I searched for my discarded leggings so I didn’t have to look at him. “Nothing’s happening. We’re talking.” It came out snippy.
“Are we? Because it feels more like you accusing me of being shallow.”
“Not at all. I never said that.” I tried to sound casual. “You like what you like, you can’t help it.”
I spotted my leggings in a heap and snatched them up. Andrew reached for my wrist before I could put them on, leaving me standing there in a shirt and no pants, like a porno Winnie the Pooh.
“I likeyou. For fuck’s sake, Chels, isn’t that obvious by now? Modeling was Zadie’s life. Looking perfect was her job, and that was fine for her. But I know that superficial stuff doesn’t matter to you.”
The comment burned a white-hot hole through me. There it was, flayed open and bleeding out between us. When it came to the way I looked I’d never measure up to her.
I got dressed quickly without saying a word.
“Something’s wrong. Tell me why you’re upset.” He hopped off the mats and pulled on his workout pants. “Chelsea, stop.”
Andrew grasped me by both arms and turned me so that I had to face him. My stupid bottom lip quivered and he pulled me against his bare chest, hugging me tightly. I could hear his heartbeat pounding away as he stroked my hair. As much as I wanted to push back I clung to him, like I was afraid that everything was at risk of evaporating. He kissed the top of my head then leaned back to look into my eyes.
“I think you’re absolutely beautiful, okay? Is that what you want to hear?”
I did, of course I did, but not like that. It felt like he wasoffering me a consolation prize, like he’d figured out why I was upset and backpedaled so the teary woman he’d just had sex with would feel okay about herself.
“Thanks,” I sniffled, trying to play it off like my nose was stuffed and not that I was feeling wounded.
“I mean it. You’re amazing.”
“If you say so,” I said, and managed a smile.
He gave me another kiss on top of the head then pulled his T-shirt on. “We’re not done, by the way. Back to work. Let’s go.” Andrew clapped his hands and headed for the weights we’d abandoned for a more enjoyable workout.
The sound of his front door opening was followed by a voice. “Hey, Andrew, you here?”
It was Mike. Ten minutes earlier and our landlord would’ve been treated to the exact same view Nolan had had in their dorm room. I made a mental note to remind Andrew to lock the door for any future fun at Crush.
“Yup, we’re here,” he called back. “Me and Chelsea.”
“Good.” Mike speed-walked to us in his hunched, guilty-looking posture. “Glad you’re both here. Listen, the buyer is coming back again tonight and he’s going to be taking some measurements so I wanted to confirm you won’t be here. It’s gonna take a while.”
My body tensed. “Hold on. Thebuyer? You sold the building?”
No, no, no. Not yet.I glanced at Andrew, but his face was unreadable.
“Okay, so I wouldn’t exactly say that it’s sold, but we’re close.” Mike checked to make sure his cigarette was still behind his ear. “But if you ask me it’s as good as done.”
I felt a little nauseous. A lot nauseous. But then again, Mikewas always a big talker. Everything was the best, first, and most. There was a strong possibility that this “buyer” wasn’t even close to signing any contracts and it was just wishful thinking on his part.
“Okay, we’ll be out of here in thirty minutes,” Andrew said, still deploying his poker face.
“And I’m done for the day,” I added, even though the idea of a stranger nosing around in my building made me queasy.
“What’s the process going to be?” Andrew asked, taking a few steps closer to Mike, who backed up to keep the buffer between them. “And do you know what they want to do with the building?”
I could tell that he was lying before he opened his mouth. “Nope, not yet. No idea.”
“You need to keep us informed,” Andrew said. “It’s only fair, considering my entire business is hinging on who buys the building.”
Mike went into shifty eye overdrive, looking everywhere but at us and shuffling his feet. “You got it. When I know, you’ll know.”
“Appreciate it.” There was zero appreciation in Andrew’s voice.
