There seems to be a comradeliness between them, as if they've been friends for years, an idea that is confirmed when Dr. New brings up Luke's golf scores from this past summer.
"Justin's daughter Michelle was just accepted at Penn," Luke tells me, then explains to Dr. New that I am graduating from Penn this spring.
I see the flash of surprise on Dr. New's face for a brief moment before he hides it. I hope I hid my surprise as well as he did. Luke's friend has a daughter only a few years younger than me. That's… weird.
"So, ah…" Dr. New pauses. "You've enjoyed Penn?"
"I love it there. I'll be sad to graduate and leave the campus."
"Oh, do you live on campus?" His eyes move to Luke and back to me. His face may not betray what he's thinking, but I can tell he's curious about Luke and I.
"I do. I live in Jacobsen." I shrug. "It's convenient being on campus and cheaper than an off-campus apartment."
"Michelle wants an off-campus apartment. I told her we'll discuss it sophomore year." Dr. New smiles ruefully. "It's bad enough I've got to let her live in a co-ed dorm, I'm sure as shit not setting her up in an apartment off campus." He shakes his head. "Tell me she will be too busy studying and the boys never leave their own floors. Lie to me, please."
I glance at Luke, remembering our tryst in my dorm room weeks ago, before fixing a smile on my face. "Well, I never had any boys in my room freshman year, Dr. New. So there's hope."
"Thank you for humoring me," he says, not realizing I'm telling him the truth. "So what are your plans after graduation?" He seems genuinely interested. Luke looks interested in my response as well. It occurs to me then that we haven't discussed my plans. We don't discuss the future at all, come to think of it. He only invited me to this event last week.
"I'm hoping to find a job in corporate accounting," I respond.
"Ah, an accounting major. Very practical."
"Exactly," I agree. "I love the practicality of accounting, both as a major and a career. I like the structure of it."
"Well, good luck on finding a position you're happy with. Lots of great companies in Philly." He pauses. "New York as well."
My eyes flick over to Luke’s at the mention of New York, but his face gives nothing away. "Yes," I agree. "Lots of job opportunities."
Dr. New leaves us then as the waiters whisk away the soup course. Luke takes my hand under the table and runs his thumb over the back of my hand. The small moment of intimacy helps calm me. I take a breath and look up to see yet another couple stopping by to say hello to Luke.
Luke introduces them to me and then the woman pulls out a cell phone from her small bag and shoves it in front of Luke.
"Julie just turned three," she beams, then leans in to swipe the screen, changing the picture on the phone in Luke's hand. "She's so smart. She loves books and robots." She laughs. "We have no idea why, but the kid loves robots."
"You might have a future scientist or astronaut on your hands," Luke says, handing the phone back.
"Another satisfied customer," I say as the couple departs and the waiters arrive with the main course.
Luke glances at me before responding. "Does that bother you?"
I shrug. "You sure get a lot of business in house."
"And?" Luke's voice has a warning to it that I don't appreciate. At all.
"And I was your patient once too."
"Sophie, enough." Luke shuts down the conversation with those two words.
I look at the meal in front of me and suddenly I'm not interested in eating. This room feels too hot and too loud and I just want out.
"Excuse me." I push back from the table and Luke stands to assist me. "I'm going to the restroom."
Luke’s jaw ticks in annoyance. That's fine, I'm annoyed with him too. I make my way past waiters and fellow guests milling about and exit the ballroom space into a hotel corridor. I sigh in relief. I was starting to feel a little queasy in that room, but I feel fine now that I'm not surrounded by a crowd. There's a women's restroom across the hall and I make a beeline for it. I just want a place to hide out for a few minutes and collect myself.
There's a pregnant woman washing her hands when I enter. I duck past her into a stall before I'm tempted to ask her if her bump is courtesy of Luke as well. I know I am behaving like a little bitch right now. I'm disgusted with myself, yet I'm still feeling just bitchy enough to refuse to go out there and apologize.
I hear the woman finish up at the sink and exit the bathroom. I'm alone now, so I figure hiding in a stall is more pathetic than necessary. I leave the safety of the stall while digging around in my clutch for the lipstick I brought with. I'm in the middle of reapplying when the bathroom door swings open and Gina breezes in.
I have to admit I'm slightly surprised to see her here. Specifically in this bathroom. I'd have thought she'd prefer to slip into my empty chair and keep Luke company while she has the chance.
"Sophie, darling!" She does a scan of the bathroom, confirming that we're alone. "You look breathtaking in that dress."
I'm confused. Is this woman bipolar? She looks stunning herself, her long red hair curled to perfection and trailing over one shoulder. She's in a platinum-colored gown, floor-length with a scoop neckline and a pear-shaped diamond pendant hanging from her throat.
"Gina." I nod in greeting.
She turns to the mirror and fingers the diamond pendant, centering it on her chest.
"That's a beautiful necklace," I compliment her. If she's being nice, I can be nice. Being catty isn't in my nature anyway. Maybe she's found someone new and I won't have to deal with her jealous behavior at these events. Assuming Luke brings me to more of them.
"Luke bought it for me," she replies and opens her own clutch.
I guess we're not done being catty. "Okay," I say and roll my eyes. This woman is something else.
She smirks at me in the mirror. "Luke bought me the nicest jewelry when we were together. I’m looking forward to seeing what he comes up with for my second engagement ring.”
I look at her for a moment. "So you're crazy then?"