide her annoyance at Willow. As the handsome man helped Willow with her chair, Heather reached over and gently rubbed his arm to get his attention.
"Could you ask our server to bring another Coke for me? I'm eighteen and expect to talk Mom and Dad into allowing me wine with dinner before long. I'll be a freshman in college this fall," concluded Heather as she continued to gently slide her hand over the man's arm.
"You'll have to release his arm if you expect him to pass that request on to our waitress," suggested Jessica's mother as she looked meaningfully from her younger daughter to the arm she was caressing.
"Don't worry, Mom. I'm not hurting him," laughed Heather before once again turning her attention to the good looking man. "When she brings my drink, tell her to ask for Heather. That's me."
"I'd like a nice rum and coke," stated Willow as she briefly glanced at Heather. "Tell your wait staff it's for Willow, the woman who just graduated from medical school."
"Of course," replied the maitre d' as he smiled to the two women. "Heather, the college freshman, would like another Coke. Willow, the newly minted doctor, would like a rum and Coke.
"What can I get for you, Miss?" asked the man when he turned his attention to Jessica. She was about to sit so he quickly stepped behind her chair and guided it under the table.
"Thank you," smiled Jessica. "I'd like a margarita , please."
Once the maitre d' left, Jessica's mother spoke to Heather. "Sweetheart, he's a delightful looking man, but he's a bit old for you. You'll be meeting quite a few boys closer to your age this week, and in college."
"The key word being 'boys', not men," retorted Heather. "I've never seen a guy as handsome as that waiter. He's tanned, rugged and confident. Boys don't compare to guys like that."
"Are you kidding me?" laughed James. "He's a loser! He's pushing thirty and working as a waiter. That's okay for a boy your age, but by the time you hit thirty, you should have something to show for your life."
"You mean like your father's business?" retorted Heather before her mother managed to silence her.
"Heather! Snide remarks like that are beneath you," chastised Mrs. Williams. "James has done very well. I'm sure he would have been successful regardless of where his career took him. There's certainly no shame in taking over the family business."
"I apologize," relented Heather immediately, which caused Jessica to wonder about the sincerity of the apology. Her sister was not one to back down on any issue.
"So, Dave, that was a very attractive woman you just escorted to a table," teased Diane to her brother when he returned to the front of the restaurant. "Did you manage to get her number?"
"She was too busy trying to swallow her boyfriend's tonsils to give it to me," chuckled Dave. "Both her friend and her sister seemed a lot more willing to share their information. The friend is actually a doctor. She told me she just finished medical school."