“That’s not a good idea. What if you fall? Who’ll be there to pick you up?”
I laughed. “I’m not a frail ninety-year-old. I’m fine.”
“And how does your friend feel about it?”
“Weston? He doesn’t care. I’m sure he’s glad to have the place to himself.”
“I wouldn’t be too sure. Anyway, let me send you Omar to help with your things.”
I was about to protest but decided not to. It would be bulky to have to wheel my suitcase and carry my laptop as well. “Okay, thanks.”
“I’m shocked. You finally agreed to something without me having to twist your arm.”
A swift check of my watch showed it was close to three p.m. “I’ll be ready around six. Can you send him to Weston’s building then?”
“That’s perfect.Ciao.”
I hung up, no longer in a bad mood. I finished up my work for the day and left for the weekend. Weston’s office door was closed, and I didn’t bother to knock to tell him I was leaving. We’d said everything necessary. By six I was ready and waiting in the lobby, and I watched as a black car pulled up. Omar the mountain man came and took my belongings to the trunk, then opened the car door for me.
I slid inside, and why was I not surprised to see Christine in the back seat with me? “Funny, I had this feeling…” I shook my head.
“Does that mean I’m becoming predictable? I need to step up my game.” We took off, and we were soon bumping downtown on the FDR drive. “You had to know I’d have questions.”
“And you think I’m going to give you answers?” I joked.
“It didn’t take a mind reader to see that something was going on between you and Weston.”
While weighing how to answer, I cast a glance toward the front seat, and again Christine read my mind. “There’s a divider. He can’t hear anything unless I push the button.”
I heaved a long sigh. “I’m not sure what’s going on. We’re friends but not really.”
“I’m not talking about friendship. Are you lovers?”
Recalling Weston’s mouth on my dick and his unbridled, passionate response, I wanted to say yes, but it wasn’t my place to talk about his sex life. Besides,loverswasn’t the right word, though I didn’t know what was.
“No. We aren’t lovers.”
“But—”
“No. Please, Christine. It’s not only my life here, but Weston’s too, and I don’t feel right talking about it. I answered your question, and I think that should be enough.”
She took my hand and squeezed it. “We met because we both suffered losing our mothers to a horrible disease. But you know that you’re my friend. And if something bothers you, I want you to feel like you can talk to me.”
I smiled at her. “I appreciate that, and I consider you a good friend as well. But some things are better left alone.”
She frowned. “You sound like Archer. He kept his whole life a secret, thinking he wasn’t good enough, when he was better than anyone I knew. You are the same. A wonderful man who deserves to be happy, if you’d allow yourself to accept it.”
I stayed silent for the remainder of the ride. We reached my apartment in DUMBO and Omar helped me upstairs. Of course Christine came prepared with food to fill my refrigerator.
“Thank you again for everything.” I kissed her cheek. “I’ll call you. I know the fund raiser is coming up, so I’ll see you then.”
“Yes, you will and maybe before. Try and get some of your new partners to come. I’m sure they’d be happy to donate to a worthy cause. In any case, I’ll talk to you in a few days.”
After she left, I FaceTimed Bill.
“Hey, kiddo. How’re you feeling? The ankle better?”
“Yeah, definitely. No more crutches. Just checking in to make sure you’re doing okay.”
