“What?”
“Just when and how did you undo my bra last night?” I said with a blush. “If you hadn’t told me I would have walked into the party with the girls exposed.” Allison simply wiggled her eyebrows in response. “Whatever.” I scoffed.
“So do you think that if we just hide out here long enough they will just go away?” Allison asked in an almost serious tone.
“Not a chance.” I sighed.
We waited for a few more moments before the cold became unbearable. Reluctantly we returned to the house. Just as I had predicted we found Peter and Courtney eagerly awaiting us. Allison and I each retrieved our coats and rejoined our dates in the foyer. “I can not wait to see the rest of this house!” Courtney purred in Allison’s ear as she took her by the arm and led her out the front door. I swear if Peter had not took my hand and led me outside I would have kicked the youngster in the head. “So are the two of you related?” Courtney asked as she looked at Peter and I.
“No.” Peter laughed. “Well not yet. Stephanie is my girlfriend.” He beamed as he gripped my hand tighter.
“Really?” Courtney answered as she cast a curious glance my direction. “Oh yeah you know.” I thought as I shot her an angry glare. She responded with a weak smile that reeked of pity as she tried to drape her arm around Allison. The taller woman simply ducked away brushing off the young girl’s advances. “Huh? I wonder if anyone would notice if I pushed Courtney out into traffic? Oh stop it! Just a quick breakfast and then this nightmare will be over.” I scolded myself.
Upon reaching the Java House we found it crowded even at this early hour. We were forced to wait outside in the cold for a table. Courtney and Peter chattered away while Allison and I simply pretended to listen. Finally we were seated in a booth at the back of the restaurant. “Professor Kendell, Dr. Grant I haven’t seen you two ladies in awhile.” Betty our favorite waitress greeted us casting a confused look at Courtney snuggled up to Allison. Then she cast another confused glance over at Peter sitting next to myself.
Allison and I quickly requested a round mimosas and a pot of the house coffee. I looked over at Peter’s strange expression. I proceeded to order omelets for Peter and myself since he had grown strangely quiet upon Betty’s arrival. Allison and Junior followed suit each ordering cheese and mushroom omelets. I fought the gnawing at my stomach when Courtney decided to have whatever Allison was having. Allison just rolled her eyes at me. Betty returned quickly with our beverages. “Perhaps this will help my hangover.” Peter joked as he sipped his mimosa.
Betty returned to the table placing an ashtray between Allison and I. “I almost forgot ladies.” She apologized as Peter and Courtney’s eyes widen in shock. Granted Allison’s smoking had been reduced greatly. But when ever we took advantage of dining at the Java House we both indulged in smoking. Probably since it was one of the few remain places you could light up without being arrested. Without thinking I accepted the cigarette Allison offered me. “Stephanie!” Peter yelped. I quickly handed the cigarette back to Allison not wanting to explain the familiar exchange between Allison and myself.
“I didn’t know that you smoked?” Courtney asked in disgust.
“I’m trying to quit.” Allison grumbled weakly as she reluctantly returned the pack to the pocket of her camel hair over coat.
“So what’s up Pete?” Allison asked tersely. “You’ve become awfully quiet all of sudden.” Her shortening of his name did not escape my notice. Nor did escape my notice that Courtney was climbing all over her.
“I’m just putting something together.” He answered absently as my body stiffened. “Allison Kendell?” He said slowly.
“Yes?” She responded with a warning tone.
“The Allison Kendell?” His voice squeaked out. I felt him grip my hand tighter as I held my breath.
“I hope so I’m wearing her underwear.” Allison shot back.
“The lawyer?” Peter asked sternly. I released my breath in relief. Suddenly I realized what was going on.
“Peter.” I said to him as I gave him a look that I had hoped he would understand and not continue.
“I thought you taught history?” Courtney asked in confusion.
“I do.” Allison protested. She looked at me for help.
“Peter it was a long time ago.” I said quietly to him. I was hoping to calm him down. I remember how upset he was after my first encounter with Allison. I remember how he tried to cheer me up. One of the ways he accomplished his mission was to refer to Allison in not very nice terms. I found it hard to believe that he was just putting this together now? I had time admit sometimes his timing just sucked.
“What?” Allison questioned me holding up her hands in confusion.
“Lawyer Barbie.” I offered as an explanation.
“Great.” Allison groaned. “Just what did I do to you?”
“I’ll tell you what you did.” Peter shot out in anger.
“Peter.” I stopped him. “Let it go.” I warned him.
“Enough.” Allison cut in. “Yes it’s true I am that Allison Kendell. I was the lawyer from Wainwright and Griggs who made your girl … who made Stephanie cry. Not that it is any of your concern Pete, but I have already apologized for what I did. I wasn’t a very nice person back then.”
“None of my business.” Peter shot back in a protective manner.
“Jesus Peter why don’t you just mark your territory?” I thought as I watched the two of them try to stare each other down. “Peter it is in the past. Allison and I have already talked about this. She is my colleague and my friend.” I watched him hang his head in sudden embarrassment. He looked like a child who was being punished. He looked up at me with pleading eyes. “Oh boy.” I heard Allison sigh as she poured herself another cup of coffee.
“I’m sorry Allison.” Peter offered. “I just remember how much Stephanie had been hurt at the time. Forgive me?”
“No worries.” Allison muttered as she shrugged nonchalantly.
“So are you a lawyer or a history professor? Courtney asked in confusion.
“I am a history professor.” Allison tried to explain. “I was a lawyer. Can we drop this now?” Allison groaned.
“You were with Wainwright and Griggs? That is so funny.” Courtney giggled.
“Hysterical.” Allison responded flatly. “Just keep going little Courtney and maybe Allison will dump your perky ass before the check arrives?” I couldn’t help but smirk as the thought popped into my head.
“Kind of of yeah.” Courtney giggled once again. “Wainwright and Griggs are the reason I went to Law School.”
“You’re a lawyer!” Allison choked as she spit out her coffee, which managed to just miss hitting Peter.
“Not yet.” Courtney volunteered. “I just graduated from Harvard I still need to pass the bar. But it was the firm of Wainwright and Griggs that inspired me to get into law in the first place.” “Oh this is to good to be true.”
“Please tell me you are joking?” Allison pleaded.
“No.” Courtney boasted proudly. “Those bastards took every cent my Grandparents had. I decided to become a lawyer to make sure that didn’t happen to someone else.”
“Thank God.” Allison sighed as Betty arrived with our food.
Eager to avoid any more conversations or confrontations Allison and I ate quickly while Peter and Courtney chatted away like old friends. Occasionally one of us would answer a question or nod in agreement. I had no idea what they were talking about; I was simply relieved that the meal was almost over. As our dates continued chatting Allison and I drained the pot of coffee. Betty brought another round of mimosas that I have no idea who ordered. Allison reached for her coffee and Courtney reached for the inside of Allison’s thigh. I have no idea what came over me at that moment. Hell I know what overcame me. I was jealous! Without a second thought I made a sweeping motion with my arm like I was reaching for something. My aim was dead on. Courtney’s mimosa landed directly in her lap.