Page 20 of When Javi Dumped Mari
Javi
Eight Years and Five Months Before the Wedding
Mari’s dad doesn’t like me.
When Mari introduced us at graduation, she described me as one of her best friends. Luiz Campos replied, “It’s very good to meet one of Mari’s classmates .” Emphasis his.
Okay, maybe I read too much into that brief interaction, but tonight it couldn’t be clearer that he wishes I had nothing to do with his daughter.
Exhibit 1 is the restaurant we’re in: Chi Spacca.
There’s a bone-in porterhouse on the menu priced at almost three hundred dollars.
As if he’s telegraphing that I’d never be able to give Mari the life she’s accustomed to.
Pork loin for one hundred ten dollars? My mother’s world-class pernil is turning over in its aluminum-foil grave.
I could make this evening easier on everyone and clarify that I have no romantic interest in Mari, except the idea of occupying real estate in this supposedly important man’s brain is so fucking satisfying.
We’re sitting in a semicircular booth in a “prime location,” according to Luiz. Not that I care. Mari has wisely taken the spot between her father and me—seriously, we need the buffer—but there’s no way to avoid the man’s flinty stare.
When the server arrives at our table and recommends that we begin with the affettati misti, Luiz asks my thoughts on the starter before our server can even recite his spiel.
Mari’s dad must not realize that a kid from the South Bronx will look up the restaurant’s menu in advance of a meal and familiarize himself with what’s on offer to avoid this very situation.
“I was hoping we’d order that,” I tell him with a smirk. “Apparently, Chef Colby’s paté is not to be missed.” I look over at Mari. “What about you?”
“I’m definitely up for that,” she says, her bright eyes letting me know she’s game for joining my mischief.
The server clicks his heels and trots away. Meanwhile, Luiz simmers. And there’s Exhibit 2.
He’s a good-looking man, I’ll give him that.
His salt-and-pepper curly hair is immaculately styled.
The suit he’s wearing is most certainly bespoke.
And although I have no idea what kind of watch he owns, I’d bet a whole year of my salary (such as it was) that it’s not a Casio.
None of it makes a bit of difference in my mind, but the air of superiority that surrounds him like an aura guarantees we won’t be friends anytime soon—if ever.
I’m actually kind of shocked that the precious human sitting next to me has this man’s genes.
Mari claims her dad is slow to warm to people he doesn’t know; I think he’s already made up his mind that I’m someone he doesn’t need to know. I mean, what else is she going to say? He’s the only family she has in the States, so he skates by simply because he’s present.
“So, Javi, what are you up to in New York?” Luiz asks, studying the wine menu.
He can pretend to make small talk all he wants, but I know damn well he’s waiting for an opportunity to cut me down; if I told him the truth—that as of last week, I’m unemployed—I’d be handing him the scissors on a silver platter.
So I lie: “Well, for now I’m working at a medical office.
In the records department. I’m also looking into doing some commercial acting.
I have a few auditions lined up in the new year. ”
“You do?” Mari says, grabbing my hand and shaking it. “You didn’t tell me that part. How amazing!”
I nod. It’s killing me to keep the truth from Mari, but I don’t want to ruin this trip. She’s worried about me as it is; I can’t imagine how she’d react if she knew I had no job to return to.
Luiz’s gaze settles on Mari’s and my intertwined hands.
“You could have done that without a degree,” Luiz says.
“Pai, n?o seja mal educado!” Mari exclaims.
“Eh, Ele…apaixonado por você. N?o importa…diga.”
I catch a word here and there—“he” and “in love with you” stand out in particular—so I get the gist of his comment.
Mari sucks her teeth. “Sorry, Javi. I told my dad not to be rude. He apparently left his manners at home.”
“It’s all good,” I tell her. “He isn’t saying anything I haven’t already heard from my brothers.” To Luiz, I say, “But you’re wrong, you know. I’m using my degree to write a musical.”
“Maluco,” Luiz mutters.
“Fica quieto,” Mari says to him through gritted teeth.
Yeah, so far, this dinner has been a blast. I commit the word “maluco” to memory; I’m looking that shit up later.
“Speaking of your brothers,” Luiz says. “They’re making a name for themselves, no? Be sure you let them know if they ever need representation, I’d be happy to consider the group.”
As if he would be doing them a favor. This man’s something else. I may not be my brothers’ biggest fan, but even I know they’re at the pinnacle of their career, and anyone who rides on their coattails could stand to do extremely well.
“I don’t talk to them about band stuff,” I tell Luiz. “I’m not really involved.”
“No, I suppose not,” he says with a smirk.
Mari heaves a deep sigh.
Luiz feigns embarrassment and throws up his hands. “Okay, okay, I’ll be nice.” He winks at her. “For you.”
Not because everyone should strive to be nice, or decent even. No, he’ll be “nice” because his daughter is disappointed in him. It’s not Mari’s fault her father’s a jerk. Maybe it’s the universe’s way of ensuring balance: one asshole for every good person. Keeps things interesting.
A middle-aged white guy appears at Luiz’s side and clasps his shoulder. “Good to see you, Luiz.”
Luiz quickly rises and pats the man on his back.
“Dennis, how are you? So glad you stopped by.” To Mari and me, he says, “Dennis is the manager. If I need to wine and dine a potential client at the last minute, Dennis here saves the day. A top-notch individual in a town where there aren’t many left. ”
Dennis preens as he gets his kudos, and when the server arrives with our appetizer, Dennis excuses himself and slips off to greet the patrons at a table nearby.
“He’s a decent man,” Luiz says when Dennis is out of earshot. “Started as a busser here and worked his way up the ranks. There’s hope for you yet, Javi.”
“Stop it,” Mari hisses. “You’re being ridiculous.”
She’s absolutely right, and he absolutely deserves what’s coming to him.
With a pointed glance at Mari, I jump up and slam my hands on the table, attracting the attention of the diners around us.
“I love this woman,” I shout, glaring at Luiz, “and I don’t care if you don’t think I’m good enough for her!
We’re getting married—whether you like it or not! ”
I peek at Dennis, who’s now frowning at us. Luiz must see Dennis’s reaction too, because he straightens his tie and laughs nervously.
“Sit down,” he tells me through clenched teeth. “You’re embarrassing yourself.”
“Wrong,” I say under my breath. “I’m embarrassing you .”
“Now’s a good time to apologize, Pai,” Mari tells him, her mouth curved in amusement.
“I’ll do no such thing. Your friend needs thicker skin.”
She scowls at her father, then jumps to her feet as well. “I love this man, and no one’s going to stop me from being with him. Besides”—she places a hand on her stomach—“I’m having his baby!”
A few guests gasp, someone says, “Oh shit,” and Dennis rushes over.
“Is there a problem here?” he asks. “Perhaps you’d like to take this conversation somewhere else?”
Luiz pulls out a kerchief and wipes his brow. “Dennis, my friend, there’s no problem. They’re just joking.” To us, he says, “Sit. Both of you.”
“Apologize,” Mari urges him.
“Okay, okay, I’m sorry, all right?” Luiz says, plastering on a smile. “Now sit down so we can finish this meal.” He waves his hands around and addresses our audience. “Nothing to see here, folks. Just a small misunderstanding.”
Dennis looks between us, his jaw tight. “Please refrain from engaging in any further disruptions.”
“Of course,” Luiz says. “We’ll be on our best behavior, I promise.”
Mari and I plop down and grin at each other.
After Dennis leaves, Luiz stares at me, his eyes shooting sparks. “You’re a real wiseass, kid. Maybe I underestimated you.”
Throwing up my hands in mock surrender, I repeat the words he told his daughter earlier: “Okay, okay, I’ll be nice.” I wink at Mari. “For you.”
She snorts, her eyes shining brightly, and warmth fills my chest. I’ll be honest, I get a thrill thinking about how she backed me up in pranking her father, that small act of defiance a not-so-subtle indication that she’s siding with me tonight.
Man, this woman’s special.
She truly deserves the world.
I wish I could be the kind of guy who could give it to her.