Chapter 100 The Balanced Dinner
Emily got on the phone at once, rushing into the house along with the two dogs, who thought maybe this was a fun game of tag.
“Yo,” Carter answered in his charming way.
“Carter? Would you like to come over for dinner tomorrow?” she asked while the dogs panted by her side, waiting for more playtime.
“Um... I might have a thing tomorrow...” Carter said vaguely.
“Are you sure?” she asked in a sing-song voice, “Because you might miss an opportunity to meet Nova Summers.”
“Get out of here!” Carter cried. “Nova Summers, the hottest actress in the world, is going to be at your house tomorrow?”
“That’s right, and she’s every bit as fabulous in real life,” Emily said, rolling her eyes, “So are you in?”
“You bet I’m in, baby.”
Emily was very pleased with her plan. She really did want to annoy Byron. It was one thing to have friends that one’s partner might not approve of, but he insisted on seeing Nova so much, and hadn’t even asked her before inviting Nova to the house.
She was hardly even mad at Byron anymore, but she thought he might be mad at her. He still offered her a good night kiss when they went to bed, but nothing more than that. This made her slightly mad at him again, and she hoped the dinner would be really, really annoying.
The two guests arrived precisely on time. Emily suspected it was because Nova couldn’t wait to see Byron again, and Carter couldn’t wait to meet Nova.
“This is Emily’s friend, Carter,” Byron said, introducing them. “And Nova Summers, who needs no introduction.”
“Hi, I’m a big fan of yours,” Carter said, offering his sun-browned hand. “That way you played that clown blew me away. I laughed, I cried. I was a complete wreck.”
“Thank you,” Nova said, blushing. “It’s nice to meet a guy who’s sensitive.”
“I’m tough but sensitive,” Carter said, giving her a winning grin.
“Would anyone like a drink?” Emily offered.
“Yes please!” everyone said at once.
“Of course, I can’t drink too much since I rode my motorcycle here,” Carter said, “but I’ll join you for one drink.”
Emily felt much more relaxed as the first sips of gin and tonic rushed through her bloodstream.
“You ride a motorcycle, isn’t that dangerous?” Nova asked.
“Not if you know what you’re doing,” Carter replied confidently.
“I had to pretend to ride a motorcycle for one of my films,” Nova said, “but it was mostly my stunt double doing all the work. Byron is a really good rider too. He actually did a stunt in a film I was in!”
“I didn’t know that,” Emily said, feeling annoyed at yet another memory that Byron shared with Nova.
“I’m a mysterious guy,” Byron joked, “You don’t know everything about me.”
“There was also that time in Mexico...” Nova went on, sharing some more memories she and Byron experienced together.
Emily downed her drink and immediately started on another one. This gin was strong but also very calming. She almost didn’t mind when Nova monopolized the conversation through most of dinner.
How could one person possibly talk so much?
After the main course was finished, Emily decided to say something. “Nova, have you ever played the role of a woman who thoughtlessly broke up with her boyfriend? And then tried to get him back even though he was engaged to someone else?”
Byron had been drinking quite a bit too, so he didn’t even seem shocked when she said it. He was a little alarmed, though. Suddenly he got up from the table and said, “Carter, let’s go look at my motorcycle.” He clearly didn’t want to be in the middle of the fallout from that question.
“Cool,” Carter said.
Emily was left with Nova, who glared at her, while pouting at the same time. Perhaps Nova had a bit too much to drink too...
“You don’t like me,” Nova said.
“I didn’t say that,” Emily replied.
“No, I get it. You have no reason to trust me. You think I’m out to steal Byron from you. Well, guess what? He’s unstealable.”
Emily blinked rapidly, unable to believe that Nova had actually admitted her intentions.
“You’ve changed him.” Nova leaned heavily on the table, wagging a finger at her. “You made him better, and you deserve to have this more improved version. I always knew he was a nice and fun and happy guy deep down, but you somehow brought it out in him.”
“Wow. I don’t know what to say.” Emily thought maybe Nova was right. She hadn’t set out to change Byron, only to help him, but she couldn’t deny how much he had progressed. He might not have been entirely cured of his depression, but his dark moods were drastically reduced. On most days, he was much more balanced than ever before.
“I’m sorry if I’ve been mean, but it’s hard to let him go,” Nova admitted. “But now I have let him go, and you can have him all to yourself,” she added with a self-satisfied smile.
“Um... thanks,” Emily said.
