“Still, I want to be respectful in his home.”
“Fine,” I say because it seems important to her. “I’ll make up the extra bedroom. If it’s any comfort, the door has a lock.”
“No comfort at all.” Her lips quirk. “As I recall, you’re handy with a screwdriver.”
I smile back. “I’ll leave my tools in the shed.”
“Hm.”
“I’ll pick you up tomorrow. We’ll go for a ride on the bike. I’ll take you sailing on Saturday. We can even BBQ some steaks.”
“Threw food in to sweeten the deal, did you?”
“Whatever it takes.”
“You’re sure?”
“Of course I’m sure.” Mostly.
“You were worried about things getting complicated.”
“We know what we’re doing, right?”
“Right.”
“So, you’ll come?”
Her eyes shine with pleasure. “Yes. But I’ll take my car. I’m having a spa day with my mom and Lex on Sunday.”
“We’ll have until then.” I pull her into my arms, hold her against me, and register that it feels good—maybe too good.
IT’S NEARING THE END OF the day when Athena appears at my workstation. “I’d like a few minutes of your time.”
“Of course,” I say, aware that all eyes are on us, including Talon’s beady orbs. Although Nori has Fridays off, it’s still a rare thing for Athena to be in the bullpen unless she’s arranged a team powwow. I don’t get the impression that she thinks she’s above us. She’s just all work.
With a smile to hide the thoughts whirling in my head, I stand and grab a notepad.
“You’ve been looking well these days,” Athena remarks as we walk toward her office. “Happy?” she ventures.
“I am. The project is really coming along. Another week and we should have the design wrapped up.”
“I thought it might be something else. Perhapssomeone?”
Okay. That’s weird. Athena has never asked about my personal life or shared hers.
She gestures toward the guest chair and frosts the glass wall for privacy. “I have spent my entire adult life building my career and business, proving myself as a woman…as a black woman…as a large, queer black woman. I have no regrets. I made those fuckers who didn’t believe I could do it eat their words. But getting here has been an isolating experience.”
“You’re brilliant, Athena. I’m in awe of all you’ve accomplished. Sounds like it might be time for you to enjoy life and the fruits of your labors,” I say, sliding carefully out of professional territory.
“I’ve been thinking the same,” she admits leaning forward with a burdened expression on her face. “I know this conversation is completely inappropriate, but I haven’t cultivated many friendships. I see a lot of my younger self in you. That raw ambition and go-getter spirit, the passion and drive, you have all that.”
“Thank you. My career…what I do…is important to me. I love it.”
“What about outside of work…friends, family, a significant other?”
“I’m very close to my family, and I have two girlfriends who mean the world to me. No significant other, but I am involved with someone. It’s still fairly new, and we’re keeping it casual.”
“Does he make you happy?”
