Next on the hit parade was the Café Carlyle, a kind of supper club that showcased Broadway and jazz musicians. We sipped on vodka martinis while waiting to listen to the vocal stylings of famed Broadway soprano Audra McDonald, set to perform that night. The room could only seat about ninety or so people, giving it a truly intimate feel. The space was a real throwback, with brightly painted murals and small banquets that put you so close to the stage you could practically touch it. Stephen was kind enough to pull a few strings to get me the tickets to an otherwise sold-out run. He’d cast Audra in one of her very first Broadway shows, and they’d maintained a nice friendship all these years later.
The server came by to ask if we wanted anything to snack on. Since he wasn’t sure what was up next on the yes date agenda, Sam motioned to me to take the lead. I ordered us a few appetizers, a half dozen East Coast Oysters, Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail, and Steak Tartare. I passed the menus to the server, and Sam took my hands into his own.
“I’m having a wonderful time,” he said.
“I thought I might have to make up some ground after Candytopia.”
“That’s why we’re so great together, Jo. I know sometimes I’m too serious, but I want to provide you with the kind of life you deserve. It’s why I work so hard.”
I put my hand over his. “I keep telling you, I don’t need anything but you.”
I meant it. When my mother died, my father was practically paralyzed with grief. Sam and Merritt took over, handling all the details of the funeral. Sam made calls, ordered flowers, and arranged all the cars to and from the service. He stepped up in a way I could never have imagined. We weren’t even engaged yet, and he was acting like a member of the family. If I wasn’t already head over heels for him, those few months gave me even more reason.
The server brought out our food and set it on the table. Sam ordered us another round of drinks, picked up an oyster, drenched it in cocktail sauce, and quickly slurped it down.
“Good?”
He put an oyster on a plate and slid it toward me. “Try one.”
I scrunched up my nose. “You know oysters aren’t really my thing.”
“You don’t know what you’re missing,” Sam said, picking up the shell and throwing the oyster down like a shot. He smiled and wiped the sides of his mouth with a napkin before placing it back into his lap. “How many days ’til the wedding now?”
I took my phone out of my clutch, opened the wedding countdown app, and set it down on the table. “Fifty-two days, but who’s counting?”
An announcer came over the intercom to say the show would be starting in a few minutes and asked everyone to please kindly turn off all cell phones. Sam took his phone out of his pocket, switched off the volume, and placed it beside mine. He leaned into the table and caressed the side of my face. “I know I’ve been a bit distracted, but I promise you, now that this deal is practically wrapped up, all my attention will be on the wedding.”
I shifted in my seat.
“I mean it. I know I’ve been a shit lately. How can I make things up to your sister?”
“She’s in town one more day. Is there any way you can find some time to meet Alec tomorrow?”
He leaned down, lifted my hand, and kissed the top of it. “Yes. I give you my word. I’ll make some time to see them all tomorrow before they fly out.”
I smiled. “Thank you, Sam.”
He peeked up at me from the table. “Now there’s that famous thousand-watt smile. I’ve been looking for it all day.” Sam looked down at his watch and grabbed his phone off the table. “My assistant should still be in the office, let me pop out and make a quick call to her to clear my morning schedule for Merritt.” He cupped my chin in his hands. “That smile better be waiting for me when I get back,” he teased.
I forced an even larger grin on my face, and he laughed.
He bent down and kissed my forehead. “You’re such a nut. I love you.”
The server returned with the second round of drinks and placed them on the table. I took a few sips of the martini and noticed my phone vibrating on the table. I picked it up and realized it was Sam’s phone. He must’ve slipped mine into his pocket by mistake.
“Sam, that’s my—”
I turned to see if Sam was still within shouting distance, but he was already outside. I turned back and set the phone down, while the small band took to the stage and began tuning up. The phone rang again, and our server tapped me on the shoulder.
“Miss, I have to ask you to please turn that off during the show.”
“Yes, of course. I’m so sorry,” I whispered back.
I picked the phone up and fumbled around for the off button, when a message popped up on the screen.
Maybe I can tempt you with this.
My fingers trembling, I typed what I thought was Sam’s password into the keyboard. The phone didn’t open. The password used to be his birthday, he must have changed it? I tried a few more sets of numbers. Nothing. Then, I keyed in 1214 his parent’s address. It unlocked. A small number four hovered over his text message icon. I clicked it open, and three pictures of a woman wearing nothing but a pair of black lace garters and super high heels appeared on his phone. Her face was out of frame, but the rest of her was on full display. I clicked through the texts and read the last message.
Sneak away from work when you can. I’ll be here waiting.
I inhaled sharply and looked up from the screen. Sam was hurrying back into the room, waving my phone around in his hand.
“I grabbed the wrong one,” he said, passing the phone back to me. “This is your phone.”
A lump inched its way up my throat and settled firmly in the base. I tried coughing to clear it.
Sam softened his eyes. “What’s wrong?”
I moistened my lips and lifted his phone, the photo of the woman spread eagle across her white duvet opened up on the screen.
Sam closed his eyes and sank down into his chair. “Fuck.”
“Lucky for you, I think she’s completely game.”
“Fuck,” Sam repeated.
The lights dimmed, and Audra McDonald took to the small stage.
I lowered my voice. “Are you having an affair?”
Sam put his head in his hands, covering his eyes.
“Sam, are you having an affair?” I asked again.
He looked up from the ground, his face almost eye level to mine.
I swallowed hard, tears streaming down my face. “Do I need to remind you, Clause Two stipulates the word ‘yes’ is the only—”
“Yes,” he answered, his voice breaking with emotion. “Yes.”