By noon, my head is pounding. I sneak out of my office, debating the ramifications of drinking my lunch. With my turkey on rye reminding me I can make at least one smart decision, I listen to my voicemails from the weekend.
I’m not totally sure what Lily calls me in the first one is physically possible. My sweet little sister has quite the mouth on her. By the eighth message, she simply asks me to call her. Like I need that reaming on top of everything else today. I’m just finishing my pickle when my phone alerts me to an incoming text. With a wince, I check my phone.
Maggie: I heard we made the papers! Did the paparazzi get my best side or do we need to try again? I’m held to a certain standard you know.My wince turns into a grin as I read Maggie’s text.
Colin: It’s not exactly suitable for framing, but I’ve seen worse.I look up in time to see two businesswomen holding the paper, whispering to each other as they size me up.
Colin: It is everywhere, however. My boss had a copy this morning.When I chance a glance back up, I find them still regarding me.
Colin: I think I’m being cased.
Maggie: Man or woman?
Colin: Women. Two of them. They have a copy of the paper in front of them.
Maggie: Hang on. Let me look the article up.
I sit for an eternity waiting for Maggie to text. Out of the corner of my eye, I see the women stand. I check my phone just to make sure I didn’t miss her text. No luck. Suddenly I’m aware someone is standing at my table.
“Colin Rhett?”
“Um-huh.” My mouth goes dry when I realize it’s one of the women from the table. Not the way it does when I see Maggie. More like I need to hit the panic button. She slides a napkin toward me.
“Just in case that tongue gets bored.” She laughs before walking out. It seems like it’s been forever since I’ve had a woman try to pick me up. Well, if you don’t count this weekend. The weirdest feeling, however, is the fact that I am totally uninterested. Not even a little bit.
Colin: I just got a phone number. I also think I’ve been eye-fucked.
Maggie: Smart lady! I’ve done that to you for years, you just never noticed. Have you already forgotten the shower? What do you think I was doing? I understand her interest, though, after seeing this picture. I think you’re wrong too. It is suitable for framing. We look hot!
Why is my face getting so hot? I remember a time when nothing made me blush, now that seems to be my go-to face.
Colin: Maybe I should have a portrait commissioned. We would have to spend hours posing for it in that position of course. Wouldn’t want to rush the master.
Maggie: Of course, we wouldn’t want it rushed. It could be our Christmas card!
I burst out with a loud laugh, drawing curious stares from the other diners. Glancing at the clock above the order counter, I realize I’m now late back to work. Shit! Grabbing my phone, I run for the door. I really am going to get fired one of these days.
10
Maggie
“Idon’t know why everyone is staring at me.” I’m sprawled on my couch surrounded by my four best friends in the world. They showed up at my door about thirty minutes ago, bringing wine. When the pizza arrived, everyone found a place to flop in my living room.
“Really, Maggie? Here’s the deal. Marcus and I are the boring old couple. Izzy’s pregnant, so that’s no longer a scandal. Lily and Matthew are doing some kinky shit none of us want to hear about and Claire is so confused, no one can figure her out. All we have is you in a hotter than shit series of photos with Colin.” Dia has me there. I guess it’s my turn to be in the hot seat.
“Nothing much happened. He asked me to his company Christmas party is all,” I say.
“So how do you go from a stuffy office party to having your picture in the paper with my brother licking salt off your body in a bar full of people? I mean, Jesus, Maggie! I can’t find out from Colin, he keeps ignoring my calls.” Lily sounds pissed. I’m not sure why she thinks she gets to mandate what Colin and I do with our time. We’re both adults. Still, I know she loves us both and doesn’t want to see anybody hurt.
“Fine,” I say. Everyone stops eating, leaning toward me. It’s a little disconcerting. Okay, it’s like being tortured on the rack. “Well, when he got home from here last time he asked if I would come up for the party.”
“Wait, what about ‘last time’? When was that?” Izzy asks.
“The day after the freak-out about seeing Brett at the restaurant. You remember, Lily. Colin came over the next morning with muffins to pick me up to go work at the shelter. All quiet and calm, well, at least until he pinned me against the wall. But otherwise, it was pretty calm. He was just trying to explain why he wasn’t like Brett.” They are all looking at me like I’ve turned into a dragon. I think Lily might be having a stroke. The pizza has been completely forgotten.
“Wait, what? Where the hell have I been?” Izzy asks, looking at me.
“So last weekend was just as crazy,” I begin, ignoring her. “I flew up Friday, we ate takeout and watched Netflix until I fell asleep on his lap. Saturday we started at the library jacking around with the camera until Lily called Colin. Then we knew we had to give y’all something to talk about.”
