“Saying you’re not as bad as the worst isn’t a great victory. The bar is higher than the ground.”
“On the off chance I get a minute, what art do you think I should get?” The words are directed at me, but he’s still looking at Naomi.
I answer anyway, even though I don’t think anyone particularly wants me in this conversation, sparking off each other like they are. Especially since I would have to back Nate, workaholics sticking together and all that. “Well, newbies can go either way really. Some like the modern aesthetic with abstract art because they don’t need a lot of historical knowledge, but some people like the pieces that reference mythology or biblical stories they know, something they can connect to.”
“I think I would like something modern.”
I start listing the best works that I think would fit his tastes. Naomi chimes in with her expertise, already on her way to becoming a discerning collector. Probably from learning from her father.
We’re still discussing art when I hear yelling. A yellow ball comes flying toward the bleachers, and would have hit Nate right in the chest if he hadn’t dodged out of the way, dropping his plate and wineglass in the process.
“Sorry,” Gavin yells from the court, lifting his racket in apology.
“Watch it,” I yell back. He shouldn’t be pranking me...he had the last prank. It’s my turn—we have a system, damn it.
My heart takes some time to get back to beating at a normal pace from the excitement, and I use the moment to take in how good Gavin looks when he exercises. He took his outer shirt off so he’s playing in a tank top, and he’s glistening like the Roman soldiers in Jacques-Louis David painting’s theOath of the Horatii. Which is very glisteny.
I remind myself he just hit a ball at me so lusting after him is not a good look. So instead of looking at him, I help Nate pick up his discarded eating utensils.
Gavin makes it all the way to the finals before he loses to Harrison. He gives me a wink when we gather for the small winner’s circle, and I know he let Harrison win. I mean, Harrison is a good player, but Gavin is playing significantly slower than when he played his other opponents.
Touché, rival, touché.
“Age might have won over beauty, but I’m a good sport and I’m not keeping my own champagne.” He gives the box to Gavin, who accepts it with a cloying smile. “Dinner tonight, everyone, then we’re going to have some after-dinner drinks and dancing for whoever wants it.”
“Harrison, if I could make an announcement about tomorrow?” I say before everyone can disperse.
“Of course. Our hunting trip got canceled and Priya kindly offered to plan us an event in its place,” Harrison says to the crowd of expectant guests.
“Tomorrow if everyone can wear exercise clothes they don’t mind getting dirty, we’ll meet on the back terrace at 11:00 a.m. White shirts are recommended but I’ll have some extras if you don’t have anything,” I say.
“I’m intrigued. What are we doing?” Pari asks.
“It’s a surprise. Hopefully a fun one.” And one that Pari will know better than anyone, once she realizes what it is.
“We’re going to get dirty?” Cindy wrinkles her face like I asked her to climb in a crawl space and remove whatever is causing a house to smell so bad.
“Nothing permanent. And if you don’t want to participate, watching will be fun too.” Like she couldn’t just buy a new...whatever gets ruined. Like she can’t just buy a million new whatevers get ruined.
“I’m looking forward to what you have for us. Now I have to get some work done.” Harrison walks back to the house.
He’s not the only one. Dismissed by the teacher, I head back to do my own work. Gavin must have the same idea, because he walks back with me.
“Do you think this is going to be Lizzo dancing orPride and Prejudicedancing tonight?” I ask to make conversation.
Mostly because in the silence, alone with just the two of us, my mind keeps going back to the sex room. And what we did in that sex room, which raises the temperature in the hallway significantly.
“I don’t know what either of those would mean, so I hope it’s just some calm swaying. Maybe a gentle two-step.” We stop in front of our doors and he starts moving his shoulders back and forth with his feet, with no participation from his hips.
“Oh no, please stop that. You should sit out the dancing, whatever it ends up being.” I laugh.
“You don’t want to see these sweet moves?” He starts alternating between doing the Sprinkler and slowly backing up toward me. And then both of those things at once.
“Please stop,” I beg, getting breathless with laughter. “I’ll give you five dollars if you stop.” I found yet another thing he can’t manage effortlessly. So many imperfections in this man...making him human.
“And deprive you of all of this.” He gets so close his butt is rubbing up against me. But awkwardly.
He’s adorable. An adorable, human man.
