then I have to haul ass to Queens to meet with an authentic Greek caterer that also serves kosher and halal – um? But first, I check my emails.
Rien.
I haven’t received a letter or email from Zach in two weeks. He mentioned in his last letter that prior to his furlough, he might be isolated and he may not have access to anything. But I guess I expect Zach to find a way.
“Natalie, you have a visitor.” Molly floats through the door in a leopard cape hugging a tangerine dress that probably cost twice my weekly salary. Damn, I want her wardrobe. She hands me a latte and smiles excitedly. “I told him to come in, but he insisted on staying in the waiting room. Natalie, he looks like an angel!”
“Are you sure he asked for me?” Jamie left a week ago and most of the guys I know look like metrosexual-bisexual-druggie-stockbroker-hockey players – no angels.
“Yes, you silly goose,” Molly says as she proceeds to her desk.
I minimize my computer screen, smooth out my shirt and take a quick peek at my reflection in the mirror above my desk. Is it normal to have bags this dark at my age? But my bags won’t stop my enthusiasm to meet an admirer, unless it’s that crazy hobo that shakes his boot at me or an officer of the court serving me pap—
Oh, it’s Pete.
Cherub Pete with the amazing body and inappropriate timing. Cupid Pete, smiling adorably and holding a tiny bag in his large, capable hands. The Pete that was to remain a sexual fantasy in my head for solo nights. Fuck.
“Hey Natalie,” he says cautiously. “Before you yell and scream or do that thing with your nose, just listen.”
I grab his arm and lead him to the hall. “How do you know where I work? And why – why are you here, Pete?”
“You told me where you work. We had an actual conversation at the bar, Natalie.” Pete shakes his head and crosses his arms. “I’m a chef and you wanted to know if I’d consider catering – for your events – you gave me your card. God, please tell me you remember something.” Irritated, he takes a step back and frowns.
“Yes, of course. I’m sorry, I just thought we agreed to sort of . . . not do this.”
“Right. Anyway, I found your necklace and wanted to return it to you.” He hands me the bag and I pull out my little gold star. Pete helps me clasp it around my neck and things just feel better. “I’m not your enemy, Natalie. In fact, I was hoping we could be friends.”
“I don’t know. Look, without sounding overly dramatic, I have a lot of confusing shit going on right now and your friendship will only complicate things. Can you just give me some time to think about it?” I really like Pete. He’s sweet and funny and very creative in bed, but I don’t need any added guilt on top of the dirty thoughts I’m thinking right now.
“Sure. Oh, and I talked to Adam – well actually, we’re not in a habit of talking about our feelings, but he did say he had to leave the bar because it was uncomfortable. That’s all I got from him.”
Holy shit. Things got real. “Wow, okay, well – um, tell him to fuck off. No! I didn’t mean that. Tell him he’s only hurting Chloe and he’s a big hairy pussy for being so weak. Wait – tell . . .”
“Natalie, it’s best to drop it. And just because I like you, a guy doesn’t give another guy relationship advice.”
“You’re right.” I sigh. “Pete, thank you for returning my necklace. I have to get back to a meeting.” I reach up to hug him and he sweetly rubs my back – it’s like he knows that I’m conflicted and confused. “Thank you for everything,” I say into his neck.
“No problem. Take care, Natalie – maybe we’ll cross paths again someday,” he says hopefully.
“Maybe.” After a few seconds of awkward silence, I walk back to the waiting room. I pause, turn back to look at him, but he’s gone. This will be easier than I thought.
“Details, please!” Molly exclaims.
I close the large door that leads
Rien.
I haven’t received a letter or email from Zach in two weeks. He mentioned in his last letter that prior to his furlough, he might be isolated and he may not have access to anything. But I guess I expect Zach to find a way.
“Natalie, you have a visitor.” Molly floats through the door in a leopard cape hugging a tangerine dress that probably cost twice my weekly salary. Damn, I want her wardrobe. She hands me a latte and smiles excitedly. “I told him to come in, but he insisted on staying in the waiting room. Natalie, he looks like an angel!”
“Are you sure he asked for me?” Jamie left a week ago and most of the guys I know look like metrosexual-bisexual-druggie-stockbroker-hockey players – no angels.
“Yes, you silly goose,” Molly says as she proceeds to her desk.
I minimize my computer screen, smooth out my shirt and take a quick peek at my reflection in the mirror above my desk. Is it normal to have bags this dark at my age? But my bags won’t stop my enthusiasm to meet an admirer, unless it’s that crazy hobo that shakes his boot at me or an officer of the court serving me pap—
Oh, it’s Pete.
Cherub Pete with the amazing body and inappropriate timing. Cupid Pete, smiling adorably and holding a tiny bag in his large, capable hands. The Pete that was to remain a sexual fantasy in my head for solo nights. Fuck.
“Hey Natalie,” he says cautiously. “Before you yell and scream or do that thing with your nose, just listen.”
I grab his arm and lead him to the hall. “How do you know where I work? And why – why are you here, Pete?”
“You told me where you work. We had an actual conversation at the bar, Natalie.” Pete shakes his head and crosses his arms. “I’m a chef and you wanted to know if I’d consider catering – for your events – you gave me your card. God, please tell me you remember something.” Irritated, he takes a step back and frowns.
“Yes, of course. I’m sorry, I just thought we agreed to sort of . . . not do this.”
“Right. Anyway, I found your necklace and wanted to return it to you.” He hands me the bag and I pull out my little gold star. Pete helps me clasp it around my neck and things just feel better. “I’m not your enemy, Natalie. In fact, I was hoping we could be friends.”
“I don’t know. Look, without sounding overly dramatic, I have a lot of confusing shit going on right now and your friendship will only complicate things. Can you just give me some time to think about it?” I really like Pete. He’s sweet and funny and very creative in bed, but I don’t need any added guilt on top of the dirty thoughts I’m thinking right now.
“Sure. Oh, and I talked to Adam – well actually, we’re not in a habit of talking about our feelings, but he did say he had to leave the bar because it was uncomfortable. That’s all I got from him.”
Holy shit. Things got real. “Wow, okay, well – um, tell him to fuck off. No! I didn’t mean that. Tell him he’s only hurting Chloe and he’s a big hairy pussy for being so weak. Wait – tell . . .”
“Natalie, it’s best to drop it. And just because I like you, a guy doesn’t give another guy relationship advice.”
“You’re right.” I sigh. “Pete, thank you for returning my necklace. I have to get back to a meeting.” I reach up to hug him and he sweetly rubs my back – it’s like he knows that I’m conflicted and confused. “Thank you for everything,” I say into his neck.
“No problem. Take care, Natalie – maybe we’ll cross paths again someday,” he says hopefully.
“Maybe.” After a few seconds of awkward silence, I walk back to the waiting room. I pause, turn back to look at him, but he’s gone. This will be easier than I thought.
“Details, please!” Molly exclaims.
I close the large door that leads
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