“Yeah, it’s crazy, it was my last year in college. If it wasn’t for my parents, I would have never finished. He’s six now. I’m not married…actually…” She looks around and fidgets with her hands in her lap. “Actually, Tristan doesn’t even know his dad. He was just a…a mistake—I mean the guy, not Tristan of course!”
“I knew what you meant.”
“Ichoseto have Tristan. He’s my whole world,” she says.
“I get it. Well, I guess I’m happy you found a better spot to work. It should make things a little easier on you.” I’m scribbling my signature on the check. I don’t even know how much to give her. I write it for a thousand dollars. Seems like a good amount. “Here you go.”
She takes it timidly and looks down. “Oh my gosh, this is too much.”
“No, Kate, seriously, that’s fair. You did a great job. You’re a single mom and you never asked for time off or to leave early…”I pause. “Actually, why don’t you take the rest of the day off? Go be with your son.”
She laughs lightly. There is something I can’t figure out, some disconnect. “Um, Alex…I, um…Actually, Tristan is staying at his grandparents’ tonight. I didn’t come in here to ask for a job, or a bonus…or to leave early.” She laughs nervously again.
It hits me. She’s flirting…kind of. I’m squinting and continually nodding my head. I don’t know if I’m still her boss and I don’t know what to do. “Kate…”
“You’ve been so great, Alex. I wanted to see…I know this might seem a little inappropriate or presumptuous, but…” She’s biting her bottom lip. “Do you want to have dinner with me, Alex? No expectations, just dinner. I know you’re at your apartment on Fridays and I’m gonna be alone tonight and it’s my last day and…”
“Yes. Let’s have dinner.” Oh god. It just comes out. Why do I feel sick to my stomach saying that? It’s been many months now since the divorce was final.
“Great.” She stands up and heads for the door. It’s the first time I have looked at her ass—she has a nice one. I can’t help it, I’m human.
“Okay, Kate, I’ll call you?”
“Sure, yeah. I’m not very good at this, Alex.” She blushes.
What is wrong with me?I don’t know what to say or do. “I’m not either, obviously. Text me your address and I’ll pick you up? Like maybe around seven?”
“That sounds good.”
“Do you like Cuban food?” I ask.
“I’ve never had it, but I eat pretty much everything. I’d love to try it.”
It’s weird to me that she’s never had Cuban food, but then I do the math in my head based on how old her son is and realizeI’m almost twenty years older than her.Am I a cliché?I don’t evenknowany people in their twenties, except maybe our neighbors.
I stand and smile. “Okay, then. You can go ahead and take off. I’ll see you tonight.” I wave like a moron.
She laughs and I’m relieved.
As soon as she’s out the door, I sit back down in my chair and dial Brian. I need to talk to somebody. I have questions. Is the age difference okay? I know what Brian is going to say. He’s gonna say just have fun with her, but I still have that sinking guilty feeling. I call Mark instead.
“Yo,” he says.
“Hey, do you have a minute?” My voice is shaky.
“Yeah, what’s up? You sound like you’re being tortured.”
“I am. Listen, you can’t tell Alicia this, please, please,please. I know she will immediately tell Dani everything.”
“I won’t tell her anything. What’s going on?”
“The temp…”
“The cute one?”
“Yeah, I’m going to dinner with her tonight.”
“Awesome, I won’t tell Dani. Anyway, do you remember that divorce you guys got?”
