Chapter 34: Dinner In The City

Trying not to be shocked at Max’s question, Maryanne wonders, “Are you sure you want us there?”
Through her phone, she hears Max laugh. “Yeah, of course, why wouldn’t I?”
She shrugs, even though she knows that he can’t see her. “You had a long day. I’m sure you’re exhausted.”
“I want to have dinner with the both of you though.”
Maryanne looks at the clock on her wall, “It might be too late for Riley to go out.”
“We can stay in the city. My penthouse has been empty for months. I’m sure it’s okay for Riley to stay there one night. The pool is locked up and secure.”
“Oh,” Maryanne drifts off, her mind reeling with images of the condo.
Max’s voice shakes her of her reverie, though, “Maryanne it will be okay for one night, right?”
She blinks in order to clear her thoughts, “Yeah, it’ll be fine.” It’s only for one night, and it’s not like there are strong memories of the two of them there.
“Good, I’m glad. Where do you want to eat?”
She shakes her head once more, forgetting that she is on the phone. “It doesn’t matter.”
“If you really don’t care, I have a place in mind. I have some new clothes for you and Riley. I’ll have Geneva bring them up to you.”
Maryanne is filled with unease, “Oh, are you sure? Max, you don’t have to give us anything.”
“I want to Maryanne. I know you don’t like me spending much money on you, but this makes me happy, believe me. It wasn’t expensive, so it should be fine.”
She breathes out heavily, sighing, “Alright, I’ll let it slide this time. Please, just don’t get comfortable buying me things. For Riley it’s okay to a point, since we are her guardians, but don’t go overboard. I don’t want her to get spoiled or else she will begin to expect it constantly.”
Laughter echoes through the phone, “Okay, I’ll keep that in mind.”
Maryanne finds herself smiling as well, “Thank you.”
“I’ll have a driver pick you up. You have been working too hard lately, picking up the slack at the library. Just relax for tonight.”
“Max,” she tries to word her sentence in her mind before countering Max.
“Maryanne, please.”
She gives up though, without much of a fight, “Fine.” One car ride couldn’t hurt.
“Good. I’ll see you both later this evening.”
“Okay, Max.”

>><<

Maryanne allows herself to be chauffeured through the city. Usually she would fight against it, but today is special. It is the first time that Max has specifically asked them to have dinner with him in the city. The last time they went out to eat together, Caroline barged in.
The city lights pass by quickly as they smoothly navigate the streets. Maryanne’s heart begins to beat quicker as they near their destination. Is she dressed up enough? Max had sent them clothes that he picked out, but he told her not to worry about wearing them if she did not like them. He is being very considerate, even if it is his image on the line if Maryanne, or especially Riley, makes a scene. What if the restaurant has a lot of his clients or business partners dining there? Maryanne can’t help but wonder if this is about the comment he made in the theatre. She isn’t even sure she heard him correctly. Did he really say that he loved her? It’s not like she can just confront him about it either.
Maryanne pushes all of these thoughts from her mind as the car pulls up to the side of the restaurant. The lights from within shine out, illuminating the sidewalk. The patrons entering the high-end restaurant are clad in peacoats and expensive jewelry. Maryanne swallows her nerves, becoming self-conscious of her own outfit. Max did get her a very beautiful dress, one that keeps her warm even in this cold weather, but she still feels like those around her can see that she belongs to the lower class.
As she gets out of the car and helps Riley out, she can sense the eyes falling on them. Every time she looks up, though, the people quickly avert their gazes and go about their lives.
Maryanne is not sure what to do. She just stands there with an antsy Riley as she stares up at the foreboding building.
“Maryanne, Riley,” Max hurries from across the street, his cheeks bright red from the icy wind. “I’m sorry, I got caught up at work.” His hair falls down across his forehead, messy from running.
“No, it’s fine. We just got here.”
He glances down at the bottom of her own peacoat and grins, “You wore the dress.”
“I am too,” Riley squeaks twirling in a circle even though her dress is not obvious under her puffy jacket.
“You’re absolutely gorgeous,” Max chuckles, picking up Riley with one fell swoop.
The little girl squeals, falling into a fit of laughter as she is spun around.
“Let’s go inside?”
Maryanne only nods, fighting the blush as Max’s eyes continue to roam her face and body.
They enter the restaurant quickly and are escorted to their table. Once seated, and after ordering, Max strikes up a conversation.
“How was your day at work?”
“Oh, normal.” Maryanne shrugs as she thinks about what happened that day.
Riley has been given Maryanne’s phone to watch cartoons on, her eyes locked onto the screen.
“So, busy?”
“Yes. Shelley has been constantly calling in sick and Jessica has been trying to cover the extra load while I deal with the customers.”
“You’ve been having to do a lot of overtime lately just to get your own paperwork done.”
“Yeah, I think I’ve put in an extra fifteen hours in the last week. It’s okay, though. She should be coming back soon.” Maryanne raises her brow as she talks, not quite sure if she believes her own words.
Max nods, “I hope so. Otherwise they need to hire someone new.”
“I wish they would, but Shelley has been with the company for years. It’s not as easy for them to fire her.”
They both pause as the waiter arrives with their meals. Maryanne takes her phone from Riley in order to force her to eat.
They sit in silence for a few minutes as they begin to eat their food.
Max looks over at Maryanne, “How’s the food?”
“Delicious. You know you really didn’t need to bring us here.”
He shrugs, “I know it’s expensive, but I wanted to show you the perks of dining in places like these.”
Maryanne lowers her voice as she speaks, “But people are staring. I don’t think it’s normal for children to be here.”
“Who cares what they think. It’s not like they own the place.”
She begins to lower herself in her chair, hoping that the other patrons would just lose interest in her. “I know, it’s just difficult not to notice. I don’t really belong here.”
With his brow furrowed with frustration, Max urges her to sit back up. “Maryanne, don’t say that. You have as much right as anyone here.”
“Max,” she begins.
“I was going to have the entire restaurant closed down for the night so that we could dine alone, but I knew you would start an argument about it.” He rolls his shoulders and huffs.
Maryanne allows herself to frown, confusion running through her mind, “Why would you do that?”
A smirk curls the ends of his lips, “The owner can kick out whoever they want.”
It is a minute before Maryanne catches on, “Max. . . are you saying you own this restaurant?”
Max chuckles, setting his fork down and grabbing his napkin, “Yes. I own several in Hell’s Kitchen as well.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
He shrugs, “You never ask me about my work.”
“I mean that’s true, but still. I thought you were just the CEO of a company.”
“I actually own several businesses around New York and also internationally.”
Maryanne doesn’t know what else to say, except, “Incredible.”
As the waiter nears the table, Max asks, “Do you want anything else?”
She quickly shakes her head and looks down at Riley, “Oh, no, I’m incredibly full.”
“Alright, I—hold on.” Max pulls out his phone and hits the answer button, “Hello?”
As the person on the other line speaks, Maryanne analyzes Max’s expression. His face drops, stress lining his lips and eyes. “Yeah, I’ll be right there.”
Once he has hung up the phone, she questions, “What’s wrong?”
Max’s brow is now slanted and his lips are in a tight line, “I have to run back to the office. Apparently one of our potential companies overseas is having second thoughts and no one in the office can find my paperwork on the agreement to make changes. I can send for a car to send you home, unless you can wait for me. We can go to the condo after.”
Maryanne shakes her head, “I don’t mind waiting,”
He forces a smile on his face, “Perfect, let’s go.”