The urge to defend Addie flared in Greta. Shewassomething. She was a sweet, loyal, incredible woman, and she kept Toni happy in a way that made her easier to deal with. Greta felt like she was going to have to spill everything.
Then Lee said, “The author is a lucky woman. I’ve seen them around the city a few times. They seem perfect together.”
And Greta relaxed and said only, “They really are. I’ve seen them in Manhattan. We have associates in common, actually.” That wasn’t a lie, but it really wasn’t the whole truth either.
What am I to say? That I know them? That I edited the book?
Lee hip-bumped her. “Make your sandwich. Want to watch an episode of the show while we eat?”
“Are you trying to avoid chatting with me?” Greta asked, tone as nonthreatening as possible.
“Nope. I have it on good authority that friends watch shows together.” Lee smiled disarmingly. “In fact, I have watched the entire first season at least twice because so many of my friends are invested in it.”
“Same.” Greta fixed her sandwich. “Water? Wine? Juice? Soda?”
“You don’t need to wait on me,” Lee said a little sternly. “How about you point out the cupboard, and I’ll get us both a drink.”
Greta pointed. “Wineglass for me. In the fridge is a bottle of white I opened last night. Pour me a glass?”
Lee nodded and got them both a glass of wine. Greta tried not to think how nice it was to have someone at ease in her space the way Lee seemed to be. She wasn’t as crude as she tried to seem either; she knew exactly which glasses to use. Lee pulled out white wine glasses, smaller bowls like a champagne flute, but shorter overall than either red wine glasses or champagne flutes. Greta had all three, as well asmartini, margarita, cocktail, and highball options, and, of course, water tumblers. She hadn’t been able to throw them out when she and Tasha split, although the last time Greta had anyone over in a group had been several years ago—with Tasha.
Thoughts of the life she thought she would have put a damper on Greta’s mood. Tasha’s decision to upend their lives shouldn’t mean that memories of her could intrude as often as they were lately. At least now they were not tinged with rage or betrayal, merely a sense of letting go, but Greta was ready to skip over this whole process of healing.
But not so much that I can be friends with Tash. Not now. Hopefully someday…
Being around Lee and the emotions she evoked triggered something for Greta, some urge to move on, and she wasn’t ready to face what that meant.
I need to get my head together.
Greta walked past Lee and went to the bathroom to grab a robe. She washed her face and stared into the bathroom mirror. “I am overreacting. Lee is nothing like Tasha. I am not dating her. Everything is okay.”
She’d never felt so emotionally unsettled by a hookup, but she’d also not made a habit of inviting people to her home.
When she came back, Lee looked at her, expression open and worried. “Are you okay?”
“I was just realizing you’re the first woman who’s been in my kitchen since my ex.” Greta shook her head.
“How long ago?”
“Two years.” Greta cinched the robe belt tighter.
“Do you want me to go?”
“Not at all.”
“You got dressed.…”
Greta shook her head. “No, I put on a robe. I didn’t want to sit there and shiver while we watched a show. Plus, I am not going to sit on my sofa naked while you’re still fully dressed.”
Lee removed her shirt, leaving her in a sports bra and jeans. “Better?”
“Some.” Greta walked to the sofa and sat on one end and looked back at Lee.
Lee followed with the drinks and her own sandwich, and Greta took in her ease at carrying everything else and asked, “How long did you wait tables?”
“You’re good at this game.” Lee sat and gave her an appraising look. “About three years during college. Flexible hours, no taxes on tips meant more in my pocket. I was on my own by then, and every dollar mattered.” She took a bite of her sandwich, and after she finished it, she added, “I payallmy taxes now.”
They ended up chatting rather than watching the show, and afterward, Lee took away the dishes and went to the bathroom while Greta wondered if this was the end of their night.
