Green Table

FOURTEEN

Renae prayed dinner wouldn't have any problems between the two men. She couldn't believe how quickly Cooper agreed to the outing. He was to meet them there since Hunter seemed to be adamant about taking her himself. To Renae it was almost like a father approval meeting of her new boyfriend. And so, she didn't want to look too promiscuous, yet she also wanted to look her best for Cooper. Curling her hair she wondered if they would ever get along, or if they would always quarrel. It seemed like the men had already made up their minds on one another. Finishing her hair, she pulled on nice dark jeans and a flowery blouse that flattered her form. Throwing on slight heels, Renae opened the door before Hunter even had time to knock.

“You surprised me!” Renae shouted, and a look of shock crossed Hunter's face.

“Well, it wouldn’t have been as surprising if you had just let me knock.” He grinned. Grabbing her hand, he led her outside and down to the car. “I’m glad you suggested us all going out tonight. It would mean the world to me if you could give your approval to Cooper.” Renae could see the sting on his face has she mentioned Cooper.

“I just wish you would think of me, as you do him.”

“That would be hard, you are like a brother to me.” More pain crossed Hunters face, she almost felt bad for saying the truth.

“If it makes it any better, Cooper and I aren’t officially together and haven’t done anything to make it seem that way. Right now, I am a valuable source of information on a case he is working on.”

“How do you know he isn’t using you.” That made her frown, many times she had asked herself that. Was he only using her to progress his case and did he at all feel bad about it. And yet another part of her, was more than willing to be used, to give up money and fame only to have these small moments with him. She wondered how many other women he had used his charm to persuade in pursuit of justice.

“He wouldn’t do that.”

“How do you know?”

“I just do.” Renae didn’t like where this conversation was going, she knew Hunter was jealous, but she found it hard to believe that he was going so far as to plant seeds into her brain.

“You’ll see, what we have is special and I just want you to be happy for me.” Hunter nodded his head in agreance, avoiding giving an unappreciated reply.

The restaurant was busy, Cooper had beaten them there and snagged the trio a table closest to the bar. On the table was two glasses of bourbon and a bowl like margarita glass, next to that the chips and salsa. Cooper stood up to greet them, shaking Hunters hand firmly and wrapping his other arm around Renae’s waist pulling her along next to him into the booth.

“Thank you for inviting me to join Hunter. I know this means a lot to Renae.”

Renae was impressed by how cordial he was being and hoped the rest of the night would be like that. Early pleasantries went quickly, and so far everything was going great. A big smile sat on her face, she felt like one of the luckiest women in the world.

“Renae remember when we were in college and one of my buddies and you got so drunk- “

“No, I don’t remember Hunter.” What game was he playing at?

“I remember it clear as day, you and Peter- “

“I think that’s enough Hunter, she clearly doesn’t want to relive that memory.” Cooper chimed in; Renae could tell he was starting to get upset. Shrinking into the booth, she called over the waiter and asked for another margarita. “I’m just trying to tell you what she was like in college.” Hunter sneered at Cooper.