Jonathan glanced at Teresa and smirked. “Let’s not talk about my ex-wife, or my girlfriend here might get jealous.”
Steve looked at Teresa and said, “Ms. Johnston, I was just kidding. No need to be jealous of someone from the past. Every guy has a few old flames, light. We’ll catch up on business another time, leave you two alone.”
Teresa’s smile was purely for show. As soon as Steve left, she could contain herself no longer. “Jonathan, what’s that supposed to mean? Your ex-wife was blind to divorce you?”
Jonathan flipped open a magazine and shot her a look. “Then how was I supposed to explain it? If I said you were my ex-wife, what kind of reaction do you think he’d have?”
Teresa was momentarily speechless, but she insisted, “You didn’t have to say I was your girlfriend. You could’ve just said I was your sister. He’d believe it.”
“One’s last name is Lynn, the other’s Johnston. How would that make you my sister?” Jonathan said.
“Cousin, then.” Teresa huffed and stormed out.
Jonathan was getting ready to leave the hospital. The doctor wanted him to stay for another two days for observation, but he’d only been there a day.
“I’m fine. I’ve had gastroenteritis before, and that time was way worse,” Jonathan said. “Last time, it was because I drank too much and ate some spoiled ravioli.”
At that, Teresa jabbed him hard with her elbow. Teresa thought, Seriously, can he ever just stop talking?
The doctor glanced at Teresa while jotting down notes. “Well, if your husband insists on leaving, you can go ahead and handle his discharge paperwork.”
Teresa couldn’t be bothered to explain her relationship with Jonathan. There was no need to give people more reason to gossip. “Doctor, you’re sure he is really okay?”
“For now, he seems fine. But you need to keep a close eye on your husband. No drinking for a while, especially not on an empty stomach, or he could end up with a stomach bleed,” said the doctor.
Teresa nodded. “Got it, thanks, doctor.”
After getting discharged, Jonathan was in high spirits. He had the driver bring his car over and then drove himself.
“I’ll treat you to dinner, Western food, something fancy, or there’s a great place near where I’m staying. Want to try it?”
Teresa was quiet for a few seconds. “Let me treat you,” she said. She added, “Honestly, I only got another shot at business with Mr. Frazier because of you. So this meal should be on me.”
Jonathan stared at her for a few seconds, his gaze unreadable. “So after this dinner, you’re just going to go your own way again, huh?”
“What else? I’m just here on a business trip, and frankly, if it weren’t for work, we wouldn’t have even run into each other.” Teresa opened the car door for her. “Get in,” he said.
At the restaurant, Teresa handed Jonathan the menu. He ordered dishes he knew she loved while avoiding anything spicy or seafood for himself. After all, he’d just gotten out of the hospital.
Teresa absentmindedly picked at her food while Jonathan quietly put more on her plate.
“By the way, what’s Jennifer’s friend’s name?” Jonathan asked.
“You wouldn’t know him even if I told you,” Teresa replied, then shot back, “So, after your marriage, didn’t you meet anyone?”
“My mom tried setting me up with some women who studied overseas, but I didn’t bother meeting them,” Jonathan said.
“Maybe you should give it a try,” Teresa suggested.
She thought, Don’t they both agree to start over? Everyone knows the best way to get over someone is to start something new.
“Can’t you even eat without talking?” Jonathan clearly didn’t want to keep discussing whether he’d find someone new. Just then, Teresa’s phone rang. She glanced at the caller ID. It was from Sanford. She said, “I’m going to the restroom.”