“Hey, darling, what’s up?” he answered.
“I need a dose of reality,” I said desperately.
“Uh-oh,” he intoned, “What, or should I ask who, did you do?”
“No one yet,” I replied. “And I haven’t done anything yet either.”
“But…”
I let out a sigh and sat in the chair behind my desk. “You remember Zach, the bartender at Moonlight?”
“Oh yes,” he said lasciviously. “That man isfine.”
“And straight,” I added.
“Honey, they are never straight.”
“You’ve been reading too many romance novels,” I retorted.
“Maybe so,” he admitted. “My favorite is stuck in a blizzard in a cabin with only one bed.”
I groaned. “Will you be serious? I’m having a crisis here.”
“All right, I’ll be serious. Tell me what’s going on with tall, dark, and delicious.”
I told Albert all about my day, starting with my horrible conversation with my sister and ending with me agreeing to go out for a drink with my straight-boy crush.
Albert was silent for longer than I expected. “She really did that?” he asked. His tone was low and angry. “I can’t believe Isabella would do that after everything you went through in high school.”
Tears threatened to choke me again. “I know,” I said hoarsely. “I said as much to her. I think it might have hit harder than I realized because Carlos was super pissed about me disrespecting my sister. I think it was more that Isabella realized what she’d done and got mad at him for putting her in that position.”
Albert sighed. “Oh, honey, I’m so sorry. I know how much you love those kids.”
“Yeah, I do.” I closed my eyes. “But what am I going to do about Zach?”
“Listen,” he said, his tone serious. “You know I like to joke around about straight guys not being straight, but I’m serious about Zach. How many straight guys worry about fixing another man’s makeup unless it’s their job?”
“None that I’ve ever met,” I conceded.
“And you told me he got all growly and protective when Carlos was there?”
“Well, sure,” I replied. “But he’s naturally protective. He’s in the Army.”
Albert let out a loud sigh. “You are so damn stubborn. Why don’t you just keep an open mind? He might be bi and not acknowledging that part of himself. You know how some families are about ‘the gay.’ I’ve known a few guys who came out as bi later in life because they were too scared to do it when they were younger.”
“I suppose,” I acknowledged. “I really like him, Al. Not just because he’s hot. I likehim. He’s caring and compassionate and so damn sweet. He’s a big teddy bear.”
“So then, why don’t you let go of your preconceived notions and let things happen naturally? You’ll find out one way or the other.”
“I suppose I will,” I replied.
“And you better call me tonight after you get home,” Albert demanded. “I want all the dirty details.”
I laughed for the first time since my conversation with Isabella. “I will. I promise.” I was still smiling after I hung up. I was pretty sure there wouldn’t be any “dirty” details, but maybe there would be hopeful ones.
CHAPTERFIVE
ZACH
